Come on down...

Americans and Britt's will recognize that phrase from the game show 'The Price is Right.'

It's halftime at the Sakon FC vs. Nong Bua Lamphu FC match.

They just concluded calling out ticket numbers for 'door prizes.'

'Mister Hans come on down.'  

Finally after years of attending local football games I'm getting some recognition.
No prize for me. 
I got to draw the winning ticket for the main prize of the evening.

 

I wasn't a bit disappointed.  I was actually overjoyed by the recognition.
Think I only missed one or two Sakon FC home games since they started in 2007.

What are the odds??

The winning ticket for a new pair of football shoes went to none other than MACK.
He's the grandson of my adopted family.  I'm the honorary grandfather in the family.  
Giving Mack the main prize of the evening just added to the pleasure of the moment.

...I don't think there can be a more joyful moment in a person's life...

Anual Ant Exodus AGAIN!!

A year ago almost to the day I noted a mass invasion of ants  Red Ants on move Sunday, May 16, 2010
It seems to be an annual event initiated by the first rains
Ant colonies that made their home in open fields during the dry season are all looking for drier homes and a fresh supply of food.

.

All trails seem to be leading to my house at the moment.

Best defense against ant home invasion is Talc.

This time of year I buy Talc in bulk and dust the edges around the house. 
Most of the entry trails to my house started around bushes touching the house.  Spent the morning doing some heavy pruning and talc dusting.



Opened a large bag of individual wrapped candies in the kitchen.
Forgot to seal the bag with a rubber band.
Within two days an ant colony had found my stash.
The ants went the full length of the house to get there.
Next project: Talc the attic

Sakon FC hosts Nong Bua Lamphu FC

Sakon FC hosts Nong Bua Lamphu FC Sunday, 5 PM

Nong Bua Lamphu FC is in the bottom of the Division, winning one game and loosing seven this season

Promoting tourism Vatican Style

As seen on the web

On the Road Khao Yai and Sakon Nakhonat the Banana Times 


Moving To Sakon Nakhon. Need Info at THAI VISA Forum

video by MrMichaleo

...and the feature of the day, not for the queasy

click on continue reading... if you dare

The fields come alive to the sound of....

.

Woke up this morning to the sound an apparent buffalo herd
 
Took a few moments to realize it wasn't a roundup... ...it was frogs. Bullfrog came to mind.

These critters are up all night and seem to go to sleep around 6 AM.
Reminds me of a few locals.

A second day of rain yesterday, this one was a tropical downpour that started mid afternoon.  

My visitors departed for a football game as part of the Phu Phan Youth Games.  Ten minutes after their departure, the skies opened.  Pretty sure their game was cancelled.


From the looks of things, I'd say the rainy season has started very early this year.  
Forecast calls for clouds and possible thunderstorms.

Animated Asia satellite at weather com 

Thunderstorm, First direct hit of the season

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It wasn't a torrential rain typical in this area during the rainy season.
Then of course it's too early for that season.
My 6,000 liter ( 1,585 US gal) capacity water tanks filled in an hour.
During the torrential rains my water tanks overflow in less than ten minutes.


The advance party of heavy winds arrived around 8 PM. 
Plenty of leaves, plastic bags and assorted trash were using the street as a runway.  
Laundry on the line also seemed ready for takeoff.  Their flight plans were terminated.


Thunder and lightening in the accompaniment of rain joined the party.
(accompaniment part in a composition designed to serve as background and support for more important parts)

Within moments after the arrival, at 9:15 PM the lights went out.

Muang Sakon was in the dark.

Most folk in the neighborhood sat outdoors under protective awnings.
Indoors without fans was just too muggy (humid).
Electric service resumed shortly after 11 PM.


Battle wounds Incurred
Expecting an overflow on my water tanks I changed pipes.
Forgetting appropriate procedures, I cracked and broke a window, which I then had to remove from various locations on my foot.

Sitting at my outdoor bar, waiting for the lights to come back on, I exchanged stares with a young frog for some time.  When I moved to get my camera, he/she decided it was time to depart.  With frogs making their appearance, snakes should be on the scene shortly.

9:24 A.M April 27

This morning an increase of Mosquitoes is very apparent.

Songkran revisited

Youth Council Phu Phan Games

They are working late into the night preparing for the event at the stadium on I.T.U.
I know because they have come a number of times to borrow tools. Hammer, saw... and then the ladder. 8 PM and they are still working.


The first day, April 26, is mostly meetings. At least that's the explanation I got instead of a translated schedule.


April 27 starts off with a talk show, followed by boys and girls volleyball competitions all afternoon.
The games include participants from provinces throughout the northern Isaan area including Khon Kean, Udon Thani, Kalasin, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan Chaiyaphun


April 28 Parade from Municipal offices (across the street from the night market) to the stadium starts at 6:30 AM (I have to factor in Thai time on that one.
Volleyball championship games start at 10:30.
The real fun starts at 1 PM. 

Bear with me while I 'guess translate.'

Eat fruit: Possibly a competition of which team finishes eating fruit first

land skiing - 2007 games

Ski land: A race with wooden planks on their feet

Run sack: Sack race

Boat land:  ???

Relay race:


Stroke mine:  Tug of war

8 PM Dinner  (our table is reserved)

Promoting Thailand Tourism

.
Two recent uploads to you tube, promoting tourism caught my eye.

The first video the  picture quality is poor, 
however the historical commentary and the camera work is excellent.

The second is a high quality scenery show with music. 
Personally I'm not that enthused over song and dance tourism promotion.  
I prefer facts and information

Video by jrexbkk

 

Video by tourismthailand