Battle stations 2008

No I'm not in a war zone.
It's a Happy New Years celebration that's been going on for three days.
Today is the finale.. December 31, 2008

The only way you know its not outright combat is the fact that stereos are blasting three miles down the road and sound like they are next door

You'd think half the nation should be deaf.
Any celebration, wedding, birthday, just anything, and they drag out these monster speakers.
Conversations sound more like shouting matches under those circumstances.





But I do love Thai music, especially Morlam, yes I am "dancing in my chair."

All I have to say is "Thank the gods New Years only comes three times a year."

"The family" invited me out for dinner.
There was no room left on my table, fish, chicken, green mango, pork, more fruit and a plate of fresh veggies.... more on the BBQ

And me with an upset stomach.

Not a problem.
I invited over a few of the boys occupied in "combat,"
the plates were empty within minutes.

Back to my stomach problems for a moment. Medicines don't seem to help much.
But give me a shot of Thai rum and that problem resolves quickly.
Naw, I'm not turning into an alcoholic.
Just one or two shots seems to kill those bugs in my stomach.
Stranger than fiction.. but it works. File this under home remedies !

Firecrackers 5 cents each, home made M80's 50 cents each.

I came home early 9 p.m. I have two foot warmers for the day.
My two dogs are just scared s***less.
I move an inch. They move with me.
Oh yes, all those howling neighborhood dogs, no-were to be seen.

Fireworks going off, and so are car alarms.
I should tell my neighbor to either move the firing range or the car

Coming attractions:

• Chinese New Years

• Thai New Years

Could someone please turn off the car alarm, it's annoying!!!

And then there are those 'off key' Karaoke .

Happiness an attitude, a state of mind
Be Happy in 2009

Living with mosquitoes

Since mid November of this year the mosquito infestation around my home seems to be the worst in the five years I have been here. Nearby waterlogged plots and rice fields are ideal for their breeding .

They are not just a nuisance, but they also spread diseases such as malaria, encephalitis, dengue fever, and filariasis.

Use of insect repellent serves some temporary relief, however, requires frequent reapplication especially in humid, sweaty climates.

Best personal protection is to keep your skin covered: No short pants or short sleeved shirts.

Indoors spraying may be practical in some circumstances. Precautions such as ventilation and protecting food must be considered.

A fan is one of the better protections against mosquitoes, since they are unable to control their flight in windy conditions.


Electric zappers may attract a great number of flying insects which are attracted to light, but do nothing in defense against the mosquito.

The bug is attracted to the human breath, sweat, moisture, and especially foot perspiration. Of course also dark areas, I shake my motorcycle helmet before wearing it.


Further reading How Attractive Are You? To Mosquitoes, That Is (USDA)

Hangover smiles on Thai Highways

According to the Herald tribune Thai motorcycle policemen will paint smiles on their face masks during the first week of the New Year "...to lift the mood of motorists."

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/12/29/asia/smile.php

Thailand's Amazing Recovery 2008

The recovery surge is on according to

was Link >> Tourism Authority of Thailand 

 "By December 21, the number of daily arrivals had surged to 28,021..."

What's a Blog?

In simple terms it's a diary on the internet.
There are a number of free and commercial blogging services.

Whereas most website servers charge for their services on an annual basis.

Blogging is FREE and it may be around for posterity.

Labels displayed in the right column still need some fine tuning but summarize the goal of sakonnakhon-live.blogspot.com


I hope you find this blog to be informative and entertaining

I'm retrofitting this blog a bit with 5 years worth of pictures in my

Picasa album.

Snakes

Snakes are a very common critter found in this part of the world.
If you hear frogs during their daily vocal hours (early evening), then you can be assured, snakes will also be in the area.

My first snake encounter was when a three footer danced through the front door and hid in a dark corner. I used a long handled broom and got it out of the house after three hours of hide and seek.

