Friday Funnies

Hi,

The rain paid us a giant visit at lunch today.  It was a major downpour that lasted at least 40 minutes and soaked everything.

It is with a sad heart that I must report that we took Blue to the hospital this morning and he is not expected to be with us after tomorrow.  His low key battle with leukemia has taken it’s toll.  When he came to Thailand this time, it was to be in a place he loved dearly when the time came to leave this life.  Mission accomplished.  We will miss him.

The ‘Zany Day’ song was “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” by The Rolling Stones and later, Aretha Franklin.  This week’s ‘Old School Friday’ tune was a favorite of Blue’s.  “You’ve got to give a little, take a little, and let your poor heart break a little.  That the story of, that’s __ __ __ __.”  Hint:  This should have been on Monday, it’s easy.  Extra Cool Points if you know who did the 1951 R&B hit version. 

Not much to tell you about today.  We spent most of the time worrying about Blue, knowing the signs didn’t look good.  This message is going to be short, my mind is spinning with memories, things that must be done, and sadness.

Today’s photo was taken during Songkran last year.  Blue and me mugging at Top’s Market in our only selfie.

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd.

                  Peace,

                            Danny

Truth

Hi,

It looks like the weather report will be a broken record, repeating itself day after day.  The rainy season is like that.  So far, the days have only had drizzles, leaving the heavy work for overnight.  Whew.

The ‘Zany Day’ tune was recognized by a few of you.  Some of you should know this (555).  “I was raised by a toothless, bearded hag.  I was schooled with a strap right across by back.  But it’s all right now, in fact it’s a gas.  But it’s all right, I’m __ __ __, it’s a gas, gas, gas.”  Hint: It’s by some elder-statesmen of R&R.  A troubled youth makes good?  

This morning we had a little drizzle that we thought would keep us from playing with Daku.  It stopped in time for him to get in a good workout and he was happy.  When he doesn’t get to run and play he gets bored around the house and then he wants to play inside.  We’ve found that mental stimulation can ease his boredom and calm him down.  

On our way to our first adventure we stopped by Browney Pet World.  There is a line of dog food called: ‘Dr. Love’.  Cracked me up.  There is also one called ‘Money’.  Don’t ask me why.  I learn so much at the pet supply store.

We had a coffee and snack date with our new friends Sandy and Ady, who we met at the party on Saturday.  We were greeted by their little dog Corti, who is very friendly.  It’s always interesting to meet people from other countries and share experiences, noting similarities and differences in culture and how we’ve adapted to living in Thailand.  When conversations flow from one topic to another and and it all makes sense, it’s very cool.  Our coffee cups were hand-painted by Sandy and Ady and next time we visit, I’ll have to take some photos.  We already have a date for next week to hang out at our house.  Looking forward to that.

After a trip to the bank it was time for lunch.  We decided to try eating at Melt In Your Mouth.  We haven’t been there in a long time for a meal.  At the party we noticed that they had a bigger menu.  When we arrived, the parking lot was empty.  That meant we’d beat the lunch crowd.  The dish I wanted was listed as ‘spicy’ and I asked the waiter if they could alter it.  A few minutes later the chef came out and she told me she could do it.  My guess is, it was made from scratch, based on how long we waited for our meal.  We both ordered strawberry smoothies with no dairy and we almost filled up on the drink.  The food was great and we’ll probably return.  

Today’s photo is the entrance to Melt In Your Mouth.  On the other side is the patio and the river.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

               Peace,

                         Danny

“The truth you believe and cling to

makes you unavailable to hear anything new.”

~Pema Chodron

Bridge

Hi,

Last night we had another ‘Storm of the Century’ (555).  Seriously, it rain so hard we had the usual lakes and a lot of soggy ground.  By mid-morning it was basically gone, but it returned in the afternoon for an encore performance.

The ‘Easy Monday’ song was “It’s Not Unusual” by Tom Jones.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yca2BCwAnBQ

It’s time to put on your ‘Zany Day’ hats and tell me what this is:  “I was born in a crossfire hurricane.  And I howled at my ma in the driving rain.  But it’s all right now, in fact it’s a gas.  But it’s all right, I’m __ __ __, it’s a gas, gas, gas.”  

Today was one of the busier days we’ve had lately.  After the morning routine and a great call with Lisa’s dad Joe, we gathered all our paperwork and went to immigration.  When we got there it was totally crowded so we went with plan ‘B’ and headed for the mall.  Lunch and a little shopping took just enough time to return to immigration at 1pm.  The office crew showed up late from their lunch, but in a very happy mood.  This was good for us.  When our number was finally called we got all of our business taken care of and it only took an hour and a half.  

This afternoon DHL delivered the tickets for the Formula One event in Singapore.  I was expecting a small envelope with two paper tickets.  Shows you how much I know.  When I opened the package there was a whole presentation.  In addition to the two passes there was a card for a free month of the F1 app, which will allow us to follow the cars around the track and see the order of the drivers throughout the race.  Pretty snazzy for a car race.

