Don't you know it's nap time ?
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Changes are happening at Tony's Pond
Went to visit Tony's place twice recently:
The place is in the process of remodeling.
The process has just started, but there are some big changes happening there.
Walls coming down, new ones going up. New roofing
The karaoke machine is out. Restaurant and bar theme is in.
From the looks of things it's a long term project done in stages.
The English version of the menu was apparently at the printers during my visit.
As other visitors arrived they were served with beer and a karaoke microphone.
(AHEM) The invitation was for a pig roast.
The place is in the process of remodeling.
Work is progressing rapidly.
Here are my notes from the first visit:
Went to see "Tony the Blue Boy." yesterday.
Here are my notes from the first visit:
Went to see "Tony the Blue Boy." yesterday.
Apparently he had just finished repainting his snooker room.... Blue.
The process has just started, but there are some big changes happening there.
Walls coming down, new ones going up. New roofing
The karaoke machine is out. Restaurant and bar theme is in.
From the looks of things it's a long term project done in stages.
With celebrations planned for each completion.
Typical fisherman story, Tony explained the fish are sooooo big.
When the restaurant opens for business you can select the fish from a tank and dine on some fresh fish.
Second visit Saturday, February 7
Arrived shortly after 2 in the afternoon. First western guest to arrive.
Some potholes in the driveway had been filled with construction sand.
It's like driving a motorcycle in sand dunes.
Typical fisherman story, Tony explained the fish are sooooo big.
When the restaurant opens for business you can select the fish from a tank and dine on some fresh fish.
Second visit Saturday, February 7
Arrived shortly after 2 in the afternoon. First western guest to arrive.
Some potholes in the driveway had been filled with construction sand.
It's like driving a motorcycle in sand dunes.
Definitely lots of progress.
The bamboo furniture is great.
I'd love to buy some for myself. Are you a commission salesman, where is the showroom.
I'd love to buy some for myself. Are you a commission salesman, where is the showroom.
The English version of the menu was apparently at the printers during my visit.
As other visitors arrived they were served with beer and a karaoke microphone.
(AHEM) The invitation was for a pig roast.
I must have been way too early.
By 5 p.m., when I left, I had not seen a BBQ, smoke, or carcasses.
With the current remodeling progressing, the place is well worth revising.
I'm patiently waiting for Tony's fishing season to open.
I prefer such gatherings over noisy, off key Karaoke.
With the current remodeling progressing, the place is well worth revising.
I'm patiently waiting for Tony's fishing season to open.
I prefer such gatherings over noisy, off key Karaoke.
The locals love it though !!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Photoshop
Needed some photo's for official documents.
The original picture was not acceptable.
A local photographer did his magic.
Photo acceptable.
I haven't worn a suit and tie in over a decade.
The original picture was not acceptable.
A local photographer did his magic.
Photo acceptable.
I haven't worn a suit and tie in over a decade.
The helmet tree, it keeps on growing
I own two helmets. They multiply like rabbits at my house.
Once a month they are 'donated,' to make room for more.
Many visitors depart after 'helmet law hours.'
Once a month they are 'donated,' to make room for more.
Many visitors depart after 'helmet law hours.'
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Sakon Nakhon LIVE "Dinner and 20th century Classics"
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| From 090207 Chinese New Years Dinner 2/7/09 |
I've lived in Sakon Nakhon since early 2003. Life here has been most enjoyable.
It's the people of this region, friendly and pleasant, very family and community orientated.
BUT... there are a few things you do miss.
Foremost for me it's the arts. There are no art galleries, no concert halls.
All you can do is listen to a CD of classical music to revive memories, and dream.
Part of that dream was fulfilled yesterday. A new cherished memory.
I had been invited to a Chinese New Years celebration. Please come at 6 p.m.
I arrived 15 minutes early and realized they meant "Thai time," (add at least one hour).
Nearby was an outdoor bar, I settled in for a drink.
Then I heard it. Music from a decades old German song coming from the temple.
I was overjoyed. Then hungarian rhapsody, and more classical music.
20th Century music.
For the first time I didn't mind 'Thai Time.'
People began to arrive. The place was packed. Lot of who's who of Sakon Nakhon.
