Friends

Hi,

Another cool morning, and hot day here in Chiang Rai. There's a forecast calling for rain tomorrow but who really knows? There's a party at the river, construction next door, and school is getting intense.

The 'Easy' song was "Everyday People" by Sly and the Family Stone. See, I told you it was easy. This one is not:
"Now it begins, not that you've gone. Needles and pins, twilight till dawn. Watching that clock till you return, lighting that torch and watching it burn..." Hint: There was a sound in this record that many thought was a jet airplane. It wasn't. Who remembers that sound? Who knows what made the sound? The song was sung by a woman and the topic is obvious. Oh yeah, it's from 1959 so some of you will be excused from class early. (Ha)

There is a big gathering of merchants and crafts people at the fairgrounds across the river. It's an annual affair and a good reason to throw a week long party. That's just what's been happening since the weekend. During the day it's like a trade fair and at night it's a giant carnival. We can hear the faint thumping of a bass and sometimes the voice of a singer, and we can see the ferris wheel from our house. Exams are over and the kids are on a vacation. We'll just stay here and imagine how much fun they're having.

Our neighbor, Mr. Narong, is at it again. He's putting up another structure on his property. This time, from what we've gathered, it's an elevated room that he will rent as a 'Home Stay' dwelling. When a traveler wants to stay with a family instead of in a hotel or a guest house (small hotel), it's called a 'Home Stay'. Some people like to get a closer feel for the culture by living with members of the community. Great idea, I'll just be glad when the sawing and pounding are finished. They're going pretty fast with the basic building so it shouldn't be much longer. It will be interesting to see how it all works out. Maybe we'll meet some interesting people from far away places. Hmm.

We had another Thai lesson today and more information was piled on top of last weeks input. Today we were introduced to two types of 'final consonants'. They are 'live' and 'dead'. What? It has to do with the duration of the last vowel/consonant. Oh yeah, and now I know how to write my name in Thai. We're really understanding why learning the letters and writing them brings out better spoken Thai. Every sound is presented on paper so there is no question as to the tone, duration, etc. We found out today that we've been saying a few words wrong and didn't know it. Bet you didn't know that there is a letter in the Thai alphabet that has no sound. Hmm, now you know.

Have a Wacky Wednesday.

Peace,
Danny

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

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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Mistakes

Hi,

The weather in Chiang Rai was a bit cooler this morning, then it got hot anyway. I made an airport run, went to market, and saw new sights.

It looks like 'Easy Monday' was just that. I know I didn't hear from a lot of you but I still got right answers.
"Different strokes for different folks. And so on, and so on, and scooby-dooby-doo...I am __ __." Hint: I think those lines should just about do it. Besides, I couldn't think of any sly clues. (555)

I took Boot to the airport bright and early this morning. She had to be there for a 7:30 check-in. On the way home I saw two monks standing in from of a market place on the highway, collecting food. There was a woman kneeling in front of one of them, receiving a blessing. As I turned off the highway into Ban Mai village, I saw something I'd never seen. A young woman was riding on the back of a motorbike crosslegged. Hmm.

This morning I went down to the market to do the 'Boot' shopping. On the way I went by the medical 'warehouse' were we buy our vitamins and things. This place is amazing. It's stuffed to the rafters with inventory. It's run by a husband and wife who seem to know where everything is. They have a crew of young men who help retrieve product and fill orders. You walk in, side stepping boxes, and tell them what you want. They get it and ring it up and it usually costs a lot less than seems fair. I'm not complaining. It's just such a contrast to a Rite-Aid or CVS where you have to hunt things down and pay top dollar for prescriptions.

One thing that still puzzles us is the fact that eggs are not refrigerated here. I picked up a dozen this morning and they were in a nice clear plastic carton, on a shelf. It's that way everywhere. Hmm. My next stop was the market, to get fish, chicken and veggies. When you buy fish, they are swimming in a tank. I was a little thrown at first. Then the man took two of them out of the tank and put them in a plastic bag. I had not planned to take live fish home and that's when I told him I'd be back. I went and got the vegetables while he did his thing and when I returned, he was done. No heads, no bones. Then it was on to the chicken lady. That was a lot simpler to deal with and I got what I needed and got out as quickly as I could. As I left, I passed a counter where they were preparing food for lunch and the chilies had just hit the pan. My nose stung for a few seconds. I never know what to expect at the market.

This afternoon Tye and her husband Pong came by. We had called Tye for help earlier when the gate guy called and we could not communicate. Usually, Boot handles such calls. Talk about feeling powerless. Tye called the man for us and came over to fill us in and also to take a look at the little refrigerator. We had a nice visit with them and learned more about another province southeast of us. Somewhere else to explore.

Speaking of exploring, have you been to the Risingstardom blog yet (see below)? I lifted today's quote from there. Thanks Blue.

I'm also wondering if you've ordered your tickets yet for the funniest send-up ever of the Godfather. Seth and his Goombahs will know if you don't show up for The Godfadda Workout. (Ha) Lisa and I have been groupies of this show for years. Just imagine one man playing all the roles in all the pivotal scenes of Godfather I. It's even funny if you've never seen the movie.

It's time for Happy Tuesday.

Peace,
Danny

"Do not fear mistakes. There are none."
~Miles Davis

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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Listen

Hi,

Things have really been poppin' around here. We've had dinner with friends, upgraded a major appliance, and listened to a story of heartbreak. There was also swimming, picture hanging, and travel planning for Boot.

The weekend song was "One of These Nights" by The Eagles. Yeah, I thought you knew it. 'Easy Monday' is here again so warm up your keyboard. "There is the blue one who can't accept the green one for living with a fat one, trying to be a skinny one..." Hint: This Bay Area group was a family affair and they were singing about everyone around them. The song also spawned a phrase that became very popular.

Friday night we went out to dinner with Johan and Noy. We ate by the river and had a very good time. We always have interesting conversations and plenty of laughter. At one point Johan mentioned that it's still hard to get used to it getting dark so early. In Holland it's still light until 10 or 11 o'clock this time of year. Hmm.

Over the weekend we hung several of Lisa's paintings in the house, and it made quite a difference. There are still more to hang and some we just may have to rotate so they all get a chance to be on display.

We thought we had a problem with our little refrigerator so we decided it was time to get a larger one. This morning we went out and found a beautiful model with a wood-grain finish that totally goes with the tile on the sinks. When the guys came to check out the old one they discovered that it's fine. A little later the new one arrived and now all the food looks smaller in the bigger space. (Ha) We have a friend that will buy the old one from us.

At the bank today Lisa asked our friend Bobby how he was doing and he said, "Not so good". He was hurting inside with a broken heart. It was quite touching the way he just spilled it all to us. The girl he loved is gone. So sad. He kept up a brave front but we could tell how much it hurt.

