Thursday, April 14, 2011

Hot Anyway you look at it


Thursday Friday SaturdaySundayMonday TuesdayWednesday
Thai Meteorological 35/21
cool
36/22
cool
36/22
10% *precip 
37/23
10% *precip 
37//24
partly cloudy
37/24
partly.cloudy

Accuweather 37/24
partly sunny
38/24
partly.sunny 
36/25
thunderstorm
37/25
thunderstorm
35/21
thunderstorm
34/22
showers
35/23
shower
Accu weather
Feels like
41/2141/25 39/2543/28 46/2439/23 39/26
Wunderground 37/24
partly.cloudy
37/25
partly.cloudy
37/27
mostly.cloudy
36/25
partly cloudy
33/22
70% *precip
33/23
10%* precip
35/28
10% *precip

* chance of
LOL: Notice some forecasters are calling this weather cool

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Sakon Nakhon Songkran 2011

Pictures of water frolicking and parade


Watched some of the water dowsing from the temple parking lot.
Afterwards made my way to the Provincial headquarters where the parade was to begin at 1:30.
I've learned a thing about Thai Time. Arrived at 1:50, just as the parade got underway.




Booze free festival camouflage

Raising the Roof

My neighbor's been at it for over a week. One hour every morning before going to work. 6:30 to 7:30. He's building a roof between three houses on his property.
Working with steel gets a bit noisy at times. Needless to say I'm looking forward completion of the project.


It's a holiday today and my neighbor began laying the tin sheets promptly at 6:30. Noisier than usual of course. Looking at what he'd accomplished in an hour, I'd say he'll get done by early afternoon, just in time to make merry with his family.


Promptly at 7:30 somewhat soothing (sedated) music started to play over the 'municipal Intercom.' 
After 5 minutes or "Thai elevator music, a young ladie's voice could be heard making an announcement. Then the broadcast was terminated.

video clip capture

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Pre - Merrymaking Scout Trip

The town is abuzz. Traffic is heavier than normal in the city center. 
A large part of the traffic is making their way to Big C. 
If you can, I'd suggest postponing your shopping trip till after the holidays. 
If you do go, bring an extra helping or two of patience.
Did see quite a number of new western ATM's doing a village supply run.

Approaching Wat Phra That Choeng Chum, tents set up on the street have created a one lane funnel approach

If you haven't been to the temple lately, they recently removed that unsightly wall and replaced it with an equally unsightly parking lot
The Statue table where the faithful come and pour water on Buddha replicas, has been moved from previous years, when it was under the shaded building awnings.

Bird ladies at the temple eagerly await revelers wishing to set a bird free, for a price.
Of course after having been given their freedom, these birds head home and will be back at the temple the next day.

13 through 15 April
Notice the Road barriers alongside the road
Municipal grounds being readied for evening entertainment


At the other side of the municipal grounds pee wee soccer


The part of the parade route which turns into the evening food fair





Those people not busy with a shopping expedition are busy delivering party supplies



Leaving town it becomes very apparent that we haven't had a decent rain since last October

At the other End of I.T.U. road check ready
They found a man made watering hole

Another road check ready

Have a safe and pleasant Songkran


Songkran's first road death reported   April 12 THE NATION


UK’s tougher visa rules for overseas students  expatforum
Students are required to have improved English comprehension and are not entitled the right to work.

Enjoy the "Hot Season," Rainy season starts next week


I may be just kidding, but then I may not.
The extended forecast calls for clouds and rain every day next week. Accuweather
Forecasts beyond three or four days are a little more than anticipations.
Plenty of things can cause the weather to do a 360.


Starting this weekend
High temperatures mixed with rain, nighttime temperatures rising
Pleasant nighttime temperatures  we've been having recently are about to abandon us.
It's time once again to dust off the air conditioner.


Clear skies above "for the moment"

Isaan Song and Dance on You Tube

Thai Classic dance at Phanom Temple. Year 2004
7 part video by

Monday, April 11, 2011

Real Football Challenge ahead for Sakon FC

Yesterday:   Sakon FC at Nong Kai FC 3-3

Half-time phone reports from Nong Kai yesterday were desperate.
Sakon FC was down by two.
This time there was no live broadcasting from their website.
The sports caster had another engagement.

Ken scored two of last nights goals for Sakon.
Ken was lured from a season contract with Nong Kai with better financial rewards in Sakon.

Ken's performance on the field yesterday was a total surprise, considering that just a few days before he received word that his father had passed away.



Next:   Sakon FC hosts Loei FC 

Loei is NUMBER TWO in the  Thai Division 2 North Eastern Region League
, winning 5 games, loosing one.
Sakon FC is NUMBER SEVEN.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Weapons Check

The southern weather system has won out over the northerly cold and the easterly winds we've been experiencing the last weeks.
4PM indoor temperature is 86F (30C).  Outdoor temperature is 102F (39C).
Add to that the humidity Factor and it feels more like mid 40C. 
Expect temperatures to slowly inch upwards over the holidays.


Cleaned the pool around noon. The water is starting to warm up, but it still felt chilly at 75F (24C).

By 3PM the pool was in use and it was a good opportunity to to do a weapons check.

Normally they serve as garden sprayers, but at this time of the year they are turned into ice-water-canons
All systems A.O.K.

I have found that these garden sprayers outlast all water guns, and in most cases are less expensive. 
After the hot season my ice-water-canon returns to it's normal duties in the garden mister.