Hi,
Here we are at the end of another five days. But seven days makes a week, that's why I didn't say 'the end of another week' like I usually do. (Now watch, next week I'll revert)
The second-day clues seemed to have jarred your memories. "Don't Say It's Over" by Crowded, House must be playing in your mind. For the weekend, ponder this line. It's the first half of the chorus by a country artist with many hits:
"__ __ __ you've never let me down, you turned my life around, the sweetest days I've found I've found with you..."
Well, we went to the bank today, and got incredible, embarrassing, first-class treatment. Hey, we're nice people with what appears to be a lot of money. (5) There were more forms to sign for on-line banking. We don't want to open a bank, we just want to check our balance at home. Oh well, different. When we left the desk of our 'friend', she noticed we were in the process of filing out a withdrawal slip. She jumped up, took the slip and went and got the money. Wow.
Then we rolled out to The Place. It looks totally different with all the dirt spread out and compact. There are still mounds in front of the area where they're working on the wall, but the space is apparent. I'll post some pics. This afternoon, Dee came over with the first computer renderings from the engineer/architect team. Most impressive, to see the transformation of our little pencil drawings. We spent some time going over everything, making changes, adding suggestions, and standing up for what we want in our house. "Oh they can't do that", "you don't want to do that" mean nothing. If they're good, they'll find a way to make it work. That's what I always say. (5) (feels good to say it though)
Boot told us it was time to start packing. She's right. Supat calls her 'Big Mama' because she looks out for everybody and makes sure you're alright. It's interesting, because she's much younger than us, but she is very protective. You won't find us complaining. She told us she wants to go to the airport when we leave. I think it's going to get emotional. She's been a part of our 'family' for almost three months and we've bonded. No one could have foreseen the events that have taken place in our lives.
It's time for the 'Funnies'. Have a Warm WeekEnd.
Peace,
Danny
A guy comes home completely drunk one night. He lurches through the
door and is met by his scowling wife, who is most definitely not
happy. "Where the hell have you been all night?" she demands.
"At this fantastic new bar," he says. "The Golden Saloon. Everything
there is golden. It's got huge golden doors, a golden floor, the works
- hell, even the urinal's gold!"
The wife still doesn't believe his story, and the next day checks the
phone book, finding a place across town called the Golden Saloon. She
calls up the place to check her husband's story.
"Is this the Golden Saloon?" she asks when the bartender answers the phone.
"Yes it is," bartender answers.
"Do you have huge golden doors?"
"Sure do." "Do you have golden floors?"
"Most certainly do."
"What about golden urinals?"
There's a long pause, then the woman hears the bartender yelling,
"Hey, Duke, I think I got a lead on the guy that pissed in your
saxophone last night!
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics
Friday, December 14, 2007
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Waiting
Hi,
Well, not much is happening around here. We traveled home today. Spent the morning just hanging out in our hotel room. We did stop by the pool and gym after breakfast. Very nice facility. We'll stay there again, the next time we motor down.
"There's a battle ahead, many battles are lost, but you'll never see the end of the road while you're travelling with me. Hey now, hey now, __ __ __ __, hey now, hey now..." Hint: I practically gave it to you. No mail today, on the song. Hmm, Lisa got it. You must all be out shopping.
The dirt chapter is done at the site. I've been pondering what to call this whole project. It's not a house yet, and it's not quite a yard (one of my favorites), it is 'the place' where all those things will happen. Hmm, maybe that's it, 'The Place'.
Tomorrow Supat will take us over to The Place to look around and check out the progress on the dirt wall. This is not a wall of dirt, but a wall to hold the tons of dirt that were dumped at The Place. The collective minds have been working overtime, thinking about floors, lights, roof style, trees, pools, windows, and then it's nap time. (that list made me sleepy)
Thailand Observation: There is always some sort of construction going on and it's not unusual to see women working side by side with the traditional male workers. Whether it's carrying lumber, laying bricks, smoothing concrete or pondering a problem, it's nice to see an equality of labor that we weren't used to seeing. I'm not sure what it says, but it speaks to me.
One week from today we will arrive in America. We take off from BKK on December 20, travel through a wormhole, and arrive at LAX on the same date. Pretty slick. Now comes the task of deciding what not to bring with us. Is it still cold, is it snowing there, do we leave our 'Thai clothes' and just wear what we left? I know, way too many questions. Oh well, I just wanted you to know that it's not all a bed of roses over here. Sometimes we have to make critical decisions.
