I woke up yesterday morning feeling stiff and heavy. I could hardly move. All I wanted to do was lie down and yet, my back really ached and my body was sore and dull. I also vomited as I was preparing to go to school. So, I stayed home. I felt like I was made of wood and couldn't do anything. It took me hours to get the strength just to make some chicken soup.
Eventually, Oi suggested I should go to the hospital and after a session of reasoning and listening I conseeded. Going anywhere for us is a chore as riding the bike with all three of us is not the safest way to get around and the Thai drivers are very unsympathetic as they hurtle by in their 4x4s.
Then our neighbour, who has been ostrasized by the rest of the community offered to take us to the hospital. Lightening service as usual and medication presribed and I woke up early this morning as right as rain, apart from "The Squits". It's such a relief to feel good again, and I shall return to work tomorrow.
I have been listening to some HG Wells audiobooks lately which are excellent. These are, The Island of Dr. Moreau and The Land of the Blind. I really love the style of HG Wells and Jules Verne. Always chilling and sinister. I hope to listen to some more.
We are now trying to work out how to get Oi and Grace a visa for the UK for next year. There is a high failure rate and I have to transfer vast sums of cash in Oi's account to satisfy the UK Visa people. Luckily, Pee Lek in the office is going to help us, but we have to get busy now as the authorities require a history of bank records. These days, my brain cannot focus on forms and stuff anymore, so I have to leave it to Oi to sort out.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Friday Comes Around
Let out early from school today. It's been good fun and the kids are learning at an amazing rate. I'm very pleased with progress this year. A shame the salary does not reflect it.
Tom came over last night and we sdank some beers and sat out back in the balmy evening. We nearly always have a hoot, exchanging music tips and philiosophies on life. He must have some inkling now about who I am and what makes me tick.
I must say the PC game Singularity really is a great crack. The usual shooter in a soviet radioactive destroyed launch site. Very creepy, very fun and some excellent shooting opportunities. Highly recommended.
Downloaded some HG Wells audio books which look a treat, including The Island of Dr. Moreau.
Bought some carrot, tomato, lettuce and spinach seeds at the Hat Yai fair. They are now beginning to sprout.
On a sad note, a young girl was kidnapped, raped and murdered at the fair. Her body was found out near the airport. Not reported in the media, just word of mouth around the town. Thailand is known not to report stories that may affect business.
Been on some motorcycle jaunts around the countryside. Lovely at about five in the evening gazing at the hills, farmers in the fields etc. Still walking in the forest too.
Grace is just changing every day and will probably soon to be walking freely. Her birthday was a laugh. Eventually, folks turned up and the kids had a great time. It is good to see Grace mixing, laughing and wanting to join in with the other kids. Oi has done a good job of uniting some of the ferocious neighbours.
Thanks again for all the parcels from abroad. It is great fun to receive them.
Tom came over last night and we sdank some beers and sat out back in the balmy evening. We nearly always have a hoot, exchanging music tips and philiosophies on life. He must have some inkling now about who I am and what makes me tick.
I must say the PC game Singularity really is a great crack. The usual shooter in a soviet radioactive destroyed launch site. Very creepy, very fun and some excellent shooting opportunities. Highly recommended.
Downloaded some HG Wells audio books which look a treat, including The Island of Dr. Moreau.
Bought some carrot, tomato, lettuce and spinach seeds at the Hat Yai fair. They are now beginning to sprout.
On a sad note, a young girl was kidnapped, raped and murdered at the fair. Her body was found out near the airport. Not reported in the media, just word of mouth around the town. Thailand is known not to report stories that may affect business.
Been on some motorcycle jaunts around the countryside. Lovely at about five in the evening gazing at the hills, farmers in the fields etc. Still walking in the forest too.
Grace is just changing every day and will probably soon to be walking freely. Her birthday was a laugh. Eventually, folks turned up and the kids had a great time. It is good to see Grace mixing, laughing and wanting to join in with the other kids. Oi has done a good job of uniting some of the ferocious neighbours.
Thanks again for all the parcels from abroad. It is great fun to receive them.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Snacks Around the World - Shredded Squid and Fish
This month, our experts have been in the remote jungles of Southern Thailand.
