Slick As A Whistle

Silsang-sa
Jiri-san

You get a cup for tea and a bowl to fill with food. After eating, you put tea in the bowl and scour food residue with chopsticks then raise the bowl to your mouth and drink. This is how you eat at Silsang-sa, a Buddhist Temple in the heart of Jiri-san, South Korea. Not a morsel of food is left uneaten. There is no waste. None. And even before they leave the table, the bowls are clean - slick as a whistle.
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Chosen

Tuburan

Zamboanga

A tornado appeared, knocked down a house uncannily singled out amidst trees in the surrounding hills. Then left. There was no other debris, the surroundings were not messed up, it’s just the house, in shambles, the heavy roof kissing the concrete floor littered with crushed lumber and twisted iron. A few feet away by a coconut tree were people, huddled together as a family contemplating on the misfortune. They looked into each other’s eyes headshaking, no words spoken, convinced this was an act of punishment of the divine. What have they done wrong?

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On Inspiration

Field & Stream

The Soul Of The American Outdoors

In 1995, Field & Stream came up with the 100^th year Anniversary edition of the magazine which has become my source not only of fascination for the outdoors but of wisdom from its remarkable writers - spread out, in every issue, like stars in a vast and peaceful sky. In it was a sampling of 50-worded Taps’ Tips - the inspiration for 100 Anecdotes. It’s painfully difficult to weave a 100-word story, but H. G. Tapply wrote 50-word-tips effortlessly, like breathing, and breathing life into a 100-word story is what 100 Anecdotes seeks to achieve in every post.

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Tiffany

Field Trip

Lombardi Ranch

While Sylvia (ranch hand) was lecturing the kids, Tiffany was dodging her hip with its massive head poking behind the iron fence. “She knows I’m the food girl. Here you go Tiffany.” And she fed her with corncobs. “Like human fingerprints, cowhide patterns are unique that makes Tiffany special right?” “A-huh.” They chorused. “She has not given birth yet so she is called a heifer, right?” “Uhuh.” “And Tiffany has a long tongue, rough like sandpaper to pull in grass and hay as it eats. Right?” “No! Felix said. “Look - so she can lick her nose!”
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Poison

Lombardi Ranch

Santa Clarita

We stopped by a shady tree with grape-like fruits. “It’s an olive tree where the olive oil comes from.” says Victor. “You can eat the ripe ones.” He said as a matter of fact. “Ah but these are greens....” I spied one purple globule plucked it and bit then spit! (This whole process took me only a second because of a biting bitterness in the mouth) “Sir that’s poisonous!” The farmer charged in my direction. I turned to Victor “I can’t believe you were trying to poison me man!” Stunned and guilt-stricken, Victor flushed red like an overripe tomato….
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President Of His Dreams

Presidential Debates
United States of America

I liked Obama but he will be a one-time president, otherwise something is terribly wrong with the voters. He was dodging questions and evading answers to big issues. He was reluctant, unsure of what to say. He can’t provide details of his plans because he doesn’t seem to have any. He’s all rhetoric. His performance is characterized by the Benghazi issue, employment flight to China and that legendary dole out – 47m people living on food stamps. He’s still up there somewhere, dreaming. That dream got people voting for him in 2008. Not in 2012. His dreaming has to end!
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Of Banjos And Raccoons

Dunsmore
Los Angeles

An old man was playing banjo inside an old Mustang in the parking lot. “Is my banjo disturbing you?” “No, not at all.” “This instrument is as American as you can get.” He said. “Yeah?” “Yes it is.” “My Dad used to sit by the porch playing bluegrass music while waiting for us kids out hunting coons.” “Coons?” “Raccoons.” “You eat them?” “Some do but we’re just interested in their skin. Grandma sews them into caps and shawls and stuff like that. Hey where are you from?” “Philippines.” “Ever hunt raccoons there?” “We don’t have them, coons?” “Haha coons, yeah….”

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Diamonds Are Forever

Two Strikes

Los Angeles

“I thought I saw you yesterday at Two Strikes.” “Yes I was there.” “So it was you picking up pinecones?” “No. Those were pods. I was going to pound the carob seeds inside as chocolate substitute.” “Did you say carob?” “Yes?” “I want to see that.” “Why?” “Because a diamond’s carat originates from the carob? “Really?” “Really. Because of its weight consistency, the carob seed was standard measurement of weight for gemstones since the middle ages.” Catherine said, “I didn’t know that.” With a wink I said, “Now you do….”

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Right Moment

Malamala Game Reserve

South Africa

Just go!!! If the mind conceives, let the body achieve! “Right?” “Right!” Least imaginings are tempered, the brain wander aimlessly, achieving nothing in the end. Action must follow thinking or disillusion creeps in. “Correct?” “Correct!” “So, on with Alaska?” “But the papers?” “Ah right. I’ll hold my horses. Stay still. Me-be patient.” (It’s just me talking….)

And so he lies in wait but when the time comes, he strikes with ferocity and without mercy. Like this video: You almost can’t see the leopard blending with the bush as it patiently waits, every muscle prepped, so when the moment comes - he strikes!
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Shots

St. James

Los Angeles

I brought the peanut-allergy shots to the secretary who looked at it as if it came from outer space. “The nurse will know how to use it.” I said. She replied, “We don’t have a nurse?” Then let out a sigh feeling the weight of the world on her back. “You will figure it out.” I assured her. “You are the greatest all around genius I know.” She looked at me for a second then laughed so hard the room rattled. As I head for the door I said, “I’m counting on you....” Then crossed my fingers hoping she would.
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