Want

Hi,

The weather here is the same as yesterday.  It’s a great time to be in Chiang Rai.  Flowers are blooming everywhere, the sky is clear, and we’re happy.

The ‘Zany Day’ song brought back some fond memories for some of you.  Here’s the second verse of the drama:

“My folks were always putting him down (down, down).  They said he came from the wrong side of town (whatcha mean when ya say he came from the wrong side of town?).  They told me he was bad, but I knew he was sad.  That’s why I fell for __ __ __ __ __.”  Clue: This ‘Girl Group’ is named for a mythical place.  The title has shades of an early Brando movie.  Hmm.

This morning, after our trip to Makro for provisions, we took BamBam to the vet for her rabies shot.  When she first got in the van she was crying.  We passed a dog on our street and the cry became a momentary growl, then back to crying.  Lisa rolled the back window down a bit so BamBam could stick her nose out.  She was happy after that.  At the vet’s, we knew she’d be a handful, especially when we went into the little examination room.  Two attendants entered and she growled.  That’s when they went and got a muzzle.  Lisa put it on and in less than a minute, it was off.  The second time it was tighter and BamBam ‘surrendered’.  Had the attendants been women, BamBam would not have been so upset.  It takes her time to warm up to men.  When she does, it’s a real bond, but her first preference is women.  

This afternoon the four of us went to Doi Chaang Coffee to meet our friend Pay, the nurse at the hospital who always helps us out.  We hadn’t seen her in a long time and we were due for a visit.  It felt so strange to be in Doi Chaang and have to order hot water so I could have my tea.  Blue and I both had tea as we watched Lisa, Cat and Pay enjoy their ‘fun’ drinks.  The conversations helped distract me from the display case with it’s cakes, pies and cookies.  At one point Cat and Pay were having a long conversation in Thai and when Lisa asked for a translation Cat simply said, “Mashed potatoes”.  We all laughed about that.  As we left Doi Chaang we took a few minutes to enjoy the fish pond in the entry way.  Today’s photo tells the story.

This evening Lisa made me a banana cake that is just the thing to fill the gap in my diet.  It’s interesting because it’s made from just bananas and eggs, with a dash of Stevia.  Like I said, I’ve been hunting for recipes.  I guess it’s paying off (555).  

The music is playing across the river and tonight’s offering is not so bad.  Down at the old airport the Thai rock band ‘Potato’ is performing.  Cat mentioned it on the way home (hint hint), but I don’t think she really wanted to go.  They have some pretty good tunes, even though I don’t know what they’re saying.  Music can be like that.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                    Peace,

                              Danny

“If you want nothing, do what you want.

If you want everything, develop discipline.”

~Kostya Tszyu

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

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Become

Hi,

Well, no snow storm today, just hot and sunny.  There is a giant silver thing in the kitchen, and a small silver thing upstairs.  Manuals are in Thai.  What?

The ‘Easy Monday’ song was “What The World Needs Now”, by Dionne Warwick.  ‘Zany Day’ is next and it’s old:

“[Spoken]  Is she really going out with him?  Well, there she is, let’s ask her.  Betty, is that Jimmy’s ring you’re wearing?  Mm-hmm…. By the way, where’d you meet him?  [Sung]  I met him at the candy store, he turned around and smiled at me.  You get the picture (yes, we see).  That’s when I fell for __ __ __ __ __.”  Clue:  I couldn’t write in the sound of a motorcycle, but it’s in there.  She fell for a boy from the wrong side of the tracks, as they used to say. 

There is something bizarre about delivery days.  It never works out as planned, but it works.  Our refrigerator was to be delivered between 10am and 12n.  The truck arrived at 9:15am.  We hadn’t emptied the old one yet, so while they unwrapped the new one, we went to work.  Many of the delivery teams are husband and wife.  Today’s lovely couple worked very efficiently.  When it came time to bring the box inside, they actually carried it up the small steps and into the kitchen.  After the set up we were told to wait 3 hours before plugging it in, and after that it would be cold in 4 hours.  It worked and the food is cold and there’s lots of space.  

