Dressed for the Occasion

Why are you dressed like that?  Are you going out?
No, the other long sleeved shirts are in the laundry.

If you enjoyed last nights cool temperature, then you're going to enjoy this evenings 12C (53F).

It's actually 6C warmer in Northern Thailand cities like Chiang Mai and Rai

January weather arrived three months early.  El Nino is continuing to grow...

... prepare for Thailand's version of the Ice Capades

In cold weather, dress in layers.
I spent a few years at the U.S. Army Arctic Training center, I know what I'm talking about here.
If you wear layers, you can always remove a few till feel comfortable.
  

The coldest temperature I have ever experienced was 90F below (includes wind chill), at Ft Greely, Alaska.
We were living in tents. During those times I tried to hold it in as long as I could.  
Didn't dare expose my posterior to such a windchill.

Buffalo would rub their rear ends against warm brick buildings in the winter.  Come spring we had to scrub the #$@ off the brick walls.  Not something I mention in my resume.

Next week expect rain with the cool temperatures.  Going to really feel like home for many of us.

Get Yourself Two E-mail Accounts

A number of friends have complained about identical problems.  


Locked out from their e-mail account.


In these cases new accounts had to be created, but all addresses and mails were lost forever.
In all instances the answers to security questions had been lost a long time ago.


Best suggestion I can make is to have e-mail accounts with two different providers, Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, etc.


With your first provider, list the second provider as your alternate account.
With your second provider, list the first account as alternate.


If you loose access to an account in the future, your provider will send you instructions to enable you to access your account to the alternate address.






Quite a few Hotmail users are experiencing spam problems with their accounts.  
Spam is being sent to all their friends from their accounts.  
Change your password frequently, at least once a year. 
Don't let your computer save your password.  
If you can't remember it, write it on a piece of paper.
Never use the same password for different internet services.


Run virus protection software continuously

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