Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Success

Hi,

Today was sunny and hot. In fact that's all anybody was talking about. The yard got groomed, the awning got repaired, and the car got washed. It was one of those days in Chiang Rai.

Well, apparently this week's 'Easy Monday' song was just that. I got lots of email and I suspect I'll get more after you see the rest of the chorus: "Whenever I try to think of what it feels like to feel it for the first time, and was it really such a thrill? She said 'Look boy, don't you touch, that ain't much, only a __ __ __."
Hint: Sweet youth, this guy is clearly in over his head and she's letting him know. I guess he'll just have to pick up the pieces and cut the cake. The group, whose name is also three words, later became known by their initials.

Sometimes things just seem to work themselves out. With the sun shining, it was a perfect day for the yard crew to show up. The women who groom the flower beds did most of their work in the usual fashion, but the guy that cuts the lawn was a little slow. I think he's the reason we had a hard time getting them here. They use a weed-wacker to cut the lawns and it seems like the hardest way to do the job. He'd work a bit, take a break, then work a bit more. They have to come back in the morning to finish the back lawn. At least it's getting done.

The contractor who installed the awning sent two guys to fix the leak and once they were here, we left. We knew Boot would supervise anything that needed attention. She's good about that, since this is her house too.
We went to the car wash first, and did the Doi Chaang thing before going down to the business district. After running our errands we picked up the car.

Our next stop was the 'Tractor Store' to visit with Khun Jen and her sons. We wanted to invite them to the party we're having on Sunday to celebrate three years in our Big Brown House. It will be a late afternoon affair since the days have been so hot. Oh yes, there was also a stop at the pet supply store.

Daku is doing much better today. In fact, he and BamBam got to run around the yard a bit after the yard crew left. They really understand the 'scheduled events' that happen every day. As if they had watches, they come to us when it's time to go out and play or time to eat. Daku has this thing where he naps with us for about an hour and then comes over to me and nudges me. That means it's time to go out. Normally, while I fix the coffee he rolls around on his back in the sun. Then he comes in for a piece of ice and continues his nap in the kitchen until Boot comes in. Today he didn't get to do his rolling around thing, but was very compliant when I told him we had to go inside. Having him on a leash helped a lot. If I were to let him out by himself he would have gone around and visited with all the workers.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

Peace,
Danny

"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize
how close they were to success when they gave up."
~Thomas Edison

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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www.lisamosesgallery.com

Monday, May 30, 2011

Dreams

Hi,

Monday morning in Chiang Rai was cloudy and rainy. It stormed last night and again today. We had a break late morning and had a chance to get out for awhile. Over the weekend we lunched at Central Plaza, went to Big C, and enjoyed the Grand Prix.

The 'Old School Friday' song was "Fever" and the original artist was Little Willie John. And now for a little history lesson. Up until the late 50s music performed on records by African/American artists was called 'race music' and was not allowed on most radio stations. When an artist had a strong record, the major labels were quick to cover the tune with a white artist in order to get 'play' on major radio. Such was the case with "Fever". Peggy Lee became a prominent artist with this song and most people think she was the first to record it. There are many instances of this practice (Shake Rattle and Roll being another). Now you know. OK, it's time for 'Easy Monday'. This is fun:
"Meet me in the playground at a quarter to four, wait 'til everybody's long gone. There must be so many things that we can explore, maybe I can walk you home... She said 'Hey, wait a minute, hold on..." Hint: This is a funky little ditty by an above average band, and the singer is head over heals for someone. The title is three words.

Saturday morning we were to have a visit from the yard crew, but they canceled. We also had a cancellation from the awning guy, so our day was wide open until lunch. We met our friend Sutheera at Fuji restaurant at Central Plaza. As always, we had a wonderful time chatting about lots of interesting things. She gave us some insights on the upcoming election and explained the candidates' posters we see all over town. They are all in Thai, since only Thai people can vote. What's really interesting is that the posters all have a big picture of the candidate and a number, which is the ballot number for that candidate. That way, even if the voter can't read, they can remember the number for the person they want. Sutheera teaches at Chiang Rai Rachapat University and classes begin next week. She's been busy preparing for the new semester plus working on her doctoral thesis project.

On the main floor of Central Plaza there is a space that is used for vendor 'expos'. This week they had exercise equipment on display. There were treadmills, elliptical bikes, weight training aids, and massage chairs. Right next to all that were big tables with clothing for the sports minded. The one thing that really caught our eye were the reclining massage chairs. Not just leaning back, but a chance to be flat on your back with all sorts of massage patterns going on. Hmm.

Sunday at Big C was business as usual except for one funny thing. I went to a store that sells tech stuff and asked about some ethernet cable. The man smiled and said 'No have'. When I asked where I could find it, he told me "downstairs." When we went downstairs and asked at a phone counter, the woman smiled and said, "Upstairs." We had to laugh. Later we found out that there was a store that possibly had the cable but they were closed. Oh well.

Sunday evening Lisa made a delicious spaghetti dinner and we went upstairs and watched the Grand Prix from Monaco. It's the only true street race on the schedule and has lots of twists and turns through the narrow streets. The Petronas/Mercedes team calculated that the steering wheel is only in a straight ahead position for 10 seconds of the 75 second lap around the course. Zoom.

When we brought Daku 'home' from Boot's house in the evening he was limping. We don't know what happened, but it seems to be getting better. We didn't let him play today, which made him a little sad, but he should be OK soon.

Have a Great Week.

Peace,
Danny

"The only place where your dream becomes impossible
is in your own thinking."
~Robert H. Schuller

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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http://blog.risingstardom.com/
www.lisamosesgallery.com

Friday, May 27, 2011

Friday Funnies

Hi,

We stayed home today, looking out the window expecting rain. It rained last night while we were asleep, which is the way I like it. The sky managed to deliver a brief downpour in the early afternoon and then it cleared.

That 'Summer of Love' song you were wondering about was "Manic Depression" by Jimi Hendrix. Now you know. It's time once again for 'Old School Friday' and this should be easy. It's been done by everyone on the planet, and 'Cool Points' will we awarded to those who name the original artist: "Never know how much I love you, never know how much I care. When you put your arms around me, I get a __ that's so hard to bear, you give me __ ..." Clue: Relates to a physical malady dealing with one's temperature. Oh, I've said too much. It's from 1956.

This morning we had an appointment for the guy who installed the awning to come by and discuss a leak. It took several phone calls to get him to the house, but he finally came. On the last call I put Boot on the phone and she let him know he needed to get here. We thought we had a leak in part of the rain gutter, but when he climbed the ladder to inspect it he found a birds nest, among other things, that was clogging it up. I guess one of the big storms washed it down from the roof. He's supposed to return tomorrow to fix the awning.

