Here I am celebrating 72

Never thought I'd reach that age.  I've had quite a few close calls.  Rescued from drowning three times.  Almost died in a dental chair.  Two motorcycle accidents (1 in Thailand) where a helmet saved my life.   And even a couple accidental encounters with poisons.  Arsenic kept me in the hospital for a few days Here I am celebrating 72. Samart, 10 years younger, is also celebrating his birthday.  So we are having our celebrations at his house.  It's two blocks down the street from Lil'Pimp, so if you're in the neighborhood, please stop by and say hello and have a drink with us.

Sakon Nakhon

Where's the bottom?

The most dramatic portion of the sell-off came on the night of June 23, as investors realized that British voters had decided to withdraw from the European Union Back in 2007 the GBP stood at 70.8509 to the Thai Baht.  Today's rate is 40% less than that of 2007.  A 20% drop in 2016 to date

Sakon Nakhon

Mostly cool, free Chilly pool, look out for the idiot behind you too

Partly to mostly cloudy Slight chance of rain early afternoon High feels like 30 to 35 Low feels like 22 to 24 Business hour directory  Discovered Opening hours Thailand The website may be a recent innovation with further input pending. The web page is missing contact information to submit additions and corrections Free Pool at the Chilly bar through November Watch out for the idiot behind you

Sakon Nakhon

A bunch of teens coming our way

Sakon Nakhon cooling a bit

Sakon Nakhon

The trick is to keep it wet for a day or two

Of course the best prevention to avoid mold on paved walk and driveways is to add waterproofing to the cement when it's poured. That is seldom the case in Thailand. I have tried various methods in removing the ugly mess, including hazardous chemicals. I finally came across a non hazardous method which requires little elbow grease. Wet down the area to be treated.  Keep it wet for a day or two.  This might require that you cover it with plastic, paper or rags.  When it's thoroughly moistened, most comes off with a light brushing and a spray of water.  The nearly clear area took three minutes of scrubbing. The trick is to kill the mildew so it won't regrow. I used a mixture of vinegar and soda (yellow rectangle area).  Wet the area with vinegar , then sprinkled soda and watched it bubble for a minute. Of course to avoid a reoccurrence the cement surface needs to be waterproofed.

Bank Transfer US$ to THB October 2016 compared to first of the year

View right to left

Bugged by bugs attracted to light at night

Bugs attracted to light at night can be a real nuisance. In a way I consider myself lucky. A few years back they installed a streetlight at the end of the street.  Seems to attract a lot of bugs which previously hung around my front porch. Fluorescent bulbs seem to draw the most bugs Brighter lights attract more bugs. Less light, less bugs    Around the outside of the house I installed motion detector lights with low lumen output. Just enough light to see where I am going.The lights are timed to shut off within seconds when no motion is detected. If you have cats and dogs roaming in your yard, adjust the sensor setting and aim. Colored light bulbs have been quite successful for me in the past. Yellow and red seem the most hailed.  It's not always successful. It all depends on the variety of bugs, many are attracted to various colors.  Zapper lights have had mixed results. Think it also depends a lot of the type of light you use.  Christmas tree lights which seem a bit kitschy when out of season seem to minimize bug presence  If you must have a yard light, put it on a high pole, keep them out of your reach  Most of these flying nuisances seem to have a schedule: Dusk to about 7 or 8 pm seems to be their "HAPPY HOUR"  Keep in mind when it's time to settle in for the night, you garden with plenty to eat, makes a great bug bedroom for the night.  Windows and entrances to your house need to be well screened, especially those unavoidable gaps The best non chemical way of protection is a fan. The squirrel gets a 24 hour fan.  Not just to keep him cool, also to keep those flies away attracted to his feeding bowls. Mostly fruit flies. Your pet would be thankful for its own fan There's a wall fan aimed at my tv watching couch, a floor fan in the bedroom and office, and a fan aimed at the kitchen sink. Parable  Sat at a Thai dinner party where all the leftovers were thrown a distance into the garden while dining. I got up to look at the area the refuse was aimed at.  It was a hill of refuse of course,  the surrounding soil was quite fertile.  No ant seemed interested in making its way to the house. Keep 'em happy somewhere else

Sakon Nakhon

It's going to get cooler soon, better improve on the bedding

Reminds me of a game show were contestants must empty a box of tissues in 60 seconds This evening at the Chilly Bar                             Just a short distance from Robinson Sakon Nakhon
Pattaya Again
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Chilly Bar this Thursday

Located just up the street from Robinson Spend an afternoon at the beach

Sakon Nakhon

Making my computer travel ready

Used to keep all my original photo's on the computer. Most have been edited and uploaded to my online albums.  Deleted 135 folders today. Found a few dozen which need editing and uploading. Only 1966 folders to go.    At this rate it will probably take another month to complete the task.    It's actually great fun.  Time travel through my life, the places I've been, and the people I've met. Forgotten memories rekindled.    Got interested in photography while stationed in Germany in 1963.  Developed all my own black and white photographs.

