Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Journey

Hi,

Yesterday I mentioned the wettest week in the year. I wasn't talking about rain, though we had more today and expect it all week. If you want to understand, read on.

I suppose it's good to know the oldies, even if you learn them from cartoons. Such is the case with this song. The group had a morning cartoon and one of your fellow readers knew the song from that. Hmm. This is an easy one and the next line will prove it.
"__ __ __ It's easy as, 1 2 3, As simple as, do re mi __ __ __, 1 2 3 Baby, you and me." Hint: Do you really want me to spell it out for you? One member of this group still manages to make the news from time to time.

Today we drained the pool (sob). Tomorrow the work will begin on an alternate inlet system. It seems that there is a leak in the plumbing under the pool. We keep having to add water, which throws off the chemistry of the pool, not to mention the cost of the water. The job is going to probably take about a week and then the filling will begin. It might take longer since rain has been predicted off and on this week.

So, the wet week I was referring to is the celebration of Songkran. It's the Thai New Year and it begins April 13 and goes to the 15th. Those are the official dates. The fact is, it's a week of activities and celebrations. The most glaring difference between this and other holidays is the throwing of water. It began, long ago, with flicking water on people for good luck. That has escalated to children and adults standing on the side of the road tossing buckets of water on cars and motorcyclists, pick-up trucks cruising the street doing drive-bys, and super soakers (big squirt guns) everywhere. Last year we were still at the rental house and living in a dense village. We got to see the action first hand. This year we're a little more isolated, but we're right across the river from the 'fair grounds' so we expect it to be just as active as Loy Krathong. The key is not to go out a lot, keep the windows up and be poised to hit the wipers at a moments notice.

We're still having problems with our internet service. I have been to the office twice, talked to Bangkok once and today I found out they're doing a system wide check to find out where and what the problem is. I can tell them where it is, it's here in Chiang Rai and somebody needs to climb a pole and adjust something. (Ha) That's tellin' 'em. Really, that much is obvious. I was told today that by April 5 they should know something. My new friend at CAT, Da, told me to come in on number 6 and they would make an adjustment on our bill. That seems fair. OK I'm calming down. I can still read and send email from my phone if necessary.

Once again, it's time for Happy Tuesday.

Peace,

Danny


"It is good to have an end to journey toward;
but it is the journey that matters in the end."
~Ursula K. LeGuin


Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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www.lisamosesgallery.com

Monday, March 30, 2009

Smile

Hi,

We had a warm weekend here in Chiang Rai. As a result, we spent a lot of time inside, in the cooler air. Daku was 9 weeks old Saturday and is still growing every day. The pool is more tolerable and we're getting close to the wettest week of the year.

The song you heard in your head this weekend should have been "Yackety Yack" by The Coasters. I'd say it's time to move forward in time a bit. "You went to school to learn girl, things you never, never knew before. Like "I" before "E" except after "C" and why 2 plus 2 makes 4. __ __ __ it's easy as 1 2 3...." Clue: This was a family affair, so young they couldn't drive. If you know your 'schoolin' this should be easy.

Saturday we hung out at the house. Lisa gave Napa a ballet lesson in the afternoon and after dinner we went to Big C. We figured that since Walking Street is such a big attraction, the store wouldn't be crowded. Hmm, wrong again. The lot was nearly full and the stores were all busy. On our way to Big C we stopped and got gas. It's still amazing how far we seem to go on a tank full. Another one of those pleasant surprises around here.

Sunday we swam. What a treat to be able to get back into the water and get some exercise. It's also a great relief from the heat. The water feels cold at first but after a lap it's great. One of the strange things about it is that as you move around there are pockets of warm water, then cold. The pool isn't heated so it's not like swimming near a warm outlet. It's just warm here, cold there. Hmm.

We had dinner overlooking the Night Bazaar and it was early enough that we got to watch the vendors setting up. Each night they 'build' their little booths and set out their wares. We noticed one young woman carefully setting out her silver chains, making sure each one was precisely set on the table. When we called for our check (check bin) it was delivered to us by the owner's daughter who is about five. With great pride she handed me the bill and wai'd. Learning the business early.

We're still noticing the fact that some of the vendors are in different locations since the remodel. There was one woman we didn't see in her usual space and we liked the clothes she made. As we strolled toward the bus station exit we spotted a beautiful dress and from the back of the booth we saw her big smile. It was good to know that she was still there. We have made many friends at the Night Bazaar and it's nice to keep up with them.

Today I had to go to the CAT office. That's our internet provider. We've been having a problem keeping a signal so I went to the source. It was determined that it was probably a problem with the cell site in our area. They had me call the Bangkok office to report the problem. While on the phone with a tech, I had to give him my email address. He spoke adequate English, but when it came to spelling out 'thaifunk' we hit a brick wall with the 'f'. He kept hearing an 's'. Finally I said 'f' as in 'football' and I could hear his joy at understanding. "Yes, footbun". OK then. Yes, the adventure continues. Still don't have the connection right, so I'll have to go back tomorrow and be a little more emphatic about it.

Have a Good Week and I'll be in touch when I can.

Peace,
Danny

"No matter who says what,
you should accept it with a smile
and do your own work."
~Mother Teresa

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Friday, March 27, 2009

Friday Funnies

Hi,

Another Friday in the Rai and the weather is warm and humid. Lisa traveled, I baby-sat and ran errands. I also got a new sense of 'my home town' as I moved about.

I wonder, if I'd mentioned that the song was a 12 bar blues, might it have made a difference with your memory? As it was, I got a ton of responses to "Kansas City". It was sung by Wilbert Harrison in 1959. It reached #1 on the Billboard HOT 100, which was a pretty mean feat back then. It had one previous recording with a different title that was a moderate regional hit. Since Wilbert's recording, there have been hundreds of covers of the song.

For the weekend we'll stay in the same era but go with something I'm sure you all know. It's by a group that was famous for their novelty R&B songs and those songs are still being performed today. One of the original members is 80 and still hitting the stage. "Don't give me no dirty looks. Your father's hip he knows what cooks. Just tell your hoodlum friend outside, you ain't got time to take a ride __ __ (Don't talk back)" Clue: The title is a slang term that's been replaced over and over. Today's version might be 'Whatever'. Hmm.

We woke up to a clear blue day. Perfect for Lisa's road trip to Chiang Mai with Tay and Napa. I've been in touch by phone and I know that she was able to get a bunch of the art supplies she needed. She also mentioned that they lunched at a little restaurant by a river while they were traveling. Wish I'd been there.

I spent the morning with the dogs while Boot worked around the house. Watching them do what they do is, as Cousin Eunice said, 'Better than watching T.V.'. I never got to the fence project today. Tomorrow will be the day.

After lunch I headed out into the world to run some 'errands'. I did one of my circles, starting at the bank. There I met with the manager who immediately ask me where Lisa was. I explained her trip and she went to work on the business at hand. I should point out that because there doesn't seem to be an understanding about waiting for ones turn, she was interrupted several times by customers with questions or procedures that they wanted handled. Never mind that we were sitting at her desk, face to face. Anyway, she is a master at multitasking and got it all done. She left to do something and Bobby, her assistant and our 'bank guy' came with my pass book and we had a conversation. Once again, I had to explain where Lisa was.

Next stop was Big C. We usually gauge how busy the place is by the line of cars entering the lot. It had a moderate line today so I figured it might be a little crowded. Wrong. It was really crowded. Fortunately I went with a list and focused only on that list. As a result, I got out in record time at the express line. I must say that there were many sales going on and, as the voice on the loudspeaker kept saying: "Big C Speshun". I resisted and moved on. I also saw familiar faces and we simply nodded to each other.

