Category: SlideShows

Sawadee Khrap

Sunday and Monday were filled with picture taking at Wat Suan Dok.  52 young men from very young to their 20’s were ordained as Novice Monks.  I took a lot of shots and New used the video.  He will make a DVD of the event, both for practice and for the Temple.  He’s starting a small business of video and photos so this is a good starting project – hopefully I may be able to post it . – I’ll try

The day begins with the boys getting their head and eyebrows shaved then into the white novice robes for the ordination.  After being ordinated they then put on the traditional orange robes.  The final part of the second day is when they receive their bowels – each morning they will leave the temple to walk the local neighood to receive the offerings from the people – what they receive is what they have to eat.  It is a lesson in dependence and humility – something we in the West I think have lost with our children.  Most will be here for at least the following month.

This is a quick post and so I don’t have a lot of information to add – just the sideshow:

—— SLIDESHOW ——

ciao

 

 

La Vie en Rose

Grand Opening

on

Monday, March 16, 2009.

20:00 till 22:00.

 

Fireworks, Lanna Style Hot Air Balloons.

 

Famous Saxophone Quartet “Four Brothers”

 

Free Red Wine  Free White Wine

Free Beer (Heineken – Chang)

---

 See the SlideShow – this Gay owned and operated bar just opened in Chiang Mai opposite the HillSide4 Condos.  Great crowd, music and food sparked the event.  I was having camera problems and so didn’t get a lot of pictures – but I did get some of the boys that were there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

You’ll recognize New and Narin and here is also a shot of the bartenders –  We had a great time and saw a lot of old friends we hadn’t see in a long time – maybe now there will be a place where we can meet.

There are rumors that the area will cater to a gay’er stock of businesses – who knows, but there is certainly enough room for several other venues – hopefully gay too.

Come and enjoy the evening.

 

 

Ciao

 

Need to explain this, Today we went to shoot the “Fancy Condom Contest” at the Shopping Center – A Pride Event – but could not find it – walked throughout the Center  – no where to be found.  The Information desk says it’s being held on the 5^th floor, the announcement says the 3^rd floor – we didn’t find it on any floor.  Bummer !!!

So we headed out and settled for a massage ;  Damn there goes our budget.

Afterwards, we went to a great small restaurant at Huay Tung Tao Reservoir – a local lake – for a quick dinner and relaxing time

before we went to the Payap University Campus close to our house

for a Musical Concert by the students.  “Jazz in the Park”    Every Sunday they have a performance (for practice in front of a live audience) – wonderful — and free, what could be better?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out the       —— SlideShow ——-

 

That’s Nu with the video camera and friends Jim, Paul and “O” in front of him.  Paul and O run a local Dining Out Group which we will also join in the near future – but that’s another post.

First we listened to “A.J’s Jazz Group – wow – very, very good – (sounded like when I used to go to Larry Blake’s Rathskeler in Berkeley – Hope I got it spelled right – Let’s see, that was about 1958 or 9, I think)  Wow – I used to really like Jazz then and these guys were just as professional –

Next it was the Payap University Jazz Big Band – “Duriyasilp”

Again a great performance – wonderful musicians and great looking boys too – what a great combination.  The SlideShow has many closeups and Nu is going to make a DVD, so I will try to put up some snipits in the blog so you can hear how great they really were. 

I wonder how many are gay?

Ciao

 

 

Sawadee Khrap

Yesterday, Friday 16^th, we went to the afternoon kickoff announcement show for Pride 2009 at Tawan Trendy Mall.   Here are some shots of the affair.

—— KickOff Slideshow ——-

 

 

 

 

 

     Group scene first then the main organizers:

 

 

 

 

 

Bruce from Long Yang Club, several from M+ and Bird (see later in post) were the kickoff speakers – sorry I didn’t get everyone’s names. Then a question and answer forum was opened – but as usual there is always a spoil sport in the crowd – this time as several reps from “the city” – not really sure who they were, but They were concerned about nudity in the parade – ???  apparently they had heard about other Pride events around the world and wanted to make sure Thai culture was observed and that does not allow nudity in public.  Thank God for critics – Heaven only knows what would happen if we were allowed to lead ourselves – typical politicians.

The next shot is Nu and his friend – former Teacher – Nickie – (LadyBoy) – she invited him to be with her on the float in the parade and it appears he will – so I should have a lot of shots on parade day – backstage as well.

And I mentioned earlier “Bird” – A long time friend and a surprise to me – was there and a sponsor of the event.  Bird owns a Travel Agency in Chiang Mai  www.AsianPlusTravel.com – I had earlier posts for Asian Plus but wanted to show their new web-site here – very very nice.   Please check it out:

Well more to come in Feb on the event – stay tuned, promise more boy pictures.

Ciao

 

Sawadee Khrap

On Friday, a school holiday, we went to see and take pictures at Doi Pui.   Doi Pui is right behind Doi Suthep and has the Queen’s palace and flower gardens – and about 3Km past is a public campground. There is also several Tribal villages but that we will leave for another post.  

 If you can read in Thai here is the that version too.    Looks like a great place to camp – they have tents you can rent and a eating facility with a small restaurant.  There are a lot of great orchids and other flowers in the main campgrounds.

—- VIEW SIDESHOW —-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We didn’t have time to visit a Tribal village nor to stop by the Queen’s Palace this time but we are planning another trip soon and will have many pictures – there is a GREAT flower garden there. Maybe next weekend.

On Saturday, 10th, we went to the Expats meeting to hear a presentation by the hiking club – great photos and very entertaining.  We are planning on joining the group to go on some walks – hopefully better photographic material – no cars, motor bikes or people to scare away the animals, so we are really looking forward to capturing what the local jungles in the area look like.

Also, Nu’s birthday is coming, 27^th, but he was bugging me about getting a laptop – so he got a early birthday present – a ASUS dual core Vista laptop.  I set up a wireless network in the house so he can use it anywhere.  He has Lightroom & Photoshop installed and will be presenting his own photos shortly,  In addition he has started a blog (blogger.com) and is setting it up – when he gets it ready to go online I will post the address.

Tonight we head for dinner at Bert’s house and then Nu starts school again Monday.  Back to normal.

Ciao

 

Sawadee Khrap

Just found a new Sideshow template – TiltViewer by The Turning Gate – it’s a add-on for Adobe Lightroom and really makes neat sideshows.  I grabbed several images and just put them into a test gallery.

*** Sideshow ***

Check it out – sorry I didn’t take a lot of time setting up the Titles and Descriptions for each shot – I just wanted to see what the finished show would look like on the blog.  Look for other gallery templates in the future – it’s great to have plug-ins for Lightroom.  If you use Adobe Lightroom try these out, this is using the free version but the pay-fro Pro version is even better.