Doors

Hi,
By now, I suspect those of you in America are getting over Super Tuesday. We watched CNN this morning just to keep up. Having missed all the heavy campaigning, it all looked very surreal. I do, however, love those big touch boards they're using. It looks like magic, or a giant iPhone.
If your mail looked funny to you yesterday, it's 'cause it was. I've been dealing with a problem in my mail program, and had to resort to web-mail. I don't like it, not as user friendly, for me. You know, you get used to doing something a certain way, and you get it down smooth and then Blam! But the mail goes on. If you don't get anything by late morning, go to: www.gratidude.blogspot.com and read the latest episode.
"We Are The Champions" was what the Giants were singing. Queen was the artist who made it famous. Now, maybe you need something a little less obscure (like that one was so hard). How about this: "Well, your friends with their fancy persuasion, don't admit that it's part of a scheme. But I can't help but have my suspicions, 'Cause I ain't quite as dumb as I seem...." Clues: Title is a question, group is a playing card. It's an easy one.
This morning I heard Boot at the gate, and looked out the window. I saw what looked like a little white dog standing by her, and then hop on her bike. My first thought was that it was a stray, but most of the wandering dogs in our hood are shades of brown. This was a clean, white dog. I watched in amazement as this dog rode on the floorboard of Boot's bike, all the way into the yard. He came with her, on the bike. His name is 'Icy' (with an accent on the 'see') and he belongs to her friend Nui. He's eleven, and very smart. I might also add that he's bilingual. There are a couple of pics at Flickr. Check him out.
Today is Chinese New Years Eve. We learned that, among other things, all doors and windows should be opened at the stroke of midnight to let out the old year and let in the new. There are many traditions and rituals that I won't go into, but know this, it lasts 15 days and yes, there will be fireworks.
Living here in the Land of Smiles can bring unforeseen challenges. While there is a connection to the internet, it is not what one could call world level. Trying to get a good connection for a Skype video call is very hit and miss. Even voice calls can be tricky. It's not broadband, it's called ADSL and it runs through the telephone line. That should give you a clue. Everyone complains about it at one time or another, but the real problem is one of infrastructure. Then there's the issue of shopping for food and other products. Reading labels is, for the most part, a lost cause. There are some goods that have ingredients in two languages, but it's mostly Thai. Which leads us to another interesting reality: English as a headline. Sitting in a coffee shop, checking out a decorating magazine and I notice article headings in English. Diving in, I hit the bottom of the pool, everything else is in Thai. You see this all over. Tease us with English and then shift to Thai. Oh well, nobody said I had to understand all the signs. The last unforeseen challenge is missing the friends and having varied conversations in one's native tongue. (there's an odd term) On a daily basis, we speak a combination of things. English, to each other, broken Thai and English with Boot and Supat, and pieces of Thai out in the street. And somehow, we survive. Keep those cards and letters comin' folks, preferably in English.
Have a Wacky Wednesday.

Peace,
Danny

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens;
but often we look so long at the closed door
that we do not see the one which has been opened for us."
~Helen Keller

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics