Hi,
Whoa, another Friday already. We ended the week with the promise of pressure. Water pressure, that is. We met with the waterworks guy and we're getting a 'Lucky Star' pump, with a two year guarantee and, as he put it, 'strong water'.
Check out this segue. Speaking of water, I'm impressed with how many remembered "Aqualung" by Jethro Tull. It had nothing to do with water, but oh well. Let's head back to 1963, when there were seasons, and we had to walk places.
"Oh, how you tried, to cut me down to size, tellin' dirty lies to my friends. But my own father said: 'Give her up, don't bother. The world isn't comin' to an end.' He said, __ __ __ __, talk like a man __ __ __ __ my son." Clues: You got your clues already.
Tomorrow we're having lunch with Dee, who we hope will become a new friend. Then we'll probably cruise down to the boulevard.
I'm going to sign off early today so I can make way for the 'Funnies'. These were sent in by Blue. Have a Fantastic WeekEnd.
Peace,
Danny
Dear Redneck Son,
I'm writing this slow because I know you can't read fast. We don't live where we did when you left home. Your dad read in the newspaper that most accidents happen within 20 miles of your home, so we moved. I won't be able to send you the address because the last Lousiana family that lived here took the house numbers when they moved so they won't have to change their address.
This place is really nice. It even has a washing machine. I'm not sure about it. I put a load of clothes in and pulled the chain. We haven't seen them since!
The weather isn't bad here. It only rained twice last week; the first time for 3 days and the second time for 4 days.
About that coat you wanted me to send; your uncle Billy Bob said it would be too heavy to send in the mail with the buttons on, so we cut them off and put them in the pockets.
Bubba locked the keys in the car yesterday. We were really worried because it took him two hours to get me and your father out!
Your sister had a baby this morning, but I haven't found out what it is yet ...so I don't know if you're an aunt or an uncle.
Uncle Bobby Ray fell into a whiskey vat last week. Some men tried to pull him out but he fought them off and drowned. We had him cremated, he burned for days!
Three of your friends went off a bridge in a pickup truck. Butch was driving. He rolled down the window and swam to safety. Your other two friends were in the back. They drowned because they couldn't get the tailgate down!
There isn't much more news at this time. Nothing much out of the normal has happened.
Your favorite aunt,
Mom
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics
Friday, November 9, 2007
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Heart/Mind
Hi,
Today was pretty cool. We went by the lot with Pat and Boot, then downtown to get an amplifier for the living-room
sound. I spent most of the afternoon getting it all to work. Now we can listen to our CDs, tapes and my iPod. I'm still working on getting proper sound from the turntable, but I'll figure it out.
I knew I'd hit a nerve with at least a few of my rock friends. I've had a certain musical line going through my head all day. It came from this: "Feeling alone, the army's up the road, salvation a la mode and a cup of tea. __ my friend, don't start away uneasy..." Clues: Lane tells us the '71 LP of the same name has sold over 7 million copies.
While we were walking around downtown, near the market section, we saw one of the people I told you about yesterday. We heard the sound of a bicycle horn. I turn and saw a giant cart filled with ladders and brooms. I'll post a few pics on Flickr. We saw him again in another part of town later. He gets around.
It's finally been determined that what we need is a pump, to increase water pressure. There's a place called the 'waterworks' that's been suggested. Tomorrow may be the day. Think about it. When you come to visit you'd like to have some hot water, right? Of course you would. And when did you say you're coming? (Ha)
Oh, another interesting thing happened today. I went out to the front yard to get some perspective before we went to the property. Trying to imagine a different structure, and where the pool would be. I heard a bike at the gate and thought it might be Boot. It was Gai, a neighbor who works at Sinthanee. She stopped by on her way to work to return the blender that didn't work. Can you imagine Best Buy or Target doing that? Neither can I.
That led us to a brief discussion about preferential treatment. They (BB and Target) may do that sort of thing for their rich clients, we don't know. Considering all the stuff we bought at Sinthanee, maybe they consider us to be rich. (Big Ha) Of course, by Thai standards, I guess we would be rich. We try not to 'act' like we are, and we don't buy the most expensive stuff, but most falangs that are not just passing through are probably considered rich. Hmm. You're as rich as you think you are. Actually, I think the return of the blender was more in keeping with 'The Thai Way'.
Have an Abundant Day.
