Jaidan

Today's song is: She is Always a Woman  .. Billy Joel

I have two very wonderful children, Jaime (29) and Jordan (27) who have brought me great joy throughout my life. I was both a father and a coach to both of them, They were both exceptional athletes and for the most part, extremely coach-able. To have that duo relationship with your children has it ups and downs but for the most part is very positive. It certainly gives us much to talk about when we get together to reminisce. Both Jaime and Jordan are now teachers in Ottawa, Canada and it is my hope they will pay it forward and also become coaches as they have so much to offer.

I had Jaime and Jordan quite late in life. Jaime when I was 36 and Jordan when I was 38. I distinctly remember Jordan coming home one day and asking me, 'Dad, why are you so old? All of my parent's friends are so much younger.' That was mildly disturbing back then, but a harbinger (WOTD) of things to come.

Marriage partners all become empty nesters at some point in their lives and my marriage did not survive that syndrome. After 32 years I ended up divorced and all alone with a void in my life to fill. I was also on the other side of the planet from my friends (except for one) and family. I missed coaching and young people. Teenagers keep you young. That is one of the perks of teaching and coaching.

I know an expat teacher in Bangkok who goes by the name of Old Man Dan who is still teaching. One day I asked Old Man how old he actually was. Old Man looked at me and smiled and said, 'You know Jim, you are only as old as the woman you are currently with.' Intrigued, I asked, 'And how old does that make you?'. Old Man replied  .. 21 years. I later discovered that Old Man Dan is actually 71 and has been happily married for the past 3 years.

Bangkok has more bars than any place I know of. If you can't have fun in Bangkok, there is seriously, something wrong with you. You can have more fun with someone else, whether they be male or female, so being footloose and fancy free I met a Thai girl that I ended up living with for a couple of years. She eventually got tired of waiting for my divorce to go through and we ended up slowly parting ways and she eventually married a hi-so Thai business man and seems quite happy, but childless. She would be a wonderful mom but life is not being kind to her. We still stay in contact and chat weekly.

As we were slowly parting ways I met crazy Nam. Crazy Nam was my walk on the wild side. I have a standard joke I use with Thai women who have a farang boyfriend. I always tease them about keeping a young Thai boy under the bed for entertainment. Crazy Nam was a very busy bar girl and I was her equivalent of a Thai boy under the bed. It was a strange relationship from the get go and we mostly saw each other from 2:30 am to 10 am. I affectionately refereed to her as GF2, with the departing GF as GF1.

It was during this time period that I met Thavorn. My Dad always used to say, 'Never shop for groceries when you are hungry and never shop for cars when you need one.' I learned the wisdom of this over the years. One night when I was free (no GF1 or GF2 on the horizon) I was a little bit bored and went for a walk and discovered Thavorn. Someday I will recount the story of how our relationship blossomed into what it is, but this post is about Jaidan. Thavorn became GF3 and GF1 went her own ways and GF2 discovered GF3 and after a big argument we said our goodbyes.

I am not a big believer in fate (Thais are!) but both Thavorn and I are year of the Tiger and my birthday is September 23 and hers is September 24 (we celebrate both at midnight). Thavorn spoke no English when I met her which is usually a show stopper for me, but for some reason we clicked. We have been together now for 3.5 years and have seldom stopped laughing. Her English is now quite good as she is smart and a quick learn.

Thavorn was 27 when we met, so according to Old Man Dan, I was also 27, but was chronologically 63. That did not seem to make much of a difference to either of us and is probably why 9 months later Thavorn told me she thought she was pregnant. So off to Cabbages and Condoms (a local restaurant and Abortion Clinic we went). We had an ultrasound done and sure enough, there was that little speck that would become Jaidan. We weren't quite sure what to do. Thavorn already had 3 children (yet another story for another day) and WTF, I was now 64!  We played 'Up to you' for about a week and then I pushed Thavorn to make a decision and she asked me a poignant (WOTD) question, 'Jimmy, if I keep the baby, will you stay with me?'. I answered, of course, and 9 months later we were rewarded with baby Jaidan. I was not sure what my best expat friend would think so a couple of days later we went for a beer and I explained the situation, and was expecting a, 'You dumb fuck ...!', but what I got was, 'You are so blessed, babies are God's gift to mankind.' Go figure.

