Saturday, November 14, 2009

Sakon Nakhon FC devastated in shoot off

Sakon Nakhon vs. Kalasin 1-1

Both teams seemed evenly matched, the Kalasin goalkeeper was kept quite busy and prevented plenty goal attempts. The game ended Sakon Nakhon 1, Kalasin 1.
In a brilliant move the Kalasin goalkeeper was replaced during the last two minutes of the game. An obvious advantage during the shoot off.
Next Sakon Nakhon game Monday.


Friday, November 13, 2009

The only thing flying into Sakon Nakhon are Rumors

There have been no commercial aircraft flying into this city since the beginning of November. Sakon Nakhon is one of a number of domestic airports recently abandoned by airlines.

No one seems to know with any certainty, just plenty of rumors:
  • Bangkok Air is opening a ticket office here in town (not).
  • Nok Air will begin service in December (supposedly seen on local TV).
  • Local airport employees are waiting to be told at which airport they will be employed.
  • PB Air is no more (?)
The only certainty: There are no flights to Sakon Nakhon at this time.
The nearest airports being serviced are Khoen Ken and Udon Thani.
No mention in English media.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Friday 13

28th Anual Phu Phan Royal Soccer Competition
Sakon Nakhon game Nov 12, 2-0 second win

Temperatures Dropping Check out the graph at


To the person worried about traveling to this area for fear that the BBK airport may shut down again. It's unlikely, But: during my travels I always allow a few days at the end of a holiday before returning to work. A buffer zone in case of unscheduled delays.

Video evidence of my (previous) Green Thumb:

video

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

28th Anual Phu Phan Royal Soccer Competition November 10 - 20

Sakon Nakhon first game 5-0 win
The Sakon Nakhon team obviously dominated the game with many frustrating missed goals. By halftime (3-0) the winner was already apparent. Onlookers were treated to an intense game.

Sakon Nakhon will have a more formidable challenge during it's next game against Ubon Ratchathani on Thursday at 3 p.m., at Ratwittayanukul School


Sunday, November 8, 2009

Sakon Nakhon Neighborhood Nightlife

My favorite nights out are neighborhood events.
It's easy to stagger home and fall into bed.
No designated driver needed.

I was invited to a double header birthday party (two celebrants).
Tables were set up on the sidewalk on I.T.U.
The party was already in full swing when I arrived at 6 p.m.




Freshly baked fish, chicken, pork, and fresh fruit were available throughout the evening


This party had some special guests: Members of a local band.
They didn't bring their instruments, but brought along plenty of their own CD's.
Very pleasant listening. I'll have to ask if they have any public albums available.
Later in the evening the music format changed first to guitar and then to karaoke (T.i.T.)



I don't know how word got out, my shoulders and neck have been quite painful in recent days.
A number of party goers gave me neck and upper back massages.
You know you're getting old when you think "A Thai massage is better than sex."
It got to such a point that I had to say thank you, I've had enough.

The party was still going strong when I decided to seek out the comfort of my mattress.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Chinese Memorabilia "Olympic Condoms"

Read the entire article at BBC NEWS

What a way to promote a sport.
Olympic condoms: Faster, Higher, Stronger!!
95,000 condoms were distributed during the Olympics.
5,000 leftovers are for sale at an auction on 29 November.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Resumption of Sakon Nakhon Flights

This article gives some indication that domestic air transportation may get a total overhaul.
No quick fix in sight

Sakon Nakhon Links

Links posted are through Google Translate !!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Another funeral

Was able to avoid attending funerals for the first 50 years of my life.
These days I receive more funeral invitations than wedding invitations.
Many Thai people seem still in their prime and die from similar causes.
Liver and kidney failure. These causes seem to come on quickly.
Many Thais still eat raw meat, and old tradition, which I suspect as the prime cause.



Warehouse shopping can be dangerous

This video clip has been shown on just about every talk show in the U.S.
It's reputed to be a vodka warehouse in Russia.

I worry about such incidents in warehouse shopping stores.
Here's proof that it's a good idea to stand back a long way when forklifts are operating.



Tuesday, November 3, 2009

No Flights - - Blog Improvements - - Hurrah

No Flights
Checked with Sakon Nakhon airport employees.
No one has a clue as to the who,what,where,when of flight resumption
Blog Improvements
Added pictures below the masthead.
These will change automatically every time I upload photo albums.


Hurrah
A six month old promise may become reality.
They were measuring the street this morning.
Hope the next people to show up is the paving crew.
The heavy winds in recent days blew most of the street dust into the house and up my nose.


Looking for bushes like these. Very similar to the type I had in my previous garden


Monday, November 2, 2009

Information Kiosk, Counter, Booth or...


Windy City

Internet television
If you missed your favorite show, like I did, then check the time where the show originates. Daylight savings time (summer time) ended and many clocks in the west were set back one hour.
The Halloween get-together...
...was fun. I left at 10 p.m.
I understand things got a bit ugly later in the evening.
The list of people boycotting the establishment continues to grow.

click on picture to see the album

Loi Kratong.




Visited the ceremony area earlier in the evening. But I knew it was going to be too crowded and instead spent the evening near one of the park entrances where the parade passed by. Met many friends as they entered the park. As it turned out, my Thai family was selling novelties nearby. Once I discovered them I did not have to buy 'refreshments' anymore.

This particular entrance had a steep incline and it was a bit amusing to see float vehicles rolling backwards. Luckily a policeman realized the situation and insured pedestrians were kept back until the vehicles made it up the hill.


Kids were busy examining the floats looking for coins, placed there as offerings.



Sakon Nakhon police deserve recognition for the job they were doing.
City traffic was at it's worst. It was obvious the whole city was on the move.
The men in brown did an outstanding job to keep some semblance of order.





click on the picture to see the Loi Kratong Album

It's been quite windy with dust and debris piling up in front of my driveway.
The cold season came very early this year.
My water has been off for two days. I finally checked the valves on the street.
Sure enough it was a Halloween trick. And I thought Thais did not know about such things.