Teach

Hi,

The forecast for today was 105 F and we believe it.  Our little art tour was a success and this afternoon we swam for the first time in about six months.  It was a good day.

A few of you knew this 'Zany Day' song.  It paints a colorful picture of a couple living on the edge.  Here's more:

"Eager for action, hot for the game.  The coming attraction, the drop of the name.  They knew all the right people, they took all the right pills.  They threw outrageous parties, they paid heavenly bills...... __ __ __ __ __ surely make you lose your mind.  __ __ __ __ __ everything all the time.  __ __ __ __ __."  

A few months ago Cat expressed a desire to see places she'd never seen before, with us.  Today's art tour was the first of such trips and we began with a visit to Wat Rong Khun.  I always enjoy the looks of amazement on the faces of people we take to see the 'White Temple' as it is often called.  Watching these two teenagers was special.  On the long walk to the temple entrance there seemed to be excitement at every turn.  Cat was really taken by the giant Koy fish swimming on either side of the bridge we stood on, and they were both intrigued by the hand-cut mirrors that covered everything.  Inside the small temple they both knelt down and said prayers before looking at any of the wall paintings.  I was impressed by their devotion.  Then they became tourists, recognizing all of the heroes and characters depicted on the walls.  For a brief moment, Cat's face became solemn when I explained the progression of the mural and it's spiritual meaning.  Then it was all smiles again.  The grounds of the temple complex were full of visitors from all parts of the world.  We saw many tour guides that had been engaged by small groups, explaining details and answering questions.  What used to be a small village has turned into a small town with its own economy as a result of the tourism created by the temple.  

By the time we finished at Wat Rong Khun we had just enough time to get to Art Bridge for lunch.  We ate and toured the gallery.  Lisa explained a few things as we looked at various works of art and questions were asked.  Today was great exposure to the world of imagination, possibilities, and more Thai culture.  

When we returned home we were ready for a nap.  The kids wanted to go to the big temple up the road from us.  We told Cat she could go on Jiw's motorbike provided she wore her helmet and put on jeans.  She changed and off they went.  Later she said they had a good time at the temple and encountered kids on the road who were already throwing water.  Hmm, it has begun.

The afternoon ended with a cool, relaxing first swim of the season.  As long as the air stays clean, we have our great escape from the heat.  

Today's photo was taken from the long-tailed boathouse on 'our side' of the Mae Kok river, looking across to what I like to call Songkran Village.  What you see on the shore has been built for the Songkran celebration and will be taken down when it's over.  I will take another photo with all the people in place.

Have a Thrilling Thursday

                Peace,

                          Danny

"The more you teach positive ideas to others,
the better you learn them yourself."
~Brian Tracy

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

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Foundation

Hi,

More of the same today in Chiang Rai.  It was very hot, but the air was not nasty and that's a good thing.  We ventured out and did things today.  

The 'Easy Monday' tune was "Help" by The Beatles.  Now we slip out on the highway for a 'Zany Day' song.

"He was a hard-headed man, he was brutally handsome, and she was terminally pretty.  She held him up, and he held her for ransom in the heart of the cold, cold city.  He had a nasty reputation as a cruel dude.  They said he was ruthless, said he was crude.  They had one thing in common, they were good in bed, she said,'faster, faster, the lights are turning red.'  __ __ __ __ __, surely make you lose your mind.  __ __ __ __ __."  Clue:  Part of a freeway is mentioned in the title of this song by a group named for a bird that soars. 

Every day I can tell that the healing process is working.  It takes medicine, rest, and time.  Today I felt pretty good so we got out into the day.  There were a few things we needed from Big C and what better way to gauge ones strength than to tackle the 'C'.  As soon as we walked in there was a large table full of Songkran shirts, and a crowd picking through them to find just the right one.  Cat tried one, but they were all what is called 'Free size' and they were too big.  On the other side of the store I found the water works.  A whole wall devoted to shooting water.  Oh, the madness.  Of course, I had to take a photo for you.