It's very quiet here tonight. The festival across the river is over and the night is still. The dredging project has continued to widen the river and eliminate the 'beach'. We're very curious to know what the end result will be. The shore was one of those places where people would bring their dogs, fishermen would walk out and cast nets, and children would play during hot weather. Right now none of that looks possible. Hmm.

Part of the day was spent trying to get our internet to behave. It was something in our wireless system that was the cause of the frustration but after trying many things, and then going back to the original settings, it works. What a strange relationship we have with our machines. Another 'Hmm'.

Tomorrow we're going to lunch with our friend Sutheera. We're going to Central Plaza and that's always fun for me. There are big elections coming up next month and I think we're going to get a basic overview during lunch. It will be good to find out what's happening.

Sunday is the Formula One GP from Monte Carlo and that's always a star-studded event. Zoom.

Have a Wonderful Weekend. Now it's time for the 'Funnies'.

Peace,
Danny

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Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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http://blog.risingstardom.com/
www.lisamosesgallery.com

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Something

Hi,

Today was a real travel day. Under cloudy skies we drove north to Mae Sai to visit the immigration office. We did a little shopping on the way home, and had the usual afternoon. Tonight there is thunder and lightning giving signs that something is coming.

More of you knew this than I expected. The 'Summer of Love' song may have more meaning to some than others.
"Music, sweet music I wish I could caress, caress, caress. __ __ is a frustrating mess." Clue: The question here is whether the singer was being creative, or trying to tell us something about himself. Music therapy?

We have become accustomed to the routine 'check-in' with the folks at the Mae Sai immigration office. The last time we were there we took two of the forms we have to fill out so we could have them ready on this visit. When we arrived at the office, it was virtually empty. We turned in our forms, sat for a few minutes, watched them stamp them about five times and it was all over. We'll go back in mid-August for another 'check-in' and our annual renewal.

There is a giant Tesco-Lotus department store just south of the town so we stopped there for things we don't see in Chiang Rai. One of the things we were looking for was popping corn. A very nice clerk helped us find it and we were grateful. On the way home we encountered some light rain drops. Looking up, there were no clouds. Hmm. The highway was damp which means we just missed a little rain. The countryside is very green and the mountains were incredibly beautiful. There is one village we pass through that has Iris flowers growing everywhere. All along the roadside there are big flowers of red, yellow, and orange. They seem to grow wherever there is dirt. It's something to see.

After a nice lunch we settled down to watch a bit of tennis and then a long nap. The pool was a perfect 86 degrees and just right for swimming and hanging out. Across the river the DJ was playing a wonderful set of music and that just added to the atmosphere. We also had a little concert from the many birds that visit our yard. At one point we heard a familiar clicking sound. It was the same sound that humming birds make, but we know there are no humming birds in Thailand. It was a tiny little bird that looked like one of our old friends, minus the long beak. Ah, the memories.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

Peace,
Danny

"Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do,
something to love, and something to hope for."
~Joseph Addison

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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http://blog.risingstardom.com/
www.lisamosesgallery.com

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Heart

Hi,

Chiang Rai had the same weather today as yesterday. We traveled around a bit this morning, had a visit from a friend, and dealt with various household challenges.

The 'Easy Monday' song was "Born To Be Wild" by Steppenwolf. The 'Summer of Love' tune may be tough for some, but I think many of you are experienced enough to remember. "__ __ is touching my soul. I know what I want but I just don't know how to go about gettin' it. Feeling sweet feeling, drops from my fingers, fingers. __ __ is catchin' my soul." Clue: A telling tune from the debut album by an artist who changed the potential of the guitar.

This morning we had to go to the post office in Ban Du to pick up a package. I didn't know what it was, so curiosity was peaking as we walked into the building. While I waited for the clerk to get whatever it was, I noticed two rows of motorbikes with variations on the bubble-wrap theme. There were about 12 of them, ready to be mailed somewhere. I had seen a couple once before at the P.O. but never this many. The conclusion is that for cheap domestic shipping you can't beat the bus or the post office. The package I received was new insurance papers for our car.

We made a few more stops on our way home. Makro was a good one for fresh vegetables, and another pet store had some vitamins for the dogs. A stop at our neighborhood fruit stand provided us with some delicious watermelon. Our postal run started so early that we got home in time to swim before lunch. That's how hot it was.

Our friend Johan came over after lunch and we discussed the repairs on the pool. He's going to deliver his estimate to the insurance company and we'll work out the details later. We always have great conversations about lots of different things.

In the 'Household Challenge' department we had a complete water shut down right in the middle of lunch. This doesn't happen often, but it happens. In the past we have experienced water outages late at night, so this mid-day thing was a shocker. Maybe they figured everyone was across the river at the festival. (555) Our second challenge came in the form of slow-to-no internet. It's been happening for a few days and today I broke down and called the help center. The number rang in Bangkok and once I got an English speaking operator she switched me to Chiang Rai and I began the journey into understanding Thai/English. We were able to determine that it wasn't their connection, so I made some adjustments and now things seem to be better. To quote a sign we saw on a Tuk-Tuk ad,
"Thank you very must".

It's time for Wacky Wednesday.

Peace,
Danny

"The human heart feels things the eyes cannot see,
and knows what the mind cannot understand."
~Robert Valett

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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http://blog.risingstardom.com/
www.lisamosesgallery.com

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Truth

Hi,

We had a beautiful hot, muggy day here in Chiang Rai. We were out and about this morning, had a service call from our TV provider in the afternoon, snoozed through some skateboarding, and had a warm swim. It was a good day.

Finally, an 'Easy Monday' that seems to ring a bell. Here's a little more just in case you're still wondering:
"I like smoke and lightning, heavy metal thunder. Racing with the wind, and the feeling that I'm under... Like a true nature child, we were born __ __ __ __, we have climbed so high, never want to die. __ __ __ __, __ __ __ __."
Hint: This song was featured in the film 'Easy Rider'.

This morning we went into town for a few things. First stop was the pharmacy warehouse. It happened to be the day that suppliers seem to all converge on the place. They were lined up, ready to take orders from this hub of medicinal distribution. Even with all the business going on, they took time to fill customer orders. From there we went to our vet's pet supply store. There's always lots to see there, including some treats for the dogs.

On our way home we decided it would be a good time to check out the festival at the fairgrounds. It became immediately apparent that it was not a 'Fruit Festival'. There were all kinds of things for sale. We saw some beautiful orchids, exotic wooden furniture, and lots of clothes. There was some fruit, but most of it was stuff we don't eat. We later found out from Boot that it is a 'Food Festival'. Right now the music is going strong and the place is packed with people. For many, an evening out in the open air by the river, is the coolest place to be.

While on the subject of the river, it's obvious now that the digging that's been going on was a project to widen the Mae Kok as it rolls through Chiang Rai. Most of it is much wider than the area near us, so now there is a high bank and flow that should prevent the flooding that usually occurs by the park area. It also means that things will be different during next year's Songkran Festival. Hmm.

