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 |   A terminal for all blogs coming in or going out. A view into my life. |
Started July 1st 2019 for contests, etc. as other blogs are filling up and have other purposes.  I'm starting a new blog because
I'll be linking to
I've started an appendix (I no longer have one personally) to keep track of my Space Cadet journals for Space Blog. It's a work constantly under construction. Mind the mess.
I needed to start a folder for contests as there are so many deadlines and details to remember.
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| 25.desember The whole can of onion chili, now rice and beans. My appetite is baaaack. Very hard to explain to Americans that many Asians (Taiwanese, Thais) think about others and not just about themselves. (Elycia's post about Japan) To Neva: "I feel holed up. The solution is getting out! But... damp cold and ice after blustery winds and deathly temps... I'll stay in. My building is a ghost-town. Thailand... it's nice there now. Looking forward to daily routines of learning the language and culture. And being able to open doors and windows." 24.desember Still cold. Still white. Still crazy (me or the weather...  ). The concern is real: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/california-tried-to-ban-gay-teachers-in-1978-e... I will pay 4 months of rent before I leave Montana. Lumpini Place: 686 ถ. โพศรี ตำบลหมากแข้ง อำเภอเมืองอุดรธานี อุดรธานี 41000 23.desember Ham dinner. Sat with friends. Was given an extra din-din to take home. Scored a sugar cookie. Light snow showers all day... keeping it white. Cold but calm. Still a chilly 4°F at 4 pm. I did take a shower today, I'll have you know.  I don't always take one if it's cold and I'm not going anywhere. So dry inside that little 'smells'.Dreaming of butterflies and metamorphosis. Reading Mrs Polifax... I'm not sure whether I'm in Hong Kong, Udon, Petchaburi, Narathiwat. Ponnya called.  To Jim: "Ouch... 225# does not sound good. I got worried when I was 200#. Ideally I should be 165#. I'm around 175# having lost weight in Thailand due to heat and no appetite and becoming ill for a week when I returned. My appetite showed up again yesterday. I'll have to be careful until I go back on the 8th. It's nice that you work in a cooperative environment. Not to wax political, but I think Congress would work better if they would leave the knives in the kitchen and learn to be nice to each other in the family room." I told Charity: "You have high hopes (sing it). I will share a not-so-secret. At 70 I often feel like a failure. I'm not, but I blocked myself in so many ways. Now I'm willing to take a risk in Thailand. It's about time." To Stik: ""the unintended consequences of some of their messaging." I'm still livid about 6 years of putting up with Trump's tantrums... but his messaging and marketing have been amazing. Intelligent thoughtful people don't seem to understand that glitz and glitter outsells substance. Packaging matters... .As for cancer. It really helps to have someone who has been there. Empathy matters. "22.desember Cold morning breakfast I ate a can of stew. I did not ask permission first. I ate a can of stew. tra-la—tra-li—cock-a-doodle-do tra-la—tra-lo—cock-a-toodle-too I will not give it back. 'Tis happy where it is, you see. I will not give it back. © Kåre Enga [179.108] (22.desember.2022) Alternatively: 'Tis happy where it is. I will not give it back to you. 'Tis happy where it is. Would this do: tra-la—tra-lo—cook-a-turtle-too -7°F at 2 pm. Yeah... that kind of kold. 21.desember I told Nikola: "It's white with icicles. About 4 degrees and going down to -13 by tomorrow. I may not go out today. I plan to stay home tomorrow. Friday there's a dinner before the three day weekend which is forecast to bring rain. No pets to pet. I wish..." QotD: "Too much trauma, possibly starting with a head injury at age 3. Keith unlocked the poet within me at age 47." To Susan: "The grass is always greener around the cow plop as well. Under the cow plop? That's where most people find themselves." -21c at 6 pm. Going down to -29c. Bitter cold with fierce Hell Gate Winds. Visited my neighbor Scott. Did not go out today. Extremely disturbing: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/8-teenage-girls-who-met-through-social-medi... 20.desember Snowy. Not so cold. Ate my meatloaf but not my friends. It'll get bitter cold starting tomorrow into Thursday. Have my long furry winter coat ready... just in case. I have entered "14 Days, 7 Prompts, 1 Story Contest"  and must remember to finish and post my first chapter ""Sound of one hand clasping" Chapter#1" , found in the folder "Sound of one hand clasping (Folder)" "He said you get old in the winter months. A very good prompt. I don't get out much in winter. It will be bitter-cold here Thursday. I may buy bread tomorrow... or not. I have enough food. I've had dry eyes. I put lotion on my eyelids but my optometrist gave me something special as well." Ponnya wrote: "I count the falling flower petals waiting for the day you come back to me" and sent me a photo of the two roses I gave him before I left. 19.desember Thinking of a nature poem/entry: Ivy binds, holly hurts, mistletoe hangs limp and poisonous. Better a whiff of jasmine, hot brewed coffee, fresh grilled fish. The icons of a wintry childhood melt in the tropics. I'd replace the loneliness with a meaningful hug, a hand clasping mine, guiding me to places I've never been. roll back ashy skin fork white flesh onto a leaf place in my mouth The January 6th Committee concluded its findings with a bang and 4 criminal referrals. Good enough for me. I watched it unfold in-real-time. It was obviously a criminal act then and since. Monday = meal with friends. Snowy walk home. 6534 |
