Friday Funnies

Hi,

Last night's storm left a beautiful cloudy, cooler morning.  Our old friend Mr. Heat paid us a visit by the afternoon though.  The weather forecasters should mention that there might be rain in some parts of town.  We drove across the city and went from dry streets in some parts, to soaked streets in others.  Very interesting.

A lot of you knew that the 'Zany Day' song was "Lady Marmalade" by Labelle, recorded in 1974.  It's time for some 'Old School Friday' and this week it's going to be harder than last time.  "There was a boy, a very strange enchanted boy.  They say he wandered very far, very far, over land and sea.  A little shy, and sad of eye, but very wise was he.

Until one day, one lucky day he passed my way, and while we talked of many things, fools and kings, this he said to me:  'The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return'."  Hint:  The title of the song is two words that are not in the lyrics.  The song was featured in a film, and was sung by a very famous singer.  

We are in that pre-travel mode where lists are being made and completed, things to be packed are starting to appear, and reminders are being given about the dogs and their feeding.  Hmm, you'd think we were going someplace.

Today, in our travels, we passed a sign that warranted a U-Turn for a photo op.  There are tons of coffee shops in Chiang Rai, and many have signs showing their featured items.  I just had to share this one with you.

Many people in Thailand are not immune to World Cup Fever.  'Football' is a major sport here, but there's a mean twist to the story this time around.  The Cup is being played in Brazil.  There is a dramatic time difference and it means that live broadcasts cannot be enjoyed at restaurants, clubs, bars or a friend's home.  Why?  Because of the midnight curfew, and start times that begin after the curfew here.  Some matches begin an hour before curfew.  The headline in the paper stated:  'You'll have to watch them at home'.   I wonder if any of the generals are football fans?  

Cat's class went on a field trip today to a school near the village of Ban Du, north of town.  They went there to plant some trees.  This was right down Cat's alley, since she's involved in a tree-planting project in her village.  The students at the school will take care of the trees and learn some vital lessons about nature first hand.  Pretty cool idea.

This morning, while we were downtown, we stopped by the 'warehouse pharmacy'.  The door was open, but the shelves were empty.  The owner explained that the wholesale side of business was getting too hectic so they're going strictly retail.  It was a relief to know that they'll still be there since they have the broadest inventory in town.  It will take about a month to change it around.  When we asked if they would be closed she smiled and said they'd stay open.  Amazing.

With four more days to go, the weekend will be busy with light packing, final shopping, and the opening of a new exhibition for young artists at Art Bridge.  

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd.     On to the 'Funnies'.

               Peace,

                         Danny

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics

www.lisamosesgallery.com

Change

Hi,

The forecast for today called for cooler temps, around 91 degrees.  Ha.  An afternoon rain storm brought it down a lot lower than that.  Not cool, but so much nicer.

This 'Zany Day' song will loop in your head.  If you didn't remember it before, I think the last lines will get you.

"He sat in her boudoir while she freshened up, the boy drank all her magnolia wine.  On the black satin sheets, oh I swear he started to freak.  Gitchi gitchi ya ya ta ta... Creole __ __.  Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?  Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?"  Hint:  Something you spread on toast. 

Yesterday I mentioned watching space people fly across the sky.  I didn't explain that we watched the International Space Station pass through our skies.  It's an amazing thing, no matter how many times we see it.  Chiang Mai is a three hour drive south of us, but it only took the station about 2 minutes to get from there to here.  If you go to the NASA website and click on 'Spot the Station', you can pick a city near you and they will send an email when it's in your 'neighborhood'.

The road block near us has been taken down.  It was cause for celebration.  From what we see in the Bangkok Post, the military coup is trying hard to make everyone a little more comfortable with what is going on.  They are going to be in charge for over a year until the next election, so coexistence is important.  Hmm.

It is now less than a week until we begin our journey to Southern California.  Planning the clothes to take gets tricky when you consider that the highs in Culver City are the lows in Chiang Rai.  While it's not snow, it will feel a lot cooler and that will be a relief.

In the 'I never thought about that' department, we heard from friends of ours that they had to wait a day to get a flight back to Thailand.  With so many countries cautioning citizens about coming to Thailand, there are a lot of empty flights, which means cancelations.  This trip, we're traveling on Cathay Pacific so we'll fly through Hong Kong.  There was an air of concern about our return, but they called and told us they put us on a flight from Hong Kong that will bring us home.  The only thing was, they had to upgrade us to business class.  Oh, what a pity.

In this hot season, it's warm by the time the dogs go out for morning play.  Lately, they end each session chilling on the front porch.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

                  Peace,

                            Danny

"Don't change so people will like you,

be yourself and the right people will

like the real you."

