Friday, September 26, 2008

Tarnished reputation

Let this photo be a lesson to all of the perils that await you where alcohol is concerned. I'm not proud of my actions. I can't actually remember them but this photo is proof (unless it's been photoshop'd). It's not clever and it's not big to drink. I blame Eric the happy snapper, his camera encouraged brazenness. This girl was a professional shirt-thief - she could undo buttons just by looking at them. My attempts to restrain her were futile. In my inebriated state, I was no match for her onslaught. However, if this can act as a warning to others, then my shame won't be so complete. Beware shirt-thieves in the bars of Phnom Penh but most of all, don't drink when a camera is closeby. And if anyone is eating whilst viewing this photo, I apologize.
My shame is complete. Photo courtesy of ericdevries.
It's a busy old weekend ahead. The 15-day Buddhist ceremony of P'chum Ben will end on Tuesday as Khmers all over the country visit their preferred pagodas with food and offerings for the sprits of their dead ancestors. I was planning on a visit to Battambang but plans have changed and now I will head for Kompong Cham tomorrow for a couple of days and fit in my pagoda visit, starting at 4am, on Sunday. As I'll be in the sticks, this blog will have a brief holiday too.
In case you weren't aware, tomorrow is World Tourism Day 2008 and Peru will be the focus as tourism chiefs concentrate on how to promote sustainable tourism whilst incorporating environmental, socio-economic and climatic concerns. Good luck guys. The new Cambodian government were sworn in yesterday, with just about everyone and their dog getting a ministerial job, except me. Oh, and the return of Prince Norodom Ranariddh is scheduled for Sunday after he received a royal pardon from his brother the King, for the embezzlement conviction he acquired last year. I don't think anyone will get the flags out.

16 Comments:

Anonymous Mike Krause said...

You're an innocent victim Andy. Please accept my profuse apologies for my part in goading you into exposing your temporal weakness. There is a tantric saying that the only way to be rid of a desire is to satisfy it. This may indicate that more shirts might have to be sacrificed. My sincere support to you on this part of your hellish journey and only wish I was there to run interference for you. Hang in there, MLK

September 26, 2008 9:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Andy,
Hope you've got the message this time once and for all: get rid of the checked crop, man! - Affectionately, Annabelle

September 26, 2008 9:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Andy darling, you're talking like a brainwashed Mormon! - Antonia

September 26, 2008 9:45 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I just can't believe what I see... You've lost your face beyond any repair, Andy. Surely you must be chuckling by now, but when you'll realize the enormity of your faux-pas, like Mike said, wish I was there to help you. Hell is rejoicing and I'm afraid for the future of your blog.
Sincerely, Vittorio

September 27, 2008 12:56 AM  
Anonymous steve mcclure said...

Classic! Although, I've looked that way a few times in PP myself!!

September 27, 2008 4:26 AM  
Blogger Andy Brouwer said...

This post has been removed by the author.

September 27, 2008 7:13 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Black&White added extra impact to the shell-shock effect produced by the image. A true masterpiece! Congratulations to Eric for having exposed your real self - that of a faun - out from a den of debauchery... Who could have guessed it? --- Sammy

September 27, 2008 7:36 AM  
Blogger Andy Brouwer said...

Thanks for the comments. Don't worry Vittorio, the blog will live on without interuption, it's just my personal reputation as a Mr Nice Guy that lies in pieces at my feet. Sometimes you just need to cleanse the soul by exposing your weaknesses and alcohol is something I don't actually enjoy, so rarely partake - hence it dosn't take much to weaken my defences.
Andy

September 27, 2008 7:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Andy, it is ok to have fun and get loose. People do this often in their private life but you chose to go public. Yes, your reputation as a serious person has tainted a bit but it is ok we understand. From your blog fan.

September 28, 2008 9:44 AM  
Blogger Jinja said...

I think most readers (even traditional-minded Cambodians) can appreciate a joke.

And for those who are new to this weblog, look at Andy's writing; he has been 'blogging' his appreciation for Cambodia for over a decade.

It'll take more than one post to make him look bad, this is merely silly.

September 28, 2008 5:08 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bong, in Cambodia customs go public undressed is considered not polite. Everybody here was surprised seeing your photo in karaoke. We hope you take your time to meditate in tranquility upon your deeds in this life. There are others. Sincerely - Choeumm, monk at Wat Kirisan, Kompong Trach, Kampot

October 1, 2008 4:48 AM  
Blogger Andy Brouwer said...

Thank you for your message Choeumm. I went to your pagoda many years ago and enjoyed my visit. I must return 1 day soon. I respect your comment though would respectfully draw your attention to the fact that most Cambodian men (well, in the countryside at least) walk around for much of the day wearing just a krama - in my photo, my shirt was open for a few seconds before I rescued my dignity. Nevertheless, its great to see that Wat Kirisan has internet facilities now. :-)
Andy

October 1, 2008 9:21 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank Brother for answer. People Cambodian working in the field to live is diferent, is not entertaining in KTV like you. Is diferent. But you are not from Cambodchea, then is no big sin - all the brothers agreed. Unfortunate Kirisan has no internetm, I write letter from station at Battambang. God help you and your mind. Choeumm.

October 1, 2008 2:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Isn't this just the tip of the iceberg? A reggae and rasta fan like Andy must smoke something else... - Graham, Berkhamsted

October 2, 2008 1:14 AM  
Blogger Andy Brouwer said...

Hi Graham,
indeed I have been a lover of reggae music since the '70s when Steel Pulse rocked my world and took me down the path of reggae music, particularly British reggae, though, like most people, I was a big fan of Mr Marley too. As for the Rasta beliefs and lifestyle and the ganja side of things, I leave that to others. I have NEVER smoked in my life and don't intend to start now.
Any other parts of the iceberg you want to discuss?
Andy

October 2, 2008 9:22 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I liked reading "never" in capitals. Sounds convincing... - Graham

October 3, 2008 1:35 AM  

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