We discovered this crap shop, selling overpriced crappy snacks and crappier beer.
Hidden under a packet of elephant's toenails, we uncovered an as yet unreported snack very popular with the local natives; shredded squid and fishes.
Normally ingested with beer they are surprisingly palatable to the Western gustatory cells.
Unfortunately, the squid had been articially spiced up with chili powder and the fish was bland and tasted like moldy cardboard.
Hidden under a packet of elephant's toenails, we uncovered an as yet unreported snack very popular with the local natives; shredded squid and fishes.
Normally ingested with beer they are surprisingly palatable to the Western gustatory cells.
Big Wooden Box
It's nearly Grace's first birthday and we are hoping it will be fun. We are planniung to invite the kids in the street over and have a little party for them, which should be really nice, seeing as Thai kids never get to go to parties.
It's been a week at home. We managed to get Oi and Grace a passport, and Oi has finally started to ride the motorbike. This, hopefully, will take a huge strain of me and allow Oi to start living at bit, instead of being stuck at home all the time. She celebrated by riding to the hair dresser's and getting her thatch washed. I stayed at home and took care of the nipper. She's planning on going to the market next, so there might be some home cooking going on.
I have been quite absorbed in some games this week which keeps me occupied. I got hold of Doom 3 and No One Lives Forever 2 which had escaped the net some years ago. Both are proving to be good blasting fun, and everything runs great with 4 gig pumping through my rig.
Been getting some cool tunes too. I watched a Led Zep gig at Patrick's house last week which was killer. I think it was at the Albert Hall in 1969. It was as good at The Who at Kilburn '77 gig. Really kicked arse.
This prompted me to get a Yardbirds album with Jimmy Page which I shall investigate. I also got some early Genesis (A Trick of the Tail), some Phish and some Thin Lizzy.
Tom came over last night and we got blasted anbd rocked out.
I have been doing the walk on some days, but need to do more.
Thanks to Mum and Rob for all the cool presents you have been spending over. It's great getting stuff from overseas.
We managed to find a really cool present for Grace on her birthday. It is an Activity Zoo. Basically, a big, wooden box with lots of colourful and exciting stuff to do all over it, e.g. doors to open, letters to swivel etc. We had a mare getting in but Oi came through and found it on the net. At a discount price too, from 3500B to 1990B. That should be arriving from Bangkok any day now.
That's it.
It's been a week at home. We managed to get Oi and Grace a passport, and Oi has finally started to ride the motorbike. This, hopefully, will take a huge strain of me and allow Oi to start living at bit, instead of being stuck at home all the time. She celebrated by riding to the hair dresser's and getting her thatch washed. I stayed at home and took care of the nipper. She's planning on going to the market next, so there might be some home cooking going on.
I have been quite absorbed in some games this week which keeps me occupied. I got hold of Doom 3 and No One Lives Forever 2 which had escaped the net some years ago. Both are proving to be good blasting fun, and everything runs great with 4 gig pumping through my rig.
Been getting some cool tunes too. I watched a Led Zep gig at Patrick's house last week which was killer. I think it was at the Albert Hall in 1969. It was as good at The Who at Kilburn '77 gig. Really kicked arse.
This prompted me to get a Yardbirds album with Jimmy Page which I shall investigate. I also got some early Genesis (A Trick of the Tail), some Phish and some Thin Lizzy.
Tom came over last night and we got blasted anbd rocked out.
I have been doing the walk on some days, but need to do more.
Thanks to Mum and Rob for all the cool presents you have been spending over. It's great getting stuff from overseas.
We managed to find a really cool present for Grace on her birthday. It is an Activity Zoo. Basically, a big, wooden box with lots of colourful and exciting stuff to do all over it, e.g. doors to open, letters to swivel etc. We had a mare getting in but Oi came through and found it on the net. At a discount price too, from 3500B to 1990B. That should be arriving from Bangkok any day now.
That's it.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Passports
Tuesday night and today we acquired a passport for Grace at Songkhla. Oi got hers yesterday.