| 18.desember 04:20 and nightmares... I'm not doing well since I came back to Montana 10 years from now two young boys will meet on a frozen playground in Scotland/Siberia/Sapporo and they will introduce themselves as Lionel and Kylian. Today will be on their mind. Will they share dreams of playing for their national team or will their dreams lie elsewhere? Can you write their story? Today, December 18, 2022, Argentina and Messi defeated France and Mbappe for the World Cup. Remember ask to about sepak takraw. 17.desember Went to Butterfly Herbs. Had a cardamom-tangerine milkshake. Saw Lundy, Cathy Mae. Coughed all the way home (I suspect due to the cold air). Now snug in bed and fine. It's 18:48 and I'm bored. 16.desember To Elycia: I guess the question is whether you live in a community where people look after each other or whether you're a self-centered individualist. Americans take pride in their perceived superiority as individualists. Case in point. Cultures vary... so do expectations. These days many people use cafes as their personal work office. Same in hostels. Also... in some cultures folks REALLY don't like being talked to; it's considered rude. I will adjust in Thailand... but... my own attitude gets in the way. If a person is in public they needn't assume a prickly My-Privacy aggressive posture of entitlement. If a person needs privacy... get your own room/office/whatever and spare the rest of us. Among travelers, common in hostels, there's a sense of looking out for each other (as a temporary family). From my perspective the author is overly sensitive. To Mary: I'm going back to Thailand to a future I cannot predict but one I need to practice saying yes to. Lunch: fish. 15.desember Made rice with pork (onion, garlic, peanut-butter, butter, basil).  Cold.I think Ponnya is suffering from separation anxiety.  To Lilli: Conjugate 'sick'. Everyone here is sick, has been sick or will be sick. It's tense. Personally... got to grocery store, bought bread, other stuff. Cold walk probably didn't help my lingering cough. I'm okay, just okay. 14.desember Phil had extra muffins yesterday. Today's breakfast: coffee and a muffin. To Ponnya: หิมะ หิมะ หิมะ โลกเป็นสีขาว เงียบ เงียบ เงียบ โลกนี้ช่างเงียบสงบ จุ๊จุ๊จุ๊ รักคุณ I was very sick when I got back from Thailand. Couldn't get warm, couldn't stay warm. It's taking over one week to feel 'normal'... just don't ask about sleep or whether I'm getting anything done. I am supposed to be downsizing here. Anyone want books? I am returning to Thailand shortly. I feel physically and emotionally better there. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/this-fast-growing-religion-has-ancient-roots-a... 13.desember Thailand return is booked. I did manage to get to God's Waiting Room. Saw friends, ate. Home = nap. 12.desember 5 in the morning — my body aches; I can't sleep; I decide on coffee and toast. At 5 am it's 7 pm in Thailand. Ponnya has been lonely. I've been sick... and lonely too. An article that makes a couple valid points but devalues the human right to choose a faith: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/newsindia/freedom-of-religion-is-not-right-to-con... 6496 |
| 11 ธันวาคม Went to Bernice's Bakery for a cuppa. Got a pastry with it. Nice to sit in the window whilst it was flaking outside. 10 ธันวาคม Got to post office. A bit worried about what might await me. Nothing. Bank statements. Checked local balance (enough to buy next ticket). Fire&Ice (gentle on the fire) milkshake at Butterfly Herbs. Shared my good news. Very cold day. Took bus across bridge to Senior Center where there was a crafts fair. Warmed up. 9 ธันวาคม I went to God's Waiting Room. Sat with Willie and Bill. Chatted with Laxmi and Jamie. Didn't enjoy the meal that much. Nothing tastes good. I may need to write about this topic: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/like-it-or-not-here-s-5-good-things-abou... 8 ธันวาคม I put on an orange shirt so I'd at least know what day it was. Saw Angie... told here about Ponnya. Showed a picture to her, Billie Jo, Jay (he laughed  ), Scott. Scott brought me orange juice, cough medicine, aspirin, bread. My fever peaked at 102.2. Now 100.7 ... still not good; but I can walk short distances. 7 ธันวาคม It may take some time for me to adjust. I just ate cheesy mashed potatoes and poured a cup of coffee. I simply couldn't stay awake earlier and now I can't sleep. I messaged Ponnya: "1°C เวลา 10:10 ฉันหนาว. ฉันต้องการความอบอุ่นของคุณ" It took me awhile to find my winter socks. I'm freezing. And I have a fever: 99.6 as 97.6 is my normal. Sicker than before. Temp now 101. Bad cough. Took aspirin and DayQuill (my neighbor had some). If I were in Udon Ponnya would take care of me. 1 a.m. Still very sick. Can barely walk. Sent message to Ponnya. 6 ธันวาคม It's 05:35 in Missoula; 19:35 in Udon. Where is home? I will retire this for now: Kåre Enga UdonThani 🇹🇭 Carolyn and Rod have lost their elderly cat. 17 years. I hope my new relationship lasts this long. I hope I'm cherished. In the past I've wondered whether I'd be missed. Now 22:53 MST. I told Robert: "I just came back from Thailand. The happiest region, Isan, is agricultural and family oriented. I went to Isan because I thought it would remind me of Kansas. I wasn't prepared for happiness. Now I just have to let go of my lifelong baggage of lonely grumpiness. Yeah, I met someone. "The Woebot" sounds appropriate." I'm being congratulated. DanDan is Chinese and her husband of 15 years is quite a bit older. She lit up when I told her. I was congratulated at the Senior Center as well. From Jackie: “An áit a bhfuil do chroí is ann a thabharfas do chosa thú - “Your feet will bring you to where your heart is” 5 ธันวาคม Made it to Seattle. Waiting for my final flight. Flight had a bit of drama. The guy in the seat directly behind me was very upset... apparently over being refused a drink... In any case they eventually moved him. The entire crew was involved. |
