Pool bar is open.

Full use of my small pool began today.  
Temperatures are climbing into the upper 30's for the next six days,
with a feels like climate in the mid forties.
For Fahrenheit thinkers, it's gonna feel like over 110 for the next week.

Friday the Thirteenth

• Thirteen is considered an unlucky number. 
  
• Friday is considered an unlucky day.
  

If you're one of those people who believe in that sort of stuff, millions do, 

this year will offer you three of these occasions: 

• February, March, November
  

Many people are so paralyzed by the fear of this combination, they won't even get out of bed. Others refuse to travel or do business on Friday the thirteenth.

Many buildings skip the thirteenth floor, mislabeling the 13th floor as 14th.

Norse myth claims if you have 13 people at one table, one will die.

For me Friday the 13th has actually been abetter than average day, 

at times lucky, an unofficial three day weekend.

Toon Bar weekly schedule

Edited the contents of this sign. If you must know why, I'll respond in a personal message.
Didn't take too long to figure out they meant month.
(Some sign makers purposely misspell words as a way to get your attention).
Live Thai Music girl and boy. Now that I am having a bit of a problem with in translation.
Thais have boy and girl music?  Male and female performers or couples night.

Fridays is a good evening to sit outside.

Definetly a hard sell on Happy Hour (listed twice)

Look there is a tourist !!

 Don't you know it's nap time ?

Changes are happening at Tony's Pond

Went to visit Tony's place twice recently:
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. 

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. 

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.

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.

The locals love it though !!

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.

Now in season

Local farmers are setting up to do business along the highway.

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.'

Sakon Nakhon LIVE "Dinner and 20th century Classics"

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.

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.

Brief video clip 090207 Chinese New Years Dinner vdo