This means we are planning a trip back to Blighty next March for two months. It's great for Oi and it is good to have something to look forward too. And Grace can finally meet Mum. Obviously it will be great to catch up with folks and to sample all the delights of England, I'm think ale, countryside, food and fresh, crisp air.
Now Grace is becoming a toddler, I will want us to travel more. Mountains in Nepal and volcanoes in Sumatra beckon for future holidays.
Grace will be one on 24th August. We hope to have a little party for the kids in the street. Get some KFC and some ice cream in. Thai kids don't really have birthday parties, being not much higher up the pecking order than dogs.
My PC returned from the shop. They said because I have a lot of stuff on my hard drives (1 terrabyte), I needed more RAM. They upgraded it for 4 gig RAM. Now all these games play swimmingly. Even Starcraft 2, which I have resumed playing.
Singularity is another great recommendation. I redownloaded Batman Arkham Asylum and Cosename Panzer, and a new Spitfire sim, Wings of Prey. All are predictably awesome.
School is fine. Good fun and stress free.
I have acquired a new habit of waking at about 4 in the morning and watching a movie before dawn. A good time as there are no interruptions. Thus, I have been watching "The Blue Max". Such a great movie with brilliant aerial shots of dogfights. The plot is strong too.
Thanks everyone for parcels from home. They make such a lovely treat. Marmite and toast is now enjoyed every day.
The Hat Yai county fair is on right now. I rode us down there last night and we strolled about the plant stores. I bought some tomato, carrots, spinach and lettuce seeds. I wanted to get a Venus Fly Trap but they were a big expensive. I may yet go back and get one.
Grace is very close to walking now. I am sure within the next month. I shall try to get it on video film.
Still listening to the BBC Podcasts as I lie in bed at night. The Film Programme and Excess Baggage are favourites, as is The Forum (on a good day) and Americana.
Stop getting movies for a while. Interestingly, Patrick started complaning about the Net and all the movies he has got and doesn't watch. I could relate to this, though I do try to get through the missed classics. He was saying he gets all this information, and for what? He does have a point. I have been walking again, lifted a few weights and sweeping leaves and picking weeds. But not enough.
I have, however, been laying off the beer. I keep asking how it will make me feel, and the answer is, "Not that good", so I don't bother too often. I am busy enough without it as a crutch.
That's all, Folks!
This means we are planning a trip back to Blighty next March for two months. It's great for Oi and it is good to have something to look forward too. And Grace can finally meet Mum. Obviously it will be great to catch up with folks and to sample all the delights of England, I'm think ale, countryside, food and fresh, crisp air.
Now Grace is becoming a toddler, I will want us to travel more. Mountains in Nepal and volcanoes in Sumatra beckon for future holidays.
Grace will be one on 24th August. We hope to have a little party for the kids in the street. Get some KFC and some ice cream in. Thai kids don't really have birthday parties, being not much higher up the pecking order than dogs.
My PC returned from the shop. They said because I have a lot of stuff on my hard drives (1 terrabyte), I needed more RAM. They upgraded it for 4 gig RAM. Now all these games play swimmingly. Even Starcraft 2, which I have resumed playing.
Singularity is another great recommendation. I redownloaded Batman Arkham Asylum and Cosename Panzer, and a new Spitfire sim, Wings of Prey. All are predictably awesome.
School is fine. Good fun and stress free.
I have acquired a new habit of waking at about 4 in the morning and watching a movie before dawn. A good time as there are no interruptions. Thus, I have been watching "The Blue Max". Such a great movie with brilliant aerial shots of dogfights. The plot is strong too.
Thanks everyone for parcels from home. They make such a lovely treat. Marmite and toast is now enjoyed every day.
The Hat Yai county fair is on right now. I rode us down there last night and we strolled about the plant stores. I bought some tomato, carrots, spinach and lettuce seeds. I wanted to get a Venus Fly Trap but they were a big expensive. I may yet go back and get one.
Grace is very close to walking now. I am sure within the next month. I shall try to get it on video film.
Still listening to the BBC Podcasts as I lie in bed at night. The Film Programme and Excess Baggage are favourites, as is The Forum (on a good day) and Americana.