| 3 ธันวาคม Last day in Thailand. Stayed at Pinto Hostel in Bangkok. Flight was after midnight so I sent 6 postcards, wandered around the old Muslim silk-weaving district, chatted with guests from Moldova/Italy, France, Turkey, Brasil, Myanmar. Enjoyed my day but it was a very long one. The line for check-in for Asiana at BKK was unacceptable. 2 hours? At least they let me use Fast Track for TSA. Boarding was quick. 3 ธันวาคม Got up on time. Got to the train on time as well; train was late. long, very long trip. Safely in Pinto hostel now. 2 ธันวาคม I am planning my trip back. Not easy. 1 ธันวาคม We went to Nong Khai by train. First time Ponnya was on a train. We took tuk-tuk... first time for me. I think Ponnya was fine with the train. I didn't like the tuk-tuk (thought I would slide off the seat). I wrote letter to QPdoll Now I have to find her address! 30 พฤศจิกายน Went to Nong Khai. Saw Eugene. Difficult situation to get home. 29 พฤศจิกายน Quick check-in. Not doing much today but did finish two more postcards. 28 พฤศจิกายน I told Brandiwyn: "Excuses, excuses... I'm still in Thailand trying to cope with the reality that I'm in Thailand. No alligators but "paradise" is seldom without "surprises"." I'm at Rajabhat U. in Udon. Spoke to folks about study/teaching/volunteering... hard to explain what I want. I'm not the typical tourist/expat here for the beach (what beach?) or "party". This will not be easy if I choose to come back and stay. I need a reason to be here... more than just Pon. I can rest and write for 2 years but I want more. 6317 |
| 28 พฤศจิกายน I told Brandiwyn: "Excuses, excuses... I'm still in Thailand trying to cope with the reality that I'm in Thailand. No alligators but "paradise" is seldom without "surprises"." 27 พฤศจิกายน A slow day. I'm fading... I ate... now I need a coffee. It could just be old age. I've been following FIFA. Typical upsets, boring games, thrilling moments. Spoke to my sister. At least the phone works! 26 พฤศจิกายน Beautiful rain last night. Came down in crashing buckets. Cooler today and cool nights next week. Alack... I leave in 10 days. 25 พฤศจิกายน I'm being very careful with my back. Sat with Andre in the smokers gazebo. Cappuccino and blueberry cheesecake at Cup of You. 180 baht. But colse... and have wifi. I need to buy a red rose.  24 พฤศจิกายน I'm on my phone. Can't do what I want to. My back has gone out. Can barely move at times. Bought sim card. Sent 3 postcards. (Elephant stamp) Rained. 23 พฤศจิกายน . Today I figured out how to get to Rajabhat University taking the quiet back road. Silly to be out in the heat of the day; but, I'm nursing a cappucino. Making progress every day. Also checked out the free fitness room and swimming pool. I've never lived in a condo. So... I'll adjust. Slept fine last night but my back is still wonky. My new satchel might help a bit. And not sitting on the couch (it's far too low) might also help. Sight: grey skies and green shrubbery. Sound: muted music, soft conversation, coffee-shop sounds. Touch: Solid metal... I grab onto every railing. Smell: laundry. Taste: coffee (earthy), freshly fried chicken strips (juicy). Rick advised to get out every day. Of course he was right. Pon did a laundry load. Now that I have my own key card we both can plan our day better. 3:33... soon I will go to Koala hoping it's open. Philly cheesesteak at Koala 109 baht. I'm tempted by the butter caramel milkshake for 99 baht but I can wait. Pun will buy me soup for supper. I'm taking it easy after being sick and I don't want to gain weight either. 22 พฤศจิกายน To Stik: "I will use this (entry on "making time") as a springboard for my own entry... but... I may move to Thailand. I have to 'make time' for learning yet another language, understanding the culture, nurturing a new 'relationship' which will take time to process. I'm in a bit of shock. My plans were to travel, take pictures, write a travel-log. Now? Life happens and my schedule, priorities, and situation have been turned upside down. To your point: as a child I never quite learned how to carve out time from my daydreams to actually accomplish something worthy in the eyes of others." Welllllll..... My back is a tad better. Pon massaged it. As Anni Pon noted, it's nice to have someone take care of me. In this case ... *Blush* I'm not complaining, just thankful and not used to the personal attention. It reminds me of all those who have been kind and attentive to me in the past. Oh. so. many. times. Kevin and Bryan immediately come to mind, but I vaguely remember how Jeanne got me through a rough spot. I should make a list... a very long list, starting with my father making milk-toast for me and my sister when we were ill as children; we were always sick for two years.  It's hard to share personal tidbits. Some folks don't want to know. It's TMI. But... my life has always been TMI for some folks. Many don't want to see me or hear me... forget about knowing me. Today's goal: find a satchel with a zipper, preferably waterproof with a long strap. I may have to compromise. Also: SIM card. I can't use my phone until I do. Plus, I really want to find coffee beans as a gift to a friend... and cheap instant for myself! It's a breezy sunny morning. 86 degrees right now. Perhaps not as oppressive as it has been. We may get some rain for a few days. Update: I did find a satchel with a zipper and an adjustable strap ... kinda ... I'll look for a better one. My back cannot handle any weight at all. Very painful to change positions. Bought two ceramic bowls and two ceramic cups for hot foods. Also Nescafe coffee. Big spender: about 186 baht or $5. Spoke to Gay about my situation. Some good news. Weigh 81 kilos. Closer to my goal. Right direction!  21 พฤศจิกายน I escaped to a coffee shop. Still no appetite. I'm trying to catch up. No internet at home. 6270 |