Peace,
Danny
"Don't try to reason with your heart
or feel with your mind
for just as the heart knows no logic,
the mind can't lead you to your soul."
~Unknown
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics
Today was pretty cool. We went by the lot with Pat and Boot, then downtown to get an amplifier for the living-room
sound. I spent most of the afternoon getting it all to work. Now we can listen to our CDs, tapes and my iPod. I'm still working on getting proper sound from the turntable, but I'll figure it out.
I knew I'd hit a nerve with at least a few of my rock friends. I've had a certain musical line going through my head all day. It came from this: "Feeling alone, the army's up the road, salvation a la mode and a cup of tea. __ my friend, don't start away uneasy..." Clues: Lane tells us the '71 LP of the same name has sold over 7 million copies.
While we were walking around downtown, near the market section, we saw one of the people I told you about yesterday. We heard the sound of a bicycle horn. I turn and saw a giant cart filled with ladders and brooms. I'll post a few pics on Flickr. We saw him again in another part of town later. He gets around.
It's finally been determined that what we need is a pump, to increase water pressure. There's a place called the 'waterworks' that's been suggested. Tomorrow may be the day. Think about it. When you come to visit you'd like to have some hot water, right? Of course you would. And when did you say you're coming? (Ha)
Oh, another interesting thing happened today. I went out to the front yard to get some perspective before we went to the property. Trying to imagine a different structure, and where the pool would be. I heard a bike at the gate and thought it might be Boot. It was Gai, a neighbor who works at Sinthanee. She stopped by on her way to work to return the blender that didn't work. Can you imagine Best Buy or Target doing that? Neither can I.
That led us to a brief discussion about preferential treatment. They (BB and Target) may do that sort of thing for their rich clients, we don't know. Considering all the stuff we bought at Sinthanee, maybe they consider us to be rich. (Big Ha) Of course, by Thai standards, I guess we would be rich. We try not to 'act' like we are, and we don't buy the most expensive stuff, but most falangs that are not just passing through are probably considered rich. Hmm. You're as rich as you think you are. Actually, I think the return of the blender was more in keeping with 'The Thai Way'.
Have an Abundant Day.
Peace,
Danny
"Don't try to reason with your heart
or feel with your mind
for just as the heart knows no logic,
the mind can't lead you to your soul."
~Unknown
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Observe
Hi,
Water pressure's up, felt hot water in the kitchen, briefly. It was a good day all around. OK, it was a great day. We went out this afternoon and looked at another property. This one has great potential. It's not in the city mix, but not too far out either. More later.
I'm so glad you all let me know that you knew the song. I was about to talk bad about you. (Ha) "Daydream Believer" was the last major Monkees hit in '67. Lane sent in the info. Also it was #1 for four weeks. Barry wrote in with the little known (at the time) fact that the boys didn't write or sing the early hits. Teens were very forgiving in those days.
For a little diversion, we're going to wander to the other side of rock. Who remembers this one with the 'drive your parents mad' lyrics: "Sitting on a park bench, eyeing little girls with bad intent...." Hint: Not really about a diving device at all, by a group who's namesake was not it's lead singer, as most thought. Great musical riff.
It struck me today, after we walked among the weeds of one rai and change (I've explained the rai, but 2.5= 1 acre) that it was about four times as big as the Nina lot. Hmm, that ought to be big enough for something grand.
Another observation: There is no escrow, so you never really know what someone may be trying to sell you. It may not be totally theirs. Now that's enough to perk up the paranoia. Today's outing was with a bank. Felt safe. One of my intentions, from the beginning, was to find a way to know about foreclosures on land. There are many speculators buying up land in Chiang Rai, because it's growing fast. Time will tell, but a little piece of it is waiting for us.
There are sound that one hears in neighborhoods, that have specific meaning. If you don't know, they just seem like noise. There is the thud of a wood block that travels slowly down the street, the 'ting' of a small bell, each calling out to tell everyone that someone special is coming by. There's the knife sharpener, for instance. When you hear the sound, you grab your knives and take them to the cart. There are services like this in many cultures. Some die out, some continue. Oscar Brown Jr. wrote a song about 'Rags and Old Iron'. He told the story of a horse drawn cart and the man who bought rags and old iron. Then there was the man in Japan that inspired Blue to write 'Yakimo'. This man pushed a cart through the neighborhoods selling sweet potato pies and treats. When you think about it, we had the Good Humor Man, the vegetable truck, etc. Now there are 'one stop trucks' that cruise some neighborhoods with all sorts of products. And the Beat Goes On. (but that's another song)
Have a Wonderful Wacky Wednesday.