 We laughed through the 9 months of pregnancy, at least I did as Thavorn chucked her breakfast every morning (cursing the farang baby inside her) and started to walk like an old lady with a cane, or the rolling preggie walk that I often imitated which really pissed her off. The local folks on our soi were intrigued and we often had to answer to, 'When baby come?', or 'You know, boy or girl?' We never did get to know the sex until Jaidan made his appearance on July 31st in the hi-so hospital with a private 5 star room, that I insisted upon. Thavorn thought it was a waste of money. She gave birth to her 3rd child, after a 45 minute ride on the back of a 125 cc motorbike, while in labor the whole trip. Thai women take child birth without breaking stride!

Jaidan is simply a delight. He was born during the year of the horse and never walks, but runs, but more like a gallop, everywhere. No doubt he will be ADDH like Jordan especially as Thavorn and I are both 'thumpers' and hyperactive. I can hardly wait until he comes home one day and asks me, 'Poppa, why are you so old?' He is a gift from God and makes me smile all day long. I only hope I live another 19 years and see him reach 21 years of age. If I do, I will die a happy man.

I now understand the attraction of grand kids. The difference being I supplied my own. Would I recommend this approach to everyone? Hardly likely, but as momma always used to say, 'Jimmy you are just like Walter Mitty  .. always dreaming!'

As for Jaidan, this poem comes to mind.

On the Road There Stands a Tree, I say to my mother,
listen ... Don't try to stop me ... In a moment, Mama,
I'm going to become a bird. (LLAP)

That is my Jaidan, just like his Poppa :-)

TTYL

Windows 10

Today's song is: Sunshine of Your Love  .. Cream 2005

I have lots of time for reflection in Ottawa as I have yet to start work with my business partner. Lately, I have been reflecting on Windows 10. I have quite a few laptops because of my work. I usually retire a computer after 2 years and it becomes an archive and test platform. I have 4 laptops/tablets with windows 10 installed. I also have 3 vmWare images with windows 10 installed.

What perplexes me somewhat is that the 4 versions of Windows 10, despite all having different Win 10 installs/upgrades, all have the same windows login and password, and all share information with one another. I can only guess this is done through windows one drive.

For example, my new Alienware laptop has never been to Canada or to my sister's house, but was able to log into her wifi network without prompting me to do so. My previous development laptop has been to my sister's house and has hooked up with her router. What I think is happening is that Microsoft is pushing my setting up to OneDrive and whenever I log into OneDrive, which is whenever I log into one of those 4 laptops, that info is updated.

Now, from one aspect, this is very convenient, but from another aspect, it is scary that Microsoft has all this information about where and when I hook up to networks and stores my passwords. Now Google has been doing this for quite some time with Google sync which stores all my contacts and enables me to move them to a new device at anytime. However, I get asked if I want to sync my contacts. Microsoft is not asking.

I am a big Microsoft fan and I know Apple does the same and has had info stolen from its cloud. It is important that these cloud providers keep this information secure and that users understand the risks associated with their private data being stored in the cloud and no doubt being mined for information by the Cloud provider.

My morning runs are extremely enjoyable as I run along a path beside the Ottawa River Parkway and temperature is in the low 20's so it is ideal for running. I have picked up the pace as it seems easier without the 40 degree heat. The view is fantastic, especially when the sun is out!

TTYL

Back Country Today

Today's song is: Me and Bobby McKee  .. not a song you would expect from Pink

I went for a morning run yesterday and it was quite refreshing so I will go for another one this morning. Tat is, after my 2 morning coffees. I also video chat twice a day with Thavorn and Jaidan. Jaidan has been asking where Poppa a couple of times a day. Pulls at my heart strings, but I know he is happy in the village with so many children to play with.

Today, my sister Elaine, Jaime, and I will head over to Quebec to have dinner and some drinks at my sister's cabin in the woods. Cabin is a bit of a misnomer as the log house is quite beautiful and is equipped with the best of everything. My sister Ann always puts on a great dinner. I hope my son Jordan is able to attend as well, if he is not too busy :-)

Life in Ottawa is quite laid back. Here, I am a retiree and lead the life of a usual retiree (boring at times) whereas in Thailand, I am an expat and that has some connotations that evoke images of exploration and excitement, something out of the ordinary, which indeed, life in Thailand is.