By the sound of things from across the river, there’s a party goin’ on, and it’s going all week.  Most of the time I don’t hear it, but when I do, it’s only part of the sound and that can be maddening.  Last night they didn’t stop until midnight.  Thump, thump, thump, etc.  I don’t want to go over there, but I’m curious about how many people are out there in the cool night air on a week-night.  There apparently doesn’t seem to be a reason not to go out.  Things are different here and free music and fun are a natural attraction.  

This afternoon we went to Central Plaza to get Lisa a new laptop.  We couldn’t solve the mysterious behavior of the old one so we opted to end the craziness and visit iBeat, our local Apple Store.  Now we’re sitting here trying to get information from the old one onto the new one.  It’s complicated and may take some heroic research to find a solution.  Technology can be wonderful and frustrating.  

This evening we had dinner with our friend Rachel, who lives in the states and is the the president of The Sold Project.  She has known Cat since the very beginning of her ’Sold’ experience and they are very close.  We learned more about some of the recent developments and the continuing progress of the project.  The project just received ‘foundation’ status here in Thailand and that will open the door to new sources of funding, which will allow for more children to benefit from SOLD.  

I seem to be making progress with my dietary adventure.  Today I had some spinach along with my chicken at lunch.  That was a first.  It’s a very slow process of adding a new food item every few days.  If it doesn’t bother me then we add it to the list of menu possibilities.  I miss going out to Sawadee in the Night Bazaar, but I don’t miss the pain from a tasty meal.  I find myself looking for recipes based on the ‘Specific Carbohydrate Diet’, which is designed to promote intestinal healing.  There, that’s enough medical talk.  

Today’s photo was taken in our front yard.  In the foreground is our new tree, and behind it, a cousin.  In a few years we’ll have a whole new look for this corner of the yard.  One cool thing about these trees is their lack of leaves, and therefore, nothing to rake up (555).  We have two older ones in the back and they are wonderful.

Time for Wacky Wednesday.

                    Peace,

                              Danny

What we love determines what we seek,

what we seek determines what we think and do,

what we think and do determines what we become.”

~Uchtdorf

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

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Living

Hi,

There’s no question about it.  It’s getting hot.  We’re having clear skies, light breezes and hot sun.  Today’s high was reportedly 85F.  Now we wait for the pool to warm up.  

Some of you remembered the ‘Easy Monday’ song rather quickly.  Here’s the first verse for the rest of you:

“Lord, we don’t need another mountain.  There are mountains and hillsides enough to climb, there are oceans and rivers enough to cross, enough to last until the end of time.  __ __ __ __ __, is love sweet love.  It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of….”  Clue:  The singer knows the way to San Jose.

Today was a big day for us.  We went to HomePro and got a new refrigerator.  This one is much bigger than the one we’ve been using and will make life a lot easier in terms of storing and finding what we have.  The staff was very helpful during our deliberations.  One of the guys helping us pointed out the difference in power consumption between two models of similar size.  Nice call.  While the paperwork was being filled out, I went light-bulb shopping.  Oh, so many choices in that store.  Lighting is labeled with the actual wattage and the ‘what it looks like’ wattage.  You can buy a 40 watt bulb that gives the brightness of 130, as an example.  Then you have to choose ‘warm light’ or ‘daylight white’.  Some rooms are better suited to the warm light, and others need the daylight.  Now I have to get out the changing pole and start installing some brighter lights.

This afternoon we went to a video production shop to get some DVDs copied.  I also took a reel-to-reel tape to see if they could copy it to a CD.  Sadly, they didn’t have a machine to play the tape.  In fact, the young man was a little surprised that I had even asked.  He looked at the tape, then at me and asked, ‘Songs?’.  I have a few more places that might be able to steer me in the right direction.  I’m hoping to find a recording studio that might have an old machine from the Dark Ages that can help me out.  (555)

We got lots of mail today, and that is unusual.  The best mail of all was a package from Tatt.  He sent all of us presents.  Inside the box were presents for Cat, Blue, Lisa and me.  He had wrapped them all himself.  Blue, Lisa and I all received incense collections.  He also sent us a beautiful ‘runner’ that is usually placed across the end of a bed.  We don’t know what Cat’s gift is since she is at her village until tomorrow, but it’s different from ours.  Today’s photo is one of the boxes he sent.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

               Peace,

                         Danny

“If you are depressed, you are living in the past. 

