Politically Correct ( I think ! )

Sawadee Khrap

I wanted to send some sort of holiday greeting to my old friends, but it is difficult in today’s world to know exactly what to say without offending someone and giving some extortionist the opportunity to sue under section 18c of the Racial Discrimination Act.  So Kevin met with his lawyers yesterday, and on their advice, say the following :

Please accept, with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral celebration of the summer solstice holiday, practiced with the most enjoyable traditions of religious persuasion or secular practices of your choice with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.

I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated, recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2017; but not without due respect for the calendar of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make our country great (not to imply that our country is necessarily greater than any other country) and without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wisher.

By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms :

This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her / him or others and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. The wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year or until the issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.”

Best Regards (without prejudice)
Name withheld (Privacy Act).

Previously, “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year” used to say it all !!

Thanks Kevin for contacting your lawyer and getting this approved.

Ciao

How to Maintain a Healthy Level Of Insanity in RETIREMENT…

Sawadee Khrap

Kevin sent me this list of ideas he has on how to enjoy Retirement.   As the world problems mount and happiness seem a thing of the past – try these suggestions to brighten your day:

1.  lunch time, sit in a parked car with sunglasses, point a hair dryer at passing cars and watch them slow down!
2.  On all your check stubs, write, “For Sexual Favors”
3.  Skip down the street rather than walk, see how many looks you get.
4.  With a serious face, order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat.
5.  Sing along at The Opera.
6.  When the money comes out of the ATM, scream ‘I Won!   I Won!’
7.  When leaving the Zoo, start running towards the car park, yelling, ‘Run For Your Lives! They’re Loose!’
8.  Tell your children over dinner, ‘Due to the economy, we are going to have to let one of you go….’
9.  Pick up a box of condoms at the pharmacy, go to the counter and ask where the fitting room is.

And The Final Way To Keep A Healthy Level Of Insanity:  My  Favorite…
10.  Go to a large Department store’s fitting room, drop your drawers to your ankles and yell out, “There’s no paper in here!”

Thanks again Kevin – trying some out today myself.

Ciao

Wiang Kum Kam trip

Took a short trip to Wiang Kum Kam Ancient City south of Chiang Mai to wiang kum kamget shots of some of the ruins.  So close to Chiang Mai it’s one place you don’t want to miss when you visit, be sure and take a horse and buggy DSC02058DSC02036DSC02076DSC02051ride through the area.  Not too sure what it cost but should not be much and well worth the time – they will stop and allow you to take photos at each site.  I only visited 4 out of the 7 this time and made this slideshow.


Call from the past

Sawadee Khrap

20161208_083814WOW I just had a Skype call from a distant friend from the US.  “Nixon”  , it’s been over 12 years since we talked and what a wonderful gift to hear his voice and learn that he is doing excellent and it’s possible that he may be able to visit me here in Thailand.  

He wanted me to add his photo to my models list  – so here he is and I am hoping that if and when he visits I can get him to pose for a great shoot.  

In any event I wish him all the success in the world and looking forwarded to any possible future visit.

Ciao

Australian knows our laws better than we do.

Sawadee Khrap

Thanks Kevin for pointing this out:   We definitely need to clean out the swamp – getting rid of those old Congress members who are so old their memories are gone.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if, at some point during his Presidential campaign, Donald Trump asked, “Oh, by the way, has anyone in Washington DC ever heard of the McCarran-Walter Act Of 1952”?   Here are the historic facts that would seem to indicate that many, if not most, of the people we elect to work for us in Washington DC do NOT have the slightest idea of what laws already exist in OUR country.

After several terrorist incidents were carried out in the United States, Donald Trump was severely, criticized for suggesting that the U.S. should limit or temporarily suspend the immigration of certain ethnic groups, nationalities, and even people of certain religions (Muslims). The criticisms condemned such a suggestion as, among other things, being Un-American, dumb, stupid, reckless, dangerous and racist. Congressmen and Senators swore that they would never allow such legislation, and our illustrious President called such a prohibition on immigration unconstitutional.

As Gomer Pyle would say, “Well, Surprise, Surprise!” It seems that the selective immigration ban is already law and has been applied on several occasions.

