And I always thought cowboys rode horses

Tropical storm "Haima," now downgraded to tropical depression... 

• ...continues its western path.

• Expect widespread thundershowers and heavy to very heavy rain, and southwesterly 15-30 km/hr winds   Thai Meteorological Department 

And I always thought cowboys rode horses.

• For those of you not visiting Facebook, you're missing what looks like a local motor show.  
  click on the image to view the origional

Sakon FC hosts Roi Et this Sunday

• From what I hear it will practically be a new team.
  My sources tell me seven young,new players.
  I have no idea what to expect, but considering Roi Et is the top in this league, I doubt it's going to be a pretty picture.
• Even though there has been no official announcement, next week's game may be rescheduled due to election day on July 3.  The election ends at 3 PM. 

New Coach  for Thailand

• German Schaefer agrees 3-year contract  Bangkok Post

From the looks of things, this guy has been all over the map

• Cameroon (2004)
• Togo (2006)
• Iran (2007)
• Abu Dhabi (2009)

Herr Schäfer you have thirty days to prepare the team for the next game July 23


Thailand Heading for Second Record Sugar Crop May Curb Prices - Bloomberg

Strictly Funny

Thanks to Kenneth D. for alerting me to these video's they are great.

Doing the Sakon Nakhon Pole Dance

The House lights went off at 10.  The show was about to begin.

No TV, no internet, no telephone, no hot coffee water.

Most power outages in this area happen during the rainy season.  

They are occasional occurrences in this part of the country.

Most last less than half an hour.

The skies where clear, no rain, 

but this was to be an extended five hour showing of the  

Sakon Nakhon Pole Dance

Isn't the kind of pole dance you might have in mind.

This is the kind where the utility pole does the dancing.

Electric wires, phone and cable service where knocking  against a house. A possible fire hazard.
The only fix was to move the pole a few feet.


Two guys started up the pole and disconnected all wires.
The ground crew loosened the soil around the pole and dug a new hole.
Early in the day plenty supervisors arrived at the scene

An hour and fifteen minutes later, the pole dance began.  Swaying back and forth until the pole was loose in the soil and could be lifted. 

Loosening the pole and transfering it to the new hole took 45 minutes.


Refastening wires to the pole was interrupted by a fifteen minute rain-break.

Not having fans going, I was dripping with perspiration in the early afternoon
I discovered sitting in my pool was a perfect place to continue watching 'the show.'

 

Having been a pole lineman myself, 1963 - 1964, I judged the job would be finished around mid afternoon.  
I was off by ten minutes.

This is one show I hope does not get repeated in my neighborhood

Music Memorabilia

It wasn't all that long ago when headlines read...

•  THAILAND: Worst Mekong river flooding in 100 years   irinnews 18 Aug 2008
  
  
•  2008 South China floods   wikipedia
  
  
• 2010 China floods wikipedia

This year, after experiencing the worst drought in 50 years, southern China is again experiencing heavy downpours and floods.
All that water has got to go somewhere.  I suspect a rise in water levels on the Mekon river and am surprised that I have not seen any warnings of impending risks.

At least we have not seen the heavy continuous rains locally, as we did in 2008, but then the rainy season has just barely started.
I'm not saying it's going to happen, but it could!
Flooding in China may well be a precursor!

   
downtown Muang Sakon Aug 2008               overflowing canal at north end of I.T.U.

Music Memorabilia

I ain't swallowing this crap

*

•  Japan scientist synthesizes meat from human feces FOX NEWS

This story really has a bad smell to it.

I ain't eating no poop burger!


*

Sakon Nakhon FC Division Schedule translated

Date	Home Games (yellow)
Sunday,.June.26...........17:00.	Roi Et
Saturday, July 2              17:00	Nong Bua Lamphu
Sunday, July 10              17:00	Yasothon.United.........
Saturday, July 16           18:00	Surin
Sunday, July 24              17:00	Chaiyaphum United
Sunday, July 31              16:00	Nong Khai
Saturday,August 6          17:00	Loei City
Sunday, August 14          18:00	Ubon Tiger
Sunday, August 21          17:00	Amnat Charoen Town
Sunday, August 28          18:00	Mahasarakham City
Sunday, September 4     17:00	Nakhon Phanom
Saturday, September 10 16:00	Mukdahan
Sunday, September 18   17:00	Nakhon Ratchasima
Saturday, September 24 16:00	Udon Thani
Saturday, October 1       17:00	Kalasin

Doing Saturday Night in Sakon Nakhon

They roll up the streets quite early in Sakon Nakhon.
The lights are turned off at 9 pm at most restaurants.
Traffic lights are in flashing mode.

8:30 pm at the 'Welcome Bar,' staff were still occupying the tables.
Only a few tables with customers.
It was a different story an hour later.  The place was hopping.  Local nightlife starts at 10 pm.

Next stop ONE SABAI (happy, relaxed, feel good, comfortable)
It's at the north end of I.T.U.
You can't miss it.  It's the only loud place in the area.



The live band was really good. I definitely enjoyed the music.
Most patrons seemed what I call university age.
Pleasant atmosphere, attentive service.  I had a really swell time.
They were still serving food after 10:30.  I'll have to go back and see what's on their menu.
Upstairs offers accommodation for large parties.

Only downer:  The place has only one toilet. M/F.
Don't wait till you desperately have to go.  There's usually two or three people waiting in line.

I was home before midnight.  For me the 'party animal years,' coming  home at dawn, are  fond memories.