Adventures In Thailand

Friday, August 30, 2013

Friday Funnies

Hi,

Hot and rainy was the order of the day, luckily it didn't all happen at the same time. Blue arrived and everyone, including the dogs, is happy.

The 'Zany Day' song was "Big John" by Jimmy Dean. Now it's time for a dreamy ballad on 'Old School Friday'.

"When I want you in my arms, when I want you and all your charms. Whenever I want you, __ __ __ __ __ __ __."

Clue: It's by a couple of brothers who were really brothers, singing about something that happens when one is asleep, or sometimes awake. Hmm.

Last night we went to the airport to pick up Blue. While we waited for the luggage to be unloaded we could see him, but could not enter the area. We watched as passengers without luggage met their friends. We saw two friends coming back from Bangkok and it was another example of life in a 'small town'. Our vet was one of the people we saw. Finally, Blue got his bags and we headed for home. At the house, BamBam started barking until she realized who it was, then she was all smiles. When Lisa brought Daku out he wanted to get crazy, but he was held back. This morning he wandered down the hall to see if Blue was awake. Later this morning BamBam tipped down the hall and managed to make contact. Our dogs love house guests, and especially Blue.

This morning we drove up the highway to Makro, and Blue was amazed at the growth that is taking place in the area. It's always fun to be with someone who hasn't been here for a long time because they see things we sometimes take for granted. Many things are new to Blue that are no longer new to us. Perspective changes as we ride around town. This evening we're going to Big C and then to Doi Chaang Coffee. Tomorrow we'll lunch at Art Bridge and hang out.

Today's photo was taken at a light on the Super Highway. It seems that these trash men have the best seats in the house when it comes to picking through the garbage. I guess it's a perk of the job. Hmm.

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd. Time for a 'Funny'.

Peace,

Danny

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Go

Hi,

Chiang Rai weather was, well, same as it ever was. Even with the afternoon rains, the pool is warmer. We had a very interesting lunch and watched an incredible sunset.

The 'Zany Day' song got some correct responses and some great guesses. Here's the second verse of this story:

"Nobody seemed to know where __ called home. He drifted into town and stayed all alone. He didn't say much, kinda quiet and shy. If ya spoke at all, ya just said 'Hi' to __ __." Hint: The first word is a descriptive adjective and the second is a name. The character is like a Paul Bunyon. Oh, and it's not Young Fred. (555)

Today we had our friend Khanti over for lunch. He is an artist and also teaches at Chiang Rai Rajabhat University. We learned a lot about him today and he's quite a guy. He grows rice behind his house, for personal consumption, has a big pond with fish that he doesn't eat, and has three pet ostriches. That last bit really got our attention. Apparently he saw a baby, thought it was cute and kept it. Then he got two more and didn't realize how big they'd get. They all have names and they come when called. He says they like people, but one has to be aware that they will try to peck bright objects, like watches. Khanti gave us our baby Jacaranda tree that he grew from a seed. We also learned that our banana tree is a very good variety that has lots of health benefits. He is currently doing a survey of the handicrafts of different villages in the area, noting that each village has a unique style or medium. Wow, my head is full of so much stuff after that lunch.

All of the preparations are completed for Blue's arrival tonight. We are all excited about his visit. This evening there was an amazing sunset full of swirling clouds in various shades of orange. Today's photo was taken from our front yard with my iPhone using HDR.

The next two weeks we'll be playing tourist and tour guide since Chiang Rai has changed so much since the last time Blue was here. So many new places to see, the ones we pass by but never check out. I suspect we'll be learning and doing a lot. Hang on for the ride.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

Peace,

Danny

"Wherever you go, go with all your heart."

~Confucius

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Trust

Hi,

Chiang Rai experienced a sunny, hot day. It's just what we needed to dry out a bit. Of course, that didn't last long when the afternoon rain came. While the sun was out we were out and about.

The 'Easy Monday' song was "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" by Crosby, Stills and Nash. Who remembers this 'Zany Day'

saga: "Every morning at the mine you could see him arrive. He stood six-foot-six and weighed two-forty-five. Kinda broad at the shoulder and narrow at the hip, everybody knew you didn't give no lip to __ __, __ __, __ bad __, __ __." Clue: This is a story-song that won the Grammy for Best Country & Western song in 1962. The two-word title includes the name of the main character in the song.

Today's adventures began with lunch at Art Bridge. When we got there the place was practically empty and hanging out in the restaurant was very peaceful. We took some of Lisa's T-shirts to be sold in the gift shop, cruised through the gallery, after lunch and talked to Blue while he was at LAX preparing for his flight to Thailand. He will arrive tomorrow (our Thursday) night.

On our way to pick up the new studio sink we stopped at a nursery and got a vine for the front wall. The last time we were there it was bustling with lots of vendors and plants. For some reason, it was rather quiet and bare this time. I guess you have to catch it at the right season.

Shopping can sometimes be a challenge. Normally, there is someone at the home improvement store who speaks English. Our timing was off and all of the English speakers were at lunch. While I was off looking for someone to help, Lisa communicated enough to get them to understand that we wanted the sink. Then we found out there was no delivery or installation. The box with all the parts fit in the back seat of the car, and tomorrow Khun Mahn will come and put it together and install it.