Peace,
Danny
"Do not believe in anything simply
because you have heard it.
Do not believe in anything simply
because it is spoken and rumored by many.
Do not believe in anything simply
because it is found written in your religious books.
Do not believe in anything merely on the
authority of your teachers and elders.
Do not believe in traditions because
they have been handed down for many generations.
But after observation and analysis, when
you find that anything agrees with reason
and is conducive to the good and benefit of one
and all, then accept it and live up to it."
~Buddha
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics
Water pressure's up, felt hot water in the kitchen, briefly. It was a good day all around. OK, it was a great day. We went out this afternoon and looked at another property. This one has great potential. It's not in the city mix, but not too far out either. More later.
I'm so glad you all let me know that you knew the song. I was about to talk bad about you. (Ha) "Daydream Believer" was the last major Monkees hit in '67. Lane sent in the info. Also it was #1 for four weeks. Barry wrote in with the little known (at the time) fact that the boys didn't write or sing the early hits. Teens were very forgiving in those days.
For a little diversion, we're going to wander to the other side of rock. Who remembers this one with the 'drive your parents mad' lyrics: "Sitting on a park bench, eyeing little girls with bad intent...." Hint: Not really about a diving device at all, by a group who's namesake was not it's lead singer, as most thought. Great musical riff.
It struck me today, after we walked among the weeds of one rai and change (I've explained the rai, but 2.5= 1 acre) that it was about four times as big as the Nina lot. Hmm, that ought to be big enough for something grand.
Another observation: There is no escrow, so you never really know what someone may be trying to sell you. It may not be totally theirs. Now that's enough to perk up the paranoia. Today's outing was with a bank. Felt safe. One of my intentions, from the beginning, was to find a way to know about foreclosures on land. There are many speculators buying up land in Chiang Rai, because it's growing fast. Time will tell, but a little piece of it is waiting for us.
There are sound that one hears in neighborhoods, that have specific meaning. If you don't know, they just seem like noise. There is the thud of a wood block that travels slowly down the street, the 'ting' of a small bell, each calling out to tell everyone that someone special is coming by. There's the knife sharpener, for instance. When you hear the sound, you grab your knives and take them to the cart. There are services like this in many cultures. Some die out, some continue. Oscar Brown Jr. wrote a song about 'Rags and Old Iron'. He told the story of a horse drawn cart and the man who bought rags and old iron. Then there was the man in Japan that inspired Blue to write 'Yakimo'. This man pushed a cart through the neighborhoods selling sweet potato pies and treats. When you think about it, we had the Good Humor Man, the vegetable truck, etc. Now there are 'one stop trucks' that cruise some neighborhoods with all sorts of products. And the Beat Goes On. (but that's another song)
Have a Wonderful Wacky Wednesday.
Peace,
Danny
"Do not believe in anything simply
because you have heard it.
Do not believe in anything simply
because it is spoken and rumored by many.
Do not believe in anything simply
because it is found written in your religious books.
Do not believe in anything merely on the
authority of your teachers and elders.
Do not believe in traditions because
they have been handed down for many generations.
But after observation and analysis, when
you find that anything agrees with reason
and is conducive to the good and benefit of one
and all, then accept it and live up to it."
~Buddha
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Determined
Hi,
Boy, there must be a lot going on over there. Only one brave person admitted knowing the song. And Linda still has to go back to the drawing board. I gave you the group yesterday. Today I'm practically giving you the song. The chorus:
"Cheer up sleepy Jean. Oh, what can it mean To a __ __ And a homecoming queen.." Hint: Some of us used to get accused of doing this during school. Who me?
Today the water was back in the kitchen and the pressure in the shower is stronger. I'm not even going to begin to try and figure it all out. I have come to the conclusion that we are subjects in a test. We are, for all intents and purposes, the first tenants in this house. Someone may have lived here years ago, but Boon Serm and his wife have never been landlords. As a consequence, we're all flying blind. Imagine, if you will, that your living in an environment where the person you rent from doesn't speak your language, lives on the property, still considers the space you rent as theirs (like wandering in, unannounced), and thinks everything is fine, in spite of the obvious. It's still a wonderful life and I wouldn't trade it in, for the most part, but that's a capsule of the essence. We've been 'training' them about coming into the house and Boot has let them know that they can come in if we invite them. Same way vampires have to behave.
