If laughter is the best medicine, then Leslie Nielsen was the pharmacists

Eight years and I still don't know her real name

Family Dinner Party

She's the head of the household and everyone simply calls her "Mama."
It was her birthday yesterday, a time to celebrate with a family dinner.
Plenty of kin attended. I stopped counting after 25. They don't sit still long enough for that. As some left, more arrived.
I guess, being the oldest, I was honored to sit at the head of the table.
A bottle of my favorite Thai rum was placed in front of me.

Did make a slight mistake of mentioning that I really enjoyed the jumbo shrimp.  After that I had more than I could handle.

Jet Lag

We've all experienced it after a long flight.  Takes a while to adjust to the local time zone.
Latest research explains it even more:  Jet Lag May Cause Stupidity.
The findings are authentic. They tested hamsters to come to their conclusion.

You're gonna have to pay royalties for the word 'face'

The word is about to become a trademark

How many times has this happened, 
think they lost count

Weird Science

Even though I had little interest in a Thanksgiving turkey, I had this  inexhaustible desire for pumpkin pie with ice cream. As an alternative I considered pumpkin soup.  I couldn't explain why I had such a strong desire for it.

Now I know:
Pumpkin: Natures Viagra
Read the article and watch the video at WPBF

And there is another valuable research finding

Coffee and glucose can improve brain efficiency

  Read the article at Science Daily

For every action, there's a RE-action

You ain't seen nothing yet. 
It's going to get much colder in Britain
.

Where's my party hat?

Fireworks at recent Loy Krathong festival

video by suntawan

No Turkey dinner at my house today

Guess I have adjusted  to the Thai traditions. 
Instead I attend two birthday dinners this week.

Christmas Star parade

I received my invitation for the Tha Rae Christmas Star parade.  That parade is Dec 24.  The Parade in Muang Sakon is on Dec 25.
One year I was actually in the lead vehicle of the Christmas parade here in town.

Heard it through the grapevine (Rumor)

The school near Macro is having a Christmas party, concert, etc.  Table for eight Bt 1,600.
As of yet I haven't heard of any New Years celebrations at the Welcome, Escape, or Branch bars and restaurants.  But it's still early.

Yearly Income statement for Visa renewal

There's been quite a discussion on the web regarding embassy certified income statements, in lieu of having the cash in the bank, for visa renewal.  Some folks, me included, renewed their visa earlier this year and were told they could use the statement the following year.  The date of the certified statement should be within the year you are renewing your Visa.

If you're one of those people who plans to re-use last years statement, suggest you visit the Immigration office before renewal time.  You might get by this year, but next year get a new statement.

Commerce Ministry Deals with Sugar Shortage

Worst in 17 years

Local weather

"More of the same" Daytime temperature near 30, night-time mid teens Celcius

Been there... Done that

.

Language test for immigrants to the UK

Effective 29th November 2010 any non-European wishing to live in the UK must take an approved English test to prove they can understand and speak English
  British Embassy Bangkok

Another day in Paradise

Chern Chim store opening soon

Martin will soon be opening the Chern Chim store.
It's located just up the street from the Sawitree Restaurant on Thanon Senthai road.
Opening day and operating hours are yet to be announced.
Chern Chim is a supplier of quality western foods.

Wish you great success!!

Many Thanks, and please accept my apology

My thanks to the gentleman who stopped me while I was leaving Big C.
He just wanted to shake my hand and tell me that he reads my blog daily.
I really did appreciate it tremendously.  Sorry I was so abrupt.
Unfortunately "internal growling" advised me that I had better make a run for it.

Loy Krathong

I did not attend the parade and celebrations since I had been photographing at the University early in the morning.  I have seen these festivities many times before.
Wish I would have gone.
From pictures Joey brought home, it was obvious that the parade was larger than past Loy Krathong parades. After the parade and floating the Krathongs, there was a beauty pageant.

 

Of course (as previously mentioned), my friends were passing out condoms.
Got a big laugh when I saw pictures that they were using a "sex toy" to demonstrate.
Apparently a government official made them hide the toy.  Sex toys are illegal in Thailand.
But from the looks of things, there were plenty of "balloons."

There was partying till late in the morning. That became quite obvious Monday morning at school. Only about 25% of my students showed up for the first class. Those who did attend school should have stayed in bed.

Who said "Money can't buy you happiness?"

The school is making preparations for their sport day in December.  I was asked if they could borrow my ping pong table.  At first I agreed, but then I reconsidered and instead gave the school administrator money to buy their own.
They made such a big fuss:  Had me stand in front of the assembled students to thank me.

New Hotel in Sakon Nakhon

Watch FOX NEWS

December 1st is World Aids Awareness Day

Some friends of mine have a job which includes distributing free condoms.


They will be distributing free condoms at local schools and public events over the next few weeks in order to promote aids awareness.

Aids has drastically increased in Thailand over the past years.

I find it refreshing that Thailand has decided to renew its aids awareness campaign.

The last time I saw such a campaign was during my first week in Sakon Nakhon in 2003, when school children where in a parade with "balloons."

My friends stopped by for a short visit before heading out for their evening job, distributing condoms.
They brought their work with them.  1,000 condoms.  Each pack of 100 includes a number of  diameter measuring devices.... 


The Vatican recently changed its stance on condom use where it does not prevent conception, suggesting the use of condoms by male prostitutes  was a responsible act.
Referring to the heterosexual aids pandemic of Africa, the pope last year stated that the distribution of condoms increased the problem (HIV).

SakonNakhon Loy Krathong Parade 2010

  

Click on any photo to see this Album