Machete's are part of every Thai house. They have many uses: opening coconuts, gardening, and much more: snake guillotine.

Another time my neighbor caught an even larger snake.
He put it in a sack and sold it to a local restaurant for Bt90.

Snakes generally scurry away from humans
It's when they are surprised by your sudden presence that they become defensive and aggressive.
If you go into a yard or open field, make some noise and most snakes will head into another direction.
Be aware of your surroundings, pieces of pipes, upside down buckets, anything snakes may consider as a good place of residence.


...Even your mailbox



Picture taken 12 May 2005, by Mr. Bob

Most Thais seem to get early childhood education on how to deal with snakes.

I've given up on asking Thai people to get rid of a snake in my yard.
They tend to catch 'em and throw them into the adjacent empty lot.

Think it may be a religious thing?
Those critters may be a relative or friend in another lifetime.

Meanwhile in this lifetime that snake will undoubtedly be back.

Hard Choices: simultaneous events

Counted three school Parades / Christmas celebrations by the time I arrived at the S-BAC: celebration (#4).


Tinglish (Thai-English)

These are school sponsored family and community events.
An opportunity to dress up and become someone else.

Another day of great fun.

Elephant Rampage

Bangkok: A Hungry elephant tired of waiting to be fed made sure he got some attention redesigning a bus, a car, and a truck.

He was fed.

source UPI

Deal - No Deal

Thai true Move will begin selling the iPhone January 16
reuters.com

• The price of the phone Bt 6,9999.
• Monthly service fees of Bt 1,199.
• "Customers are required to use True Move services for at least 24 months."

T'was the night before Christmas

The elves were busy preparing Christmas baskets.

Tis the Season.... drunk driving

Simply said: If you drink, DON'T DRIVE !!

Police check points are in action.
At a local shop police check point signs are in mass production.
Your safety is a serious business,

Have a fun and safe holiday.
Stay alive for 2009

Weather alert: Cold Front

.
Source: Thai Meteorological Department
Cold front from China will drop local nighttime temperatures and create windy conditions for a few days.

Mountain Lows 9C
Lowland Lows 12C

เตือนสภาพอากาศหนาว
ในช่วง2-3 วันนี้ตอนกลางคืนจะมีสภาพกากาศที่หนาวและมีลมกระโชก
บนภูเขา อุณหภูมิต่ำประมาณ 9 องศา
บริเวณทั่วไป อุณหภูมิประมาณ 12 องศา

It's the Holiday's, Best wishes to you all

.
Winter Solstice Turkey Dinner

I had somewhat of a fest last night. A 12.84 lb butterball.
That's an import at the local market and therefore quite expensive at 1,250 Baht (U.S.$36.23).
A luxury item indeed...
... considering that you can buy half a BBQ chicken, ready to for under a dollar.

I gave half the turkey to my (Thai) neighbors. They made quite a family gathering out of that meal.

Thus we celebrated winter solstice 2008, the shortest day of the year

New Toy For the Old Boy

Shopping for my Christmas present.

My friend Samart had gotten a quote:

• His quote: Bt58,000 for a new one, minus trade in of Bt10,000 = Bt48,000
• My quote: Bt55,000 for the new one, minus trade in of Bt10,000 = Bt45,000

• Surprise ! ! Surprise ! !
  

You have to start the day with an open attitude when shopping for a new bike.
First there is the trip to the bank, withdraw a wad of cash.

To use the old bike as a trade in, paperwork had to be updated at the police station.

By now I needed some mood enhancing...
A quick visit to Ned's Bar for a orangetequila and a clancoke.
Relaxed Mood.

Samat to the rescue:
More documents required, even a house title, not mine of course.
Most documentation is still done the old fashioned way: Pencil and paper.
Even if there is a computer on the desk... ?

Special requirements had the mechanic busy installing a car horn and an audible turn signal.

Samat delivered the new bike an hour after I got home.