The weather is changing here. It's winter time. There are basically three seasons here: Rainy, Winter and Hot. We had a few really cold days over the weekend but it looks like we'll have a warm week, during the day. It's supposed to be in the mid 80s during the day and the low 60s at night. For many here, the nights are a problem because they don't have warm clothes. Last year many got very sick because of exposure. This year there have been drives to collect warm sweaters and jackets to donate to those in need. We brought warm clothes because we knew it would be cold in New Zealand when we go in March. Looks like we'll be wearing those things sooner.
Today we went to a store we'd never been to with Pat and got a heater. Very slick number for the bathroom. It's like a three foot tower of heat. Should be great for after a shower on a cold 'winter' night. The store had tons of stuff that we didn't have time to investigate. Most of it was from China, some of it looked good and some looked questionable. There has always been a strong Chinese presence in Northern Thailand (history lesson later), and with the trade routes opening up, more and more goods are being imported.
We also discovered another major market district. Supat got a call from Boot saying she needed trash bags. We were taken into this dense maze of streets where everything is sold. Foods of every description, 'bags' (we were taken to the plastic bag store), cut flowers, clothes, etc. We'll definitely be going back for a real excursion.
Well, time to go. We've been having a Dark Angel marathon and we just started season 2. (the DVD would make a nice holiday gift for some travelers I know)
Peace,
Danny
"One determined person can make a significant difference; a
small group of determined people can change the course of
history."
~Sonia Johnson
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
http://www.gratidude.blogspot.com
www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics
Boy, there must be a lot going on over there. Only one brave person admitted knowing the song. And Linda still has to go back to the drawing board. I gave you the group yesterday. Today I'm practically giving you the song. The chorus:
"Cheer up sleepy Jean. Oh, what can it mean To a __ __ And a homecoming queen.." Hint: Some of us used to get accused of doing this during school. Who me?
Today the water was back in the kitchen and the pressure in the shower is stronger. I'm not even going to begin to try and figure it all out. I have come to the conclusion that we are subjects in a test. We are, for all intents and purposes, the first tenants in this house. Someone may have lived here years ago, but Boon Serm and his wife have never been landlords. As a consequence, we're all flying blind. Imagine, if you will, that your living in an environment where the person you rent from doesn't speak your language, lives on the property, still considers the space you rent as theirs (like wandering in, unannounced), and thinks everything is fine, in spite of the obvious. It's still a wonderful life and I wouldn't trade it in, for the most part, but that's a capsule of the essence. We've been 'training' them about coming into the house and Boot has let them know that they can come in if we invite them. Same way vampires have to behave.
The weather is changing here. It's winter time. There are basically three seasons here: Rainy, Winter and Hot. We had a few really cold days over the weekend but it looks like we'll have a warm week, during the day. It's supposed to be in the mid 80s during the day and the low 60s at night. For many here, the nights are a problem because they don't have warm clothes. Last year many got very sick because of exposure. This year there have been drives to collect warm sweaters and jackets to donate to those in need. We brought warm clothes because we knew it would be cold in New Zealand when we go in March. Looks like we'll be wearing those things sooner.
Today we went to a store we'd never been to with Pat and got a heater. Very slick number for the bathroom. It's like a three foot tower of heat. Should be great for after a shower on a cold 'winter' night. The store had tons of stuff that we didn't have time to investigate. Most of it was from China, some of it looked good and some looked questionable. There has always been a strong Chinese presence in Northern Thailand (history lesson later), and with the trade routes opening up, more and more goods are being imported.
We also discovered another major market district. Supat got a call from Boot saying she needed trash bags. We were taken into this dense maze of streets where everything is sold. Foods of every description, 'bags' (we were taken to the plastic bag store), cut flowers, clothes, etc. We'll definitely be going back for a real excursion.
Well, time to go. We've been having a Dark Angel marathon and we just started season 2. (the DVD would make a nice holiday gift for some travelers I know)
Peace,
Danny
"One determined person can make a significant difference; a
small group of determined people can change the course of
history."