If you are anxious, you are living in the future.

If you are at peace, you are living in the present.”

~Lao Tzu

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

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Mind

Hi,

The weather in Chiang Rai is now at that ‘cool nights and very hot days’ stage.  Jackets in the morning, T-shirts in the afternoon.  It won’t be long before we’re in the ‘Hot Season’.  

The ‘Old School Friday’ song was “In The Still of the Night” by The Five Satins.  Time for another dose of ‘Easy Monday’ and I think you’ll agree that this one really is easy.  “__ __ __ __ __ is love, sweet love.  It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.  __ __ __ __ __ is love, sweet love.  No not just for some, but for everyone.”  Hint:  Seriously?  You need a hint on this one?

The big event on Saturday was the wedding dinner at Le Meridien Resort.  In the lobby there were beautiful photos of the bride and groom, some enlarged to bigger than poster size.  There was a ‘set’ at one end with a garden motif, for taking photos where we took pics of ourselves with the groom.  We got to sit with our friends Nu and Dr. Nan (Cat’s orthodontist).  At the front of the room was a big stage, with a 7-piece band.  They played a mix of Thai and American hit songs and were very good.  We had dinner before going since we knew the dinner was a traditional Chinese menu that we couldn’t eat.  To our surprise, a hotel staff member came to the table and asked us when we would like our special meal.  Hmm.  I told him to bring it with the main course, not knowing what was happening.  It turned out the head chef, a friend of ours, had seen us in the lobby and had his staff prepare steamed chicken and pumpkin for us.  We saw many people we knew and also realized  that we were the only non-Thais at the affair.  Being friends of a very large family is nice.  It’s the same family that took us under their wing when we first arrived in Chiang Rai.  

Sunday we went back the Le Meridien for ‘Australia Day’ lunch.  There weren’t many Aussies there and we were told that there really weren’t many in Chiang Rai, other than young teachers.  The music for the lunch was from an Australian radio station in Sydney and we got to hear some pretty cool tunes from down under.  Blue and I had the same meal as the night before, while Lisa and Cat got to sample the buffet.  Oh well.  When we first walked into the restaurant, the first thing I was confronted with was the dessert table.  I just told myself, ‘I don’t eat that’ and moved toward our table.  

Lisa has begun work on her elephant and it’s going to be beautiful.  It’s a different experience, painting on a contoured surface that is not canvas or paper.  We have to get some low tables for those hard to reach places, but she’s up for the challenge.

This morning we dropped Cat at school and discovered that we couldn’t drive to the Super Highway because of street closures.  We kept running into detours until I finally figured out a route.  As we drove down the highway we passed Pho Khun Mengrai Square.  There was a parade being staged, and the square was full of people in costumes of various types.  Later we found out it was Poh Khun Day, in honor of the founder of the province.  King Mengrai, born in 1238, is highly revered by Thais in the north and considered the father of the Lanna Kingdom.  He united many smaller kingdoms as a way to protect themselves and be more productive.  He led this united force in a campaign that forced back the Mongol armies that tried to invade.  When locals pass the monument in the square, they ‘wai’ to Mengrai as a sign of respect.  Needless to say, the traffic was quite heavy all over town.  Cat told me that this evening there would be parades around town and for 10 days there will be festivities at the old airport, south of town. 

Today’s photo was taken by our friend ‘Nine’ in front of her art gallery on the highway.  

Have a Great Week.

                Peace,

                          Danny

“A mind that is stretched by a new experience

can never go back to it’s old dimensions.”