Tomorrow Boot will fly to Bangkok and then take a bus to Rayong, where her family lives. Her mother has been very ill and it's time for Boot to go and be with her and the rest of her family. She leaves on the first plane out, in the morning and we will miss her. What it really means is, we're on our own for a while. Oh my. She kept trying to arrange for one of her friends to come over and cook and clean for us but we declined. It just wouldn't be the same. So, we will have to take up the slack and do all the little things that Boot does throughout the day. We went by the market this morning and she introduced us to the man who sells her fish and the woman she buys chicken from. A new adventure is about to begin.

Have a Fantastic Week.

Peace,
Danny

"Wherever you are, whatever your circumstances may be,
whatever misfortune you may have suffered,
the music of your life has not gone.
It's inside you -- if you listen to it, you can play it."
~Nido Qubein

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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www.lisamosesgallery.com

Friday Funnies

Hi,

We had a calm night and a sunny day today. Daku is being a 'teenager'. I figured out how to exit the grounds, and more is revealed on the power front.

I'm so happy that some of you read the clues. "Working In the Coal Mine" by Lee Dorsey. For the weekend I think this might be easy so I grabbed lyrics from later in the song. (Ha) Have fun with this one:
"I've been searching for the daughter of the devil himself, I've been searching for an angel in white. I've been waiting for a woman who's a little of both and I can feel her but she's nowhere in sight... __ __ __ __, in between the dark and the light...." Hint: He might find her at Hotel California, but not during the day.

Daku is now eight months old, big as a house, and acting like the teen that he is. He's doing things that he knows will get him in trouble. I usually take him out on a leash in the morning, and he gets a free run after breakfast and in the afternoon. It's when he's off the leash that he pushes the boundaries. He'll look at me and then run into a flower bed, knowing he's going to get yelled at. It's like 'catch me if you can'. I give him 'the look' and he usually cooperates. Today I caught him chewing on a potted plant that sits outside of the new enclosure. A few leaves came through the fence so he decided to graze. As soon as I said his name he turned and walked away. He can also be the funniest, cutest dog in the world. I just have to remember that.

Now that I have to close the front gate when I leave, it poses the problem of what to do with the car while I close said gate. The path to town is to the right, which means I have to cross to the other side of the road. There's no parking there and if I turn right next to the wall, facing oncoming traffic, it's all gravel. I finally figured out that if I park in front of Mr. Narong's wall, to my left, I can close the gate and then make a U turn and be on my way. Sometimes there's no traffic and other times it's a zoo. Can't wait for the motor to be fixed.

After reading a message from our friend Blue, I see what I need to do about the power situation. The things that got 'hurt' during the storm were a result of the power going off and on. It's almost a given that we'll have an outage during a heavy storm. When the power comes back on there's a surge and things can get zapped. The trick is finding surge protectors that really do what they say. We're going to invest in some good stuff and get some back-up power as well. The adventure continues.

Our dear friend Seth Isler is performing his one man show "The Godfadda Workout" for two nights only and I've been told that if you don't show up, a big black car may pull up in front of where you live. (Ha) The show will be at the Norris Center in Palos Verdes on October 16 and 17. Godfadda would really appreciate your presence on the 17th since the show will be viewed by some big mucky mucks from a major hotel chain.
You can call: (310) 554-0403 to order your tickets or go to: www.norristheatre.org Oh, and leave your hardware at home.

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd. Enjoy part one of the 'Funnies'.

Peace,
Danny

Raising Boys!

A. For those with no children - this is totally hysterical!
B. For those who already have children past this age, this is hilarious.
C. For those who have children this age, this is not funny.
D. For those who have children nearing this age, this is a warning.
E. For those who have not yet had children, this is birth control.

The following came from an anonymous Mother in Austin, Texas .. . ...
Things I've learned from my Boys (honest and not kidding):

A king size waterbed holds enough water to fill a 2000 sq. foot house 4 inches deep.

If you spray hair spray on dust bunnies and run over them with roller blades, they can ignite.

A 3-year old boy's voice is louder than 200 adults in a crowded restaurant.

If you hook a dog leash over a ceiling fan, the motor is not strong enough to rotate a 42 pound boy wearing Batman underwear and a Superman cape. It is strong enough, however if tied to a paint can, to spread paint on all four walls of a 20x20 ft. room.

You should not throw baseballs up when the ceiling fan is on.

When using a ceiling fan as a bat, you have to throw the ball up a few times before you get a hit. A ceiling fan can hit a baseball a long way.

The glass in windows (even double-pane) don't stop a baseball hit by a ceiling fan.

When you hear the toilet flush and the words "uh oh", it's already too late.

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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www.lisamosesgallery.com

Lure

Hi,

Last night we had a giant storm. Today there were blue skies. We have electrical mysteries, and rap is alive and well in Chiang Rai.

I got a few hits on the song so either it's not as obscure as you think or the folks who got it are old blues lovers.
"I'm on call in the mornin', oh I go by the coal, but when Saturday goes around I'm too tired for havin' fun...I been __ __ __ __ __ goin' down, down, down...." Clue: It's a dirty job but somebody's got to do it. Hmm.

Around 5am the stillness was shattered by giant thunder claps and huge flashes of lightning. Some of it sounded and felt like it was inside the house. Not for the faint of heart. We have two lightning rods on the roof of the house but when we started our day we realized that a few things weren't working. It's curious that some things stopped working long after the storm. Hmm. One casualty of the storm was our electric gate. I got in the car to go on a Big C run and pushed the button on the remote. Nothing happened. I went and got another remote and still nothing. Thinking I could outsmart the gate, I went out with the key that bypasses the motor. The little door wouldn't open, which meant the gate couldn't be opened manually. Hmm again. Trapped in my own kingdom.

After a call to the gate guy we pondered the situation. There had to be a solution. The gate guy arrived and showed me how to get the gate open and then proceeded to go inside the workings of the unit. There was a short in the thing that was probably caused by the lightning. He won't have it fixed for about a week since it has to go to Bangkok. In the meantime I'll be investigating the installation of a lightning rod on the gate. For the next week, 'lazy man' will have to open the gate, drive through, close the gate and repeat on return. Ugh.

To add insult to injury, two of the three chargers for our computers stopped working this morning and we had to order new ones from the Thailand Apple Store. While we wait for delivery we'll be sharing one power source. That should be interesting.

This evening I was driving down to Doi Chaang Coffee when I heard a thumping sound. It was the deep, throbbing bass of a massive auto sound system. When the truck got up next to me I could hear the whole thing. It was American Rap and somebody in that truck is going to be hard of hearing before they realize it. You know the feeling, when your car vibrates from the car next to you. On the way home it happened again with a different truck. The 'homies' are diggin' rap in Chiang Rai.

Have a Thoughtful Thursday.