For the first time I didn't mind 'Thai Time.'
People began to arrive. The place was packed. Lot of who's who of Sakon Nakhon.
I heard someone say it's a nine course dinner. The food was superb, but by the sixth course I had to politely decline.
When I wasn't eating or photographing I was "dancing in my chair" and many times singing, wistling or humming along: German songs, Jewish songs, Thai music, Chinese music, classical music. I was probably making a bit of a fool of myself. But I didn't care, I was having the time of my life.
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| Brief video clip 090207 Chinese New Years Dinner vdo |
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Recovering from exhaustive 24 hr round trip
PB Air changed their caterer, a big improvement with their in flight meals..
I was tempted to ask for another.
I always get a kick when drinks are served. You are offered juices, coke and water.
But the beer isn't shown. Most people aren't aware, there is free beer.
Once a first person orders beer, subsequently there are more beer requests. Choice of beer Leo or beer sing (Singha).
Bangkok landing was unusually hard. We should have had four flats according to my calculations.
Bangkok hotel I stayed in looked like 90% vacancy.
American Embassy opens at 7:30 in the morning.
Entrance is apparently in the process of being remodeled.
I was momentarily lost.
At the window I was told, please take a number. Next number called.. ... ... me.. Ya gotta love their bureaucracy.
Shopping concluded, I returned to the hotel shortly after noon. I was getting sleepy real fast.
Bangkok's short time room rates are like regular day rates in many Sakon Nakhon Province hotels.
I slept a few hours...
At the Bangkok airport I was the third person to check in for the flight. Two hours early.
Airport domestic clearance processing has been consolidated and seems more efficient.
Instead of doing the baggage check at each gate, you are checked at the domestic terminal entrance.
Of course they had to check with their superiors when I went through.
I was carrying a glass jar of pickles which needed special clearance.
At least they are making a special effort to keep everybody safe, but you still have to chuckle.
PB air waiting room.
When the airline moved to the new airport, they forgot to bring their coffee and tea service with them.
I really miss that. The air conditioners in the waiting room were on full blast. I wasn't the only one shivering.
Departure was almost 40 minutes late. . . No coffee, no tea !! Just shivering.
Talked briefly to a Brit, now residing in That Phanom. Typical anxieties: No one watered my roses while I was gone... world monetary situation, exchange rates.
Noticed some monks in reddish - brown robes in the waiting room. Thought they may be Tibetan.
In flight food: a pickled salad and sweet baked dessert, unfortunately they had no extra, no take out.
Again with an unusual landing. Left tire made contact first.
By the time the right tire landed it felt like we had made a zigzag. Maybe I'm being too critical ?!
The monks on our flight must have been quite revered. Everyone waiting in the terminal had to lower themselves while the monks passed through. It was confirmed to me they were not Thai.
I was tempted to ask for another.
I always get a kick when drinks are served. You are offered juices, coke and water.
But the beer isn't shown. Most people aren't aware, there is free beer.
Once a first person orders beer, subsequently there are more beer requests. Choice of beer Leo or beer sing (Singha).
Bangkok landing was unusually hard. We should have had four flats according to my calculations.
They got smart and did some remodeling, half of the restaurant is now outdoors for smokers.
The restaurant had one customer besides me. The strip joint across the alley had five customers leave after their 11 p.m. show ended. Last year the occupancy was close to a hundred.
The restaurant had one customer besides me. The strip joint across the alley had five customers leave after their 11 p.m. show ended. Last year the occupancy was close to a hundred.
American Embassy opens at 7:30 in the morning.
Entrance is apparently in the process of being remodeled.
I was momentarily lost.
Temporary directional signs were in fine print on regular stationary.
At the window I was told, please take a number. Next number called.. ... ... me.. Ya gotta love their bureaucracy.
They added a new service window (step 3).
Didn't realize there was a step four until I heard my name being called in another room.
Total time 20 minutes. I do like their efficiency.
Thai immigration office, one hour wait. They need a bigger office and more staff.
Processing time 10 minutes. It helps when you have 'all your ducks in a row.'
They did have two new forms to fill out, which they provided.
Kinda humorous. Every desk had a computer. They weren't in use, just for show apparently.