~Sonia Johnson
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
http://www.gratidude.blogspot.com
www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics
Monday, November 5, 2007
Late
Hi,
So, I guess that all of you on the west coast have fallen back by now. We don't do that, as far as we can tell. What it means to us is that we're now 15 hours ahead of you. It also means we don't have to change the time on all the clocks and watches. I won't even attempt to explain how time is told here. Maybe later.
I'm quite shocked and surprised that nobody knew "In-A-Godda-Da-Vida", by Iron Butterfly. Hmm, you must have been pondering the clock. Oh well, maybe you'll remember this one, by a group with an animal name who had a TV show that was very silly. "Oh, I could hide 'neath the wings of the bluebird as she sings. A six-o'clock-alarm would never ring..."
We had a quiet weekend, hanging around the house. Most of the energy was spent on 'water drama'. A pipe broke up the street and we had no water in the kitchen all weekend. It wasn't a major deal, but it was irritating. Lots of little observations though. Saturday night someone across the street was playing a drum. After a while there was singing to the drum. I really enjoyed that. Another reason why we want to live around people. There's just so much culture to absorb.
Today we went to Overbrook Hospital to see about getting flu shots and see about our last Hep B vaccination. We were greeted by a charming woman who helped us get situated. I'm pretty sure we got some preferential treatment because the waiting room was real busy and we were taken upstairs very quickly. When we went back downstairs to the pharmacy, we met a couple from a town south of here. He's from Seattle, and has been here seven years. His wife is Thai and they were very nice. We exchanged numbers at the end of a visit that helped the time go by. When they called us to the counter, they forgot to tell us where to go for our shot. The woman returned with two small plastic bags. In the bags were vials and a needle. My first thought was, 'no way'. She directed us to the 'treatment room' where a nurse gave us our shots. Whew!
This afternoon, I was looking out at the yard and saw what appeared to be a squirrel. We had wondered if there were squirrels in Thailand. It was sitting on a tree stump, and then jumped to a tree and then to another. The thing that made it so amazing was that it was white. Hmm, an albino squirrel? I went to my old friend Mr. Google and discovered that it's a species that lives here and also in Burma and Indochina, and they're white. Now I'll be on the look-out for more.
Oh, our circle of friends is widening even more. Supat had told us about an architect friend who taught him English. He said he'd arrange for us to meet him. Then we got a call from Boot on Sunday and she was visiting with the same man. His name is Dee and he's English and he's been here ten years. Lisa spoke with him on the phone and he's coming to lunch next Saturday. Now we may have someone to help us design our house, who understands Thai and Western building. It's all falling into place.
Have a Fabulous Week.
Peace,
Danny
"It is never too late to be what you might have been."
~George Eliot
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics
So, I guess that all of you on the west coast have fallen back by now. We don't do that, as far as we can tell. What it means to us is that we're now 15 hours ahead of you. It also means we don't have to change the time on all the clocks and watches. I won't even attempt to explain how time is told here. Maybe later.
I'm quite shocked and surprised that nobody knew "In-A-Godda-Da-Vida", by Iron Butterfly. Hmm, you must have been pondering the clock. Oh well, maybe you'll remember this one, by a group with an animal name who had a TV show that was very silly. "Oh, I could hide 'neath the wings of the bluebird as she sings. A six-o'clock-alarm would never ring..."
We had a quiet weekend, hanging around the house. Most of the energy was spent on 'water drama'. A pipe broke up the street and we had no water in the kitchen all weekend. It wasn't a major deal, but it was irritating. Lots of little observations though. Saturday night someone across the street was playing a drum. After a while there was singing to the drum. I really enjoyed that. Another reason why we want to live around people. There's just so much culture to absorb.
Today we went to Overbrook Hospital to see about getting flu shots and see about our last Hep B vaccination. We were greeted by a charming woman who helped us get situated. I'm pretty sure we got some preferential treatment because the waiting room was real busy and we were taken upstairs very quickly. When we went back downstairs to the pharmacy, we met a couple from a town south of here. He's from Seattle, and has been here seven years. His wife is Thai and they were very nice. We exchanged numbers at the end of a visit that helped the time go by. When they called us to the counter, they forgot to tell us where to go for our shot. The woman returned with two small plastic bags. In the bags were vials and a needle. My first thought was, 'no way'. She directed us to the 'treatment room' where a nurse gave us our shots. Whew!
