owl sees all

Indeed. Going weak at the knees.

The seagulls are a class act. And they also had a point to prove with that treacherous Potter. I'm sure they will get it right for the week clash with RM.

Give me a woman who likes cats rather than a flash car.

Make you right there bro. Expectations! Yes! Mine are so simple. I want a happy, healthy life. And in with that comes seeing that Mildred gets a great start in life, the cats are fed and the dogs get their exercise. I also have to take care of the farm; and household stuff like the pick-up and washing machine. The wife's are more complex that's for sure. I think half the problem is that she feels she has to live up to other's expectations. Little whispers in her ear. "Why does the wife of the richest man in the village, live in such a small house?" Or; "your pick-up is so noisy." Here lies the problem perhaps. I've one pair of flip-flops (any shoes) and if I see a pair I like, I might buy them, but I can't be bothered to go looking for a new pair. The wife seems to focus in on stuff that she don't need and - TBH - are unnecessary. I ask you; how many pairs of shoes can you wear at the same time? On the upside. Mildred is doing just great, and I've not had salt accidentally spilt in me morning Cup of Rosy for ages.

Owl Log 16-04-2023 - Sunday afternoon. Another week dominated by the weather. Fires all over. Including one that closed the 2022 into Ban Dung. Fortunately no wind to speak of. One of the local oil-palm farms was hit bad. Me and Mildred had a good look at the devastation. This particular fire done an area of about 100 football pitches. Found a pond we didn't know about. Strange shape. Anything falling down there will never get out. Chai's charcoal venture has finished. Be interesting to see the charcoal come out. Perhaps today when we go to farm. Mildred was doing her art stuff, and she noticed Oscar watching her. The 'eyes' have it. Mildred's last two pieces. She has also taken to writing stories. All in Thai, on one of her wwws. She tells me she has over 2000 likes. Should try to get a link to her www site (www.mildredart.com). I'll work on it. Think this girl is firing water. Well; it was Songkran. I've sent away for a set of oil paints for her. She fancies her chances with oil and canvas. Up to mow it's been acrylic and artist paper. A new direction for her. We will see. Also due this week is a whole Edam cheese.. Two water fans - one for us, and one for the MinL - and some packs of cranberries. Picked up the washing machine last week. Not charged as much as I thought I would be; 400 baht. It was OK for two washes;;; then!! Will take it back tomorrow (Monday), for another fix. This time the water will not drain out. Last time it wouldn't stop running out. It's an LG (Life's Good). Had it about 14/15 years. Went out the back to clear up, and saw that the outlet pipe had disintegrated. So I'll need to replace that tomorrow when Ban Dung calls. But there is also the twin-tub. Never been fired up. But my first girlfriend said never trust twin-tubs, so let's get the LG sorted. I would free up some space though. Are the Chinese taking over? On second looks, it could be Sth Korean. B!oody horrid anyway! Even the dogs don't like em. Would you Adam and Eve it? The silver tape holding the lights in place on the pick-up had deteriorated. Had to replace the tape. Much better. Did both sides. The motor-cycle riders tearing around the village are getting younger and younger. Rain yesterday for 30 minutes or so. Nothing much. But it's a start. Footy round-up. Orient need just one more win (from 5 games) to ensure promotion. Looks like Man City are in the Ch Lg semis after 3-0 win against German Champs. Out of kilter Chelsea, have it all to do when the host Real Madrid in the return. And they lose at home yesterday, as do Saints, Everton and Spurs. Owls slip up again. Ipswich relentless. Banks O'Dee put 9 past Thistle. World focus. POTUS Biden returns to his Emerald Isle Roots. ------------ Big power struggle in Sudan. ------------ A 21 year old security captain is arrested for putting the US Top Secret Documents on the internet. ------------ Atiq Ahmed - former Indian politician - was under police escort when he was shot dead in Prayagraj (Allahabad). Ahmed's teenage son was shot dead by police days earlier. ------------ French President Emmanuel Macron signed the controversial reforms into law in the early hours of Saturday morning, after France's Top Court cleared the pathway.. ------------ Kenya puts observation satellite into outer space. ------------ A Kenyan preacher, whose followers starved themselves to death, following his religious teachings has been arrested. ------------ Montana in US, has voted in favour of banning TikTok on all personal devices. ------------ Man in Fulton County Jail in Atlanta is eaten to death by bed bugs. ------------ The Dalai Lama asked a young boy to "suck my tongue". ------------ Sales of 'Bud Light' plummet 90%. ------------ 18,000 cows killed in Texas Dairy farm explosion. Thai musings. 2023 fatalities - throughout the Songkran Celebrations - down 14 (latest count) from 2022. ------------ Police blocked access to the backpacker haven of Khaosan Road last night, as Songkran attracted overwhelming numbers. Most of them foreigners. ------------ Apple makes manufacturing move towards Thailand from China. ------------ Thai soldiers danced to K-pop music in the Siam neighbourhood of Bangkok last weekend. Ridiculed on the www for being 'out-of-step'. ------------ A sexy Thai woman, was fined 5,000 baht after she got her boobies out and danced enthusiastically at a songkham party in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok last week. ------------ A Thai sex-doll collector has spoken out about the dolls being spooky. He has warned his Facebook followers, after he was violently attacked by at least three of them, while fast asleep. He went onto say that collectors of sex-dolls should not buy them just because they smell nice, or have a pretty smile. Must be more disconcerning (careful) he said. ------------ Ants are everywhere. The extreme heat has sent them to the surface in their millions. They bite too. although the bite-discomfort only lasts far a few minutes. Ms Owl has taken to showering up to 5 times a day recently. "Not been hot before; Thailand. Take shower. Stop keep hot." It has been very warm. I told her; "drink plenty of water teerak," "I want to stop hot on outside of body; you farang ting-tong." Ban Dung tomorrow. Can't say I enjoy going there. Finish up wasting money. Always getting things we don't need. Last time spent 300 baht on hair dye. Even Mildred has gone ginger. Broke my rubbish picker-upper last week. Sorted it out with some bamboo strips and a cable-tie or two. Our soi is gonna win some award for being rubbish free when the presentations come round. Only one thing left to say; bye y'all. And take in plenty of fluid like Mrs Owl.