Downtown is a difficult place to park, especially on Fridays. I found a place on our 'secret' street and walked to all my stops. From the pharmacy warehouse to the health food store to the relocated coffee/internet shop, I had to explain why I was shopping 'khon dio' (alone). Even the lady at the record store, where I briefly cruised through, asked if I was alone. We have become fixtures in our community and there is a sense of 'belonging' in spite of the intermittent feelings of alienation. I even had a friendly exchange with a couple of Tuk-Tuk drivers who used to ride us around town. Nothing like livin' in a small town.

We end the week with the second half of the list of puns from last week. Enjoy the 'Funnies' and have a Cool WeekEnd.

Peace,
Danny

Creative Puns for "Educated Minds"

13. Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. One hat said to the other, 'You stay here; I'll go on a head..'

14. I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.

15. A sign on the lawn at a drug rehab center said: 'Keep off the Grass.'

16. A small boy swallowed some coins and was taken to a hospital. When his grandmother telephoned to ask how he was, a nurse said, 'No change yet.'

17. A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.

19. The short fortune-teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.

20. The man who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.

21. A backward poet writes inverse.

22. In democracy it's your vote that counts. In feudalism it's your count that votes.

23. When cannibals ate a missionary, they got a taste of religion.

24. Don't join dangerous cults: Practice safe sects


Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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www.lisamosesgallery.com

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Art

Hi,

Today we went to the vet, then we got wet, and then the yard got wet. BamBam freaked out at a frog, and Daku showed his big dog instincts.

A bunch of you knew the song and I welcome all the mail. I guess just because it's an old song doesn't mean you have to be old to know it. (Ha) This next line from the song should jar a few more memories. "Well I might take a train I might take a plane, but if I have to walk I'm gonna get there just the same. I'm going to __ __, __ __ here I come..." Hint: It's the name of a city.

This morning we took both dogs to the vet. We've done this before, but Daku was tiny and just about a lap full. Today was different. Lisa had to sit in the back seat with Boot and BamBam because Daku is getting to be a big boy. We weighed both of them and Daku is now 6.35 kilos and BamBam is 15.5 kilos. I'll let you do the conversion on your own but just know that they're both growing.

This afternoon we took the plunge and went into the pool. It was a bit cold at first, but after a lap it felt good. We saw clouds forming and figured we should try to get in and out of the pool before the storm. It worked out perfectly. About ten minutes after we got out it started to rain. It rained pretty heavily for about two hours and then cleared out. It cooled the day and made for a beautiful evening. Of course it means we have more junk from the big trees all over the yard but the dogs love the seed pods. There's also the amazing sight of these little white seed puffs that float down everywhere. I'm not sure what trees they're coming from, but they look like cotton. The dogs bite them and then there's nothing there. Must be frustrating.

After the rain we let the dogs out to run around. Daku takes great delight in trying to get BamBam to play. Sometimes he'll stalk her as if she's prey and then leap at her. Bam will respond from time to time and they'll run or wrestle but she often wants to be left alone. These are the times when Daku goes into 'crazy puppy mode' and either jumps on her back or runs by and nips at her and keeps going. He's such a boy.

Later in the day I heard BamBam barking her head off at something. It was a big frog that appeared in the yard. She's afraid of everything and gets upset when anything new is introduced to 'her' yard. We don't see frogs often and I'm sure it was as surprised as BamBam.

There are a lot of American companies with franchises here in Thailand. What's interesting is what they offer on their menus. For instance, KFC offers a Tuna Corn Salad, a Shrimp Donut and Sticky Rice. Oh, and don't forget the Five Magic Salad. Hmm, and you thought they just served chicken.

If the weather holds tomorrow, Lisa will go to Chiang Mai with Tay and Napa. She's going to observe Napa's ballet class so she can see what they're working on and to get art supplies that can't be found in Chiang Rai. Tay drives Napa 300 kilometers every Friday for her class. What a mom. As for me, I'll just be here finishing the garden fence and being at the mercy of the dogs. (Ha)

Have a Great Thursday.

Peace,

Danny

"Hearing is a gift,
Listening is an art."
~Unknown

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Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Doubts

Hi,

Today in Chiang Rai the weather was a tiny bit cooler than yesterday. Still hot with patchy blue sky. Forecast calls for rain. Another full day on the compound. Pool talk filled the morning, dog play in the evening. Oh, how can this be?

"Who'll Stop The Rain" was done by Creedence Clearwater Revival. Of course Lane found the meaning behind the group name for us:
"They changed their name to Creedence Clearwater Revival, reportedly in honor of a friend of rhythm guitarist Tom's named Credence Nuball. The new name came from three sources: Creedence: from "credence," a belief in themselves, Clearwater: initially it came from a beer commercial, but it resonated more strongly with the burgeoning environmental movement via an anti-pollution TV commercial, Revival: from the hope to revive the band's career." Don't know what their name was before the change, but CCR, as they were often called, became a rock staple in the late 60's and early 70's.

"I'll be standing on the corner, Twelfth Street and Vine (repeat) with my __ __ and a bottle of __ __ wine." Hint: You don't have to be from the song's era to know this one. A bit of a standard in Popular music. Oh, someplace in the 'show me' state might be a clue.


Daku is turning out to have quite a personality. It's hard to remember sometimes that he's still a baby (grows every night while we sleep). He does stuff that seems 'goofy' and then we remember how old he is. Like that thing most puppies do with their paws in their water bowls. BamBam did it and we dealt with it. Daku takes it a bit further. He beats the water as it he were fishing. Twice today we went into the kitchen area where he hangs out and there was water all over the floor. Hmm. On the other hand, we're talking about a dog who takes the greatest joy in playing with an empty plastic water bottle. It's kinda loud, but so entertaining.

Right now both dogs are in our bedroom and BamBam has a ball in her mouth, wrestling with Daku. She lets him grab it and then they have a tug-o-war. It's animal comedy at it's best.

Johan and his Thai pool specialist came over this morning to assess our situation. Blue and I had come up with a plan and it's the same one that was formulated today. See, we know this stuff. (555) Next week the pool with be drained (sigh) and alternate filler pipes will be installed and camouflaged. Keeping a brave face through it all.

We thought we might be going out this evening to pay the water bill. You know, a 7-11 run, which is where utilities are paid. It still cracks me up, so to speak, that we pay our bills at 7-11. Most people don't have checking accounts so it's easier on the utilities to allow payment in this fashion. I'm not complaining a bit.

Have a very Wacky Wednesday.

Peace,

Danny

"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the
good we might win, by fearing to attempt."
~William Shakespeare [Measure For Measure]

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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www.lisamosesgallery.com

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Friendship

Hi,

Today we had blue sky and a messy yard. BamBam and Daku reaped the benefits. Lisa painted, I played with bamboo and mellow was the word for the day.

There were many responses to the song we're playing with. Lane came through with an explanation for the name of our mystery group but you'll have to wait until tomorrow. Here's a bit more, in case you're still working on it: "Heard the singers playin', how we cheered for more. The crowd had rushed together, tryin' to keep warm....And I wonder, still I wonder __ __ __ __." Clue: The song is asking a question that can't be answered. Hmm. They were often referred to by initials.

