mind masturbation

I had the pleasure of hanging out with a number of men this weekend who were from Australia but now living in different parts throughout Asia or still in Australia. It occurred to me how much I miss intellectual stimulation. I really, really do!!!

I used to read a lot but for some reason I haven't quite gotten into it during my time in Vietnam. When I travel, I do bring a book from a collection of romance-based novels that a friend had given me before I left. While I liked these books when I was younger and still believed in Prince Charming, it no longer has the thrill it used to and is just mindless reading. I would like to say that the lack of reading my usual thrillers and adventures is because of access to reading material but quite frankly, I haven't even tried, and I don't know why. Last 6 months was due to work and lack of time but even before that I dropped the habit, perhaps novelty of the market and too much partying although the same 5 places to go are getting boring quite fast.

But I really miss the stimulation of having an engaging debate on taboo topics such as religion, politics, financial markets, and even sex. Although people here have no issues with broaching taboo topics such as age, marriage, or salaries and giving advice on everything you don't think is their business (see me love you long time (part 3)), there is a true lack of debates from knowledgeable people. The few times I have seen it, there is usually someone dominating who has to be right and likes to think she/he is the expert that the rules of healthy debate goes out the window so I don't even bother. I have also experienced it from an expat (who also happens to be an Australian who has lived in Asia too long), but in that case, he didn't like that he was debating with a woman who didn't automatically just tell him he was right and so smart. He once told someone that his type is someone like me but 'more agreeable'. 

Whether expats or locals, the genders tend to separate with men discussing sports, drinking and ladies, while the women gather to discuss domestic matters, gossip and what I call busy body topics. I don't know why people avoid even topics of aspirations and future plans, perhaps it is because so many come and go especially the expat community that they focus on the here and now.

Like the body, a girl needs periodic mind masturbation. Unfortunately, unlike the body, many times, doing it solo isn't so stimulating.