You should complain,
how many days a year will I need a blanket in this part of the word.
Did Playdog magazine call? I'm available !!
Photo's by Joey during his 'what to entertain myself moments'
Friday, December 30, 2011
All I got for Christmas is this stupid hat
Photo's by Joey during his 'what to entertain myself moments'
2011 Record breaking weather disasters... More to come
"It warmed up really quickly."
Don't ya just love Thai wording
Record breaking weather disasters... More to come
Don't miss this superb collection of Thailand pictures
A few comments like that yesterday:
In fact a few people wondered if the pool was ready. I hope they were joking.
For the moment daytime temperatures should continue to heat up just a bit more, in the evenings you can turn off the fan. Evenings will remain cool to moderate.
Extended temperatures are still on a roller coaster ride. Cooler weather ahead, but not like the Christmas weather.
Don't ya just love Thai wording
Those roadside checkpoints, checking your license, insurance, and sobriety... they're called road assistance centers. That's some assistance I'll try to avoid
Record breaking weather disasters... More to come
The news clip below describes some record breaking disasters this year.
This announcer forecasts: "...2012 will start off where 2011 left off."
2011 was a good year for me, judging from my photo Album
192 photo opportunities in 365 days, over 8,500 picture memories.
Did plenty of traveling, attended many family celebrations, sporting events, fairs.
Got together with many friends and made plenty new acquaintances.
Resolutions for 2012
Keep on living and "enjoy."
Don't miss this superb collection of Thailand pictures
- Out and About Thailand buadhai blog
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Parade High Season
Two day sport day event.
Viewed five parades this month.
There were more, but like today with simultaneous parades, I obviously have to miss out on some.
Viewed five parades this month.
There were more, but like today with simultaneous parades, I obviously have to miss out on some.
Caution!! Holiday Mayhem Ahead!!
With the New Year approaching, expect roadside driver inspection stations to be set up throughout the province.
Some of these roadside stations will be equipped with breathalyzers |  |  |  |
Not for Squeamish
Locally produced News VDO
Reasons to wear helmets when riding a motorcycle
The video below is less graphic, yet very eye opening if you are not familiar with Thai traffic.
I recommend you read the article which accompanies the video at channel4
Have a Safe and Sane New Year
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Yesterday's News
- Thailand exports to China account for 11 percent of exports
- Thai government gets poor rating for honesty
- Huge Waves Continue Battering Thailand's Southern Coast
- Thai Government Launches One District, One Scholarship Programme
- Thailand's tsunami alert system broken: tourists at risk at Thai beach resorts
- 2011 Most watched Commercial on the Net
- "... Chinese mattresses are 30-40% cheaper. But their quality is another story...
Lesser Crime and Punishment
Many Years ago... 2007, if you want to be exact
"A young man" in his late teens, did something foolish... The cops came...
...Court date in thirty days... Postponed twice... Three months later: The verdict
It's a long drive to the temple grounds right there there where civilization seems to end
Past where the Thai Buffalo roam
Where the jungle begins.
Simple Life is mandated
Getting along with your neighbors takes on a whole new meaning
Visiting Hours are very restricted,
only gifts for grounds maintenance allowed
Were you renew contact with nature
A place for worship and reverence
A curriculum of Order, Discipline, Spirituality were quite evident
That was years ago.
The story has a happy ending.
"A young man' has since served honorably in the military and is these days a mature family man.
"A young man" in his late teens, did something foolish... The cops came...
...Court date in thirty days... Postponed twice... Three months later: The verdict
- Six months as a novice
I visited twice as a friend of the family.
- Rehabilitation Temple Time
It's a long drive to the temple grounds right there there where civilization seems to end
Past where the Thai Buffalo roam
Where the jungle begins.
Simple Life is mandated
Getting along with your neighbors takes on a whole new meaning
Visiting Hours are very restricted,
only gifts for grounds maintenance allowed
Were you renew contact with nature
A place for worship and reverence
A curriculum of Order, Discipline, Spirituality were quite evident
That was years ago.
The story has a happy ending.