Peace,
Danny

"The lure of the distant and the difficult is deceptive.
The great opportunity is where you are."
~John Burroughs

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

Wise

Hi,

After another big downpour last night, we had a beautiful day. There are usually big white cloud formations against the blue sky that can make one pause. It was a day of odds and ends. This big news is, it was the first day of school. Read on.

I'm so glad some of you read the clues. Day two of 'Easy Monday' produced more mail with right answers. You might want to know that Carole King played piano on "He's So Fine" by The Chiffons. It was produced by members of The Tokens (The Lion Sleeps Tonight). They didn't get a label deal after their hit single, but got a production contract and this was their first outing. George Harrison was taken to court for plagiarism after his 'My Sweet Lord' had the same melodic structure as 'He's So Fine'. He lost, paid and then bought the publishing company. Now you have lots of stuff to talk about and you can impress 'old' people with your knowledge of '60's music.

Now it's Wednesday and I'm hoping this one isn't too easy for you. It was big in '66 and has had lots of covers.
"__ __ __ __ __ goin' down, down, down __ __ __ __ __, whoop, about to slip down....Five o'clock in the mornin', I'm already up and gone. Lord, I'm so tired, how long can this go on?" Hint: It's a bit of a work song. Please tell me the original artist on this one. Oh yeah, it's not Devo. Just wanted to clear that up. Have fun.

My search for the perfect King flag continues. I found one with the same design but when I went to mount it I found that it was too small. I went back to the shop and they didn't have one in the right size. I bought a new tape measure today. You might say 'Big deal', but there are so many times when the right measurement can help avoid confusion and aid in communication. For instance, I know how big the flag has to be and I can measure before I buy. (Ha)

Speaking of communication, I had my first Thai lesson with our new teacher, Khun Janya. We had studied a little bit when we first arrived and then started learning from friends. We kept hearing that if the writing and reading were learned, the speaking came easier and with more understanding. We enrolled at the language center with the intention of learning to write and read as well as speak Thai. Lisa couldn't go today so I went all by my self. Janya made me feel comfortable and dove right in on the work. It's quite a different thing to learn a language that uses characters that are unfamiliar in addition to sounds that are not spoken in English. There are three types of consonants. Today I started learning the nine consonants in the middle-class. Then she introduced eight vowels. You can see how complex it gets. There are almost twice as many letters in the alphabet so there will be homework. Hmm.

It's time for Wacky Wednesday.

Peace,
Danny

"The day the child realizes that all adults
are imperfect he becomes an adolescent;
the day he forgives them, he becomes an adult;
the day he forgives himself, he becomes wise."
~Aiden Nowlan

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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www.lisamosesgallery.com

Victory

Hi,

Today there were more errands to run, hair to be done, and a visit from a friend. There was a meeting of the 'Rangers', and some sports worth mentioning.

Only three people know this song? How can that be? It's 'Easy'. The hook is describing the subject of the song.
"__ __ __ (oh yeah), Gotta be mine (oh yeah), Sooner or later (oh yeah), I hope it's not later (oh yeah)...__ __ __ (doo-lang doo-lang doo-lang)...." Hint: Follow the rhyme scheme and you can't go wrong. Hmm. Or, follow the big hair and tight gowns, or wait 'til tomorrow. (Ha) Oh yeah, years after it was a hit, there was a law suit involving a former Fab Four guy.

This morning Lisa had a hair appointment at her new favorite salon. While she was being attended to, I ran a few errands. We have two flags at the entrance to the property. One is a Thai flag and the other is a King flag. This is a tradition that many homes and businesses observe as a show of respect. Our flags are rather wind worn and it's time to replace them. We'd been having trouble finding a King flag like the one we had so that was part of my mission. I found the flag and then it was off to find another water bowl for the dogs. Not just any bowl, but one that can attach to a fence or cage. We have two of them but we need a third. Having the bowls up off the floor prevents Daku from 'dancing' in the water. He still likes to stomp and splash the water out of the bowl and then lie in the water. It keeps him cool but causes many dangerous moments for us humans. He has one place outside where he's allowed to do his thing. I still haven't found the bowl.

This afternoon our friend Sutheera came by for a visit. We talked about many things, including our next trip to America. She mentioned that someday she'd like to go to America, and we ended up talking about the many sights to see. There are so many things to see in such a big country and it was fun telling her about some of them.

In case you hadn't heard, the Thai Women's Volleyball team won the 15th International Tournament in China. That's a pretty big deal. Also in the news was the story of Mong Thongdee, a 12 year old boy who won the national paper airplane competition. That qualified him to go to the All-Japan Origami Airplane Competition in Chiba Japan. The problem was, he and his family are refugees from Burma. That meant that he was stateless and has no identification or passport and couldn't travel out of Thailand. After lots of press on the issue a lawyers group, and some high government officials stepped in and he was issued a temporary passport. His family met with the Prime Minister and he was off to China. In the competition, he and two men won the group event, and the next day he came in third in the singles segment. Mong thanked everyone who supported him and helped to make the trip possible and said he was proud to represent Thailand. What a guy.

This evening I saw an extra large gathering of the 'Rescue Rangers', as I call them. These are the guys who zip through the traffic and help with emergencies. I don't know the nature of the gathering, but it was really something to see over 10 of their trucks all lined up. Some of them were perched on the back of a pick-up dressed in their club shirts. Took me back to the car club days. Hmm.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

Peace,
Danny

"Victory awaits those who have everything in order.
People call this luck."
Roald Amundson (polar explorer)

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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Kindness

Hi,

This weekend we had wind and rain. Just the usual 'hit and run' storms that happen in the rainy season. We stayed pretty close to home and hung out. Today was a different story.

The weekend song was "Takin' It To The Streets" by The Doobie Brothers. Now it's time for 'Easy Monday'.
"__ __ __ (doo-lang doo-lang doo-lang), wish he were mine (doo-lang doo-lang doo-lang), that handsome boy over there (doo-lang doo-lang doo-lang), the one with the wavy hair (doo-lang doo-lang doo-lang) Hint: The one' from '63 and was sung by another group named after a fabric. It went to #1 and it's really pretty easy.

Saturday was a pleasant day, nothing special that I can remember. I went for an afternoon swim and then the clouds started rolling in. When the wind comes up you know there's about to be a dramatic change. Around 4:30 the sky got darker than usual and the first thing that came to mind was 'Walking Street' was about to be rained out. Actually, the rain stopped early enough but the wind may have messed up more than a few canopies and vendor stalls. We didn't close our big umbrella over the dog run and the wind bent the pole and rendered it unusable.