Since we have our new, larger TV upstairs, we put the original one in the living room for those occasional times when we want to watch downstairs. That meant we needed the folks from True to come out and wire the socket on the wall that feeds the signal from the dish. We also wanted to get a control box for Boot's apartment so she could watch more than just the off-the-air programs. They were scheduled to come at 1pm, but they arrived at 12n as we sat down for lunch. There were about six guys and they went to work on wiring Boot's house while we ate. The thing that constantly amazes us is the level of service that we receive from the various vendors we deal with. We made the appointment yesterday and they came today, early. Also, when we were having a problem with the TV, Sinthanee sent two technicians out to the house to sort out the problem, at no charge. After they left, their boss called to make sure everything was OK. It's another reason we're enjoying living here.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

Peace,
Danny

"If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything."
~Mark Twain

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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www.lisamosesgallery.com

Monday, May 23, 2011

Dawn

Hi,

It was a fairly dry weekend here in Chiang Rai. The weather was very hot and humid. We went to a party, enjoyed dinner with friends, and we're watching the French Open on our new TV. In the distance there is thunder, and music.

The 'Old School Friday' song was "Tears On My Pillow" by Little Anthony & The Imperials. 'Easy Monday' is also easy. "Get your motor running, head out on the highway. Looking for adventure in whatever comes our way." Clue: The group was named for a famous novel. The song is became an anthem/highway song in the 60s.

Saturday afternoon we went to Gary and Baan's for one of their patio parties. It was nice to see friends, enjoy good food, and meet new people. They have some new additions in their yard. There were four rabbits hopping around the yard. We asked how the cats were getting along with the rabbits and Gary's reply was, "The rabbits are still here." After the party we came home and watched the qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix.

Sunday morning we got a call from Sinthanee, where we had ordered our new TV. They were going to deliver it and wanted to make sure we were home. We hadn't expected it so soon. It was great timing since the French Open would start in the afternoon. Now we can see the ball. (Ha) One of the things we really like is the fact that we can now watch programs we've collected on disc drives through the TV.

In the evening we went to the Night Bazaar for dinner with Jimmy and Poui. We all arrived in front of the Night Bazaar at the same time, and on our way to the restaurant Poui met up with many old friends. We met Poui when she had a booth in the Bazaar so she knows many of the vendors. Dinner was filled with lots of conversation about their life in Australia. They told us about their plans here in Thailand as well. They're currently living in two countries. After dinner we strolled around and visited.

Right now there is big thunder and lightning outside. We had a short rain around dinner time, and it sounds like we may get some real rain tonight. This afternoon, while we were out, there were a few streets where driving was like an obstacle course. At one stretch there was a double-parked truck, a bike on the wrong side of the street, another truck forcing it's way into traffic, and of course, the slow Samlor for good measure. Old and new came together when we saw an old Samlor driver peddling a passenger while talking on a cellphone. Hmm, Amazing Thailand.

Have a Great Week.

Peace,
Danny

"However long the night, the dawn will break."
~African Proverb

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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www.lisamosesgallery.com

Friday, May 20, 2011

Friday Funnies

Hi,

The rain returned to Chiang Rai today. We had a sunny morning, and a storm during nap time. We did the Big C trip this morning and witnessed some interesting things around town.

Our 'Summer of Love' song eluded almost everyone. Denny and Ricardo knew it was "Tell It Like It Is" by Aaron Neville. Hmm, it's been a tough week, song wise. This 'Old School Friday' tune should be easy for you.
"You don't remember me, but I remember you. 'Twas not so long ago, you broke my heart in two. __ __ __ __, pain in my heart caused by you." Hint: It's by a singer and a group, and the singer's first name was 'Little' (Ha). Somebody was crying in bed.

We got an early start on the day and went to Big C before the rush. On the way, while sitting at a traffic light, I watched as a policeman on his motorbike forced a bike, with three guys on it, to the curb. None of them was wearing a helmet. I thought he would just site the driver and let them go. Instead, he motioned to one of them to get on his bike (not a police bike), with one of the guys. The policeman then got on the suspect's bike with the last passenger and had them follow him down the street to the police station. The cop figured the guy wouldn't try to run on a policeman's bike. Hmm, somebody's goin' to jail.

All week there has been a large digging machine dredging the river by the fairgrounds. They have piled up giant mounds of sand, hauled away truckloads, and made what looks like a big pond. We have no idea what this is about. On the fairgrounds, things are really going strong on the first night of the annual Fruit Festival. They kicked it off with a barrage of fireworks around 4:30 this afternoon. It will last until the 26th so we'll be stopping by to check it out.

We met with our friend Atom this afternoon for coffee at Doi Chaang. We always have fun visits with her. She told us about the family visit to Hong Kong, among other things. While we were talking, the man who directs traffic in the parking lot came in and very politely asked her if she could move her car. He was almost apologetic about it.

When we got back from our coffee visit it was time to hit the pool. The water had a slight chill on entry, but was actually very comfortable once we started swimming. The rain seems to be the leveler when it comes to the temp in the pool. It heats up on the hot, sunny days and then gets cooled by the rain. We've got to find a way to keep it like this all year.

This weekend is the Formula One Grand Prix of Spain. Next week it's Monte Carlo. Zoom. Speaking of sports, we watched part of the Yamaha All Thailand Marching Band Competition today. Very interesting. There were different configurations of what one might call a 'band', but they were all very good. Some were heavy on the drum section and played some very intricate cadences. Others were brass heavy, with stories being told by 'actors' in costume moving about the field. One band's presentation was called 'Columbus' and featured a young man in costume, complete with a telescope. We had no idea competitions like this existed.

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd. It's time for the 'Funnies'.

Peace,
Danny

Never let it be said that ground crews lack a sense
of humor. Here are some actual complaints submitted by
the UPS pilots (marked with a P) and the solutions
recorded (marked with an S) by maintenance engineers.

By the way, UPS is the only major airline that has
never, ever, had an accident.

P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.

P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.
S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.

P: Something loose in cockpit
S: Something tightened in cockpit

P: Auto pilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200
feet per minute descent
S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.

P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
S: Evidence removed.

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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www.lisamosesgallery.com

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Start

Hi,

It's hard to believe that we didn't have any rain today. Just a warm, cloudy day. We mostly hung out at the house, fixing this and that, and Lisa finished another cast acrylic print. I did get to witness the afternoon traffic, which is back in full force since school started.

It would appear that this song from the 'Summer of Love' has left your memory. What a shame that you forgot.
"Life is too short to have sorrow. You may be here today, and gone tomorrow. You might as well get what you want, so go on and live, baby, go on and live. __ __ __ __ __, I'm nothin' to play with, go and find yourself a toy. But I-I-I-I __ __ __ __ __ my time is too expensive, and I'm not your little boy..." Hint: This soulful ballad by a New Orleans native sparked later duets with Linda Ronstadt. Before this tune he sang with his brothers, using the family's last name. I'm just tellin' it like it was.

