Worth - Oops, this is Thursdays Blog

Hi,

We have officially moved into countdown mode for our departure.  Four more days in sunny Southern California.

I’m surprised that the ‘Zany Day’ song got no response.  Hmm, maybe this will help.  We’ve been here before.

“Some people have everything, and other people don’t.  But everything don’t mean a thing if it ain’t the thing you want.  __ __!  __ __!”  Hint:  The singer is urging the listener to say what they mean/want.

Yesterday’s trip to Pasadena was great.  We had lunch with our friends and caught up on the latest in their lives and gave them the Thailand update.  These conversations usually include notes on the cultural differences we encounter and how much they have changed our perspective on the world.  Nothing like living in another country to realize that there is a lot going on out there.

Our second stop was in Altadena, at a small Farmer’s Market.  It was a real community meeting place, with everyone knowing all the vendors.  We met our friend Diane, whom Lisa met in a modern dance company years ago. She’s a regular at the market and after we talked, we strolled around to the various booths.  We came home with raw honey and low-acid oranges.  I had visions of heavy traffic on our drive back to the westside, but it moved very smoothly.  

During our ‘check-in’ call to The Big Brown House we learned that Cat had a rough time on her second day of final exams.  She had five exams in one day.  They test on Monday, Wednesday and Friday with the off days open for study.  Needless to say, she was studying hard.  Blue is doing well and gave us a weather update.  The forecast calls for rain, including on the day we arrive.  What?  We do need some rain so it’s a good thing.  It will also help wash the sky of some of the smoke from the burning that’s going on.  

I have learned that eating out can be hazardous to my health in certain situations.  We have concluded that salads need to be monitored just like everything else.  Beans in salad are not something I would do, but many restaurants include them in a simple green salad.  Hmm, turns out I don’t play well with beans.  One more thing to add to the list of questions in the interview when ordering food.

Today’s photo is part of the Chiang Mai Wall.  The wall originally surrounded the city for protection from possible invasion.  Many cities in Northern Thailand had such walls, and keep remnants as a reminder of the past.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

               Peace,

                         Danny

“What you love and value

about yourself should never

decrease due to someone’s inability

to see your worth.”

~Unknown

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

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Friday Funnies

Hi,

I knew the warming trend was too good to be true.  Thursday was a little cooler, as predicted.  Oh well, it’s raining in Chiang Rai.  I’ll just have to wait a bit for some perfect weather.

This week’s ‘Zany Day’ song was “Express Yourself” by Charles Wright and The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band.  You should have known.  On to ‘Old School Friday’ and a song from early 1962.  “Nothing you can say can tear me away from __ __.  Nothing you could do, ‘cause I’m stuck like glue to __ __.  I’m sticking to my guy like a stamp to a letter, like birds of a feather we stick together.  I can tell you from the start, I can’t be torn apart from __ __.  Hint:  This female singer from the motor-city pool is singing about her boyfriend, in a possessive manner.

The search continues for ‘cheap thrills’ on this new diet regimen.  There is a plant called Stevia that makes things sweet, and it’s not sugar.  A few days ago I discovered a liquid form in flavors.  I’ll be taking a collection of flavors back to Thailand.  Water with the faint taste of Vanilla Creme, Watermelon, or Root Beer will help big time.  Lisa is also getting creative with some recipe ideas to make boring things taste good.  There is light at the end of the tunnel.

We had lunch with our friend Irene, who came and stayed with us in Thailand.  It was fun catching up and filling her in on the people and places she remembered.  Later we stopped by Emerald Thai and had a very warm visit with Khun Nid.  We’ve been friends with him since before we went to Thailand in 2001.  In fact, he taught us our first Thai words.  In the evening I spent some time with my good friend Michael and that was very cool.  It was a good day.

As usual, my reflections on our visit include the things I will miss.  One thing that comes to mind has to do with driving.  Even with the massive numbers of cars on the road, I’m still impressed with the order and politeness at four-way stops.  Drivers here respect (usually) the order of arrival and give the right of way to the car to their right.  Such a dramatic difference from the way it is at home.  Pedestrians also get a lot more respect.  We were told in the beginning, that pedestrians have no right of way in Thailand.  Look both ways and around the corner before stepping off the curb.  Hmm.

We leave on Sunday night so the Monday message with either be early, or very late.  When we arrive in Taipei it will be Tuesday in America.  Hmm, maybe I’ll send it early just for good measure.  At any rate, I’ll be over the international dateline at about the time I should send it.  

Our photo of the day is a sign that explains a lot of things.  

Well, see you sometime next week (555)

Have a Wonderfull WeekEnd.     Time for the ‘Funnies’, sent in by our friend Alan.

           Peace,

                     Danny

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

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www.lisamosesgallery.com

Best

Hi,

As we come closer to the end of this journey, the time seems to become critical.  How many visits can be squeezed into five days?  Hmm.

