Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Secret

Hi,

Today will forever be known as the 'day of waiting'.  It was also a day for another storm, and some ground movement.  Along the way we got to visit with friends, and swim under black clouds.

It's no secret, the 'Easy Monday' song was "It's Too Late" by Carole King.  For 'Zany Day' see if you know this one:  "I'm just mad about saffron.  A-saffron's mad about me.  I'm-a just mad about saffron.  She's just mad about me.  They call me __ __ (Quite rightly)."  Clue:  There's a colorful theme to this title.  If you're old enough, you'll remember a craze it started.  The singer was a kind of superman, in his head.

The mission for today was to renew our retirement visas.  That meant a trip to the bank to verify that we were reliably solvent, and then to immigration to file the paperwork.  When we left the house it seemed like a pretty routine day.  (555)  The bank portion was routine, but longer than long.  We tried to go yesterday, but there was no parking.  Two places one does not go on the day after a long holiday weekend:  The bank and the post-office.  When we arrived at immigration there were lots of people in the waiting area.  Not a good sign.  Our 'friend' at the counter was not busy so we approached him.  Of course, we were told to wait a few minutes.  That phrase, along with 'It's not far' are sure signs that just the opposite will happen.  He assured us it would be better to do it before lunch, but we needed copies of our bank books (book bank was the term used).  I was sent to a building next door, with a smile.  It wasn't far.  Just down to the road, down the road and down another driveway, in the sun.  (5)
Midway through our wait our friend Cornelus arrived with another friend who helps him get around.  That broke up the boredom of sitting around.  It was good to see him and our friend Patricia.  We shared tales of immigration and other expat lore.  When all the stamping and stapling was done we were told to return in three months to actually renew the visas.  At this point we're just happy to be allowed to remain without any problems.

Last night Chiang Rai had another earthquake of 4.3 magnitude.  We were driving home from the mall and didn't feel a thing.  Cat learned about it from her friends on Facebook.  We heard about it at Immigration.  We love earthquakes we don't feel (555).

During our swim this afternoon, the sky suddenly grew darker.  Today's photo is lovingly called 'Do you think it will rain?'.  The rain came down heavy a bit later, and then left.  More of this kind of thing is expected.


Yesterday I mentioned a 'Wacky Wednesday' when actually you were supposed to have a 'Happy Tuesday'.  I guess I was a little distracted.  Hmm.

Today is Wednesday and it's Wacky.

                  Peace,
                            Danny

"The secret of freedom lies in educating people, 
whereas the secret of tyranny is in keeping them ignorant." 
~Maximilien Robespierre

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