There are many flowering trees here in Chiang Rai. They seem to bloom in some kind of sequence. There are big, full trees that have purple blossoms, which are followed by the big yellow blossomed trees, and now we get to enjoy the ones with bright orange flowers. It's quite a show when riding around town. Our gardens have really enjoyed the rain, producing lots of color.

It looks like our social calendar will be busy this weekend. Saturday we've been invited to an afternoon party at the home of our friends Gary and Bahn. Then, on Sunday, we're having dinner with Poui and Jimmy, who have been living in Australia and are here until the end of the month.

Something that one notices while traveling around this town is the abundance of places to eat. There's everything from fancy restaurants to motorbikes with a side-car kitchen attached. One spot we pass in the evening is on the edge of a parking lot. Every afternoon you can see them setting up their canopy, tables, and chairs in preparation for their evening clientele. They seem to do a good business every night. It proves the saying: "If you build it, they will come."

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

Peace,
Danny

"Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go;
they merely determine where you start."
~Nido Qubein

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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http://blog.risingstardom.com/
www.lisamosesgallery.com

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Fly

Hi,

It's Wednesday evening in Chiang Rai. The morning was partly cloudy and hot in the sun. I know because I worked in it. Morning yard work, afternoon coffee at Central Plaza, and evening tea at Prataap Jai. It's been a full day.

How many of you knew that the 'Easy Monday' song was "Get Ready" by The Temptations, but didn't bother to write?
(Ha) Just as I figured. What we need is another visit to the 'Summer of Love' and one of the classics of the time:
"If you want something to play with, go and find yourself a toy. Baby, my time it so expensive, and I'm not a little boy. If you are serious don't play with my heart, it makes me furious. But if you want me to love you, then baby, I will. Girl, you know I will, __ __ __ __ __ don't be ashamed to let your conscience be your guide..." Clue: This was first recorded by an artist from a musical family with Southern roots. He just wants to hear the truth about her intentions. The tune has had many covers.

Our yard has many things growing in many flower beds. This requires many tubular devices called hoses. When we first moved in, the hoses we got seemed adequate, but over time they've grown stiff, and they tend to fold into kinks. Today I went to my favorite place to buy hose and bought 100 meters of the good stuff. We spent the rest of the morning measuring old sections in order to make new ones, then connecting them and coiling the rest. All the faucets in the yard have new hoses and the old ones will be given to Khun Kek, our landscape guy.

This week they've been showing the European Diving Championships on one of the sports channels. It comes on right after lunch and is a perfect thing to lull one to sleep. After a short nap we went down to Central Plaza to meet Khun Jaffee for coffee. He and Lisa discussed more details concerning the November art exhibit in Bangkok. At one point I wondered off to get my phone 'topped up', and ask a few questions at various stores. It was a good meeting that actually continued at Doi Chaang since Starbuck's didn't have free WiFi and we only needed a few minutes of time. There is no free WiFi in the new mall. What? That's an outrage. Calm down, it will happen soon enough.

We missed the opening of the photo exhibit at Prataap Jai on Saturday night, but we wanted to see it and bid on some art. The show was photos taken by the kids at The Sold Project and we definitely wanted to support that. There were some very creative images, and some that let you know what the kids were thinking. There were also some that had that light-heartedness that comes when you give a kid a camera. We bought a piece by a girl named 'Cat' that is a close up of a butterfly on a flowering bush. I think there are more images on the internet at The Sold Project Facebook page.

It's time for Wacky Wednesday.

Peace,
Danny

"He (She) who would learn to fly one day must first learn to walk and run and climb and dance;
one cannot fly into flying."
~Friedrich Nietzche

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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http://blog.risingstardom.com/
www.lisamosesgallery.com

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Past

Hi,

Today was a multi-weather day in Chiang Rai. The morning was cold and cloudy with light, persistent drizzle and the afternoon was sunny and hot. Life in the rainy season can be quite unpredictable. The forecast always calls for rain. We ran some errands today and encountered the first day of school. It's also the culmination of a special holiday.

Looks like another slow 'Easy Monday' response. I got a few from the usual players, but maybe this will help you remember: "...I'm bringin' you a love that's true, so __ __, so __ __. I'm gonna try to make you love me too, so __ __, so __ __ 'cause here I come." Hint: It came out in 1966, was written by a famous singer/writer from the same label as the group that recorded it. The song is putting someone on notice that love is on the way.

This morning when I took Daku out for his morning romp the air was cool and crisp. The level in the pool was up due to yesterday's storm. Compared to the air temperature, the water felt warm. That wasn't really the case. The temp had dropped about 5 degrees. In the distance, about a block away, there was the sound of a monk giving a talk, chanting, and then music.

We went into town with a short list of things to get and ended up at Doi Chaang for some coffee. We had a brief conversation with Khun Noot, who runs the place. She's a very busy woman, cooking, managing the place, and doing some commuting to Chiang Mai. She makes all the specialty food that's sold in the coffee shop, which is a full-time job in itself. From Doi Chaang we went two doors north to Work @ Home bakery for bread and a visit with Jonathan, the English Golden Retriever. We found out he'll be 9 years old in September. He's a very mellow guy and always comes out to greet us and get some petting.

Today is the end of a three day celebration of the birth, enlightenment, and death of The Buddha. This evening, I passed a temple and it was packed with devotees. Some shops have been closed, but mostly, it's been business as usual.

As I was pulling out of the driveway this evening there was a man pushing a motorbike with a side-car for carrying gas tanks for cooking. His son, who looked to be about 7 or 8, was steering the bike. They were laughing and talking. I guess our road was a quiet place for him to get a chance to 'work' the handlebars. It won't be long before he's driving the thing himself. Hmm. Amazing Thailand.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

Peace,
Danny

"Draw from your past, but never let your past draw on you."
~Master Bra'Tac (Stargate SG-1)

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Monday, May 16, 2011

Gardeners

Hi,

The weekend was rainy, cloudy, and sometimes sunny. We stayed pretty close to home. Today we had a big storm in the morning, and more in the afternoon. Ponds and rivers in the yard kept the dogs in at times, but they managed to get their exercise.

That 'Old School' song a few of you knew was "Shake, Rattle and Roll". It was originally done by Big Joe Turner, and covered by Bill Haley and The Comets. Haley and his crew got the airplay, due to the times, but Turner had a hit anyway. Now it's time for 'Easy Monday'. This one should have you singing all day. Be sure and let me know you know it. "I never met a girl who makes me feel the way that you do. (You're alright) Whenever I'm asked who makes my dreams real, I say that you do. (You're outta sight) So, fee-fi-fo-fum, look out baby, 'cause here I come..." Hint: The title is two words and it's by a tempting quintet from the motor city.

