Peter Parker: "You don't trust anyone. That's your problem.".

J. Jonah Jameson: "I trust my barber.".

- Tobey Maguire and JK Simmons, Spiderman.

One of my biggest worries upon coming to Thailand was how I was going to get my hair cut. The relationship between one and their barber is incredibly close. They've seen your hair grow through the years. They know exactly what you want, how to adapt to stray hairs, and knowledge of your style progression. I'd even say they have more personal relationships than OBGYNs.

Anyway, I was very nervous about my first haircut here. For the past 22 years, the guys at the Father & Son Barber Shop have been the sculptors of my brown locks. My usual "short, but not too short" has gotten me by for my entire life. So what do I say to this new barber? He doesn't know my hair. Do I bring in a picture of the cast of Mad Men and hope that I come out looking like Don Draper instead of Pete Campbell?

Dapper Don

Poor Pete

Luckily, I went with another teacher to the barber shop that's down the road from the school. We got there and the teacher helped me speak to the barber. He pointed around my head and said, "Nit noy, nit noy.". Which means, "A little, a little.". So basically I was still getting, "Short, but not too short."

My dude

The haircut was relatively similar to an American one. They still comb your hair and cut it-which was good. However, they don't wet your hair or use a blow driver. I ended up getting one of the best haircuts I'd ever gotten. And for only $3!

Technologic

Without an international phone plan, the internet has been very helpful for letting me keep in contact with friends and family back in the States. Skype has been the easiest way to have real conversations. Yet Skype is not without its flaws. With numerous Skype calls over the last few months, here's a close sample of what most conversations looks like.

Mark: Hello?

Jason: Hello?

Mark: Hey! What's up?

Jason: Hey. I can't see you.

Mark: Huh. Weird, I can see you perfectly.

Jason: Yeah I still can't see you. OK let me try calling you again.

* Call ended *

* Jason is calling *

Mark: Is it working?

Jason: Nope, still can't see anything. Is your video camera on?

Mark: Ummmmmm no it's not. I don't why Skype turned it off for no reason. OK I turned it on. Can you see me?

Jason: Yeah I can! It's really pixelated though. It's like looking at a Nintendo 64 game.

Mark: Ah whatever. So how ya been? What's new in the world.

Jason: Not too much, just the same old same old. School is really good, just enjoying being back. I actually just got some exciting news. I found out I got accepted into a program to help install fresh water systems into Malawi. I'll be there for two months and I'm going with several other students, so it should-.

Mark: Hey sorry you cut out. I lost like the last 10 seconds of what you just said. You said you're going to Benghazi?

Jason: Malawi. So I'll be there for two months .....

(10 minutes later)

Jason: What do you think I did? I took the belt off my neck and got out of there. Drove home as fast as I could.

Mark: Wow. That's pretty crazy.

Jason: Yeah man. Bar Mitzvahs. Anyway, how have you been?

Mark: I've been great! Thailand is-

Jason: Hey you're breaking up.

Mark: Oh OK. Can you hear me now?

Jason: Hello?

Mark: Jason? Can you hear me? Jason? This stupid piece of -

* Call ended *

* Connection lost *

* Having trouble? Check your internet connection *

Like I said last week, I'll be up in Chiang Rai this weekend to check out the mountains. The stokage level is high.

Mark