There is a gold shop right across from the check-out at Big C.  Interesting position to say the least.  Today there was a crowd of people at the counter, some looking and some paying on their lay-away accounts.  The gold looks different (more yellow) here, and to some Western eyes it seems fake, but actually it's because there's more gold in it.  Hmm.  Almost all of the gold shops are red, open front affairs with an armed security guard at one end of the counter.  They are all over town and all seem to survive, just like the coffee shops.  

After a fish and veggie run we went to Destiny Cafe for lunch.  In the past, when we've gone there, it was practically empty.  Today was a different story.  Almost all of the tables were busy and the sound was bouncing all over the large room.  I was one of two men in the room, all but one of the women were from somewhere other than Thailand, and we didn't know any of them.  Now that's weird.  Anyway, we had lunch and then walked back to the parking lot where we left the van.  On that walk we passed a magazine rack and Lisa was going to get a mag for Boot.  Cat informed her that they were from last year.  Lisa wondered if she meant last month, but Cat meant last year.  Oh my, not the best place to shop.  The parking lot is a bit of an oddity in Chiang Rai.  If you don't know it's there, you'd miss it.  We didn't know for years.  You pay 20 Baht ($.62) to park on a fairly level gravel/dirt yard for as long as you need to.  There is another on Bus Station street that we use, and I keep thinking that someday a multi-level lot will be a necessity the way the city is growing.  Oh well, just a thought.

On the home front, Johan and Khun Na came over and patched the leaks so we can use the pool.  The air is clean enough and the water was at 85 F this afternoon.  By tomorrow we should be splashing away.  

Tomorrow morning we're going on a big adventure with Cat and her friend; a boy named Jiw that she's known since they were small children.  It's an art tour starting with Wat Rong Khun, then Doi Din Dang, and ending at Art Bridge for lunch.  

Time for Wacky Wednesday,

                  Peace,

                            Danny

"The foundation of all spiritual practice is love."
~Dalai Lama

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

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Job

Hi,

Chiang Rai had more rain overnight.  Today was beautiful and hot.  There may be more rain since it always seems to be a prelude to Songkran.  

I'm surprised I haven't heard from more of you on this 'Easy Monday' song.  Maybe the chorus will jar your memory:

"__ me if you can, I'm feelin' down.  And I do appreciate you being 'round.  __ me get my feet back on the ground  Won't you please, please __ me."  Clue:  It's those pesky lads again from across the pond.  This song was also the title of their second full-length film.  It's a word one might use when sinking in quicksand.  Hmm.

Monday we went to Chivit Tamma Da to take down the mini-exhibit of Lisa's artwork.  We then made an attempt to go to the veggie/fruit market but it was later than usual and there was no place to park.  This was probably a good thing because when we got home my mouth was getting uncomfortable.  This is the second day since the extraction and I keep forgetting that I'm fighting off an infection.  Sometimes it takes real effort to be a good patient.  Today I totally surrendered to the fact that I'm not OK yet.  Hmm, staying at home is good right now.

The celebration of Songkran is not only the biggest holiday, it's become big business.  There is always lots of travel because it's the time when people return to their home villages to be with family.  Hotels are booked, and special tours are engaged for those who have been away for a long time.  Each year there seem to be more Songkran shirts on sale in the oddest places.  Shops that don't sell clothing are selling Hawaiian style flower shirts.  This year there is a new wave of sophisticated water-shooting devices.  Water canons with backpack-style tanks with styling after favorite super heroes are big this year.  There are also more water-proof phone protectors on the market.  

There is a village across the river from us that has been erected for the Songkran holiday.  People are already staking claims and hanging out.  I will try to get a photo from our side of the water so you can see the size of this little temporary town.  In the meantime, life goes on and construction sites are buzzing, getting last minute work done before the ten day break that usually comes with the celebration.  When we were building our house, it was made clear that the workers would get 10 days off for Songkran.  

