Saturday, February 28, 2009

Thailand offers free Tourist visas

In an attempt to revitalize Thailand's ailing tourism industry, visa fees will be waived effective March 5 through June 4.
This offer does not apply to extension
s.
Further details at TAT News Room
                            or Thai Visa Forum

Friday, February 27, 2009

Now Hear This !!



Every neighborhood has broadcast speakers.
Obviously intended for local propaganda, they broadcast short messages beginning at 6 a.m. on weekdays, and an hour later on weekends.

Usually starting with some local music, verbal messages generally last for less than five minutes. Of course it's all in Thai.

A new set of speakers was installed last year. Closer to my home, and much louder. "Grin and bear it."

What is annoying:frequently there are two separate systems playing different music and making speeches simultaneously.

AND: the volume on the new speakers had been turned up so loud that the speakers are "blown," creating very distorted sound.


Sunday, February 22, 2009

Another Day in Paradise

I was out for a Sunday drive ...
...when I happened to come across this testosterone charged event.




Saturday, February 21, 2009

Are you coming out for a drink today ?

Not in this heat.
Heck, that makes is more of a reason to drink.
Naw. I prefer to have drinks served to me at my oversized bathtub. 



Turned on My roof sprinkling system around noon.
Water flows down the roof into the gutter, back into the water supply.
And that's how you cool the roof and create plenty of boiling hot water.

Bet the local canals will be crowded tomorrow.
Yes the hot season is on!
Next weekend the feels like temperature is forecast to be 48C (118.4F)

Wear your helmet



Of course there are plenty of exceptions to this law, 
if you know what I mean.

Friday, February 20, 2009

The importance of drinking water (revisited)

I've received dozens of copies of this particular e-mail.
They are all real facts about the importance of drinking water.
The picture associated with this mail detracts from these facts: An overtly endowed buxomly lady, proclaiming "it's the water.
You can see that picture at Google Groups - Funny Mail

The facts of drinking water become even more important in hot and tropical climates.


One glass of water shuts down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied, in a University study.

Lack of water is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.

Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.

A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen

Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.
This little message has been like a "Hey stupid" alarm clock.
Sprained my back a week ago. Been in constant misery for a week. Wait a minute, the weather just got real hot a week ago, it adds up. Water diet starts this morning, I have some catching up to do.
For some reason I go through this ritual every year when the temperatures start to rise. You'd think I'd remember!!

Additional Reading: http://www.everythingatkins.net/water.html

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Growing Old

...

...

These photo's where taken in November 2007. This apparent father of one of the players very much demonstrates old age enthusiasm.
Start off full of energy. Enough to cheer on a whole crowd.
As the event progresses, you begin to tucker out.
One final effort while seated.
You drop your arms and look around for someone else to continue the cheer