Hi all.  I'm going on vacation for two weeks to Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.  It'll be great, as I'm visiting relatives.  Maybe I'll poke around the local chess clubs.  But I think it might be a good idea to take a break from online blitz chess, and spend more time learning good tactics, openings, positional play, etc.  I've got quite a few chess books, namely Logical Chess, Killer Tactics, and the Scandinavian Defense 2nd ed.  Despite thinking it's a good idea to take a break from chess, a part of me knows I couldn't last a day without reading/playing some chess (related thing).  The plane trip across the Pacific Ocean is ~14 hours, so I'll definitely be going through positions on my magnetic chessboard.  Maybe I'll even find someone to play against =D.

Who knows, it seems chess is a global passion, unlike some of the other less significant interests I have (lacrosse, american football).

I'll keep you guys updated...or more like the few of you that actaully read my blogs.