| 20 พฤศจิกายน Sick all day. Pon fed me medicine one capful at a time. 19 พฤศจิกายน Everyone sees a beautiful young man. Tall, very nice body, good skin, dresses nice, classy. I see a young man, half-awake, eyes barely open, mussed up hair. He smiles at me. I'm falling in love. ทุกคนเห็นชายหนุ่มรูปงาม สูง หุ่นดี ผิวดี แต่งตัวดี มีระดับ ฉันเห็นชายหนุ่มครึ่งหลับครึ่งตื่น ลืมตาแทบไม่ขึ้น ผมยุ่งเหยิง เขายิ้มให้ฉัน ฉันตกหลุมรัก. When he puts his leg across me while we sleep, I feel safe. เวลาเขาเอาขามาคร่อมฉันตอนเราหลับ ฉันรู้สึกปลอดภัย 18 พฤศจิกายน I told AL: At my age some things don't matter. My mother lived to 99. My father 82. Me? I'm in Thailand. Maybe I'll move here. Better than just waiting to die! Fear can kill... long before the body dies. I just rented a place in Udon Thani. I did not foresee that. But I didn't foresee many things in my life. This could be a new stage in my life. And, yes, there is more to this story... 17 พฤศจิกายน Today I met Hannah from Pennsylvania (Colorado State) and we talked about expanding our horizons. Found out that Gay lived in Bahrain. And Markus from Germany wasn't feeling well. Neenee wanted me to pet her. I ate chicken and rice with soup. Soon I will go for a walk. My trip is half over... or just beginning. 16 พฤศจิกายน Not all plans work out. 15 พฤศจิกายน Coffee and big slice of German cheesecake. 110 baht. Laap with greens. 80 baht. Making decisions.  14 พฤศจิกายน Sat with Michael from Surinam/Canada. He's wandering around looking for a place to settle... someday. A place with lots of wildlife, cheap, laid-back vibe. His search will continue to Laos, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Malaysia. Singapore is too expensive. Bought cookies. 7-11... bought pepsi, pastel de nata. I had laap (pork, spicy) and som tam (green papaya salad - fine but hard to eat). Didn't do much, but that is what some days are like. Advice from Australian Lay Hoe: take it slow, don't worry. |
| 14 พฤศจิกายน Sat with Michael from Surinam/Canada. He's wandering around looking for a place to settle... someday. A place with lots of wildlife, cheap, laid-back vibe. His search will continue to Laos, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Malaysia. Singapore is too expensive. 13 พฤศจิกายน ຂ້ອຍຢູ່ໜອງຄາຍ ฉันอยู่ที่หนองคาย Very relaxed here. Nong Khai sleeps along the MeKong like a satiated serpent (naga).  Great walk along the promenade. Clouds were perfect. Room is okay even if it only has a fan. Bed is comfortable. Met owner Pao. Nice chat with Eugene. Ate pork satay. 10 = 60 baht. 80 baht in Krungthep. Earlier: easy to catch a van to NK from bus terminal in UD. But... van goes to border first... then town. I got off by Wat Hai Sok. Spoke to German (20) from Frankfort before leaving La Malila hostel. Saw Nico... returning. Adam going home to teach children in Sakon Nakhon. Only had coffee and a piece of bread before leaving... a mistake... nothing free at Mut Mee in NK. 12 พฤศจิกายน Awake before 8 a.m. Now 9:30 and I'm wilted. Sweets and toast for breakfast, my second cup of coffee. I could lie back down... but... Nico (Bruxelles) leaves. Adam (London) arrives. Last day in Udon Thani. Returned to place by Chinese temple. Cute guys only spoke a little English. But Pun remembered me. We agreed to go out to eat. I went back to hostel to shower and change clothes. Hot pot with ปัญญา ปัน ศิลาชัย tonight. 856 baht for the two of us. Pleasant evening. It felt odd to be holding hands but Pun seemed to be fearless and 'proud'. 11 พฤศจิกายน I got to pet นีนี (Neenee). She's very kittenish, gimpy, wears a green Grab jacket.  I'm spending another night or two. It's "only" 87 degrees... but the heat drains me. After Udon Thani I'll go to Nong Khai on the MeKong. I'll look across the river to Laos. A bed is costing me 300 baht ($8.33). I can live with that. I had crab-balls (like takoyaki) and fish yesterday but I'm walking a lot. I'll lose weight. I booked 3 nights in Nong Khai, 13-16. I'm enjoying doing nothing. But... dehydration is a real danger, as is any attempt to cross the streets. My lack of Thai/Lao is quite frustrating. Wish I had a guide. I'm following the News. 21 degrees in Missoula. Prop. 131 was defeated... a big relief for those who believe in a woman's right to her body. I'll need to write about that. Election '22 was frightening but not the disaster it could have been. To Kyle at YCC: "Islam kept much of the learning alive in the West though universities when Europeans were mostly ignorant barbarians. Not all Muslim sects/countries deny women's rights... maybe you are conflating the Wahhabi Saudis with others. In the USA, proponents of Christian Nationalism oft-times deny women's rights. The criminalization of pregnancy and women is a current example. Florida is one of the leaders of denial of human rights." As a solo traveler I don't do the typical groupie tourist route. I choose to cherish small moments. Got my hair cut by a barber (Porn sp?) for the first time since November, 2019  ! She cut it quite short. I ate a philly-steak with thin crispy onion at Koala. Told Pear that it was the best ever (it was). She mentioned that covid had been difficult... closed hostel? This was mentioned at Bees Boy Bar as well. Terry kept paying his employees (no help from government). Coke cost me 35 baht there (20 is street price) but well worth the pleasant chat. His clientele tend to be wealthy Thai women. The ex-pat red-light district "buy me a drink, massage?" is a street away. I chatted with two men, one from Eastern Montana, the other from Danmark. The walking street (Friday and Saturday) night market is overwhelming. May skip tonight. The mall, however, was a pleasant surprise. Ate duck with jade noodles. Found novels of two of the Thai TV series I've watched (Vice Versa and Eclipse). 10 พฤศจิกายน I just told Norma: Fun... ...this may be my last trip alone. I need to be very very careful. I lose things... important things. I don't mind getting lost if I have a map. I've learned only a little Thai/Lao. I don't sit and sip pinha coladas at a resort. I like seeing how locals live and eat what they eat. So that's wonderful.  