~Oliver Wendell Holmes

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

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Friday Funnies

Hi,

Our Friday was a beautiful, clear blue day.  The morning was cool, but the afternoon warmed up to almost hot.  It was a good day for the yard crew that came to groom everything.

This week’s ‘Zany Day’ song was “Taking Care of Business” by Bachman/Turner Overdrive.  Our ‘Old School Friday’ song should be familiar to some.  The background parts may be all you need.  “Shoo-doob-n-shoo-beedoo, shoo-doob-n-shoo-beedoo, shoo-doob-n-shoo-beedoo wuaa.  __ __ __ __ __ __ I held you, held you tight.  ‘Cause I love you, love you so, promise you’ll never let me go __ __ __ __ __ __.”  Hint:  The group that sang this was named for their number, and a smooth material.  The title refers to that quiet time after the sun has gone down.  Hmm.

The Big Brown House seems like a very relaxed place on the surface, but there are many things going on among the residents.  We have a master calendar just so we can keep up.  Between Cat’s school and non-school schedules that change quite often, to the ever-changing supply needs, we think on our feet in between the entries on the page.  It’s like a dance, an exercise in ‘solutions’ and it keeps the mind alert.  

This morning we went out to look at refrigerators.  Blue, Lisa and I checked out the larger models at one of the biggest appliance stores and got an idea of what is available.  The cute little frige we bought when we got here has become way too small for four people and two dogs.  It would be nice to buy some things in larger quantities and make less trips to the stores.  While we were out, Cat was having a math lesson via Skype with her tutor in Bangkok, and the yard crew was cutting, chopping and pruning outside.  

Today’s photo was taken on our front porch during the yard crew lunch break.  They are from Hill Tribes and three of the women relaxed after their meal by working on their cross-stitching. 

Our weekend is going to be a busy one.  Saturday morning Cat will go to her village and take part in a presentation with The Sold Project.  She will talk about her life with a group of visitors from America, and answer questions.  She’s going to try and do it all in English.  She will return in the afternoon and we will all get dressed up and go to a wedding reception at Le Meridien Resort.  Sunday we will return to Le Meridien for a lunch celebrating ‘Australia Day’.  

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd.     Hang on for the ‘Funnies’.

                     Peace,

                               Danny

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

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www.lisamosesgallery.com

Joy

Hi,

Today was a special day.  It is Lisa’s birthday.  So, a big shout-out to Khun Lisa from The Gratidude himself.  

The ‘Zany Day’ song got a couple of responses, and that’s disappointing.  I was sure more of you knew this one.

“If it were easy as fishin’ you could be a musician if you could make sounds loud or mellow.  Get a second-hand guitar, chances are you’ll go far if you get in with the right bunch of fellows.  People see you having fun, just a-lying in the sun, tell them that you like it this way.  It’s the work that we avoid, and we’re all self-employed, we love to work at nothing all day.  And I’ll be __ __ __ __, every day.  __ __ __ __, every way…”  Hint:  Take yesterday’s clue and consider it was by a group with two last names plus a special gear in a car.  Hmm, this boogie tune was very popular in the early 70s. 

We got a call from Art Bridge telling us that Lisa's elephant had arrived.  It’s part of a project for the Green Wing Honda Company.  They commissioned artists from the collective to paint little elephants that will be put on display in Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and possibly Europe.  The artists have a month to complete their work and then there will be an unveiling ceremony at Art Bridge.  We’re excited about our little house-guest.  BamBam was not pleased about the presence of another animal in the compound.  I think she’ll get used to it over time.  Daku was curious, but cool about it.   Of course, he’s our photo for today.  He stands 3ft tall from the floor to the top of his back.  

This afternoon Cat, Blue, Lisa and I went to Central Plaza.  We had tea at Eliza’s Bakery and laughed a lot about Cat being the only one at the table who could eat the little cookies they serve.  The three ‘elders’ at the table are on diets that don’t include things like cookies or cake or pie.  And with that, the world will soon come to an end.  