Sakon Nakhon

Monday Holiday

October 23 Chulalongkorn Day October 24 Chulalongkorn Substitution Day :: Banks closed Most holidays which fall on a Saturday or Sunday are celebrated with a Substitution day

Occasional showers throughout the week

Getting ready to do some heavy duty gardeing

video by  Thanabodee Jantawong

Bolt cutter for medical proceedure

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Sakon Nakhon

No cheering please

day 32 :: night 24 real feel day 42 :: night 27 Light scattered rain afternoon and evening UV 7 (high)
Reports differ, many say all free, others say some free
For stateside TV anywhere  free   once you register:    (ABC, CBS, CW, FOX, NBC, PBS, My9)   paid plan: ABC, CBS, CW, FOX, NBC, PBS, My9, A&E, Animal Planet, Bravo, Cartoon Network, CNBC, CNN, Comedy Central, Discovery Channel, ESPN, FX, Fox News, History, Lifetime, National Geographic, Nickelodeon, Spike, Syfy, TBS, TNT, USA, AMC.

That ends my tv watching while walking

Yesterday both my internet services went down for over 5 hours.  I noticed traffic lights in town were off, so I guessed some local accident.  Went to a nearby friend who had a different service which was running without a problem.

Power outages and internet outages still happen, even though not as frequently as in earlier years.

Purchased an air WIFI unit (1,500THB), monthly charge 799THB.  It's only been a few hours, but I am very satisfied.  No interruptions.

To test the system I took my laptop for a walk watching a TV show. I got a few "that crazy American" looks.

Had dinner at what is turning out to be a favorite place to eat.  60 TBH portions and I always have to take half of it home cause I'm full.

On the way home I passed by some friend's house who were cooking dinner as I walked by. So now I am carrying two meals to go.

I was watching a football game while walking through a dark alley when I noticed a snake crossing the road just a foot or two in front of me.  I stopped for a moment, the snake did not seem to be interested in starting an argument with me and slithered on.  You have to pay attention where you walk, or it can be downright hazardous.

That ends my tv watching while walking

It's not mandatory, but it's appreciated

Forecasters differ predicting high temperatures over the coming days.  They tend to agree Sunday should be the cooler.

There have been times when my electric bill reached 6,000 Baht (approx US$176).  I have gotten used to keeping the air con at 28C / 82F with a fan or two. My electric bill is cut in half, 3,000 baht per month at an average Sakon Nakhon Road check, run for the hills Black ribbons are given out free at many places.  I received one at the true vision counter, when I cancelled my television service.  I received another one from a public employee friend.  The larger ones tend to flip over, as they are top heavy. They are not mandatory by foreigners, but Thais tend to appreciate foreigners participating. Some swear that mosquitos are attracted to dark clothing, others are of a different opinion Where's my sneezing powder

Sakon Nakhon

Rain Cancelled, postponed

With live entertainment only condoned behind closed doors, I am spending my time organizing 13 years of photos. The aim is to make my laptop travel ready.  The less I carry with me, the less I am likely to lose.  50% of my albums are on Google Photo. Nearly 80,000 files are still on my hard drive, some duplicates, some requiring editing, only 2,000 folders to search through.    It's fun.  Pictures are reminders of great times and friends I've made
Don't speak the language, mute the sound, set the picture to full screen. **
Tropical Storm Sarika has deflated. Rain chance through Saturday is 10%. Instead of rain, expect temperatures to rise. Feels like 38 to 42c (108f)

Sakon Nakhon

Air Travel alert

Allow for extra travel time Thursday Morning on my calendar

Sakon Nakhon

Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Lil'Pimp reopens Wednesday Entertainment out of sight acceptable  Loi Kratong and events beyond reconsidered Busted Scrared

Sakon Nakhon

Monday, October 17, 2016
Realfeel climbing from 36 to 39 through Wednesday  Rain chance increased Thursday through the weekend The center of this storm is moving north toward Hainan Click on images for larger view
As yesterday was a buddhist holiday I decided to stop by the local temple.  Surprisingly not many visitors. Later in the day I stopped by Robinsons to do some shopping.  Definitely a lot more people shopping and browsing, and dining
Blueberries are a luxury item here 250 g US$10

Sakon Nakhon