Stop getting movies for a while. Interestingly, Patrick started complaning about the Net and all the movies he has got and doesn't watch. I could relate to this, though I do try to get through the missed classics. He was saying he gets all this information, and for what? He does have a point. I have been walking again, lifted a few weights and sweeping leaves and picking weeds. But not enough.
I have, however, been laying off the beer. I keep asking how it will make me feel, and the answer is, "Not that good", so I don't bother too often. I am busy enough without it as a crutch.
That's all, Folks!
Saturday, August 14, 2010
UK Sells off Nature Reserves
I really thought that nothing could shock me. I've seen it and expect the worst from Man but when I heard about this it only cements in my mind that Mankind is truly doomed and the quicker the better.
What on Earth are they thinking? To sell off the remaining countryside to the filthy rich, to either turn it into Mickey Mouse Land at criminal prices, or to ban common folk from even seeing it.
Can you imagine being charged or not having access to the South Downs?
I would say that England has been totally hi-jacked and those responsible should be drowned, resuscitated and bled to death from a thousand small cuts.
How absolutely horrendous.
I would love to know what Stephen Fry has to say about this.
What on Earth are they thinking? To sell off the remaining countryside to the filthy rich, to either turn it into Mickey Mouse Land at criminal prices, or to ban common folk from even seeing it.
Can you imagine being charged or not having access to the South Downs?
I would say that England has been totally hi-jacked and those responsible should be drowned, resuscitated and bled to death from a thousand small cuts.
How absolutely horrendous.
I would love to know what Stephen Fry has to say about this.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Tony's Book
I had to post these comments from The Guardian about the imminent release of our Tony's book. That's Tony Blair, btw. Enjoy...
"I the undersigned, confess to serious breaches of international law and hand myself over to the custody of the Hague..."
A Journey from Idealism into Insanity, The Tony Blair Story. With free pull out comic about the Iraq War!
Fans, Fans?? Fuck me, disciples although misguided and few in number possibly, but Fans...
I would hope that anyone leaving a book shop with this pulp in waiting would have the good grace to request a brown paper bag.
He should have called the book
Tony Blair or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
or alternatively
Tony Blair on The Road to Damascus (Then Baghdad, then Kabul, then Tehran...)
We can only hope that there will be several attempts to make that citizen's arrest on September 1st. The more his crimes can be kept in the spotlight, the better the chance that he might eventually end up in The Hague, hopefully along with everyone else in his cabinet who voted for the carnage and destruction in Iraq.
The 'Mein Kampf' of our generation ? I'm surprised the title is 'The Journey', perhaps 'The Crusade' would have been more appropriate ?
I wouldn't use the unctuous one's book as toilet paper. If it was up to me he'd be writing the second volume from a jail cell in the Hague.
Blair, you are the pits.
I'd rather cut my own eyes out than buy a copy of that murderer's book.
Why doesn't he just sign a load of books and leave them on the table before the shop opens?
creepy cover for a creepy guy
"I the undersigned, confess to serious breaches of international law and hand myself over to the custody of the Hague..."
A Journey from Idealism into Insanity, The Tony Blair Story. With free pull out comic about the Iraq War!
Fans, Fans?? Fuck me, disciples although misguided and few in number possibly, but Fans...
I would hope that anyone leaving a book shop with this pulp in waiting would have the good grace to request a brown paper bag.
He should have called the book
Tony Blair or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
or alternatively
Tony Blair on The Road to Damascus (Then Baghdad, then Kabul, then Tehran...)
We can only hope that there will be several attempts to make that citizen's arrest on September 1st. The more his crimes can be kept in the spotlight, the better the chance that he might eventually end up in The Hague, hopefully along with everyone else in his cabinet who voted for the carnage and destruction in Iraq.
The 'Mein Kampf' of our generation ? I'm surprised the title is 'The Journey', perhaps 'The Crusade' would have been more appropriate ?
I wouldn't use the unctuous one's book as toilet paper. If it was up to me he'd be writing the second volume from a jail cell in the Hague.
Blair, you are the pits.
I'd rather cut my own eyes out than buy a copy of that murderer's book.
Why doesn't he just sign a load of books and leave them on the table before the shop opens?
creepy cover for a creepy guy
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
More Days Off
Had a spat of days off lately with some more to come this week. That's fine by me.