TBH Bannork, I'm not a fan of K-pop. Probably missing out on some special grooves there; but I'll sick with The Shadows and Tommy Steel for my musical excitement. As for TV. Only watch MofTD; if I can get past the BBC barrier. The VPN I use (Opera) s not precise enough to break through. I'd rather go to Nth Korea if I was ever inclined to travel again. I like the way those army ladies all march in step. And that Jim Son Ung made them trim their secret hair in the shape of the country is interesting. He did regular inspections (allegedly). Mysterious country. I'd not go with the wife though.

We got about 2/3mm last night. Not so much, but have to start somewhere. Anything better than - as you rightly say - the driest 6 months in memory. According to the historical data from 1952 to 2021, April should have 10mm of rain. So still a lot more to come; hopefully. And according to 'accuweather', Udon Thani was Thailand's hottest province last week.

In my area, the daily wage has jumped up to 350 baht.

What about cheese? Is that still OK? Difficult to get a nice wedge over here, without paying well over the top.. A pal of mine had his Marmite confiscated at Swampy a few years back.

To quote Wolf; "When people are fearful, they are easy to manipulate, and likely to do as they are told." Just another ruse to bring the populas into line.

Think RM are in for a shock tonight. 1-1.

Yes, yes yes. But are they happy? One day they will look back and regret that they didn't take advantage of their very being. Being human is a one in a trillion occurrence. Best not to abuse that.

They don't use 'handcuffs' anymore for this type of sweep-up. They use reusable cable-ties. My friend's daughter in law, told me when she was arrested for going out during the C-19 lock-down.