Many desks were stacked with so much paperwork, there was no way to see the screen.
Started shopping by 11. Enough sliced bread to fill one suitcase.
Four employees where slicing and wrapping my order.
I just loved the efficient service.
My shopping list included cheeses and caviar.
The best part of shopping was finding some German berry candy and german licorice.
Didn't realize there was a step four until I heard my name being called in another room.
Total time 20 minutes. I do like their efficiency.
Thai immigration office, one hour wait. They need a bigger office and more staff.
Processing time 10 minutes. It helps when you have 'all your ducks in a row.'
They did have two new forms to fill out, which they provided.
Kinda humorous. Every desk had a computer. They weren't in use, just for show apparently.
Many desks were stacked with so much paperwork, there was no way to see the screen.
Started shopping by 11. Enough sliced bread to fill one suitcase.
Four employees where slicing and wrapping my order.
I just loved the efficient service.
My shopping list included cheeses and caviar.
The best part of shopping was finding some German berry candy and german licorice.
Shopping concluded, I returned to the hotel shortly after noon. I was getting sleepy real fast.
Bangkok's short time room rates are like regular day rates in many Sakon Nakhon Province hotels.
I slept a few hours...
At the Bangkok airport I was the third person to check in for the flight. Two hours early.
Airport domestic clearance processing has been consolidated and seems more efficient.
Instead of doing the baggage check at each gate, you are checked at the domestic terminal entrance.
Of course they had to check with their superiors when I went through.
I was carrying a glass jar of pickles which needed special clearance.
At least they are making a special effort to keep everybody safe, but you still have to chuckle.
PB air waiting room.
When the airline moved to the new airport, they forgot to bring their coffee and tea service with them.
I really miss that. The air conditioners in the waiting room were on full blast. I wasn't the only one shivering.
Departure was almost 40 minutes late. . . No coffee, no tea !! Just shivering.
Talked briefly to a Brit, now residing in That Phanom. Typical anxieties: No one watered my roses while I was gone... world monetary situation, exchange rates.
Noticed some monks in reddish - brown robes in the waiting room. Thought they may be Tibetan.
In flight food: a pickled salad and sweet baked dessert, unfortunately they had no extra, no take out.
Again with an unusual landing. Left tire made contact first.
By the time the right tire landed it felt like we had made a zigzag. Maybe I'm being too critical ?!
The monks on our flight must have been quite revered. Everyone waiting in the terminal had to lower themselves while the monks passed through. It was confirmed to me they were not Thai.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Parade here.. parade there..
They're having parades, competitions and shows at both ends of town.
Heard the marching drums before I left the house.
By the time we reached the other end of town, traffic was at a standstill to let the parade pass by.
School sport day, I'd change the name to "make your dreams come alive."
Costumes, make-up and hours of practice and everyone changes identity.
Some are dressed as members of the royal court.
Others are cheerleaders, sports celebrities, still others outdo any Vegas Act.
And then of course there are those boys in drag. The lady boys.
This is a moment when they can dress and act their feminine fantasy.
Visiting dignitaries are important to these events, adding purpose.
Just wish their speeches were shorter. The kids are facing the sun and squinting.
You can tell they'd rather go on with the show.
Football, cheerleading competitions, trophies to win...
Heard the marching drums before I left the house.
By the time we reached the other end of town, traffic was at a standstill to let the parade pass by.
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| From 090206 S.BAC Sport Day 06/02/09 |
School sport day, I'd change the name to "make your dreams come alive."
Costumes, make-up and hours of practice and everyone changes identity.
Some are dressed as members of the royal court.
Others are cheerleaders, sports celebrities, still others outdo any Vegas Act.
And then of course there are those boys in drag. The lady boys.
This is a moment when they can dress and act their feminine fantasy.
 |
| From 090206 S.BAC Sport Day 06/02/09 |
Visiting dignitaries are important to these events, adding purpose.
Just wish their speeches were shorter. The kids are facing the sun and squinting.
You can tell they'd rather go on with the show.
Football, cheerleading competitions, trophies to win...
 |
| From 090206 S.BAC Sport Day 06/02/09 |
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
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.
Happy derrière watchers day
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
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