Ever have a bad day ?

Sawadee Khrap

There I was sitting at the bar staring at my drink when a large, trouble-making biker steps up next to me, grabs my drink and gulps it down in one swig.   "Well, whatcha gonna do about it?" he says, menacingly, as I burst into tears.    "Come on, man," the biker says, "I didn’t think you’d CRY. I can`t stand to see a man crying."

"This is the worst day of my life," I say. "I’m a complete failure. I was late to a meeting and my boss fired me. When I went to the parking lot, I found my car had been stolen and I don’t have any insurance. I left my wallet in the cab I took home. I found my old lady in bed with the gardener and then my dog bit me. So I came to this bar to work up the courage to put an end to it all, I buy a drink, I drop a capsule in and sit here watching the arsenic dissolve.  Then some jack-ass shows up and drinks the whole thing! But enough about me, how’s your day going?"

Thanks Paul – “The Sunday Funnies”

Ciao

Sorry new data–Pattaya curfew

Sawadee Khrap

Here’s the latest date on the Pattaya curfew from Pattaya One.   Trouble still in paradise.

The sooner things cool down it should be lifted.  The coup also said that they will pay the farmers within the next 20 days – that will really soften the situation. – Lets hope the good news continues.

Ciao

Thailand Update

Sawadee Khrap

Many of the caches of weapons have been rounded up – crowds dispersed – curfew lifted – somewhat back to normal life – Be careful in BKK – there may still be attacks against the Army – don’t be in the middle – Pattaya seem quiet and peaceful, just HOT – maybe rain today and start of rainy season and cooler weather.  Come on over, the boys are waiting.

Ciao

Martial Law in Thailand

Sawadee Khrap

Yesterday the Army declared “Martial Law” – Great, they stopped all confrontations between the “Reds” and “Yellows”  and are setting up venues and talks so they can iron out their differences and develop a working government.   Everything else is running as usual – I haven’t seen any Army personnel in Pattaya – nor any disruptions.  Airports are working as usual and this should also stop any attempt to block them for any cause. – So don’t fret -  if your planning a trip here – COME ON OVER -   You can even visit Bangkok and feel safe.

Ciao

Thank you for the toaster

Sawadee Khrap

This letter was sent to the Lions Bay School Principal’s office after the school had sponsored a luncheon for seniors. An elderly lady received a new radio at the lunch as a door prize and was writing to say thank you.

Dear Lions Bay School ,

    God bless you for the beautiful radio I won at your recent Senior Citizens luncheon.  I am 84 years old and live at the West Vancouver Home for the Aged.  All of my family has passed away.  I am all alone and I want to thank you for the kindness shown to a forgotten old lady.

    My roommate is 95 and has always had her own radio; but before I received one, she would never let me listen to hers, even when she was napping.

    The other day her radio fell off the nightstand and broke into a lot of pieces. It was awful and she was in tears.

    She asked if she could listen to mine, and I told her to fuck off.  Thank you for that opportunity.

Sincerely,

  Edna

Ciao

Sunset and lightning storm over BKK

Sawadee Khrap

_MG_1830-EditWhat a combination – Lightning storm over Bangkok and sunset for Pattaya.   Shot from my condo just minutes ago – took about 400 rapid series shots to get this one – enhanced it in Lightroom and Voilà -  with the lightning that far away and stronger local lighting it didn’t overpower the sunset shot.  Probably any later or darker and I would have lost the shot as the lightning would have overexposed the area.  Did have to sharpen it in Lightroom.

Ciao

Panoramic–from View talay 1

Sawadee Khrap

_MG_1820-Edit-2The above is a 9 image stitched high-res Panoramic taken (hand held) from the balcony in my condo.   Printed the image would be a 8 X 3 foot Mural  -  On the left is the new construction of the Grande Caribbean Resort and Tower – at the present time the Tower is 20 stories tall and will have an additional 10 stories added – Total 30 story.  On the bottom left is the Chateau Dale Boutique Residence .    On the right you can see the Ripley’s Believe it or Not “Sky Rider”  – largest tethered air balloon ride -  Quite a view and what a wonderful clear day.

Ciao

Big boys play with blocks too ! Don’t you ?

Sawadee Khrap

Here’s a shot taken a long time ago for the Adams Apple Club – I embellished it a little and thought you’d like to see it.   And if your in Chiang Mai make sure to stop by and see the show.   I’m sure this is not one of the acts but the boys are just as terrific.

IMG_8715-Edit


And in another vein,  I hope and pray that everything is working out OK with Todd and his cancer operation -  last I heard that was that he is eating solid food now and on his way to recovery – Hope to see him again in Chiang Mai and the Club.  Get Well Soon.

Ciao

Low activity lately

Sawadee Khrap

Since I’ve been focusing on my artery condition, I haven’t done any Photoshop or photos projects – the blog is beginning to look like a geriatric journal – sorry – I need to spice it up with some exciting images of some new, erotic and handsome young men.  Since I haven’t had any photo shoots lately I chose this older shot to kick it off and get back on track.  I have talked to a new model and hope to have !_LL_Paper3some new images shortly –  Devil,  – I have to find something to do while I wait for my appointment at the surgery table -  it should also be a good test as to how well the blood pressure medicine is working -  I’m sure these guys will cause my BP to climb – Do you have the same reaction ?

