So, this morning, the kids are I are sitting down enjoying breakfast. Nalin told me that one of her classmates got in trouble for flipping the bird. She didn't use those exact words, but that's the gist of it.
The next words out of Jacob's mouth is "Daddy, what is sex". Nalin offered that "its something that grown ups do, right?" Jacob then chimed in that they do it when they are naked.
After they asked me again, I told them that we could talk about it later. The entire time I have this big grin on my face. I couldn't help it, it was just kind of funny and out of the blue.
After six years here in Thailand, we moved back to the U.S. Instead of returning to Ohio, we settled into California.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
All in the Family
Alas, I'm not referring to 70's sitcom featuring the iconic Archie Bunker, but rather Thai politics. Today the Thai parliament avoided dissolution and elected PPP deputy leader Somchai Wongsawat as the new PM.
In addition to (or perhaps because of) his role as the deputy leader of the PPP, PM Somchai also had the qualification of being the brother-in-law to deposed PM Thaksin. Of course the PAD protestors are not happy with the decision, decrying Somchai as a Thaksin puppet.
Speaking of Thaksin, today the Thai Supreme Court also delayed the verdict against Thaksin and his wife on a land buying deal. The court postponed the verdict until October 21st, stating that the couple should be present for the verdict.
If anyone has any doubts about the verdict, this should certainly make it clear. The court is certainly not interested in their presence to apologize for wasting their time. I think its pretty clear that a guilty verdict and some jail time are on the way. Given that she has already fled the country after one guilty verdict, the chances of them coming back had the court rendered a guilty verdict are pretty slim.
In addition to (or perhaps because of) his role as the deputy leader of the PPP, PM Somchai also had the qualification of being the brother-in-law to deposed PM Thaksin. Of course the PAD protestors are not happy with the decision, decrying Somchai as a Thaksin puppet.
Speaking of Thaksin, today the Thai Supreme Court also delayed the verdict against Thaksin and his wife on a land buying deal. The court postponed the verdict until October 21st, stating that the couple should be present for the verdict.
If anyone has any doubts about the verdict, this should certainly make it clear. The court is certainly not interested in their presence to apologize for wasting their time. I think its pretty clear that a guilty verdict and some jail time are on the way. Given that she has already fled the country after one guilty verdict, the chances of them coming back had the court rendered a guilty verdict are pretty slim.
Weather
Its been raining a bit since I got back to Thailand. One nice thing about the rain is that when it comes, it really cools things down.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Thai Government in Danger of Collapse
There is apparently a rift in the PPP party as to who should succeed Samak as Thailand's next PM. This schism is so great that it looks like it might fracture the party and cause the collapse of the current Parliament.
Dangerous Sledding
A recent Obama commercial portrayed McCain as out of touch, pointing out that McCain has never used the Internet or sent emails. Perhaps the Obama camp should have used the Internet themselves a bit first before using this as an example.
First, on the face of it, it doesn't even matter. The President does not need to be sending his own emails, nor do I expect him to be doing his own Internet research. His time is too valuable for that.
There's a more fundamental problem with this attack. The reason that John McCain doesn't use the Internet is because he cannot type. He cannot type because his torturers in Vietnam left one of his hands crippled to the point that he can't use a mouse, a keyboard, or even comb his own hair.
So when it comes down to it, John McCain sacrificed the ability to use the Internet for his country. Somehow I think that voters in heartland would think more of a candidate for his physical sacrifice, not less. It just seems like something that could just so easily backfire on them.
Perhaps the techno-savy Obama campaign should have done a little research on McCain's physical capabilities before they aired this commercial. Perhaps they did, but decided to air the ad anyway, counting on the fact that most people would never ask why.
First, on the face of it, it doesn't even matter. The President does not need to be sending his own emails, nor do I expect him to be doing his own Internet research. His time is too valuable for that.
There's a more fundamental problem with this attack. The reason that John McCain doesn't use the Internet is because he cannot type. He cannot type because his torturers in Vietnam left one of his hands crippled to the point that he can't use a mouse, a keyboard, or even comb his own hair.