Saturday afternoon, when we got up from our nap, we heard the sound of children laughing in the back yard. Some of Boot's friends were over and there were two kids playing in the pool, an older girl working her laptop, and the women were laughing and talking. It was great to see.

Sunday morning we went to Big C for supplies. As we sat at the light by King Mengrai Square I noticed a bunch of guys all wearing McDonald's jackets. They were the motorbike delivery guys and they were making an offering to King Mengrai. It was an interesting example of the devotion paid to the founder of the province.

After our Big C adventure we went to the 'little market' for some vegetables. The chicken lady took the day off so we decided to get some roasted chicken from the guy we used to go to when we lived in the rental house. He still remembers us and was surprised when we ordered a whole chicken instead of half. We had found flour tortillas at the new Top's market at Central the day before so we had chicken tacos for lunch. There's a flashback to the old days in Culver City. For dinner we had chicken and mashed potatoes.

We watched more tennis from Rome, and I got to watch a copy of the F1 Grand Prix from Turkey. Today we watched the final tennis match. Next week the French Open begins. Get out the popcorn.

Today I went out in the afternoon to meet with some friends at Doi Chaang. The place was packed during the break from the storms. It's always interesting to sit with friends from other countries. There I was, sitting with an American and three Dutch guys. We'd be talking in English and all of a sudden the Dutch guys would start talking in their native tongue. What? It happens with Thais as well. I guess there are things that just take too much thought to try and translate quickly. Oh, the life of an expat. (Ha)

Have a Great Week.

Peace,
Danny

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy;
they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."
~Marcel Proust

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Friday, May 13, 2011

Friday Funnies

Please excuse the lateness of this post. Google Blogger ate my homework.

Hi,

We had another hot day here in Chiang Rai. We did the car wash/Doi Chaang circuit, light shopping, and swam. The celebration of the 1,000th post got thwarted on the Blog Site by a Google mishap. I hope to get it up soon.

Our 'Summer of Love' song was "Never My Love" by The Association. That wasn't so hard, was it? Now it's time for 'Old School Friday'. This one should be easy: "Get outta that bed, wash your face and hands. (repeat) Well, you get in that kitchen, make some noise with the pots 'n pans. I said __, __ __ __ (repeat 2 times) Well, you won't do right to save your doggone soul." Clue: The song came out in '54. Extra Points for the original artist. The cover was by a band leader with a curl on his forehead. What?

This morning the screen guy returned and fixed the gaps in the wooden doors that were letting the bugs in. Whew.

We went into town to get a few household things and decided to start with a car wash. It's been a long time, through all the rain, and it looked pretty bad. We had coffee at Doi Chaang and then walked down to Boot's Pharmacy, and the mini post office at Top's. When we got back to the car wash it wasn't ready so we went back to Doi Chaang and hung out. Our old friend Supat came in and we had a nice little greeting. Supat was our driver when we lived in the rental house, helped us find the property for our house, and was site manager during construction. A few minutes later Khun Kwan, daughter of the owners, came in and we shared what's been happening in our lives. After another stop for water and juice we went home to a nice lunch, a nap, and later a swim. It was a great day.

Today was Royal Ploughing Day here in Thailand. This is the day that farmers from various regions bring seeds, and plants to be blessed, games and contests are held, and at the end, two Sacred White Oxen are given a choice of things to eat. Based on that, predictions for the seasons crops are given. Today the oxen ate grass and drank whiskey. That means that there will be a bountiful harvest. Amazing Thailand.

I did some reflecting on this whole 'Blog' thing and realized that I started writing this daily message before there was such a thing as a blog. In 2001, when we first came to Thailand, we kept a diary. When we got home I started sending out emails to friends, telling them about each day's adventures. More friends wanted to read about our trip and it grew into quite a list. It is gratifying to know that many of the people from 2001 still read my daily accounts. The Google Blog Site began during our preparation for leaving the U.S. in 2007. It's been a long and wonderful ride and I'll continue to take you on the adventure as long as there's an internet. It's just too bad that the special day didn't get posted. Shame on you, Google. (555)

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd. It's time for the 'Funnies'.

Peace,
Danny

That’s Disgusting
A man observed a sign in the window of a restaurant that read “Unique
Breakfast” so he walked in and sat down. The waitress brought him his
coffee and asked him what he wanted.

“What’s your ‘Unique Breakfast?’” he asked.

“Baked tongue of chicken,” she replied.

“Baked tongue of chicken?… Do you have any idea how disgusting that
is? I would never even consider eating anything that came out of a
chicken’s mouth!” he fumed.

Undaunted, the waitress asked, “What would you like then?”

“Just bring me scrambled eggs,” the man replied

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Thursday, May 12, 2011

Friends

Hi,

We had another hot, beautiful day here in Chiang Rai. Last week everyone was talking about the rain. This week it's the heat. Eventually, we'll hit a happy medium. Our trip to the market was very productive this morning. Today marks a milestone for this daily email/blog. Read all about it below.

Well, this 'Summer of Love' song really struck a chord. If you can't remember it, maybe the bridge will help:
"What makes you think love will end when you know that my whole life depends on you (on you), __ __ __, __ __ __."
Clue: I'd never steer you wrong on this one. There, now you have another word from the title.

Today was the day that the screen guy was to come and adjust our windows. He arrived right on time with two helpers. This is the man who made all our windows when the house was built. He actually built all the frames in what is now the living room. One by one, he tackled each window. I didn't realize that there were screws in the edge of the frame of the screens that adjusted the tension on the tracks. We'd been having a problem with them jumping off the tracks and not staying closed. This is not so good during 'bug season'. He's coming back tomorrow to close the gaps on three of our big wooden doors.

After the screen people left, we went out to do some shopping. The market place was buzzing since it's the week before school starts. Up and down the aisles there were families fitting their children for everything from uniforms to shoes, and backpacks. Fortunately, we didn't have to do much of our searching in those aisles. We went to the fabric store and then to the vegetable/fruit vendors on the street. The street vendors are from Hill Tribe farms and they bring their goods in every morning.

On our way home we stopped at a fairly new garden shop. They sell potted flowering plants and we were looking for a gift for a friend. We found a nice plant for a reasonable price, and delivered it to our friend on the way home.

There are some days when the driving gets a 'name'. Today was 'do what you want day' on the streets of Chiang Rai. On days like today I have to stay very alert for the occasional wrong-way driver, the bike dare-devil, and the truck bully. We usually laugh about it as we work our way through the streets. It's just the way it is.

After lunch we snoozed through a tennis match, and then went for a refreshing swim. The water is up to 88 degrees and it's perfect. The forecast is for rain this weekend. We're hoping it doesn't rain on Saturday night since we're going to an event.

