Half a million dollars is on the table in the debate between intelligent design vs the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Who will win?

In the red corner, BoingBoing:

We are willing to pay any individual *$250,000 if they can produce empirical evidence which proves that Jesus is not the son of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

In the blue corner, Dr Hovind et al:

Dr. Hovind is willing to pay any individual a quarter of a million dollars to anyone who can give any empirical evidence for evolution.

Dr Hovind and his supporters also seem to have a keen sense of both sides of the debate as shown by this tasty quote:

If you’re so positive that you came from a monkey or a rock or whatever…

I’m predicting a split decision (is there room for one individual to get both prizes!?). I know, it will be an upset but the rematch will be awesome.

Originally written on October 28, 2004

After getting up early, we walked to Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum to see his mumified body. Too bad he had a previous engagement in Russia. Apparently, about this time ever year he makes a trip over to Russia to see the master technicians who keep him from turning into dust. Still, his place is pretty swank. We watched the changing of the guards (kind of pointles when he’s not there). The changing is supposed to be as good as London’s, however we thought that if you liked seeing a few guys in white ‘march up and down the sqaure’ then this was your thing, otherwise a yawner. Good thing we just happened to be there. We also visited the museum dedicated to his life and writings and the struggle for workers rights, democracy, and a free Vietnam. Full of arts symbolism that is hard to interpret it is perhaps the strangest museum I’ve ever been to. No pictures allowed here. » Read the rest of the entry..

Originally written on October 27, 2004

Nothing doing today. We booked a 3 day kayaking adventure on Halong bay for 158US each (all inclusive save drinks) for Friday. We also purchased needed supplies (flashlight for caves, candy, underwear). Heather had trouble finding things that would fit her GIGANTIC frame. Heather also went to the esthetician to prepare for bathing suit time. For an early dinner we had fried morning glory (spinich) and ‘chicken with 5 tastes’ both of which were very yummy. We didn’t talk much during dinner we were so hungry. Those two dishes with rice and a beer cost under $3.50? CDN (not bad for a touristy place). Now we are catching up on internet activities and planning on hitting some dessert later. Mmmmm….. » Read the rest of the entry..

Originally written on October 26, 2004

After a somewhat restless sleep, to be expected the first night in a new city we began our day. First, free breakfast downstairs. Eggs (scrambled with cheese or onion, fried, french bread, pound cake with cream filling, fresh fruit (orange, pineapple, papaya, miscellaneous!), freshly squeezed fruit juice (taste like mango but has different seeds?), ham, bacon, spring rolls, fried rice, and these awesome crispy donut like pastries.

We ventured onto the street to begin our walking tour (map from hotel). We quickly learned that sidewalks, and the inside of stores are for motorcycles, not pedestrians/shoppers! Crossing the street you do in blind faith. There is next to never a break in the busy traffic, with the exception of other people walking into traffic to also cross the street. We hold hands, look for a slower moving group of motorcyclists, and then enter the intersection. To succeed in crossing the street you must move at regular slow pace, don’t look left or right because you may freak yourself out about how crazy such a simple thing as crossing the street should be. We learned that even small, minor streets can be hazardous. » Read the rest of the entry..

Originally written on October 25, 2004

The bus ride to Vientiane was uneventful, and a little longer than the ride to Vang Viang some 8? days earlier. In Vientiane, we stumbled upon a great buffet in a nice resturant for lunch. All you can eat Lao and sushi food, with chocolate milk too. The place was rammed, so we knew it was the right thing to do. After lunch we went to the Lao History museum.

The museum started out as a history of the ethnicity of the peoples, some dinosaur talk, geology and other typical museum stuff. Then it quickly turned into Communist propaganda and with displays on the workers, Lenin, and various ‘famous’ lao revolutionaries and the fight against the evil forces of the west and the ‘american puppets’ (boo capitalism). When we came out I didn’t know if I should call the guards ‘comrade’ or not. » Read the rest of the entry..

Originally written on October 24, 2004

We got up early and got in the Tuk tuk to take us to the bus station. The bus ride itself was much less eventful (no babies or pooping, snakes). Heather slept and I listened to “Against all enemies” by Richard A. Clarke. Amazon blurb: From the first thrilling chapter, which takes readers into the White House center of operations on September 11, through his final negative assessment of George W. Bush’s post-9/11 war on terror, Clarke, the U.S.’s former terrorism czar, offers a complex and illuminating look into the successes and failures of the nation’s security apparatus. » Read the rest of the entry..

Originally written on October 23, 2004

Today we visited several Wat’s, enjoyed many fruit shakes, and made some purchases at the market. Too late to really get into it what with this being our last day, we sadly found out that fruit shakes are cheap and damn tasty. For about 30 - 80 cents CDN depending on the type of establishment (fancy/ not fancy) you can order one of 5 - 20 different fruit shake concoctions. Made of crushed ice and fruit juice they are really tasty on a hot day. » Read the rest of the entry..