So when it comes down to it, John McCain sacrificed the ability to use the Internet for his country. Somehow I think that voters in heartland would think more of a candidate for his physical sacrifice, not less. It just seems like something that could just so easily backfire on them.
Perhaps the techno-savy Obama campaign should have done a little research on McCain's physical capabilities before they aired this commercial. Perhaps they did, but decided to air the ad anyway, counting on the fact that most people would never ask why.
From the Mouth of Babes
I was having coffee this morning at Starbucks with one of my friends here in Thailand, Megan. Megan and I worked together on cub scouts last year, and her son Adam is in Jacob's class this year. She told me a funny story.
Earlier this school year she stopped by their class to drop off some cup cakes. When Jacob saw her, he went and talked to her. He asked her if she dyed her hair blond. She was a bit surprised by his inquiry, but quickly explained to him that her hair turns that color in the sun.
Now, I am certainly not one to offer an opinion on the veracity of Megan's response to Jacob's question. I will, however, repeat his follow up question as she relayed it to me. He looked at her and said, "Then why are the roots dark?"
Smooth Jacob, very smooth.
Earlier this school year she stopped by their class to drop off some cup cakes. When Jacob saw her, he went and talked to her. He asked her if she dyed her hair blond. She was a bit surprised by his inquiry, but quickly explained to him that her hair turns that color in the sun.
Now, I am certainly not one to offer an opinion on the veracity of Megan's response to Jacob's question. I will, however, repeat his follow up question as she relayed it to me. He looked at her and said, "Then why are the roots dark?"
Smooth Jacob, very smooth.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Sleep Schedule
Adjusting to an eleven hour time difference is always fun. By fun I mean being tired and out of sorts for a few days. In retrospect, I guess its not really fun at all.
I arrived home at 1:30 am Sunday morning. I went to bed about two hours later, and less than four hours after that Aleena discovered that I was home and woke me up.
Yesterday I was pretty tired, physically and mentally. My legs felt heavy walking up the steps and if I didn't keep my mind occupied I could feel my eyes start to close. I was tempted to take a nap, but those are a mixed blessing. On one hand, they can make you feel a bit better. However a five hour snooze fest in the middle of the afternoon may make sleeping through the night unlikely, further extending the jet lag.
I avoided the nap and fell asleep at 6:00 pm. Woke up at 2:30 am, and only dozed another hour or so until I had to get up this morning with the kids.
I'm still pretty tired today, but I actually feel like I have a bit of nervous energy. Should not have any trouble sleeping early tonight. Hopefully in a few days I'll be largely adjusted. Then I can take afternoon naps.
I arrived home at 1:30 am Sunday morning. I went to bed about two hours later, and less than four hours after that Aleena discovered that I was home and woke me up.
Yesterday I was pretty tired, physically and mentally. My legs felt heavy walking up the steps and if I didn't keep my mind occupied I could feel my eyes start to close. I was tempted to take a nap, but those are a mixed blessing. On one hand, they can make you feel a bit better. However a five hour snooze fest in the middle of the afternoon may make sleeping through the night unlikely, further extending the jet lag.
I avoided the nap and fell asleep at 6:00 pm. Woke up at 2:30 am, and only dozed another hour or so until I had to get up this morning with the kids.
I'm still pretty tired today, but I actually feel like I have a bit of nervous energy. Should not have any trouble sleeping early tonight. Hopefully in a few days I'll be largely adjusted. Then I can take afternoon naps.
Model Students
This afternoon, Nalin went to her friends house after school. While I told her that I would allow her to do that, I told her that she had to call first. Well, she forgot, so after searching the school for her, I went to her friend's house to fetch her.
As we walked home, there were three or four high schoolers from ISB walking about ten feet behind us. I could hear one of the loud ones talking about something, and he said the word "faggot" pretty loudly. I kind of cringed a bit, being as Nalin is only 7, and does not really need to hear that kind of language. I thought for a second whether to say something to him, but I decided to wait. There was a slight chance he had not seen her when he said it, and realized it and would curb himself. Of course, I knew that this would not happen. He was going to say it again in the next thirty seconds. I could feel it. He used the word because he thought it would make the others laugh. They hadn't laughed loudly, so he would try again.