Sunday morning I went downtown to get a new umbrella. The store where I went was right near a huge paved lot that's used as a Honda rider training center. I'd never seen it used for that purpose until Sunday. There were about eight young people standing on the sideline watching an instructor go around a course that had been set up with pylons. I watched him do several laps, weaving in and out and increasing his speed each lap. So that's where they learn to drive like that. Hmm. It was really meant as a safety skill, but we know what happens.

Today was a busy one for me. This morning I did a solo shopping run to Big C and points beyond. After a routine visit to the 'C' for basics, I headed over to 'Bus Station Street' and a stop at the health food store. I ended up parking on 'Night Bazaar Street'. While I was at the health store I had a chance to witness the meter guy at work. I kept seeing this guy on his motorbike stopping and going up to store fronts. He had on a sun hat and a full face covering, which is not unusual here. He was reading electrical meters, inputting numbers in a handheld device and leaving the bill, all in one visit. No mail or clerical work involved. Fascinating.

This afternoon we enjoyed our weekly massage and then paid a visit to Jen and her sons, who were all at the tractor store. We learned some new things about flags, and had a few laughs.

Oh, I almost forgot. I got a message from Blue over the weekend sending me a link to the Doi Chaang web site. It seems that they put a link on their front page taking readers to my blog site. It was part one of 'Adventures on the Mountain'. Now the mystery is, how did they know about that entry? I'll try and find out tomorrow and let you know. As I told Blue, 'I'm flattered and floored.'

Have a Wonderful Week,

Peace,
Danny

"Kindness is an inner desire that makes us want to do good things
even if we do not get anything in return.
It is the joy of our life to do them.
When we do good things from an inner desire,
there is kindness in everything we say, think, want and do."
~Emanual Swedenburg

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www.lisamosesgallery.com

Friday Funnies

Hi,

Chiang Rai had a variety of weather today. It went from gloomy to sunny to downpour. The dogs have a new hangout, I watched the movement of monks, and another weekend is upon us.

Well, only a handful got the last song. It was "Hungry Like The Wolf" by Duran Duran. Now the clues make sense.
"You don't know me but I'm your brother. I was raised here in this living hell. You don't know my kind in your world. Fairly soon the time will tell. You, telling me the things you're gonna do for me. I ain't blind and I don't like what I think I see, __ __ __ __ __ (repeat 2x)" Hint: By a group of brothers who weren't brothers proclaiming what they were gonna do.

This morning when Khun Yone showed up, Lisa asked him if he'd be finished today. He assured her that he'd be done. Then we started monitoring the sky and we wondered whether the rain would come before he left. He and his welder finished about 10 minutes before the rain in the late afternoon. The dog enclosure is great. He's actually a carpenter who was referred to us by our landscape guy, Kek. Now he's going to build a cabinet for Lisa to store her art. There's just never enough walls.

I was sitting across the street from Wat Phra Kaew late this morning, near the market place, when I realized there was a sea of orange in front of me. It was around 11 and all the young initiates were going out for a little free time. They seemed to range in age from 8 to late teens. Many of them were engaged in animated conversation. I tried to imagine them sitting in quiet meditation or focused on studies. I suppose it happens but for the moment, those things seemed to be far from their minds. I was reminded of the film "The Cup". If you've never seen it, find it and watch.

There is another observation I've been meaning to share with you. One of the night time scenes that fascinates me is the scavengers. These are not homeless trash pickers, but serious business folks. When night falls they don their miner's lights (a light on a band worn on the head), mount their motorbikes with trailer attached and head out to find the treasure in other peoples' garbage. They're very methodical about it. They pull up to the beginning of a block, turn on their 'head light' and go to work. Then it's back on the bike for a short ride to the next bag of trash and the same thing is repeated. I guess it goes all night. They are all over town and I'm guessing there are routes they take with territories and boundaries. Amazing Thailand.

It's time for the 'Funnies'. Since American Football is in full swing, I thought it would be a good time to spring this joke sent to me by my good friend Claire. Some of you may remember this but you can never know enough about football. (Ha)

Have a Brilliant WeekEnd.

Peace,
Danny

Football FINALLY makes sense..........

A guy took his blonde girlfriend to her first football game. They had
great seats right behind their team's bench. After the game, he asked
her how she liked the experience.

"Oh, I really liked it," she replied, "especially the tight pants and
all the big muscles, but I just couldn't understand why they were
killing each other over 25 cents."

Dumbfounded, her date asked, "What do you mean?"

"Well, they flipped a coin, one team got it and then for the rest of
the game, all they kept screaming was: 'Get the quarter back! Get the
quarter back!' I'm like....Helloooooo? It's only 25 cents!!!!

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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www.lisamosesgallery.com

Stop

Hi,

There was heavy rain overnight and drizzle all morning. BamBam and Daku got presents, and we saw a gathering of Ladder Guys. What?

At least one person knew the song. Cousin Trudye got it so I'm guessing someone else will get it after today. (Ha)
"Strut on a line, it's discord and rhyme. I howl and I whine, I'm after you, mouth is alive all running inside and I'm __ __ __ __." Hint: If you think there's an animal involved you're getting warm.

Apparently I slept through a heavy downpour last night. When we woke up the yard was soggy. An interesting note on the waking up part. I had set the alarm on my phone to wake us up at 6am. Our hope was that Daku could learn that the alarm was when he should get up and bug us, and not before. As it turned out, the bathroom door was closed, blocking the morning sunlight and he didn't get up until the alarm went off. Maybe that's the trick, close the door. It would be so nice not to have him get up at 5 and then prance around the room until 6am. Time will tell.

We went out for lunch and errands. One of our stops was at the pet supply store. We bought a giant bag of food for Daku, he's a growing boy, and the nice people at the store gave us a couple of gifts. Two bow ties for the dogs. One is blue and the other is pink. Later in the day Boot put the blue one on BamBam and the pink one on Daku. They are so cute with their ties. Daku doesn't mind the pink because Thai guys wear pink.

As we crossed the bridge heading for home we saw an unusual sight. There was a big truck filled with ladders and about six guys with their push carts loading them up with the ladders. We've seen these guys all over town and even bought a ladder from one of them. Seeing the distribution system was a sight to behold.

I have dubbed rush hour 'The Chiang Rai Grand Prix'. As soon as I leave pit lane (the driveway) the race is on. The competition is fierce, everyone wants to get to their destination as quickly as possible. It takes 360 degree peripheral vision and a four letter word called 'flow'. There's also the matter of a simple guideline that we discovered during our first visit to Thailand. It only takes a quarter of an inch. That's all the clearance needed to squeeze through any situation. Whether it's getting around a double parked car, weaving around a motorbike or avoiding a rider on the wrong side of the road, a quarter of an inch is all you need. Sometimes that's all you get. The art of darting and swooping is seemingly second nature for most drivers and I'm slowly getting the hang of it. The only problem is, there's no winner's circle. Just the satisfaction that you got through it.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.