Today's photo is the pool complex at Chiang Rai Resort Hotel where we attended the birthday party for the twins.  There are three slides, and two mushroom type things that drip water.  There is also a lap pool for serious swimmers.  Under the roof there is a concession stand and tables for picnics.  

Have a Happy Tuesday.

                  Peace,

                            Danny

"If you could be anyone in the world,
you should want to be yourself,
because you're the only one equipped to do the job."

~Unknown

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

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Mirror

Hi,

A crazy collection of weather and a mighty toothache made for an eventful weekend.  Fortunately, it's all over now and life is returning to normal. 

Our 'Old School Friday' song was "Your Precious Love" by Jerry Butler.  This week's 'Easy Monday' tune may be too easy.  "__, I need somebody.  __, not just anybody.  __, you know I need someone, __.  When I was younger, so much younger that today, I never needed anybody's __ in any way.  But now these days are gone, I'm not so self-assured.  Now I find I've changed my mind and opened up the doors."  Hint: Singer is in need of assistance. 

Saturday we went on an outing with Daku.  This time we went to a place called 'Chiang Rai Beach'.  It's not really a beach, but a beautiful park that overlooks the river.  The shoreline is mostly rocks and concrete steps, but it's a gathering place at various holidays.  It's also a very romantic spot.  Since it was a new location, Daku had a lot of investigating to do.  He made friends with a woman sitting in a car, and didn't notice a large rooster who stayed perfectly still, avoiding detection.  On our walk we saw a vehicle I haven't seen around town.  Probably because it's too big to casually drive around.  It's owned by an expat and reminded me of the van-camping days.  

We have become used to the weather patterns of the afternoon.  If it looks like it might rain there is usually a light breeze, followed by a few gusts, then some thunder, and then the rain.  Saturday was a different story.  The light breeze was followed by gusts, which developed into hurricane force winds.  It came from the west, and then turned and came from the east.  We were hypnotized by it all and couldn't tear ourselves away from the windows.  I saw a tin roof fly into the air across the road.  We kept checking our trees to make sure nothing had fallen.  One large trunk of the big banana tree was blown down and our 'orchid tree' was leaning.  Needless to say, the wind was the topic of conversation around town.  

Sometime on Saturday afternoon I started feeling a sharp pain in my mouth, caused by a tooth.  By dinner time it was getting intense.  I didn't sleep all night and I was desperate for relief.  Sunday is not a day to have such a problem, or so we thought.  We called our dentist, Dr. Upra and he was at his clinic.  It wasn't a day he normally works, but he said to come in and he'd see me.  Lisa, Cat and I ended up getting seen by Dr. Upra.  My tooth got pulled, after a bit of effort, and the tormenting pain was gone.  Cat had her teeth cleaned and Lisa had a consultation.  The dentist has a very comforting manner, and kept asking me if I felt anything while he was pulling the tooth.  When it hurt, he stopped the pain before continuing.  My kinda guy.  Things are getting better now.

The street where the dentist is located is the same street where 'Happy Street' (the Sunday might market) takes place.  I asked him when they would begin setting up for it, and he told me that, based on the way the sky looked, not many would show up. He was right about the sky and we had big rain that night.  He also told us that during Songkran Day, next Sunday, the entire street would be closed for water play.  His practice would be closed for a week and he and his wife would leave town.  I asked Cat when she thought the water throwing might begin and she guessed this Friday.  It will probably last a week.  Songkran is the celebration of the Thai New Year, as well as being a time of respect for elders.  What began as a sprinkling of water on the hands of grandparents and parents has become a giant water fight in the streets.  Many people look forward to it and others leave town or stay inside.  For us, it will be a time to stock up on basics before things begin, so we don't have to go out too much.  Our motto:  Roll with the windows up.

Have a Great Week.

                Peace,

                          Danny

"There is no better mirror

than a best friend."