I have started walking again which is great and having taken a leaf out of Michael Caine's book I have tried to adjust myself to a more sensible and sedate lifestyle to compliment my aging years. This also means spending lots of time with Oi and Grace and enjoying the garden and relaxing at home. Oi takes Grace for a spin around Tescos every week as Grace likes to stand in the trolley and gawp at the ga-zillions of Thais gawping back at her. Grace is a bit of a star in our street. Every evening Oi takes her out to mingle with the neighbours who all have a hold and take her up the road. Grace loves it and doesn't want to be handed back.
My PC is kaput and in the shop being repaired. Always a bit of a mystery but I suspect that Starcraft 2 had something to do with it as several folks have had their graphics cards melted by the game.
Seems like Asia has it rough on the disaster side right now. Thai TV reports that it is from the melting glaciers but English speaking media haven't reported this. Moscow is also feeling the heat and the smog. I have backed away from my interest in these areas having concluded our fate and flak received from bods not wanting me to harp on about it. So be it.
I am thinking of a trip back to UK next March with Oi and Grace as we are all getting on, and again, inspired by Caine, had best start living. I am dismayed however at the lack of reward for teachers on the financial front, and I make a point of informing Phit that if I didn't have extra income from my house in UK (thanks Dan) I couldn't afford to raise my family here. And the food prices just have me in a daze in the supermarket. It seems the only way to survive is to do whatever you can to get as much money as possible. Oh, what a mess we have made of the world!
Such a shame about that young woman doctor shot by the Tailiban, along with her collegues. About time UK pulled out and left it to the US to fight for whatevcr it is thay are fighting for.
Tom has kept me good company of late, and he was cracking up at Grace as she has now learnt to nod, especially to music. She has a bit of a leg wobble going too to the right tune.
Been watching an excellent Ray Liotta movie set in Mexico called La Linea (The Line). Please view at your earliest convienence.
That's it for now.
I have started walking again which is great and having taken a leaf out of Michael Caine's book I have tried to adjust myself to a more sensible and sedate lifestyle to compliment my aging years. This also means spending lots of time with Oi and Grace and enjoying the garden and relaxing at home. Oi takes Grace for a spin around Tescos every week as Grace likes to stand in the trolley and gawp at the ga-zillions of Thais gawping back at her. Grace is a bit of a star in our street. Every evening Oi takes her out to mingle with the neighbours who all have a hold and take her up the road. Grace loves it and doesn't want to be handed back.
My PC is kaput and in the shop being repaired. Always a bit of a mystery but I suspect that Starcraft 2 had something to do with it as several folks have had their graphics cards melted by the game.
Seems like Asia has it rough on the disaster side right now. Thai TV reports that it is from the melting glaciers but English speaking media haven't reported this. Moscow is also feeling the heat and the smog. I have backed away from my interest in these areas having concluded our fate and flak received from bods not wanting me to harp on about it. So be it.
I am thinking of a trip back to UK next March with Oi and Grace as we are all getting on, and again, inspired by Caine, had best start living. I am dismayed however at the lack of reward for teachers on the financial front, and I make a point of informing Phit that if I didn't have extra income from my house in UK (thanks Dan) I couldn't afford to raise my family here. And the food prices just have me in a daze in the supermarket. It seems the only way to survive is to do whatever you can to get as much money as possible. Oh, what a mess we have made of the world!
Such a shame about that young woman doctor shot by the Tailiban, along with her collegues. About time UK pulled out and left it to the US to fight for whatevcr it is thay are fighting for.
Tom has kept me good company of late, and he was cracking up at Grace as she has now learnt to nod, especially to music. She has a bit of a leg wobble going too to the right tune.
Been watching an excellent Ray Liotta movie set in Mexico called La Linea (The Line). Please view at your earliest convienence.