I find myself without much to write or comment about. Not much has changed since I last visited Canada except we have a liberal government with a young flamboyant prime minister who has yet to implement anything of great change, but perhaps that is what defines Canada. What you see is what you get.

I have yet to stop into Tim Hortons which is the mainstay of meeting spots in Canada. If I visit the closest one to my sister's house, it will feature a multicultural staff and a multicultural clientele, because of the area of town. If I visit a Timmy's in older Nepean, it will feature a more traditional (read white) clientele and staff, with a bunch of retirees (read old farts) sitting around discussing politics and whatever. Not a group I wish to join as I would find it deadly boring as they discuss how rough it was in Florida this year with the Canadian dollar being so low.  I would simply say, 'Get out of your comfort zone!'.

The US is often described as a melting pot of society where immigrants arrived and embraced the American dream. I think that has changed. Canada, in contrast was described as a country where you could embrace your heritage and at the same time become a Canadian. I fear, the future for both countries is the development of silos and special interest groups defined by their ethnicity. The old say, 'Like likes like' is driving this.

In Bangkok, what I enjoy most in the expat community is its diversity. I meet people form all over the world for whom the only thing in common is an adventuresome spirit and thirst for different and exciting experiences. Florida for 10 winters in a row, would just not do it for me :-) I don't think I am weird and in olden times I would have been an explorer or trader with a desire to see what is over the next hill.

On my flight to Canada I watched Robert De Nero in Dirty Grandpa, a  very funny movie with a message similar to what I express above. The critics hated the movie, must be why I liked it.

TTYL

Ottawa :-)

Today's song is: I've Been Everywhere Man  .. Stompin Tom

I arrived in Ottawa last night on time at 9:30 pm and got waylaid by customs, not sure why and my one bag got checked and I had a great discussion with the customs agent who was from Hong Kong and is now in Canada. He wanted to know if things had changed much in S.E. Asia since he he was there. We agreed, not too much had changed.  Nice guy and a great example of how multicultural Canada is.

The weather is cooler, in the low 20's which is actually quite nice coming from 40 something. It was hot in Ottawa (33 degrees or 39 with the humidex) last week. I guess I would have felt right at home. I will have to jump on my sister's treadmill as I probably consumed too many calories during my trip back, not to mention the 3 glasses of wine last night.

I just got back from Bayshore where I went to get a data plan from WIND, the the person at the counter looked my phone up and said it would not work with WIND but I checked just now and it would have but I ended up just getting a voice and txt plan from Fido for $25 CDN which can sit in my second sim slot whereas the WIND sim would have had to be swapped out with my Thai sim which is a pain in the ass.  I can always use wifi for my data needs when in Canada. In Thailand my phone's data plan is also my work laptops data access as well, so my needs are different.

The Fido guy asked me lots of questions about visiting Thailand but decided he could not afford the $1200-1800 for the air ticket. He was comparing it to flying to Cuba for $500.

TTYL

Mice and Men

Today's song is: Honky Tonk Women .. Mick and Sheryl

The best laid plans of mice and men ... sometimes go astray. I sent in my $200 a night hotel room at the Hong Kong airport, sipping green tea, which I never drink, but I hear soothes the nerves and calms oneself.

I flew from Bangkok to Hong Kong, arriving at 9:30 pm and I went to the transfer desk looking for United Air so I could get my boarding pass to stay inside the international area and look for a quiet cosy place to curl up for 7 hours and catch some sleep until I had to check in at 7 am for my flight to Tokyo. However, one problem, the United air transfer desk was closed with a sign stating they would reopen at 7 am. Bummer, bummer, bummer.

I sat down and pondered what to do. This area of the airport was not a place for a conducive nod off for 7 hours. I decided that I would have to exit, go through immigration and find a hotel. I figured by the time I did all that, caught a taxi to the hotel airports, etc., I would be really grouchy so I just logged into Expedia and booked a room at the only hotel attached to the airport which of course is pricey but convenient, so what the hell, here I am sipping green tea justifying my poor plan.

Luckily I bought a cheap meal on the plane as the room service for a club sandwich is $30. Maybe the green tea will stop my stomach rumbling.

