Today's song is replaced by Dean Barretts take on Soi Cowboy. Worth watching!
Today is a bit of a work day for Shaun as he still needs to work for a living and needs to do some prep for his classes which resume next week. However, tonight we will return to Soi Cowboy for a little bit of RnR. The first item on my agenda is to head back to Country Road to discover just how bad I was 2 nights ago.
After some music and perhaps a game of pool I plan to head out to Shark bar to say hello to Apple and then the Doll House to say hello to a couple of friends there. Then, I plan to explore some of the smaller bars at Cowboy that I have never set foot in. Shaun and I have agreed to stay together tonight. If we enter a bar together, then we leave the bar together. Hopefully this will ensure we get back home together.
Of course a night out at Soi Cowboy is not complete without a final drink at Crazy House and a bit of Chocolate. Chocolate is a bar girl that I have known for 3 years.
That's it for today. Tomorrow's post should be more entertaining.
Today's song is a video ... the Trailer from Hangover 2.
Well, if you watched Hangover 2 which happens in Bangkok, you have a pretty good idea what happened to Shaun and I last night (Tuesday). My wing man woke up just outside of Insanity Night Club about 4:30 am. He thinks he had a good time but really can not remember. I was not much help as I ended up flying solo about midnight when we got separated somewhere between Black Pagoda and King Castle, a katoey bar.
The night started off innocently around 3 pm when Shaun and I were playing pool at Country Road on Soi Cowboy. We had a jug or 2 of Singha beer and Thavorn and Jaidan joined us for a couple of hours. Around about 5 ish, Shaun, Thavorn, and Jaidan took a taxi back to our apartment as Jaidan was getting antsy and Shaun was not dressed for a night out on the town.
Left to my own devices, I drank some more beers, shot some pool with some of the bar girls, met a new British bloke from Manchester and between the two of us we entertained a significant number of the staff at Country Road. After about 2 hours one of the older bar ladies exclaimed, 'Jimmy, I not know you so much fun ... you usually quiet!'. Yes, I am, when I am out with Thavorn and Jaidan. However ...
Around about 8 pm Shaun shows up and we order some vodkas and red bull. At this point, my wing man decides we need another wing person and he bar fines a young lady to keep us company. We also decide to head off on the MRT (subway) to the infamous Pat Pong bar district. We ended up bar hopping and for some reason, in the second bar, Shaun bids adieu to our wing person (not sure why) but that put us on the slippery slope into our Hangover 2 experience.
Around about midnight we got separated and never connected again because Shaun did not have a sim card in his phone. I ended up playing pool for money in an outdoor pool area and ended up getting schooled by a very pretty bar girl who took pity on me by buying more beer, which I definitely did not need and my game went downhill from there.
My lady friend and I ended up in a katoey bar discussing which lady boy had the most goods. About 1:30 am I started looking for Shaun and could not find him so I took a taxi home hoping Shaun was being well looked after. Shaun did make it home about 5 am (having walked from Insanity) with a Hangover 2 lapse of memory. The good news is no tattoos :-).
Whatever happened, I can guarantee it was not boring but tonight will be a rest and reflect night and tomorrow is another day in the City of Angels.
Today's song is: Woodstock by Crosby, Stills, and Nash .. why? Still coolest happening yet.
Quiet day for reflection today. Yesterday we met up with an American at Rumors Bar and he insisted on buying drinks for us so we had a few vodka and orange juices ... perhaps one too many.
Today I am waiting for Jaidan to fall asleep for his daily nap and when he wakes up I plan to head back to Rumors for a bit of the tail that bit us. That should be around 4 pm and then I am meeting up at Denny's (not the USA Dennys but a have a beer and chat with a lady bar) on the ground floor of the Holiday Inn building. I doubt if it has any association with the Holiday Inn chain other than renting some retail space.
Denny's used to have some real ambiance when it was located on Soi 22 across from the Regent Hotel but it was demolished to make way for another condo/shopping center complex. The new Dennys is still trying to establish a new identity but apart from the great roasted salted peanuts that arrive with your cold draft, they are still lacking.