When we were at the mall this morning, we got coffee.  On the receipt they printed the WiFi password.  I thought this was a great idea.  You pay for coffee, you get the password.  Or, to put it another way, you want password, buy something (555).

After dinner we went to Big C for things we needed.  We were expecting the place to be empty but it was jumping.   Driving through town after the rain, we encountered various puddles.  On one stretch of road it was obvious that more work needs to be done on the drainage system.  It makes it rough for the motorbikes when the puddles are too deep.  

Feels like a Wacky Wednesday.

                    Peace,

                              Danny

“Love is the bridge between

you and everything.”

~Rumi

Wisdom

Hi,

It tried to rain today.  In fact, for a brief time it looked like it might drizzle all day, but that ended and it was back to hot and muggy.  Maybe tomorrow.

A few of you remembered the ‘Easy Monday’ song.  Here’s another verse to jar your memory:  “__ __ __ to go out at any time.  But when I see you out and about it’s such a crime, if you should ever want to be loved by anyone, __ __ __, it happens every day.  No matter what you say, you find it happens all the time… __ __ __ to find out that I’m in love with you, whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh.”  Clue:  It came from across the water around 1965, but it wasn’t R&R.

This morning we began taking the steps necessary to renew our retirement visas.  One of the steps needed was a trip to the bank.  We have to show that we have had a certain amount of money in a Thai bank for several months.  This is a routine thing for us now, it just has to be documented by the bank.  The big change this year is a form that asks for information never required before.  Most of it seems unnecessary until we see the numbers of foreigners who remain in Thailand for years without reporting their whereabouts to immigration.  Thankfully, we don’t fit into that group, so we’ll comply with their requests.  Tomorrow we’ll go to immigration and apply for our renewal.  

There are a couple of trees that grow inside the restaurant at The Wanderer.  By design, they go up to the second floor through an opening in the ceiling.  Quite an impressive sight.

As we drive around on our side of the river, we’ve been noticing how most of the plots of land that were cleared for sale have now completely grown over due to the rains.  What looked like a vacant lot a few months ago is now a jungle.  Some of the corn that was planted across the road from us is almost as high as, well, you know the song.  It looks like it should be harvested if it’s for human consumption.  If it’s for animals, they may just let it dry out and then pick it.  Hmm, maybe they wouldn’t miss a few ears (555).  Living so close to farms and open space reminds us where we are, in a poetic sense.  As soon as we cross the river we’re in a city.  On this side, it’s still the country.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

 

                 Peace,

                           Danny

“True wisdom comes to each of us when 

we realize how little we understand about

life, ourselves, and the world around us.”

~Socrates

Choices

Hi,

We actually had a weekend without rain.  There may have been a few sprinkles, but nothing to shout about.  It was just hot and humid.  

The ‘Old School Friday’ tune was “With A Little Help From My Friends” by The Beatles, and later, Joe Cocker.  It’s time to get busy with our ‘Easy Monday’ song.  Let’s see who remembers this oldie:  “__ __ __ to be loved by anyone.  __ __ __ to have fun with anyone.  But when I see you hanging about with anyone, __ __ __ to see me cry, oh, I wanna die.”  Hint: 

Saturday we had a great time at the ‘Going away party’ for the twins.  We met some new ‘grown ups’ and had very interesting conversations and made new friends.  The kids found things to do on the big lawn, like playing with kickballs, and putting plant-life in their hair.  When a big fan was placed in our area to create a breeze, the kids discovered that if you yell into it, it distorts your voice.  I had to join them and check it out and it’s pretty crazy.

As a result of several conversations over the weekend, I realized that I have learned a few things in the nine years we’ve been here.  I will pass some of these things along to you during the next few weeks.  When we first arrived, a new friend of mine who emigrated from Canada explained to me that it’s not better or worse, it’s just different.  I have held on to that thought.  There are many cultural observations that cause me to think.  Coming from a culture where ’striving’ is part of the way of life, it’s refreshing to realize that many people are happy with ‘enough’.  If they have a roof over their heads, and food to eat it is enough.  If they have family around them, it is enough.  They work hard and get enough to feed themselves and those around them and it is enough.  Hmm.

Sunday we went to The Wanderer for lunch.  I took some time after we’d finished and just strolled around.  While walking toward the river I heard the sound of the geese.  They are like guard-dogs.  As soon as I was on the path away from the normal area they began ‘honking’.  They’re in a make-shift enclosure so they don’t try to get out, but they were pretty clear about their intention.  Some of their honking was at me, but there were also two large birds walking around their enclosure and they were also warning them off.  

Sunday evenings in the Night Bazaar things start a little later than usual.  Partly because of ‘Happy Street’, which draws some of the vendors and some of the local crowd away.  As a result, when we got to Sawadee, the place was empty. After our meal we walked around a little, saying hello to some of our vendor friends.  Then home to watch Formula One while Lisa worked in her studio.