Twenty seconds later, it was something about Ohio and "faggot" again. I turned around and told him not to use that word, pointed at Nalin and said she was a second grader. He just looked at me for a second and didn't say anything, didn't even have the decency to look abashed or apologize. Jackass.
As we walked home, there were three or four high schoolers from ISB walking about ten feet behind us. I could hear one of the loud ones talking about something, and he said the word "faggot" pretty loudly. I kind of cringed a bit, being as Nalin is only 7, and does not really need to hear that kind of language. I thought for a second whether to say something to him, but I decided to wait. There was a slight chance he had not seen her when he said it, and realized it and would curb himself. Of course, I knew that this would not happen. He was going to say it again in the next thirty seconds. I could feel it. He used the word because he thought it would make the others laugh. They hadn't laughed loudly, so he would try again.
Twenty seconds later, it was something about Ohio and "faggot" again. I turned around and told him not to use that word, pointed at Nalin and said she was a second grader. He just looked at me for a second and didn't say anything, didn't even have the decency to look abashed or apologize. Jackass.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
12 years
Yesterday, September 14th, Tim and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary.
We were actually married three times in 1996. We were legally married by a justice of the peace on January 6th. The reason for this was that we were taking a Mediterranean cruise, and the immigration process would be easier if we completed the process before we left. Of course, the wheels of government can grind slowly, and we were not able to get everything done before the honeymoon. Part of the problem was that we moved about five miles. Those were important five miles, as Kentucky and Ohio were in different regions, so we had to start the process afresh.
Our second ceremony was on September 13th and was performed at our home. This was a more traditional Thai ceremony. The next day we were "publicly" married on a yacht on the Ohio river.
So three marriages with no alimony or splitting assets. Not bad, eh?
Sons of Anarchy
FX just launched a new series called the Sons of Anarchy ("SOA"). SOA is the story of a motorcycle club/gang in a small town named Charming. Very shortly into the show, it becomes apparent that SOA is involved in illegal activity, including arms dealing.
The main character is Jackson, a twenty-something member of the club whose deceased father was one of the founding members. As Jackson attempts to follow in his father's footsteps, he is confronted with the morality of the club's action, as well as the premature birth of his son.
Katey Sagal, the actress who played the iconic Peg Bundy from Married with Children, plays Jackson's mother, Gemma. Once again she plays a dysfunctional mother, although this one very different from the apathetic wife of Al Bundy. Gemma is married to the club's co-founder and her deceased husband's former best friend.
Only two episodes have aired, but first impressions are very positive. The show is the product of Kurt Sutter, the creator of the Shield. If you like the Shield and its presentation of the grayness of life and morality, then SOA will probably appeal to you. If you like your good guys wearing white hats and your bad guys wearing black ones, then save your time, the show is probably not for you.
The main character is Jackson, a twenty-something member of the club whose deceased father was one of the founding members. As Jackson attempts to follow in his father's footsteps, he is confronted with the morality of the club's action, as well as the premature birth of his son.
Katey Sagal, the actress who played the iconic Peg Bundy from Married with Children, plays Jackson's mother, Gemma. Once again she plays a dysfunctional mother, although this one very different from the apathetic wife of Al Bundy. Gemma is married to the club's co-founder and her deceased husband's former best friend.
Only two episodes have aired, but first impressions are very positive. The show is the product of Kurt Sutter, the creator of the Shield. If you like the Shield and its presentation of the grayness of life and morality, then SOA will probably appeal to you. If you like your good guys wearing white hats and your bad guys wearing black ones, then save your time, the show is probably not for you.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Self Help Club
During my brief layover in Detroit I was perusing the magazine shops looking for a camera magazine. As I did, I couldn't help but notice Playboy and a few other adult magazines gracing the top shelf of one of the racks.
Seeing Playboy up there got me thinking. I guess there are some hotels for the airport and the flight, and some for the hotel afterwards. I can just imagine the look on your fellow passengers' faces when you whip out Playboy. In the very least you'll get a visit from the flight staff educating you on the error of your ways.
Still, I guess there is one use for the Playboy on the flight. You've undoubtedly heard of the mile high club. For those of you neophytes to the sexual vernacular, entrance to the mile high club requires one to have sex on an airplane in flight.