"Stop leaving
and you will arrive
Stop searching
and you will see
Stop running away
and you will be found"
~Tao Te Tjing

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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Joy

Hi,

Today was one of those 'looks like it's gonna rain any minute' days. Work began on the doggie hang out, and we signed up for school.

The 'Easy' song was "Killing Me Softly" as recorded by Roberta Flack. Linda pointed out that Lori Lieberman recorded the tune in '71 but it didn't become a hit until '73 when Ms. Flack released it. And now you know.
"Dark in the city, night is a wire. Steam in the subway, earth is a fire. Do-do do do (repeat many times) Woman you want me, give me a sign and catch my breathing even closer behind. Do-do do do, etc." Clue: The group name is two words that are both the same. It's a song of pursuit. Hmm.

This morning Khun Yone and a helper began work on a sturdier version of the dog enclosure I made by the kitchen door. After about a week of passivity, both dogs decided to just break out and disregard the barrier. With the new one this will not happen. It's made of steel tubing and chain link fencing. Once we all got on the same page as far as the construction, they settled in and began building what looks like a very sturdy, attractive fence. Another day of work and it should be done.

This afternoon we took a giant leap and went down to AUA language school and signed up for more Thai lessons. This time we're going to study writing and reading. Apparently it makes a big difference in understanding the tones. In English there are 26 letters in the alphabet. In Thai there are 44 consonants, 18 vowels, 6 diphthongs and 5 tones. Every sound has a corresponding written arrangement. I think we'll be having homework. We start next Wednesday and we'll go once a week. Now where did I put my Lone Ranger lunch box?

Tomorrow you'll get a look at what it's like to drive in the Chiang Rai Grand Prix, also known as rush hour traffic.

It's time for a Wacky Wednesday.

Peace,
Danny

"Recognize joy when it arrives in the plain brown
wrappings of everyday life."
~Judith Viorst

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Path

Hi,

Today was a hot one here in Chiang Rai. We took a trip to the south side of town, met another character in the landscape of the town, and swam before a storm that never came. It was a good day.

The 'Easy' song brought lots of mail. If you remember this one, please don't hesitate to let me know. Sing it!
"Strumming my pain with his fingers, singing my life with his words. __ __ __ with his song...." Clue: You know this song.

This morning while Lisa painted, I went downtown. It turns out that mid morning is a good time to go because the traffic is lighter and there's lots of parking. The day was just beginning to warm up so I'm glad I went when I did. Later, the weather service reported that it was 90 at the airport and the heat index was 96. Oh, and there was humidity in the mid 50s.

After lunch Khun Kek drove us down to an area near where we used to live. We entered a large gated community that we didn't know existed. He had installed four gardens in the complex and wanted us to see one with a waterfall. When we arrived at the large two-story house, a Thai gentleman greeted us at the gate speaking perfect English. His name is 'Jack', which is a short form of his Thai name. He told us that when he went away to study it was easier for everyone. Of course the next question was 'Where did you study?'. He studied in Cambridge, England, and then Cornell University. Oh. He'd been in the hotel business for many years, then real estate development, and is now retired. He was more than eager to share all the details of his beautiful yard and water feature. He served us home made iced tea in long stem glasses and we seemed to hit it off. On the way down his driveway I commented on the Jaguar XJ-6 in the car port. That led to a whole other conversation about his car and how he had installed a Toyota engine so he wouldn't have to worry about breakdowns in Chiang Rai. Then he showed us some of his father's tools that he used as a carpenter. Of special note was one that looked like a stick about 18" long, and was wrapped in sting ray skin. It had different degrees of roughness and his father used it as a file. It was 60 years old and still functional. When we finish our changes to the waterfall Khun Jack is going to come and visit.

When we got home it was so hot we decided that a swim was in order. We had to do it quick because big dark clouds were forming to the north and we could hear thunder off in the distance. About an hour after our swim the sun broke through the clouds and the heat just kept on coming. We can tell that it's an exceptionally hot day when everyone comments on it. When we first arrived we'd think it was hot, and people looked at us like we obviously weren't from around here. Now we know.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

Peace,
Danny

"Be careful not to let the intentions and motivations of others knock you off your path."
~Danny Moses

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People

Hi,

We said farewell to friends, had some rain, and basically had a laid back weekend.

Just so you know, the weekend song was "In The Still Of The Night" by The Five Satins. Some of you knew it. That's cool. For our 'Easy Monday' song I trust I'll get more mail. It's a ballad that's been covered a lot.
"I heard he sang a good song, I heard he had a style, and so I came to see him and listen for a while..." Hint: I'm not sure you really need a hint on this one. It's one of those songs about a singer, duh. What did he do?

Saturday morning we went downtown for an early, final lunch with Blue, Ming and Andi. We ate at one of their favorite spots, 'Work At Home Bakery'. It's called that because the owners have a house behind their shop. It's a combination bakery, restaurant and WiFi coffee shop. We buy our bread there and the owners are really nice people. They have a dog that everyone falls in love with. His name is Johathan and he's an English Golden Retriever.

During lunch we talked and laughed about the many high points of their visit. They covered a lot of ground in the time they were here and they returned home with many memories of Chiang Rai.

The weather was perfect the whole time they were here. As soon as they left, the sky began to cloud up and Lisa said it looked like rain. That meant one thing. It was time to swim. We've managed to get in a swim almost everyday and it's been great. The pool has cooperated perfectly and we're happy about that.

Saturday night we were invited to the home of a gentleman who had been to Lisa's art exhibit. Just as we were to leave it started raining. We didn't know if we were going to dinner or just to hang out. We started off to his house with directions that I understood. The rain stopped and we found his soi (street) without a hitch. He told us it was the last house on the soi but there were two houses at the end. We sat in the front yard of one house and wondered if it was the right one. There were chickens walking around and the TV was on inside. That didn't fit so we called Khun Jaffee. His was the other house. He told us to stay in the car until he put his dog in his cage. Hmm. It turns out the dog is half wolf and not very friendly. The house was amazing. It was full of beautiful art from different countries that he's been collecting. He puts on art shows and wants Lisa to be in a show he's planning in Chiang Rai that will feature the work of 'expats'. Another couple came over and we sat on the patio and ate appetizers and talked for several hours. Looks like the beginning of an interesting relationship.

BamBam is mellowing out most of the time, and Daku, at almost eight months, is exhibiting teenage behavior. He's getting taller and bolder. He's still a sweetheart but he has moments of madness. (Ha)

Have a Great Week.

Peace,
Danny

"People will forget what you said,
forget what you did,
but they will never forget how you made them feel"
~Maya Angelou

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Friday Funnies

Hi,

It's Friday here and today we had some expensive coffee, and a cheap dinner. Our guests leave mid-day tomorrow.