Today is a very special day for this message on the Blog Site. It is the 1,000th entry. Some of you have been receiving my daily email for longer than that and I'd like to take a moment to thank you for being a part of my life for all these years.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

Peace,
Danny

"If you make friends with yourself you will never be alone."
~Maxwell Maltz

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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www.lisamosesgallery.com

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Dismiss

Hi,

Today was a day without rain. With almost clear skies, it turned into a very hot day. We spent the day at home staying cool. Both dogs got baths today and that's always an adventure.

The 'Easy Monday' song was "What A Fool Believes" by The Doobie Brothers. See, if you pay attention to the clues, you could get these. (555) It's time to travel back to the 'Summer of Love' and a tune most of you have heard.
"You ask me if there'll come a time, when I grow tired of you. __ __ __. __ __ __," Hint: This love song is by a group associated with lush six-part harmonies.

Yesterday we went to Big C and did most of our weekly grocery/supply shopping. That meant that today we could just hang around the house. In the morning we set up appointments for various things that need attention in the house. The 'light guy' came this morning, the screen guy comes tomorrow morning. Before lunch we washed Daku. It's a two person job since he is prone to try and walk away. In fact, when he came around to the side of the house, expecting to play, he made a U-turn when he saw the hose, and Lisa holding his leash. She had to chase him down. Once on the leash, he cooperated but looked miserable. When I finally released him from the leash I told him to go to his towel. He immediately ran over to the towels that were on the deck and did his famous 'lawn dive' onto the towels. We then played frisbee while Lisa bathed BamBam.

This afternoon we had a meeting with Johan, who maintains our pool and advises us on matters of water, and a rep from the insurance company. Pictures were taken of cracks on the side of the pool, documents were photographed, and the claim was filed.

We couldn't wait for our pool meeting to be over so we could jump into said pool. It was so hot compared to the cloud -covered days, that it was a bit overwhelming. The water was perfect and we took full advantage of it.

This evening we're watching tennis from Rome, Italy. The early rounds have been pretty entertaining. There are other sports on Thai TV that might surprise you. In the listings this week are things like speedway bikes, logging competitions, badminton, 9/10 ball pool, gymnastics, and of course baseball and basketball from the US. If so inclined, I could also check out cricket, football, and net ball. It's endless but we don't watch that much.

Time for Wacky Wednesday.

Peace,
Danny

"Re-examine all you have been told . . .
Dismiss what insults your Soul."
~Walt Whitman

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Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Breath

Hi,

We're getting used to the fact that it's now the rainy season and that summer was short this year. As things settle back to a semblance of 'normal' it has given me a chance to reflect on our weekend in Bangkok. Read on.

You might not think this is 'Easy' but I got responses. We've played with this one before. I believe you know it.
"As he rises to her apology anybody else would surely know, he's watching her go, but __ __ __ __, he sees. No wise man has the power to reason away, what seems to be is always better than nothing, and nothing at all keeps sending him..." Hint: There was another word from the title in my 'intro' comment. Here's a giveaway hint: You'd be a fool not to believe me. (Ha)

While walking down Sukhumvit Rd. (pronounced Soo-come-wit) we noticed several Spirit Houses next to businesses. This is not so unusual, but the offerings were what jumped out at us. Instead of fruit, or flowers, there were cups with soft drinks, soda cans, and candy bars. I guess the spirits in Bangkok have a sweet tooth.

Transportation is quite different in Bangkok. There are Tuk-Tuks of course, but they're bigger than the ones in Chiang Rai. They are also in many different colors as opposed to all being blue. Samlors, the peddle-driven three-wheelers are not seen in the city. They're just too slow. There is an abundance of what are called motorcycle taxis. Basically, it's a motorbike driven by a guy with an orange vest. For a small fee you climb on the back, put on his spare helmet, and hope you get where you want to go. Bangkok also has a City bus line that seems to move a lot of people around. It's hard to imagine sitting in traffic in a big, old bus with no air/con, but they do it. The biggest form of transportation on the street seems to be the metered taxis. They come in green/yellow, orange, and my favorite: pink. It's always important to make sure that the driver uses the meter to figure the fair. Sometimes they'll offer a flat rate from point A to point B, but that usually turns out to be higher. Last but not least, there is the Skytrain, which is a rail system high above the street, and the Metro, which is an underground rail system. It's a wonderful thing to be able to move across town quickly. At times it's a crush of humanity, especially during rush hours. Some of the stations have escalators, others have three flights of stairs which can leave you breathless and ready for a seat if you're lucky.

Walking down Sukhumvit can be an adventure sometimes. There were a few blocks that we walked where guys would approach us asking if we wanted to buy a suit. They'd hold out a card for a shop and sometimes follow us down the street. Late at night there were the 'working girls' posing at various places. It definitely made me feel like I was from another place.

The 'presenter' at Sompong's art opening is an architect who was born in Chiang Rai and makes his living working in Bangkok, designing arenas and large centers. We talked to him and he told us that when he was born there were only two cars, and five trucks in Chiang Rai. In the winter, when the sun came out, people would lie down on the road for warmth. He lamented the traffic that is in the town now, but compared to Bangkok, it's a breeze. He spends half his time in Bangkok and the other half in Chiang Rai. He told us we were lucky that we got to live there all the time. We agreed.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

Peace,
Danny

"Keep what is worth keeping -
and with the breath of kindness blow the rest away."
~Dinah Muloch Craik

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Monday, May 9, 2011

Essence

Hi,

Well, we're back from our weekend in Bangkok. What a ride. The art exhibit opening was great, we saw lots of the city, and stayed in a very special place.

Only one person knew the 'Old School' song. Young Seth knew it was "Little Darlin'" by The Diamonds. The first recording of the song was by The Gladiolas, featuring the writer of the song, Maurice Williams. Now you know. Hey, it's time for 'Easy Monday' and I'm sure you remember this one. One of the words in the title is in the first line:
"He came from somewhere back in her long ago, the sentimental fool don't see. Tryin' hard to recreate what had yet to be created, once in her life. She musters a smile for his nostalgic tale, never coming near what he wanted to say, only to realize it never really was." Clue: This song is by a bunch of brothers who weren't brothers at all. It's about denial, among other things. They also took us minute by minute on a long train runnin'. Hmm.

Friday night we took the last flight to Bangkok and arrived around 10:30pm. Riding the freeway in Bangkok late at night was no indication of what was really going on in the street. When we got off the freeway it was solid traffic and 90 percent of the cars were taxis. It was bumper-to-bumper as we made our way to the Sheraton Hotel. Our friend Jaffee got us his special rate and it was well worth it. It's one of those hotels that treats you like you are very special, and that's a nice feeling. There was an orchid on the pillow, a comfortable bed, an elegant bathroom, a fruit plate, and a 'mini bar' that was full of stuff we don't drink, plus three drawers of treats. Our view from the 17th floor was an amazing panorama of the city.