This afternoon, I was looking out at the yard and saw what appeared to be a squirrel. We had wondered if there were squirrels in Thailand. It was sitting on a tree stump, and then jumped to a tree and then to another. The thing that made it so amazing was that it was white. Hmm, an albino squirrel? I went to my old friend Mr. Google and discovered that it's a species that lives here and also in Burma and Indochina, and they're white. Now I'll be on the look-out for more.
Oh, our circle of friends is widening even more. Supat had told us about an architect friend who taught him English. He said he'd arrange for us to meet him. Then we got a call from Boot on Sunday and she was visiting with the same man. His name is Dee and he's English and he's been here ten years. Lisa spoke with him on the phone and he's coming to lunch next Saturday. Now we may have someone to help us design our house, who understands Thai and Western building. It's all falling into place.
Have a Fabulous Week.
Peace,
Danny
"It is never too late to be what you might have been."
~George Eliot
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics
Friday, November 2, 2007
Friday Funnies
Hi,
Well, I sounds like some of you really got in the 'spirit' of things. I got mail, reporting in on costumes and kids. In the costume department, Jimmy has to get a prize for this one. "I put a chair on my head and went as a piece of gum". Brilliant. I mean, it's just so 'out'. Linda was The Devil, C-Bass went out as Borat (he got mistaken for Sonny Bono, who he didn't know) and August was (what else?) a DJ. August did the Trick or Treat deal for just a little while. His thing is giving out the candy. He's loved it for years. This year he had sound effects going and a strobe light. We predict that in years to come, he'll have traffic backed up on their street, just to see what he's done.
Congrats to all the gouls and gobblins who knew "The Monster Mash" by Bobby 'Boris' Pickett, 1962. Linda sent this:
"Pickett was an aspiring actor who sang with a band called The Cordials at night while going to auditions during the day. One night, while performing with his band, Pickett did a monologue in imitation of horror movie actor Boris Karloff while performing The Diamonds' "Little Darlin'". The audience loved it and fellow band member, Lenny Capizzi encouraged Pickett to do more with the Karloff imitation. Pickett and Capizzi composed "Monster Mash" and recorded it with Gary
Paxton, Leon Russell, Johnny McCrae and Rickie Page, credited as "The Cryptkickers". This song was partially inspired by Paxton's earlier novelty hit "Alley Oop", as well as by the Mashed Potato dance craze of the era." And now you know.
"__-__-__-__-__, honey Don't you know that I love you __-__-__-__-__, baby, Don't you know that I'll always be true. Oh, won't you come with me and take my hand? Oh, won't you come with me and walk this land? Please take my hand..." Clues: The guitar riff in this song has been know to send grown people into a mono-syllabic frenzy, bobbing their heads and chanting words they don't understand. The song had one verse and one chorus, said little, but became an anthem. Oh, group is named for something that is probably, physically impossible.
We did more work on the house today. A man came and put some boards down in the attic so we can store stuff up there. We went into town for our lesson, but first we stopped by 'The August Store' (the one with all the mixing gear and things that plug in) to exchange a 'step-down' that fried. A 'step-down' is a transformer of sorts, that plugs into the 220v wall socket and converts the power to 120v so we westerners can have our devices from 'home'. We've found that many items will work with the 220v plugs, like cell-phone chargers, computer power supplies, etc. So, that's a part of the new life, dealing with truly alternating currents. This is going to be an interesting adventure in itself.
We also paid our first phone bill today. Actually, it's the house phone and we don't ever use it. We get calls, but we usually have Boot talk to the caller, since it's always in Thai, and mostly sales people. The bill was $3.90 for the month. Can you imagine your base phone bill being the much (or that little)?? Even if we start making outgoing calls, it's still a deal.
And now, I think it's time for the 'Funnies', sent in by Blue a while back. Have a Great WeekEnd.
Peace,
Danny
A Gift for Mama
Four brothers left home for college, and they became successful doctors
and lawyers and prospered. Some years later, they chatted after having dinner
together. They discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly
mother who lived far away in another city.
The first said, "I had a big house built for Mama."
The second said, "I had a hundred thousand dollar theater built in the house."
The third said "I had my Mercedes dealer deliver an SL600 to her."
The fourth said, "You know how Mama loved reading the Bible and you know
she can't read anymore because she can't see very well. I met this preacher
who told me about a parrot that can recite the entire Bible. It took twenty
preachers 12 years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribute $100,000 a
year for twenty years to the church, but it was worth it. Mama just has to
name the chapter and verse and the parrot will recite it."