"A young man' has since served honorably in the military and is these days a mature family man.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
My Christmas Past and Present
When I grew up, he wasn't called Santa. His name was then Saint Nick.
He had a sack full of toys, new clothes, plenty new socks, for those who BEHAVED.
Saint Nick had a servant accompanying him.
That was Ruprecht.
A hunched over fellow, with a sack of coals over his shoulders, very Grinch like personality.
Kids who didn't BEHAVE received coal instead of Santa's gifts.
Ruprecht carried a broom made of twigs, with which he gave you a rear end education in BEHAVE !!!
Yes I met the Grinch
My uncle Joseph gave me this huge wrapped box.
I began unpacking...
Inside was another wrapped box...
I began unpacking...
Inside was another wrapped box...
I began unpacking...
Inside was another wrapped box... and so on...
Each time I opened a new box, there was that moment of anticipated excitement.
When the room was cluttered with empty boxes and wrapping paper ...
... I held a bag of roasted chestnuts like a trophy.
Sheet yeah !! I was disappointed as hell at the moment.
Christmas Present
He had a sack full of toys, new clothes, plenty new socks, for those who BEHAVED.
Saint Nick had a servant accompanying him.
That was Ruprecht.
A hunched over fellow, with a sack of coals over his shoulders, very Grinch like personality.
Kids who didn't BEHAVE received coal instead of Santa's gifts.
Ruprecht carried a broom made of twigs, with which he gave you a rear end education in BEHAVE !!!
Yes I met the Grinch
My uncle Joseph gave me this huge wrapped box.
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| My uncle Joesph was a prankster by heart |
Inside was another wrapped box...
I began unpacking...
Inside was another wrapped box...
I began unpacking...
Inside was another wrapped box... and so on...
Each time I opened a new box, there was that moment of anticipated excitement.
When the room was cluttered with empty boxes and wrapping paper ...
... I held a bag of roasted chestnuts like a trophy.
Sheet yeah !! I was disappointed as hell at the moment.
Christmas Present
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| Christmas Eve: Dinner with friends |
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Dec 25 Christmas Day
I had dozed off in front of the TV.
Santa stopped by after work to bring me a bottle of Sangsom muscle relaxant (rum) and a handwritten note
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Monday, December 26, 2011
Sakon Nakhon Camera Events Ahead
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That Choeng Chum Fair
January 2 - 8
Free Nightly Concerts
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Parades
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Chinese New Years
January 23 - 25
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Red Cross Fair
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January 14: National Children Day
January 16: National Teachers Day
Parade Thursday! I think!
Usually don't get advance notice to many of the parades.
Someone happened to mention there's another parade coming up.
"Parade on Tuesday."
"You mean tomorrow?"
"No, Thursday."
Starts at Phra That Choeng Chum and comes down I.T.U.
New Years Celebrations
Of course I wish everyone a happy New Year. ENJOY and be safe.
I'll probably do what I've been doing in past years: Celebrate within staggering distance of my mattress.
As usual I'll bring some cash so all my friends can trot over to the fireworks stands.
Hot Season Prelude?
Most weather services are predicting a slow warming period, with highs possibly reaching 30C next week.
Accuweather is the oddball, forcasting feels like temperatures at 37C (99F).
VDOs of this year's Sakon Nakhon Christmas Star Parade
Sakon Nakhon Chilly Nights
Sakon Nakhon's coldest Christmas in recent memory
I've experienced eight Christmases in Thailand, this is the coldest in my memory.
A few more cool days with a slow warming trend
By this weekend we should see daytime highs in the low 30C (Mid 80F).
Tha Rae Christmas Star Parade, Christmas Eve
Photographs
You Tube
High waves ravage S. Thailand, thousand affected, tourists marooned
xinhuanet
Images of this years floods in Thailand
Sunday, December 25, 2011
So this is Christmas
It's a chilly morning in Sakon City 10C/50F.
Not the reason I moved here.
The cool temperatures make my years of work related back and neck abuse, painfully noticeable.
These aches and pains are very minimal during the warmer days. Almost non-existent.