There is one bright side to all this. Tomorrow, I will be showered and refreshed for my flight to Tokyo and then Chicago, and then Ottawa.

Time to catch some shuteye. Let's see, 8 hours at $200 is $25 per hour. That's a lot of fun in Bangkok :-)

Update: June 1st morning (if you are East of the international dateline).

I am waiting to board my ANA flight to Tokyo. Uneventful morning, breakfast at McD's, and check in were uneventful other than United sending me off to ANA because my flight is a Star Alliance code share and they farmed me off to ANA which is better service anyways.  Sixty minutes until boarding.  I think it will be a long day.

TTYL

Bangkok :-)

Today's song is: The Road to Dublin - High Kings

The bus trip from the village to Bangkok was uneventful except for the Thai lady who snuggled up to me and ended up falling asleep first leaning against me then sprawling across my lap. Hey, this is Thailand :-)

I arrived in Bangkok at 1:30 pm and caught a taxi to Soi 20 where my hotel, the Golden Tulip is located. Check in was uneventful and I was impressed with the size, decor, and cleanliness of my $50 a night hotel that I would classify as 4 star. Highly recommended if you are planning on visiting Bangkok and want to be located right in the middle of where all the action is in Bangkok.

Last night I visited many of my favorite bars; Country Road (Pool), Dollhouse (pretty Ladies), and Crazy House (crazy pretty ladies).  An old friend Jimmy was at Country Road and was sad because his dog of many, many years, who went everywhere with him passed away. The dog was really cute and very well behaved. I asked Jimmy if he planned to replace the dog and Jimmy said he would not because he is fairly old and would probably die before the new dog.  Jimmy is quite the character, must be in his late 70's and is of mixed ethnicity, speaks about 4 languages and is quite a good pool player.

Today I woke up feeling a wee bit hungover but 2 coffees later I am feeling better. I have some business to attend to and then I met King John and Arthur for wings and beer and then the 3 kings will head out for a night of bar hopping in Bangkok.  I won't over indulge (famous lat words) because I have a 24 hour trip back to Ottawa starting tomorrow with an overnight stay in Hong Kong with a 6 am flight out the next morning.

Probably my next post will be from Ottawa.

TTYL

Last Day in the Village

Today's song is: Homeward Bound .. S & G

Well, I made it, 29 days without wimping out. After my morning run, high on endorphins, I was trying to come up with something I will miss in the village. I thought of one thing, farm fresh eggs. I eat 3 soft boiled eggs every morning for my breakfast. I certainly won't miss the critters and bugs, especially the mosquitoes that have come out in earnest after the rains came.  I should have brought some spray (deet). Even the natives are sleeping under mosquito nets now.

I will pack today. I will package up my 34 inch curved Samsung monitor and stash it away someplace safe out of the dust. Speaking of dust, I decided to clean the air filters on my air-con. I usually do this once a month in Bangkok. Here in the village they were coated thickly with dust and they will have to be cleaned every 2 weeks. There are 2 reasons why Thavorn's family will have problems using the air-con when Thavorn, Jaidan, and I are in Bangkok. Number 1 is remembering to do the maintenance every 2 weeks and number 2 is paying for the electricity it uses (I anticipate 3,000 baht a month for 24/7 use). A third reason is not messing with the remote settings. They have a knack of messing up the refrigerator settings (which are really simple, but in English) and then complaining why their drinks are not cold. I shudder to think how they will mess up the air-con settings which are also in English.

Thavorn went to a 'meet the teacher' morning at her kids' school and the big theme this year is individualized learning combined with more movement and phys'ed in the afternoon. I must think, in their old system that the students must have been nodding off in the pm in non air-conditioned classrooms, especially given the Thai propensity for nodding off at all times of the day.

I showed Thavorn some videos of the Ottawa Catholic School board classrooms and she was astonished at the difference between Thai schools and farang schools. She is starting to understand why Thais not go moon.

Tomorrow morning I will take my backpack with 2 laptops and my gym bag with shoes, clothing, and toiletries and jump on the motorbike with Thavorn and Jaidan to head into Wichian Buri to catch the bus to Bangkok. The next time you hear from me will be from Bangkok.

TTYL