This morning when the dogs went out we all discovered the front lawn was covered with 'trash' from the giant trees from across the road. The high winds had blown all the dried leaves, branches and seed pods into our yard. To us it was looking like a monumental clean up job. To the dogs it was heaven. So many things to bite and chew. Needless to say, we tried to keep them in the back for most of the day.

Speaking of the dogs, they are really getting along fine together. Daku is now 8 weeks old and is playful, independent, silly, clumsy, smart, and at times a real nuisance for BamBam. Bam is now 11 months old and much too sophisticated to play all the time. Sometimes she just likes to chill and relax. This is impossible with Daku around. He's always ready to play and sometimes he really gets on BamBam's nerves. Yesterday Daku attacked BamBam and she bit him. I was outside and heard this loud crying and I knew what happened. He wasn't hurt, mostly startled. We realized that they were going to have to work this sort of thing out by themselves. We try to explain to Daku that he can't just run up and bite BamBam, and he's gradually getting it. (Ha) It's a dog's world. Oh yeah, Daku is now going up and down the stairs, if he's not too sleepy. He's gotten a bit heavy for carrying.

Lisa worked in her studio today. She's making a new cast acrylic print that's already outstanding. When it's finished, you'll know. She's been working lately on large size formats and things are getting very dramatic.

I spent the afternoon cutting bamboo and bending wire in preparation for the last of the garden barriers. This morning I covered little digging areas that BamBam created by 'nailing' wire mesh over the area with stiff wire. So far it seems to be discouraging both dogs.

Late afternoon, we all hung out in the yard. Boot, Lisa and I watched the dogs as they romped around. These two dogs are fortunate to have a home that's like a park. We see so many dogs who live in the streets. No yard to play in. Hmm, reminds me of a film I saw once (Head Start Training). It was about children who grow up in row houses and only have the street to play in. Their wish was to have a yard. See how the mind can drift from 2009 to 1966 in one sentence and still be relevant? (Ha)

I think it's time for Happy Tuesday.

Peace,
Danny

"Friendship is like a bank account;
you cannot continue to draw on
it without making a deposit."
~Nicole Beale


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Monday, March 23, 2009

Patient

Hi,

"This is going to be real short. It's storming outside, the lights are out and my laptop is running out of power. So, the Adventure continues." That's what I wrote a few minutes ago, then the power returned. Boy are you lucky. (555) That was about to be the shortest ever.

The song over the weekend was "Cold As Ice" by Foreigner. Ha. Lots of you got that one. Let's see how you do with this:
"Long as I remember, the rain been comin' down. Clouds of mystery pourin', confusion on the ground. Good men through the ages, tryin' to find the sun; And I wonder, still I wonder, __ __ __ __." Hint: Something about weather by a band whose name is still a mystery to me. (I just know someone will explain.)

We've been wanting rain for some time now and it's good that it's here. It's the lightning that seems to cause the problems with the power company. (my guess) You could say 'you don't miss the power 'til the lights go out.'

We left off with you not knowing what happened on Friday. Well, we took Kristin to the main market downtown where all the action is. It's something to experience if you ever come to Thailand or any other place that has such a market. The sights, sounds and smells are so different and at times overwhelming. At one point we were overtaken with the smell of the chili peppers cooking in the eating area.

From the market we went to King Mengrai Square and took pictures. Then we went into a building we'd never visited that had local products. It's sort of a promotional thing and we discovered lots of nice trinkets. Kristin found a gift for her brother and we headed for the flower market. We just drove through, looking at all the beautiful flowers and arrangements.

Friday evening we had dinner at the Night Bazaar. After picking up the last of her souvenirs, Kristin noticed the Swenson's Ice Cream Parlor so we stopped there for dessert. Imagine, having ice cream in northern Thailand at a place that was started in San Francisco.

We ended the evening hanging out with the dogs and later looking at pictures from the week. Early Saturday morning we headed to the airport and said farewell.

The thunder is rolling and the lights are flickering so I'll be signing off for now. Have a Wonderful Week.

Peace,
Danny

"Be patient with yourself.
Self-growth is tender;
it's holy ground.
There's no greater investment."
~Stephen Covey


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Friday, March 20, 2009

Friday Funnies

Hi,

Trying to wrap up this week in five days is proving difficult. So much to tell you about our recent adventures. Daku went to the vet, we went to another Hill Tribe (HT) village and Blue left for his long trip home.

The most recent song was a classic by Elvis Presley. "Return To Sender" was from 1962. Fast forward to '77:
"You're as __ __ __, You're willing to sacrifice our love. You never take advice, someday you'll pay the price, I know." Hint: Something about temperature, by a group with a name that describes me in Thailand. Hmm.

So, Daku is growing rapidly. He is still having trouble with his unwanted visitors so we took him back to the vet. This time he got something more aggressive. He got sprayed. We had just given him a bath and we were thinking he'd be all stinky. He was smelling pretty bad when we left the vets, but it went away and it seems that he's scratching a bit less. He can now climb the stairs by himself. Yea. He's getting pretty heavy and it's nice that he can at least go up. He's still afraid to go down, which means he has a little common sense. He loves to play with or without company. I'll try and put up some more pics so you can see what he's looking like these days.

The HT village we went to today is much closer to us. It's in the village of Ban Din and only about 20 minutes away. We met more Yao, Akha, Paduang and we also met some Muser. We were treated to a performance by the Akha where the women pounded bamboo tubes on the ground and a man played a wind instrument called the Cahn. We took pictures in each section and one Yao woman showed us a picture of herself when she was young. She was standing in an opium field. More about that some other time.

We spent the evening hanging out at the house before Blue had to be at the airport. Kristin, Blue, Lisa and I recalled some of the high points of the week and it was very mellow. Then it was time to go. When we got to the airport they told us that the flight had been delayed so we hung out with Blue at a coffee shop until boarding time.

I think we'll have a quiet weekend so I'll save our busy Friday for Monday. It's time for the 'Funnies'. Kristy sent these in and you'll have to thank her for the laughs and moans. (Ha)

Peace,
Danny

CREATIVE PUNS FOR "EDUCATED MINDS" (Part 1)

1. The roundest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference. He acquired his size from too much pi.

2. I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian.

3. She was only a whiskey maker, but he loved her still.

4. A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class because it was a weapon of math disruption.

5. The butcher backed into the meat grinder and got a little behind in his work.

6. No matter how much you push the envelope, it'll still be stationery.

7. A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering.

8. A grenade thrown into a kitchen in France would result in Linoleum Blownapart.

9. Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.

10. Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

11. A hole has been found in the nudist camp wall. The police are looking into it.

12. Atheism is a non-prophet organization.

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Thursday, March 19, 2009

Change

Hi,

The weather here is getting better by the day. The taste of rain we had has almost cleared the air. Blue sky and patchy clouds are a good sign. We'll pick up where we left off with our week of adventure after this musical flashback.

"(She wrote upon it) __ __ __, address unknown. No such number, no such zone. We had a quarrel, a lover's spat, I write, 'I'm sorry' but my letter keeps coming back..." Clue: It's all there so you really don't need a clue. Some of you got this one so it tells me it's not that hard. Hmm.

I forgot to tell you another story from our Tuesday adventure. When we crossed back into Thailand, Tay drove us to the top of a hill behind the marketplace where there's a temple with an observation platform. From there you can see the whole city of Mae Sai and the border area of Burma. We noticed a young couple with a little girl arriving while we were on the platform. When we came down the husband wanted to know if Kristin would pose for a picture with his wife and little girl. She said OK and he took the picture. Then the wife handed the girl to Kristin for another pic. We found out that the couple was from Burma. Tay tried to explain what she thought was going on. It had to do with superstition and luck, being photographed with a traveler from far away and all. Hmm.