This seems to be an ongoing trend as bars with a history and character are being knocked down in the name of urban progress. Perhaps that is why I will take Shaun out for a wild night in PatPong as it is and was the original naughty bar area in Bangkok. It is important to grab a slice of history while you still can. Two more sleeps and Shaun arrives. He is catching a taxi to the aforementioned Holiday Inn where I will meet him and walk about 50 meters to Rumors bar which is open 24/7. I can only think the owner is well connected for it to stay open all the time.
Stay logged in for the adventures of Jimmy and his wing man Shaun as they explore all the naughty areas of Bangkok over the next week.
Today's song is: Don't Stop the Party ... Black Eyed Peas
I love the live art scene in Bangkok. I have included typical tats that you are likely to encounter in the local bars. Shaun and I will be visiting the Black Pagoda in PatPong on Wednesday and we hope to bump into this awesome piece of art.
Many girls go for the religious symbols
Color adds significantly to the cost but the results are worth it IMHO
Great art and ass :-)
Not sure I like the full coverage on the arms
Ditto for the permanent shirt look
Next to showing pics of their children, Thai girls like to show their tattoos. You are not likely to see this art on the street as most Thai ladies dress quite conservatively while out in public (for example Thai women never go bra-less). Yet another reason to take a walk on the wild side and visit Soi Cowboy, Nana, or PatPong.
Thavorn, Jaidan, and I headed off early today to Government Complex #1 - Immigration and Visas. We traveled by GrabTaxi and arrived in about 30 minutes. I had the appropriate form filled out to extend my retirement visa by another year. I also had all the appropriate documentation including a letter from the Canadian Embassy stating I made over 65,000 Baht a month. I had my passport photo and the 4 pages of my passport photocopied. I also had the 1,900 Baht fee.
With form 7 in hand I bypass the help desk (because by now I know the drill) and head for the ladies with the numbered queue vouchers. It is weird that in the LOS (Land of Smiles), there are no smiles in this department. So, I too, put on my poker face and state I am here to renew mt retirement visa. She asks me something in Thai and I nod my head (not understanding a word of it) and I receive my queue number. Shit, #48 - it will be touch and go if I make it out before their noon hour shut down. Yes, they all go to lunch at the same time and shut the works down for an hour.
I suggest to Thavorn we head downstairs for a coffee and so we do. Downstairs is a large open area (not as large as upstairs which has to be the equivalent of 8 soccer fields) and so Jaidan gets to run and we get to sip our lattes in peace. After I finish my coffee I head upstairs to see what number they are at and lo and behold, it is #22. I do the math and sure enough, I may or not make the noon hour feeding period.
I won't hold you in suspense, after 2 hours, I was the last person processed just before 12 noon. I thought great, but I then realized we would be taking a taxi home during the noon hour rush hour and sure enough, the 30 minute ride from this morning was well over an hour at noon hour. You can run, but you can't hide. You get used to waiting in traffic in Bangkok.
Jaidan slept all the way back so no nap for Jimmy or Thavorn this afternoon. Time for another coffee if I am going to read to Jaidan this afternoon without nodding off.
So, the good news is that I am good to go for another year in the City of Angels. 4 days until Shaun arrives. Yippee Kai Yah!!
Today's song is: I Gotta Feelin .. The Black Eyed Peas
and Snoop Dog and Pussycat Dolls
Both great sings played live in dance bars of Bangkok.
I really have to get to the gym! Mirrors don't lie! I did some research and the Sheraton rand Sukhumvit has a 3 month promotion that will turn my one pack back into a six pack and drop 6 kilos to 89 kilos. Swimming just does not do it for me. I have to run.
Two running songs to get me back in the running mode.
and Get Your Motor Runnin ... great song and better movie
Tonight Thavorn, Jaidan, and I are heading out to Wine Connection to celebrate her birthday. Thavorn usually chooses the Lamb Shank and tonight I will opt for the Lasagna. Jaidan eats off our plates. Wine Connection is good as they have high chairs and 750 baht bottle of decent wine (Fat Bastard for example). Most Thai restaurants do not.
Five days until my wing man Shaun arrives from China and we do the Hangover 3 run in Bangkok.