Not done yet: Blessing Rites:

• bike seat open
• cloth on gas tank
• flowers from the garden, plate, candles
• Samat does the incantation
  
• Do not drive motorcycle for three hours

Som Tam Sunday

.
.
My Sunday visitors arrive shortly afternoon (12:34).
The pool is way too cold these days. I need a pool heater in Thailand !?
PlayStation on my front porch is the alternative to swimming.
A mother collects her son, she's got chores in mind for his Sunday.
He comes back later.

The visitor crowd increases.
Some wait their turn at PlayStation watching the big screen T.V.
I'm in my Command module (computer, T.V., easy chair, window on the porch).

A quick phone call to Mr. Bob's house.
He's on the road to Khon Kean, half way there.
I call his mobile...
I wish him the best and hope to see him on Christmas day.
By then he should be recovering from one of those balloon artery operations.
You know, artery rototiller.

I'm in the kitchen refilling my drink. There before me is Joeys lunch.
The Som Tam looks really good.



Just a pinch between two fingers, first impression, tasty salad.

Ten seconds pass: I'm in a cold Thai Chillies sweat.
Nonstop hiccups included.
Half an hour later, after eating a handful of steamed peanuts I regain control.

MEMO TO SELF:
NO SOMTAM, unless especially made for farang (ONE THAI CHILI ONLY).

Remember? Pool too cold for a swim.
300Baht of coins in the pool changed that thought instantaneously.
There's a load of towels in the wash machine.

5 p.m. plus two large bottles of coke a pack of cookies, assorted nuts and candy
"I go home" It sounds like a motorcycle convoy leaving my home.

Saturday Morning Parade

I do live about a city block from one of Sakon Nakhon's parade routes.

I heard uninterrupted drum beats this morning.

Some sort of kids parade












The sun was shining, but morning temperatures were on the nippy side. Plenty of goose bumps.

Thailand's children's day is not until January 10.
Were they celebrating early, or was this a rehearsal ?
My sources tell me: "Like Sport Day"

Virus in my wardrobe

A local purchase. Most likely not an export item
Quality is surprisingly good.
Been wearing them for three years now.

"Ya'll come on Back, ya'll here"

Thailand bekons The Tourism Recovery Saga

"The Monster New Years Bash Pattaya"

Nightly New Years celebrations for a Week.
Thirteen Bands,
1 million vacancies

source The Nation Business > Monster NY bash to revive tourism



"Free for sale"

• They are "selling" 100000 "FREE" airline seats to Thailand at Air Asia (you pay fees&Taxes)
  
• "..it is now safe to travel back to the ‘Land of Smiles’."
  

Papaya

Right: this years crop - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - left: July 2007



Eaten green in a salad known locally as som tam.
Local variations are spiced with volumes of Thai chilli pepper

Sweet Dessert "It's Delish..."

Rice in a stick

Sticky rice, prepared with coconut milk, sugarcane,
with added variations of blueberry, strawberry or other more exotic flavors.


They call it.
ข้้าวหลาม khaao laam

The ingredients are folded into young banana leaves, stuffed into bamboo, and then roasted on an open fire.



Four star dining in my book

Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat Students win

National-level business plan writing contest,
held in Taiwan

081215 Sunday Brunch at Ned's

I always like to arrive early
They where doing last minute chores at Ned's place when I arrived.

Larger View Here Blog

Graham "The Chef Of The Day" probably had an early day preparing the day's special

Roast Beef
Roast Potatoes
Yorkshire Pudding
Carrots and Gravy
with Apple Pie & Custard

Larger View here Blog

Larger View here Blog

Yorkshire Pudding was a new experience taste experience for me.
Quite tasty, probably somewhat adictive and fattening (in my opinion)

Larger View here Blog

Graham was overjoyed by compliments of his cooking skills.
I ordered a second helping of Apple Pie with Custard.

All visitors to Ned's participated in a friendly pool competition.

The event was well planned for maximum enjoyment.