Wait till it blows up, then we'll fix it

Happy 5th er 4th Watched the Boston Pops and the Boston fireworks display 'live' this morning, July 5, 9 am local time. You have to remember we are 13 hours ahead of US east cost time. The fireworks display was promoted as the biggest in the U.S. The San Diego fireworks display was a total bust.  Everything blew up in under a minute.

Weather alert Issued 11 am, Jul 5, by the Thai Meteorological Department "...heavy to very heavy torrential rain  in some places..."

Amazing Thailand It's very apparent that regular maintenance is lacking.  Electric, phone and TV cable have been overgrown by trees and weeds. In many instances nothing is done until there is a power, phone, or TV cable failure. Preventive maintenance does not seem a high priority concern.  This was very obvious during last years floods when it was determined that many of the Bangkok canals were blocked by vegetation and an accumulation of garbage. Reminds me of a quote by that fictional Mad Magazine character, Alfred E. Newman: "What Me Worry?

Anyone up for a game of Pool ? Dan at the Apple restaurant is making plans for a pool table.  It's still in the preliminary stage. First thing, he's looking for a handyman with a cement saw to remove a wall in the back room

Sakon City in July

You remember?  Scanned through my photo album to see what happens during the month of July in this city. I use the album frequently to remind myself of birthdays and other events. 2003 Parade in the rain 2004 First SBAC Graduation 2005  Water Rocket Fest 2006 Parade 2007 Funeral for JAN 2007 Expat gathering 2007 Martins Birthday  2008 Wedding 2009 Funeral  for Andy 2010 First annual Car Show 2010 First time I ever saw  the tourist police in this city 2010 Parade 2011 Parade 2012 Fair

Isaan Tom sets up residence in Sakon Nakhon Tom, who had been living in Khoen Kean, moved here recently.  He travels throughout Isaan and reports of his travels on his blog Isaan Life. His latest postings are of his recent encounters at Thai Watsadu and his trip to the post office. I wont reveal were he lives, but you can figure that one out really quick by visiting his webcam.

AGAIN? Thai to launch regional budget carrier in 2013 It was just a years or so ago when Thai attempted to start a regional budget airline in a joint venture. That venture failed when the government declined approval. Thai Smile, budget airline, begins operation this month. The proposed, still unnamed budget airline, would be a joint venture of Thai and NOK airline. Thai is a 39% shareholder of NOK air.

It might be slow season, but not where I live If you look at any Thailand calendar, there's not much happening during July.  No public holidays. Of course not it's the rainy season. With heavy rains late yesterday afternoon I was contemplating a quiet evening at home.  My plans changed suddenly. Right during the heavy rains they started showing up. Motorcycles, most with two persons, a couple with three persons on board, all soaked to the bone. All my towels where used up.  No one stayed dry for long, as soon as one person discovered coins in my pool, they all dove in. They brought their own food and drink, I only had to furnish the dishes. As suddenly as they had arrived, they disappeared at 8pm to continue their party elsewhere.

Storm Alert

Thai Meteorological Department at 4;30 am, today,  issued an alert advising residents of North and Northeast Thailand of impending torrential rainfall.

From my own observations, heavy rains will most likely begin sometime this evening, with very heavy rains overnight. Expect thunderstorms  to persist through Saturday night

References

• accuweather animated weather map
• weather.com animated weather map
• Thai Meteorological Department weather alert
• Bangkok Post

This Sakon Nakhon Fair a Faux pas

Saw this banner while traveling through town.  Asked what it was. Got two different answers OTP Fair Food Fair Guess its a little of both, very little.  Last day of the fair is June 3. Located at the municipal grounds (Next to the police station). Went there early evening July 2. From what I saw, this one's a flop. Few customers, few vendors Some of the vendors where packing up a day early Other vendors had already left    Still, there were things to see, prices seemed reasonable   Was intrigued by one food display, looked like brownies in a metal tray. Bought two. Tasted one when I got home. I was pleasantly surprised. A  delicious pudding. I'm going back for more!! Faux pas: an embarrassing social blunder

Sakon F.C. refereeing was atrocious

Gotta keep my hands free for more important things

Sakon F.C. hopes: 'Sigh' The stadium crowd was larger than what it had been in the recent past. Everyone was anticipating a great game and a win. For the most it was a great game.  Sakon F.C. had noticeably improved. They had so many chances at making goals, but nothing panned out.   The refereeing was atrocious.   It was as if the referee had been paid off. Take for instance when a Sisaket player shoved the referee during an argument. That should have been a red card.  The referee totally ignored that. Or how about when a Sakon player was kicked in the head. No card then either Then there was the moment when a Sisaket player was on the ground.  He picked up the ball as if the play was over.  Again no card Sakon FC next travels to Ubon.  Realistically this should be an automatic win. The way the team has been performing... glad I'm not a betting man.

Funny Mail

Labor Shortage in Sakon Nakhon

Free all you can eat...  ...if you have a winning ticket, compliments Sakon FC Twenty winning tickets will be drawn during halftime when Sakon F.C. hosts Sisaket this afternoon

Labor Shortage in Sakon Nakhon,    building boom is the reason Sakon's restaurants and hotels are feeling it the most. It's always been somewhat of a problem, now its gotten worse. Just about anywhere in this city and surroundings there's construction of some sort. These days when you call to have some home repairs or improvements, you can expect a waiting period. The air conditioner install and maintenance is booked solid for months. The electrician can do some minor repairs when he has a free moment. He shows up at 9 pm. The big three home improvement centers which recently arrived in town are getting too much blame. They are probably employing a hundred or so. The 2000 census listed a population of 65,638 within the municipal area.  Have not found the 2010 census on the net, possibly due to continuing technical difficulties.

Limit your drinking to one per hour, said the doctor

Panda favors Spain as Euro 2012 winner  Obviously a promotional gimmick. In the first pick the panda erroneously selected Germany and Spain to be in the final game. Half right Haven't found the latest clip on the web, but saw it on TV.  The panda was given a choice of Spain or Italy. The panda favored Spain. The TV video was cut at the point when the panda began devouring the Spanish flag. Is this considered appropriate use of a foreign flag?  I'm only asking this after the recent hullabaloo over the use of the Thai flag displayed behind lady Gaga's motorcycle. Where I come from, when a person displays a flag on a motorcycle, it's done so with pride. Then again, we don't let animals shred flags, at least not in public.

Wish they could photoshop Thailand Unfortunately many of the sights in Thailand are distorted by electrical, phone and cable wires. Don't you wish they would photoshop Thailand

Keep your gates closed Unless you need you grass mowed and and fertilized with 'Cow Pies,' keep your gates closed.  Even in the city.  A four foot fence won't do.  I've seen them jump over it with ease.

Apologies    A few pictures on some of my older posts are disappearing and are being replaced with an exclamation sign. I'm aware of the malfunction. It's my fault. I'm uploading albums en-mas, ten a day. Some albums are being replaced in the process for better quality, or more pictures. Duplicates are being deleted. Corrections are on the back burner,  sorry for the inconvenience