Today is the day that Thavorn and I celebrate our birthdays. My birthday is the 23rd and Thavorn's is the 24th so we always celebrate at midnight. We are both year of the Tiger and perhaps that is why we found each other. Who knows for sure but weirder things have happened.
I asked Thavorn what she wanted for her birthday and in typical Thai fashion she replied, 'Up to you Jimmy'. After lots of prodding we decided she has everything she wants and needs at this moment in her life so I think we will do something frivolous and go get her belly button pierced to celebrate her dropping down below 50 kgs which was quite a feat as Jaidan ballooned her up to 69 kilos. She has worked out with her hoop for an hour a day to get back to where she likes to be.
I can't stress too much how Thavorn is one of a kind. I think I will just posts some pics of her from the past 3 years.
Learning to play pool
Just playing ....
Getting better at pool ... still needs to get lower
Today's song is: Just Give Me a Reason ... Pink and Nate Russel ...
and I Just Want to Feel This Moment ... Pitbull and Christina - another favorite
and Whistle Baby - all 3 fun dance songs in BKK bars with Live Music
I did my Rip Van Winkle impression 2 nights ago, sleeping for 18 hours but it appears my jet lag has come and gone. Thavorn and I decided to head out to Rendezvous Bar for a drink. As we walked down the soi I discovered that no one had seen Thavorn, Jaidan or me for a month. The same statement, 'Long time no see ... where you go?' was asked in Tinglish. It seems that Thavorn was always in a taxi with Jaidan when she went out. I was not surprised because at 14.5 kilos, he is a big heavy boy!
We went out at 5 pm because it was over 35 degrees in Bangkok and we waited until the temperature dropped. I took Jaidan swimming at around 2 ish and the water was a warm 85 degrees.
After a vodka and orange juice we headed off for Soi Cowboy to listen to some music at Country Road. We ordered a jug of Singha and Thavorn disappeared to play pool with one of the pool girls and Jaidan and I chatted with some bar girls and listened to music. It was good to get out for a night.
Thavorn won the first 2 games and lost the next 3. Not too bad because she has not played for over a month and the pool girls play every day. I tried to play a game but Jaidan objected strenuously as I left the table so I decided to stay with my boy. I should get a chance to play later this month as my buddy Shaun flies into BKK from China on the 29th for about 5 days of fun.
Cowboy was pretty busy, despite what I had heard about a lull in business. Ditto for Queen's Park on Soi 22. I did notice that some more massage bars have closed down which does not surprise me as there was a glut of them. As a source of entertainment they are fairly limited in what they offer. Pay to play with no music, talk, etc.
Thavorn's birthday is September 24 and mine is September 23 and I asked her what she wanted for her birthday. She had a difficult time coming up with an answer and she finally decided she had everything (other than a house) that she needed or wanted, and a dinner out at Wine Connection or the Sheraton would be good. I asked her if she wanted to fly somewhere for a vacation and she responded that everyday was a vacation for her. Nice to be in a happy place :-)
I think I will take a couple of hours over the rest of this week and practice my pool game. I also need to get to the gym!
Song's today is: It's My Life by Bon Jovi ... The Group performed just in Bangkok on the 15th of September .. unfortunately I was in Canada. This would be the Theme Song Song for expats Living in Bangkok. Very popular in the Bars. .
I woke up at 3 am courtesy of my jet lag. I thought I might as well make some coffee and have a slice of toast and peanut butter. I was still awake 3 hours later as the sun rose to the crowing of roosters. There is something about the dawn that brings out the optimist in a person, but I would think that depends on how you are living your life. It would be terrible waking up each morning just wishing the day would pass. I was supposed to meet a friend for breakfast but I think I will pass as Jaidan wakes up about. 6:30 ish and I would like Thavorn to sleep in. We also have to go to Big C this morning and buy some groceries. It appears that Thavorn was waiting for me as the cupboard and fridge are bare. More later as the day unwinds,. TTYL
Today's song is: Stairway to Heaven .. seeing as I am back in the City of Angels ...
it is an appropriate choice
It's always a long ass flight and I always find the first leg harder on the but. It did not help that Air Canada had not added to its movie selections since I flew out of Canada a month ago. At one time they had a different selection depending on the direction you were heading.