Wednesday morning we got an early start on our day and left the house a little after 9a.m. We had a van and driver for our trip to what is called a 'mixed' Hill Tribe Village, and the Golden Triangle. Blue knew of a place where we could meet members of three different tribes. The village is called Yapaa and it's up in the mountains about an hour from Chiang Rai. The Hill Tribes (HT) are made up of ethnic minorities who are viewed as separate and unequal by most Thais. There has been a movement for many years to try and give them citizenship and legal rights but most are bound to the 'reservations' where they make crafts and are a curiosity for tourists. Some of the tribes migrated from Burma and Laos years ago and some are native to Thailand. We have known a member of the Yao tribe for years and we see Akha and Yao women in the Night Bazaar all the time. We view them as unique people who continue with very traditional ways even in the face of discrimination.

At the Yapaa village we met members of the Yao, Akha, Palong and Paduang (Long Neck) tribes. Each tribe may be different in one village from members of their tribe in another. Some part of their costume will have an identifying stitch or pattern that will set them apart. We mostly saw the women of the tribes since the men generally work away from the village doing farm work.

Doug and Blue took tons of pictures, Kristin posed for many pictures with the women of the various tribes and we had a very memorable, spiritual day. I'll be posting some pics of our experience very soon on the Flickr site. To get a better understanding of the HT experience, you might want to get a copy of Blue's wonderful new photo book: "Faces of the Golden Triangle" http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/invited/378955/b5206baeaff1cfa263d3886e315ae894

Our next destination was the 'Triangle' itself. The junction of Thailand, Burma and Laos is another spot you'll definitely want to visit when you come here. (Ha) We had lunch looking out over the Mae Kong River, with Laos on the other side. There was lots of activity on the water. Barges and boats from China hauling freight and small speed boats carrying passengers back and forth across the river. After lunch we visited the tourist shops and our resident photographers took pictures of relics at a temple dating back to 1302 B.E. (or B.C.) Incredible.

I'll be back tomorrow with more HT adventures. Have a Great Day.

Peace,
Danny

"Never believe that a few caring people can't change
the world. For, indeed, that's all who ever have."
~Margaret Mead

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Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Feel

Hi,

Think 'Tuesday in Thailand' as you read this post. We made a new friend today. We also traveled north again, with a border to cross. Later we all went out for dinner and music.

The song that we were all humming (Ha) was "Life In The Fast Lane" by The Eagles. Now we'll go back to the 60's: "Gave a letter to the postman He put it his sack But early next morning He brought my letter back..." Hint: You really shouldn't need a hint, but they call him The King and his initials are not M.J. This ought to be easy for some.

This morning Blue's friend Doug arrived in Chiang Rai. He's a photographer and has been doing some of the same festivals as Blue, taking pics of live performances. He came to the house and we all met him and then he and Blue headed off to take pictures of various things, including some Hill Tribes close to town. Then they were going to the elephant village. We planned to all go to dinner later.

Our friend Tay came to the house at 11a.m. for our road trip to Burma. We've never been and Kristin had read about the shopping district of Techilik just over the border from Thailand, and wanted to check it out. After a pleasant drive to the border (I wasn't driving) Tay drove right into the shopping section in Mae Sai. We'd seen cars go into the narrow one-lane street and wondered where they were going. Now we know. She parked at the top of the street and we walked through the market towards the border gate.

Going from Thailand to Burma is more than a notion. First we went to a counter on the Thai side where they checked our visas to make sure we had a right to be in the Kingdom. We walked across a bridge and into an office on the Burmese side where they took our passports, took our pictures and gave us a temporary 'day pass'. Just a little nervous about that one. When we finally walked out into the street we were confronted with a large crowd of men, all carrying cards touting various tours, casinos and tourist locations. We made our way through them, walked down a flight of stairs and met another large group all carrying shallow boxes filled with everything from playing cards to cigarettes to Viagra. This was to be our nemesis for the rest of our stay. At least every ten steps there was somebody trying to sell us something from their box. It got very annoying but we kept going. Most of the shops sell knock-offs (copies) of designer goods. We thought we might see some ethnic Burmese goods but none were to be found. We saw lots of nice things and made a few purchases, but it was mostly just an interesting experience. There was also the issue of the beggars. This is a 'target zone' and it was sad to see so many people in the state they were in. On the way out we had to fill out entry cards, stand in line and pick up our passports. A lot simpler than before. Not sure when we'll repeat this little trip. I'm still having visions of being swarmed by hustlers. (Ha)

Blue and Doug met us at our house at 6p.m. as planned and we all went to the seafood restaurant where Nong sings. I told you about her before. She sings in four languages and when she gets to the English, she does some Carpenter tunes and sounds just like the late Karen Carpenter. I wanted Blue, Doug and Kristin to hear her sing, in addition to sampling the food. We were not disappointed. We had a great time eating, listening and talking. Near the end of our meal it started raining lightly and there were big flashes of lightning across the sky. It never rained heavily, but I guess it did wash the sky a bit.

We all called it an early evening since we had a big day coming up. Wednesday we go to the mountains for a visit to a remote 'mixed' Hill Tribe village. Stay tuned for all the adventure.

It's time for Wacky Wednesday.

Peace,
Danny

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."
~Eleanor Roosevelt

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Riches

Hi,

Big Daku news was not shared yesterday. Today you get Monday's news and maybe a bit of Tuesday. Guess I'd better get in gear and spin either the yarns faster or the Earth slower. Hmm.

Got a few bites on the song, and a few missed guesses. The couple in this song might have been guests at Hotel California. Hmm. "Out every evening, until it was light. He was too tired to make it, she was too tired to fight about it. __ __ __ __ __ surely make you lose your mind __ __ __ __ __ everything all the time..." Hint: Which lane of the freeway is designated for the highest speed? From there you're on your own.

Monday morning we were looking at a very busy day. It turned out to be true but we did it all. We took BamBam back to the vet to find out why her fur was thinning on her back. Quick answer: the mange had returned due to her lowered immune system from the infection. Poor puppy is having a rough first year. Her spirits are high and she doesn't seem phased by it.

The big news about Mr. Daku is that he now sleeps in the kitchen. When Kristin arrived we were talking about our 'sleeping arrangement' with Daku and she told us what she did with her dog Jade. The dog was put in a cage from midnight to 6a.m. and left with water and toys and something soft to sleep on. We went out and got the biggest cage available and set it up in the kitchen. Saturday night Daku spent his first night alone and it was a huge success. Just before his confinement I took him out to the front lawn. Then he went into the cage without a peep. (dogs don't really peep) The next morning he was playing in his clean cage. What this really means is that we get to sleep through the night, most of the time, without having to clean up a mess. Sweet.

Back to Monday. After the vet visit we all piled into the truck and went to Wat Rong Khun. Lots of picture taking and checking out the new additions. Things are always changing at 'The White Temple' so it's nice to visit from time to time. From there we went down the road to see Blue's riverside property. It's a great piece of land just across a small road from a winding river. I can imagine sitting on a porch watching the river flow. Hmm, sounds like a song.

Our next stop was Big C. We had lunch at Black Canyon and then did some shopping. We managed to get back to the house a little after 2p.m. Napa would be coming over at 3 for her ballet lesson so our timing was working out. In the middle of all that, the sink in the kitchen was clogging and we had guests coming for dinner. Oh my.