A side effect of the increased pains is 'THE GRUMPY OLD MAN SYNDROME.'
I tend to bitch about things which otherwise would be irrelevant. My 'Doctor Chang muscle relaxant' had disappeared.
Last time I watched the Tha Rae Star Parade was in 2009.It was quite warm that day 33C (91F).
Had considered a trip to watch the parade last night, but opted
instead to cuddle my hot water bottle and indulge in 'SangSom' muscle relaxant.
I opt for alcoholic pain remedies which are known to cause brain disfunctions.
It's a better option than prescription drugs known to damage the liver, kidney or stomach, or all three
...had not planned on decorating.
The recommendation was made!!!
I wasted some money and strung up some lights on the front porch.
The hat was not my idea.
I would have hung up some 'stockings,' but it's cold enough that I'd rather keep them on my feet.
Christmas day began at 2 AM...
...when a visitor to the apartment building across the street needed to get the attention of his girlfriend with the car horn.
My mobile started signaling me "Merry Christmas" text messages at 5:05, 5:07, and 5:13 AM.
All from the same sender +66 (Country Code: Thailand)
Sakon City Parade tonight
I preferr the invitation for an evening KLATSCH
News that drew my attention last week
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Coldest night of the year tonight
Last year was the coldest year in a decade (10 years). Local lows hovered around 12C.
December 9 of last year my pool was still in use. This year we stopped using the pool in mid November.
This weekend: cool! After that things start warming up slowly. From Thursday through early next year, little change in temperature.
A week later... Thursday January 5..... lets just say you might want to make sure that all your fans are in proper working order. It's too early to forecast accurately, but it might well feel like 37C
Clear and sunny skies. Don't let the coolness fool you. Consider sun protection
December 9 of last year my pool was still in use. This year we stopped using the pool in mid November.
This weekend: cool! After that things start warming up slowly. From Thursday through early next year, little change in temperature.
A week later... Thursday January 5..... lets just say you might want to make sure that all your fans are in proper working order. It's too early to forecast accurately, but it might well feel like 37C
| Sat 24 | Sun 25 | Mon 26 | Tue 27 | Wed 28 | Thurs 29 | |
| Thai Meteorological | 24/12 | 23/11 | 24/12 | 26/13 | 27/15 | |
| Weather Underground | 23/10 | 23/11 | 24/12 | 26/14 | 27/16 | 28/16 |
| AccuWeather | 27/8 | 27/10 | 28/13 | 29/16 | 30/17 | 31/17 |
| MeoWeather | 21/9 | 21/11 | 23/12 | 25/15 | 26/16 | 26/16 |
| Weather Channel | 24/11 | 24/12 | 26/11 | 27/13 | 28/14 | 29/15 |
Clear and sunny skies. Don't let the coolness fool you. Consider sun protection
Friday, December 23, 2011
T.i.T.
Every path I take in this town, new construction is underway. Large and small projects. Homes and businesses.
Many of the new buildings, with for rent signs, sit empty though.
Many of the new buildings, with for rent signs, sit empty though.
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| Cement mixing tub going to a construction site |
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Beating a dead Horse: The Sakon Nakhon Book Fair
Out on the highway next to Bus terminal 2 (which is not in use yet), is the Sakon Nakhon Book Fair.
"Beating a dead horse" or "Flogging a dead horse"
When something is already dead, and you keep bring it up over and over again
With such things as E-Reader, E-Books, and plenty other on line services, bookstores are failing
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| No browsers sighted |
"Beating a dead horse" or "Flogging a dead horse"
When something is already dead, and you keep bring it up over and over again
With such things as E-Reader, E-Books, and plenty other on line services, bookstores are failing
From my own experience learning English...
During a class break they paraded this young man in front of me.
He recited four pages of a fairly tale in English. Quite a feat.
It was a very fast recital, and many times I only understood a word here or there.
A proud adult, probably a teacher was observing.
When it was all over I praised him on his memorization skills, told him he needed to slow down his speech.
As if he was telling the story to some little children.