Thai airlines came to the rescue with a better selection of movies and much prettier stewardess'. The food was also better. The only thing Air Canada had going for it was the carbon fiber dream liner which is a very sweet aircraft.
For some reason, I always seem to get seated beside someone who has a bad cold. I just got over the one I caught coming to Canada so I hope the strain coughing and sniffing beside me was the same.
My flight arrived a half hour early and there was virtually no lineup at immigration which was a blessing after a 25 hour journey. I decided to catch the airport link to Makkasan and take a taxi from that station. I never realized how busy the airport link could be. Many commuters use it to get to work as well as get to and from the airport. Lucky for me, Makkasan is a major disembarkation stop and I was able to get off with my suitcase and backpack despite the crowding.
I caught a taxi and was knocking on my condo door 20 minutes later and realized how efficient the Bangkok transit system can be despite the gridlock on the roads.
Thavorn answered the door with Jaidan and a group hug was in order. It about 20 mins for Jaidan to warm up to me and that lasted for about an hour until he became jealous that he had to share Thavorn with someone else. Thavorn looks great and I can understand the jealousy :-)
I lasted about 2 hours and then needed a 2 hour jet lag nap despite 2 coffees. Thavorn had gone out and grabbed some lunch. It consisted of a large barbecued fish and a half a barbecued chicken, complete with sticky rice. All for $7 CDN or 200 Baht. Tasty and inexpensive. Welcome to Bangkok!
Cindy Mar gave Jaidan a basketball uniform for his birthday. I added a size 5 basketball, and unfortunately some yogurt and this is what it looked like.
Tomorrow I will go for a walk and see what has changed in the month I have been gone.
Today's song is: Leaving on a Jet Plane by Chantal not John Denver ... I like this version better
Well my bags are packed and I am ready to go. I am 3 kilos under my 22 kilo limit, although I am allowed a second bag, I never travel with that much stuff. Last night was a final goodbye at Big Rig and today was just packing and double checking everything (yes, my passport is in my lower left pocket, where it is 24/7).
My sister Elaine will drive me to the Ottawa airport for 3:30 and my flight to Toronto is at 5 pm and onward to Copenhagen about 8ish. That is good because if they feed us quickly and douse the lights it is time for some sleep. Ditto for Copenhagen to Bangkok as I arrive at 6 am Bangkok time so I will try to get some sleep at that time.
The flight from Toronto to Copenhagen is on the new carbon fibre Dreamliner. The seats are very comfortable.
Once I get to Bangkok I hope to resume my post-a-day schedule.
Today's song is: Happy - Sunway College in Malaysia version. Today's song is dedicated to my daughter Jaime who is truly happy today :-)
Today is my last night in Canada as I fly out tomorrow afternoon to Bangkok via Toronto and Copenhagen. It is my first time for that route, with the first 2 flights with Air Canada and the last flight with Thai airlines. Always good to try something new.
I had a great time at my surprise birthday party at Big Rig. A big thank you to my two sisters and daughter Jaime who organized it as well as all those who could make it!
Some more great news! My daughter Jaime just landed a LTO (Long Term Occasional) teaching contract at All Saints High School here in Ottawa. The future is looking good for Jaime.
As for myself, I am looking forward seeing Jaidan and Thavorn and getting back to my daily swin in the rooftop pool. I think I may have gained a kilo during this visit as both Jeanine and my sisters are too good at cooking up delicious meals. The beer and pizza at Big Rig are also partially to blame.
I also look forward to getting back to daily posts on the happenings in Bangkok.
Today's song is Happy by: Pharrell ... just a good happy tune redone many, many times.
My visit to Canada is rapidly coming to a close as Brent and I work hard to finish up the software changes for this year. I have 8 days remaining and the highlights will be Liz's get together at her house on the Rideau on Thursday afternoon and my friend farewell at Big Rig brew pub on Tuesday, the 15th, my last night in Canada. All in all a happy time as I have seen my daughter about 5 times and Jordan a couple of times. Children are God's gift to mankind :-)
My buddy Shaun is hoping the Chinese will process his passport in time for a few wild nights in Bangkok in early October.
