Porthole

46st week of Year 179. Hopping along.

5.กุมภาพันธ์.2566

To Mighty: "I budgeted 20,000 baht for me and Ponnya for January. We both ran out. 24,000 for February... we'll see. I gave him 6,000 on the 1st... because he seems to not budget well. Me? I'm not keeping track like I should, but $1 for a hand of 16 bananas yestereve. I'll eat my lunch from 7-11 soon (it's noon here). Rice and pork for $1.

This makes it sound like everything's cheap. It's not. Hot pot costs about $25 for 2. That may not sound like much but almost 800 baht on one meal busts my budget. We can eat fish with greens for 250.

Cooking at home is a dilemma at the moment. We need a rice cooker. We only have a microwave at the moment. I want an electric fry pan... haven't seen any here yet.

Ponnya works. I write and have classes in Thai. It's doable. My money comes from social security (which means it's predictable and I can count on it).

Each family is different. Yes, convenience is nice (night markets are very close in all directions and 7-11 is at the corner... and everywhere!). Street food is cheap and good, but mostly I like getting out and seeing people and interacting with them. BUT, we'd eat better by cooking our own food, especially greens).

Oh, how I remember those Days of Peas and Pasta! (1990... I was saving to buy a house)"

On a dreary damp day... where do my dreams go...

I'm in rural Thailand years from now, old, but more spry than I am today. I'm going to town on my sam-lor (tricycle) picking up an old lady (probably younger than me) and a young girl on my way.

Going back someone young asks me a question and I see myself answering (like on a video) with tears in my eyes. I think of other places, spaces, the rat races I no longer know nothing about.

Only me, no longer lonely in New York, alone in an alien world that somehow has become a part of me. Nostalgia finds me even here and wraps its once-warm arms around me. I look into that empty chasm of myself, once full of life, then look away. The green trees, the steamy heat, the shadows shortening in the morning grace between showers, remind me that I fled from abandoned dreams. These moments, fleeting as they may be, are my reality.

Even seen through tears, it is enough. Edited in "Dream on a damp dreary day " 

Didn't accomplish much but visited Gay, bought food (an almost daily occurrence), looked at electric fry pans and rice cookers. Damp day but clothes dried a little.

I wrote "Die Lorelei 🇩🇪 [ASR]"  and "Trump. The Insurrection. The Pope. Sexxx. Share#2 P15 [GC]" 

4.กุมภาพันธ์.2566

Quite cloudy; AirQuality not as bad as yesterday. I can see the mountains.

I've had a quiet day. I cleaned up most of the mess I made yesterday. I should eat (something other that a donut), shower, and take a walk.

I have caught up on some WDC contests. Others await.

Ponnya is safely at work in Khon Kaen.

I ate papaya, banana, and leftover soup with rice. I made my coffee with boiled tap water. If I don't get sick then that will cut back the need for bottled water unless I want it ice cold.

To Stik: "I looked at the cars... before my time! But then... I'm a 50s child and most cars only lasted 5 years back then so these were already in the junk yard. Texaco? I remember Esso and Mobil.

Can we? Should we? I wonder whether anyone was thinking about avian flu... there obviously were chicken diseases around. But... the mechanization and marketing of the chicken industry brought cheap chicken into the new suburbs of America. In retrospect, was it worth it?

We have chickens in this neighborhood smack in the center of Udon Thani. Eggs are also cheap and chicken plentiful; although, the grilled chicken one can buy on the trains around Khon Kaen resemble the scrawny chickens of a by-gone era.

And what's with the white meat! I prefer dark meat myself. Many Americans seem to be obsessed with white meat, just like some Thais are obsessed with light skin. Is it marketing or a cultural, and maybe subliminal, message that light/white = pure and better (like Ivory soap)?"

To Jeff: "In watching Thai TV series I do notice whether there's a lesson to be learned. Acting, camera-work, setting, story... all important; but, watching 'reaction' videos reminds me how so much is 'not seen' or just ignored by foreigners and so much taken for granted by natives. Sometimes the comments provide context."