Saturday morning we met with our friends Louise and Jasper for breakfast. After that we called our new friend Pete to see if he knew about the gallery we wanted to see. He and his girlfriend Jeab came to the hotel and picked us up and we went to the Nielson-Hays Gallery and then to Siam Paragon for lunch. We had a fun time with them and made plans to go to the opening of Khun Sompong's exhibit at the National Gallery in the evening. With the help of his navigation device we found the place. We were treated to music by a string quartet led by Sompong's son Tanoi. We had seen some of the paintings before, but some of his new work was a very dramatic commentary on the unrest that took place in Bangkok months ago. He introduced us to his 'best friend' and one of his teachers.

Getting around Bangkok can be a tricky thing if you don't know the city. Sunday morning we wanted to go to Chinatown to visit the art supply store that carries materials that Lisa uses. They also told us they could show us an airbrush kit that we were interested in purchasing. The taxi ride wasn't too bad, even though the traffic got thicker as we approached our destination. We found the shop and they took us to another shop that had the airbrush. It took a phone call to Pete to find out that they were afraid to ship the compressor, so we'll have to look elsewhere.

Another cab was hired and we slowly moved in the direction of the National Stadium, which is near the Jim Thompson Museum. Jaffee told us we should eat lunch there since it is in a tranquil surrounding. We finally found it and had a nice lunch. Then a Skytrain ride back into the center of town. We were getting tired, but we wanted to go to the MBK Center, and Siam Paragon. MBK is five floors of little shops. Lots of walking, looking, and a mild case of sensory overload. We moved from there to the Bangkok Center for Arts and Culture. It houses shops and displays of various crafts. Right next to it was one of three giant department stores that are connected by walkways. Eventually we got to Paragon, but we were too tired to really appreciate it. Back on the Skytrain to our hotel. Whew.

It was a busy weekend, but we accomplished what we went to do. We wanted to swim in the hotel pool, which was like a tropical lagoon, but the one time we could do it, it started to rain. Hmm.

Sunday night we arrived back in Chiang Rai, got a big greeting from Daku, and mellowed out. Today we got in a swim in our own tropical lagoon.

Have a Great Week.

Peace,
Danny

"If you're able to be yourself, then you have no competition.
All you have to do is get closer and closer to that essence."
~Barbara Cook

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www.lisamosesgallery.com

Friday, May 6, 2011

Friday Funnies

Hi,

I am happy to report that today in Chiang Rai the weather was wonderful. Blue sky, puffy clouds, and hot. Actually, the hot part could have been toned down a bit.

Many of you figured out that the 'Summer of Love' song was "I'm A Believer" by The Monkees. For 'Old School Friday' we go back to 1957, and a song with an interesting history. If you can tell me who first recorded this, and who wrote it, there will be 'Bonus Cool Points' awarded. (555) "(Eye, yi-eye-eye-eye-yi-eye...) __ __, oh, __ __, oh oh where-a are you-a? My love, I was wrong, to try to love two..." Clue: Title is a term of endearment. The hit was by a group named after something that's supposed to be a girl's best friend.

As we prepare for our trip to BKK, thoughts about what to do with all our 'free' time enter the mind. We have all day Saturday and Sunday to 'see and do'. Saturday we plan to go to the gallery where Lisa will be exhibiting in November, and that evening we'll go the the National Gallery. After reading a little booklet that came with a map, we've discovered many interesting things in BKK. We will probably not go to most of them, but just knowing they're there is worth telling you. When you consider that it's a world class city, there's bound to be lots to do. There's ice-skating, bowling, amusement parks, shopping of every description, and historical places of interest that date back hundreds of years.

The dogs are sensing something is going on, since the suitcase is in the middle of the room. This morning I set my dress shoes on the floor, with every intention of putting them in a bag, and into the suitcase. We went out for awhile and when I returned, the shoes were in two different locations. One of them has teeth marks. Hmm, Daku had the run of the house.

While in the midst of trying to pack, random thoughts careen through my mind. How much should I take? Will it be too hot? Will the internet be fast in the hotel? Why am I thinking about all of this? Just finish the message, pack your bag, hug the dogs, and go. It's so simple sometimes.

Have a Wonderfilled WeekEnd. Now it's time for the 'Funnies'. This week, a few about animals.

Peace,
Danny

"I bought a dog the other day... I named him Stay. It's fun to call
him... "Come here, Stay! Come here, Stay!" He went insane. Now he just
ignores me and keeps typing. He's an East German Shepherd."
~Steven Wright

"Any small item is a potential toy. If a human tries to confiscate it,
this means that it is a Good Toy. Run with it under the bed. Look
suitably outraged when the human grabs you and takes it away anyway.
Watch where it is put so you can steal it later. Two reliable sources
of toys are dresser tops and wastebaskets."
~The Cat

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Thursday, May 5, 2011

Safe

Hi,

Today it seemed like everything came to Chiang Rai. There was an afternoon storm, and bugs at night. The time in between was beautiful. One more day and we're off to Bangkok (BKK).

Nice to know that so many of you remembered this song. If you think real hard, I believe you'll get it.
"Love was out to get me, now that's the way it seemed. Disappointment haunted all my dreams. Oh, then I saw her face, now __ __ __ ..." Hint: It's easy to remember the group if you can recall "Hey Hey we're __ __. They also sang about a train.

This morning everything was dry outside. That meant that when the time came for the dogs to go out, they got a good run. It's a good thing because they missed their afternoon romp due to a slamming storm. The day went from partly cloudy skies to high wind and rain. Down by the river, the area that had been the camp ground during Songkran was completely covered with water. The level of the river is up and it looks like the rainy season.

A while back I mentioned the bicycles that have no brakes and have 'direct' drive. I commented on this to our friend Jasper and he told me that they have been outlawed in Denmark. It's no wonder. A bike like that is meant for the circus. (Ha)

Today I saw a guy on a bike, in the rain, and he had a plastic bag on his head. Also spotted was a woman with a small size yard umbrella attached to her bike right behind the seat. Rain or shine, she's protected from the elements. Amazing Thailand.

Next Thursday will mark the 1000th post on the blog site. Some of you have been receiving this daily message for longer than that. Whew.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

Peace,
Danny

"A ship in harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are built for."
~William Shedd

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Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Vision

Hi,

Today was filled with changing weather. The sky would get dark like a storm was coming, and then the sun would shine. Light sprinkles were the order of the day. We had a nice visit at the art supply store, and learned more about printing possibilities. We also hung more of Lisa's art in the house.

