Alvin, known to others as Steak Isaan

You did say you want this bookcase demolished?

mhm good!! Imported plywood

Manicure??

I really do prefer trees

Another Dining Option

Blew my cool

I'd been adjusting to doing it the Thai way.  Generally they try to avoid confrontation.
Heated arguments are almost an anomaly.  Years ago my candy dish was emptied by some visiting students.
I accused them of being thieves.
I was informed that I was in the wrong.  Anything left on the table is considered community property.
The most obvious example of this practice is mealtime. Food is placed on the table for everyone in the household and visitors.  Asking to partake is not required.

In one of my classes a group of students ignored the class and began chatting amongst each other.  Their conversation was quite loud and disruptive.  I was surprised that the Thai teacher did not intervene.  She simply ignored the group.  When she started explaining what I had just said, I could not hear her.

I stood in front of the disruptive students and told them to be quiet: "If you wish to continue your private conversation, please leave the room and go to the cafeteria."  It took me a moment to regain my composure.  The students didn't leave, but they were quiet and surprisingly very attentive after that.
One of the students said "thank you."  I accepted that as an apology of sorts

Another restaurant opening today

I've been told that half of the Thais are doing the cooking, while the other half decides where to eat next.
It may be a bit of an exaggeration, but there is some truth to it.  Anywhere in this town there is a restaurant just minutes away.

The new restaurant is named อิ่ม สบาย Pronounced Imm Sabai.  Imm meaning full or gratified (I can't eat another bite).  Sabai comfortable / happy.

The restaurant hopes to attract local football (soccer) fans and is next door to a store selling football paraphernalia.  The restaurant is on the next street east of the MJ Majestic hotel and features draft beer, seafood, steak Lao (spicy), amongst other menu items.

   

Monday Holiday

Just a reminder that Monday is a holiday.  Banks and many businesses will be closed.
In Thailand, when a holiday falls on a weekend, a day before or after is declared a substitution day.
And of course I don't need to remind you that December 5 is HRH the King's Birthday, also designated as Fathers day in Thailand.

The Vikings are coming

Sakon Nakhon will experience a Viking invasion of sorts on Dec 5th.
These Vikings aren't the menacing type, they are a Bangkok based bicycle group on their annual bike ride.
Read more at ScandAsia


Satellite Forum is back

People considering alternate TV resources should visit the Satellite Forum for further information.


Another Thai feel good story

Don't miss this item at the Pattaya Daily




Watch this without smiling, I couldn't

If laughter is the best medicine, then Leslie Nielsen was the pharmacists

Eight years and I still don't know her real name

Family Dinner Party

She's the head of the household and everyone simply calls her "Mama."
It was her birthday yesterday, a time to celebrate with a family dinner.
Plenty of kin attended. I stopped counting after 25. They don't sit still long enough for that. As some left, more arrived.
I guess, being the oldest, I was honored to sit at the head of the table.
A bottle of my favorite Thai rum was placed in front of me.

Did make a slight mistake of mentioning that I really enjoyed the jumbo shrimp.  After that I had more than I could handle.

Jet Lag

We've all experienced it after a long flight.  Takes a while to adjust to the local time zone.
Latest research explains it even more:  Jet Lag May Cause Stupidity.
The findings are authentic. They tested hamsters to come to their conclusion.

You're gonna have to pay royalties for the word 'face'

The word is about to become a trademark

How many times has this happened, 
think they lost count

Weird Science

Even though I had little interest in a Thanksgiving turkey, I had this  inexhaustible desire for pumpkin pie with ice cream. As an alternative I considered pumpkin soup.  I couldn't explain why I had such a strong desire for it.

Now I know:
Pumpkin: Natures Viagra
Read the article and watch the video at WPBF

And there is another valuable research finding

Coffee and glucose can improve brain efficiency

  Read the article at Science Daily

For every action, there's a RE-action

You ain't seen nothing yet. 
It's going to get much colder in Britain
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Where's my party hat?

Fireworks at recent Loy Krathong festival

video by suntawan

No Turkey dinner at my house today

Guess I have adjusted  to the Thai traditions. 
Instead I attend two birthday dinners this week.

Christmas Star parade

I received my invitation for the Tha Rae Christmas Star parade.  That parade is Dec 24.  The Parade in Muang Sakon is on Dec 25.
One year I was actually in the lead vehicle of the Christmas parade here in town.

Heard it through the grapevine (Rumor)

The school near Macro is having a Christmas party, concert, etc.  Table for eight Bt 1,600.
As of yet I haven't heard of any New Years celebrations at the Welcome, Escape, or Branch bars and restaurants.  But it's still early.

Yearly Income statement for Visa renewal

There's been quite a discussion on the web regarding embassy certified income statements, in lieu of having the cash in the bank, for visa renewal.  Some folks, me included, renewed their visa earlier this year and were told they could use the statement the following year.  The date of the certified statement should be within the year you are renewing your Visa.