Thavorn has done a wonderful job with Jordan while I have been gone. They both seem to have bonded quite well without Poppa around.
I am quite looking forward to getting back to Bangkok as I find life in Canada a little staid and boring. Definitely more fun in BKK although my night out with Ashley and Bondo was good for some raucous humour.
Oops, fast forward and tonight (Monday) is my second last night in Canada and I had a pleasant surprise as my sisters Elaine and Ann, and my daughter Jaime planned a surprise birthday party for me at Big Rig. So good to see so many of my friends together. For those of you I missed, I will see you tomorrow night at Big Rig.
I never get much feedback on what I write despite more than 5,000 page views so feel free to leave a comment.
Today's song is: Suzanne Takes you Down by Leonard Cohen .. another great Candian.
My last weekend in Canada is over. Tomorrow is Monday. Apparently the nightlife in Bangkok has taken a downtown and business is way down. August and September are typically the low tourist months in Thailand, however this year is worse, probably due to the bombing.
I decided to check the airfares and you can fly to Bangkok from Ottawa now for about $850 return with United, which is an Star Alliance partner so you get air miles which you can use to get to Florida next winter (if you can afford to go with low Canadian dollar!).
When the tourists disappear, the bar girls suffer, and if it goes on for a while they head back to the village to see their kids. That works out well for the mama-sans who don't have to pay them to dance to no one. However, 3 bars were doing well, as they catered to Japanese who are always coming and going to Bangkok.
Thavorn has started the countdown to my arrival. Four more sleeps and I arrive at 6 am in Bangkok. Apparently Thavorn does not want to meet me at the airport. Can't understand why :-) many a girl has seen me off and met me on arrival at BKK. It is a very common sight at the airport. Sometimes the lady even sheds a tear :-)
Apparently Nana Plaza is almost 80% Lady Boy now. To each his or her own. I find Katoeys fascinating to talk to but would never go with one. Their English is invariably good and they always seem to have a good sense of humor. Some of them are real stunners. Try not to get fooled.
My goodbye night at Big Rig is shaping up to be fun. It looks like there will be about 15 of my friends there to say goodbye for another year. Hopefully my two children will find the time to go.
My first day back I plan on taking a shower, having a jet-lag nap and heading down to Hillary 4 just outside Nana Plaza for some tourist watching to see what has changed. Of course Jaidan and Thavorn will come with me.
I have been a little remiss with my blog lately, but frankly, there is not much to write about in Canada. There is an election underway but so far, it is pretty boring and seems headed towards a coalition minority government. In my opinion, you might as well give the young man (Trudeau) a chance, just for something different.
If anyone out there has a solution for the migrant/refugee explosion in Europe I would be happy to hear it. If Germany thinks they can absorb a million of them I suggest they talk to Sweden who is a few years ahead of them.
Today's song is: Hot Time, Summer in the City - not the Lovin Spoonful (original artists), Not Joe Cocker, but the Eels, 2010 in Melbourne 2010
and the original version, 1996
The weather in Ottawa during my month visit has been wonderful. Matter of fact, I could have been in Bangkok. Many people think Bangkok is too hot. It is interesting to compare the last week in both cities.
As you can see, there is little difference between the 2 cities. However I found most Ottawans were complaining about how hot and humid it was whereas I was quite comfortable.
Last year my visit was 3 weeks and this year it is 4 weeks. I find myself in the wonderful position of having 6 days left with nothing that has to be done. Time for a bit of reflection over a glass or two of red wine.
So what have I observed over the past weeks. Canada is definitely a multicultural country. I am not sure whether that is good or bad, but it seems to work. I find that Canadians are as polite and courteous as ever and I am always pleasantly surprised when a car stops and waves me across the street, which is 99% of the time. Very different than Asia where cars rule and pedestrians suck.
There is way more fun to be had in Thailand than Canada and Thai women have the best welcoming smiles that I have ever seen. Once the Thai men get used to you they too flash you a beautiful smile, but you have to earn it. I have slowly got to know a few motorcycle and taxi drivers that I try to chat with. I also know a few food cart cooks, bar tenders and an ex police officer. I would like to know more but language is a barrier.