However, it's getting harder, on my body and my mind, to travel.Today is an orange day. I will go to a couple/three parks, walk through the red light district. Hopefully be amused by "massage"... I'm looking out at trees (lots here... big ones too that remind me of the trees in Guanacaste) but this region is 'dry' and I don't see epiphytes like orchids and bromeliads. Lots of fragrant flowers though. I found Thai donuts (not sweet, more like fried dough) last night; today, I had 2 donuts for breakfast... and too much coffee. Now 1 pm. Time to shower, put on my orange shirt, go out. 9 พฤศจิกายน Green day. Also need to do a wash. Woke up just before dawn. There was a red glow in the room. Sometimes hard to notice what's missing. Fear. Fear is missing. No razor wire on the roofs and fences, no iron bars. Yes, there's security cameras and sure... there are pickpockets. But... there isn't a pervasive fear in the background like in Costa Rica and the United States. People here don't hate each other. I've done the numbers. I should consider staying an extra day here, if only to get my head screwed on tight. I overstayed Krunngthep by two days. I only booked two nights here; but, I like this hostel. Very quiet, close to street market, railway. Bad air though... there's a haze. AQI = 135. Not good.  Breakfast of champions: fish and donuts. Coffee... of course. Decided to stay extra day in Udon Thani at La Melila. Lovely place with lovely people. Calm here... no elections. So... must do wash. Must see the Yellow Duckie, symbol of Udon Thani. 8 พฤศจิกายน Do I give up traveling? Long day on train... over 8 hours on a lumpy seat. Met people from England and France as well as Thailand. Then I left my bag with donuts (186 baht/dozen) and my Samsung tablet on the train... got it back... but... now so tired that I barely got to see the moon. And I have no energy to see loi kratung. It may be time to stop traveling alone or... just quit. 7 พฤศจิกายน |
| 6 พฤศจิกายน 5 พฤศจิกายน Up early but nothing planned yet. 4 พฤศจิกายน To fathertymme: I'm struggling with the change of time zone, the mugginess, my body shutting down. My travel days may be coming to an end unless I can adjust and rationalize doing little or nothing in another country. I'm in Thailand. Got lost... took boat down klong, took MRT, went through SiLom, visited Wat Po, saw Wat Arun, walked, walked, walked. Spoke Spanish, Portuguese, French. Met couple from Boise, Idaho (she's Taiwanese from Taichung), a man from Sydney, Australia, another from Nottingham, England, Dutch, Swiss. In hostel: Argentina (Patagonia), Germany (Dresden), Azerbaijan, Israel. Wrote in journal. Took photos. Old age seeped into my bones, my flesh, my foggy brain. I don't remember welcoming it to enter. 3 พฤศจิกายน Heavy humidity hugs like an old auntie with bad breath that won't let go. Welcome to Krungthep. I took the skytrain for 35฿ (Ban Thap Chang to Phaya Thai. Very easy, smooth, busy but not overly crowded around noon. At Pinto (think a stack of tin bento boxes) I tried to stay vertical. Still adjusting. Relaxed, got coins I was missing: 2฿, 25 and 50 satang. Nice chat with Kris. Wandered out and came across a night market of sorts. Saw kittens, barbershops, assorted food, had pork satay. Pork on skewers: 80 baht for 10 with peanut sauce, cucumber, purple onion and chilies (that I didn't touch). I watched a couple eat to learn how-to. An old woman sat at a nearby table. She fell when she got up... flat on her face. Non-plussed, she got up, motioned that she had a bad leg/knee. I was startled. Crossing streets is challenging. I try to cross in a group hoping others know what they are doing. Traffic fatalities are a major problem in Thailand, one of the worst in the world. Beds are curtained. Place is quiet. Stairs are quirky and steep. Price was very reasonable, about 300฿ per night. Less than $10. Apparently just reopened post covid. Pinto has a 70" screen. I watched a Thai BL series I've seen parts of... I'm used to my 11" chromebook  .I have little energy. Tried to stay up till a reasonable hour to adjust. 2 พฤศจิกายน In Bangkok at Nang Ta Yon hostel. When I get the chance... lost my debit card. Went back to airport and retrieved it. Met Gift (age 37) and we had great chat. After breakfast (chicken basil rice) I dressed up like a teacher (Gift's observation) and took train to airport. No problem. Got to K bank koisk but it wasn't the right one. However, teller made phone call and then went to look when another teller showed up. A man my age from Saskatchewan had also lost a card and we chatted as we waited. Lucky us! Teller found both cards. Celebrated with an ice cream (30฿) at 7-11. Brunch was crab-rice (47฿). At airport spoke to men from Iran, Turkey, MahaSarakham. Stray dogs by Ban Thap Chang station. Fragrant... very much like Costa Rica, everything smells. Thailand seems dirty. But train was spotless. Muggy, but room has a/c set at 21. I took a long nap. Rachel arrived after midnight, so I don't have room to myself. Trying to catch up. Now 3 a.m. and I need to be up by 8 for breakfast. Wrote in journal; catching up. My trip really begins 'tomorrow'. 1 พฤศจิกายน 2565 Arriving ICN-BKK Do you really want to know? Incheon transfer was a nightmare. No problems with my legs. Asiana has 33" legroom. Food on flights? 1. Beef steak was good but difficult for me to eat. 2. Seafood and rice was a delight. 3. Korean rice bowl. I didn't like. On long flight to ICN sat next to Alaskan from VietNam going back to Saigon for a visit. I barely rested. Watched Secrets of Dumbledore and the finale of Downtown Abbey. Entry into Thailand was painless. 31 ตุลาคม 2565 Leaving MSO-SEA-ICN Must be up early, leave at 08:30, flight at 11:20 to Seattle, 1 1/2 hour layover to transfer (A to S). 12 hour flight to ICN (Korea) where it'll be November 1st already. I doubt that I'll have wifi or the time to update this till later, tbh. 6208 |
