Morch

It's a tricky political situation, in Israel, The West Bank, and Gaza. Still early to know how it will pan out. In Israel, Netanyahu could harness it to quell protests, and plead for some feigned unity, maybe gaining political support "due to the situation" etc. Then again, it's such a shocker, that'd he'd be hard pressed to spin not being responsible. Then again, it's what he does. My money is on more domestic friction within Israel following this, certainly if factoring an aftermath involving numerous casualties and hostages. Anyway, he'll try to spin the blame as laying with the "left", as usual. For Hamas part, I think this was a obviously a long planned operation (and from an operational point of view, a brilliant one). Why now, though? They just got some extra economic concessions, and the nearing winter is no time for Gaza to lick the surely coming wounds. I'd say it's a mix of making their bid for the crown (Abbas's health, again) through keeping relevant, a message to the Saudis and others who contemplate normalization of relations with Israel, and lastly - it's about the Hamas prisoners held by Israel. Hamas officials, and operatives did not cover that the operational goals include capturing Israelis. Securing the release of Palestinian prisoners was a long standing promise by Sinwar (himself a former prisoner), so either he actually feels strongly about it, or mounting political criticism on this front made an impact. Probably both. In the West Bank, Hamas routinely challenges PA control and status. Almost any aggressive action taken by Hamas results in mass displays of popular support, even in towns which are PA strongholds. This was no different. Again goes back to positioning for the post-Abbas era.

She'd kinda old, 8-9 years. We suspect she's house broken, never seen here do her business on concrete, tiles or asphalt. She's just not into houses. Parking ceiling? Scary. Under the car in that same parking? Safe. Grew up with GSD's and a Boxer. All feared lightnings, and used to end up in my bed on stormy nights. I actually miss that.

The small housing project across the street is almost done, and new people started moving in. The nearest house held a few days long event which turned out to be a housewarming and wedding thing. The usual Thai style noisy affair, complete with bad karaoke and idiot drivers. That's ok, it's a village, and it's part of the scene. However... A couple of hours before the festivities began, a largish (1-1.5 m) cross was attached to the roof. At nighttime it turned out to be decked with red lighting, and there it stays. As said, it's a village, so even with the street lighting, still catches the eye at night, and unavoidable from our front porch, parking, or bedroom toilet window (if doing a #1). I like to think of myself as an open minded person, live and let live and all that. But somehow found this to be a bit annoying, disturbing maybe. Tried to figure out why. and came up with several points (I spend an hour or more with the dog at night, so plenty of time to contemplate and gaze at it). Aesthetically, it's an eyesore. Never mind the religious aspect, a large red light sign on a background of dark village skies is out of place. No matter however one tries, the eyes turn to it. Sure, people hang them colored neon sticks whenever there's an event on, but these are gone in a couple of days whereas this one lingers. This goes hand in hand with the, I'll-do-what-I-want-frack-anyone-else attitude prevalent in this country. The happy couple sees their cross (if they bother to look), when arriving home. The neighbors see it at all times. Then there's the copycat aspect - if I've noticed anything moving here it's that people tend to look at their neighbors and emulate whatever seems cool, funky, in, trendy, whatever. The Baan Farang itself is responsible for many of the new houses being white/gray, traditional barbwire fences traded for squares cattle ones, and there are now at least three other night dog walkers. So just a question of time before someone puts it into his head to erect another sign. And then, surprisingly was the religious aspect. More correctly, the zealousness part. I'm alright with people believing in whatever. Their choice. But regardless of which religion is followed, what does putting such a big symbol of it on your house implies? That you're righteous? That you're out to spread the word? That you're not really all that confident about your faith so need reassurances? To put it in perspective, since it's here, we looked about, and couldn't find any similar sized religious sign on private houses. Places of worship, organizations affiliated with religious organizations, yes. Mrs, Morch suspects they're part of a cult, and that one morning we'll wake up to news teams interviewing us about the police forces digging up bodies from the garden and abused children evacuated to safety. Me, as long it's not a burning cross planted in front of my gate - no such worries.

While we were debating moving the dog inside the house (usually sleeps under the car), she took things into her own paws, and settled right behind my office chair. This is, so far, reserved for scary occasions (lightning, thunder, fireworks), but guess will be extended in time. Like, she doesn't stay overnight, so didn't need to tackle toilet issues, and for some reason she refuses to drink water indoors. Grumbles when I get up, grumbles when I bring in a drink, grumbles if I put on Tom Waits. Anyway.... It's rainy season, it's muddy outside, so obviously her paws are dirty. A couple of rags do the trick, sure, but I recall seeing some gadget that's sort of like a rubber stamps cushion (is that the word?), and told it was like one pump per paw. Anyone know something about that? Or if it works? Worthwhile? While on the topic, I'd also like to know if there's any instant spray smell remover/perfume that's applicable for dogs? Safe for use, obviously. Mrs. Morch got a better nose than the dog. If it works, I'll use it myself.

A friend of mine plans to arrive sometime in December, rent a yacht (he's an experienced skipper) for the vacation. Asked me if I know anything, or could check around about this firm: https://www.sweetdreamerscharter.com/ Any experience with them? Are there other (better) options?

Nothing wrong with that, probably - just that we're trying for a solution that does not involve installing anything on the roof, outdoor ceiling, walls (or requires a pole). Dealing with some leakage issues from roof as it is, so weary of poking extra holes. Previous abodes had all kind of wildlife in the attic, so any thing serving as a stairway for critters is frowned upon by the Mrs.

The MiL is coming to live with us in a couple of weeks (a topic by itself right there, sure, but it is what it is). She's generally a low maintenance lady, as such things go, but tv is a must. Not very selective or discerning, so long as it's in Thai or Chinese - news, talks shows, entertainment shows, game shows, drama or the shopping channel, nature and cooking programs. Anything goes. At her house, she's got one of the "satellite" dishes, which cannot be installed in our place (roof configuration) without putting up a dedicated pole in the garden. We're looking for some other service/connection, preferably not involving much drilling in walls, roof or ceiling. We have a fine fiber internet connection from true, solid wi-fi too. Hoping for something that could utilize the latter, but without the MiL having to learn how to operate a smartphone, navigate the internet and so forth. We've been offered no-name android boxes at inflated prices, without a clear explanation if they'll fit the bill. Not much enlightenment from True sales reps as well. Any advice which could clue us in would be appreciated. At a lower priority, we'll be looking into getting something similar for us, but preferably with more varied content and less operating constraints, but that's maybe for a different topic.