Recuperating Mode continues

After receiving an injection yesterday morning I had a very pain free afternoon.

Even was able to spend a few hours updating the hotel directory.

The directory is really starting to shape up quite nicely with the help of Martin.

Of course the big news is the disturbance at the Toon Army Bar.

With me being home bound and only hearing second hand information, 

it is not appropriate for me to transmit rumors.  

I've always considered it a bad idea for Graham to operate a bar, his expertise being a chef.

Those persons with computer questions.  I highly recommend typing your question into google.

You'll be amazed at the results.  Teenagers whose computer interest grow beyond playing games should seriously consider enrolling in a computer course.

There is also a Thai version of Computers for Dummies.

Thais with some knowledge of English and a knowledge of computers have greater employment opportunities these days.  Computers are the future.

With three visits to the doctors last week, I have an oversupply of medications.  I now have to choose carefully which medicine is best suited for the final phase of my recovery.

Talks about over medication.

The most pleasing and enjoyable occurrences  are the local Thai's.

I have been receiving deliveries of soups and other meals from neighbors near and far.

I appreciate this tremendously.  But then agian this is truly Thai.

Exercise

The local park at the lake gets quite busy daily around 5 p.m. with people jogging and all other forms of exercise.
There are a number of exercise stations with instructions.
This one caught my attention, is that a fart? Is it part of the exercise?

Invited to make merit...

Friday morning.  I had just taken a dose of medicine to kill old age and back ache pains.
I decided to lay down, there's very little else you can do when taking all this medication.

My friend Samat came by moments later, explaining that I am invited to a celebration.
When I asked him when, the reply was "right now."

I just love the Thai way of advance notice of an event.

Lucky we only had to go a block away to the main street.

From my understanding, it was a ceremony honoring the elderly, senior citizens from this neighborhood (Thadum 3).
Well, yes I am now a senior citizen, but somehow I felt very special that I had been included in this merit making.
As a foreigner I feel privileged to be accepted in the neighborhood.




All elderly attending received gifts to commemorate the event.

Mine's Bigger than Yours

In response to my recent post "Rain + frogs = snakes" I received these three pictures with the caption "mine's bigger than yours."




This one almost looks like a cute little pet, especially in the first picture. Commenting on my recent snake encounter, it was suggested to use insect spray. Not that insect spray will kill the snake, but teporairly blind it.

How do you translate that ? Up to you !

These road signs are at a local intersection. 

A typical example that there are different opinions in translating names.

Another example of differing translations is the North Eastern region of Thailand: Isan, Isaan, Isarn, Issan, or Esarn.

Sakon Nakhon seems to be the most acceptable translation of the city/ province,

however here also are a number of variations in translation:  Sakonnakhon, Sakol Nakholn, Sakorn Nakorn..

In Thai script the name is one word, while it becomes two words when translated. 

The meaning of the words also are not clear. 

Some translations indicate center of the universe, others claim it to mean international city, apparently also incorrect

Rain + frogs = snakes

Frogs and toads could be heard most of the evening last night after some fresh rain.

As I walked out of the house this morning, I made a very quick u-turn, grabbed some knifes and a machete, and began target practice.

Once I ran out of knifes to throw, I threw shoes, helmets and even an umbrella.

There are sort of bite marks in all the things I threw.
Nothing worked.  My next weapon was a cup of bleach thrown from an open window.

That apparently slowed down my target and I felt safe to leave the house.
Grabbing a  four foot metal bar, I was able to eliminate my three foot target.

A reminder to all, if you hear plenty of frogs, then expect snakes to be nearby.

And the weather forecast is...

High humidity with "FEELS LIKE" temps more like steam room conditions.

The water temperature in my pool is JACUZZI MODE.

Will add ice today. After all it is supposed to cool us down.

Chance of Rain forecast for the next five days (%)

Thai Meteorological Department 20, 20, 20, 30, 40 

Weather Underground 20, 60, 60, 100, 80

Of course these numbers are adjusted as new data is analyzed.

Sakon Nakhon Weather stations

Map, barometer, humidity and temperature measurements at http://weather.gladstonefamily.net/site/VTUS

Information listed may not totally be correct as demonstrated by the location on the runway.

Possibly a security concern. 

Next time I'm at the airport, I'll have to ask if I could see the weather station.

After the holidays

Had a request for a recommendation of a dentist. 

Morwa Fun Sewii. Tel 042-713451.
Office is located next to the Raksakon Hospital. 

Open during lunch hours and after 5 p.m.

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Regarding yesterdays football game:

Sakon Nakhon vs Mukdahan, think we lost.
Mukdahan seemed to have control of the game most of the time.

Picture taken three seconds before the first score.

Due to a personal injury I did not stay for the whole game.
I left in the middle of the second half when the score was 

Sakon Nakhon 0, Mukdahan 2.
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Have a long history of back injuries from my career in the trucking industry.
I tried to do self treatment when my back was bothering me after all the Sagkran revelry.
Now the injury is worse than before, requiring pain medication and lots of bed rest.
The doctor at the hospital suggested that it will be a month before I recover.
While at the hospital, blood pressure readings got a very good rating from the administrating nurse.

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At the end of Songkran we experienced a couple severe tropical rains.
My water tanks began to overflow the 6,000 liter capacity within 20 minutes.
With plenty of moisture on the ground, there's plenty of humidity in the air, causing high FEELS LIKE temperatures.

IT's GOING TO FEEL HOT

Sakon Nakhon province had no holiday related deaths to report during the three day Songkran.

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I haven't seen any political gatherings locally. If I'd see one, I'd be heading in the opposite direction.
With all the recent turmoil in the Capital, followed by a somewhat erie quiet.

What next??

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs is issuing warnings according to The Independent.UK The article also refers to known theft dangers at Bangkok's Chatuchak Weekend Market

China and India have scrapped a number of flights to Thailand, which were to start coinciding with Songkran.

It's scam high season

Scams happen all over the world. They are not unique to Thailand.

A bad world economy has resulted in huge growth in the scam industry.

The most obvious clue that something may be amiss: "NOTHING IS FREE." Use common sense. Secure your belongings.
If a street vendor is offering you diamonds, most likely they are glass.

Example:Bangkok airport scam