The last song we pondered was "Hello, I Love You" by The Doors. Oh well, there's always next time. Here's next time: "(Shoo doop'n shooby doo [repeat 2 times], whoa __ __ __ __ __ __ I held you, held you tight. 'Cause I love, love you so. Promise I'll never let you go __ __ __ __ __ __." Hint: This should be a snap if you're old (Ha). Even if you're not, it's a classic that's still around. The background part might be a giveaway. The group name makes reference to a fabric. Hmm.

This afternoon we went over to see Le Meridien Hotel. It's one of those places that's fun to visit but pricey to stay for the night. Our intention was to wander around a bit and then have coffee. We were met by a young man who was clearly there to make us comfortable and hopefully book us into the place. He showed us some highlights, mentioned their new Sunday buffet and showed us to the main restaurant. We had 3 coffees, and ice tea a smoothie and some ice cream and it came to about $30 US. It was worth it though. We were treated quite nicely. Just the fact that our black silk napkins were placed on our laps before we sipped fine Italian coffee almost made our day. We did notice that there weren't many people around. Hmm.

We took Blue, Ming and Andi to Mu Mai for their last dinner in Chaing Rai. They really like the place and we all wanted the same thing. The atmosphere is very Thai and we were seated next to a fish pond with giant Koi fish. Our dinner came to one third of the price of our afternoon coffee adventure.

Speaking of adventure, it's time to wrap up our trip to Doi Chaang. After our tour of the grounds we went back to the canteen for more coffee and conversation. Then we realized we still had to get off of the mountain. There were two parts that none of us was looking forward to: the ride to the car and crossing the bridge. We thanked Khun Wicha for his hospitality and climbed into and onto the pick-up truck. The brief rain during lunch had made parts of the road a bit slushy but the truck just bounced along. Our driver knew all the ruts and curves pretty well considering he actually took a phone call as we made our way.

It was a relief to get to the car. The road seemed so smooth after the truck ride. We stopped at the big lake so Blue could take some pictures. That was right before the bridge. Blue and Andi walked over the bridge to get some pics, and Ming and I braved the drive over the boards. We had to wait for a motorbike to cross and it gave us a chance to build up our courage. Then the bike stopped. His back wheel got caught between two boards and he had to back up and work it out. Then it was our turn. I centered the car as best I could and slowly went for it. We rolled over the bridge without a bump or slip. After Blue and Andi got back in the car, they told us how the bridge swayed when a truck went over. I'm kinda glad I didn't see that.

The rest of the ride was pretty nice. Lots of curvy road, incredible vistas, and so many shades of green it was hard to tell what was what. By the time we got to the main road the traffic was heavier than in the morning but it was moving. We were ready to be home. I will never forget that day.

It's time for the 'Funnies'. Thanks to VonShiela for sending these. Have a Fantastic WeekEnd.

Peace,
Danny

A Few Notes from The Art of Sarcasm

Don't walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me alone.

Always remember that you're unique, just like everyone else.

Never test the depth of the water with both feet.

If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.

If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably a wise investment.

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Words

Hi,

Another beautiful day in Chiang Rai. We lunched at Big C, swam in the afternoon, saw a big rainbow, and talked a lot about yesterday. Stay tuned for part two of Adventure on the Mountain.

I got mail on the song so I know it's not a total stumper. I think you might remember it from these lines. I hope.
"__, __ __ __ won't you tell me your name? __, __ __ __ let me jump in your game." Hint: The name of the group is something you walk through. The chorus you just read should give you a big clue. It's something you usually don't say to someone until you're in a relationship. Oh.

Doi Chaang is nearly 6,000 feet elevation and the air is crisp and clear. The region we were in was, at one time, one of three major opium producers. Today they all grow coffee and/or tea. Eight years ago Wicha came to the mountain and realized that there was a great potential for the Hill Tribes living there. With a lot of study and hard work the people of the area have a self-sustaining crop and are part of an operation that is growing to world wide status. Doi Chaang Coffee Company is partnered with a Canadian group and is sold in stores in Canada and many European countries. They take pride in their work and have a greater self-esteem.

Yesterday was a very special day for workers because the government came to the mountain and issued identification cards. Like all the Hill Tribes, the people of Doi Chaang have had what could be called a 'stateless' status. Many of them are refugees from Burma and Laos, and even those born here are not citizens. They were not entitled to health care or education. Khun Wicha, with great effort, is helping them change all that. The looks on their faces as they each emerged with their card in hand, told us how much it meant to them. Everyone was comparing their pictures and beaming with pride. The young man who drove us to the top of the mountain was born there and has lived his whole life there.

Wicha took us to the 'canteen' area, an open air type restaurant, where we were given lunch. Very spicy! We met several young women who had graduated from Chiang Mai University and had returned to the mountain. One of them will be traveling to China to train workers for the coffee shops that will be opening there. A foundation was established to pay for the education of those seeking it. The coffee is providing a better way of life for all concerned. They work hard knowing that they will benefit directly. It's an amazing story.

After lunch we went on a tour of the hill top and saw women hand sorting coffee beans. One of them was sorting with one hand and rocking her baby with the other. Wicha showed us the roasting room next. There were two big machines. One was a modern roaster and the other was an antique from 1922 that still works. In the warehouse we saw tons of coffee in big bags, stacked to the ceiling, containing green beans that will be sent to Canada where the master roaster will do his thing. That coffee will be for distribution in North America.

Come back tomorrow for the thrilling conclusion of Adventure on the Mountain.

Have a Wonderful Thursday.

Peace,
Danny

"Your own words are the bricks and mortar of the dreams you want to
realize.
Your words are the greatest power you have.
The words you choose, and then use, establish the life you experience."
~Sonia Croquette

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Soar

Hi,

Today was a very special day. Blue, Ming, Andi and I went to Doi Chaang. Doi means mountain and Chaang means elephant. We went to the mountain and it was quite an experience.

It's official. A bunch of you remembered "Born To Be Wild" by Steppenwolf. Now let's see how you do with this:
"She's walking down the street, blind to every eye she meets. Do you think you'll be the guy to make the queen of the angels sigh? __, __ __ __ won't you tell me your name?...." Hint: The hook to this song is a rather bold greeting. It's by a group that saw their lives on the silver screen.

Last week Ming had a meeting with the founder of Doi Chaang Coffee to discuss opening the first coffee shop in the U.S. Khun Wicha invited Ming and Blue to come to the mountain to see the facilities and the 'Academy of Coffee'. Today was that day and this morning we set out, with some simple directions. We traveled south on the Super Highway and looked for the turn that would take us into the country. We went too far so we turned around and asked for help. We made a wrong turn and ended up in a rustic gas station. A few calls later we headed back to the highway.