~Cape Verde Proverb

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

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www.lisamosesgallery.com

Friday Funnies

Hi,

Today we had a fairly busy day in the streets.  There was traveling, shopping, partying, and a big storm in the evening.  It was a good day.

The 'Zany Day' song was "Dedicated Follower of Fashion" by The Kinks.  Oh well, Barry knew it.  'Old School Friday' is next and this one is for the very old (555).   "__ __ __ means more to me, than any love could ever be.  For when I wanted you I was so lonely and so blue.  For that's what love will do.  And darling (I'm so surprised) Oh, when I first realized, that a-you were fooling me.  And darling (Whoa-ooh), they say that our love won't grow, but I just wanna tell them that they don't know..."  Hint:  The artist is known as 'The Iceman' and this was one of his earliest hits.  The title describes his relationship.

We traveled southeast of town to our seamstress friend Gahn's house to check on some alterations she made for Lisa.  Cat and Gahn had a lively conversation in Thai and discovered that Gahn's daughter will be starting at Cat's school next term.  I noticed that Gahn was working on another 'fitted' robe for a monk.  I joked with her about specializing in custom robes and she told us a friend of hers has more orders than she can handle, from Chinese monks.  Their garments have bell-shaped sleeves and have a different look from the Thai garment.  She declined, saying they were a little more complicated and would take too much time.  I still see a catalogue in the future (555).

The main adventure of the morning was to find birthday gifts for the twins.  On our way to Big C we encountered some traffic and I noticed a new, modern building on the Super Highway.  Lisa noticed that the building next to it was an older, more traditional design so she took a photo.  The more we looked, we realized there was another building sandwiched in between and it was from yet another era.  Today's photo shows more of the contrast of Chiang Rai.

The Big C experience was very fruitful.  We found a toy and a book the twins can share.  We found a series of books with simple sentences in bothThai and English. When I asked Cat if they might be helpful for her, she said yes.  She now has two books that will allow her to practice her reading of English, and get an understanding from the Thai if something is not clear.  That's pretty cool.

After lunch at Central Plaza we took time to relax a bit before going to the party.  Pown came over and went with us to the Chiang Rai Resort Hotel, where we discovered a giant swimming pool with big slides and a lap pool.  We'd never heard of the place, but it was a good 'find'.  The twins were in the water when we arrived, having a ball.  I'm not sure if they understood much except that it was a fun afternoon, but they were gracious hostesses.  

The sky got darker earlier and we had a feeling that rain was coming.  Around dinner time the thunder began,  and then the winds came. BamBam tried to find comfort by staying close to us,  Before we knew it, the rain storm was upon us.  It was not a long one, but enough to clear out the smoke, cool the air, water everything thoroughly, and ensure a beautiful day tomorrow.

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

               Peace,

                         Danny

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

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Today

Hi,

It was just another 'Red Sun' day in Chiang Rai.  A light rain last night did little to wash away our local conversation piece.  The dogs are getting cabin fever in the afternoons, missing their time to roam and romp.  Hmm.

Well, somebody knew this, so it's not a complete bust.  This 'Zany Day' song is by a group that has other zany tunes in their catalogue.  "And when he does his little rounds, 'round the boutiques of London town, eagerly pursuing all the latest fads and trends, 'cause he's a __ __ __ __."  Clue:  The subject of this song was probably a well respected friend of Lola's.  He's a real clothes hound.

This morning Cat returned from Bangkok, at 6:15am.   Driving through town to the bus station that early in the morning reminded me of the first time we came to Chiang Rai in 2001.  My friend Blue and I had a Samlor driver take us to some temples in hopes of seeing the monks on their morning alms walks.  The streets were very quiet and very few people were out.  Today I saw two different groups of monks carrying their bowls, returning to their temples.  For most of them, the food they collect is what they will eat for the day.  While waiting for the light to change at the Super Highway I saw a group across the intersection.  Once again, an interesting contrast. 

