T i T 's

Mr.Bob's wife is recovering from surgery at the local hospital.

Think it was gall stone. She should be home by Monday.

We all wish her a speedy recovery.

Sawitree Coffee has been open for a few days.

Lunch is quite tasty.

The menu will hopefully soon appear in an English version.

Meanwhile, they'll gladly take the time and explain it to you.

Phuket disco's closing temporarily, Bangkok schools being fumigated, swine flu continues spreading.
Spreading of viruses is a downside of tourism.
I may reconsider my impending trip to Bangkok.
Might do a Michael Jackson imitation. 'Gloves and masks' (not his bedroom manners).

My Google news alerts are chockfull with Sakonnakhon news these days with bi-elections a week away.
The big question is: Will this province change colors?
The whole nation is in anticipation. That's Thai politics.
My only concern in the matter, stock up on booze the day before and party at home.

For a good laugh visit

PHN : Still no end in sight

Postherpetic Neuralgia: recovery from shingles

For some reason things seemed to get worse Friday evening. Regular doses of medication and Turmeric tea. Had no effect.
The son of a local constable, friends of ours, brought by yet another rot to be used as herbal medicine. Still have to find out what it is.

At this point I'm willing to give anything a try. Grind the hard wood rot into powder, drink it with a shot glass of water. Also apply as paste to the sores. Again this promise that I'll be cured within a week.

The regular medications seemed to have little effect. I made an interesting discovery here.
Take an aspirin. Aspirin, as is well known, thins the blood. Thinner blood absorbs more of the medication.

Saturday afternoon I was in unbearable pain.

I doubled up on all pills shortly afternoon.
Within minutes I was in slumberland.

Briefly awoke in early evening, feeling quite weak and tired.
Those 40 Baht pizzas at Big C came in as a real blessing.

Quick and easy meal, ready in three minutes

I passed out again. The best and longest sleep I have had in ages.

The day after minimal pain, only one nerve ending is keeping me uncomfortable, dozens others have retreated.

Meanwhile pizza for breakfast and then this mornings medical regime.

There's no such thing as a dumb question !!

... which way is s/w??

Image by Andrew pmk

For a good laugh visit

Is Turmeric the cure?

Rhizoma Curcumae (Curcumin) is my latest attempt at curing my continuing bout with PHN Postherpetic Neuralgia (Shingles).

Thais claim this root will cure me within a short time.
Sliced it can be applied to the effected area, or made into a tea.

It comes by many names. Turmeric is the most common.

Used as an antiseptic on wounds, it has antibacterial properties and has been used for cure of acne and boils, liver disorders, Alzheimer's , digestive disorders......

Having a few spoons of powder and three cups of tea per day. Interested to see the results

Seeking out local medical services

Before you indulge in any inebriation, eating is advisable.

Had lunch at the Dusit. Chicken and veggies in a sweet sauce.

The portion of onion soup was a bit light for the price. But the taste made up for it.

Then a stopover at the 'Toon,' where the floor were getting mopped.

Now a daily routine. NICE.

No immediate plans for meals, except those done on special request.

Downed two liquid painkillers there, and then I was off to the dermatologist.

New set of medications. Wish they had better labeling.

I like to look up details of the medications,

so I can read up on things the doctor may not have mentioned.

What gives with all those colors!! You'd think it was candy.

Click on image to see full size
Speaking of local medical services.

At the moment I am still updating the local hotel list. Possibly will be another two weeks.

Then I am taking a trip to the big city (BKK).

The next major undertaking (July) will be a directory of all local medical services, clinics etc.
I'll appreciate all input.

T.i.T. Snipped's

Weather:

Even though rain had been forecast for the last month.

There's been very little. For some reason clouds seem to continuously dissipate before reaching the city and surrounding area.

But there's been plenty of high humidity early evenings and nights. Up to 96%.

7. a.m. weather map. Sakon Nakhon is above the arrow head (the clear spot).

Weather is approaching from the S.W.

AH1N1: As if Thailand Tourism needs another problem.

