Believe

Hi,

Our little car got it's first service adventure, the heat and humidity continued and the forecast calls for rain.

I knew you had it in you. The mail has been pouring in on this one. This popular song is from '78, it's a ballad.
"You're once, twice, __ __ __ __, and I love you..." Hint: See, I told you there was counting. Oh, the big giveaway: it's a song about a lady.

This morning we got a call from Toyota informing us that it had been one month since we got the car and it was time for its first service/check-up. They set an appointment for 2pm. While I was on my way there they called me again to remind me. When I pulled into the parking stall a young woman came up to the car and knew who I was. I was duly impressed. While I was sitting with the service counselor (that's what they're called) I asked them if they could remove some numbers that were on the windshield. There are six vertical rows of numbers that become very distracting while driving. I knew they weren't supposed to be there. Even after they brought over a young man who spoke a little English it was still not clear. We went back to the service area and I showed them what I was talking about. They finally got it. I had to wait for about an hour and a half but when I got the car the numbers were gone and it had been washed.

While I was waiting for the car I hung out in the 'resting area' which I've described before. I listened to music on my phone and watched the Thai version of the Emmy's and then a soap opera. There were refreshments and magazines and the whole thing was very comfortable. Tye and her husband Pong came to the house to visit Lisa while I was at Toyota. When Lisa told them where I was they didn't understand. It seems that the word is pronounced differently. It's not Toyota, it's Toyo-Tah, with the accent on the last syllable. OK then.

If you've ever had a fantasy about racing through the streets with red and blue lights flashing on the roof of your car and a siren wailing then you should come to Chiang Rai and join a Rescue Club. There are these civilian clubs where the guys drive pick-ups with small campers on the back. They usually congregate at designated spots and listen to emergency radio channels and even have a hotline number. They are sometimes the first responders to everything from traffic accidents to floods. They actually transport people to the hospital if an ambulance can't get there soon enough. Just think about it. Hmm.

The 'Ladder Guys' were out in force today. These men have big carts with a variety of aluminum ladders and they pull these things all over town. I saw three of them today, which is rare. Must be time to do things up high.

Our favorite 'football' team, Manchester United, lost to Barcelona in the European Championship. Oh well, we like Barcelona too. It was a 2-0 shutout and I think a lot of people were very disappointed. That's sports. You know life has changed for us when we're into soccer/football and not up on what's happening in the NBA, MLB, or the NFL. Hmm.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

Peace,
Danny

"I was brought up to believe that
how I saw myself was more
important than how others saw me."
~Anwar El-Sadat

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