Adventures In Thailand

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Keep Me Away

Hi,

It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood here in Culver City. There was breakfast in Santa Monica, lunch at the mall, and dinner at 'home'. Oh yes, and there was football in the evening.

I'm a little surprised that more of you haven't weighed in on the 'Easy Monday' song. I'll bet you get it after this:

"__ __ is not my lover. She's just a girl who claims that I am the one, but the kid is not my son. She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son." Hint: There was a glove involved (555).

We got to experience rush hour traffic this morning. A 9am breakfast date with a friend in Santa Monica made it necessary to join the masses on the freeway. I promise not to complain about the Chiang Rai traffic ever again. It actually moved pretty well considering how many cars were out there. The thing that stands out in my mind was the courteous nature of the driving. Hmm. We ate at Izzie's, where there are lots of photos of Izzie with celebrities all over the walls. A big plus for us was turkey bacon. Yum.

Then we went to a pet supply store to get some things for the doggies. It's amazing how many products are available for dogs and cats. The store we frequent in Chiang Rai seems tiny compared to the places here. We had no idea there was a pet hospital in PetCo.

While Lisa was lunching in the marina, I went to the mall, had lunch and checked on guitar parts for my friend Chalit. I have noticed, in my driving around, that there have been many changes in the area as far as businesses go. So much to see, so little time.

Today we actually had time to take a nap, due to a cancellation. It's the little things that count.

This evening I turned on the football game. C-Bass and I had fun watching the lopsided competition between Notre Dame and Alabama. I have watched more 'Gridiron' football on this trip than ever before. I'll miss it when we return to The Land of Smiles.

The photo for the day is the delightful Leilani and her parents in front of Thai Boom, after our lunch date Saturday.

Have a Happy Tuesday. Many thanks to my friend Christopher for today's quote.

Peace,

Danny

"Keep me away from wisdom which does not cry,

the philosophy which does not laugh,

and the greatness which does not

bow before little children."

~Kahlil Gibran

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

Monday, January 7, 2013

Stream

Hi,

The weather in Culver City is still cold. There was rain early Sunday morning and wind in the afternoon.

The 'Old School Friday' tune was "Everyday People" by Sly & The Family Stone. It's now time for 'Easy Monday'. See if you remember this one: "She was more like a beauty queen, from a movie screen. I said I don't mind, but what do you mean I am the one, who will dance on the floor in the round. She said I am the one, who will dance on the floor in the round..." Hint: Title is in two words, and it's a name.

Today's photo was taken on Friday morning at an artist workshop that Joan and Bob took us to in San Francisco. All of the artists have mental disabilities and the center offers them the opportunity to focus their talents. Some of the work is licensed for commercial use and they have regular exhibits where the work is for sale. The artists get 50% of the sales and some of them are becoming well known in the area. It was quite inspiring.

Saturday we had a fun lunch with our friends Paul, Joy and Leilani. Leilani is 3 1/2 and it was the first thing she told us when she arrived. She was the life of the party, very outgoing and alert. The family often eats at Thai Boom so the staff knows her and they all had a cute rapport.

In the evening I connected with a bunch of old friends out in Santa Monica. That's one of the great things that happens when we visit; getting to visit and stay in touch.

Sunday morning Lisa and my mom gave me a cake at one of my favorite Recovery meetings. After the meeting we went to Thai Boom for lunch. We've been eating there a lot. Woody and Suni, the owners, have invited us to visit their property west of Bangkok when they return to Bangkok in the spring.

In the evening Lisa went to dinner with a friend and later we hung out with August and C-Bass. We watched football, and did our own versions of commentary on some of the action.

Friday evening we will begin the long journey home to Chiang Rai, Thailand.

Have a Great Week.

Peace,

Danny

"In the confrontation between the stream and the rock,
the stream always wins-not through strength,
but through perseverance."

~Unknown

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

Friday, January 4, 2013

Friday Funnies

Hi,

It was a beautiful day to fly, so we did. We flew to San Francisco (SFO) to begin the Northern California segment of our 'tour'.

That 'Zany Day' song that a few of you got was "At The Zoo" by Simon & Garfunkel. On to 'Old School Friday'.

"Sometimes I'm right, then I can be wrong. My own beliefs are in my songs. A butcher, a banker, a drummer and then, makes no difference what group I'm in. I am __ __... Different strokes for different folks, and so on and so on and scooby dooby dooby." Hint: Every day it was a family affair.

When the shuttle bus dropped us off at the Southwest Airlines curbside check-in we encountered a long line of passengers waiting to enter the airport. We stood in line, in the sun, for about half an hour. Even with the cool air temp, the sun was hot and the layers of clothing began to be too much. It was fun watching people arrive, trying to figure out where they had been and where they were going. I saw many people who were obviously headed for the snow. Big ski and snowboard bags were quite common. There were also people sporting Rose Parade T-shirts and sweatshirts from Stanford being worn proudly. Eventually we got into the terminal and went upstairs for inspection.

Even though I know it's for my own safety, it feels weird to be told to comply to a long list of requirements before entering the x-ray machine. We breezed through with flying colors, although the zipper on Lisa's sweater apparently posed a threat. (555)

Arriving at SFO was something we haven't done in many years. When we got to the baggage area it seemed quiet. We met Karen Jo outside and there was very little traffic. She explained that it was a small airport. You could have fooled me. I expected to see the same scene we left at LAX but it was like a small town airport. We have learned that the city really is small, compared to L.A., in area as well as population.