Bangkok Health Ministry confirmed three new cases of AH1N1 influenza Jun 10, raising the confirmed cases in Thailand to 16. Nineteen people are currently under observation.
MCOT

Eight Taiwanese students returning from vacation in Bangkok and Pattaya have been infected with AH1N1 influenza
Taiwan News

Update Influenza outbreak in Pattaya

Carradine Findings still a month away

The picture I saw on the internet, I don't think so, Asian like dark skin.

The guy in the picture is hanging by his wrists.
Then the hotel room is not the type you'd expect to be occupied by people of means.

Eroticism also does not hold water.
People who are into that sort of thing always have a 'SPOTTER,' especially if you are over 70 years old.

U.S. law enforcement agencies have offered assistance.

Impatiently waiting on the official verdict.

Residential Project Areeya2

A local builder is handing out promotion and information literature For the Areey 2 Housing project. Single and two level homes are available.

click on the pictures to see prices and further details

For a good laugh visit

TiT bits

Heard it through the grapevine: There may be problems doing a 'border run' and Nakhon Phanom.
Supposedly there are not enough safety jackets to accommodate foreigners wanting to cross by boat.
This rumor is third hand. Just a rumor. But there may be something to it.
Can anyone confirm?

Monday: Had luncheon with two longtime expat friends at the Dusit Hotel. Their restaurant is a great choice to eat.

Tuesday: Had a drink at Toon Army after lunch.
The place still seems to be a regular stop for foreigners throughout the day.

Next stop: the Branch Bar. Just as I arrived the skies opened and I got drenched. Dried out quickly and had a great visit there

In the evening a birthday dinner at a local 'all you can eat' restaurant.
25% restaurant capacity at 6 p.m. The place gets quite busy later in the evening.

Then we got word by E-Mail, of a ladies luncheon being interrupted by a snake slithering through the kitchen window.
Lesson: If you cross paths with a snake, let a Thai person handle the matter. They've been taught the how to and the how not to since childhood.
If you are bitten by a snake, kill the snake and bring it with you to the hospital. Treatment varies according to snake types.

Learn more about poisonous snakes of Thailand at Siam-Info

For a good laugh visit

What's been happening at my house

I'm an early riser,
getting up at 2 a.m., like I did this morning, that's just stupid.

I had some minor oral surgery yesterday afternoon.
I didn't feel the medication take effect, I was waiting for some sort of buzz ... 

... next thing I was asleep by 6 p.m.

I had an infection on my gums. Could not wear my dentures.
Thus my meals were prepared in the blender, or it was oatmeal, milk, and honey.
Food you can gum.

Antibiotics provided no relief, the infection had to be cut out.
Half an hour in the dental chair, novocaine, and pain pills to take home.

Price: 300 baht ($8.76 U.S. todays exchange rate).

Well Wishers and Healers

Early last week, an entourage of 6 teachers and a student from S-BAC brought me a basket of fruit.  

Of course my bout of Shingles was discussed, diet suggestions made, healers recommended.  

I declined a visit to a local healer.  

Been There, Done That.  They spit spray water on your skin, then blow-dry you with their breath.

So instead the next day this dry "Nut" was delivered.

 

I was given a demonstration of it's use.  

The nut is grated on a sharpening stone.  

The dust is added to water and applied hourly to the wound.

I tried it for six hours.  Pain increased.  I stopped the ritual.

With local elections coming up soon (Looking Ahead), expect noisy interruptions to your day, 

as meetings  and other election news is announced.

 Psychological operations. Been There, Done That.

Interesting Headlines

A case for Stem Cell research:  

Three patients had their sight restored after implants of cultured stem cells.
gizmodo.com

This weekend marks LOVING DAY in the U.S.

Celebrating a five year court battle by the Loving's, a mixed race couple, who had been arrested for sleeping in the same bed.
transracial.net

Neil Patric Harris to host the Tony Awards

Will the last person leaving... please turn off the lights.
Read on the net: 

Many Pattaya Bars are closing down for three months, 

hoping for better days with the next high season.
Many Bangkok hotels are experiencing single digit occupancy, but they won't admit it. Advertisements for residences and hotels for sale are on the increase.
Reminds me of the BOEING downturn of the mid seventies. Recovery took a number of years