I reckon the best thing is to keep a 20 baht note sticking out of the top pocket of ya shirt. This will be the focus of her attention for ages. Eventually she will come close and try to grab it. But you will ready. At this moment, swing her round and gently bite her ear. She will melt in your arms, and all will be well again. Works for my mate every time.

That's very noble of you Gary. Hormone replacement therapy?! Better to cut out sticky rice and fermented dead fish and crab. Isaan had these bamboo huts on the outskirts of the villages for this menopause stuff. Bring them back; I say.

In other words; whatever some men say or do, they are in for it. I am aware that there is a good reason for women often saying bad things to us. Basically it goes back to the old days when we would whack a nice bit if stuff over the head, and drag them off to our cave. Later, when she woke up with a head-ache, she would complain that there was no paracetamol. Would never hear the end of it. Things just the same now.

Could be her age proving to be responsible for the irrational behaviour. But, there is only a small change from when we first got together. Have to face facts. It's me. I'm bad. A no-good farang. The fact that the whole village hates me, is evidence enough. I have tightened the pure-strings of late. And her daughter, Nan, keeps nagging about going to Sth Korea; and has no dosh. A few days ago she found 1500 baht (one draw) of lottery tickets for December last year. Didn't go down well that. Called me all sorts. Until I pointed out that they were bought by her and hidden away. All losers of course. Have to have a talk to Mildred about the weather. If we do not get serious rain by the end of this month, we have to start pumping from one pond to another. I think she will agree to sacrifice pond one. But that has some wonderful big snails in it. Perhaps pond two will have to go. Not critical at the mo. But have to be prepared. Rain where are you?

Very kind words HP. That BinL thread was a cracker alright. Many TV (then) members telling truths about their lives in Thailand. Mrs Owl has a problem; that's for sure. Many problems it seems. The biggest one is me. "What am I doing that you don't like teerak?" "I fed up with you. Take picture all the time. People in village hate you. I am shy people. Want to finish. Sell farm. You must go away from me." Don't want to give the impression that life in the village is purgatory. No. Far from it. I love my life here. And perhaps Mrs Owl knowing that, is part of the problem. Don't want farang Owl to be happy. Especially when he is not coming over with the dosh, that a farang wife expects. Ah yes! Money! No! Barking up the wrong tree there perhaps?. Mrs Owl thinking about money? She's not like that???? Have to face the facts of life; it's all my doing. I'm bad! The enlightened monk she went to see t'other morning, had a profound effect on the wife; for a day or so. No envy. No greed. No material wants. Then it drifted back to normality. Great life here in Thailand.

A village near us has water problems. They have had to re-drill their main water well. If an underwater reservoir dries up, where does the village get its water from? Can see a water-tanker or two flying about soon. We don't realise how precious water is. We just take it for granted. It's not until it's unavailable that people then see just how difficult it is without it on tap, or down the well. Songram is soon with us. Water everywhere then. What a waste?! a

Some areas have had a down-pour. But that is the exception. When I've been going up and down the soi picking up rubbish, I can feel the heat. Only stay shirtless for 30 minutes max. Easy to do now, as it's just a maintenance job. When I first started, about 2 months ago, I'd fill up a sack with rubbish. The other day - when I went into the next soi - twins Nadia and Nadine, and their little friend - were helping. Picking up little bits and popping them into the sack. I went to Guy's shop and got them an ice-cream each. We must know about the DIY project Andy. Spill the beans; why don't you! My DIY stuff has dwindled down to zero.

There is a decent repair place in Ban Dung. Took the machine there yesterday (Sunday). It's on the 2096; just out of town. After reading your post Andy, I think I should have investigated more. Never mind. Done now. Expect a bill of 1000 baht or so.

