Friday Funnies

Hi,

Thailand is still newsworthy when it comes to air quality stuff.  Today there was to be a protest demonstration with regards to the bad air.    

The ‘Zany Day’ tune was “Smokey Joe’s Cafe” by The Coasters/The Robins.  Here’s the version I grew up with: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j3xm_tJu-o  The Coasters were The Robins until a label move.  They both recorded this song and it all sounds the same.  It’s a long story.  In the meantime, here’s this week’s ‘Old School Friday’ song, with a ‘thanks' to my brother Denny for the tip.  “There are __ __ __, emeralds and rings.  None of these jewels show me a thing.  I want only, only, only I want you love.”  Hint: It’s an R&B ballad and precious wearables are involved.   

We went into the world this morning with our masks on.  When we got to the bank, the front doors were wide open.  Strange, considering the air and the fact that I’m sure they didn’t want us in there with masks on (555).  It must have been break time, as there was not much representation at the teller windows, so after a wait, we moved on.

Buying gas is fairly easy here.  The price is the same at all of the stations and is posted on electronic pillars in front of the property.  The service is all done by employees, so you never get out of the vehicle.  That was our next stop.  Of course, one must stay aware of the changes in the price of said liquid (555).

Gold is big business in Thailand.  Most of the gold shops are owned by Chinese families and the red store fronts are a real giveaway.  The amazing thing is to see four or five in a single block in the business district.  Many people buy gold jewelry on layaway and it’s not uncommon to see clerks entering partial payments into big ledger books.  Today we stopped at a shop to get Lisa a new wedding ring.  The one she had was a nice design, but the weight was apparently too light and it bent easily.  We learn as we go and that was the lesson today.  We found a heavier ring with a beautiful design and the deal was done.  They took the old ring in trade, gold is gold.  Well, that’s not entirely true.  Thai gold, and most gold in the region, is a higher percentage of gold than is found in the west.  The color is deeper and that’s partly why the product is softer.  The last thing of the morning list this week has been computer glasses for Lisa.  We discovered that the glasses that block the blue light from the computer screen really do help with eliminating eye strain.  We were sharing a pair and today that ended.  Now we can browse and work without having to share the glasses.  

Today was the last day for our house guests.  They flew back to Singapore this afternoon.  This morning, after we returned, we had time to hang out and get to know them a little.  The four of them are all on a science track in what can best be called a path to university.  The system in Singapore is different than we understand, but they are studying towards a future.  Children learn two languages in school.  I did some interviewing and found out that one of them speaks English and Malay, and another speaks English and Chinese.  This study began when they were seven years old.  Daku became the center of attention after one of the girls told us she wanted to be a vet.  Daku was in heaven.  A van took them to Cat and Cup, the coffee shop featuring live cats, and then to the university, where they said their goodbyes to Cat, and then on to the airport.  Chiang Rai International Airport now flies non-stop to Singapore.  We’re coming up!

Here is a group photo of the Singapore students in the back row, with Cat on the left, and Cat’s Thai classmates in the front row.

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd.    Stay tuned for the ‘Funnies’.    Dust off that VCR (555), it’s time for a new season of Formula 1, direct from Australia.  Zoom.

                           Peace,

                                     Danny