Thebangtoddowenwaldorf

LATEST ARTICLES ( 80 )

• Old Man and the Sea

  

  “Oh you sail?” said the man with the balding head and the crushed watermelon drink in front of him. The tiki bar sat on the grainy sands of Koh Samui and was... Read more

  Posted on 14 September 2012 EXPAT, TRAVEL

• Spicy Villa

  

  We didn’t expect him to be there. “Todd?” I heard with an accent. No one could know me out here. Moments before we were on a train ride that lasted fourteen... Read more

  Posted on 08 September 2012 EXPAT, TRAVEL

• Future Self

  

  It’s interesting preparing for your future self. Later I will look back on now and I could feel rewarded about today, or like crap. I want to feel rewarded.... Read more

  Posted on 29 August 2012 EXPAT, TRAVEL

• Zing

  

  Here I go. The big leap. A second time coming. It feels different this time though. It’s the familiarity of it. Goodbyes become commonplace. One of the things... Read more

  Posted on 29 August 2012 EXPAT, TRAVEL

• Review: 1776

  

  In 2003 I was given a gift card. I forgot why. I think it was my birthday. The gift card was to a bookstore. I didn’t know what to buy, so I bought the first... Read more

  Posted on 09 August 2012 EXPAT, TRAVEL

• 1984

  

  We went to the Carolina Tiger Rescue several days ago. A conversation about lions had been sparked prior to it. If I were asked which animal do I admire the... Read more

  Posted on 11 April 2012 EXPAT, SELF EXPRESSION

• Carolina Tiger Rescue

  

  We went to the Carolina Tiger Rescue several days ago. A conversation about lions had been sparked prior to it. If I were asked which animal do I admire the... Read more

  Posted on 11 April 2012 ANIMALS & WILDLIFE, ENVIRONMENT

• Review: Lincoln

  

  Before I left for Australia, I had quit my job at Charles Schwab. The team that I was on gave me a going away present, a gift card for a book store. Read more

  Posted on 30 March 2012 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Just a Little Gap-filler

  

  I left Las Vegas many weeks ago. I had gotten a job at an Animal Clinic. That night I entertained a friend of a friend around The Strip and Fremont Street. The... Read more

  Posted on 30 March 2012 EXPAT

• Little Thing

  

  The Little Hyundai that can.  So when I came back from Australia I bought a car.  I shopped around with price in mind first, and then fuel economy.  Having... Read more

  Posted on 20 March 2012 EXPAT, TRAVEL

• Fremont St.

  

  Vegas. What do I have to say about thee? I came, I parked my car, found a place to live, and I even got a job in your fourth (or first, depending on who’s... Read more

  Posted on 07 March 2012 EXPAT, TRAVEL

• First Creek Canyon

  

  The turned the ignition and the engined tried but the car didn’t start. I left the key turned in the ignition and turned the steering wheel to the right so... Read more

  Posted on 02 March 2012 EXPAT, TRAVEL

• River Mountains Loop

  

  “Welcome to the dramatic circle of rugged mountains, desert landscapes, and the startling blue of Lake Mead.” I read the sign and peddled on. I went a little... Read more

  Posted on 29 February 2012 EXPAT, TRAVEL

• Cottonwood Valley

  

  I pulled the car off of the side of the road. I hadn’t made it far along Blue Mountain Road which leads into Red Rock Canyon. At the sight of the first cars on... Read more

  Posted on 27 February 2012 EXPAT, TRAVEL

• Scenario

  Do you know where DeLand, Florida is? Wait, preliminary question. Are you in Florida? If so, please answer the question. If not, you don’t know where DeLand... Read more

  Posted on 24 February 2012 EXPAT, TRAVEL

• Quiet Please

  

  Okay, let’s talk about comments. “Hey Todd, I read that story about Gateway Retreat while you were in Brisbane.” says some guy that I just made up in my head bu... Read more

  Posted on 24 February 2012 EXPAT, TRAVEL

• Las Vegas Bound

  

  I got in the car. It is a Hyundai. It is the smallest car I’ve ever owned and it gets great gas mileage. Matt and Michelle were waiting for me. I was giving the... Read more

  Posted on 21 February 2012 EXPAT, TRAVEL

• The Wind Blew

  

  Today I’m sitting in the cabin of Stormbreaker. That’s where I am writing you from now. Last night I sat at the table on the deck and read a little as the sun... Read more

  Posted on 29 January 2012 EXPAT, TRAVEL

• Western Tasmania

  

  The bus meandered through the turns. They reminded me of cooked spagetti in a bowl bending this way and that. I sat in the front behind the bus driver. Read more

  Posted on 23 January 2012 EXPAT, TRAVEL

• SPOT – Satellite GPS Messenger

  

  I watched as the GPS light blinked red just outside of Gate 3 at Auckland International. The plane will be leaving soon, I thought to myself. I noticed a girl... Read more

  Posted on 18 January 2012 EXPAT, TRAVEL