Owl Log - 09-04-2023 - Sunday afternoon A bit annoyed with myself last week. On the way to Ban Dung with the Mrs on Monday, I overtook a tractor being towed by a pick-up. I wanted to stop for a pic, but Mrs Owl would have none of it. Opportunity for a quirky pic lost. Noi's hubby out of hospital. Although still very sore from falling off the roof, he thought that he would do better looking after himself at the farm. Not yet started the roof repair. Have everything ready; just enthusiasm missing. Mrs Owl don't like the colour. "Not same colour!" Said she. Make her right there. They will go just on the edge, where the others have slipped. Interesting at the farm. Chai is building a really professional charcoal unit. Not at all sure how it all works. Wood at the ready. Next thing; stack the wood. Cover the wood with straw, and make up lots of mud. And then I guess it's just plonk the mud around the stacked wood. I'll have a butchers later today, when we come back from Ban Dung. Bought two plastic units from Big C and swapped them for the worn-out one. Mrs Owl took control of the old one. A bowl for the dogs to get into; if they get a little hot. Mildred showed that it was also useful for her. She was not the only one getting a soaking. Little lad from opposite. It was bl@ddy hot last week. Well over 40C for four days on the trot. There was an emergency at the farm with a fire. It had cut loose and threatened our palms in number three. It was all hands on deck for a while. Good job there was no breeze; or we could have been on o loser. No problem for our farm, but one farmer quite close to us 'lost' 5 rai of oil palms. I'll get along there in a day or so and get a pic or two. Every day Mrs Owl sweeps up the leaves and fallen fruit from the yard. Then it's my job to take it all to the farm and chuck it onto the future rice field. Ten sacks in all. Drag them out into the field. Empty the goodies. A couple of huts were demolished down our village soi. This area is something of a mystery. Don't know what they are gonna get up to next. This extreme heat has finished off my avo. Been looking after it for 18 month. But!! think it's on the way out. No amount of watering seems to help it. At the house, some avoes have kicked the bucket also. Still got a couple though. If the farm one don't perk up, when (if) the rains start, I'll replace it. This is the lowest water level I've seen at pond 8, since it was dug out 14 years ago. This is the only pond that is subject to the water table. No use moaning; but it was over-cast virtually all afternoon yesterday. A thunder rumble or two in the distance. But no wet stuff. Dear me! This is chronic. Washing machine giving problems. When it starts up, the water flows, but it goes straight through. Gonna take it to Ban Dung when we go. Could use the spare; Nan's old one. We will see what transpires. Washing by hand for a while. Good job Mildred is off school at the mo. Played two games of chess with Mildred on Wednesday; 1-1. Specia1 monk in our area last week. Evidently he walks from district to district preaching the way of Buddha. Mrs Owl went to see him with her mate at three in the morning. Hundreds of people there even at that time AM. Later (Saturday), he was due to walk to Kham Cha Nod. He addressed his followers with just two simple messages. Two don'ts. Don't be greedy. Don't envy those who have everything.. Bit disappointed that he never said 'don't hoard hand-bags.' But Mrs Owl seems happy enough since. Thai news. ++++++++++++ Phuket Police yesterday morning arrested a 34 year old Ukrainian woman, at a popular viewpoint, for spray painting slogans critical of Russia. ++++++++++++ The cyberpunk who hacked into a government database and threatened to release the personal data of 55 million Thai people is believed to be an army sergeant. ++++++++++++ Pattaya authorities are on the prowl for foreign over-stayers and criminals. Pattaya Police say that they will continue to perform regular inspections checking tourists’ passports. ++++++++++++ Covid-19.::: China finally comes clean, and reveals analysis of animal samples taken from a wet market in Wuhan. ++++++++++++ As many as 10,000 thousand refugees have fled across the Moei River from Myanmar into Tak province, in Northern Thailand, after more violence between Myanmar’s military and rebel groups. ++++++++++++ A woman, who reversed one kilometre down a busy motorway in Samut Prakarn because she missed her exit, got whacked from behind by a big