Membership to the club may not be so easy to obtain. Unless you are traveling with your spouse or significant other, your chances probably rest on convincing a stranger to go to the bathroom with you for a quick tryst. While the James Bond's of the world probably have no problem finding a willing partner, for a lot of guys, that is simply not a viable option.
Perhaps some might instead opt to join the much less prestigious mile high solo club. Armed with the newly purchased Playboy, the potential applicant can go it alone, preferably in the restroom. It may not be so thrilling as the mile high club, and he certainly isn't going to get a lot of points from his buddies when he brags about cranking off in the restroom john, but dammit, at least it might help him fall asleep on the rest of the flight.
Seeing Playboy up there got me thinking. I guess there are some hotels for the airport and the flight, and some for the hotel afterwards. I can just imagine the look on your fellow passengers' faces when you whip out Playboy. In the very least you'll get a visit from the flight staff educating you on the error of your ways.
Still, I guess there is one use for the Playboy on the flight. You've undoubtedly heard of the mile high club. For those of you neophytes to the sexual vernacular, entrance to the mile high club requires one to have sex on an airplane in flight.
Membership to the club may not be so easy to obtain. Unless you are traveling with your spouse or significant other, your chances probably rest on convincing a stranger to go to the bathroom with you for a quick tryst. While the James Bond's of the world probably have no problem finding a willing partner, for a lot of guys, that is simply not a viable option.
Perhaps some might instead opt to join the much less prestigious mile high solo club. Armed with the newly purchased Playboy, the potential applicant can go it alone, preferably in the restroom. It may not be so thrilling as the mile high club, and he certainly isn't going to get a lot of points from his buddies when he brags about cranking off in the restroom john, but dammit, at least it might help him fall asleep on the rest of the flight.
Cooking Bad for Your Career?
The Thai constitutional court has ruled that Prime Minister Samak was ineligible to hold the PM post and has dissolved his leadership and cabinet. What did PM Samak do to incur the wrath of the Thai court? He simply cooked.
Actually, he did a bit more than cook. PM Samak is quite well known here in the Kingdom for his cooking prowess. Prior to becoming PM, he was hosting a cooking show on one of the Thai TV channels. He continued the weekly show after assuming the PM duties.
The problem is that the Thai constitution states that the PM may not have any employment outside the government. Since the television station paid PM Samak a salary for his show, the court ruled that he had outside employment. Instead of allowing him to correct that by resigning from the show, they invalidated his government, requiring Parliament to chose a new PM and cabinet.
The Thai court ruling did not necessarily mean a permanent end to Samak's role as PM. He was not punished or banned from Parliment, and indeed still held his seat. He could simply resign from the television station and the MP's could once again vote him as PM. This would essentially make the Thai court's ruling moot. At first, it appeared that this is exactly what would happen. After the ruling, key PPP (People's Power Party) members indicated that they would support PM's Samak's return to power.
Unfortunately for PM Samak, things are not always as they appear in Thai politics. Within a few days, support for PM Samak had evaporated, and it became clear that he would not be PM. He resigned from the head of the PPP party.
Perhaps what is the most interesting is that former PM Thaksin, who many claim is pulling the strings for the PPP, supported Samak's return as PM. Its not clear whether Thaksin's influence has waned after his flight to England to avoid prosecution, or whether he really supported Samak.
Actually, he did a bit more than cook. PM Samak is quite well known here in the Kingdom for his cooking prowess. Prior to becoming PM, he was hosting a cooking show on one of the Thai TV channels. He continued the weekly show after assuming the PM duties.
The problem is that the Thai constitution states that the PM may not have any employment outside the government. Since the television station paid PM Samak a salary for his show, the court ruled that he had outside employment. Instead of allowing him to correct that by resigning from the show, they invalidated his government, requiring Parliament to chose a new PM and cabinet.
The Thai court ruling did not necessarily mean a permanent end to Samak's role as PM. He was not punished or banned from Parliment, and indeed still held his seat. He could simply resign from the television station and the MP's could once again vote him as PM. This would essentially make the Thai court's ruling moot. At first, it appeared that this is exactly what would happen. After the ruling, key PPP (People's Power Party) members indicated that they would support PM's Samak's return to power.