If you're one of those people who plans to re-use last years statement, suggest you visit the Immigration office before renewal time.  You might get by this year, but next year get a new statement.

Commerce Ministry Deals with Sugar Shortage

Worst in 17 years

Local weather

"More of the same" Daytime temperature near 30, night-time mid teens Celcius

Been there... Done that

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Language test for immigrants to the UK

Effective 29th November 2010 any non-European wishing to live in the UK must take an approved English test to prove they can understand and speak English
  British Embassy Bangkok

Another day in Paradise

Chern Chim store opening soon

Martin will soon be opening the Chern Chim store.
It's located just up the street from the Sawitree Restaurant on Thanon Senthai road.
Opening day and operating hours are yet to be announced.
Chern Chim is a supplier of quality western foods.

Wish you great success!!

Many Thanks, and please accept my apology

My thanks to the gentleman who stopped me while I was leaving Big C.
He just wanted to shake my hand and tell me that he reads my blog daily.
I really did appreciate it tremendously.  Sorry I was so abrupt.
Unfortunately "internal growling" advised me that I had better make a run for it.

Loy Krathong

I did not attend the parade and celebrations since I had been photographing at the University early in the morning.  I have seen these festivities many times before.
Wish I would have gone.
From pictures Joey brought home, it was obvious that the parade was larger than past Loy Krathong parades. After the parade and floating the Krathongs, there was a beauty pageant.

 

Of course (as previously mentioned), my friends were passing out condoms.
Got a big laugh when I saw pictures that they were using a "sex toy" to demonstrate.
Apparently a government official made them hide the toy.  Sex toys are illegal in Thailand.
But from the looks of things, there were plenty of "balloons."

There was partying till late in the morning. That became quite obvious Monday morning at school. Only about 25% of my students showed up for the first class. Those who did attend school should have stayed in bed.

Who said "Money can't buy you happiness?"

The school is making preparations for their sport day in December.  I was asked if they could borrow my ping pong table.  At first I agreed, but then I reconsidered and instead gave the school administrator money to buy their own.
They made such a big fuss:  Had me stand in front of the assembled students to thank me.

New Hotel in Sakon Nakhon

Watch FOX NEWS

December 1st is World Aids Awareness Day

Some friends of mine have a job which includes distributing free condoms.


They will be distributing free condoms at local schools and public events over the next few weeks in order to promote aids awareness.

Aids has drastically increased in Thailand over the past years.

I find it refreshing that Thailand has decided to renew its aids awareness campaign.

The last time I saw such a campaign was during my first week in Sakon Nakhon in 2003, when school children where in a parade with "balloons."

My friends stopped by for a short visit before heading out for their evening job, distributing condoms.
They brought their work with them.  1,000 condoms.  Each pack of 100 includes a number of  diameter measuring devices.... 


The Vatican recently changed its stance on condom use where it does not prevent conception, suggesting the use of condoms by male prostitutes  was a responsible act.
Referring to the heterosexual aids pandemic of Africa, the pope last year stated that the distribution of condoms increased the problem (HIV).

SakonNakhon Loy Krathong Parade 2010

  

Click on any photo to see this Album

100 Years Sakon Rat Wittayanukul School

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Students recently celebrated their school's 100'th year of operation

video by Zintiara

Photo Op Day at Rajabhat University

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I had been invited to come and take graduation pictures at Rajabhat University.
It took five phone calls to finally meet the person who had requested my attendance.
The crowds were massive.

This wasn't graduation day, that will be later this month.  This was graduation photo day.

Two tents were set up for group photo's.
As one group left the area, the next group took up their positions

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Back in town, preparations are under way for this evenings Loy Krathong parade and celebrations.
Floats were parked in front of flower shops for final touches of decorations. Krathong sales displays can be found on many sidewalks.
The parade begins at 6 PM.

Alvin's Adventures

Now that's what I call a big cage

Artificial tree ?

Call Me !!

I can't read that

There's Google Translate

I want one of these plastic trees

Did you hear me, I want one of these plastic trees

Cement snack, my favorite

Phu Phan Cup: Khon Kean vs Sisaket

And the winner is

Technical difficulties: Please stand by

We should have rehearsed this

Khon Kean scored first.
Sisaket scored early in the second half.
Seconds before the game ended Khon Kean landed another ball into Sisaket's goal, but it was off sides.
The game ended 1 - 1.


A kickoff determined the outcome of the game: 
Sisaket 7 Khon Kean 6.

Plenty of pregame pomp and circumstance

Halftime Entertainment

 

Security was extremely tight.
A bit overkill, but that's just my opinion

 

Brought a few beers along to quench my thirst. Thought I was the only one, till I spotted some Leo hidden in a policeman's helmet.

See all photo's from this event here

In memory of a friend

Hans Stollenwerk 
November 19, 2005
Khok Si Suphan

click on the picture to view this album