Thought I left these in California

Sawadee Khrap

Headline:

Laos quake no effect on Thai dams

I thought I left ‘Earthquakes’ when I left California – but not so.  Even Chiang Mai can suffer from them, although not as often.  Last year we did have a quake in Laos that I did feel in Chiang Mai and just yesterday there was another, but not felt here.  Here’s the Bangkok Post story on it.  I need to look up the history of quakes in the region, but I do know that in the past Chiang Mai did have a major earthquake which actually changed the flow and directions of the Ping River – pretty severe. And we are probably due for another any time now.  Maybe the Laos’s ones are just the precursor.

Ciao

LifeSavers

Sawadee Khrap

Here’s a great one Jim sent me (but I did modify it a little) – thanks Jim

Two elderly guys are sitting on the front porch in a Scottsdale retirement home , doing nothing, naturally.

One guy turns and asks, ‘Do you still get horny?’

The other replies, ‘Oh sure I do.’

Then the  first old man asks, ‘What do you do about it?’

And his friend replies, ‘I suck a lifesaver.’

After a few moments, the first guy asks, ‘Who drives you to the beach ?’

Ciao

Who the hell is Sam Austin ????

Sawadee Khrap

Don’t know – tried to look up his bio on the web with no success, but he is attributed with several good quotes.  Here is my favorite:

“Homosexuality is God’s way of ensuring that the truly gifted aren’t burdened with children.”

Ciao

Busy Sunday–only had one memory card

Sawadee Khrap

20110220_151923_0009_IMG_1135Started off Sunday by going to Monk Chat at Wat Suan Dok.  Special class to talk with the monks about starting their own blogs.  (Left to right) Phra’s Veasna, Denny, Boumy, and Ritty were there for this first meeting.  we plan to have more and go over setting out their own web-sites and stories – I’ll post the URL’s when they are on line – Should be great reading.

20110220_151923_0014_IMG_1149Then I headed to the Kad Suan Kaew Shopping Center for lunch.  Spotted 20110220_151923_0011_IMG_1142Kevin and Chaat on the escalator on the way to lunch and passed by a setup where several artist were making drawings for the crowd. Cute little guy sitting there – but very hard to stay still.

After lunch I heard the music coming from the front of the Center 20110220_151923_0021_IMG_116120110220_151923_0022_IMG_1162for a “Dancerise Contest”.  I only had one memory card with me so I was very limited in the number of shots I could take.  Here is just a few from the first acts:

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Didn’t get any names but wanted to show some great kids waiting to show what they can do. Last are the Judges.

 

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I’m going to make it a habit to carry more memory cards so I can capture all the action next time – I love the new camera and have no excuse to not be prepared from now on.  These kids were great and I wish I had been able to stay for the whole contest – next time.

Ciao

Salesmanship

Sawadee Khrap

Jerry just sent me this one and I had to post it – sorry it is long:

The kids filed back into class Monday morning. They were very excited. Their weekend assignment was to sell something, then give a talk on productive salesmanship.

Sally led off: "I sold girl scout cookies and I made $30," she said proudly, "My sales approach was to appeal to the customer’s civil spirit and I credit that approach for my obvious success."   Very good, said the teacher.

Jenny was next: "I sold magazines," she said, "I made $45 and I explained to everyone that magazines would keep them up on current events."   Very good, Jenny, said the teacher.

Eventually, it was Little Johnny’s turn. The teacher held her breath… Little Johnny walked to the front of the classroom and dumped a box full of cash on the teacher’s desk. "$2,467"  he said.  "$2,467!" cried the teacher, "What in the world were you selling?"

"Toothbrushes," said Little Johnny.  "Toothbrushes!" echoed the teacher, "How could you possibly sell enough toothbrushes to make that much money?"

"I found the busiest corner in town," said Little Johnny, "I set up a Dip & Chip stand and gave everybody who walked by a free sample."  They all said the same thing, "Hey, this tastes like dog shit!" Then I would say, "It is dog shit… Wanna buy a toothbrush?"   "I used the governmental approach of giving you something shitty for free, and then making you pay to get the taste out of your mouth…"

Ciao

Jay’s Dream ends – Lavender gone

Sawadee Khrap

IMG_0977Jay’s dream has ended. The Lavender sign is now smaller than the Sritokyo – back to the old owners.

Looking to book a room  – try the Lotus Hotel – Garden Bar or maybe the Chiang Mai Residence, both are gay or gay-friendly and excellent.  CM Residence just across the street from the Lavender so you are still close to Kad Suan Kaew Shopping Center and of course the Lotus across from Adam’s Apple Club.

Ciao

50 and Older Policy Changes

Sawadee Khrap

I have heard that due to the current financial situation caused by the slowdown in the economy, Congress has decided to implement a scheme to put workers of 50 years of age and above on early, mandatory retirement, thus creating jobs and reducing unemployment. This scheme will be known as RAPE (Retire Aged People Early).
 
Persons selected to be RAPED can apply to Congress to be considered for the SHAFT program (Special Help After Forced Termination).
 
Persons who have been RAPED and SHAFTED will be reviewed under the SCREW program (System Covering Retired-Early Workers).
 
A person may be RAPED once, SHAFTED twice and SCREWED as many times as Congress deems appropriate.
 
Persons who have been RAPED could get AIDS (Additional Income for Dependents & Spouse) or HERPES (Half Earnings for Retired Personnel Early Severance).
 
Obviously persons who have AIDS or HERPES will not be SHAFTED or SCREWED any further by Congress.

Persons who are not RAPED and are staying on will receive as much SHIT (Special High Intensity Training) as possible. Congress has always prided themselves on the amount of SHIT they give our citizens.
 
Should you feel that you do not receive enough SHIT, please bring this to the attention of your Congressman, who has been trained to give you all the SHIT you can handle.
 
Sincerely,
The Committee for Economic Value of Individual Lives (E.V.I.L.)
 
PS – Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas and oil, as well as current market conditions, the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off.

Thanks Jim for sending me this important news.

Ciao

Jackie & Jeab

Sawadee Khrap

For my post “Mohamed’s Visit & Birthday” I forgot to add the images for Jackie and Jeab from the Adam’s Apple Underwear Show – sorry, here they are   Jackie then Jeab.

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Ciao

Well here’s some shots with the d7

Sawadee Khrap

Just trying out the D7, great camera – boy do I have to get used to it – First Wit came by and we popped off some quick shots to test the lenses and studio flash setup. here are some examples.

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I am processing the RAWs now and how to have some finished images shortly.  I did do a couple of quick Photoshop works on a shot of Boat and one of Wit – two Great models.

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Ciao