Unfortunately for PM Samak, things are not always as they appear in Thai politics. Within a few days, support for PM Samak had evaporated, and it became clear that he would not be PM. He resigned from the head of the PPP party.
Perhaps what is the most interesting is that former PM Thaksin, who many claim is pulling the strings for the PPP, supported Samak's return as PM. Its not clear whether Thaksin's influence has waned after his flight to England to avoid prosecution, or whether he really supported Samak.
And You Thought Red Light Cameras Were Bad
There are probably thousands of places to get a massage in Thailand. Some are completely on the up and up, no hanky panky goes on. Others will give you a happy ending for an extra fee, while others are nothing more than a front for prostitution. A massage parlor is a place that specializes in prostitution, usually for wealthy locals. According to my research, online not field, these places will sometimes accept foreigners for an extra fee.
If Bangkok governor candidate Leena Jungjanja gets her way, however, that smile that you leave the massage parlor with may cost you a lot more than a couple of thousand baht. Ms. Leena's pro-family platform includes installing cameras outside of massage parlors. The video would broadcast on the Internet so that wives can check up on their husbands.
Fortunately for the more philandering type, Ms. Leena will not be the governor of Bangkok. She is in single digits in the polls. Perhaps one might think that she might strike a cord with Thai women fed up with their cheating husbands. While her idea might appeal to some, it really goes against the grain of the Thai concept of saving face.
These cameras would broadcast the husbands infidelity not only to the wife, but to the rest of the world. It would be very humiliating to the woman to have it out in the open like that. I'm not saying that Thai women relish their husbands going to a massage parlor, but for many, a quiet tryst is much preferable to a public outing. I remember hearing a story about a Thai woman whose husband was having an affair. She might have suspected it for a while, and certainly didn't like it, but she accepted it. Men will be men is sometimes the philosophy. When the guy started doing it in the open and made no effort to hide it, that's when it was too much for her. He had humiliated her.
Its like that a lot here, as long as its not blatantly out in the open, people can contently ignore it. Thais are very good at blissfully ignorant.
If by some miracle Ms. Leena's idea became law, maybe Thais could borrow a page from the red light camera's book. Just send a picture of the offender entering the massage parlor along with a ticket. Its not like he is going to court to fight it and make you prove that he actually had sex there. Of course, if he's not the one who opens the mail, there could be hell to pay.
If Bangkok governor candidate Leena Jungjanja gets her way, however, that smile that you leave the massage parlor with may cost you a lot more than a couple of thousand baht. Ms. Leena's pro-family platform includes installing cameras outside of massage parlors. The video would broadcast on the Internet so that wives can check up on their husbands.
Fortunately for the more philandering type, Ms. Leena will not be the governor of Bangkok. She is in single digits in the polls. Perhaps one might think that she might strike a cord with Thai women fed up with their cheating husbands. While her idea might appeal to some, it really goes against the grain of the Thai concept of saving face.
These cameras would broadcast the husbands infidelity not only to the wife, but to the rest of the world. It would be very humiliating to the woman to have it out in the open like that. I'm not saying that Thai women relish their husbands going to a massage parlor, but for many, a quiet tryst is much preferable to a public outing. I remember hearing a story about a Thai woman whose husband was having an affair. She might have suspected it for a while, and certainly didn't like it, but she accepted it. Men will be men is sometimes the philosophy. When the guy started doing it in the open and made no effort to hide it, that's when it was too much for her. He had humiliated her.
Its like that a lot here, as long as its not blatantly out in the open, people can contently ignore it. Thais are very good at blissfully ignorant.
If by some miracle Ms. Leena's idea became law, maybe Thais could borrow a page from the red light camera's book. Just send a picture of the offender entering the massage parlor along with a ticket. Its not like he is going to court to fight it and make you prove that he actually had sex there. Of course, if he's not the one who opens the mail, there could be hell to pay.
30 Hours Door to Door
Well, I'm finally back in Thailand. From the time I left my house in Cincinnati until I stepped in our home in Thailand, approximately thirty hours elapsed.