Ciao

Finally an answer–Angioplasty at Siriraj Hospital

Sawadee Khrap

Well I may finally have my answer to what is needed.  I met with Dr. Nathawut ( Cardiologist, Instructor at the University) at Siriraj Hospital, BKK.

I left home at 12:30 to get to the bus station by 1:00 – ticket to Ekkamai – 2:10 – then we were hit by a massive thunder storm and that among other things delayed the bus till 3:10 – arrived at Ekkamai at 5PM and got into a taxi to go to Siriraj – driver took a route through town – hitting massive gridlock (should have gone around)  – arrived at Siriraj at 7:00, actual appointment was for 8PM  – safe so far, but no time for dinner.   And didn’t get back home till 11:30 PM – one hell of a long day.

When I got to the hospital – I was taken directly to see the doctor – He went over the supporting documents I had from the CAT scan done in Sriphat, Chiang Mai, which showed that I had 5 semi blocked arteries, 4 of which had no symptoms.    The ones going to my head and stomach weren’t causing problems now and the one to my left side (arm)  had developed new arteries for getting blood – so for now  – don’t do anything.  Trying to open them may cause more problems.   However, the blocked artery to the kidney could be the culprit raising my blood pressure. 

His prognosis is to preform a angioplasty on the kidney artery and see if correcting it will bring my blood pressure back to a normal range.  If this helps lower my BP then the medicines to control cholesterol and BP should be enough.  Estimated costs is now about 80,000 Baht + costs of extra stents if needed or if there are any complications – (US $ 2,500+)   within my budget.   He only preforms these operations on Sunday’ afternoons so they will call me and let me know a scheduled date and time –hopefully within the next 3 months.  Siriraj is a teaching university and general Gov’t hospital and therefore has a very large patient load. 

So oatmeal in the morning, 30 minute walk around the condo every morning and try to get another 30 min walk during the day – watch the diet and take my medicine and get on with life.

Excellent, what he wants to do is the least expensive, least invasive  – just get the job done – saving me from the private hospitals, who always want to protect their bottom line.  They’d be happy to work on all 5 potential stents areas  – and then handle complications if they arise.  Starting at 500,000 Baht  (US $ 15,600)

So if you need medical assistance – head straight to the Gov’t Teaching hospitals – Siriraj,  BKK or Sriphat, CM  —- these are the main and largest ones and get a diagnosis, estimated cost and time frame – unless of course you have Insurance – then by all means go to a facility like Bangkok Hospital or Bumrungrad International – ambience is better, service is excellent, technical quality is equal – errr  maybe -  What the hell – You can afford it.

Ciao

Will this ever be completed ?

Sawadee Khrap

Last week I was waiting to hear from a heart doctor in Chiang Mai and got the news that it would still be better to have it done in BKK – Damn back to where I started – He said he doesn’t understand why the high pricing now in CM but expects it is just because they can – “tourist trade” is catching on all over Thailand  –  local Thai’s would have to wait at the local Gov’t hospitals and he thinks that BKK would be as good and I would not have the plane and hotel fees to pay on top of the operation – So off to BKK I went.

First to King Chulalongkorn Hospital – took the bus from Pattaya to BKK (2hr  124 Baht) then a taxi to Chula – (1/2 hr  200 Baht)  not bad, got there about 11 – what a zoo – there must have been over 1000 people there – got in line and was at the information desk in 1/2 hr.  Lady there told me to comeback at 6:30 AM next day so I could  be in the front of the daily queue  – so I stayed over night and went in the morning.   Back in line  #58, going well, everyone told me that my Thai Drivers License would be sufficient – for the next 2 hrs stood in 3 lines and finally got to the photo taking one – there I almost passed out because of the heat and was told that I couldn’t go any further because I needed to have my Passport, -  DL won’t do.  Shit   Went home and would start again.   That evening I talked to a doctor at a hospital in Sir Racha – his hospital charges the same as BKK but he suggested that I go check out the other big Gov’t Hospital Siriraj in BKK -  better service , better staff and less patients.

So Wednesday I headed to Siriraj Hospital – left Pattaya by bus and taxi – didn’t want to be last in line so I left at 4 AM got there at 8AM — He was right  – started in line and was helped with everything by a “very cute” intern pre-med student – he walked me through the entire procedure and by 10:30 had my appointment with a cardiologist set – 6PM Friday.  Finally, would talk to a doctor and get pricing, schedules and exactly what would be needed. —-  what a relief.    The doctor in Sir Racha was right – about 1/2 the number of patients, – excellent friendly staff,  -pre-med students support, – pricing I am told same a Chula -  Tomorrow afternoon I will go again to Siriraj.     More news as it happens.

When this is over I will have gained a complete comprehensive view and education on getting medical care in Thailand – that is Gov’t Hospital care at reasonable pricing.  I’ll post my findings here for your benefit.

Ciao