That 'Easy Monday' song you dismissed as too hard, was "Rikki, Don't Lose That Number" by Steely Dan. See? Easy.
Maybe a trip to the 'Summer of Love' will make it better. "I thought love was only true in fairytales. Meant for someone else but not for me... And then I saw her face, now __ __ __. Not a trace of doubt in my mind. I'm in love (oooo) __ __ __ " Clue: This song is like a testimonial. The group was seen as a joke by many, but managed to make some pretty fun music along the way. I used to watch them on TV. There, I admitted it. (555)

Our morning was pretty routine for a Wednesday. The pool guys came early, and got the usual instruction about not adding water. There were a bunch of gross 'monsters' on the bottom and they laughed about them. I don't know where these bug-like creatures come from since we never see them in the yard. They must fly in for a swim and then have no way to get out. Way too much bug talk these days.

The major errand of the day was a trip to Tappawan Art Supply. We recently had lunch with Supaluk and her son at the Rimkok. She has started her English lessons and responded to Lisa's greeting in English. It was really sweet and there were big smiles all around. She called her son, Pete, in Bangkok and Lisa talked to him. He offered to show us some things in Bangkok this weekend. That will be cool. When Supaluk realized we were going to BKK for Sompong's opening she showed us the catalog for the exhibition. It's a beautiful book with photos of the works and the story of his life. We'll be getting a copy at the gallery. Now I'm getting excited.

An excursion to TechnoCom gave us some understanding of printers and the options for best quality color. Our printers are a vital part of Lisa's process and we're still learning the best way to use this tool. Fortunately, the man who runs the company was in the main office today, and he is fluent in English. He's been very helpful in the past and it's nice to not have to struggle with language while struggling with technology.

This afternoon we hung two of Lisa's recent works in my music room. We now have 'theme' areas in the house. The landing of the stairway holds the dance series, while my room has part of the music series. Hmm, we may have to do like Songdej and build a permanent gallery.

The blog site is approaching 1000 posts. It will happen next week. Just thought I'd let you know so you can look in this direction to see the fireworks display. (Ha) Seriously, we should have a party.

Time for Wacky Wednesday.

Peace,
Danny

"Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart ...
Who looks outside, dreams.
Who looks inside, awakens."
~Carl Jung

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www.lisamosesgallery.com

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

The Road

Hi,

What would this season be without a little rain? It would be summertime. We had more wet stuff today, but we managed to go to the bank, do some mailing, and catch a sale at Edison department store. It rained for lunch. Oh yeah, those pesky bugs are back.

Hats off to all those who got this one right away. It really is easy if you just hum along. (Ha) Here's more:
"You tell yourself you're not my kind, but you don't even know your mind. And you could have a change of heart.
__, __ __ __ __ you don't wanna call nobody else. Send it off in a letter to yourself. __, __ __ __ __, it's the only one you own. You might use it if you feel better when you get home." Clue: This girl's name could also be a boy's name. The guys who sang this also knew a girl named Peg, and another named Josie.

When I took Daku out this morning after breakfast, he wanted to run around and play but it was sprinkling and he really doesn't like water that he can't control. He made his 'rounds' quickly and headed for the kitchen door. Later, when it was play time, the rain had stopped but he wanted to investigate everything. We did manage to get in some play and then Lisa came out with the new ball and both dogs got some exercise.

Since Monday was Labor Day holiday here, it meant that the bank would probably be crowded this morning so we went early. It was busy, but not too bad. Our friend Bobby was taking care of customers at a rapid pace, but did have time to share with us about his lack of sleep. After the bank we went to Edison to mail a letter. They weren't open so we went into Tops, which is connected to the department store. There is a display for a product called 'Essence of Chicken'. It comes in little jars and it's apparently like concentrated chicken soup. Oh. Next to it was something called 'Bird's Nest Drink'. I don't know what that's about, but I'm going to ask someone.

If you have a dog, you know that they love routines. Our dogs seem to know what time it is, and what's supposed to happen at certain times in the day. This afternoon, when it was time to go out and play, it was raining. BamBam and Daku raced out the door and waited for me to follow. I told them that it was raining and we couldn't play. BamBam seemed to understand and came back to the door. Daku just stood there, thinking about it, and then did the same. I love it when they cooperate.

We checked the weather forecast for Bangkok this weekend and it calls for 93 degrees and thunder showers. I guess we'll be packing umbrellas and light cotton clothes. Time to start figuring out what to wear to the National Gallery for the opening.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

Peace,
Danny

"As I watched the seagulls, I thought:
That's the road to take.
Find the absolute rhythm and follow it with absolute trust."
~Nikos Kazantzakis

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

Monday, May 2, 2011

Dream

Hi,

One could never tell by the weather that it's summertime in Chiang Rai. We had rain off and on over the weekend. Between the raindrops we lunched at Central Plaza, fought off an invasion of flying things, and ran a few errands.

The 'Old School' tune was "Summertime Blues" by Eddie Cochran. 'Easy Monday should be just that. Try it:
"We hear you're leaving, that's OK. I thought our little wild time had just begun. I guess you kind of scared yourself, you turn and run, but if you have a change of heart, __, __ __ __ __ you don't wanna call nobody else. Send it off in a letter to yourself..." Hint: There's a girl's name in the title and the singer wants to stay in touch. It's by a group that was led by two guys.

Saturday we went to Central Plaza with our friend Sutheera. She wanted us to check out a restaurant called 'Sixth Sense Bistro'. The place had a very nice ambience and the service was great. Some of the food was good and some was questionable. We'll probably go back and try again though. One thing I really enjoyed was the fact that it was 'sealed off' from the main part of the mall. That meant we could enjoy the music and the vibe without hearing all the other music going on. That has been an irritation in other places.

Sunday morning we went to the market for a few supplies but someone had a fire of some kind and the place was filled with smoke. We left and went to Big C. The selection for vegetables isn't as good, but we got enough for dinner. Sunday night it rained lightly. When nightfall came, Lisa went into her studio to work on her art. I heard the call to come deal with a flying thing. A few minutes after entering the room there were things flying all over the place. We have these electric rackets that we use to get rid of such things, but as fast as we'd get rid of one another would appear. It was an invasion that took the better part of an hour to deal with. They were downstairs as well and it seemed hopeless. I plugged in the device that repels mosquitos and it seemed to help. Lisa discovered that they were coming in under a kitchen door. A well placed towel cut that off and things settled down. We found out later that everyone in town had the same problem. It's that time of year. Tonight, no bugs.

Today we went back to Central to have lunch with our friend Khun Jaffe. We ate at Fuji Japanese Restaurant and the food was pretty good. Lisa and Jaffe discussed her November show in Bangkok, and other projects that Jaffe is working on. After lunch we came home and relaxed. Then the rain came again.

It still amazes me how people can negotiate their motorbikes while holding an umbrella in one hand. I guess having an automatic transmission helps. Some of the rain gear that people wear is also rather creative, like plastic bags and pieces of tarp. You gotta do what you gotta do.

Have a Great Week.

Peace,
Danny

"To those who can dream there is no such place as far away."
~Anonymous

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