So most Thais I know are pretty bar girls or ex bar girls and that is not such a bad thing. My other source of conversation are the many foreign tourists and expats living in Thailand. They all have a story to tell and I am more than willing to listen. Many of them would enjoy their Thai experience more if they too were willing to listen. For example, you really do not want to ride an elephant for an hour. If you don't believe me, go for it. Boring!!!!
I am looking forward to being back in the City of Angels (or was that angles). My friend Shaun will hopefully arrive on September 29th for a week on the far side. Should be fun :-)
Today's song is: One Night in Bangkok ... used before but different version
My personal favorite ... some Thai girls having fun dancing ... they love to dance!
One reason I love Thailand so much is that Political Correctness has not yet made inroads into Thai society. They call it as they see it.
I came across this interesting comment on PC in Sports and added a bit to it. It is a good read. In case you are a Thai reader beaver = pussy in farang land.
I think all sports fans will get a kick out of this letter written to the Chicago Tribune.... No matter which side you are on in the matter of renaming the Washington Redskins, this is funny. This guy is hilarious…; Here is an e-mail sent to Clarence Page of the Chicago Tribune after an article he published concerning a name change for the Washington Redskins. ------------------------------------------- Dear Mr. Page: I agree with our Native American population. I am highly insulted by the racially charged name of the Washington Redskins. One might argue that to name a professional football team after Native Americans would exalt them as fine warriors, but nay, nay. We must be careful not to offend, and in the spirit of political correctness and courtesy, we must move forward. Let's ditch the Kansas City Chiefs, the Atlanta Braves and the Cleveland Indians. If your shorts are in a wad because of the reference the name Redskins makes to skin color, then we need to get rid of the Cleveland Browns. The Carolina Panthers obviously were named to keep the memory of militant Blacks from the 60's alive. Gone. It's offensive to us white folk. The New York Yankees offend the Southern population. Do you see a team named for the Confederacy? No! There is no room for any reference to that tragic war that cost this country so many young men's lives. I am also offended by the blatant references to the Catholic religion among our sports team names. Totally inappropriate to have the New Orleans Saints, the Los Angeles Angels or the San Diego Padres. Then there are the team names that glorify criminals who raped and pillaged. We are talking about the horrible Oakland Raiders, the Minnesota Vikings, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Pittsburgh Pirates! Now, let us address those teams that clearly send the wrong message to our children. The San Diego Chargers promote irresponsible fighting or even spending habits. Wrong message to our children. The New York Giants and the San Francisco Giants promote obesity, a growing childhood epidemic. Wrong message to our children. The Cincinnati Reds promote downers/barbiturates. Wrong message to our children. The Milwaukee Brewers. Well that goes without saying. Wrong message to our children. Added by Jim: I would think the Edmonton Eskimos should be come the Edmonton Indigenous Peoples or perhaps the Edmonton Inuit. The Montreal Canadiens should be the Montreal Multicultural Peoples. The Toronto Blue Jays should be the Toronto Jays, or better yet, Birds as to not offend grey jays or crows, or other birds. The Syracuse Orangment should perhaps be better named teh Syracuse Orange People not to offend the feminists. ----------------------------------------------------------------- So, there you go. We need to support any legislation that comes out to rectify this travesty, because the government will likely become involved with this issue, as they should. Just the kind of thing the do-nothing Congress or Parliament loves.. As a die hard Oregon State fan, my wife and I, with all of this in mind, suggest it might also make some sense to change the name of the Oregon State women's athletic teams to something other than "the Beavers (especially when they play Southern California . Do we really want the Trojans sticking it to the Beavers???) I always love your articles and I generally agree with them. As for the Redskins name I would suggest they change the name to the “Foreskins” to better represent their community, paying tribute to the dick heads in Congress.
Today's song is: That's What Friends are for by Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Stevie Wonder and Gladys Knight
I am planning a get together at Big Rig in the Pinecrest Mall at 7 pm on Tuesday, September the 15th, my last night in Canada. I have sent out an eMail invite and I hope you can all make it.
