Yesterday, I drove into Bangkok...

...and my wife was very proud of me for this feat, and it was a feat! Bangkok has the worst traffic jams in the world (gridlock rules), BUT, it has only one traffic jam per day; it's all day (standard joke here)! Almost true; but it was good because, I hate vans and buses. Van drivers drive mechanical wrecks at 100-110 kph and buses, which wouldn't be allowed on American roads, do the same. Death from traffic related accidents here would end the existence of motorized vehicles in the west(they'd bring back donkey carts and stage coaches). For 6 years I've gambled my life riding public transportation here and I finally said "Enough"! If I die it will be at my own hand, behind the wheel of my own car. It's the first time I actually enjoyed a trip into Bangkok. Once there, we parked our car at a big department store and took taxis every where else; excellent, very good. No more vans and no more buses; now that's freedom.

Valentines Day; a poem from my wife...

...to me.

Love is everything
Music and laughter
Stars, moon and sun
All things that are beautiful
Made into one
Sharing and caring
Endlessly giving
Love in itself
Is the reason for living.

My wife is my world.

The Bailout...

...is the attempt by the incompetent, to explain the incomprehensible, to the incapable. The incapable then believe the incompetent comprehend the unfathomable. In fact, the whole world is being led by idiots whom traverse paths they've never traveled and are too scared and ignorant to include us in the glorious adventure that is once in a life time.

Amphawa is a little known gem...

...not too far south of the floating market at Damnoen Saduak and right on the Meklong (not the Mekong) river. It's an area of many Coconut Plantations and is not touristy in any way. The above picture is of a 400 year old Temple and inside are some fading but still visable wall paintings. I just love the area; it's completely mellowed out. I'll follow up with more info and pictures in an upcoming post. Cheers.

Cabbages & Condoms...

...Strange signs ; what have you seen? Just spotted this along Phetkasem Rd. Go figure, but I will get the story on this.
And here's the story: Started in 1976 in Bangkok; it's a family planning agency and they now have 19 restaurants across Thailand.
There was a large display of various condoms on the wall nicely arranged.
A Thai father came in with his roughly 12 year old daughter and roughly 9 year old son; and after ordering lunch, he took them over to the display. He talked to them about the display. Pleasantly surprised me.
We had lunch there today also and the food is okay. I had a club sandwich/fries (120 baht/3.48 USD) (not too bad) and my wife had Ruby Fish fillet (also 120 baht and not too bad. We also had a big pot of green tea (the real thing not a bag) and it was 20 baht each (1.16 USD). It should be noted; the wife and I normally spend 20 baht for a bowl of noodles (me) and 20 baht for pad khrapao (my wife). So, it was an expensive lunch by Thai standards.

Is Obama the Schmoo in...

...disguise? Is he, like the Al Capp creature (1948), all things to all people? If so, then he is nothing to anybody; he is only something to the corporatists who wouldn't ever be fooled by their own tool. The more things change the more they're the same. So, life goes on, but only for the rich and powerful.
With the first hellfire missile strike in Pakistan; the romance is on hold; with the continuation of rendition; the romance is off, finished, done. Obama's campaign of change (I won't bother with quotes) was a smooth con job known as running for office. His sales pitch was masterful and in the end will likely cause him much grief. The only change is the oratory; after 8 years of a president who constantly mangled his own native tongue; Obamas ability at oration was truly a breath of fresh air. But, that will carry him only so far and for this one (me); I will carry him no farther. If he is a leader, then he truly must lead, and following a parallel path of the previous administration is just not good enough; it's not leading, it's the worst form of plagiarism. The crumbs (platitudes/patronizing) of change just won't cut it. I'm convinced it's already too late to actually get our democracy back; but "he" maybe, possibly, could've made a difference. As it stands we'll get the leavings. Not good enough for me.
For the most part I'm done with posting on other blogs because there is no point in hashing over this view against that view and basically, a total lack of imagination. My real point is, we've arrived at the point where posting on blogs is mistaken for actually doing something. If someone agrees with you it's positively invigorating and if they flame you and denigrate your point of view you retreat a bit or you lose it and flame back. Insults/praise are the same result; only the emotion is changed but even in that it's all the same.
Now, don't get me wrong; posting for the exchange of ideas, debate (honest), conversation, relating experiences and general socializing, no problem; my point remains the same: Posting to blogs is not action, is not in and of itself change. Learning is another possible function of posting/blogging, but, for real change, something else is required...

Dogs...

...in Thailand: As Buddhists, Thais don't want to kill the dogs. Why would they, you may well ask? Well, maybe, because the majority of dogs here are not "owned"; they inhabit, breed, run in packs, are sick, diseased, flea ridden, covered in mange, and just generally run wild.
Which is more inhumane; killing and controlling or allowing the aforementioned situation. With all of that, if one is bitten: Rabies shots are a given, along with anti-biotics. It's really hard to look at the condition of the dogs here, they're a sad lot.