Birthdays, Khmer Style

5:00 p.m. - Cali 2
A jump start to the evening festivities as Cali Jim threw a ripping birthday party for Caantou-II. The food and drink were in abundance as were half the former staff of Shanghai and their spikey headed, chaly driving male entourage. The true reason for improving the nations highways is now clear; necessary infrastructure for the road trains of hair gel to keep the yukkie's (young urbane khmers) heads looking like old toilet brushes.

Plans were made for the upcoming bike trip with a simple switcheroo of destinations that satisfied everyone's hectic schedules. Mr. Shoe, Mr. T (I pity da fool who don't ride a CRM!): looking forward. Just don't forget the absinthe and I wont forget the tramadol.

Memory started to fade and behaviour got a bit more reckless when Jim placed a giant bottle of vodka and pail of ice on the bar and basically said "have at it". One white backpacker in particular, who reminded me somewhat of a crazy-religious but sexy ex-girlfriend of mine started looking really good. Fortunately the vodka ran out and we made the call to leave just before I stumbled up to her and opened my pie hole in front of her boyfriend.

As usual, we left Jim's feeling we received the better end of the deal, and with the high concentration of locals in attendance the decision to move on to greener pastures and Golder Stars practically made itself.

9:00 p.m.?? - Gold Star
No longer the well kept secret it once was, Gold Star did not disappoint and continued to provide country disco ambiance only a short weavy ride from the usual urban watering holes. Again we were joined by the Shanghai contingent including the impeached queen bee herself: hey hey Ms.P! With her in command of Sre Eyelash and a half dozen or so of her cloned henchmen, that half liter of Jim's vodka pummelled my perception and better judgement until I felt like some 007esque character on some dimly lit island of bronzed, raven haired sirens. So I guess pretty much the same as every other night out.

Almost forgotten:

• titty twisting white chicks (did I really lick her face as a parting gesture?)
• having to pawn off hey hey P's tequila when she found a better offer in the 3 minutes it took to get served.
• trying to bum a $50 off Mr Shoe to buy hey hey P several more rounds of tequilas and cement mixers. They say she has a medusa like charm but personally I don't see it.

At one point I glanced over to see the missus glaring at me with crossed arms. Not a good indication but I managed a smile and invitation over to our table. As I approached she retreated like she was trying to outrun a wolverine. Eh, I thought and went back to my drink. Nothing a carefully worded SMS wont fix.

The next morning it came out something like "why you angry? I no do bad?" Worked like a new Dodge. Think I'll renew her contract.