After a coffee stop we went to see Lisa's father Joe and her stepmother Eva. We went into his studio and marveled at his recent creations. He keeps coming up with new approaches to his art, and it's very inspiring. Since he has a cold, he stayed at the house while the rest of us went to dinner. Eva, Karen Jo, Lisa and I had Chinese food at Hunan Garden, a favorite spot for the Zirker clan. The owner knows what they like to eat and we got excellent service. After dinner we returned to the house and hung out for a bit.

Back in 'the city' we stopped at a Trader Joe's for some munchies and went to Karen Jo's apartment. It's so nice to be staying at someone's home instead of a hotel, and being driven instead of following directions through a strange city.

For Friday we have two events here in the north. We'll have breakfast with our friends Bob and Joan, who we stayed with on our last visit, and then on to the 'Cousin Lunch' at a local Thai restaurant.

Here is an interesting art piece that I photographed at Saladang Restaurant in Pasadena. Nothing like a good illusion.

Saturday I will celebrate my 23rd Recovery Birthday. Life is Good.

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd. On with the 'Funnies' with a big thanks to Christopher.

Peace,

Danny

More Wisdom from Will Rogers

Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.

Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier'n puttin' it back.

Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it.

The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.

When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of Algebra.

I don't know how I got over the hill without getting to the top.

If you don't learn to laugh at trouble, you won't have anything to laugh at when you're old.

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Beauty

Hi,

No visit to L.A. would be complete without a visit to Ross, Target, and Dinah's.

I'm surprised that only a couple of you knew the 'Zany Day' song. It's by a N.Y based duo that had a string of hits.

"Zebras are reactionaries, antelopes are missionaries, pigeons plot in secrecy, and hamsters turn on frequently. What a gas, you gotta come and see what's happening, __ __ __, __ __ __..." Clue: The animal kingdom is well represented at this place.

The morning calm was slightly disturbed by a ticket on the car. It's the first time in five years that we've parked on the wrong side of the street for 'street cleaning day'. Life in the big city.

We are clearly not tourists. The spots we like to visit are the places locals take for granted. Ross stores are one of our 'must see' attractions and we got in a brief visit before going to lunch with our dear friend Kerrina and two of her beautiful children. We had decided to meet at The Grinder on Manchester, but when we arrived we discovered it had been closed since August so we had lunch at Dinah's. Kerrina was our physical therapist for many years and we've known her kids since they were tiny. Catching up on all the news and laughing a lot made it a very fun lunch.

In the afternoon there was more discovery and fascination as we went to the mall. Some stores gone, new ones we'd never seen, and that necessary trip to Target. A few odds and ends later we were strolling through the mall looking around as if we really were tourists. Hmm. It will always be the Fox Hills mall in my mind, but things are certainly different. It's a far cry from our Central Plaza and the Night Bazaar.

The funny thing about cities is that there is a time in the afternoon when you can almost 'feel' the traffic building up. At round 4pm, whether it's Chiang Rai or Culver City, thing begin to get dense on the streets. We made it home just in time. (555)

Emerald Thai was the venue for dinner with The Valley Cousins. Nowell and Jenny plus Jenny's mom Sharon drove in from the valley. We had a great time talking about just about everything under the sun.

My friend Yai Siam posted this drawing that a friend of his did. The concept is: Less is More. Happy New Year from Thailand.

Have a Thrilling Thursday. We're on our way to San Francisco for two days of visits with family and friends.

Peace,

Danny

"Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old."
~Franz Kafka

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Grow

Hi,

Nothing like kicking off the new year with a parade, and a bunch of football games.

The 'Easy Monday' song was "Smooth Operator" by Sade. This 'Zany Day' song should also be easy for some:

"Someone told me it's all happening __ __ __. I do believe it, I do believe it's true... But you can take the crosstown bus, if it's raining or it's cold, and the animals will love it if you do." Hint: It's about a place.

We began the day watching the Rose Parade. As a native Pasadenan, this has been a tradition in my life. Before it was over we left for Altadena to spend the morning with my mother. Since the parade is repeated all day we had a chance to see things we missed on the first round. After helping my mom clean up her email and update some software we went to lunch at Saladang restaurant. When we returned from our lunch the B2 bomber was flying overhead after making a pass at the Rose Bowl game. It looked like an alien space ship as it roared across the sky.

Later in the day we met the adorable grandson of our friend Debby. His name is Kwami and he's 2 years old. He greeted us with a big smile, shook my hand and occupied our attention for quite some time.

Here's a photo of August and me as we rang in the New Year. By the time midnight came we were both ready for bed.

It's time for Wacky Wednesday.

Peace,

Danny

"To grow, you must be willing to let your present and future,
be totally unlike your past.
Your history is not your destiny."
~Alan Cohen

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Happy What?

Hi,

Not much to say, except:

Happy New Year

There were a lot of responses to this week's 'Easy Monday' song. Yes Christopher, sometimes I recycle.

"Coast to coast, L.A. to Chicago, Western male. Across the North and South to Key Largo, love for sale... A license to love, insurance to hold, melts all your memories and change into gold, his eyes are like angels, his heart is cold. No need to ask..." Hint: We start the year with no hint. Too easy.

Thank you to those who take the time to read this every day or from time to time.

New Years in Bangkok

Have a Happy Tuesday.

Peace,

Danny

"Beginning today I walk with renewed faith in human kindness. Regardless of
what has gone before. I believe there is hope for a brighter and better
future."

~Penny White

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style