Monday, April 14, 2014

Pursuit

Hi,

The weather is hot but folks are cooling down with lots of water.  Some of it from the sky, but most of it from each other.  Songkran has begun with a splash.

The 'Old School Friday' song was "What's Your Name?" by Don & Juan.  Barry let me know that it was released in 1962, which still makes it pretty old (555).  'Easy Monday' is next, with a song that had four versions.  There was the single version, the long radio version, the album version, and the live version.  Hmm, take your pick, it was all cool.
"You know that it would be untrue, you know that I would be a liar, if I was to say to you, girl, we couldn't get much higher.  Come one baby, __ __ __, come on baby, __ __ __, try to set the night on fire."  Hint:  This song was the first major hit from a group that had a movie made about them, with their name as the title.  It's something one walks through, if you can stand the heat.

Saturday morning we began our wall painting project.  Workers put some dark brown paint on our wall and left an ugly, partial strip that just didn't match the rest so we started with some primer.  Not long after we finished, Gary and Jago were scheduled to come over for a play-date.  We hadn't seen them in a long time, and when Lisa mentioned Jago's name, Daku got all excited.  The dogs had a good time running around the yard, and it seemed like BamBam is starting to accept Jago.  She was very tolerant of his pokes as he tried to get her to play.  Daku and BamBam were pretty mellow for the rest of the morning.  Nothing like a good run with an energetic friend.

Sunday morning we were sure we'd stay inside since we knew the water tossing would be crazy on the streets.  Cat was supposed to go with her friend Pawn and 'play Songkran' at the waterfall, but things fell through.  We could tell she was missing doing something so we decided to go out for a treat and check out the water play in town.  It was pretty much what we thought it would be, water stations by the side of the road with kids tossing buckets of water, pick-up trucks filled with revelers throwing water on motorbike riders and anyone else they saw.  We went to Doi Chaang Coffee and watched the 'fun' on Clock Tower Street.  There is no age limit for who can throw water.  Young and old, everybody was getting into the act.  Today's photo shows a tiny little boy with a bucket of water, ready to throw it.  I slowed down so he could let it fly, and he made a direct hit.  


This morning, on our way to Big C, the streets seemed rather quiet.  We did see several truck loads of people on their way to throw water.  One truck had 15 adults and children in the back, along with buckets of water and squirt guns. 
At Big C, it seemed like 'family shopping day', with what were probably visiting family members being shown around town.  It is very common for people to return to the family village for Songkran.  It's a wonderful tradition that keeps the bonds and reaffirms the respect of the elders.  

On our way home we could see wet spots in the streets where 'battles' had been waged.  Tonight there is music coming from across the river as the party continues.  There is no carnival this year, but it doesn't seem to have dampened any spirits.  For a second night, there is no rain and that is good for the Songkran village.  It will all continue until Thursday or Friday.

Have a Great Week.

                  Peace,
                            Danny

"Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy."
~Guillaume Apollinaire

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