A word to you who would rape the world, that only care about babies that look like you. I could oblige... if I wanted to. But... do not make my womb a warzone. Weapons are not welcome in this sacred spot. in "Tawny" 1 พฤศจิกายน 2565 Arriving ICN-BKK 31 ตุลาคม 2565 Leaving MSO-SEA-ICN 30 ตุลาคม 2565 Calm but not very bright ______. Morning? Me? It's "Let's Lose Our Lugnuts" type of day. I've managed to mismanage my time so all isn't going quite as well as hoped. That said, if I tackle this and that for the next 12 hours I'll be fine. My first flight leaves tomorrow at 11:20. I need to be prepared to make a mad-dash when I arrive in Bangkok 🇹🇭. My hostel is on the Skyline 10 minutes (two stops) from the BKK (Suvarnabhumi) airport... but flight scheduled to arrive at 22:50 and line shuts down at midnight? But that's when I arrive. For now... breathe, focus, drink coffee. BP at 10:50: 147/83. Finished transcribing entries into my journal. Relieved. I only take the new notebook with me. Saw Jay, John, Alishka. I know there's a someone/somewhere out there. But packing is next. BP: 161/90 pulse 73 at 10:30 after Julian cut my hair (their first haircut!). Good job. Van Wickman down the hall approved of it too. Scott will take me in the morning at 8:30... time to find some copper-fit socks, nose-pads for my glasses, a camera... We'll see. It's on the way to the airport. Even if I waste an hour at a store I'll still be there an hour before my flight. Time to finish packing. My clothes are laid out in proper order. But first... take a shower. 29 ตุลาคม 2565 Cherry pastry, chocolate-hazelnut milkshake. No mail. Saw Charles, Cathy Mae, Lundy. Ballot mailed. There was frost on the bridge this morning, but no deep freeze until after I'm gone. Last farmers market. Said goodbye. Transcibed up to September 4th... felt tired. Crossed the bridge and saw Barbara... my quizzical look received the reply, "it's not purple". She was wearing a navy jacket... she's worn purple for years but couldn't find a replacement. Folks are confused... not just me. BP 116/69 ... I wanted it to come down but that's drastic, plus pulse is up to 85 from 65. Should I be worried? *sigh* No time for drama. Cooking pumpkin... power surge strip died... fortunately I have another. I'm leaving Monday morning? Egg-drop pumpkin cream-of-chicken soup. Visited with Scott and then did my wash. All hung up by 9:30. Half will be dry in the morning. Gonna watch "Big Dragon" ... because I can. 28 ตุลาคม 2565 36 and  this morning. Calmer than the turbulence I feel before my trip. Seat 14A awaits me Monday morning; any bad weather arrives later that day. My place looks trashed but it's mostly empty boxes and picking up. On my list: Pay November and December rent. Reserve first three nights in Krungthep. Resolve camera... couldn't find one yesterday. Of course... pack. It's nice when people are nice.  Last minute hysteria continues... Didna get trip stuff printed out. Still fighting with email. But... sat with Kay and Merry. Merry gave me a bag of goodies-to-go, including new compression socks. Visited with Rosmary (witches hat and srilankan broom). She's been places. Hope to see her when I return. Chatted with Jamie for awhile. Saying good-bye to everyone? Missed some. BP 140/78 pulse 74. This is okay. I may never be 'normal' again. Finishing Episode 12 of "Eclipse". I was satisfied in spite of feeling a tad rushed towards the end and 'something's missing' in Ep. 11. Could've used 14 episodes. Met with Birgit about upcoming election. I'll fill out and post tomorrow. May leave a couple blank. Two very important issues locally are obvious though. Voting yes on Prop. 131 basically criminalizes pregnancy... so NO, and Monica is a decent person... her opponent is questionable. New chromebook = new headaches. Finally have facebook; still fighting to get email... WdC isn't posting the messages sent to them. I don't recommend it for a recovery account. Tyla is helping me find a place in Bangkok. 27 ตุลาคม 2565 There's nothing spooky about a graveyard. Those of us who live here will admit that it's quite boring, and that our days of never ending drama are long past, over and done. Once planted in the soil there's only so much to bitch about; although, that never stops Quentin. He keeps wailing about choking on a kumquat. We suspect the truth to be a bit more... juicy... 3°C | 38°F at 9 in the morning. 32-30/22-18 all week in MahaSarakham. A couple degrees warmer in Bangkok. I should arrive to partially sunny. It's rainy in Bangkok today but drying out in Isaan. Didn't sleep that well. I may be a bit achy from moving boxes yesterday evening. Frustrated trying to access a certain email account that has WdC as a backup... don't know what's gone wrong. BP 137/81 pulse 79. I thought it would be soaring... I bought a new LeNovo chromebook as the one I've used for 3 years has a crack in it. $99 on sale. Bought shoes, similar to Tevas, for $11 at Target on clearance. Bought other stuff for trip. 26 ตุลาคม 2565 "A man called Otto" is a remake of the the Swedish movie "En mann som heter Ove"... so we'll see. Tom Hanks can play the part of an old cranky man; but, we'll see how much they change the story. The Saab/Volvo joke is Chevy/EV and frankly... falls flat. It's been tweaked to entertain American audiences. I'd encourage folks to watch the Swedish one first. Many of the Thai TV shows are remakes of Japanese/Korean/Chinese manga or anime. Something is gained; something is lost. ✋ \ \😒 [ ]> _/\_ Caught up to August 21st in my journal. Only one month left to transcribe. Progress on boxes but didn't finish. I renewed and decided that premium plus is best for me this year. If not... I can downsize next October. Not traveling for two years means that I can occasionally splurge. I'll be posting my trip to Thailand in "On The Write Path" . Please make it a favorite to travel with me. 26 ตุลาคม 2565 Too cold for me to go hunting for photos this morning. 1°C on 26.oktober.2022 at 9:30-ish. Mornings are dark. Not just because the days are shorter or the sun lower in the sky or the increasing cloud cover. I live in the morning (mourning) shadow of a mountain. It takes time for the dawn's yawn to reach me. And until I have my first coffee or three...  .Today is checklist day. 25 ตุลาคม 2565 I made progress in transcribing my blog to my handwritten journal. Up to August 1st. Want to get done before Sunday. 