Self-administered incision

I ordered a blood test online to look at my Omega-3 fatty acid levels (so I can see if I'm getting a healthy diet already with regard to fats and shouldn't bother with fish oil supplements and whatnot)

I was surprised when what arrived in the mail was not an envelope with instructions for a blood lab to draw my blood but instead a kit with a little absorbent pad and two single-use needles enclosed in plastic boxes.  The single-use needle retracts permanently after poking you once, so it literally can't be used again.  Yes, I was going to have to self-administer.

I followed the directions exactly.  The directions called for me to fill in four circles on the self-absorbent pad completely with blood.  The instructions said that my test results would get rejected and I would have to buy a new test if the circles weren't COMPLETELY filled in with blood.  ( gory details )

[Travel] Vietnam travel research

Here's my research on Vietnam... people have asked to see it too, so I've put it up publicly.  As with the Middle East research, it's copied from an email without any editing so some of this may not be relevant.

It's not mentioned below, but Vietnam is also right next to the Ankgor Wat temple complex in Cambodia, which is *INCREDIBLE* and may likely be the highlight of the SE Asia part of my trip. 

( Vietnam details )

[Travel] Good electronic travel companion

I have recently become spoiled by having the world's knowledge in my pocket.  It's a part of how I move through the world now.  However, when I travel I'm going to be visiting a vast range of different countries with (presumably) a wide range of different phone and data systems.  Can I (relatively inexpensively) get something that will let me use mobile networks worldwide without signing up for country contracts?   I'm guessing the world isn't there yet.

Basically, I'd be looking for an electronic device that (or a pair of devices that collectively) can do:
- GPS and a full world street map locally stored
- Wi-fi so I can use it at internet cafes. 
- Wi-fi+skype+earbuds = worldphone!  This is a cheap way of getting much of the functionality and convenience of a cellphone.
- A USB port.  At some point my camera will fill up with photos, and I'd like to be able to upload them somewhere far away and safe.  I'd prefer that over buying a pile of 1gig USB drives and and mailing one home every couple of weeks.
- A keyboard and screen that are usable for email (4-6 inches wide)
- A total size smaller than almost all laptops.  I do NOT want to lug a full laptop around.
- Awesome long battery life. 
- let me say up to date on lj.  I remember that after being off for a week, it took me 3 hours just to skim everything.

Does it exist? 


Alternatively, am I just spoiled?

Back in 1998 when I ran around Europe at the end of high school, I had travel books and maps as my guides, and I visited an internet cafe every three or four days to email friends and family.  I remember wasting a lot of time getting lost, checking out less-than-optimal tourist sites, and handling logistics over payphones with people waiting in line behind me.  If I can make some of that go away, I'd be happy.