Wax Castle Vid clips and more

More video clips of the recent Sakon Wax Castle festival are appearing on the tube.
These  are professional television productions, with some insights how they are put together.

 

Another storm is about to hit southern Thailand, and it's another big one.  One Bloomberg reporter states this years flooding is Thailand's worst in 50 years.  Yes, murmurings can be heard of tourist cancellations due to the flooding.  Food prices are expected to rise.  Some people are already stocking up (hoarding).

Sugar Jumps to Eight-Month High in New York on Thai Flooding...  Bloomberg


TWIT Files
Remember the 'Balloon Boy' hoaxer, who just a year ago made headlines, when he claimed his son was aboard a wayward helium balloon. Denver airport was shut down, the National Guard sent rescue helicopters. The kid wasn't in the balloon, he was hiding at home

Richard Heene, the hoaxer, is back in the media.
He's selling tree branches as back scratchers at $20.
Probably to try to recover the $36,000 he had to pay in restitution.



Did a comparison test Apple Juice vs Beer. 

The apple juice went stale.
I really didn't need another alcoholic in my house.





I'm having iron-on's for my T-shirt made.
They should answer the two most predominant questions I am faced with on a daily basis.  

I did travel the entire route back in the mid 60's

BRRRR: I Told You So

We've had some pleasant cool nights in recent days.  
Actually had to cover up to keep the midnight chill off.
From the looks of things, I had better dust off the heavy blankets.

Depending on who you believe, low temperatures will drop down to 18C (64F) Thai Meteorological Department.
or even 14 (57F)wunderground

Recent daytime feels like highs of 44C (112F) aren't in our immediate future.
Expect high temperatures in the mid to upper 20's. (lower 80's F).

Visitors to the area will find the temperatures pleasant, but I expect to see plenty locals in overcoats huddling around smoky fires.

Castles, Solar Plants, and Paul the Octopus

2010 Wax Castle Parade video clip video by sersaman



2010 Wax Castle Festival video clip video by loveisjob.




A 6 megawatt solar facility 
is to be build in SakonNakhon Province.  
It is part of a Bt2 billion project of 34 solar farms to begin operation by 2012
read it at  RYY9  or THE NATION



R.i.P.   Paul, the German octopus with psychic abilities is dead

101026 Pool table ready for action at Escape Bar

A new menu is still in the development stage

           

click on menu for larger view

Recent Monk gathering in Sakon and more

Black Cock Phu Phan
I'm talking about chickens here. Local, highly disease resistant chickens
They are promoted to local farmers as "Fast Farming and Good Eating," to help promote farmers income.
Phu Phan is sometimes refered to as the land of three black magics, locally grown chickens, pigs, and beef
source RYT9
On the subject of food.  I'm a bit suspicious of the recent enforcement of "stern" measures by the EU regarding unacceptable residue in food claims. The EU has initiated stringent testing on eggplant, cabbage, string beans and coriander, lemon balm leaf and sweet basil from Thailand. These checks raise the prices of these imports 50%.  
Makes one wonder if this is just pure protectionism instead of food safety concerns.


Farmlands wilt under flood onslaught THE NATION

I'm available
Chinese companies 'rent' white foreigners CNN
It's a prestige thing.  If they can hire seemingly rich foreigners, means they have to be rich and famous.


Radio Flyer for Seniors





Can you think of other uses for this food item... you would

Last weeks boat races video clip

Last weeks boat races video clip

Clear to the East, but keep an eye to the West

After last weeks devastation in the Philippines, super typhoon Megi was heading west at first, right toward us. Then it made a sharp right turn and headed North. Locally disaster was averted.
Reports of deaths and damage in Taiwan are already making the news.

Cyclone Giri made landfall in Burma. The center of that storm seems to be moving north of us.
As it moves over land the cyclone is expected to diminish to a tropical depression.
There is a chance that the outer edges of Giri will give us some local rains and thunderstorms on Sunday and Monday.



You can keep an eye on it's path at weather com

Sakon Wax Castle Parade 2010

Parade participants began arriving in town shortly before 2 PM.
They arrived by any means, buses, trucks, whatever was available.
A few people had already taken up their bleacher seats over three hours before the parade.
Seating was first come.

Further down the street there was plenty standing room available during the parade.

Escape Bar (and Restaurant)

Just further down Thanon Tor Pattana Road from where the Welcome Bar used to be is the Escape Bar.

It just opened it's doors earlier this week and is just a few doors down from a corner market, right next to the Chao Pu-Chao Ya Shrine (Chinese Temple)

Rental motorcycles are in front, available for 200 Baht per day.

 

The Escape opens at 9 AM.  They are still fine tuning their kitchen and should have their menu available after this weekend.  The pool table is expected to arrive this weekend.

You can find the bar on my map (right sidebar)
Look for the cocktail glass