The other brothers were impressed. After the holidays Mom sent out her
thank you notes. "She wrote: "Milton, the house you built is so huge. I live
in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house. Thanks anyway."
"Marvin, I am too old to travel. I stay home, I have my groceries
delivered, so I never use the Mercedes. The thought was good. Thanks."
"Michael, you gave me an expensive theater with Dolby sound, it could hold
50 people, but all my friends are dead, I've lost my hearing and I'm nearly
blind. I'll never use it. Thank you for the gesture just the same."
"Dearest Melvin, you were the only son to have the good sense to give
little thought to your gift. The chicken was delicious. Thank you."
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics
Well, I sounds like some of you really got in the 'spirit' of things. I got mail, reporting in on costumes and kids. In the costume department, Jimmy has to get a prize for this one. "I put a chair on my head and went as a piece of gum". Brilliant. I mean, it's just so 'out'. Linda was The Devil, C-Bass went out as Borat (he got mistaken for Sonny Bono, who he didn't know) and August was (what else?) a DJ. August did the Trick or Treat deal for just a little while. His thing is giving out the candy. He's loved it for years. This year he had sound effects going and a strobe light. We predict that in years to come, he'll have traffic backed up on their street, just to see what he's done.
Congrats to all the gouls and gobblins who knew "The Monster Mash" by Bobby 'Boris' Pickett, 1962. Linda sent this:
"Pickett was an aspiring actor who sang with a band called The Cordials at night while going to auditions during the day. One night, while performing with his band, Pickett did a monologue in imitation of horror movie actor Boris Karloff while performing The Diamonds' "Little Darlin'". The audience loved it and fellow band member, Lenny Capizzi encouraged Pickett to do more with the Karloff imitation. Pickett and Capizzi composed "Monster Mash" and recorded it with Gary
Paxton, Leon Russell, Johnny McCrae and Rickie Page, credited as "The Cryptkickers". This song was partially inspired by Paxton's earlier novelty hit "Alley Oop", as well as by the Mashed Potato dance craze of the era." And now you know.
"__-__-__-__-__, honey Don't you know that I love you __-__-__-__-__, baby, Don't you know that I'll always be true. Oh, won't you come with me and take my hand? Oh, won't you come with me and walk this land? Please take my hand..." Clues: The guitar riff in this song has been know to send grown people into a mono-syllabic frenzy, bobbing their heads and chanting words they don't understand. The song had one verse and one chorus, said little, but became an anthem. Oh, group is named for something that is probably, physically impossible.
We did more work on the house today. A man came and put some boards down in the attic so we can store stuff up there. We went into town for our lesson, but first we stopped by 'The August Store' (the one with all the mixing gear and things that plug in) to exchange a 'step-down' that fried. A 'step-down' is a transformer of sorts, that plugs into the 220v wall socket and converts the power to 120v so we westerners can have our devices from 'home'. We've found that many items will work with the 220v plugs, like cell-phone chargers, computer power supplies, etc. So, that's a part of the new life, dealing with truly alternating currents. This is going to be an interesting adventure in itself.
We also paid our first phone bill today. Actually, it's the house phone and we don't ever use it. We get calls, but we usually have Boot talk to the caller, since it's always in Thai, and mostly sales people. The bill was $3.90 for the month. Can you imagine your base phone bill being the much (or that little)?? Even if we start making outgoing calls, it's still a deal.
And now, I think it's time for the 'Funnies', sent in by Blue a while back. Have a Great WeekEnd.
Peace,
Danny
A Gift for Mama
Four brothers left home for college, and they became successful doctors
and lawyers and prospered. Some years later, they chatted after having dinner
together. They discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly
mother who lived far away in another city.
The first said, "I had a big house built for Mama."
The second said, "I had a hundred thousand dollar theater built in the house."
The third said "I had my Mercedes dealer deliver an SL600 to her."
The fourth said, "You know how Mama loved reading the Bible and you know
she can't read anymore because she can't see very well. I met this preacher
who told me about a parrot that can recite the entire Bible. It took twenty
preachers 12 years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribute $100,000 a
year for twenty years to the church, but it was worth it. Mama just has to
name the chapter and verse and the parrot will recite it."