The ‘Easy Monday’ song this week was “Maybe I’m Amazed” by Paul McCartney, formerly of The Beatles. Here’s the 'Zany Day’ song:

“__ __, __ __, you don’t ever need help from nobody else.  All you got to do now:  __ __!  What ever you do, do it good.  What ever you do, do it good.  All right… It's not what you look like, when you’re doin’ what you’re doin’.  It’s what you’re doin’ when you’re doin’ what you look like you’re doin’.  __ __.”  

You may have noticed that I’m sending the daily message a little later each day.  That’s because I’m writing it in the morning and it’s too cold to get out of bed (555).  It’s all West Coast time.  When I return to Thailand next week, it will arrive in your in box at a much earlier hour, since I can send it the night before.  Now that you’re thoroughly confused, I’ll stop.

A big part of yesterday was spent in Marina Del Rey, visiting with friends.  Maintaining relationships is important to us.  Time seems to be the biggest problem when we visit.  Not enough time to see everyone.  There’s also the matter time away from The Big Brown House.  We’re at that stage in the Winter Visit when we start getting homesick.  I suppose it’s only natural.  

Today’s adventure takes us to Pasadena and lunch with our friends Frank and Linda.  I’ve known Frank since I was a kid, not so long ago (555).  After lunch we’ll have tea with our friend Diane in Altadena.  Our tour of the West San Gabriel Valley will no doubt end with a slow ride back to Culver City, better known as traffic.  It will give us a chance to see the sights we miss when traveling at the speed limit.  

I have finally mastered the art of making right-hand turns around some of the new Culver City Curbs.  Someone decided that a few corners needed to stick out into the crosswalk.  Just enough to cause one to drive over the curb or brush the side of the tire.  I hit a few, and bounced off others.  The trick is to go further into the intersection before beginning the turn, while avoiding oncoming traffic.  This wouldn’t work in Chiang Rai.  The curbs would be disregarded, cars and trucks would be bouncing all over the place, and things would break.  Hmm.

Today’s photo is a Chiang Rai Sunset taken by Blue a few days ago.  The burning of rice fields has begun, adding color to the setting sun.  Enjoy

Feels like a Wacky Wednesday

                  Peace,

                            Danny

“The best portion of a good 

man’ (person’s) life are his (their)

little, nameless, unremembered

acts of kindness and love.”

~William Wordsworth

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

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www.lisamosesgallery.com

Somewhere

Hi,

So, this is the first Tuesday of the new year.  I’m celebrating the warm air that is creeping into the L.A. area.  It doesn’t stay long, but it brings hope.  See, you can celebrate anything if you want to. 

Looks like we’re starting the new year on a good note (5).  Many of you knew this ‘Easy Monday’ song.  

“Maybe I’m a man and maybe I’m a lonely man who’s in the middle of something, that he doesn’t really understand.  Maybe I’m a man and maybe you’re the only woman who could ever help me, baby won’t you help me understand.  __ __ __ at the way you’re with me all the time…”  Clue: The first word of the title is mentioned three times.  Now that’s a clue.

Yesterday was ‘trash day’ on the street where we’re staying.  I started thinking about the difference between the job of collecting trash in the States and in Thailand, specifically, Chiang Rai.  In Culver City one man drives a truck that has an arm that picks up the cans and pours the contents into the truck.  In Chiang Rai, about 4 men hang off the side of a truck, pick up cans or bags, throw them on the truck and then pick through the trash and sort what they want to keep.  Oh my.  

One box has been mailed and the second is being sent today.  If all goes right we should get our boxes about two weeks after we return to Thailand.  It is possible that we will have to drive to Mae Sai to the Customs office to pick them up.  You may recall our adventure in finding the new office.  Maybe the boxes will be sent to our local P.O.  Either way, we’ll have our supplies for another 6 months.

Sunday we had to go to the Apple Store in Santa Monica to find out why Lisa’s laptop keeps shutting down.  There is still a mystery, but we’ll deal with it in Thailand.  Today’s photo shows a partial view of the crowd that was groovin’ on a Sunday afternoon.  It was intense, yet calm.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

                 Peace,

                           Danny

“Somewhere someone is happy

with less than you have.”

~Unknown

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

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www.lisamosesgallery.com

Pretend

Hi,

Today’s message comes from a very distracted writer.  This morning I am celebrating 25 years of Recovery.  The celebration will go on for a week in some form or fashion (555).   Oh, and it’s still cold here.

The ‘Old School Friday’ song was “It’s All Right” by Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions.  What a voice.  It’s ‘Easy Monday’ time again.  Do you know this song?  “__ __ __ at the way you love me all the time, maybe I’m afraid of the way I love you.  __ __ __ at the way you pulled me out of time, and hung me on a line, __ __ __ at the way I really need you.”  Hint:  Sung by a guy who used to sing with a famous band.  Maybe you know him (555).