At 6p.m. Jen and her sons Nu and Pui arrived for dinner. They hadn't met Kristin or Daku so there introductions and conversation before dinner. Boot had us sit according to the dishes she had made. She basically made two of everything and had placed the hot stuff at one end and the cool at the other. It worked out great. No accidental mouthfuls of Thai chili.

You'll have to wait 'til tomorrow to hear about Tuesday after all. It's time for your Happy Tuesday.

Peace,
Danny

"The greatest good you can do for another is not just share your riches,
but reveal to them their own."
~Disraeli


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Monday, March 16, 2009

Great

Hi,
Man, what a weekend. We went to the airport, walked the street, cruised the river, and rode an elephant. We also did the Night Bazaar. Tired yet?

It would appear that you've been stumped. Either that or you were too busy to care. (Ha) It was "No Time" by The Guess Who. I know some of you know this song 'cause I know how old you are and you were around. It's a group named after a bird, many hits:
"He was a hard-headed man, he was brutally handsome, and she was terminally pretty. She held him up, and he held her for ransom in the heart of the cold city..." Clue: Some people never slow down. The subjects of this song lived hard and fast. Hmm.

Saturday morning we picked Kristin up from the airport. She had just finished a long layover in Bangkok and we figured she'd want some sleep, but she wanted to stay up and get on a Thailand schedule. By late afternoon I expected her to fade but she hung in there. The afternoon was spent walking around downtown, so Kristin could see the main street in the daytime. She got a picture of the Night Bazaar street before it's transformation and got to see a few of our frequent shopping spots. We went to 'Walking Street' in the evening since it was the only time Blue and Kristin would be here on a Saturday. We managed to see about half of it before we called it an evening. Not only is it a lot of slow walking, but a bit of sensory overload. So many things to see, so many sounds coming at you at the same time. The whole thing had grown since the last time we 'walked'. There was a live R&B show set up off the street and a large food area had been established. Maybe next time we'll explore more.

Sunday we made the short trip around the corner to the long-tail boat dock and hired a boat to take us to Moo Ban Ruimit. It's also known as the elephant village. We made one stop along the way at 'Monk's Cave'. This is a temple in an actual cave on the bank of the Mae Kok River. There are photos of this unique temple on the Flickr site at around November of last year. I may post a few new ones. After our visit and some gong ringing for good luck, it was back on the boat for the longer part of our journey. The trip takes about 40 minutes and the scenery is a constantly changing landscape. When we arrived at the village we walked around first, just to see what shops were open. Then we got our elephants. Lisa and Kristin rode one and Blue and I rode the second one. After we turned off the highway and into the village path, I looked back to see how Lisa and Kristin were doing and saw Kristin sitting on the neck of their elephant and the driver sharing the bench with Lisa. What? That looked like fun. Kristin confirmed that it was indeed fun. She stayed there for the whole ride, all the way back to the starting point. Their driver would give the elephant vocal commands and most of the time it responded. The total ride took about 30 minutes and we got to see the real village life. The last part was done in the river, which was really fun.

Sunday evening we went to the Night Bazaar for dinner and then just walked around looking at all the crafts and watching one of the stage shows. Kritsin also got another pic of the street in full bloom. On our way to dinner we ran into a Samlor (pedal driven tricycle taxi) driver Blue had photographed years ago, and whose picture is in his new book. He showed the driver the picture and reminded him of where the photo was taken. A big smile formed on his face and I'm sure it was something he'll remember for a long time.

I think I'll tell you about our Monday on your Tuesday. Have a Fabulous Week.

Peace,
Danny

"Keep away from people who belittle your ambitions.
Small people always do that,
but the really great,
make you feel that you too can become great."
~Mark Twain


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Friday, March 13, 2009

Friday Funnies

Hi,

Today BamBam went to the vets, Blue and I did some shopping and then traveled south to pay respects. Daku is getting bolder and smarter. Of course, he's the smartest puppy in the world.

Get ready to kick yourself. The song was "Words Get In The Way" by Miami Sound Machine. Now do the hints make sense? For the weekend, see if you remember this one: "__ __ for a summer friend, __ __ for the love you send. Seasons change and so did I, you need not wonder why, you need not wonder why..." Clues: It might be hard for some of you to guess who the group is, but you've got plenty of time to ponder the whole thing. If you're on your toes, it's all there. Hmm.

BamBam was being a bit lethargic and had other symptoms of something being wrong. Dr. Arnon told us to bring her in right away and we did. He kept her for the day and gave her an I.V. since she was dehydrated. We were to pick her up this evening. We went by to get her and he told us she has to stay overnight. She has a bacterial infection so she needs medication every eight hours through the I.V. Poor baby. She's really been through a lot. We spent a little time with her and she was so happy to see us. We know she's in good hands so it's not as bad as it could be.

This afternoon Blue and I went to the flower street and he got a arrangement to take to the cemetery where Ao Ma is buried. They were very close for over 20 years. Between the flowers and the cemetery there was a stop at Big C for juice, computer stuff and more time on the 'guest phone'. (the guest phone is a cell phone we've had since we arrived and we keep it for house-guests to use)

When Blue and I got to the cemetery, I knew the general area where Ao Ma was buried, but wasn't absolutely sure about the grave site. Since neither one of us reads Chinese, it added to our dilemma. We called Nu and he was trying to explain the location when an old woman came toward us. She spoke a blend of dialects and we finally put her on the phone with Nu. We were very close to where we wanted to be. We knew we were being understood when she said the words 'Ao Ma'.

We went to dinner with Nookun and Sutheera this evening at one of our favorite restaurants. Moo Mai has a wonderful atmosphere and really good food. We've been there before but never ate upstairs on the deck. We were under the night sky, looking down on the garden entrance. It was the first time we'd had a chance to visit with Nookun since the services for his mother. There was serious talk as well as much laughter. We had a great time and feel grateful to have such dear friends.

I think it's time for the 'Funnies'. It's the second part of last week's one-liners. Have a Fantastic WeekEnd.

Peace,
Danny


Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!

If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?

If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?

Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?

Why did you just try singing the two songs above?

Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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www.lisamosesgallery.com

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Choice

Hi,

Today was one of those days. There were calamities with plumbing, lighting and the lawyer. We took an unexpected road trip and almost had to climb the gate to get home. What?

A few of you knew the song. Maybe today's clues will help jog your memory. It's a song created by a machine that's not really a machine. Read on: "And before you break my heart in two, there's something I've been trying to say to you, But the __ __ __ __ __, there's so much I want to say..." Clue: Key word in the title is about communication. It's by a group from the south of the Sunshine State and there's usually more rhythm in their work. Female lead went on to have quite a solo career.

We have been in a state of limbo trying to finalize what is called a 'House Book'. Khun Preecha, our attorney, has been helping with the paper work but ran into a snag with immigration. Something about them needing to see our original passports. After a conversation around lunch time it was determined that we'd have to go to Mae Sai and present our passports. We'd go after lunch.

Right after lunch we discovered that the kitchen sink was clogged up. I put on my 'handyman' face and went under the sink. I unscrewed some pipes and the water flowed from the sink. Hmm, guess that wasn't the problem. We left Boot with the idea that she should call the real handyman while we were gone. As we were leaving we noticed a yellow truck from the power company outside our wall. There were a bunch of men standing around and we just figured they were on a break. That would later prove to be partly true.

Our trip to Mae Sai was fast and uneventful. When we got to immigration we finally got things sorted out and the friendly agent told us he'd send the proper papers to the office in Chiang Rai. Back on the road for the trip home. It was all working out on schedule. Lisa was to teach Napa at 4:30 and we had time to spare.