Once we were on the correct road we saw a huge lake, incredible jungle/forests, stands of very old bamboo and valleys that took our breath away. Then we came upon the bridge of all bridges. It was near a construction site and when we first approached it looked like the end. We all said, "Where's the road?" Then we saw a car and a truck cross a one-vehicle bridge. After the traffic passed I crept up to the bridge and we saw an old broken down wooden bridge. It was the only way across. Logic told me that if the others could cross, there was a good chance we could too. I kept the tires over the planks and slowly we made it over the bridge. When we were on solid road we all started laughing with relief.

After the bridge we began to climb higher into the mountains. We'd go up, then down and then up higher. There were times when we didn't know what was around the next sharp curve, but we just kept going. When we saw the sign for the final turn off we knew the road was not going to be as nice. Little did we know that it would be impossible in a car. After driving through what looked and felt like an eroding river bed I stopped. A guy on a bike came from the other direction and told us we couldn't make it in a car. Only 4 wheel drive vehicles could do it. Then a truck came up and the guy told us to go back, park and he'd come and get us. As luck would have it, while we were waiting for the truck, a driver from Doi Chaang showed up and we rode with him. It was a bumpy, crazy ride but we made it. We later found out that this same road is what they use to ship the coffee off the mountain. Really?

When we arrived at the top of the hill we were greeted by Khun Wicha. He took us into the main building where we were seated in a sort of living room. Right off the bat we were offered a cup of coffee (what else?). We sat and talked about the complex and the people. The story is quite amazing. Tune in tomorrow for another chapter of Adventure on the Mountain.

We ended the day with dinner at the Night Bazaar and then the light show at the New Clock Tower.

It's time for Wacky Wednesday.

Peace,
Danny

"One can never consent to creep when one has the impulse to soar."
~Helen Keller

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Value

Hi,

A cloudy morning turned into a beautiful, hot day. The yard got a facelift, the travelers went sightseeing and there was ballet class.

'Easy Monday' was just that for some of you. Maybe these lyrics will jar something inside. I know you know it.
"Like a true nature's child, we were born, __ __ __ __, we can climb so high I never want to die. __ __ __ __, __ __ __ __," Clue: The group's name is the title of a famous novel. The song became an anthem of sorts, for breaking away and living life to it's fullest. Hmm.

It was only fitting that the yard crew came the day after the storm trashed the grounds. They did a great job of cleaning things up and then doing their usual manicuring of everything. I still can't believe how hard they work in the blazing sun. We had them put dirt in all the beds to cover up the rocks that both dogs love to chew. We haven't had a chance to see if it works yet, but tomorrow we'll find out.

The dogs always get a little stir crazy on the days when the yard gets done since they have to stay inside. In the past we've let BamBam out and after she stops barking at them she tries to get them to play and it's a big distraction. Daku would just go out and make friends with everybody. His size makes him a little scary to people who aren't used to big dogs so we just keep him inside. If they only knew what a sweetheart he is.

Blue, Ming and Andi went down to Wat Rong Khun today. It was Andi's first time seeing the 'White Temple' and Ming hadn't seen it since the renovations. There's always something new to see when visiting the complex. Tonight they're at the Night Bazaar for a little strolling and looking. Tomorrow we're going south to Mae Soi to see the Doi Chaang coffee plantation and see what it's all about. I'll have plenty to tell you tomorrow.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

Peace,
Danny

"Try not to become a person of success, but rather a person of value."
~Albert Einstein

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Risks

Hi,

We've been having wonderful weather here in Chiang Rai. We ate by the river, roamed 'Walking Street' and spent a lot of time in the pool.

Well, it would seem that you all were totally stumped by the weekend song. It was "Have Mercy" by The Rolling Stones. Hmm. Let's see if 'Easy Monday' brings a better response. The song was released in 1968. Sing it.
"Get your motor runnin', head out on the highway, lookin' for adventure and whatever comes our way..." Hint: This could be called a 'Road song' I suppose. It's about the obvious, letting it all hang out and going for it. Hmm.

Saturday we had dinner on the Mae Kok river at a beautiful restaurant with our house guests and Jen and two of her sons. There was a lot of food tasting, laughter and catching up. After dinner we all went to 'Walking Street'. Last Saturday it rained so this weekend the street was very crowded with what seemed like the whole town. I think we saw about half of it and called it a night. There were the usual vendors selling everything from food to furniture. We also got to see part of an elaborate traditional dance presentation of the story of Chiang Rai. The costuming was incredible. Blue made the observation that he had not noticed one policeman the whole time we were there. Amazing Thailand.

On Sunday, Blue, Ming and Andi drove up north to the mixed Hill Tribe village in the mountains. They spent the day on the road. We went to Black Canyon for lunch and swam in the afternoon.

Daku is finally able to get back to being his lovable self. Since the cone came off his head he's been busy visiting and making friends with our guests. Both dogs are in heaven, getting lots of attention and love.

Over the weekend I did some updating of my computer. I went from being a Tiger to a Leopard. (Ha) That's Apple operating system talk. At one point my mail program was totally blank, all my messages were not present. After doing some searching on the subject I did another update and everything was fine. You can imagine the panic that set in initially. This week Blue and Ming will share their knowledge of the new music program I got and share some software.

Late this afternoon, right after we got out of the pool, we had a big storm that blew tons of leaves and palm branches into the yard. The dogs loved it, so much to bite and play with. Tomorrow Kek and his crew will come and clean up the mess. We'll also discuss the remodel concept for the waterfall. More on that later.

Have a Great Week.

Peace,
Danny

"He who is not courageous enough to take
risks will accomplish nothing in life."
~Muhammad Ali

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Friday Funnies

Hi,

Well, apologies are in order to all who read this. I'm still learning the days of the week (apparently) and I skipped a day on the song game. Hmm. I'll get it eventually.

The song you got yesterday, which you should have gotten on Wednesday, was "Foxy Lady" by Jimi Hendrix. I don't feel so bad really, since so many of you got it right. Try this for the weekend. "I went to the fortune teller, to have my fortune read. She said 'Man, your baby's gonna leave you, her bags are packed up under the bed. __ __, __ __ on me (repeat) Hint: This group was named after a blues song. The singer is pleading for forgiveness, among other things. Hmm. It's from the '60s and it's R&R.

Today Lisa worked on a new print while Blue, Ming and Andi went to visit the local Hill Tribe mixed village. I spent the morning running errands, getting supplies. Seems like there's never enough dog food or water.

We went to lunch at the Rimkok Resort and endured a real karaoke assault. The piano player started in on a popular ballad and a woman got up from her table and went up to the stage. She literally took over and sang about 3 or 4 songs. We could see the staff holding back their laughter and we were trying to do the same. We managed to finish our desserts and get out while we could without embarrassing ourselves. We probably won't be going back for a long time.

