Become

Hi,

The weather in Chiang Rai was hot and humid today.  There was a morning rain and then clouds with occasional sunshine.  The evening sky is a combo of blue sky and dark, threatening clouds.

The ‘Zany Day’ song was stored in many memory banks.  Congrats to all who knew.  There is still a chance, last verse.

“Princess on the steeple and all the pretty people, they’re all drinkin’, thinkin’ that they got it made.  Exchanging all precious gifts, but you’d better take your diamond ring, you’d better pawn it babe.  You used to be amused at Napoleon in rags and the language that he used.  Go to him now, he calls you, you can’t refuse.  When you ain’t got nothing, you got nothing to lose.  You’re invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal.  How does it feel….like a complete unknown, __ __ __ __.”  Clue:  Appears to be about the fall of a ‘privileged’ person into the real world.  Hmm.

This morning we stopped by the main post office to mail three light-weight items to the States.  It cost $2.14 and at first I thought I misheard.  This brings me to an observation I’ve made before, but merits revisiting.  The postal service in Thailand, at least in Chiang Rai, seems very efficient with it’s band of motorized carriers.  They leave the post office with their motorbikes packed with saddlebags full of mail and small parcels tied to the passenger part of the seat.  If it’s too heavy they leave a note.  When we get a package our guy usually rings the bell, rides up to the  porch, gets the signature and he’s done.  The other part that amazes me is the fact that they will deliver almost anything from one city to another.  You need to send someone a motorbike, you can mail it and it will arrive.  I’ve seen bikes and small machines on the loading dock, ready for local delivery.  

There has been some building activity in the neighborhood.  The coffee shop next door added a roof extension that may be for their kitchen.  Something is beginning to happen at the rear of the lot that might be the start of a house.  The house behind us has been very quiet until today.  I saw someone sanding a concrete wall, so maybe the work will continue next week.  All this is to say that not much is really happening around here, which is fine with us.  Oh yeah, Natcha said there are now only 3 cats visiting from next door on the other side.  Much better than 7.

Today’s photos were taken in the back yard this afternoon.  The rain has really livened up things up.

The government has installed cameras on the 4 lane highways and at major intersections, bringing us into the 21st century when it comes to curbing roadway offenses.  Those driving over the posted speed limit of 100 k/ph (62 mph) or the higher speed of 120 k/ph (75 mph) will have their photos taken and get their ticket in the mail.  Hmm, I will not be testing this system.  Going over 100 on most sections of the road through Chiang Rai seems pretty fast.  I suspect it will be a long time before we have pursuit vehicles.

There is a storm headed our way, due tonight and tomorrow afternoon.  Looks like errands in the morning and staying dry the rest of the day.  That’s if it actually happens.  The forecasters are doing pretty good at looking out of the window lately (555).

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                      Peace,

                                Danny

“When I let go of what I am,

I become what I might be.”

~Lao Tzu