Friday Funnies

Hi,

Chiang Rai got more rain today.  As we recovered from yesterday's adventure, ticks got picked, and teeth got pulled.

The 'Zany Day' song was "Mellow Yellow" by Donovan.  Time to visit 'Old School Friday' and see just what you still remember (555).  "When this old world starts getting me down, and people are just too much for me to face.  I climb way up to the top of the stairs and all my cares just drift right into space.  (__ __ __ __)  __ __ __, it's peaceful as can be.  And there, the world below can't bother me... __ __ __ __."  Hint:  What is on top of a building?  I wonder if this group could see Broadway from their vantage point.  

This morning we had a little list of things to do, but we moved them to the afternoon.  After the dog play Lisa started doing the morning 'tick check' on Daku.  This has become a twice-a-day thing that helps, but doesn't eliminate them.  I joined in and about an hour went by.  Just when you think you're done, another tick presents itself.  As soon as we have a weather window and the spray man is free, we have to spray the lawn and wash the dogs.  Welcome to the Twilight Zone.

This afternoon we went for a massage.  About half way through we heard rain on the roof.  It began slowly and then became a roar.  Of course, we had left the umbrellas in the van.  When we were done, Khun See walked us to the van with a large umbrella.  The water from the sky slowed down and stayed around through the evening.

Phase two of Cat's tooth pulling ordeal was tonight.  Since she knew what was going to happen, and she had survived last week, she wasn't as nervous.  Driving through the drizzle to the dentists office on a Friday night was like an obstacle course.  Friday is 'going out' night in Chiang Rai.  In the village where the office is located, the 7-11 was the happening place.  The food stalls on the sidewalk were cooking up dinners, and that sense of neighborhood was very present.  Parking is supposed to be alternated between each side of the street, but tonight it looked like nobody cared.  That makes the street just wide enough for one lane of traffic.  Cars would wait for an opening and then proceed.  It made it look much busier than it was.  Dr. Upra made sure Cat was totally numb before getting to work and that's a good thing.  When it was over, as we were leaving, he offered her some little bags of warm soy milk that another patient had brought him.  He said it would be soothing for her.  This is a far cry from my early dental experiences.  It's really cool to have a dentist like him.  Normally, when we come home, Daku comes upstairs with us, but tonight he is staying with Cat.  What a guy.

Heavy rain has been predicted for the weekend.  We're supposed to go to an event at Wat Rong Khun in the morning, which will be partially outside.  Hmm, guess we'll have to see what the sky has to say about that.

Today's photo was taken last week while riding around.  Cat mentioned a large Buddha and we didn't know what she was talking about.  She said it was up the road from us, so we went looking for it.  It wasn't hard to find, looming above the landscape.  It's a work in progress, but if you look at the car in the foreground, you'll get a sense of it's size.

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd.      Time for the 'Funnies'.

                   Peace,

                             Danny

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics

www.lisamosesgallery.com

Go

Hi,

Today we had no rain.  We did have a major road trip that turned into a crazy day.  Stay tuned as we hunt for our boxes from America.

It looks like a chord was struck with the 'Zany Day' song.  Many responses from a range of readers.  Here's more:

"I'm just mad about fourteen, fourteen's mad about me.  I'm-a just mad about a-fourteen, a-she's just mad about me.  They call me __ __, they call me __ __ (Quite rightly).  They call me __ __."  Clue:  Back in the day, when this came out, bananas were a craze.  What?

As directed, we returned to the Ban Du post-office this morning, hoping to find out about our boxes.  They had heard nothing from Customs and suggested we go to Mae Sai, to the Customs office.  The drive was beautiful, with lush green hillsides and expanses of rice and corn near the road.  When we got to Mae Sai, the Customs office had been vacated.  The people in the empty building didn't know where they were.  Hmm.  We drove back down the highway to the new office for immigration, thinking they might know.  They were as surprised as us to hear that the office was gone.  Next, we drove to the border and asked at the police station.  They didn't know, but one officer drew a map that led us to nothing.  We were about to try going back over our path, thinking we'd missed something  when Lisa spotted a DHL office.  They deliver stuff - they should know.  A young man pulled up Google street maps on his computer and showed her the Customs office at the border.  At that office we were told that we had to go to Customs #2, a new building.  The officer had a motorbike taxi driver lead us to the new office, 5 kilometers out of town.  That was where we were supposed to be.  It was lunch time and we were told we'd have to wait.  Oh no!  Then a young man came out and helped us.  It took some time to determine that what we had was not really taxable and he released the boxes for 50 Baht (about $1.56).  