It was a mellow Monday on this side of the world.  We bought some vegetables and fruit at Healthy Market, stopped by ‘The Bread Lady’, and then had another fun visit with Katai at Work@Home.  This morning we got to look at some of her drawings and small paintings she does in a diary type book.  She is a wonderful artist who does it for herself.  Today’s quote is from a page in her little book.

Have a Great Week.

                       Peace,

                                 Danny

“Every morning you have two choices:

continue to sleep with your dreams,

or wake up and chase them.

~Unknown

Friday Funnies

Hi,

We had a forecast for a thunder storm at 12:30pm today.  As we sat finishing lunch, we looked out and it was nowhere close to raining.  There was no thunder booming in the distance, and it was 5 minutes to showtime.  It still hasn’t rained.  Why do we bother reading these things?  (555)

The ‘Zany Day’ song was “Alley Oop”, originally recorded by The Hollywood Argyles.  I’ll bet you all remember this next tune.  For the weekend I guess it's time for an easy one.  "What would you do if I sang out of tune, would you stand up and walk out on me?"  Clue: This song had two hit versions.  Of course I'm looking for the original but you can mention the other one.  We've done it before but this week cries for help. 

Gong has expressed an interest in learning more about art from Lisa.  We’ve seen some of his drawings and he definitely has talent.  Today he told Lisa he wanted to make a cast acrylic print and the lessons began.  Gop, Natcha’s nephew, was spending the afternoon with them and he joined Gong in the studio.  It was quite a scene.  Gop on the floor drawing, Gong at the table drawing on a polyethylene plate with a marking pen, and Lisa working on her latest acrylic on canvas piece.  Stay tuned for more on this story.

The big news of the day came late this afternoon.  Our internet went out and none of the usual remedies brought it back.  I called our provider, who told me a technician would be calling.  A guy called but spoke no English.  I ran down stairs, got Gong who came back upstairs and determined that no one could come today.  Something is broken in the line, if I understood correctly.  There was a time when panic would have taken over.  Back in the day, I would write this message and then drive down to Doi Chaang Coffee and send it using their WiFi.  Now we’re in modern times and I can use my phone as a ‘personal hot spot’ and send it from home.  I love this stuff (555).

Saturday we will attend the ‘Going Away’ party for the twins and their friends (they’re 3.5 years old), and go to an exhibit opening at Art Bridge on Sunday.  Sprinkled in between all that will be the catching up on U.S. Open recordings and Formula One from Monza, Italy.  

Today’s photo was taken on the highway to Chiang Mai.  I think the photo speaks for itself.  

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd.    Time for the ‘Funnies’.   

                  Peace,

                            Danny 

Kind

Hi,

The weather was great again today.  What made the day special though was that it’s our 9th anniversary of moving to Thailand.  It’s hard to believe that so much time has passed.  

A few of you were in a ‘Zany Day’ state of mind and picked up on the silliness right away.  The end of the song might just be a good clue:  “Thair he goes, look at that cave man go.  He sure is hip ain’t he?  Like, what’s happening?  He’s too much.  Ride, daddy, ride.  Hi-yo dinosawruh.  Ride, daddy, ride.  Get ‘em, man.”  Hint:  Fred Flintstone’s cousin?

This morning we hit the highway again and found the kid store we were looking for.  We found one piece of what we were looking for, and after much discussion without translation, we learned that we have to order what we want.  We’ll return with a Thai speaker just to make sure we get the order right.  We also plan to check the Ikea Thailand website to see what they might have.  They have a big store in Bangkok.

Work has begun on the western bypass road.  The art of moving dirt is a messy one.  Big dump trucks and digging things are working every day near the airport road and it has turned the highway red.  Crews of workers attempt to clean it up during the day, but I think the asphalt is stained.  In a few years it will likely be finished and then there will be two ways to avoid driving through Chiang Rai.  This may mildly lessen the traffic in town, but most of it now is local folks just getting through their day.  

We had lunch with our friend Caty, the mother of the adorable twins.  She and the girls are moving to the States in a couple of weeks, for good.  We shared some memories, discussed the future, and got a few new resources for information and services.  Saturday we’re going to a party for the friends of the twins.  It’s a way to get together with some grown-ups (555).  It should be fun.

Speaking of fun, Lisa spent some time on line today booking our tickets for the Winter Visit.  It’s really not fun when the website is ‘new and improved’ and, well, you’ve probably experienced this yourself.  Why is it that improvements make things more difficult?  That’s not progress.  Rant over.

Today’s photos are from our trip to Chiang Mai.  The coffee shop is called ‘The Rabbit Crew’ and you will soon see why.  The shop was made from a shipping container that was cut and stacked to make an interesting design in the middle of nowhere.  The rabbits speak for themselves.  There were a bunch more in a little pen.  We had to sit outside because rabbits give off the same vibes as cats, which I cannot tolerate.  What a shame.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                Peace,

                          Danny

“You will never regret

being kind.”

~Unknown