truck. ++++++++++++ A successful Chinese businessman has hired more than 10 sexy Thai girls to dance at a shrine located in Kamphaeng Phet. ++++++++++++ At a registration event in Khon Kaen, Thailand’s Election Committee, removed a PPP party member, who arrived with his pet king cobra around his neck. ++++++++++++ Several Thai women got sprayed with red paint, by a prankster, in the Bang Na neighbourhood of Bangkok. ++++++++++++ Governor of Bangkok Chadchart Sittipunt said that he hopes no more than six people will die during Songkran festivities from April 13-15. ++++++++++++ Thailand’s 45-day visa exemption is back down to 30 days for visitors to the Thai Kingdom. ++++++++++++ Forbes World Billionaires List includes three from Thailand. Dhanin Chearavanont, Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi and Sarath Ratanavadi are indeed wealthy, but generally 2022 proved to be challenging, with a drop to US$12.2 trillion from US$12.7 trillion the previous year. ++++++++++++ Thailand's Chiang Mai has been ranked as the most polluted city in the world for nine days in a row. ++++++++++++ If the winner’s prize exceeds 2 million baht, the GLO will transfer the money only to a Government Savings Bank account or an account with the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC). No more cash to be handed out if one is a winner. Worldwide. ++++++++++++ A Ugandan government minister has pleaded not guilty to the theft of metal roofing sheets. ++++++++++++. The French president urges his Chinese counterpart to use his influence to end the Ukraine war. ++++++++++++. A Nigerian court has given the owner of a pet rooster 72 hours to slaughter it, after a noise pollution complaint by a neighbour. He said his human right to a good night's sleep had been violated. ++++++++++++. Police investigating the SNP's finances, last week searched the home of former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell; Nicola Sturgeon's husband. He was arrested and then released without charge. ++++++++++++. The Russian currency tumbles against the dollar as Western sanctions continue. ++++++++++++. Ex-POTUS Trump, in court for book-keeping irregularities. John Bolton said it was 'disgraceful', while Stormy Daniels remarked that she was 'saddened'. ++++++++++++. Anticipation is at fever pitch for Andrew Tate‘s first broadcast on Rumble in the next week. ++++++++++++. White House blames chaotic Afghan pull-out on Trump Footy round-up. ++++++++++++ Toon continue their quest for Champions League with away win at the Bees. ++++++++++++. Moysee safe for now, after way win at Fulham. Man City hit 4 again. Burnley promoted to EPL after win at Boro. ++++++++++++. Chelsea lose again, but there is hope for them in the Ch Lg clash with Real Madreid; as the Spain's top club lose at home 2-3. Lamps back at The Bridge. Only 'til the end of the season. But! If he can win the Ch Lg, it's his job for the following season 2023/24. ++++++++++++ Ipswich into automatic slot as The Owls slip away. ++++++++++++ Orient continue their relentless romp to the EPL with away win at Salford. Mrs Owl has stopped being aggressive towards me since going to see the special monk. Not whacked me, or bit me, since Friday afternoon. Cheese has gone. Can't really afford another whole Edam. Saving up for Mildred's PP. And now there's the faulty washing machine! Mrs Owl not mentioned Sth Korea for her daughter Nan for a few days. Only one thing left to say; bye y'all.

Not that I agree with them, (My idea is better), but getting into the play-offs gives just a 1 in 4 chance of promotion. I think you are right about the same two clubs meeting at Wembley to decide who goes up. I think Ipswich are on an unstoppable roll at the mo. It could be The Owls, but I think it will be Plymouth who miss automatic, and drop into the play-offs. I'll be sorry to see The Cherries go down. They might never get back to EPL. What manager is next for the chop? The Irons have a tough one tonight. Could be Moysee!

A sad story indeed.

I agree with you about 'half the story'. I've had the 'wool' pulled over my eyes so many times that I've gone 'anti' to anything that is suggested; even if it's quite legitimate. The last episode, where the wife paid off the loan business, and didn't tell me, was the final straw. Although only a small straw in the grand order of things, it got me hackles up. But! Now I'm thinking to buy the pick-up from the wife. If the worst comes along; I'll be legally entitled to just drive away.