Have a Great Day.
Peace,
Danny
"Being on the tightrope is living; everything else is waiting."
~Karl Wallenda (Do you know who he was?)
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics
Well, not much is happening around here. We traveled home today. Spent the morning just hanging out in our hotel room. We did stop by the pool and gym after breakfast. Very nice facility. We'll stay there again, the next time we motor down.
"There's a battle ahead, many battles are lost, but you'll never see the end of the road while you're travelling with me. Hey now, hey now, __ __ __ __, hey now, hey now..." Hint: I practically gave it to you. No mail today, on the song. Hmm, Lisa got it. You must all be out shopping.
The dirt chapter is done at the site. I've been pondering what to call this whole project. It's not a house yet, and it's not quite a yard (one of my favorites), it is 'the place' where all those things will happen. Hmm, maybe that's it, 'The Place'.
Tomorrow Supat will take us over to The Place to look around and check out the progress on the dirt wall. This is not a wall of dirt, but a wall to hold the tons of dirt that were dumped at The Place. The collective minds have been working overtime, thinking about floors, lights, roof style, trees, pools, windows, and then it's nap time. (that list made me sleepy)
Thailand Observation: There is always some sort of construction going on and it's not unusual to see women working side by side with the traditional male workers. Whether it's carrying lumber, laying bricks, smoothing concrete or pondering a problem, it's nice to see an equality of labor that we weren't used to seeing. I'm not sure what it says, but it speaks to me.
One week from today we will arrive in America. We take off from BKK on December 20, travel through a wormhole, and arrive at LAX on the same date. Pretty slick. Now comes the task of deciding what not to bring with us. Is it still cold, is it snowing there, do we leave our 'Thai clothes' and just wear what we left? I know, way too many questions. Oh well, I just wanted you to know that it's not all a bed of roses over here. Sometimes we have to make critical decisions.
Have a Great Day.
Peace,
Danny
"Being on the tightrope is living; everything else is waiting."
~Karl Wallenda (Do you know who he was?)
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Life - Wednesday Post 12-12-07
Hi,
I guess the second day clue nailed it for ya. Now you're all humming 'I Can't Help Myself', by The Four Tops. Our intrepid researcher/knower of things, Lane, sent this: "Written and produced by Motown's main production team Holland-Dozier-Holland, The Four Tops, the song is one of the most well-known Motown tunes of the 1960s. It was the number one song on the Billboard Hot 100 for two non-consecutive weeks, from June 12-19 1965 and from June 26-July 3. It replaced "Back in my Arms Again" by labelmates The Supremes, was first replaced by "Mr Tambourine Man" by The Byrds, then regained the top spot before being permanently replaced by "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones." He sent more, but you're falling asleep.
"There is freedom within, there is freedom without, try to catch the deluge in a paper cup..." Clues: Group name comes from too many in one place, song is about not giving up. Hmm, thought you needed a tough one.
Our trip to Chiang Mai was routine and on time. Even with some slow traffic and construction detours, we made it in just under 3 hours. We're in a different hotel this time. The Empress is the bomb. This place is very elegant and our room is the nicest we've stayed in, here in LOS. Everything is coordinated, beautiful wood/laminate floors, really pretty wastebaskets and, last but not least, a bathtub. Trumpets blared, birds sang and someone took a bath. (5)
We found a wonderful little restaurant on the main drag that was decorated with traditional Lana Thai art. The food was good and we ended up eating there twice. This evening we did the NB, which seemed to be much larger than the last time we were here. "The Season" is in full swing and the streets were thick with tourists. We walked and walked, shopped a bit and noticed how everything started looking the same and how occasionally something different would jump out and grab our attention. Oh, I didn't mention that we went back to the tech plaza this morning and picked up a few software items. Hmm, hope they work.
The level of intensity here in Chiang Mai is very different from Chiang Rai. We've noticed more variation in the Tuk-Tuks as well. In CR they're all blue. Here in CM you can see gold ones, black ones and we even saw a pink one. To add to the Hmm factor, I saw a woman driver. That's a first. Well, I'll be back on my own connection tomorrow and not on a timer. The hotels here make you 'buy' time. Have a Wacky Wednesday.
Peace,
Danny
"Life might be able to be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."
