I had thought that I would stay away from the subject of the floods in Thailand, but things have grown progressively worse in Bangkok. Flood waters are all over the place, with the major universities (Thammasat and Kasetsart) being nearly waist-deep in places. And yesterday, it was reported that flood waters are perilously close to Bangkok's main international airport (the domestic airport is already under water). The government has been ordering foodstuff in from abroad, but there seem to be irregularities in the distribution thereof. If you want more up-to-date flood information, take a look at http://www.bangkokpost.com./
I also have a Powerpoint presentation I would like to share, but I am not sure how to attach it to a blog entry. Therefore, please reply to this entry with your EMail address if you're interested, so I can send it directly to you.
Take care y'all, and let's pray for a cessation of the flooding.
B
Friday, November 4, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Flooding in Thailand
As any of you who know me are aware, I have an interest in anything and everything to do with my favorite country in the world (outside of the US & Canada, that is), being Thailand. This comes from the 2 years I spent there from 1969 to 1971. I speak Thai quite fluently, and can read/write the language after a fashion. Thailand is the greatest country in the world to visit - BUT not at this moment. If you've been following world news, you may have heard about severe flooding that has lasted for over 2 months now, covering over 40 out of 70 provinces. You should look at the link below, to see the devastation for yourself.
http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/10/worst-flooding-in-decades-swamps-thailand/100168/
I know this is the time of the rainy season in Thailand, but this is taking it to an extreme. Is it possible that Al Gore, with all his talking about Global Warming, just might be correct?
I must mention that one of the worst hit areas is Ayuthaya province (around 50 miles north of Bangkok), and this caused me to phone one of the daughters of a special family (plus her husband) whom I have known for over 40 years to find out more. They live in Sena (see the first of the pictures in the above link), and told me that they are OK. However, they have to remain on the second story of their 2-story house, and cannot get out to go to work. Streets can only be navigated by boat, and if you don't own a boat, you're out of luck in terms of trying to buy perishable goods (if you're lucky enough to find a place that is open). To make things worse, the rising waters in their area are inhabited by crocodiles and various and sundry snakes! I wish there was something I could do for them (and the folks who live in single-story houses/shacks, who are homeless for the time being), but from a distance, that is out of my control. All I can do is pray for them, and hope that the water will recede soon!
And by the way, the above-mentioned special family will be the subject of a future blog posting.
Take care of yourselves, and let's be glad we do not have to go through what folks in Thailand are going through.
B
http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/10/worst-flooding-in-decades-swamps-thailand/100168/
I know this is the time of the rainy season in Thailand, but this is taking it to an extreme. Is it possible that Al Gore, with all his talking about Global Warming, just might be correct?
I must mention that one of the worst hit areas is Ayuthaya province (around 50 miles north of Bangkok), and this caused me to phone one of the daughters of a special family (plus her husband) whom I have known for over 40 years to find out more. They live in Sena (see the first of the pictures in the above link), and told me that they are OK. However, they have to remain on the second story of their 2-story house, and cannot get out to go to work. Streets can only be navigated by boat, and if you don't own a boat, you're out of luck in terms of trying to buy perishable goods (if you're lucky enough to find a place that is open). To make things worse, the rising waters in their area are inhabited by crocodiles and various and sundry snakes! I wish there was something I could do for them (and the folks who live in single-story houses/shacks, who are homeless for the time being), but from a distance, that is out of my control. All I can do is pray for them, and hope that the water will recede soon!
And by the way, the above-mentioned special family will be the subject of a future blog posting.
Take care of yourselves, and let's be glad we do not have to go through what folks in Thailand are going through.
B
Monday, October 10, 2011
Pickleball
I had mentioned in my initial posting about one of my favorite activities. Now, you might say, "What the heck is Pickleball"? Well, I'm so glad you asked!!
Pickleball is an indoor or outdoor game played on a Badminton court, a net the height of a tennis net, paddles made of composite or graphite, and a softball-sized whiffle ball! It was invented in the late 1960's by a man in Washington state as a game for his family to play, and the name came from his dog (who was named Pickle). It did not gain popularity until the mid-2000's, and is probably the fastest growing sport in the US. It's very popular among older folks, but more and more youngsters are getting into the game. The most courts exist in Florida, Arizona, and Michigan, with a lot of other states (and Canadian provinces) joining the fray.
Da Boss started me in on the sport about 4 years ago, and I've been hooked ever since. If you want to see more about the sport, go to http://www.usapa.org/, where you'll find all about the rules (yes, there are some), and links to videos that will show you more about the game.
Oh darn, time to get back to that 4-letter W-word (work) which I still get paid to do, so That's All For Now Folks..........
Pickleball is an indoor or outdoor game played on a Badminton court, a net the height of a tennis net, paddles made of composite or graphite, and a softball-sized whiffle ball! It was invented in the late 1960's by a man in Washington state as a game for his family to play, and the name came from his dog (who was named Pickle). It did not gain popularity until the mid-2000's, and is probably the fastest growing sport in the US. It's very popular among older folks, but more and more youngsters are getting into the game. The most courts exist in Florida, Arizona, and Michigan, with a lot of other states (and Canadian provinces) joining the fray.
Da Boss started me in on the sport about 4 years ago, and I've been hooked ever since. If you want to see more about the sport, go to http://www.usapa.org/, where you'll find all about the rules (yes, there are some), and links to videos that will show you more about the game.
Oh darn, time to get back to that 4-letter W-word (work) which I still get paid to do, so That's All For Now Folks..........
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Introduction to B
You may all be wondering - who (or what) B is. I am inspired to try a blog by the talents of a fellow blogger across the pond.
I am a well-travelled data processing professional, born in England, raised in Canada (Edmonton, Alberta), spending time in Thailand with CUSO (Canadian version of the Peace Corps) from the week before Neil Armstrong landed on the moon, until 3 months after Joe Frazier whupped Muhammad Ali in their first fight, spending 1 year in Saudi Arabia before Desert Storm, and moving to the US of A in 1987. And, I have lived in four states here - Texas, Kentucky (I am, by the way, a certified Kentucky Colonel, right up there with Col. Sanders, and Winston Churchill), Illinois, and (for the past 17 years) Troy Michigan.
I have a Thai boss (oops, wife), who has put up with me for 40 years. My hobbies are classical music, anything to do with Thailand (especially thai instruments, food, and Buddhism), philately (Thai stamps of course), bridge, and the game of Pickleball (which will be a topic for a future blog entry).
Hopefully, some folks out there will actually correspond with me, and if there's more you would like to know about me, please let me know.
I wish y'all a great day, and especially the inspiration for my blog (Mouse).
B
I am a well-travelled data processing professional, born in England, raised in Canada (Edmonton, Alberta), spending time in Thailand with CUSO (Canadian version of the Peace Corps) from the week before Neil Armstrong landed on the moon, until 3 months after Joe Frazier whupped Muhammad Ali in their first fight, spending 1 year in Saudi Arabia before Desert Storm, and moving to the US of A in 1987. And, I have lived in four states here - Texas, Kentucky (I am, by the way, a certified Kentucky Colonel, right up there with Col. Sanders, and Winston Churchill), Illinois, and (for the past 17 years) Troy Michigan.
I have a Thai boss (oops, wife), who has put up with me for 40 years. My hobbies are classical music, anything to do with Thailand (especially thai instruments, food, and Buddhism), philately (Thai stamps of course), bridge, and the game of Pickleball (which will be a topic for a future blog entry).
Hopefully, some folks out there will actually correspond with me, and if there's more you would like to know about me, please let me know.
I wish y'all a great day, and especially the inspiration for my blog (Mouse).
B
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