Tush watchers day (Feb 14)

     Valentine was a priest of the third century. The story goes that he was jailed  and awaiting execution for "christian activities."  He sent a final love letter.  And thus the ritual of sending valentines began many years later.

     Before christianity it was  a celebration to honor the goddess Juno.  Greek patron of marriage.  Cupid (alias) EROS with an arrow is part of this ritual.

     A feast was held, girls names were placed in a container, and the boys picked a name.  Boy and girl then remained 'paired' for the remainder of the festival.

     More recently, Christianity has distanced itself from the festival. Known as Saint Valentines day until recent times, they took away the saint making it Valentines day.  Probably because old traditions are making a comeback, an embarrassment to some.  In modern times on valentines day, police all over the world make a special effort.  They check out motel and hotel rooms,searching  for underage 'paired' valentine celebrations.

Look at a drawing of a heart, depicting love and affection.  Doesn't even come close to what a real heart looks like....

Happy derrière watchers day

Thai Time

Invitation to lunch: 

• Please come to lunch at 11:30.
  

I dress casually, t-shirt and jeans.  It's saturday!

• I arrive at noon.
  

School teachers are in catering mode. Just setting up.
Nothing to eat or drink is in sight.
A trip to the nearest Ma and Pa store. Sangsom and coke. Hey it's saturday!

• Promptly at 2 p.m. luncheon guests arrive. 

I took a taste of a salad with ginger. 10 star fire engine Thai chili. 
I had to drink a lot... Sangsom and coke. Hey it's saturday!

There were other less spicy meals on the table.
Conversation was enlightening. Some things to consider about students learning English.
Identical to my own experience with the Thai language.

Here it Comes... Hot, hotter than usual

February brings with it spring like weather, 

with a continuous warming trend.


This summer will be slightly hotter, increased rainfall - Bangkok Post

Previous articles
August 2008

• Heaviest rains in decades
  

November 2008

• Temperatures dropping below thirty year average

Pure money speculation

Conversation

"The Thai Baht is the strongest currency in the world right now !!"
"I don't think so."

I had to do some research.

The most obvious pattern I discovered:
All articles written regarding currency strengths had bylines (written by). 

• That's makes these articles opinions rather than facts.
  

The next obvious pattern was time and location of these opinions

▪ May 2008 "Shekel the worlds strongest currency, (guess where the writer is from)
▪ 2004 Australian dollar strongest, (guess where the writer is from)
▪ 2007 Kuwaiti dinar, Maltese lira (ditto)
▪ Euro, etc. (ditto)


The Thai Baht has remained strong, but is not the strongest currency.

Most recent opinions still claim the U.S. dollar as the strongest, with Japan in second.

Dollar is still the strongest currency,January 12, 2009 by...
There are those predictions that the U.S. dollar will soon take a dive of historic proportions.
We haven't seen the bottom of the money pit, so no one can tell how much deeper things are going to get.

Global (Currency) Warming Forecast

Increased drought.

Increased rain and floods.

Melting ice caps.

Earthquakes and tsunamis more likely.

That's my opinion on the matter.  What's yours? 

Still the Best Thai Dining Experience

Family Celebrations

Family members, each with their own specialty, prepare courses of the meals.
Mats are placed on the floor, tables are placed on the sidewalk.

Nothing too elaborate, just comfortable, laid back, and pleasant.
The costs ot such gatherings are less than any restaurant dining experience.
The only difference is someone has to do the catering.

.

The meal can take two to three hours...

...and is a mix of conversation, eating, drinking and camaraderie.

This family gathering had dual celebrations:

• A younger 'son A' is leaving for active army duty. He's becoming a soldier

• It's Ning's birthday
  

Even family pets help out during these events.

Here they are sorting through the shoe selection.


A windy breeze made the early evening hours quite pleasant.
As the evening progressed the breeze became somewhat chilly and helped in closing the gathering.

Visa Service Companies Unnecessary Expense

That according to the Royal Danish Embassy in Bangkok, which is warning against visa fraud.