~Unknown
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics
I guess the second day clue nailed it for ya. Now you're all humming 'I Can't Help Myself', by The Four Tops. Our intrepid researcher/knower of things, Lane, sent this: "Written and produced by Motown's main production team Holland-Dozier-Holland, The Four Tops, the song is one of the most well-known Motown tunes of the 1960s. It was the number one song on the Billboard Hot 100 for two non-consecutive weeks, from June 12-19 1965 and from June 26-July 3. It replaced "Back in my Arms Again" by labelmates The Supremes, was first replaced by "Mr Tambourine Man" by The Byrds, then regained the top spot before being permanently replaced by "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones." He sent more, but you're falling asleep.
"There is freedom within, there is freedom without, try to catch the deluge in a paper cup..." Clues: Group name comes from too many in one place, song is about not giving up. Hmm, thought you needed a tough one.
Our trip to Chiang Mai was routine and on time. Even with some slow traffic and construction detours, we made it in just under 3 hours. We're in a different hotel this time. The Empress is the bomb. This place is very elegant and our room is the nicest we've stayed in, here in LOS. Everything is coordinated, beautiful wood/laminate floors, really pretty wastebaskets and, last but not least, a bathtub. Trumpets blared, birds sang and someone took a bath. (5)
We found a wonderful little restaurant on the main drag that was decorated with traditional Lana Thai art. The food was good and we ended up eating there twice. This evening we did the NB, which seemed to be much larger than the last time we were here. "The Season" is in full swing and the streets were thick with tourists. We walked and walked, shopped a bit and noticed how everything started looking the same and how occasionally something different would jump out and grab our attention. Oh, I didn't mention that we went back to the tech plaza this morning and picked up a few software items. Hmm, hope they work.
The level of intensity here in Chiang Mai is very different from Chiang Rai. We've noticed more variation in the Tuk-Tuks as well. In CR they're all blue. Here in CM you can see gold ones, black ones and we even saw a pink one. To add to the Hmm factor, I saw a woman driver. That's a first. Well, I'll be back on my own connection tomorrow and not on a timer. The hotels here make you 'buy' time. Have a Wacky Wednesday.
Peace,
Danny
"Life might be able to be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."
~Unknown
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics
Encourage - Tuesday Post
Hi,
What a day. Lots of running around. It started with a trip to the bank. We forgot that it would be crowded since the bank was closed yesterday. That's because it was a holiday. Constitution Day, in a place that's been running without one since the coup. There's a big national election on the 23rd of this month that could change all that, or not. Anyway, in the bank, all banks, you take a number and have a seat until you're called. That's right, no standing in line. It's so nice. When a window is open, a soft voice asks number 140 to go to window four. Also, they use counting machines that you can watch. The teller puts the bills in the machine and it displays the count. Then they turn the bills around and do it again. Very efficient.
After the bank, it was off to the land for more payments. The dirt was really built up today. I forgot to take pictures, but the level is coming up. By the time we get back from Chiang Mai, it should be about done. It was the first time Lisa had seen the place with the dirt.
The afternoon found us downtown shopping for essentials. Later a long meeting with Dee, back at the house. He's been meeting with an engineer and an architect. They both like the land and want to submit ideas, based on our work with Dee. This thing is happening. The hard part will be allowing it to flow, without taking on a life of it's own and running away with itself. (I know some of you got that)
We may have found an answer to the overseas TV dilemma. Our friend Bill, up at Apple suggested a program called Timbuktu. It's been around for years, but who knew. Basically, it allows you to control one computer from another. So, I could watch a movie on NetFlix on a 'legal' North American based computer from my laptop. Since the networks (except NBC) allow viewing of shows after airing, we could see 'our shows'. It still might be a little funky because of bandwidth, but we're working on that too. So many things to think about.
Speaking of thinking, I know a few of you have been thinking about the song. Some of you wrote, with the right group, but you missed on the title. Come on people, you gotta sing past the first phrase. This opening line should help:
"Sugarpie honeybunch, you know that I love you __ __ __ __, I love you and nobody else..." Clue: Ha, you get no more clues.
You've probably gotten used to my going (Ha) when I'm making a joke or a tongue-in-cheek comment. It evolved from some writing Ming did when he was young. He'd throw in things like Blam! Kapow!, you know, comic book stuff. Couldn't help myself. Anyway, here in Thailand, the number five is 'ha'. Some text savvy writers now use 555 in place of LOL or something similar. Pretty cool if you ask me. So, don't be surprised if you see the number five pop up in the writing from time to time. (5)
It's time for Happy Tuesday.