The photo for today is a sight that we see from time to time. Motorbikes with 'side hacks' are common for carrying everything from ice to rice, cooking gas or trash. This shot is a man and his wife using it as a sidecar, which is not the safest thing to do, but when has that been a problem?

It's time for Wacky Wednesday.

Peace,

Danny

"As I watched the seagulls, I thought:
That's the road to take.
Find the absolute rhythm and follow it with absolute trust."
~Nikos Kazantzakis

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Happiness

Hi,

Today's weather could best be described as cloudy with periods of intense sunshine, followed by a 5pm shower. We lunched at the Plaza (sounds so HiSo), shopped for a sink, and bought flowers for the kitchen garden. Cool day.

This week's 'Easy Monday' tune got a lot of responses so far. Here's something from the second movement:

"Friday evening, Sunday in the afternoon, what have you got to lose? Tuesday morning please be gone, I'm tired of you, what have you got to lose? Can I tell it like it is?....." Clue: The title is in four words. One is a name and two describe a special attribute of the subject. Hmm.

This morning we went to Central Plaza for lunch and also to check on my laptop fans. After dining at Mikey D's, which was a splurge and a break from our usual diet, I stopped at one of the many phone accessory counters. For some time I have been eyeing a telephoto lens for my iPhone. I got a demonstration and based on what is available, it's pretty cool and will allow me to capture things far away.

In Thailand the cell phone systems are not tethered to contracts by the service providers. You put money on the phone and pay as you go. When you need more money it's a simple matter of going to a 7-11 or the providers shop and tell them you want to 'top up' your phone. We did exactly that and then hit the Apple Service Center. It turns out my fans have to come from Europe and won't be here until Monday. This means we'll have to put up with my noise machine a little longer.

There is something about walking into a home improvement store that send the mind racing. Oh, look at that, we could use that, those are beautiful. Today we saw the latest in floor and wall tiles. The images on the tiles are digitally printed and the colors and details are so vivid you just have to have them. Well, we didn't go nuts today, but some day. What we did see was a great little sink that will go perfectly in Lisa's studio. The current one needs to be replaced so it's coming home tomorrow.

This afternoon we stopped by the garden center and picked up three potted, flowering plants to put in the garden in front of the kitchen. We'll keep them in pots and when they're done it will be easy to replace them with what ever is in season. This is how many of the colorful landscapes around town are maintained. The photo for today is from our garden in the back yard. This is one of many orchids that always comes through with beautiful flowers.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

Peace,

Danny

"To seek happiness outside of ourselves,
Is like trying to lasso a cloud.
Happiness is not a thing,
It is a state of mind."
~Omar Khayyam

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

Monday, August 26, 2013

Young

Hi,

Chiang Rai saw a lot of rain this weekend. I'm done with the rain, but the rain is not done with me. In brighter news, the artwork is on display in the coffee house and things are progressing with the Chiang Mai exhibit.

The 'Old School Friday' song was "Superfly" by Curtis Mayfield. For 'Easy Monday' try this on your memory:

"It's getting to the point where I'm no fun anymore, I am sorry. Sometimes it hurts so badly I must cry out loud, I am lonely. I am yours, you are mine, you are what you are, you make it hard..." Hint: The composition is a collection of movements performed by three musicians. It's about a girl.

There is nothing more difficult than trying to direct a dog to stay on higher ground when it's time to do his thing. Daku went out in a light drizzle following the storm last night and he wanted to explore the yard. The yard was under water and I knew he wouldn't pee there, but he wanted to smell it anyway. We sloshed around for a moment until I pulled him to where it was just soggy. There is so much water in the earth that when another downpour comes, the lakes appear. Today the yard crew came and took advantage of the 'dry' day. They worked fast and finished before their usual time. They knew what was coming. During dinner it started again and by the time we finished eating both yards were flooded. The adventure continues.

Saturday morning we took Lisa's cast acrylic prints to Chivit Tamma Da and Joakim and his staff helped us set them in the windows. They posted a photo of part of the room on their Facebook page and over the weekend it got 90 likes. Below is the photo.

The Chiang Mai exhibit opens on September 14 and this is the first time we have done all of the 'work' to put up a show. There are so many little pieces to bring together in order for the opening to be an event. Finding someone in Chiang Mai to 'cut the ribbon' has been an ordeal. Today we made contact with someone in the city who is being a tremendous help. Our hotel rooms have been booked, the crates are being rebuilt, and the new works are being framed. Then there is the invitation, the press release, and what to wear (555). It's all worth it in the end.

Lately, we have been noticing 'Cultural differences' that creep into everyday life. The other day Boot was making soup for dinner. Normally it is served with rice on the side. Neither of us wanted rice and when we told Boot, she was like 'You can't have Tom Yum without rice'. We asked for salad and she was almost offended, but then Lisa explained that soup and salad is a very normal thing to have in the West. Dogs are also a 'tender' subject and we are continually trying to explain that dogs don't necessarily know what's best for them. Our dogs are not street dogs and we treat them differently. There is an attitude that they have their own minds and they can handle whatever. We would rather protect them from danger (like cars) than leave it to them to deal with. Oh my.

Have a Great Week.

Peace,

Danny

"I am not young enough to know everything."

~Oscar Wilde

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style