3.กุมภาพันธ์.2566

Hard to get Ponnya up this morning. He packed in a rush and I believe he forgot some things; but, there's nothing I can do and little I can say.

The last two days have wrung me out.

I even spilled lots of water on the floor and tried to sop it up with towels. Didn't work too well. Then I couldn't find my key card which is essential for getting in and out of the condo. I was 20 minutes late for my language session. I also wasn't properly prepared.

But Ponnya is gone for one week. That means I can focus on studying and writing. I'll be bored and missing him of course.

Tonight I can drown my sorrows in salmon lasagna, papaya or donuts. One donut down...

2.กุมภาพันธ์.2566

Groundhog Day

14:46 ... very noisy, even with the windows shut. Construction? Destruction?

I put labels on the window/door/refrigerator to help me learn Thai. I constantly read labels so I hope this works.

Buddha smiles at Mrs. Weasley on Imbolc

Why do you fly with Jesus;
he left his license with God,
who then issued another
to His Prophet Muhammad.

While folks still fly with Jesus;
they fly with Muhammad too,
God just shrugs at humans — then
sends more powder down the flue.

© Copyright 2023 Kåre Enga [179.127] (18.januar.2023)

7777 7777 xaxa xbxb

Written today: "Ue o Muite Arukō l🇯🇵l [13+]" 

Be Romantic

1.กุมภาพันธ์.2566

To Linda Evans: "Fear is a tool of the ignorant and lazy to not have to learn anything. That fear is then manipulated by others to control them for whatever nefarious means pleases the controllers. Think money. Think power. Think... the pure pleasure to watch others suffer."

Ponnya's schedule just got more complicated. I want to go 'home' with him but my class and visa renewal may conflict with that.

I am trying to explain to him how overwhelmed I am.

He won't speak, eat, only drink. I want to know what's wrong. I want him to call his mother.

I was hoping to be one of the top 3, but I wasn't.

Written for Soundtracks: "Time after Time 🇺🇸 [13+] " 

31.มกราคม.2566

Quite upset last night. I tried to explain to Ponnya that I don't like surprises.

Today: must learn Thai. I'm not quite sure what to expect but since it's private lessons I'm sure we can come up with an I.E.P. I want to reach A2 level. Not sure that that's possible in one month.

I'm already doing some things right. 1. Coming to Thailand.

I met with Miew. We had a blast. I have some things I need to study by next time... this Friday. We'll tackle whatever... Mentoring should be easier for me than a traditional classroom.

Ponnya's schedule: leave noon on the 3rd to Khon Kaen; return noon on the 10th. Could I take a day trip while he's gone?

STATIC

Dear Me "Miles and miles of naught"  (13+) Yearly introspection for 2566 aka 2023 aka 179-180. #2289546 by Kåre Enga in Montana

30.มกราคม.2566

Well Udon didn't properly guard the 10 baht coins and we now have clean clothes hung in the balcony drying. I guess my news could be wurst.

It's 08:36 and Ponnya is sleeping. I will wake him up at 9. He's not well.

Oh... he stirs...

False alarm.

 

 

With Ponnya safely at work I'm watching clothes dry. It's a calming activity. Moving dry items and repositioning damp ones. Dry shirts are already in the closet. Soon it will be time to fold.

It's a pleasant 77 degrees at 13:13. Last night was a cool 50. tonight will be cool as well. The heat returns this coming weekend.

To fathertymme: "In Montana everything is included. No shoveling. No repairing. Here I'm not sure; but, living in a condo has its own freedoms and responsibilities.

No snow in Udon Thani but it can dip below 50. 90 is in the forecast for the weekend. It's a pleasant afternoon with a gentle breeze. I'm watching the wash dry.

I'm trying to trust. I've been alone too many years. Sharing this place is an opportunity to learn. And it's easier for me to be "me" here. Thailand is much more tolerant than North America.

10 is oft times a golden age. Engagement with the world without an attitude."

The prompt was 'optimistic'. "Either way [179.141] 40w Jan #20" 

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