Peace,
Danny
PS I will make every effort to write to you tomorrow. If you don't get an email, go to the blogspot site.
A student asked Soen Nakagawa during a meditation retreat,
"I am very discouraged. What should I do?"
Soen replied, "Encourage others."
~Excerpted from Essential Zen
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics
What a day. Lots of running around. It started with a trip to the bank. We forgot that it would be crowded since the bank was closed yesterday. That's because it was a holiday. Constitution Day, in a place that's been running without one since the coup. There's a big national election on the 23rd of this month that could change all that, or not. Anyway, in the bank, all banks, you take a number and have a seat until you're called. That's right, no standing in line. It's so nice. When a window is open, a soft voice asks number 140 to go to window four. Also, they use counting machines that you can watch. The teller puts the bills in the machine and it displays the count. Then they turn the bills around and do it again. Very efficient.
After the bank, it was off to the land for more payments. The dirt was really built up today. I forgot to take pictures, but the level is coming up. By the time we get back from Chiang Mai, it should be about done. It was the first time Lisa had seen the place with the dirt.
The afternoon found us downtown shopping for essentials. Later a long meeting with Dee, back at the house. He's been meeting with an engineer and an architect. They both like the land and want to submit ideas, based on our work with Dee. This thing is happening. The hard part will be allowing it to flow, without taking on a life of it's own and running away with itself. (I know some of you got that)
We may have found an answer to the overseas TV dilemma. Our friend Bill, up at Apple suggested a program called Timbuktu. It's been around for years, but who knew. Basically, it allows you to control one computer from another. So, I could watch a movie on NetFlix on a 'legal' North American based computer from my laptop. Since the networks (except NBC) allow viewing of shows after airing, we could see 'our shows'. It still might be a little funky because of bandwidth, but we're working on that too. So many things to think about.
Speaking of thinking, I know a few of you have been thinking about the song. Some of you wrote, with the right group, but you missed on the title. Come on people, you gotta sing past the first phrase. This opening line should help:
"Sugarpie honeybunch, you know that I love you __ __ __ __, I love you and nobody else..." Clue: Ha, you get no more clues.
You've probably gotten used to my going (Ha) when I'm making a joke or a tongue-in-cheek comment. It evolved from some writing Ming did when he was young. He'd throw in things like Blam! Kapow!, you know, comic book stuff. Couldn't help myself. Anyway, here in Thailand, the number five is 'ha'. Some text savvy writers now use 555 in place of LOL or something similar. Pretty cool if you ask me. So, don't be surprised if you see the number five pop up in the writing from time to time. (5)
It's time for Happy Tuesday.
Peace,
Danny
PS I will make every effort to write to you tomorrow. If you don't get an email, go to the blogspot site.
A student asked Soen Nakagawa during a meditation retreat,
"I am very discouraged. What should I do?"
Soen replied, "Encourage others."
~Excerpted from Essential Zen
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics
Monday, December 10, 2007
Peace
Hi,
Congratulations to those of you who remembered the weekend song. Today's the day to sing it loud. Lane wrote:
"Manic Monday" (1986) was the first hit single by pop group the Bangles. It was written by Prince in 1984 and recorded as a duet for the Apollonia 6 album, but the song was eventually pulled. Two years later, as he was attempting to "court" lead singer Susanna Hoffs, Prince (under pseudonym Christopher) offered the song to The Bangles, who recorded their version. The song reached #2 in both the UK and US record charts, coincidentally behind Prince's own song " Kiss", which reached #1 in the US. Now you know. Today's song is from my favorite year for music. Hmm, from verse one:
"In and out my life, you come and you go, leaving just your picture behind, and I’ve kissed it a thousand times..." Hint: They were at the their game at the time, motoring up the charts.
Today was 'Dirt Day' at the new homestead. Supat spent the day helping to manage the trucks and the tractors. Actually, there was a young woman who was in charge of the trucks that rolled in, over and over, dumping a surprising amount of beautiful red dirt all over the place. There was a bit of a dispute early in the day when two mooban leaders claimed they were due a commission on the dirt because it came from their village. We left it for the dirt woman to settle the dispute. I arrived around 2:30 and couldn't believe the progress that had been made. The two tractors were going back and forth, spreading the dirt as each truck dumped their load. At the end of the day, they'll drive a water truck around and soak the dirt, let it settle over night and do it again tomorrow. I'll post some pictures on Flickr.