I have made contact with many long lost friends during this trip. Everyone from basketball coaching buddies, to basketball parents and fellow bouncers from the Carleton pub. Many great trips down memory lane.
My only friend regret is that most of them are not adventuresome enough to travel halfway around the world to visit me.
I am seriously considering become a reverse snowbird by living in a Class C Motor home during the 5 summer months in Canada and then living the remaining 7 months of the year in a condo in Thailand. This would enable me to maintain my OHIP and RTO and introduce Jaidan and eventually Thavorn to Canada.
So if anyone is interested in borrowing a RV Home during the winter months I will have one available starting in the late fall of 2016 is things go well or 2017 if the visa's do not go well.
Sitting down with friends you have not seen for a long time is a great way to review where you have been and helps confirm your plans for the future.
Thavorn and Jaidan seem to be surviving quite well without me. I am halfway into my visit and they are doing well.
Today's song is: We Don't Need no Education by Roger Waters - Old Fart Edition Live
It is everywhere, back to schools sales, promotions, and newspaper articles. To an ex teacher it is music to my ears. Parents also rejoice at back to school, as once again, someone else is tasked with their entertainment and maintenance.
It is sad that schools have been affected by the politically correct leanings of the day. Gone are the: 'Red Rover, red rover, we call Jimmy over' and 2 up wrestling. Boys are not permitted to make contact in the schoolyard so no tackle football in the fall. Bullying now goes underground via text messages, Facebook postings, and comments uttered just barely audible to the bullied.
It is no wonder that boys no longer excel in schools. One just has to look at the gender stats for university enrollment to see the results of our current system. In many universities they are approaching 70% female enrollment. I like to point out there are 2 conclusions that one can reach about this gender gap at university. Either we males are dumb fucks, or we are being discriminated in the school system. You decide.
My son managed to get to grade 6 before he had a male teacher. He thought he died and gone to heaven. Thank you Glen, for making grade 6 the best year of Jordan's K-6 experience. I would think male role models would be important during the formative years but today's educators don't seem to get that.
Enough of the education rant and onto the weather. I was expecting to get some relief from Bangkok's heat but yesterday the temperature topped 30 degrees for the first day of September. What gives? Maybe there is something to this global warming stuff. Hopefully it will cool down during the next 2 weeks before I head back to Bangkok.
Today is a work day as Brent and I visit the public board of education. I must remember to be at my best PC :-) and not tilt at windmills.
Today's song is: by Nickleback ... How you Remind Me. Only fitting to have a Canadian Band while I am in Canada.
Although I am enjoying Seeing Old friends and Family Miss Thavorn and Jaidan I do. I Video chat with them via LINE and they seem to be surviving quite Nicely Without me.I am toying with the Idea of spending the Summer months in Canada and the Winter. months in Thailand. I have always liked the outdoors and I could purchase a Class C motor home for the summer months in Canada and then rent for 7 months in Thailand. This kind of the opposite of what most snowbirds do as they use their motor homes in the wintertime. However, I will not make that decision for at least a year as. quite content doing what I currently do, spending most of my time in Thailand. I am having dinner with an old friend at 6:15 today and then tomorrow (Wednesday) I am at the public board and then Thursday I am having lunch with an old friend from Carleton University who used to work as a bouncer with me. In between, I am programming for my company so I am quite busy. On my way to dinner tonight I will stop and shop at the Guest warehouse outlet. My Russian friend is now a Guess model so she is on her way to a successful modelling career. I knew it was only a matter of time until someone discovered her. I try to stay in touch with. overly fond of Facebook and its self-aggrandizing model of staying in touch. After all, what is a friend? Certainly no one has hundreds of friends, mostly passing acquaintances. Ditto for Linked-In. At sometime I really should consider writing a book on the bar girls of Thailand as most books on the subject were written by jaded punters. They all have a story to tell and no one is telling it. It is a fascinating subculture. The weird news of the day is the Thai police offered a reward for information related to the capture of the Bangkok bomber and then apparently they think they have found him themselves, so they are claiming the reward. Only Thai logic could make sense of that! TTYL
