Xander VelaA Normal Journey Across Southeast Asia, Chapter 1: Saigon, Part IIIWe ate a lunch of noodle bowls smothered in hoisin sauce and chicken, and sat in low plastic chairs that, in all reality, were made for…18h ago18h ago
Xander VelaA Normal Journey Across Southeast Asia, Chapter 1: Saigon, Part IISoutheast Asia rises extremely early, and I could already hear the full cacophony of a city in bloom as the sky was still barely light. I…20h ago20h ago
Xander VelaA Normal Journey Across Southeast Asia, Chapter 1: SaigonChapteIn his 1990 book The Saddest Pleasure: A Journey on Two Rivers, American writer Moritz Thomsen mentions the following guidelines to…Aug 25Aug 25
Xander VelaA Normal Journey Across Southeast Asia, Prologue: Layover in TokyoWe fought through the violent maelstrom of Shibuya Crossing as currents of ecstatic tourists and non-plussed locals flowed alongside and…Aug 17Aug 17
Xander Vela‘The Last Detail:’ My Favorite Movie No One’s Ever Heard OfI watch a lot of movies. I appreciate all kinds, too. On my top 10 list are classics, foreign films, and The Dark Knight. I love the…Jun 1Jun 1
Xander VelaThe Best Dresden Files Books RankedJim Butcher’s urban fantasy/detective story/comedy series The Dresden Files may not be known to all as a bastion of classic prose.May 8May 8
Xander VelaAmerican Manufacturing Needs to Step It UpI have an expensive hobby for someone who doesn’t make a lot of money: I like to buy American.May 7May 7
Xander VelaThe Best Expanse Books RankedI made the entire Expanse series my summer reading project a few years back and absolutely loved the ride. It’s a solid series, a perfect…Apr 271Apr 271
Xander VelaStruggling to Write? Think Like Hubert Selby, Jr.There’s just something about the ability to say “Fuck everything, I’m going to write this shit” that motivates me like nothing else. One of…Apr 27Apr 27