Yesterday the well was created in order to provide the water needed for the various stages of building. The whole thing is a bit mind boggling, to say the least.
Things are done differently here, as if you didn't know by now. Not only are houses built differently, there's a cultural divide that must be dealt with. We've been told by many people, that there's the way you plan it, and the Thai way. One has to be careful not to give 'free reign' in most situations. We met an American woman who's been in LOS for four years. She told us her experiences with building and renovation and cautioned us to supervise everything. Message received.
We're going down to Chiang Mai again, on Wednesday. Once again, we'll ride the V.I.P. bus and stay one night. This time we have the name of a driver with a car, who speaks a bit of English. That should make things a little more pleasant. I've been told to check out a housing development in town that has some great ideas to draw on. Even though we pretty much know what we want, how it's done can make a big difference. We're looking to have a Thai Style house, with western touches. Hmm.
The trip back to the States is getting closer and we're getting excited about seeing family and friends. Our 'room' at Jeff and Anna's is complete and, according to C-Bass, is pretty cool. That tells me we're going to like it.
Have a Wonderful Week. (notice I didn't say 'cool')
Peace,
Danny
"Peace is possible.
Each moment that one individual chooses peace inside,
the whole of humanity moves forward.
We each have the ability and responsibility
to become peacemakers in our daily lives."
~John Morton
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics
Congratulations to those of you who remembered the weekend song. Today's the day to sing it loud. Lane wrote:
"Manic Monday" (1986) was the first hit single by pop group the Bangles. It was written by Prince in 1984 and recorded as a duet for the Apollonia 6 album, but the song was eventually pulled. Two years later, as he was attempting to "court" lead singer Susanna Hoffs, Prince (under pseudonym Christopher) offered the song to The Bangles, who recorded their version. The song reached #2 in both the UK and US record charts, coincidentally behind Prince's own song " Kiss", which reached #1 in the US. Now you know. Today's song is from my favorite year for music. Hmm, from verse one:
"In and out my life, you come and you go, leaving just your picture behind, and I’ve kissed it a thousand times..." Hint: They were at the their game at the time, motoring up the charts.
Today was 'Dirt Day' at the new homestead. Supat spent the day helping to manage the trucks and the tractors. Actually, there was a young woman who was in charge of the trucks that rolled in, over and over, dumping a surprising amount of beautiful red dirt all over the place. There was a bit of a dispute early in the day when two mooban leaders claimed they were due a commission on the dirt because it came from their village. We left it for the dirt woman to settle the dispute. I arrived around 2:30 and couldn't believe the progress that had been made. The two tractors were going back and forth, spreading the dirt as each truck dumped their load. At the end of the day, they'll drive a water truck around and soak the dirt, let it settle over night and do it again tomorrow. I'll post some pictures on Flickr.
Yesterday the well was created in order to provide the water needed for the various stages of building. The whole thing is a bit mind boggling, to say the least.
Things are done differently here, as if you didn't know by now. Not only are houses built differently, there's a cultural divide that must be dealt with. We've been told by many people, that there's the way you plan it, and the Thai way. One has to be careful not to give 'free reign' in most situations. We met an American woman who's been in LOS for four years. She told us her experiences with building and renovation and cautioned us to supervise everything. Message received.
We're going down to Chiang Mai again, on Wednesday. Once again, we'll ride the V.I.P. bus and stay one night. This time we have the name of a driver with a car, who speaks a bit of English. That should make things a little more pleasant. I've been told to check out a housing development in town that has some great ideas to draw on. Even though we pretty much know what we want, how it's done can make a big difference. We're looking to have a Thai Style house, with western touches. Hmm.
The trip back to the States is getting closer and we're getting excited about seeing family and friends. Our 'room' at Jeff and Anna's is complete and, according to C-Bass, is pretty cool. That tells me we're going to like it.
Have a Wonderful Week. (notice I didn't say 'cool')
Peace,
Danny
"Peace is possible.
Each moment that one individual chooses peace inside,
the whole of humanity moves forward.
We each have the ability and responsibility
to become peacemakers in our daily lives."
~John Morton
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics
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