~Unknown

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics

www.lisamosesgallery.com

Dream

Hi,

We had another scorcher today.  How hot was it?  The air/con couldn't even cool the room.  Tonight we watched space people fly across the sky.  What?

That easy 'Easy Monday' song was "My Girl" by The Temptations.  It's 'Zany Day' time and I think it's easy too.

"Hey sister, go sister, soul sister, sister flow (repeat).  He met __ down in Old New Orleans, struttin' her stuff on the street.  She said, 'Hello, hey Joe, you wanna give it a go?' Oh.  Gitchi, gitchi ya, ya, ta, ta.  Gitchi, gitchi ya, ya, here.  Mocha choca lata ya ya.  Creole __ __."  Hint:  She wasn't selling hot chocolate or jam.  (555)

This morning's adventure took us to HomePro.  It's one of those places where you go for one thing and come out with a basket of stuff you didn't realize you needed.  There have been days when we managed to go there and exercise perfect discipline and just get what we went for.  Today was not one of those days.  We did get the item we meant to get, but then we saw...  As we were leaving, I pushed the cart out the front door and a security guard came and pushed it across the lot and helped me load it into the van.  Love this place.

This afternoon our friend Tye came over for a visit.  During our conversation about the state of things in Chiang Rai we talked about the road closure near us.  We asked her about the people at the big nursery that is normally accessed by the closed road.  She told us they can't work and it's all shut down.  She also told us that her husband is very disappointed because he can't play golf on the military course.  Word on the street is that they may open the road soon.  It would appear that this is a rather non-vocal community when it comes to complaining about things.  I can't imagine the traffic jams caused by this one closure would go without protest where we came from.  Things are accepted as the way they are, I suppose.  

We were scheduled to have the air/con techs come and look at our unit and give it a cleaning.  They were due at 3pm, but true their pattern, they arrived early.  The timing could not have been better.  Since Tye was here she could explain a few problems to them in Thai and they were able to do the work we needed done.  While they were working, the service manager came to the house with a new remote for one of our other air/cons.  We thought we'd have to go to the store to pick it up, but he brought it and had the unit cleaned for free.  It just keeps getting better.

I had a chance to witness the rush-hour traffic on the main artery affected by the closure today.  It was at the end of my afternoon of driving.  First I went to the dentist for a quick fitting of a bridge, and then I picked up Cat from school.  In front of me, on the way to the school, was a trash-picker on a motorbike with a trailer.  At one red light he got off the bike and went to the side of the road to investigate a possible score.  Just as the light turned green he made it back to his bike and pulled away.  When Cat and I got to the the main road, there was a very long line of cars.  The traffic coming from the closure was twice as bad since the road was overloaded.  Note to self:  Stay home after 4pm if at all possible.

Today's photo is part of the view we see whenever we pull into our driveway.  It's why we like to come home.

It looks like a Wacky Wednesday.

                   Peace,

                             Danny

"You are never too old

to set another goal or to 

dream a new dream."

~C.S. Lewis

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics

www.lisamosesgallery.com

Learned

Hi,

I can safely say that today was hotter than yesterday.  We experienced the heat first hand while in the city.  

A bunch of you got this R&B Classic right away.  Maybe the second verse will bring back some memories.

"I've got so much honey, the bees envy me.  I've got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees.  Well, I guess you'd say what can make me feel this way?  __ __, talkin' 'bout __ __, ooh."  Clue:  It may be too easy for hints.  I'm tempted to tell you more, but I won't.

It had been our experience in the past, that service calls to the house for any kind of appliance repair usually involved some waiting past the agreed upon time.  In short, they were always late.  That is all different here.  Today was a good example.  While in town, we stopped at Sinthanee, the major appliance store where we got our TVs and air/cons, and set up a service call to check out a TV that wasn't working.  The appointment was for 2pm.  We were standing in line at Big C at 11:15am when a technician called to say he was at the house.  Boot let him in and he did his job.  That was an extreme case, usually they're 15 to 30 minutes early, which is better than hours late.  Amazing.

In an effort to help restart tourism, the coup makers have lifted the curfew in three beach resort areas.  Some believe it was to allow the upcoming 'Full Moon Party' that draws lots of 'visitors' who party without abandon.  There are others who believe the curfew should be lifted nationwide.  It looks like this may set a precedent and slowly relieve some tension.  Here in Chiang Rai, the few soldiers that man the road blocks are passing the time doing things on their phones.  As least that's what we saw today.  