When we arrived at the house I pressed the button on the remote to open the gate and nothing happened. First thought was that the battery on the remote was dead. Blue rang the doorbell to our house as well as Boot's but got no response. I called Boot and she went to open the gate from inside. Nothing happened. Hmm. Finally Boot told us that there was no electricity. It didn't actually come out like that but we got the message. I told her to come out to the gate so she could unlock the motor on the gate. I climbed up on the gate, gave her the special key and directions and the gate was finally opened manually.

There was no power in the house. First thought was, cancel the ballet lesson since there was no air/con or fans. We got that settled and then had Boot call the power company. They said it might be on in a half hour. There had been some tree trimming and you can guess what happened. We got power in about 15 minutes and life slowly began to return to normal.

That was our day. A bit of this and a bit of that. In the end everything worked out. Life in Chiang Rai is never dull. (Ha)

Have a Smooth Thursday.

Peace,

Danny



"Choosing to live your life by your own choice is the greatest freedom you will ever have." ~Shad Helmstetter


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Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Learn

Hi,

Here we are, right in the middle of the week and things are going smoothly. Blue and I ran some errands, Daku got bigger and we dined at the Night Bazaar.

The song in question was "Daydream Believer" by The Monkees. Yeah, you knew that one. (Ha) Something I didn't know was that Jimi Hendrix opened for The Monkees, early in his career. Probably not the best move for the Monkees. Now you know.

Let's jump forward in time by about 20 years. This is a ballad from a group that usually had you dancing up a storm. This line is from the second half of the first verse. (confused enough?) "...But I know when you have something on your mind. You've been tryin' to tell me for the longest time. And before you break my heart in two there's something I've been trying to say to you.." Clue: It's obviously a breakup song. Something keeps blocking forward progress. Hmm.

Our morning was spent just hanging out, consulting with Johan about the pool and working on the internet sharing in the house. Blue told us many fascinating stories from this year's Jakarta Jazz Festival. You know, the interesting back-stage stuff that paints a picture. There were times when four of the acts he was working with were on four different stages at the same time. Talk about being spread thin. It all worked out in the end and thousands of music lovers got what they came for. The whole thing sounds like quite an experience. A total of 18 stages is enough to boggle the mind.

This afternoon Blue and I went into town to do some banking and then we rode north of town to Ban Du where he has a house in a gated community. When we arrived we hung out with the manager of the complex for a while. Blue hadn't seen her in many months. Then we went to the house. It's still empty, but the company keeps it clean. There was a woman cleaning when we got there. The place looked great and Blue thanked her for her work. Blue and I discussed the pride that many people take in simple jobs, like cleaning an empty house, or being the guard at the front gate. It's something I keep noticing and it's humbling. We hear talk about 'going the extra mile', but to see it every day is inspiring.

We just got back from dinner and browsing at the NB. Blue was amazed and a little disappointed at how the place has been modernized. It has lost some of it's original country charm, but it also has grown with the times and the town. It has become a sort of community gathering place. A place to stroll, take a date or do some shopping. That, in addition to being a tourist attraction. We ate at our favorite restaurant overlooking the NB where you can see all the activity. After we finished we walked through the Bazaar checking out the old and new.

Daku is still getting used to going outside, in the sense that he is still taken with the grass and all the things to sniff and bite. BamBam has to be watched closely when we take Daku out to the lawn because she wants to play all the time. For some reason it seems like open season on the puppy when they're on the grass. I think the newness of it all will wear off and she'll settle down. We have to remember that she's still a puppy herself. Oh my, what have we done? Daku is heavier than when he first arrived. He's also bigger because he can stand on his hind legs and reach things he couldn't before. Hmm.

It's time for a Wacky Wednesday.

Peace,

Danny

"Man/Woman can learn nothing except by going from the known to the unknown." ~Claude Bernard


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Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Abundance

Hi,
Today I'll tell you about airport waiting, dog sitting, tour negotiating and foot rubbing. We'll also discuss, briefly, the fine art of doing nothing. Curious?
The usual suspects wrote me with the correct answers for the new song. I'm thinking that the following line will help the rest of you: "Cheer up, sleepy Jean, oh what can it mean to a __ __ and a homecoming queen...?" Clue: Group is playfully named after a primate, any more and the answer will come out.
You will remember that last night I was going to the airport to pick up Blue. Well, when I got there I checked the screen above the arrival door. It showed the flight as being delayed and the arrival estimated at 10:30. It was 9:06. What? I walked over to the Air Asia office, which has a big sign reading 'On Time Guarantee'. After gathering myself back together from laughing, I asked about the flight. They figured it would be 9:45. That left me with about 30 minutes to kill in an airport that was quickly going to sleep. Shops were closing and all the T.V.s were in Thai. I accidently hit the YouTube button on my iPhone and sat and watched the funniest thing I've seen in a long time. It was hard not to laugh out loud. Now I know how to spend/waste/pass time.
Even though we were all tired by the time we got to the house, we ended up talking until about 1 in the morning. We had a fun time and completely forgot about the demands of our little buddy. Daku wakes up about every two hours and he lets us know that he's up. That means going into the bathroom and cleaning up after him and then keeping him company until he goes back to sleep. We take turns but it takes a toll on my daytime stamina. An afternoon nap would be ideal, but not always possible. Today we went to the vet and Daku got the green light to go into the yard.
Like a predator stalking it's prey, Daku approached the front lawn with a mix of caution and curious determination. I knew he'd never be able to sniff every blade of grass, but it looked like that was his goal. After a bit of that he started tasting what ever he could put in his mouth. Just like BamBam, he tried grass and leaves. Later, in the back, he went for a rock but Lisa was too quick for him. The hunt goes on.
Next week we're going on the road to see the sights. It's always curious to me how people can say one thing, do another and then double back if necessary. Our current potential driver/guide said he had a van. Today he wanted to show us his new car. A big new car. It still won't work for us and we learned that he doesn't have a van at all. Oh, he can get one. Hmm. If it doesn't work out we have a back-up plan so we're not worried. We won't be doing this until next week.
This afternoon we went down to Pai (our regular spot) and Lisa got a full massage and Blue and I got our 'feets did'. We sat and talked of many things, occasionally flinching from the pain being inflicted on our feet. The pain is then approached from different directions and it opens the flow of energy to various organs and parts of the body. When it was over we both felt revived and relaxed at the same time.
This evening we did nothing. To do this you just need something to prop the body and somewhere to gaze. A comfortable chair and someone to talk to about whatever comes to mind is a good way to do nothing. Of course the ultimate is to sit in the yard and just watch the trees grow, the pool flow and the birds as they dart in and out of the waterfall pond. Amazingly, this is not done often enough. Something to work on, livin' in Chiang Rai.
Happy Tuesday has just begun.

Peace,
Danny

"It is when you are grateful for what you have
and able to share it with others
that you are living in abundance."
~Unknown


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Monday, March 9, 2009

Lift

Hi,
It was a busy Monday at the OK Corral. There was cleaning, arranging, shopping and sprucing. There was also fun with dogs. Keep reading to find out why.
Well, the marathon is over and we'll give The Beatles a rest for awhile. The last song of the set was "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", written and sung by George Harrison. Lane sent me a ton of information on this one. Here's a bit of it:
"Inspiration for the song came to Harrison when reading the I Ching. I Ching, as he put it, "seemed to me to be based on the Eastern concept that everything is relative to everything else…opposed to the Western view that things are merely coincidental."Taking this idea of relativism to his parents’ home in northern England, Harrison committed to write a song based on the first words he saw upon opening a random book. Those words were “gently weeps”, and he immediately began the song." I thought that was an interesting approach to writing and I'm so glad George took the leap. It was on the White Album and the Concert for Bandgladesh.

