Nostalgia Moment 1971

Age: 27
Occupation: Supply Sergeant, Army Self Service Store
Location:      U.S. Army Barracks
                    Vịnh Cam Ranh (Cam Ranh Bay), Vietnam

I operated somewhat of a barracks mini market.
Laundry service generally took a week.  Most often I'd do my own laundry.  Pinned to the wall for drying

Pool Filter Neglect

Installed the pool pump and filter four years ago. I've done some maintenance, but must admit, never bothered cleaning the filters. That should be an annual job.
Lately I'd encountered some problems. Every time I shut the pump off, the dirt would backwash into the pool. Of course I took everything else apart first. With the exception of gaskets needing replacement, everything was fine.

Finally got enough courage to open the filter. I looked at the manual, it seemed really technical. When I lifted the filter assembly out, it of course fell into multiple pieces. Think I may need six hands to reassemble the filter.

From the looks of things, filter cleaning was way overdue. I suspect the water pressure will improve dramatically once the filter is cleaned and reassembled.








Recently added Picasa Web Albums

   

S-BAC Sport day

I probably should have stayed home and nurse myself back to health.  I couldn't resist.

In town streets were controlled by traffic police, as an apparent children jogging marathon took place.

Outside of town, at the military reservation they also were celebrating children's day.
   Looked more like a fair ground.  A single jet circled the area twice.

Quite unusual to see a jet in this area.  While waiting for the parade to start, a bicycle racing team passed.

I don't know where people get the idea my name is money.  Many kept calling me that.

Oh yes I did pass out 3,000 baht in 20 baht denomination before I left.

Sakon Nakhon Golf

Ive been asked to pinpoint the local golf course on my map.
For the moment I have placed a temporary marker on the map.
It may be off somewhat.
I am down and out with the flu. Second day and second box of tissues.

It will be a few days before I'll be able to confirm the exact location.
Some information is available at The Irish Clock.

There are also a number of driving ranges in the area.




Added to the Photo Album

From 050405 Football

From 050509 FootBall

From 070107 Football

Football Evening at Home

Visitors started arriving at six.
Thailand vs. Jordan was delayed by rain for half an hour.
I had time to pop some popcorn and contribute it to a karaoke party at the end of the street.

My living room had reached capacity by start of game time.  My neighborhood  friends.
Thailand vs. Jordan was a nail biter. Constant missed opportunities. Plenty near misses.
There was plenty of screaming, hollering and screeching to be heard in my living room.

Wet grass and puddles of water at times turned the game into 'slip and slide football.'
Odd's makers had favored Thailand to win, but nobody scored and the game ended 0-0.

Expenses:

• Half a case of beer 200 bhat
• Snacks 200 baht
• spending an evening with friends *priceless*

Game comments at Bangkok Post


added to Picasa Web Album Sakon Nakhon Carabow Concert 20 January 2004

Looks like some folks I know

more at http://sites.google.com/site/sakonnakhonlive/video-library/humor

T.i.T. Bits

No highway casualties in Sakon Nakhon over the seven day holiday, which ended Jan 4. Bangkok Post
Possibly the increased highway checkpoints this year made the difference.
Heard fireworks being fired as late as yesterday (Jan 5) 5 a.m.

Cool weekend ahead Thai Meteorological Department
The mid month weekend may see some of the cold air from the north coming our way. accuweather.com
China has seen the heaviest snowfall in over half a century.
Should be an interesting spring when all that snow and ice turns to water

Thailand's inflation accelerates



Added to the Picasa Web Albums

S-BAC Christmas Party 25 December 2003

T.i.T. Bits

Telecommunications

Demand for cabled telephone service is declining in big numbers.Mobile phones are all the rage. 

To stay profitable telephone providers are focusing on expanding their DSL customer base in a hurry.

Obviously growth of the DSL customer base is far beyond equipment capabilities.

Frequent disconnects and periods of unavailable service are increasing.

On January 2 TOT was put on notice to improve service within three months "in Bangkok."
THE NATION
We'll have to wait and see how these Bangkok improvements will affect the rest of the country.
I read somewhere that Bangkok and nearby provinces account for 60% of Thailand's tax base.




Added to the Picasa Web Albums

Nakhon Phanom lluminated Barge Procession 10 October 2003

Sakon Nakhon Sunday

Around noon I headed to the





On the way there was a police vehicle check, I slowed down, but no one seemed to be interested in dealing with the foreigner

 
They were jack-hammering 
the dangerous step to the entrance at the Welcome Bar


Noisy and dusty


With supervision

The Welcome Bar Sunday luncheon was superb.
That's the kind of meal I'd like to have TAKE-OUT and stuff my freezer with.

Knowing Sunday afternoons are busy at my house, I did not linger too long after lunch and headed home.

My driveway was an indicator
of the number of visitors
who had already arrived

You can tell they didn't wait for me to get the party started



They sang in unison 'I want to work.'  
What they really meant: 
"do you have a quick and easy job that pays real well!"

I had my shower walls and floor scrubbed, the pool cleaned, and the garden watered
300 Baht (plus refreshments)