So how did I spend this time? About twenty one hours was flight time; one hour to Detroit, thirteen to Tokyo, and seven to Bangkok. I spent an hour and a half driving to and from airports. The remainder was spent waiting in airports.
Overall the trip was not too bad. The flight to Detroit was short and unremarkable. I was very lucky on the flight to Tokyo, as the seat next to me was empty. The extra room makes such a difference. Instead of being shoulder to shoulder with the person next to you, you can stretch out a bit.
Right up until the gates closed for the flight to Bangkok, it looked like karma was really grooving with me again, as the seat next to me was empty. Alas, no one's luck is that good in these days of overcrowded flights, and the seat was occupied at the last minute.
The travel gods once again smiled favorably upon me once we arrived in Bangkok. While the walk to immigration was ten or fifteen minutes, when I arrived I was processed in under five minutes. Of course, a quick jaunt through immigration is only one part of getting out of the airport quickly. All that time avoided waiting in line at immigration can easily be spent standing around watching the luggage carousel go round and round. I was spared that fate, as within five minutes of my arrival, my large pinkish purple bags came into view. You might laugh at my less than testosterone drive choice in baggage color, but when people are trying to figure out if each passing black bag is theirs, I know when my bags arrive.
The trip is never fun, but this one wasn't too bad.
So how did I spend this time? About twenty one hours was flight time; one hour to Detroit, thirteen to Tokyo, and seven to Bangkok. I spent an hour and a half driving to and from airports. The remainder was spent waiting in airports.
Overall the trip was not too bad. The flight to Detroit was short and unremarkable. I was very lucky on the flight to Tokyo, as the seat next to me was empty. The extra room makes such a difference. Instead of being shoulder to shoulder with the person next to you, you can stretch out a bit.
Right up until the gates closed for the flight to Bangkok, it looked like karma was really grooving with me again, as the seat next to me was empty. Alas, no one's luck is that good in these days of overcrowded flights, and the seat was occupied at the last minute.
The travel gods once again smiled favorably upon me once we arrived in Bangkok. While the walk to immigration was ten or fifteen minutes, when I arrived I was processed in under five minutes. Of course, a quick jaunt through immigration is only one part of getting out of the airport quickly. All that time avoided waiting in line at immigration can easily be spent standing around watching the luggage carousel go round and round. I was spared that fate, as within five minutes of my arrival, my large pinkish purple bags came into view. You might laugh at my less than testosterone drive choice in baggage color, but when people are trying to figure out if each passing black bag is theirs, I know when my bags arrive.
The trip is never fun, but this one wasn't too bad.
Back
Its been a few weeks since I've blogged or taken a picture for that matter. Getting our house in Cincinnati ready to rent out turned out to be a much larger endeavor than I had originally anticipated.
My three week trip turned into a five week packing, cleaning and painting fest. Mom, dad, Dave and Joe helped out, but there was so much to do. By the end, I was just wanting to get done.
The trip wasn't all work and no play. When I arrived back in the states I went on a three day convention trip with some friends. The convention was Gencon, a large gaming (the geek, not gambling variety) convention that I first attended back in 1991. The most memorable part of the con was playing a drinking version of battle cards with the guys, checking out some indie films, admiring our enormous hotel suite, and drinking the strawberry water at the hotel. They had a large water dispenser in the hotel, and it had ten or so dozen strawberries in it. The water had a slight strawberry taste, which I rather enjoyed.
In any case, I am back in Thailand now (more about that later), so the blogging should be more regular.
My three week trip turned into a five week packing, cleaning and painting fest. Mom, dad, Dave and Joe helped out, but there was so much to do. By the end, I was just wanting to get done.
The trip wasn't all work and no play. When I arrived back in the states I went on a three day convention trip with some friends. The convention was Gencon, a large gaming (the geek, not gambling variety) convention that I first attended back in 1991. The most memorable part of the con was playing a drinking version of battle cards with the guys, checking out some indie films, admiring our enormous hotel suite, and drinking the strawberry water at the hotel. They had a large water dispenser in the hotel, and it had ten or so dozen strawberries in it. The water had a slight strawberry taste, which I rather enjoyed.
In any case, I am back in Thailand now (more about that later), so the blogging should be more regular.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)