Suggested he find some music he liked and sing the whole story.
From my own experience learning English:
I've been telling all my students, the best way to learn a language and get the pronunciation right.... SING IT!!
It's the best way to loose the foreign accent in your speech!!
This KPOP video is a great example
He recited four pages of a fairly tale in English. Quite a feat.
It was a very fast recital, and many times I only understood a word here or there.
A proud adult, probably a teacher was observing.
When it was all over I praised him on his memorization skills, told him he needed to slow down his speech.
As if he was telling the story to some little children.
Suggested he find some music he liked and sing the whole story.
From my own experience learning English:
I've been telling all my students, the best way to learn a language and get the pronunciation right.... SING IT!!
It's the best way to loose the foreign accent in your speech!!
This KPOP video is a great example
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Winter came early this year
According to an article in RYT9, if temperatures drop below 15C (59F) for 3 or more consecutive days, then the government can declare a natural disaster.
O.K. stop laughing I say to myself.
It's not that they call out a major aid force.
Instead what you see in the news is that agencies are passing out blankets to the poor.
I doubt that a free blanket will suffice. My opinion.
Even though we have experienced such low temperatures in recent days, temperatures in the Phu Phan mountain region and along the Mekong river have started to drop to lower teens and below.
These lower temperatures are also ideal breeding times for flu.
There's a lot of people around me lately with sore throats..
I have a feeling that winter came early this year.
These cool temperatures are generally reserved for January.
My question is "will the hot season also arrive early, or will winter linger with record lows in January?"
Cool temperatures forecast till after Christmas, a warming trend in time for the arrival of the new year 33/19
Crystal Frost Draws Tourists to Chiang Mai TAN Network
Sakon Nakhon District 18 may be pre-declared disaster area cold RYT9 (Thai)
O.K. stop laughing I say to myself.
It's not that they call out a major aid force.
Instead what you see in the news is that agencies are passing out blankets to the poor.
I doubt that a free blanket will suffice. My opinion.
Even though we have experienced such low temperatures in recent days, temperatures in the Phu Phan mountain region and along the Mekong river have started to drop to lower teens and below.
These lower temperatures are also ideal breeding times for flu.
There's a lot of people around me lately with sore throats..
I have a feeling that winter came early this year.
These cool temperatures are generally reserved for January.
My question is "will the hot season also arrive early, or will winter linger with record lows in January?"
Cool temperatures forecast till after Christmas, a warming trend in time for the arrival of the new year 33/19
Crystal Frost Draws Tourists to Chiang Mai TAN Network
Sakon Nakhon District 18 may be pre-declared disaster area cold RYT9 (Thai)
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Remembering A Great Friend
The largest gathering of foreigners in Sakon City
A year ago. December 22Eddie is laid to rest
Found this recent YouTube upload, which seems to fit the mood
Nongharn Blues - Pong Srabua & Bert Deivert see more uploads by bdeivert
Monday, December 19, 2011
Fireworks High Season approaches...
... and with that the hazards.
Sales of fireworks at some Ma&Pa shops should commence any day now.
Sales of fireworks at some Ma&Pa shops should commence any day now.
- Have a SAFE and fun celebration
- Be ALERT.
- Make sure pets have a place to to hide close by and are unable to flee from home.
Temperatures rising 34C, and dropping 10C
Local
Wednesday Highs and Lows
Sunday Highs and Lows
- Tropical storm Washi to weaken before reaching Malasia
Bangkok Post - Tropical storm Washi recently created havoc over the Philippines
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Sakon vs Khon Kaen Coke Cup Final, Friday
Sakon faces Khon Kan in the final match of this year's coke cup.
3 PM Friday, municipal field.
This Saturday, proceed with caution
Red Rally in Sakon Nakhon
That according to an article in today's THE NATION
I'll be keeping a great distance from any public gatherings Saturday, and recommend foreigners do the same.
Most likely security forces will be out in full force for the occasion throughout the city.
I'm shopping in Khon Kean
Many hotels in in Khon Kean had no vacancy.
Possibly due to the silk festival.