The last time we were in America there were strict fines for doing anything with a phone while driving.  Eventually there will be some kind of restrictions imposed here.  Last week we encountered at least 4 situations where a motorbike rider was dialing or texting while attempting to drive down the street.  We noticed them because they were either slowing down or drifting into our lane.  Not a good idea.  

Today's photo needs some explaining.  While sitting at a red light a little dump truck pulled up next to some road work.  In the bed of the truck was a small excavator.  The driver in the excavator started moving it toward the rear of the bed and I worried that he might fall out.  He stopped just in time and then turned the cab around so the shovel end was in the bed of the truck.  The plan was to dump it out while holding it steady with the shovel.  The light turned green just as they were about to do the magic move.  Who needs a ramp?

We have just about a week before we leave on our 'Summer Visit' to the states.  The bags are upstairs, and what to put in them is being pondered.  Hmm, the weather reports are telling me I'll need sleeves in the evenings.  What?

Have a Happy Tuesday.

                 Peace,

                           Danny

"I've learned that people will forget

what you said, people will forget

what you did, but people will never forget

how you made them feel.

~Maya Angelou

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics

www.lisamosesgallery.com

Refuge 2

Here is the 'Refuge' post with the Rain Tree photo.

Hi,

The only word to describe it is: Hot.  In two words it's hot and humid, which is actually a lot more uncomfortable.  We had a little rain this weekend, enough to lightly water everything.  Things are mellow in Chiang Rai if you don't count the new detour.

The 'Old School Friday' song was "(You) Can't Hurry Love" by The Supremes.  Some said it was too easy, so what do we do about 'Easy Monday'?  You get another easy song.  "I've got sunshine on a cloudy day.  When it's cold outside, I've got the month of May.  I guess you'd say, what can make me feel this way?  __ __, __ __, __ __, talkin' 'bout __ __."  Hint:  Well, let's see, the title is two words.  (555)

Saturday we drove out to Khun Gahn's house to pick up some clothes she had made for us.  We also got a bag of tiny little pineapples that grow on her farm.  She had cut the 'skin' off so they were ready to eat.  This variety is about 3 inches in diameter in it's edible form, and tastes like candy.  

At Art Bridge we dropped off the painting that Lisa contributed to the workshop.  It will be displayed at the new government building along with the rest of the members' work.  While we were there I got into a conversation with a tour guide who remembered us from our early days in Chiang Rai.  His client was an American and he asked me questions about our move to Thailand and how it happened.  Seems like it just happened a few months ago, but it will be seven years in September.

Sunday morning, as I drove Cat to her English class, we encountered a road-block and lots of army and police near a junction in the road we take to town.  The way we would normally go was blocked off.  It's not a big problem, but it left me curious as to why they did it.  Later we learned that all over Thailand there was an increase of military presence due to the possibility of demonstrations.  It happened in Bangkok, but Chiang Rai just slept right through it.  In the big city those protesting the coup were out in force at one location.  There is a new hand sign that has evolved and it can get you in trouble.  Three fingers held up together is now the new symbol of those opposing the coup and it can get you arrested.  I guess the best thing to do is keep your hands in your pockets.  

We had coffee after Makro at a place by the river that is fairly new.  It's almost like sitting in a greenhouse, looking out onto gardens and the river in the distance.  The motif of this place was very European, complete with photos of people in small frames, who were definitely not Thai.  Someday I will learn what the fascination is with old Europe by young Thais.  Hmm.

Today's photo is one of several very large Rain Trees near the Euro/Coffee place.  If you look real close, to the left of the tree, you will see me standing there.  Yes, the tree is big.

Tonight we returned to the Night Bazaar after many weeks.  We had dinner with Cat and our friend Rachel and learned more about the early days of The Sold Project, and how things are going today.  After dinner we strolled through the Bazaar and saw some of our vendor friends we haven't seen since before the earthquake.  

Have a Great Week.

             Peace,

                       Danny

"Music was my refuge.

I could crawl into the 

space between the notes

and curl my back to loneliness."

~Maya Angelou

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics

www.lisamosesgallery.com

Refuge

Hi,

The only word to describe it is: Hot.  In two words it's hot and humid, which is actually a lot more uncomfortable.  We had a little rain this weekend, enough to lightly water everything.  Things are mellow in Chiang Rai if you don't count the new detour.