Known as the McCarran-Walter Act, the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 allows for the “Suspension of entry or imposition of restrictions by the President, whenever the President finds that the entry of aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States. The President may, by proclamation, and for such a period as he shall deem necessary, may suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or non-immigrants or i mpose any restrictions on the entry of aliens he may deem to be appropriate.”    President Harry Truman, a Democrat, vetoed the Act because he regarded the bill as “un-American” and discriminatory.  Truman’s veto was overridden by a vote of 278 to 113 in the House and 57 to 26 in the Senate.

And who do you suppose last utilized this process? Why it was Democrat President Jimmy Carter, no less than 37 years ago, in 1979, to keep Iranians out of the United States.  But he actually did more. He made ALL Iranian students, already in the United States, check in with the government. And then he deported a bunch of them. Seven thousand were found in violation of their visas, and a total of 15,000 Iranians were forced to leave the USA in 1979.

So, what say you about all of the criticism that Donald Trump received from the Democrat Senators, Representatives and the Obama Administration?    Additionally, it is important to note that the McCarran-Walter Act also requires that an “applicant for immigration must be of good moral character and in agreement with the principles of our Constitution.”  Therefore, one could surmise that since the Quran forbids Muslims to swear allegiance to the U.S. Constitution, technically, ALL Muslims should be refused immigration to OUR country.

Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952     library.uwb.edu    US immigration legislation online : 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act, a.k.a. the McCarran-Walter Act (An act to revise the laws relating to immigration ..

 

Ciao

Check up’s

Sawadee Khrap

Just back from the eye doctor – Glaucoma seems to be under control – pressure down and test show only a little damage – will test again in March to make sure.    Azopt drops are working and do not upset the BP.

By the way, BP now running about 125-130 – switched back to Olmersartan for 3 days now and the pain in the hips, knees and legs has really gone down.  Apparently it was the Valsartan that was causing it – that is what the literature says Valsartan can do but the doctor thought not, but I was sure that it was  -however,  cannot really tell in just 3 days  – it takes at least 2 weeks for the BP to stabilize with the Sartans so have to wait to really make sure it is working.   Hoping it is working as the pain I was having before changing made it so I couldn’t walk for any distance let alone exercise – so now I think I just have to build up muscles again – their sore but the pain is gone.

Everything else seems OK —  or at least stable and without the high anxiety I had before – I can drive without getting overly excited  – that’s a good indicator.  I can enjoy my trips and life again.

Ciao

Phayao trip

Sawadee Khrap

Just got back from my Phayao trip with Charlie.   Nothing specular to post, but had a nice time  – booked into the Gateway Hotel and had very nice rooms – Cristal clear when we got there but heavy fog the next DSC01954DSC01992morning.  First shots from the window of my room. Nice view when you can see it.    Then a morning /night shot of the Nagas at Kwan Phayao (Lake Phayao) DSC01931DSC01987 in the lake in front of Por Khum Ngam Muang Monument.DSC01940DSC01945

DSC01991DSC01934

DSC01968DSC02015and then on to  a small dam on the way to Lampang on Hwy 1035 – I didn’t get the name so I’ll add it later.DSC02010DSC02024  But the country is beautiful.
Ciao
 
 

Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya U

Sawadee Khrap

Commonly called Wat Suan Dok University.   Located on Suthep Rd.   It’s a Buddhist University for the whole Mekong River AreaDSC01868.   DSC01876-HDR

I went to Monk Chat, where lay people visit and talk to monks at the University so they can learn more about life as a monk and the monks can practice their English. There was no Monk Chat tonight as some kind of ceremony was in progress – I got some quick shots and went home – but not before getting this great sunset shot.DSC01895-HDR   

I had a real scare this afternoon, went to a local football field to get some practice shots in and suddenly the display on my cameras stopped functioning, so I took it to the shop where I bought it to see what happened – apparently I must have hit one of the setup buttons to turn off the display –  can’t for the life of me figure out how I could have done it but I was very upset that it might have to go in for repair.  All’s well now and working property. 

Planning on a short trip to Phayao this weekend with Charlie(from US) to see and photograph the lake – – I‘ve driven up to the area several times before on the way to Chang Muang but never stopped at the city or the lake for that matter – I meet a new Thai friend from there and will go back up to see him in another week or so and he’s going to show me around the area. It’s only a 2.5 hr drive so it’s easy enough to get to.

Ciao