4°C at 11 a.m. It was that temp at 11 last night. Day of the Solar Eclipse. I should've been in Battambang Cambodia like my original plan. I didn't pay proper attention. Soon the eclipse ... and all foreshadowing... lies on the other side... I'll pull the drapes... and shut it out. No one enters here — without my approval. Even the sun. Sat with Billie Jo and Angie before going out. Transfered money to my bank. Pumpkin pie at The Break. Saw Hobie. Saw Scott on the bridge; he moved back yesterday. Card from Lilli. Only 7:30 and I'm very tired. Not much progress with boxes. Decided to basically stack and neaten them up tomorrow, They will be there when I get back. I have three work days to finalize plans. I need to focus. Saturday/Sunday I can finish packing. 24 ตุลาคม 2565 Monday. Got up late. Went to God's Waiting room for chicken fajitas. Sat with friends. Merry gave me N95 masks for the trip. One thing done. I'm so far behind... what ends up getting done gets done. The rest? Anyhoo... drinking coffee. Light and sweet.  Need to send postcard to Terry O'Neal... we helped get a confused lady to the bus stop. It feels good 'to be of some use'. BP 157/89 pulse 69. Took a pill. It's early enough in the evening to not cause trouble. Just ate garlic-hummus on garlic-butter crackers. Not meeting any other vampires tonight.  At this hour the answer is tea or water. What was your question? Plane seats: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/i-was-a-flight-attendant-for-over-10-years... Can't speak Swedish? https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/asian-american-speaks-out-about-racism-in-s... Ace phobia: https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/love-sex/yes-christian-fascisms-anti-lgbtq-h... Atlantic: It’s a dilemma. Journalists can’t stop covering Trump, but we do him a big favor, and the public none, by magnifying his presence, analyzing the tone of his every utterance, depending on his every obscenity for sales and distraction. If Trump runs again, journalists would do better to follow the money that supports him. Report on the party that has come to embody him. Talk with the people who vote for him. Explore the conditions of their lives. Dig into the issues that move them. Trace the lies that beguile them. And when Trump says nothing new, ignore him. Atlantic: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/the-media-are-still-making-the-same-mista... The grifter: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/we-regret-to-inform-you-that-donald-trump... https://img.lalr.co/cms/2021/11/24164255/2021_Global_Law_and_Order_Report.pdf https://www.msn.com/en-us/?ocid=EMMX&cvid=2b800598a47c46f4b627c88bc0d5d119 https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/the-most-lawless-nation-in-the-world/ar-AA1... |
It's time to get real about my upcoming trip. I've been "working on" my to-do list but this week is dedicated to actually checking items off and making decisions. 23 ตุลาคม 2565 Sunday = red. I saw snow when I looked out around midnight. The mountains are cloud-shrouded and the valley is damp and still. 1°C at 9-ish. BP: 135/87 pulse 63 ... right direction (9-ish). Will it stabilize at this level? Not... 175/88 (at 7). Took two bags of garbage/trash to the dumpster. Gleaned some lavender/marigold/fennel and portulaca. Supposed to frost tonight. When I travel I caption pictures and sketch senses (especially smell and touch) and details not captured by photos... like Matthew's gift-of-the-gab in Lisbon last May. It means less fictionalization when writing about it later. Re upcoming lunar eclipse on November 8th: "I will be in Thailand. The 8th is the sky-lantern festival in Chiang Mai (not planning on going) and Loi Khratong (floating candles) nationwide on the 9th. Hopefully the skies are clear. That's possible in November. Someone will get incredible photos. The last lunar eclipse I watched I was in Vienna. The clouds parted enough for me to see a red Moon and a red Mars. The max in Bangkok will be at 17:59 ICT. Total until 18:41." Cooked/Ate mashed potatoes. Baked/Ate buttercup squash. Making headway on finding places to stay in Thailand. Spoke with Birgit. Will meet this week. “The canary is singing,” [Lydia] Strohl concluded. “Listen, before its voice is stilled.” 22 ตุลาคม 2565 Saturday = purple. 2 degrees C and damp. Very dark morning that even coffee might not banish. Not feeling overly well. BP 147/81 pulse 64. That's closer to normal so no clue what's going on although my anxiety is high and the gloom is depressing. Also... one week of last minute stress looms. Sad weepy market today. Got a sticky bun and went to Butterfly Herbs for a Fire&Ice. Still... no energy. All I can do to not and stay vertical. Not a good day overall. 21 ตุลาคม 2565 Friday = blue. 53°F 12°C and gloomy at 9 in the morning. It may not get this 'warm' all week. Rain rolls in today to glisten the tired leaves and encourage them to seek the ground from which they sprung in spring. By Sunday morn they'll turn white as snow and frost and ice will grip the land. It may not get warm again before November. And then... I'll be in Thailand. I'm tired too. I found my lisinopril. Took one. I have 51 pills left. That should get me through my trip. A bit concerned as bp didn't come down today. Saw Jamie at God's Waiting Room. Sat with Bill, Tom (off to Pakistan), Tamara. Received gift of green tea. Jay invited me over for tea; nice chat. I have no energy at moment.  Finished ep. 11 of "Eclipse". Interesting twist I didn't see coming. Lowered window as cold damp weather settles in. Geraniums in bloom. 43 degrees at 7 pm. It may snow by morning. Took nap. Still no energy. 20 ตุลาคม 2565 Thursday = orange. Sunny 38 degrees at 9 in the morning, last nice day. QotD asks me what annoys me: "Anything insincere. Don't ask me how I am if you don't care. Don't ask me about my travels if you don't want an answer. Sincerity matters." I rushed to lunch, rushed back and up those stairs. BP: 202/102 At least, Angie showed up (she had shopping to do for Billie Jo).![Merit Badge in Shadows and Light
[Click For More Info]
Hi K,
Congratulations! You won 3rd Place in [Link To Item #shadows] with your fantastic poem, [Link To Item #2123114] .
