Oh no she didn't say that !!

The English lesson was body parts.
I started from the top down, hair, scalp, forehead, eyebrows...
... wrist, hand, thumb, index finger... then a girl blurted out those unmentionable two words.
Oh no she didn't say that! Roaring laughter.   I went on ...middle finger... ring finger...

Trust me those words are not from my lesson plan

My Saturday
Shopping, funeral, football, concert. In that order.  Rain gear at ready!

Thai elections are approaching

All I can say:  "It's going to be interesting."

On a recent day trip to Amnat Town I noticed groups of people placing election posters along the highway.  Quite a few of them.
On the return trip I noticed most of these posters were either partially damaged, or totally demolished.  Mind you it was not in Sakon Province.

The following day, Thai TV carried news stories of election posters being vandalized elsewhere in Thailand.

Sakon province drivers have been advised to use extra caution, as many of these signs obscure traffic vision.

Text from Google translate"...planting party advertising. Sign introduce candidates. Which are often used as embroidery along the highway near the surface traffic This may result in accident to cover the event because of traffic or obstacles..." ryt9com 

Thailand Rice Price MAY soar...

...or NOT Bloomberg

Thailand ban of Tourists receiving tattoos of  Buddhist images Guardian UK

Not into this sort of thing myself, but many folks believe that these tattooed symbols offer protection in life.
Reminds me of the fact that the majority of Thai temples refuse to cremate foreigners (non-Buddhists).


Odd World

Dutch POT tourism up in smoke
Effect expected to trickle down to hotel, restaurant, entertainment and overall tourism industry USA TODAY
Arizona Medical marijuana superstore opens Reuters

My Pal Murphy

Murphy is my invisible friend who accompanies me almost daily.
He's in charge of all the mishaps, " Murphy's Law".

He definitely accompanied me this morning. First day of school.
My ride was late. Car problems.

Rode my motorcycle to school. Enjoyed the morning breeze.
Arrived early, they were having an assembly.

I always hate it when they hand me a microphone and ask me to "give a speech."
I don't like speeches. Makes no sense to give a speech in English to people who do not speak the language.

Short and sweet "Hope you are all fine, see you in class!"

Once settled into the classroom, they brought in a table for me.
Just as I sat down a decision was made to move me to another classroom.

Air conditioned.

I had been given three textbooks. None of them applied to the three classes I was teaching. None of the students had textbooks. The books had not arrived.

I was actually prepared for this. I've been in Thailand long enough.

I had planned to use my MacBook in the classroom. The school has wireless internet. After four tries at logging in I gave up. Was able to get the correct access code after class and can use it "hence forth."

Surprisingly the morning went quite fast.

I rewarded myself with lunch at the Dusit.
It's one of my favorite dining places.
English menu, food's great, and the service is better than many other places around town. They also have wireless internet.

After the Rain

Do ya think the rainy season has arrived ??

Native English Speakers wanted at Akatamnuaysuksa School  posted May29

The Seri Thai (Free Thai) movement monument in Sakon Nakhon Bangkok Post

Do ya think the rainy season has arrived?  I do. 
Heavy rain, thunder and lightening woke me shortly after 4 AM.
The system passing over us at the moment is 'slowly' moving west.
Accu weather forecasts rain this week and next.  At times somewhat spotted (here and there).

Japan struggles with earthquake, tsunami cleanup You Tube

Videos:

• Europe food poisoning
• Australian Waterspout

Video's friends suggested 

• Red and blue US politics (Love the Song!!!)
• Safe Sex
• Every house needs a Harvey (Love the Song!!!)

Now that's what I call a Box Car

As Seen at Amnat Charoen

Used to drive such cars in the early 1960's. My mother worked for a European import car dealer in Anchorage.

The Price Is right'er on the road

Admission to Sakon FC home games is 40 baht
At most Sakon FC away games admission is 20 baht.

Crowds at away games are at times three and four times larger.  Greater community participation.
Most opposing teams have better, larger and better equipped cheer leading teams.
A few teams furnish buses for their fans during away games.
At Sakon Games away games an average of a dozen cars are on the road, coming and going.

The Amnat Ants with only one win in their starting season enjoy a large fan base.  
I'd suggest next season they wont be in last place in the league.

I LOVE THAI! (most of the time)

The ANTS I like

The official starting time was advertised at 16:00 hrs, 4 pm

Rumors starting to make their rounds via mobiles Saturday: "the starting time has been moved to 3 pm."
We were an hour early.

Sakon walked away from the game with a win of 4 - 2.
VERY  LUCKY.  The Amnat Town Ants could have bitten Sakon FC severely.  They repeatedly experienced bad luck.  Near misses and close calls.

SakonNakhon PLAYER OF THE DAY Scored three goals

Ikenna  Scored the final Sakon Goal

• Very Lucky I am !!!

Unwittingly I left my camera case in the stadium.
The loss of a cheap video camera wouldn't have bothered me so much.
The bag also contained my passport.  That could have raised my stress level tremendously once I discovered the losss.
The case was returned to me in the parking lot via Joey.

To the (unknown to me) person, my most humble thanks.  I LOVE THAI! (most of the time).

110528 Escape bar closed

Sakon FC  Rumor has it that the coach was fired due to lack of wins.
Heard this from a number of players

Escape Bar Closed for business

Was a bit disappointed that only a few people visited during the evening hours to say their farewells.
But it was still a very pleasant night out.

Arctica Bar considers extended (daytime hours)
After our visit to the Escape bar we stopped by the Arctica bar (formerly Welcome bar) where a birthday party was underway.  There were a number of foreigners there during the evening.
The owner of the bar is considering hiring an extra person to open the bar earlier in the day.
The Arctica bar continues the (English) book exchange.

Tourism Authority Thailand eyes US visitors

"...a high-spending market..."

Tinglish and Electrical Spaghetti

.
Teaching Tinglish 001
My schedule and textbooks were delivered to me during the early evening hours yesterday.
Three books, three classes, but which book for which class, on what day, is anyone's guess.
I'll discover that when I get there.

Who writes these books?

Let me introduce you to the long leg man.
Would you like to meet the long black hair girl?
Would you like to meet the man wear a blue suit?

Ken is back

A complete surprise yesterday when I met Ken on his way to daily Sakon FC practice.

Of course we talked football.
I'm really glad to see him back.

As far as I'm concerned he's the ace the team needs.




Electrical Spaghetti

Recently had the electric company at my house because we had a power outage.
They traced the cause to burned out wires in the attic, cut out the burned section and re-spliced the wires.  A smaller wire is spliced and taped to the main power line.  The smaller wire then leads to the circuit box.  The insulation was scorched.  Lucky the stuff doesn't burn well.
Still plenty of scorched sections of wires need replacing.
Family of the house owner brought over an electrician.  He looked at it and agreed with me what needed to be done.
Said he'd be back the next day.  Never returned.
Guess it's up to me.  Lucky I have the background, used to be a pole lineman for a few years.

 

A smaller wire is spliced and taped to the main power line