On our trip we encountered what must have been what the forecasts mean when the call for 'small rain nearby'.  You know, random drops that don't amount to anything.  We also came across a school that is the photo of the day. 

 

It must be said that all along the way, everyone at each office we went to really tried to help us.  They just didn't know, but wanted to offer some kind of assistance.  In the end, we know more than most of the government offices in Mae Sai.  That made us laugh.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                Peace,

                          Danny

"Go out into the world and do well.  

More importantly, go out into the world

and do good."

~Minor Myers

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics

www.lisamosesgallery.com

Secret

Hi,

Today will forever be known as the 'day of waiting'.  It was also a day for another storm, and some ground movement.  Along the way we got to visit with friends, and swim under black clouds.

It's no secret, the 'Easy Monday' song was "It's Too Late" by Carole King.  For 'Zany Day' see if you know this one:  "I'm just mad about saffron.  A-saffron's mad about me.  I'm-a just mad about saffron.  She's just mad about me.  They call me __ __ (Quite rightly)."  Clue:  There's a colorful theme to this title.  If you're old enough, you'll remember a craze it started.  The singer was a kind of superman, in his head.

The mission for today was to renew our retirement visas.  That meant a trip to the bank to verify that we were reliably solvent, and then to immigration to file the paperwork.  When we left the house it seemed like a pretty routine day.  (555)  The bank portion was routine, but longer than long.  We tried to go yesterday, but there was no parking.  Two places one does not go on the day after a long holiday weekend:  The bank and the post-office.  When we arrived at immigration there were lots of people in the waiting area.  Not a good sign.  Our 'friend' at the counter was not busy so we approached him.  Of course, we were told to wait a few minutes.  That phrase, along with 'It's not far' are sure signs that just the opposite will happen.  He assured us it would be better to do it before lunch, but we needed copies of our bank books (book bank was the term used).  I was sent to a building next door, with a smile.  It wasn't far.  Just down to the road, down the road and down another driveway, in the sun.  (5)

Midway through our wait our friend Cornelus arrived with another friend who helps him get around.  That broke up the boredom of sitting around.  It was good to see him and our friend Patricia.  We shared tales of immigration and other expat lore.  When all the stamping and stapling was done we were told to return in three months to actually renew the visas.  At this point we're just happy to be allowed to remain without any problems.

Last night Chiang Rai had another earthquake of 4.3 magnitude.  We were driving home from the mall and didn't feel a thing.  Cat learned about it from her friends on Facebook.  We heard about it at Immigration.  We love earthquakes we don't feel (555).

During our swim this afternoon, the sky suddenly grew darker.  Today's photo is lovingly called 'Do you think it will rain?'.  The rain came down heavy a bit later, and then left.  More of this kind of thing is expected.

Yesterday I mentioned a 'Wacky Wednesday' when actually you were supposed to have a 'Happy Tuesday'.  I guess I was a little distracted.  Hmm.

Today is Wednesday and it's Wacky.

                  Peace,

                            Danny

"The secret of freedom lies in educating people, 

whereas the secret of tyranny is in keeping them ignorant." 

~Maximilien Robespierre

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics

www.lisamosesgallery.com

Change

Hi,

I guess you could call today a 'Sunny Monsoon Sandwich'.  We started out with what looked like clearing skies, then the 'Storm of the Century' followed by a beautiful afternoon.  

It's so nice when an 'Easy Monday' song is one you all know.  I just love getting emails.  Here's the second verse:

"It used to be so easy living here with you.  You were light and breezy and I knew just what to do.  Now you look so unhappy, and I feel like a fool.  And __ __ __ baby, now it's too late, though we really did try to make it..."  Hint:  This is so easy.  

When we travel to America we bring back things we can't get here in Thailand.  On our recent trip we did our usual resupply of vitamins, enough to last six months.  They should have arrived by now, so today we went to the post office in Ban Du to see if they were there.  There was discussion, in Thai, about the Customs office in Mae Sai and a needed invoice.  We may see our vitamins in the next few days.  

As we left Makro and headed south into Chiang Rai, it began to rain with those big drops that mean business.  Looking ahead on the highway I knew it was heavy because everything had a dull gray look.  When we got home and opened the front gate we were greeted by the scene below.