Rachel](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/group-Shadows_and_Light-1936078_14.gif) Shadows and Light 3rd Place for
"our low social tolerance, high economic anxiety era" GenX? BP: 170/91. Still xtremely high. 19 ตุลาคม 2565 Wednesday evening = grey. Deathly quiet at times around here. Took me a couple hours to get through one large box. Found writings, article by my friend Joyce who died in 2020. Threw out most of it. Just one box... Told Stik: "I'm triggered by loud noises (especially behind me), seeing a note/mail slid under my door (have a postal box for a reason), certain types of nosiness. But I tend not to be triggered when I travel (hardly any nightmares). Words? "Merry/Happy anything-I-don't-celebrate" comes to mind. I did smile about your car. My first car was a Pontaic. I remember doing 80 down a dirt country road in Kansas. " 19 ตุลาคม 2565 Wednesday morning = green. 34 and chill at 07:50. Don't see any frost. Woke up sneezing. My morning ramble that doesn't quite make sense: "Many older people here are wealthy or land-wealthy, cash-poor. The lack of concern about others less fortunate is astounding. My only income is SS so I'm at risk but okay for now. Deep poverty is also widespread. Many older homeless folks; many younger ones either wealthy or desperate. The lack of communication between generations and the chasm between wealth and poverty is beyond disturbing." Bought batteries and persimmon. Bread, orange juice, milk. Turkey bacon pesto sandwich at God's Waiting Room was very good. Sat with Bill, Willie, Dalton, Bob. To Cubby re poem: "I do like this. My mother lived to be 99 (1922-2022) but she was 'absent' for about three years when I was a teenager. By absent I mean... she was there and not there. And my grandmother was far-away in Florida, and my mother pushed family, friends and neighbors away. So... I don't have many wonderful memories from that time in my life. Maybe if I rummaged through my mind I could find some." Batteries good = Omron working. However... BP 174/90 is very bad Pulse 57?18 ตุลาคม 2565 Tuesday = pink. Got up late this cold morning. 38 degrees after 9:30. On the newsfeed: I have worked on the positive in my former life. There was hope... and still is. My outlook is more bittersweet (like the French and Portuguese). Perhaps grimdark is so popular because people have given up Steven, and they are trying to work on their anger and fears and writing is used as a catharthis. I think the two genres can be melded. Someone who works for the best in the grimmest reality. Kinda like Pollyanna... but not saccharine. I think hopepunk is closer to reality. We see it all the time when there are natural disasters. Grimdark makes more sense when man's inhumanity is the focus. Nordicnoir (related?) became popular because, in spite of the seemingly idyllic life in places like Scandinavia, there was always the underclass, the underbelly, the real struggles of poverty and illness, the horror stories of the common-class (Why does Dickens come to mind?). Anyway... imho, it's all been done before. The trick is making it fresh from a modern point-of-view. Lunch was okay. I like ravioli but not this type. Got on computer to catch up with transcribing. Checked on cost of haircut: $30. Bangkok would be much cheaper. Cut it myself? Travis won't be back before late December. Phone is charging... now that I found the charger. Power-wash and generator outside my window till midnight was annoying to say the least. 17 ตุลาคม 2565 Monday = yellow in Thailand. October is pronounced: dtoo' laa khohm. (dt means an unaspirated t like in Spanish, kh is aspirated, aa means a long vowel, oo is short, as is oh, dtoo is low tone, laa khohm is middle tone) It was 36F here in Missoula this morning. 74F at 23:00 in Mahasarakham. It will be 70s/30s for the next 4 days here and 80s/60s there. Here it will get cold next week and wet. There: some rain and a tad warmer. I'm packing a mix of light-weight long and short sleeve shirts. Long sleeves protect from the sun. I've finished my first coffee, watered some plants in the hall, will now attend to putting away clothes that have hopefully dried. Lunch at home: grilled green pepper and hotdog on a bun. Later: rice with spice and orange marigold petals. 19:19 and I'm hungry again. Theocracy? https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/doug-mastriano-is-the-most-frightening-fa... Nick's lawsuit: https://helenair.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/lawsuit-blames-helena-lawmaker-... Anti-inclusivity: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/a-high-school-artist-was-chosen-to-paint-a-mur... Sambo: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/racism-never-left-us-schools-%e2%80%94-no... Drag? https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/republicans-aim-to-pass-national-dont-say-gay-... Thailand fireflies https://nakaravillasandglamping.com/our-very-own-syncronus-fireflies/ Jan 6th https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/americans-indifference-about-january-6-is... Extremism: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/perspective-the-shadow-side-of-the-fight-... "Our nation stands at a crossroads. Will we choose to be loyal to our respective political parties or to ourselves? I do hope that we choose the latter; that we realize that the only ones looking out for our best interests are our family, friends and, of course, ourselves." https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/party-loyalty-will-be-our-end/ar-AA13dHkq... 6119 |
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. That's good, right? Or did you just list those checked? 
