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HI, I'M JAMES

Wherever you go, there you are!

In early 2021 I decided to take the leap, and started planning for a 12-month solo drive starting 4.4.2022 from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Europe, crossing Thailand, Laos, China, Mongolia and Russia. 


But then the van build got delayed, holidays got in the way, projects I had planned to be completed by February 2022 got pushed back to March, the war started between Russia and Ukraine, and OMICRON hit China bad. 

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All signs were telling me to push the start of #TheDriveBeyondBorders back, and immediately 5.5.2022 came to mind (I eventually left 10 days later on 15.5.2022). Which is actually a much better day, because what better day to start a new chapter than on my birthday! Nice. Then everything fell into place - the roof rack, cargo box and additional battery pack can only reach Malaysia in April, and it gave me much more time to test, refine and go for one final service with Kia before I leave.

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Here is where I share my discoveries, ideas that could be helpful, stories, and other good things found along the way.


If you like what you see, say hi!

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The Ancient One: I've spent so many years peering through time, looking at this exact moment. But I can't see past it. I've prevented countless terrible futures and after each one there's always another, and they all lead here but never further.

Dr. Stephen Strange: You think this is where you die.

The Ancient One: You wonder what I see in your future?

Dr. Stephen Strange: No. Yes.

The Ancient One: I never saw your future, only its possibilities. You have such a capacity for goodness. You've always excelled, but not because you crave success but because of your fear of failure.

Dr. Stephen Strange: It's what made me a great doctor.

The Ancient One: It's precisely what's kept you from greatness. Arrogance and fear still keep you from learning the simplest and most significant lesson of all.

Dr. Stephen Strange: Which is?

The Ancient One: It's not about you. 


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I’ve been asked why Warbaby?


There are two reasons. The first is I was born a week before the most devastating racial riots in Malaysia, in the epicentre of Tiong Nam in Chow Kit. Malays and Chinese who were friendly neighbours starting killing each other (some of the Malays were bused in from other states into Chow Kit to incite and start the riot) because of race-based politics. The Malay party lost to the Chinese party in the election, and that just didn’t sit well with the powers that be. Racial lines had to be enforced. We are still living with its fallout and impact more than 50 years later. 


The second is that one of my favourite songs is War Baby by Tom Robinson. Give it a listen. It’s hot, humid nights where the sound of the saxophone cuts through the thick sense of longing, desire, regrets, memories and fear of what the future could bring lingering in the air, distilled into words and melody. Yeah, it’s epic. 


So there. I’m not the American rapper Warbaby. He has some good tunes - check him out. His blog is likely much more interesting than this one!


Cheers. 


Warbaby Out. 

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