We had a great weekend meeting with friends and sharing meals.  I have been reflecting on just how long we have known some of our friends, and it’s a very long time.  That’s pretty cool, given that we live so far away.  I never imagined I’d have friends in so many parts of the world, not to mention so many in the states.  Hmm.

The last week in America (sounds dramatic) and that means it's time to send the boxes of necessities back to Thailand.  It takes about three weeks for things to arrive, so if we mail today, we only have to wait two weeks.  I just love these higher mathematics.  

Yesterday we had to take Lisa’s laptop to the Apple store.  They may have fixed the crashing problem, but now it’s like having a new machine and all the buggy things that come with that.  Sometimes we forget that H.A.L. is still alive and well.  

August starts back to school today so last night we hung out.  I had never played ‘Taboo’ before.  Hmm, it was fun playing it with C-Bass, August, and Lisa. 

Today’s photo is from Thailand.  The sign speaks for itself.  

Have a Great Week.

                  Peace,

                            Danny

“Never forget, you have just as much right

to pretend to be normal as everyone else.”

~Unknown

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics

www.lisamosesgallery.com

Friday Funnies

Hi,

In case you hadn’t noticed, it’s still cold here in California.  In fact, it’s cold in a lot of places in this country.  In Thailand the high is 79 F, which is more to my liking.  

To my relief, more readers wrote back with the answer to the ‘Zany Day’ song.  “All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth.”  That’s gotta be one of the longest titles ever.  Time for ‘Old School Friday’.  Remember?

“We’re gonna move it slow, when the lights are low.  When you move it slow, it sounds like more, and __ __ __, whoa, __ __ __.  Now listen to the beat, kinda pat your feet.  You got soul, and everybody knows, that __ __ __, whoa, __ __ __.”  Clue:  I hope this makes an impression on you.  If it doesn’t, it’s all right anyway.

New Years Day started with the parade, of course.  We left before it was over and drove out to be with my mom.  Another tradition that we’ve been able to maintain.  We had a great time talking about lots of life things, having breakfast, and glancing at the floats from time to time.  Later we drove down to Alhambra to visit with our friend Deb.  I think we covered everything from deep discussion to silly laughter.  It was a great time.

I’m happy to say that it’s been three weeks today and I’ve had only one ‘episode’ with my stomach pain thing.  We have figured out what and where to eat and it has made this visit much easier.  Waiters still get interviewed about the food, orders get altered, but I get what I need.  The big trick will be when we return to Thailand.  Not so many Italian restaurants in Chiang Rai.  It’s not a major deal since we mostly eat at home.

On New Years Eve we were watching the news coverage of the people sitting out on Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena.  A bubbly crew from Honda came down the street, passing out blankets to the revelers.  While it’s nice that they offered warmth to the parade goers, it made us think how great it would be if someone did the same for the homeless.

Today’s photo was sent to me by Blue.  It’s one of those things you don’t see often, but it happened and somebody got the pic.  I counted 7 people on this motorbike.

It just occurred to me that I totally missed the Rose Bowl game.  Haven’t seen much college football in Thailand so it’s not like I had a favorite team, but I like the game.  Oh well, we do get reruns.  (555)

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd.     It’s time for the ‘Funnies’.

                    Peace,

                              Danny

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics

www.lisamosesgallery.com

Never

Hi,

It’s late on New Years Eve and it’s 46 degrees and dropping.  According to the weather numbers, the low in Chiang Rai will be the same as the high tomorrow in Culver City.  Not very prepared for this, but we’re managing.

Well, as the new year begins only one person knows this song.  Some of you are old enough to remember.

“It seems so long since I could say, ‘Sister Susie sitting on a thistle.’  Gosh oh gee, how happy I’d be, If I could only whistle (thhhh, thhhh).  __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __, __ __ __ __, __ __ __ __…”  Hint:  It has to do with something one needs to bite into an apple.  Hmm.

On the last day of 2014 we went to Marina Del Rey, saw boats briefly, ate a healthy lunch, went to the mall, took a brief nap, and dined with the Karp family at Post and Beam restaurant.  We went early to avoid the rush and had a delicious meal and a good time.  The menu is what I’d call ‘Country Chic’, it’s a fusion thing.  My list of places to eat is growing.  It was a bit pricey, but worth it for NYE.

Trying to stay awake to welcome the new year, but it will get here without me if necessary.  Who am I kidding, I’ll be up, watching the freezing folks in Times Square.  

Have a Thrilling Thursday.   I’ll end the year with some advice from Will Rogers.

                     Peace,

                               Danny

“Never miss a chance to shut up.”

~Will Rogers

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics

www.lisamosesgallery.com