Now let's try something a little lighter. This is from the late 60's just to give you a head start. "Oh I could hide 'neath the wings of the bluebird as she sings, the six o'clock alarm would never ring. But it rings and I rise, wipe the sleep out of my eyes, my shaving razor's cold and it stings..." Hint: It's by a manufactured group that became the darlings of T.V. as well as records, for a time. Hey, hey, you should know this song. The title is something some of us did a lot as children. (Ha)

After I finish writing this I'll be heading off to the airport to pick up Blue. He's flying in from Jakarta by way of Bangkok. He's been there coordinating a large contingency of musicians from the U.S. for the Java Jazz Festival. The groups he was in charge of had 18 shows in 3 days. I guess you could say he's coming for a rest, although I'm sure he'll be visiting many of the Hill Tribes he photographed for his book. He'll be here for 10 days.

Next Saturday we have another house guest coming to town. Our friend Kristin will arrive for a week and we will put on our tour guide/tourist hats and see the sights.

Today I went out and did a 'circle of errands' as I like to call it. I started with an adventure at the local home improvement complex down on 'Bus Station Street' (I'll explain in a minute). I had to get some biogenic din (din means earth). The first person I asked spoke no English and didn't have a clue as to what I wanted. She quickly took me to a young man who spoke a little English and after I mentioned 'hong nam' (bathroom) he understood and took me right to it. One has to think on one's feet sometimes to get the point across.

From there I went to the car wash to get the truck presentable. While it was being washed I walked down to 'Clock Tower street' to the light store for a couple of bulbs. Then back to the bakery for fresh bread and then next door to the car wash.

The other day we asked our friend Tay the name of a certain street and her reply was 'I don't know'. She explained that everyone used landmarks to designate streets. Oh, just what I've been doing all along. Hmm.

Time's up, gotta go. Have a Great Week and I'll see you tomorrow.

Peace,

Danny

"There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up." ~John Andrew Holmes


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Friday, March 6, 2009

Friday Funnies

Hi,
It was a quiet day on the compound. Lisa painted, I cut wood and played with bamboo, and stories grow without our knowledge. Oh, and the dogs have a growing attachment.
So, the little word you were looking for as the song title was "Girl" by The Beatles, of course. We'll end the marathon with this tune that was not sung by one of the usual suspects. "I look at you all see the love there that's sleeping __ __ __ __ __. I look at the floor and I see it needs sweeping __ __ __ __ __." Clue: It has to do with the instrument he plays. Hmm. For a Bonus prize (Ha) tell me the name of the song that featured an artist who wasn't a Beatle but got billing on the single. Oh yeah, his name would help. For Extra Bonus Points tell me at least one of his hit songs.
This morning Lisa put the finishing touches on another beautiful painting. It's a large work that will soon be on her site. While she was doing that, I finished the first of the garden fences I told you about. It came out pretty good if I do say so my self. Then I cut the bamboo for the next garden. I need to get these done before we have both dogs out there. So much is unknown about how Daku will relate to all that plant life. It's also not clear what he may learn from BamBam. I hope he doesn't share her appetite for rocks. Anyway, then there's the patches of missing grass from Bam's digging phase. I think I have a way for them to get sun and water without making more little fences.
A few weeks ago Tay brought her sister Tong over to meet me and see the house. She decided that we'd make a record together and apparently the story has grown. Tay found out from a friend that I'm going to produce her sister's record. Well then, I guess I'd better fire things up. What? There is a fascinating innocence in the way some things are perceived and communicated.
As I write to you Daku just woke up from a nap. He came out from the bathroom and BamBam, who'd been waiting patiently, went and got him a bone. She place the bone in front of him and then put her leg over him. They were both lying on the floor. Then she got up and brought another of his toys out and gave it to him. How sweet is that?
I leave you with the 'Funnies'. It's part of a list sent to me by my good friend Lee. Thanks.

Peace,
Danny

Things that make you say Hmm. (Or laugh your head off)

Why do you have to 'put your two cents in'... but it's only a 'penny for your thoughts'? Where's that extra penny going to?

Why does a round pizza come in a square box?

What disease did cured ham actually have?

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?

Why is it that people say they 'slept like a baby' when babies wake up like every two hours?

If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?

Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?

Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?

Why do doctors leave the room while you change? They're going to see you naked anyway.

Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?

If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?

If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?

Do you ever wonder why you gave me your e-mail address in the first place?


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Thursday, March 5, 2009

Discipline

Hi,
Well, we're just finishing our Thursday here and it's been a full day. More doggie adventures, a shopping trip, and a much needed massage. All that and more, coming up.
Some of you surprised me with your quick answer to the current song. Once again, the title is in the first line so read on.
"She's the kind of girl who puts you down when friends are there, you feel a fool. When you say she's looking good she acts as if it's understood, she's cool - oh. Ah __, __." Hint: If I told you anymore, I'd give it away.
This morning I talked to America (not the whole country) and we set out for our morning excursion. Lisa had an appointment to get her hair done and I went on a solo shopping trip to Big C. Armed with a list I was surprised at how well I'm learning the store. Mornings are really the best time to shop because it's not as crowded and parking is also easier. I filled the cart with the necessities of life. Water, juice, and paper goods were the main items. Drinking water is a big thing here. Nobody drinks the city water. That's for washing dishes, bathing and things like that. There's a whole side of an aisle devoted to drinking water. I should have picked up the jumbo pack of paper towels now that we have Daku. Lots of clean ups. (Ha)
Another thing I was looking for, but didn't find, was some sort of 'baby gate' to set up so we can keep our little explorer in the bathroom. We had put some things in his way but he kept figuring out how to escape. I think we've foiled him with a giant suitcase and a plastic tub full of books. Hopefully, by the time he can move all that, he won't have to stay in 'captivity'.
After lunch and some dog play it was time to go back to town for our massage. It's a wonderful thing to be able to have someone relieve the tight muscles. We get an hour massage that really lasts an hour and a half. I guess that's one of the perks of being regular customers. Nice.
This evening, while driving into town, I was struck once again by the contrast of old world and new. There was the usual traffic consisting of cars, motorbikes and light trucks plus tour buses. In the middle of all that was an old man pushing a two-wheeled cart. The other drivers were very tolerant, passing him when they could. Not one horn honked as he made his way to who knows where. It was quite surreal.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Daku is getting stronger by the day. He's figuring out how to run and he's getting good at it. When he and BamBam play he really bites her and she sometimes gets a little rough. They have to be supervised at this stage. When he gets to be about six months or so, Bam will have her hands full.
Have a Great Thursday. Today's quote is from my friend Barry. Thanks.