Thanks to Tom of Isaan-life I found the Grand Lion.
Not a fancy hotel, but suited me just fine. Located just a short distance from a shopping center and the place I had to go.
Been quite a pleasant trip so far, and I've been offered a free ride home.
My view of Khon Kean
So is there some other purpose for schools?
What amazed me even more was the wiring system.
I'd hate to be the lineman looking for your phone connection.
You really have to step carefully.
These critters are everywhere. Just glad they are cement, not the real thing.
After taking care of my affairs I had a rum breakfast nearby.
Met this guy who'd been thinking he's been drinking Thai Whiskey for the past ten years. He was a bit shocked that Sangsom is a rum
My free ride home has been delayed by a day, after a bit more local shopping, we are off to Udon
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Traveling for an annual Income Statement
I'm on the way for an overnight stay in Khon Kaen.
Had strongly considered doing the trip on my motorbike. Done that before, a couple of times.
That's a chilly trip through the Phu Phan Mountains this time of the year.
I do not have proper attire.
Did consider 'briefly' traveling by bus. My spine said "don't you dare!"
In the end I opted to hire a car (Bt3,700). Pricey I know, but my spine appreciates it.
At least this way I can have a few cocktails along the way.
Had strongly considered doing the trip on my motorbike. Done that before, a couple of times.
That's a chilly trip through the Phu Phan Mountains this time of the year.
I do not have proper attire.
Did consider 'briefly' traveling by bus. My spine said "don't you dare!"
In the end I opted to hire a car (Bt3,700). Pricey I know, but my spine appreciates it.
At least this way I can have a few cocktails along the way.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
A Sakon Nakhon Fish Story
You may wish to fast forward thru some of the video, but dont miss the last few minutes
News that caught my eye
- Seagate to open new Thai disk plant
Channel Register UK
Monday, December 12, 2011
Cool Temperatures Continue
Clouds approaching from the south
Local patchy clouds (midweek). No rain in the forecast
Seems A bit premature forecasting
This Day in Sakon History
December 13, 2009
Local patchy clouds (midweek). No rain in the forecast
| Tues | Wed | Thur | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thai Meteorological | 26/15 | 28/17 | 28/18 | 26/17 | 28/18 | 28/18 |
| Weather Underground | 26/14 | 28/17 | 29/18 | 26/15 | 27/15 | 27/15 |
| Accu Weather | 29/14 | 30/16 | 31/16 | 29/16 | 29/16 | 31/16 |
| Meo Weather | 24/14 | 26/17 | 26/18 | 25/15 | 26/15 | 26/15 |
| Weather Channel | 27/14 | 28/17 | 29/17 | 28/16 | 29/15 | 29/16 |
Seems A bit premature forecasting
- Thailand could face drought next year
Middle East North Africa Financial Network
- Marathon somewhere in Sakon Nakhon.
Don't recognize the location. Apparently it took place Sunday
This Day in Sakon History
December 13, 2009
Sakon Nakhon Dragon Festival 2011
Not too many dragons came out of hiding this year. it seemed like a a very downsized celebration.
No participant cobra performers, no painted faces.
Female participants were in their daily garb, no fancy dressed ladies.
Even the starting times had been changed. I was almost two hours early when I arrived at the temple. The police detail responsible for the safety of the event hadn't yet arrived.
You gotta admire and respect those Sakon Nakhon guys in brown.
Juggling uninterrupted traffic and a parade. On top of it all frequent deafening firecrackers.
I arrived early at the temple. Folks where eating breakfast and drinking coffee.
I received dozens of very friendly 'hello's and a cup of coffee.
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| Trinket sellers accompanied the parade from start to finish. Didn't whiteness any sales. |
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| It was really a fun day |
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| Someone could make money selling earplugs at these events |
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| Protective masks and goggles would probably also sell well |
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| It was really a fun day |
You could identify businesses wishing to be blessed, by offerings tables in front of their business
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| Unlike a bull in a glass shop, these dragons caused no breakage when they entered a business |
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| Kids searched for unexploded fireworks after each celebration |
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