After tea, Lisa and Cat went to the big stationary store while Blue and I shopped in the department store for an electric grill.  We found what we wanted and then watched as the salesman went into the traditional ‘discovery’ portion of the transaction.  He took the grill out of the box and completely assembled it, then turned it on so we could see that it worked.  The same with the hand-held mixer.  I find this to be a time-consuming exercise, but highly satisfying.  It’s so nice to get home and know that what you bought will work properly.  

Since we couldn’t go to Swensen’s for ice-cream and sorbet, Blue suggested that Lisa get a new phone for her birthday.  Our little caravan proceeded to the same shop where Blue and Cat got their Samsung phones and Lisa began ‘shopping’.  She settled on a new model with a screen larger than her current phone.  It’s actually a cool looking phone.  I am now living in a house where I’m the only iPhone user.  I guess I’ll have to learn a little about the ‘other’ system, although Cat is the pro and Blue is quickly learning.  Blue and I stood in the middle of the phone tech section of the mall and marveled at how so much business was going on over small, hand-held devices.   There are over 25 ‘booths’ selling phones and/or accessories.  They all seem to do business and they cooperate with each other.  While looking at cases, the vendor we approached ask us to wait a minute.  She left her spot, went down two spaces and returned with an arm-load of cases.  When we finished she took them back.  Everybody seems to help their neighbors, village style.  Amazing Thailand.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                   Peace,

                             Danny

“Conquering any difficulty always gives

one a secret joy, for it means pushing back

a boundary-line and adding to one’s liberty.”

~Henri Frederic Amiel

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Craving

Hi,

Today the weather was perfect for our road trip.  In the process, we experienced Customs, and a Makro that blew our minds.

‘Easy Monday’ was “Good Day Sunshine” by The Beatles.  The ‘Zany Day’ tune should get you movin’.  

“You get up every morning from your alarm clock’s warning, take the 8:15 into the city.  There’s a whistle up above, and people pushin’, people shovin’, and the girls who try to look real pretty.  And if your train’s on time you can get to work by nine and start your slaving job to get your pay.  If you ever get annoyed, look at me I’m self-employed, I love to work at nothing all day.  And I’ll be __ __ __ __, every day.  __ __ __ __, every way…"

Hint:  There is an expression that might put you in the right direction:  TCB  Otherwise, I got nothin’.

The ride north to Customs, at the border with Burma, was fast and beautiful.  The foothills were draped in what looked like a very low cloud, but the sun was shining on the farmland at their base.  We saw various stages in the growing of rice.  Some farms looked like giant squares of muddy water, while others had tips of green poking through the surface.  When we arrived in Mae Sai, Lisa found a note in her phone that gave us the landmark to look for in order to find the Customs House.  The building seemed to be empty, with just a few staff personnel handling paper work.  We were told that we’d need a license from the Food and Drug minister to ‘import’ our vitamins.   After a conversation out of a movie, it was agreed that we would pay some fees and taxes. Hmm, six months ago we were told there was nothing to tax.  Eventually we left with our two boxes and the suggestion that next time we bring the vitamins in our luggage.  Amazing.

Today’s photo is the Mae Sai Customs House.  Notice the ornate entry in the foreground.  That is our van, waiting for it’s freight.

Since Makro was on our list of places to go, we decided to check out the store just south of Mae Sai.  We entered, expecting to see a copy of the one in Chiang Rai, but we were quite wrong.  The store was big, spacious, very clean, and the staff was friendly.  The layout of the vegetable and meat departments made it easy to see what was there.  Now I’m trying to figure out a good reason to drive all the way back up there to shop at the Mae Sai Makro (555).

In the afternoon we went to Immigration with Blue.  After some paper-signing and waiting for approvals, he finally got his 1-year visa!  While we were waiting, one of the officers came over and sat with us.  His English is pretty good and we talked about learning by listening, and how difficult it is to follow TV shows and movies in another language.  He’s always fun to do ‘business’ with at the office.

Time for Wacky Wednesday.

                 Peace,

                           Danny

“The deepest principle in 

human nature is the craving

to be appreciated.”

~William James

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

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www.lisamosesgallery.com