The 'Old School Friday' song was "(You) Can't Hurry Love" by The Supremes.  Some said it was too easy, so what do we do about 'Easy Monday'?  You get another easy song.  "I've got sunshine on a cloudy day.  When it's cold outside, I've got the month of May.  I guess you'd say, what can make me feel this way?  __ __, __ __, __ __, talkin' 'bout __ __."  Hint:  Well, let's see, the title is two words.  (555)

Saturday we drove out to Khun Gahn's house to pick up some clothes she had made for us.  We also got a bag of tiny little pineapples that grow on her farm.  She had cut the 'skin' off so they were ready to eat.  This variety is about 3 inches in diameter in it's edible form, and tastes like candy.  

At Art Bridge we dropped off the painting that Lisa contributed to the workshop.  It will be displayed at the new government building along with the rest of the members' work.  While we were there I got into a conversation with a tour guide who remembered us from our early days in Chiang Rai.  His client was an American and he asked me questions about our move to Thailand and how it happened.  Seems like it just happened a few months ago, but it will be seven years in September.

Sunday morning, as I drove Cat to her English class, we encountered a road-block and lots of army and police near a junction in the road we take to town.  The way we would normally go was blocked off.  It's not a big problem, but it left me curious as to why they did it.  Later we learned that all over Thailand there was an increase of military presence due to the possibility of demonstrations.  It happened in Bangkok, but Chiang Rai just slept right through it.  In the big city those protesting the coup were out in force at one location.  There is a new hand sign that has evolved and it can get you in trouble.  Three fingers held up together is now the new symbol of those opposing the coup and it can get you arrested.  I guess the best thing to do is keep your hands in your pockets.  

We had coffee after Makro at a place by the river that is fairly new.  It's almost like sitting in a greenhouse, looking out onto gardens and the river in the distance.  The motif of this place was very European, complete with photos of people in small frames, who were definitely not Thai.  Someday I will learn what the fascination is with old Europe by young Thais.  Hmm.

Today's photo is one of several very large Rain Trees near the Euro/Coffee place.  If you look real close, to the left of the tree, you will see me standing there.  Yes, the tree is big.

Due to technical difficulties, we'll have to wait until tomorrow to see the tree.

Tonight we returned to the Night Bazaar after many weeks.  We had dinner with Cat and our friend Rachel and learned more about the early days of The Sold Project, and how things are going today.  After dinner we strolled through the Bazaar and saw some of our vendor friends we haven't seen since before the earthquake.  

Have a Great Week.

             Peace,

                       Danny

"Music was my refuge.

I could crawl into the 

space between the notes

and curl my back to loneliness."

~Maya Angelou

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics

www.lisamosesgallery.com

Friday Funnies

Hi,

Could it be that the rainy season is sneaking up on us?  The new pattern seems to be hot day, cloudy afternoon, noisy sky, followed by light rain.  Yesterday's storm cooled the pool so something is happening.

The 'Zany Day' song was "Trick Bag" as sung by Robert Palmer.  For 'Old School Friday' we're back in the 60s.

"I need love, love to ease my mind.  I need to find, find someone to call mine, but mama said, __ __ __ __ no, you just have to wait.  She said, love don't come easy.  It's a game of give and take..."  Hint: Three singers from the motor city singing about patience.  What?

Here in Chiang Rai we may be free of the drama in Bangkok.  Except for massive traffic in one area due to an army detour, things seem to be going as usual.  The only thing the detour seems to do is prevent anyone from buying plants at a nursery.  Hmm.

Sometimes things can be simplified too much.  There is a travel site that gives instructions on how to get places.  The reader is told to take a Song Taew or rent a motorbike.  If you are a visitor and don't know where the place is, how can you rent a motorbike and get yourself there?  

Today at Cat's school they had a day on earthquake safety.  In the morning they had instructions on what to do and in the afternoon they had drills.  They use a 'buddy system' for exiting the building and that seems like a good idea. There were also instructions on what to do if someone was injured.  Let's hope they don't have to use these instructions.  It reminded us of the 'duck and roll' drills back in the day.  (I'm not saying which day)

A mystery was solved when we found out what the 'Naval Pillar' means and where it is.  There is a sign on the Super Highway that we've seen for years, but it had no meaning.  The 'Naval Pillar' is a monument to The King.  It is a pillar as tall as The King and twice as thick as his fist.  It is surrounded by a circular pattern of smaller pillars.  Since it's not far from us, we'll have to go and check it out.  There are so many things in Chiang Rai that we still haven't discovered.  We will be having house guests after our return from America and it looks like we'll have more things to show them.

I will close out the week of photos from the Art Bridge Workshop with a painting that I found to be quite moving.  It appears to be a close-up of The Buddha's face, with Thai flags hanging from the eyes, as if they were tears.

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd.      On to the 'Funnies'.

             Peace,

                       Danny  

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style 

www.flickr.com/photos/gratidudepics

www.lisamosesgallery.com