That's it for now.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Afternoon Delight
Saturday morn, and nicely hung over for an afternoon of drinking cheap beer with Tom in the garden. My pals normally come over at night and I keep saying afternoon is the best time to enjoy the garden. Like, you can actually see it. We had a great time and Patrick joined later on. I think finally my pals are starting to understand who I am and why I do the things I do, and in turn it becomes clearer to me. The reason I am not a millionnaire and screwing everyone for money even though I could. Because I am watching the race of humans clamouring for work and cash and I just can't join in because I think they got it wrong. I don't like the direction we are going in and that stops me from even starting, even though I could lick most of them. Like at my school, Catholic and run by stern nuns, yet the mums look like million dollar prostitutes. Asia is different from Falangland though probably less so today. The scramble for cash is seen as a good thing and you can fuck over whoever you want as long as you can get more. Tom told me about the horror on a girls face when he accosted her after she queue jumped at the gas station. This happens all the time here. Thai culture dictates that you do not make a scene, therefore rude people can walk all over other people without being stopped or put in their place. When the occasional falang objects the reaction is of utter horror. Open-mouthed they back away in disbelief. Tom states to his detriment that he cannot stand by and do nothing. It happened with me at this house we live in. Upon first viewing, we called up the landlady, a rich, miserable sloth-like lump of flesh, who came out to discuss and show us the house. As she arrived, so did a Thai man who was interested in the house too. He totally intervened, ignored us and took away the lady to talk about the house. I hung back and Pit let the guy take over. We never got to talk to the landlady. In the end, he was flake and not interested, and we took the house about 6 months later. I think though in the future I will adopt Tom's attitude. But even though good manners and behavoir are more engrained in English culture, I think that it has gone already as celebrity worship and politicians and royal members openly engage with gangsters.
Anyway, we listened to some very cool tunes and sank loads of beer. A nice album is the Stones, "Though the Vaults Darkly" a collection of forgotten tunes. Also enjoyed was some very early Santana and Eric Clapton albums. Domski's thread on Bolt.org is a treasure trove for quality music.
The other night I showed Tom, "My Left Foot" which he loved. Patrick said the household was very similar to his own having 12 brothers and sisters.
Anyway, we listened to some very cool tunes and sank loads of beer. A nice album is the Stones, "Though the Vaults Darkly" a collection of forgotten tunes. Also enjoyed was some very early Santana and Eric Clapton albums. Domski's thread on Bolt.org is a treasure trove for quality music.
The other night I showed Tom, "My Left Foot" which he loved. Patrick said the household was very similar to his own having 12 brothers and sisters.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
End of Another Weekend
Sunday and the close of another weekend.
I was feeling a bit blue last night as I haven't seen any of my friends in over a fortnight. Mainly because I was sick but the virus is so nearly dead now - thank goodness.
I have played a few levels of Starcraft 2 and it is rathedr good actually so I shall persevere with it.
Found a huge scorpion in the garden yesterday. I took a video of it so I shall post that later.
Tom came to my rescue at nine last night, so it was great to chat and sink a few beers.
I can eat regular food again now after my strict diet of salty chicken soup. It really started to get me down, and having to eat raw ginger, shallots and garlic isn't the most pleasant thing in the world.
Just got hold of a new shooter called Singularity which looks a hoot.
Life at home is very easy and I am so glad we don't live, or desire to live a stressful life.
Been quite into sci-fi movies at the moment as I have found a few threads dedicated to them. Seen some corkers and hopefully will see a few more. Tom will come to join maybe tomorrow or Tuesday.
I was feeling a bit blue last night as I haven't seen any of my friends in over a fortnight. Mainly because I was sick but the virus is so nearly dead now - thank goodness.
I have played a few levels of Starcraft 2 and it is rathedr good actually so I shall persevere with it.
Found a huge scorpion in the garden yesterday. I took a video of it so I shall post that later.
Tom came to my rescue at nine last night, so it was great to chat and sink a few beers.
I can eat regular food again now after my strict diet of salty chicken soup. It really started to get me down, and having to eat raw ginger, shallots and garlic isn't the most pleasant thing in the world.
Just got hold of a new shooter called Singularity which looks a hoot.
Life at home is very easy and I am so glad we don't live, or desire to live a stressful life.
Been quite into sci-fi movies at the moment as I have found a few threads dedicated to them. Seen some corkers and hopefully will see a few more. Tom will come to join maybe tomorrow or Tuesday.
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