Yes, that used to be our front lawn.  It didn't take long for this to happen.  We read later that a typhoon has had an effect on our monsoon.  It's the season.  The back yard was also flooded, but the water drained from both within a couple of hours, and all is well 'til the next storm.  The frustrating part about the rain is, the spray man came and treated the lawn for ticks right before it rained.  He'll be back on a sunny day.

This evening we went to Central Plaza for some phone first-aid.  While we were waiting we went to Swensen's for ice-cream and sorbet.  While cruising through the menu, just for fun, I discovered a list of possible toppings.  Here are a few things you might want to consider the next time you order ice cream:  Corn, palm seed, green apple, and something called Chocolate Jimmies (looked like tiny sprinkles in the picture).  If your local ice-cream parlor doesn't have corn, tell them they're behind the times.  (555)  Oh, I had the Mango Sorbet with little chunks of mango candy.  Yum.

Time now for Wacky Wednesday.

             Peace,

                       Danny

"Consider how hard it is to change yourself and 

you'll understand what little chance you have in trying to 

change others."

~Benjamin Franklin

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

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www.lisamosesgallery.com

Spell

Hi,

Temperatures should be returning to normal as World Cup Fever fades into the distance.  Here in Chiang Rai the temperature has not changed.  It's still hot.  The rain comes and goes at will, but we had some pretty good weather over the weekend.  

The 'Old School Friday' tune was "Stay" by Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs.  It's time, once again, for another episode of 'Easy Monday', and I hope this is easy enough for you.  "Stayed in bed all morning just to pass the time.  There's something wrong here, there can be no denying.  One of us is changing, or maybe we've just stopped trying.  And __ __ __, baby, now __ __ __.  Though we really did try to make it.  Something inside has died and I can't hide and I just can't fake it..."  Hint:  I'd have to get up pretty early to trick you on this one.  (555)

Saturday we had a wonderful time at Doy Din Dang, the ceramic compound north of town.  It was Cat's first visit and Claire had a great time as well.  We explored all of the various shops and work areas.  We got to watch a woman making drinking cups using the pottery wheel and Cat 'interviewed' her.  Lisa had a good visit with Khun Somluk and we think we have a date for an exhibit featuring her and her father.  More on that later.  Today's photo shows work at 'the wheel'.  In the foreground you see the finished product, which began as one of the lumps of clay to the right.

Lunch at Art Bridge with time in the gallery and gift shop made the first half of the day complete.  It's always nice to visit the gallery when we're the only guests.  You can view each work from many angles, talk about them in a normal voice, and generally relax and enjoy it.  

Cat and Claire went to 'Walking Street' and had their own adventures.  Claire had a chance to experience the crush and the crafts with someone who could explain, and translate.  They had a ball and had stories to tell when we picked them up later in the evening.  It was a bonus to have a houseguest close to Cat's age, especially after she went through the drama of having teeth pulled.  Sunday morning we all took Claire to the bus station and said our goodbyes.  

We are in the midst of a heavy tick season.  We have never had a problem like we're having this year.  Apparently it's happening all over Thailand.  On many expat forums people are writing in, looking for solutions.  Daku has very long hair and it makes it difficult to get down to his skin to find them.  BamBam spends a lot of time in the yard and get's infested every day.  Tomorrow we're having the lawn sprayed in hopes that we can solve the problem and give us and the dogs a needed break.  We will have to take them out on a leash and wash their feet when they come inside for a couple of days after the spraying, but it will be worth it.

The yard crew came today and groomed the whole place.  They harvested a bunch of coconuts and left some for us. After dinner Boot poked holes in 3 of them and we drank the water through a straw.  It was a fun change of pace.  I might even get used to it.  The workers said the meat inside is very sweet so we may have to crack a few open.

Have a Great Week.

                 Peace,

                           Danny

"The spell can be broken just by asking yourself,

is what I'm believing true?"

~Byron Katie

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

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www.lisamosesgallery.com

Friday Funnies

Hi,

The weather was good to us for most of the day.  When the sun was not covered by clouds, it was blazing hot.  This evening we're on our second little storm.  More sightseeing was on the schedule for today.

Most of the usual players wrote to tell me the 'Zany Day' song was "Dr. Funkenstein" by Parliament (featuring George Clinton).  This week's 'Old School Friday'song may seem easy for some, but I think it's time for easy.

"__, just a little bit longer.  Please, please, please, please tell-a me you're going to.  Now, your daddy don't mind, and your mama don't mind if we have another dance.  Yeah, just one more, one more time.  Oh won't you __, just a little bit longer..."  Hint:  Should be pretty obvious, but he doesn't want her to go.