After lunch we took a much needed nap. When we woke up, I looked out to see Andi in the pool. I got some trunks for Ming and he went in too. I tossed in some pool toys and they had a lot of fun playing in the water. It was a hot, still day so it was perfect solution for the heat.

Later in the day, Lisa taught a ballet class. Three of the girls just got their first pointe shoes a few weeks ago and this added a new segment to their class. The whole thing with the classes brings back many memories from the days when Lisa was dancing. We never thought this would happen again, especially in Thailand.

I know this is Friday so get ready for the 'Funnies'. Have a Wonderful WeekEnd.

Peace,

Danny

A little boy was in a relative's wedding. As he was coming down the aisle, he would take two steps, stop, and turn to the crowd.

While facing the crowd, he would put his hands up like claws and roar.

So it went, step, step, ROAR, step, step, ROAR, all the way down the aisle.

As you can imagine, the crowd was near tears from laughing so hard by the time he reached the pulpit.

When asked what he was doing, the child sniffed and said,

"I was being the Ring Bear."


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Words

Hi,

Today we traveled to the Golden Triangle. We went to a museum and finished the day with a trip to the vet.

The 'Easy' song was "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" by The Police. This next one is also kinda easy. (Ha)
"You know you're a cute little heartbreaker. You know you're a sweet little lovemaker. I wanna take you home, I won't do you no harm, no. You've got to be all mine, all mine, __ __." Hint: This guitar giant sings about a woman who he finds attractive. Hmm.

This morning our van arrived early for the trip to the north. The driver waited patiently while we got ready. He took us on our last adventure and it was nice to see him again. First we drove up to the Museum of Opium which is a very modern building that is filled with the entire history of opium. We watched short films, walked through numerous exhibits and looked at artifacts that detailed the history of everything related to this substance. We learned about the 'Opium Wars', the many unbalanced trade agreements and the pressure exerted by western countries to take advantage of the east. It ends in the 'Hall of Reflection' where we were given food for thought about how to put an end to the perils of addiction. All in all, a rather moving experience.

Next we drove up to Chiang Sen, a very old city on the Maekong River, right at the northern tip of the Golden Triangle. There we had lunch and strolled around the gift shops. Blue took photos and had lot of laughs. After that we drove farther north to the very top of Thailand, along the Burmese border and ended up in Mae Sai. Lots of walking, looking and picture taking.

This evening we took Daku back to the vet to make sure he was doing alright. We feared he might have an infection but we were told that he's doing fine. Dr. Arnon took his stitches out and told us we can take the cone off of his head in the morning. Daku will be thrilled.

Now it's time for an evening swim. It's also time for a Wacky Wednesday.

Peace,
Danny

"Wise sayings often fall on barren ground,
but a kind word is never thrown away."
~Arthur Helps

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Doubts

Hi,

Today the art came home, so did the carpet guy, and Johan and the pool guys. There was doggie play, massages downtown, and a balcony candle light dinner.

Our 'Easy Monday' song is easy. Or so I think. There's still time to dig deep and pull out the title and group. "I resolve to call her up a thousand times a day. And ask her if she'll marry me in some old fashioned way..."
Clue: Even though she's captured his heart, he still can't tell her. What is it that she does.

This morning we had service visits. First Johan and his crew came to disconnect the portable filter that cleaned up the pool. Yesterday the pool had turned on us and Johan came to the rescue once again. The machine ran overnight and today we have clear water. The mystery pool is living up to it's name but we still get to swim.

While the pool was being serviced the guy came to install the carpet on the stairs. This is not your typical installation. He had to glue the carpet to the tile. That meant industrial strength fumes. That meant we sat outside on the patio. Things worked out and when it was lunch time he left and we could eat. Then he returned as we were leaving for the gallery. With all the fans and big opened doors, we managed to air the place out rather quickly.

We took the car and the truck to 9 Gallery for the final phase. The retrieval of the art. With the help of the gallery workers, Blue, Andi and Ming, we loaded the truck in a short time. I put blankets and towels in between each painting and it all fit nicely. Lisa took Nai a beautiful giant orchid as a 'thank you'. It was a big thing for her to keep the show intact an extra day, considering that they have another opening on Friday evening. While we were loading out, the next show was being loaded in by the artists and their friends. Incredible excitement watching all the energy. Hmm.

This evening we had dinner at Mu Mai on an upstairs balcony that looks down on the entrance and gardens. We met our friend Sutheera there and the six of us had a wonderful time. Lots of discussions, laughter, eating, laughter and some great photo opportunities. I'll post pics soon.

Tomorrow we're going on a van trip to various points to the north. See you when I get back. (Ha)

Have a Happy Tuesday.

Peace,
Danny

"Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good
we oft might win, by fearing to attempt."
~William Shakespeare

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

Trick

Hi,

I'm a little late today. We just got back from an evening at the Night Bazaar with our guests. BamBam is getting more comfortable with Daku the Conehead, and they are both enjoying their new friends.

The usual suspects wrote in with the usual right answer. This is an easy one. What happened to the rest of you?
"__ __ __ __ __ __ __, everything she do just turns me on. Even though my life before was tragic, now I know my love for her goes on." Hint: It's so easy I can't even think of a clue. Oh, do you think he's singing about Roxanne? Something in there rhymes with tragic and that's all I'm saying. (Ha)

This morning we were up at 6am. We got up by alarm clock rather than Daku. He's still on kitchen restriction until the cone comes off but we figured we'd honor his 'clock'. When we got downstairs he was wide awake and waiting. He grabbed his Frog toy and did his little morning dance. He's definitely back. He wants to run and play but he's supposed to be taking it easy. (Ha)

Later I ran a few errands around town and after an early lunch (hungry from an early breakfast) I went to the airport to pick up the travelers. Blue, Ming and Andi arrived a bit early and were waiting for me. The sun was shining, the air was clearing and they were very happy to be in Chiang Rai. After a trip to the house to drop off their bags, we all went to the gallery to see the now closed show. Khun Nai and Blue met and the circle was nearly complete. The circle I speak of is that of the people who contributed to the production of the show. So much of it was done remotely that it seems only right that at some point they should all meet each other. Hmm.

Mid-afternoon we realized that the three travelers had not eaten for most of the day. We dashed down to Big C and they had lunch at Black Canyon while we had appetizers. Then we went upstairs and browsed. Here's the thing, it's difficult to browse at Big C without buying anything. Not much, but we did.

This evening we did the Night Bazaar. Dinner and 'looking' and a little shopping. It's fun to watch someone who has never been to Chiang Rai as they walk through the aisles of the N.B. There are so many interesting and sometimes odd things that can catch their eye. I still haven't gotten used to the whole thing because it's always changing. That's what keeps life interesting.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

Peace,
Danny

"Some people carry their heart in their head
and some carry their head in their heart.
The trick is to keep them apart yet working together."
~David Hare

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