Peace,
Danny

"Discipline is the basic set of tools we require to solve life's problems. Without discipline we can solve nothing.”
~M. Scott Peck

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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www.risingstardom.com
www.lisamosesgallery.com

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Flow

Hi,
Day two in the dog house and things are evolving. We got another surprise visit today and I was introduced to another dentist.
All you Beatle fans line up. If you didn't write back with "Things We Said Today" you're getting 10 demerits. Next song:
"Is there anybody going to listen to my story, all about the girl who came to stay? She's the kind of girl you want so much it makes you sorry, still you don't regret a single day. Ah __, __. Clue: It's a one word title that's in the first verse of the song. That means you've already read it. (Ha) Should be easy for most of you. It's only one word, it's a love song, and it's by....
Daku is more than a puppy. He's a baby and that means lots of attention. The big difference between taking care of human babies and dog babies would be, in my humble opinion, diapers. Baby dogs have no control and no understanding of 'no'. All they know is, 'I gotta go'. It won't last forever, but it sure does keep you on your toes. (I just made a joke without even trying)
BamBam and Daku played a bunch today. Bam came up this morning ready to go but Daku was still asleep. This puzzled her, but it didn't take long for the little one to be up and into the day. It turns out we have to monitor their play because BamBam can get a little rough. It's the first time she's been around another dog since she was a puppy. I don't think she realizes how big she is. We also have noticed that she has been 'herding' Daku. She's asserting herself and establishing her position as Alpha dog in the pack. Of course, we can't forget the fact that Daku bites her with those sharp little baby teeth and it's gotta hurt. Wait until she sees how big he's going to get. Hmm. Oh, I posted some pictures on the Flickr site. Go see the new kid.
This afternoon, around 1:30, the doorbell rang. No one was expected so we were in for a surprise. It was Tay, and that was not unusual. When she got in the house she asked me if I had some free time. Hmm, how to answer that? A friend of her sister's has a friend who is a dentist and it seems I had a 2 o'clock appointment. Oh, how nice. I got ready in record time and she drove me to the office. The first thing that struck me was the country music on the office system. I think it was Marty Robbins. The dentist looked like he had just finished school, but he's been in practice for 20 years of so. He checked out the tooth of the week and we had a consultation. I really like this guy. He gave me honest answers and a good plan was set in motion. Just another one of those 'drop-ins' that is not an annoyance at all. Only in Thailand.
I believe it's Wacky Wednesday.

Peace,
Danny

"If you can't fight,
and you can't flee.......flow."
~Vaughn Glanton

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics
www.risingstardom.com
www.lisamosesgallery.com

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Roses

Hi,
Today we went to the vet, dined at the Night Bazaar, and wondered about pink eggs. BamBam and Daku have bonded and we saw double-green headlights. All this and more, in one day in Chiang Rai. Whew.
I can tell just how carefully you read the 'clues' and 'hints' by what you write in response to some of the tunes. I got many correct answers and a few who didn't read the words. "...Someday when we're dreaming, deep in love, not a lot to say, then we will remember __ __ __ __. " Hint: We just did a gig with this group over the weekend. Remember the word 'marathon'. This line is one of my favorites, but that won't help you.
This morning we went to see Dr. Arnon for Daku's first visit. He's been scratching like crazy and we had to find out why. Turns out it's similar to what Bam had only different. Medicine on the back of his neck every two weeks, a tiny pill down his throat and some liquid stuff and it should go away. Meanwhile, he and BamBam had a major time today and Bam got over all her apprehension. They are now fast friends and they even hung out at Boot's while Lisa gave Napa her ballet lesson. After her lesson, Napa dashed down to play with Daku. She also thinks he looks like a bear and thinks that should be his name. Only problem is, bear in Thai doesn't have a very commanding sound. It's like the word 'me' in English. Oh well, he's learning that his name is Daku and that's the main thing. BamBam is so taken with Daku that she wanted to come to our house with him after we got home. She always stays with Boot at night. Looks like we don't have to worry about the jealousy thing.
Tonight we went to town for dinner. After dinner we went to see Paladon, the artist Lisa invited to be in her show. There's a whole submission procedure to go through and we wanted to take some pictures of some of his work. On the way to the truck we stopped at Tops to pick up some basic grocery items. While checking the price of eggs, we noticed a dozen pink eggs. Who lays these things? (Ha) I forgot to ask Boot about them but I'll be sure to get back to you.
On the way home we saw these two green lights coming towards us. It was a motorbike that normally has twin headlights with the usual white light. I'd seen single lights of red and green but seeing two coming at you is pretty freaky. Don't try this in L.A. I also saw a tour bus with yellow and pink hazard lights on the rear. Yes, it's a colorful place alright. Seeing is believing.
It's time for Happy Tuesday.

Peace,
Danny

"One of the tragic things I know about human nature
is that all of us tend to put off living.
We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon,
instead of enjoying the roses
that are blooming outside our windows today."
~Dale Carnegie


Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics
www.risingstardom.com
www.lisamosesgallery.com

Monday, March 2, 2009

Shadows

Hi,
There were pointe shoes on the Skytrain, art on the sidewalk and we hadn't even reached our destination. We managed to ride the three 'Ts' of Bangkok. Daku started a new life and I had "mor" fun. I'll explain in a moment.
The weekend song was intended to be an easy one. You're quite welcome. It was "Do You Want To Know A Secret" by The Beatles. This week we'll have a little marathon of sorts. Everybody wins if you know the group that sings this song. (Ha)
"You say you will love me, if I have to go. You'll be thinking of me, somehow I will know..." Clue: What was said and when?
Sunday we set out for a place called Pantip plaza. It's a huge tech and appliance center in Bangkok where you can find just about anything. We had a few items in mind so we took the Skytrain to the Chit Lom exit. There we would taxi to the plaza. On our way to the exit of the station, we noticed a sign on a store that read "Dance Supplies". Curiosity got the best of us so we walked up to the counter. To our surprise not only were there accessories for costumes, but a complete array of pointe shoes. Who would imagine that you could buy pointe shoes on the upper level of a Skytrain stop. Hmm.
After we got a cab, we sat in some of the most incredible traffic we'd ever seen. About a block and a half from our target, we decided to get out and walk. By the time we got there hunger had hit so we had lunch in a very nice restaurant. Then we dove into the mass of shoppers. We got what we came for after a bit of comparison shopping, and tried to make our way back. We ended up getting a Tuk-Tuk which took us through the back alleys of Bangkok. Very interesting sight-seeing tour that you won't find in the guides. So, to fill you in, the three 'Ts' are what I call the transportation options: Train, Taxi and Tuk-Tuk.
Back in Chiang Rai, I had another dentist appointment today and got slammed with some not so happy news. Have some investigating to do and decisions to make. Ugh. Oh well.
This afternoon we picked up Daku from the kennel. He's bigger than he was last week. Of course he was. Actually, we think he's a little overweight. He looks like a baby Polar Bear. (Ha) Anyway, when we got home BamBam was in the yard so we decided to have their first encounter right there in the driveway. I held Daku and Lisa put her arm around BamBam. Very slowly, Bam crept up and gently sniffed his paws. She seemed alright with him at that point. After we got upstairs Bam came up and hung out. She kept her distance from this little ball of fur, but was very curious. There was only one snapping outburst from BamBam and after a lecture from Lisa, it didn't happen again. Daku is very playful and wanted to play with BamBam but that wasn't about to happen. We thought the step up from the bathroom would keep him contained. (Ha) He managed to get his front paws up and then, with a little struggling, get one back paw up and entered the bedroom. Boot, BamBam, Lisa and I spent quite a bit of time watching Daku. I can see that the next week will be consumed with this little guy. So far we've discovered that he likes to sleep behind things and he is very social. Tonight should be very interesting.
Have a Wonderful Week. Thanks to Christopher for the quote.

Peace,
Danny

"Never fear shadows. They simply mean there's a light shining somewhere nearby."
~Ruth E. Renkel

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics
www.risingstardom.com
www.lisamosesgallery.com