The capsule version of the day goes something like this:  I drove Claire to Bus Station #2 where she got a ticket for her Sunday departure, we toured Wat Rong Khun and were thoroughly amazed, had an afternoon swim that was followed by a rainstorm, had dinner at the Night Bazaar, saw the Clock Tower lights, and got home just before another rainstorm hit.  Whew.  

Cat is making a remarkable recovery from her two teeth extractions.  Her spirits are good and the pain is lessening.  Considering that she has to go through this again next Friday, most of the big fear is gone.  She now has a scheduled date for the installation of the braces and has something to look forward to, although that's also gonna hurt.

We are in the beginning of a four day weekend.  Today was a National Holiday, and one of the traditions during this celebration is to return to one's home village.  For some businesses, this means closing, either because the help will be gone, or the owners are going on vacation.  At our usual Sunday restaurant, Sawadee, they are leaving tomorrow and won't return until Wednesday.  Hmm.  

With so much rain, the river is looking healthy again and that familiar sound of the long-tailed boats is once again filling the air.  When the river is very low, there are many places that are almost impossible to pass because the bottom is irregular.  At a medium level it's sometimes necessary for the operators to get out and walk the boat around a sand bar.  Today they could run free.

At the frame factory they are busy building a giant fish for an installation in Chiang Sen.  Today's photo shows a large piece of foam that is being carved into a decorative shape.  It will be sanded and then used to make a fiberglass mold to make the final object.  

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd.        Time for a laugh.

                  Peace,

                            Danny

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics

www.lisamosesgallery.com

Listen

Hi,

What was forecast to be a stormy day turned out to be quite beautiful.  A morning road trip, an afternoon swim, and adventures at the dentist.  A full day.

A few of you got your groove on and named the 'Zany Day' song.  This verse may help your memory.

"We love to funk you, __, your funk is the best (talk!).  Take my body, give it the mind to funk with the rest (kiss me on my ego).  Hit me with the one and then, if you like hit me again.  We love to __ (ohhh, over!)."  Clue:  The singer portrays a character who has an advanced medical degree that is mentioned in this verse.  The title is a take-off on a famous monster movie.  

Seeing the sights with a houseguest is always a variation on a theme.  Both of our recent guests are involved with university life so it was only natural that we show them the two campuses in our area.  This morning Claire and I drove up to Chiang Rai University.  As we turned onto the main street leading to the entrance we saw a huge parade of students on the other side.  It was in honor of Asahna Bucha Day, the beginning of the Buddhist Lent period.  It's also known as the 'Rains Retreat'.  Offerings are made of flowers and candles that will be burned at the temples.  Some of these candles have elaborate carvings.  All of the schools have some sort of ceremony in honor of this holiday.  From Chiang Rai University we drove to Maefarluang University to experience the trees and lakes.  Both campuses offer a very tranquil setting for learning. 

The main bus station in town is in direct contrast to the vibe of the campuses.  It was mid-morning and it looked like all of the buses were at the station at the same time.  At the information window Claire asked about a bus ticket to her next destination, and the woman's reply was: 'Station 2'.  This is the 'new bus station' south of town.  We saved that trip for tomorrow.

The dogs have really become good hosts.  They have made our guests feel at home, and they enjoy the constant attention. It's good training for them in terms of their socialization.  The excitement time has shortened and they go into mellow mode sooner.  

With all the rain we've been having, the pool has not been a priority.  Today, the sun was blazing and even though the water was a little cool, we went for a swim.  It was just what we needed.

Tonight was the night that Cat was to have two of the four teeth extracted in preparation for her braces.  Dr. Upra is a very compassionate dentist and took his time, making sure Cat was comfortable.  She'd been worrying about this for several days.  Lisa stayed in the room with her and I sat in the waiting room, listening to a man selling some life insurance to what I presumed was a patient.  I should have taken my headphones.  When we left, Cat was in good spirits, and quite numb.  We'll see how things go later this evening.  

Today's photo is from our trip to Chiang Mai.  A crew was cleaning the water inlet next to our hotel, using whatever ingenuity they could drum up.  Don't have a boat?  Use a tub.  I don't know why, but the water was as black as it looks in this photo.  Hmm.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                 Peace,

                           Danny

"You will never be able to 

escape from your heart,

so it is better to listen to 

what it has to say."

~Paul Coelho

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

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www.lisamosesgallery.com