The other brothers were impressed. After the holidays Mom sent out her
thank you notes. "She wrote: "Milton, the house you built is so huge. I live
in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house. Thanks anyway."
"Marvin, I am too old to travel. I stay home, I have my groceries
delivered, so I never use the Mercedes. The thought was good. Thanks."
"Michael, you gave me an expensive theater with Dolby sound, it could hold
50 people, but all my friends are dead, I've lost my hearing and I'm nearly
blind. I'll never use it. Thank you for the gesture just the same."
"Dearest Melvin, you were the only son to have the good sense to give
little thought to your gift. The chicken was delicious. Thank you."
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics
Thursday, November 1, 2007
World
Hi,
Well, did you dress up? Did you celebrate Halloween? I know, it's for kids. (Riiiight) I'll bet you ate some candy though.
"Out from his coffin, Drac's voice did ring. Seems he was troubled by just one thing. He opened the lid and shook his fist And said, 'Whatever happened to my Transylvania twist?' It's now __ __, __ __ __..." You need no clues. If you don't know, you don't know. Ask a kid, big or small.
I'm sitting here watching Thai Music Videos. I'm mostly listening, but sometimes I look up and get drawn into the story. Most of them have these gentle stories of love found, love lost, with very sweet characters. Of course, that's just the station I'm watching. There are more 'western' styles for sure. I'm watching one by Potato and the band doesn't sing in person until the end of the clip.
More progress was made with regards to the settling in. We're still in a dilemma as to how to deal with all the paintings and pictures that we'd love to hang. The concrete bricks mean drilling holes, putting in anchors and then patching it all when we leave. Hmm, I'm working on a frame system so we could show Lisa's art without harming the house, too much.
We stayed in all day today. Tomorrow will be another story. We've got basic shopping to do, and a Thai lesson. We're getting closer to the idea of getting a vehicle. Tired of Tuk-Tuks, and tired of being dependent on someone else to go where we want to go. Khun Singh is very nice, drives slow and easy, but it's still out there in the wind and you have to plan what we want to bring home. So, I'm thinkin' four-door pickup, the small kind. We'll see. First, we get bikes.
I guess you can tell that I haven't much to say today. Oh, there's a bird that comes to the same tree limb every afternoon at the same time and squawks his little beak off. I haven't decided if he's calling his family in for the night or just trying to get a date. (Ha)
Enjoy your day and stay out of the candy.
Peace,
Danny
"You can make your world so much larger
simply by acknowledging everyone else's."
~Jeanne Marie Laskas
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics
Well, did you dress up? Did you celebrate Halloween? I know, it's for kids. (Riiiight) I'll bet you ate some candy though.
"Out from his coffin, Drac's voice did ring. Seems he was troubled by just one thing. He opened the lid and shook his fist And said, 'Whatever happened to my Transylvania twist?' It's now __ __, __ __ __..." You need no clues. If you don't know, you don't know. Ask a kid, big or small.
I'm sitting here watching Thai Music Videos. I'm mostly listening, but sometimes I look up and get drawn into the story. Most of them have these gentle stories of love found, love lost, with very sweet characters. Of course, that's just the station I'm watching. There are more 'western' styles for sure. I'm watching one by Potato and the band doesn't sing in person until the end of the clip.
More progress was made with regards to the settling in. We're still in a dilemma as to how to deal with all the paintings and pictures that we'd love to hang. The concrete bricks mean drilling holes, putting in anchors and then patching it all when we leave. Hmm, I'm working on a frame system so we could show Lisa's art without harming the house, too much.
We stayed in all day today. Tomorrow will be another story. We've got basic shopping to do, and a Thai lesson. We're getting closer to the idea of getting a vehicle. Tired of Tuk-Tuks, and tired of being dependent on someone else to go where we want to go. Khun Singh is very nice, drives slow and easy, but it's still out there in the wind and you have to plan what we want to bring home. So, I'm thinkin' four-door pickup, the small kind. We'll see. First, we get bikes.
I guess you can tell that I haven't much to say today. Oh, there's a bird that comes to the same tree limb every afternoon at the same time and squawks his little beak off. I haven't decided if he's calling his family in for the night or just trying to get a date. (Ha)
Enjoy your day and stay out of the candy.
Peace,
Danny
"You can make your world so much larger
simply by acknowledging everyone else's."
~Jeanne Marie Laskas
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics
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