This evening during dinner, Cat told us more about the trip and the various activities.  There were 60 teens from three different provinces.  They learned about the progress of each others' projects, and met a man who is trying to reduce the pollution in the Chao Phraya river that flows through Bangkok.  She told us that one of the main goals of all of this is to give the young people a focus on helping their country, and not use drugs and alcohol.  It seems that part of what they did was training for future camps where they will teach other kids.  They have a game where they talk about their feelings.  We found this very interesting.

Last night, the thunder that I heard actually bumped the clouds and they eventually dropped a small amount of rain.  Not enough to make a difference with the air, but the ground got wet.  The wind filled the streets with leaves and now the giant trees across the road from us are almost empty.  We're happy about this, but I'm sure the dogs will miss their 'chips'.  Another benefit of the leaves leaving (555) is the improved view of any fireworks that will be set off during Songkran.

Tomorrow we will go to a one-year birthday party for Taeyo and Jaiya.  This will be a new experience for all of us.  It's being held at a swim complex so I suspect there will be little ones splashing about.  It will only make me want to go for a swim even more.  Our pool has to have some repair work done on Saturday if it doesn't rain.  As soon as the air clears I'm gritting my teeth and going in, regardless of the temperature.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                    Peace,

                              Danny

"Don't let yesterday use up too much of today."

~Native American Proverb  

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

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www.lisamosesgallery.com

Try

Hi,

Today was a typical day in Chiang Rai, for this time of year.  It was hot and hazy.  We seem to spend time looking at the updates of the air quality and checking the weather forecasts, searching for rain.  Hmm.

The 'Easy Monday' song was "Good Vibrations" by The Beach Boys.  It's time for the 'Zany Day' song.  Oh boy.

"They seek him here, they seek him there, his clothes are loud, but never square.  It will make or break him so he's got to buy the best, 'cause he's a __ __ __ __."  Hint:  This guy is kinda kinky about his clothes.  It's from a band that came from across the pond.  

This morning, after a short exercise session with the dogs, we went to Top's Market at Central Plaza.  While we were shopping we saw Michelle, a friend of ours.  It's fun to be out on the town and see someone we can have a conversation with.  After we finished at Top's, she and Lisa went to a pharmacy while I went upstairs, into the mall to get a guitar tuner.  Technology has come a long way from the days of using a tuning fork, or the battery operated gadgets we used to use.  Now, it's a tiny thing you clip on the head of the guitar and it tells you if the string you plucked is in tune or not.  Wonderful.

Since the last time I wrote about the air and it's causes, I have learned a lot more.  There was an editorial in the Bangkok Post that explained more about the burning.  The reason things have escalated can be pinned on the agro-industry.  Large plantations are growing corn and sugar, and at the end of a season, they burn off the excess and start again.  The corn is used for feed factories.  Primarily for animal feed.  The sugar is used for biofuel.  They have taken over large plots of land in Thailand and also in Burma, where they are displacing people by forcing them off their land.  All of this has a negative affect on everyone at some time, and not just in Thailand and Burma.  The air, rivers, and surrounding countries are feeling it.  So, looks like it's not just the locals that are causing the problem and it looks like it's not going away soon.  This 'season' will be over in a few weeks and then the air will get better, until next year.

As I am typing, the sound of rolling thunder can be heard in the background.  This could be a good thing if it can jar some water from the clouds.  We live in hope.  Our roof leak has been fixed, so bring it on.  (555)

In this land of contrasts, we get to see the many aspects of Thai life in a single day.  While sitting on the deck at Art Bridge having coffee yesterday, I noticed a woman across the water digging in the rubble of what used to be plant life.  I don't know what she was doing, but thought it was worth sharing.

Time for Wacky Wednesday

                Peace,

                          Danny

"Most of the important things in the world
have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying
when there seemed to be no hope at all."
~Dale Carnegie

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

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www.lisamosesgallery.com