Head Snake

Is this, by any chance, related to the sightings of expats dancing and singing in 7-11s?

I personally think that we should hold tryouts and auditions for 7-11 singing and dancing timeslots.

Can the singing and dancing be done at a more respectable hour? say 5 to 6 pm?

You wake up way too early after your wedding ...

I usually wake up at 4 am to work some of USA time and add to that that I love sobriety; so, early mornings are much more pleasant than in the past.

if you are interested we are the "Fat Free Band" who plays jazz, pop, both Thai and international songs

we had played in many weddings before for both Thai and foreigner couples

the band consists of Guitar, Bass, Drums, Piano, and normally the guitarist is a singer, its optional if you want to add another female singer

we are able to do both full band (with all members) or acoustic (Guitar & bass + percussion or keyboard)

contact number:

Mr. Piti R. - 089-448-5531

We did, in fact, use this band - The Fat Free Band were really professional and polished. They allowed several people to join in with the band. They had people dancing. They had excellent music during the meal.

I recommend this band to anybody having a wedding.

I asked them where they played and they do not play any normal gig, just weddings. Honestly, I'd go listen to this band - they should open up and operate an open mic coffee shop/bar.

ANd they really seem like good people.

THanks for responding. I was pleasantly surprised.

You know how the wive's pick the wedding date?

Then I find out how she plans the wedding.

We plan a small celebration reception this Thursday evening near the Chao Praya river area. She apparently just has a dj type of setup.

Is there any small band or musician that can play some thai and some western music for fun?

Send me a pm about contact information.

THanks

Head Snake

Could a harmonica player join in?

Or is there too much scare of feedback?

Blue Sky Books in Ban Phe have about 13000 books. What are u looking for i can ask the owner Jim.

Rgds Mark

Right now, I'm looking at "Master your Metabolism" by Julian Michaels.

But I have found that its very typical if somebody suggests a book to read, I can't find it in Bangkok or any other city around here except Singapore .

Its frustrating to want to read a book here.

Where did you buy it and how able are you to download books you want?

I am tired of trying to source books from stores that don't have much here in Bangkok.

I'm over 2 years sober now and it just gets better every day.

I tried to quit 5 tmes on my own, then I got into a good quit and 4 months in, I was isolating and going a little nuts so I went to an AA meeting and it helped. It doesn't make sense but then again it makes all the sense in the world. I'm now over 1-1/2 years sober and it keeps gettting better.

Thanks for posting the story.

I am over 1-1/2 years sober. I too recommend using a internet journaling site.

THe longer you stay the sober, the better things get.

The issue will be whether you can quit on your own or whether you need something (a plan or program) for you to change for the better so alcohol is not the solution anymore.

I got the opportunity to tell a "sister" no just yesterday. She wanted 20,000 baht to secure a room in Bangkok.

She had been bragging to family that she was fleecing 3 falangs for 20,000 baht a month (and more by way of other little emergencies).

So, the falang's wised up and so she tested me. NO. I love that word now. NO. Say it over and over and get comfortable with it.

Ask any Thai girl if they want a smart man (A no man) or a dumb falang. The dumb falang is easy money. The dumb falang doesnt' question and rarely says no.

The smart man will be happier over time.

Thanks for the update. SOmebody mentioned use of DNA for the man to make a decision.

Here's some steps I suggest.

1) go to a hospital reputable hospital and WITNESS the Early pregnancy Test. Get the report. Have somebody reputable translate it for you.

2) Make a list of all the dates you had sex. Make a list of her periods. If need be, do the sonogram and get expected date of delivery. THen backtrack the probable dates of conception. This is only a little bit expensive but it can relieve anxiety quickly if you are not the one. This worked for me. It was like a load taken off of me.

3) DNA while pregnant is expensive. If she sleeps around, I wouldn't pay one dime until DNA is confirmed after birth. Why would you pay if the odds are anywhere near 50% or greater its not yours? Surely, the woman can understand this logic, right?

4) DNA test after birth is less expensive. But you are going to be sweating bullets for about 9 months and "hearing it" from the wonderful mother to be.

Thai Children are used to living on the edge. They learn at a young age that they must only count on themselves to save themselves. They are crafty clever kids who grow up into adults with several scars about the body. Its living, baby. Its keeping it real.

I have entertained and babysat kids many times. Parenting is a thankless round the clock job. Being a critic seems to be a much easier job. I've come to respect, give credit, and also give them the benefit of the doubt.

But, it is so much more peaceful once the kids leave and that extra worry isn't necessary.

I remember telling this woman to make sure non of the kids ran out into the street (Sukhumvit ) on Songkran. Sure enough, the world's best kid went running into lane 1 of sukhumvit. oh man!!! I looked before I leapt into the lane so cars could see better but I wanted to strangle the woman that was supposed to be watching the little one.

mole hill.

mai pen rai.

I used to be a person who said no ghosts are possible and blah blah blah about shreds of proof.

But its much more fun to participate in the unknown. Its like storytelling - you want there to be some suspense. If its all factual data, the world is a boring place.

So now, I enjoy hanging out in the grey zone of what is truth and what is perception.

I've had some real laughs by joining in the fun. It beats being the wet blanket.

Not typical of the dog????

Dogs demeanors can be unpredictable. ANy animal can be unpredictable; but, these pit bulls are just too damned strong and ruthlessly violent when in the mood. Add to that the pack mentality and good luck.

THere are many humans who are afraid of dogs. dogs sense this and get aggressive.

SOme humans display the wrong body language, like eye contact and lifting a hand. Good fuc_king luck with this breed if you do that.

The truth of the matter is these dogs can cause lots of fear stress to the neighbors. I have no doubt that these persons neighbors likely are saying "som num naa"

If these people trained the dogs to be protection and attack dogs, then its their fault. If they did not train their loved ones how to display to dogs, its their fault.

Just owning one of these dogs is their fault.

SOrry, I don't buy into that mentality that these dogs are cute and cuddly victims. They are not family pets. THey are not lovely neighborhood pootches. They are prone to irritablility and they have a thug mentality when their fuse is lit.

knives.

beware the knives

Backpackers are cool. They enrich our lives.

I had the lovely opportunity to have a Thai girl pull a knife during an argument. The first time, she managed to give me no option so I had to listen to her gibberish and threats. 3 hours of wasted time, lots of threats. Big talk because she had a knife.

THat girl had been a good person until then so I gave her another chance but I told her never to pull that crap again. SHe agreed, said sorry and said she didn't want to be like that again.

Well, another argument and this girl pulls out 4 assorted knives from the kitchen and starts talking big Thai again. You can imagine my dismay at allowing this kind of possibility to happen again. She forgot to leave me the no options so I created my option by putting a door in between us. A door with an exit out the house. And thats what I did. I left the house, assumed all my possessions would be broken.

I had neighbors call the police.

When a person pulls a knife, you have few options but basically because you are in Thailand, it will be a he says/she says deal and guess who wins? This girl told a person I know a completely madeup story that I had threatened to kill her. Amazing!!

That girl is gone. I never want to see her again.

Just get the hel_l away from anybody with a knife.

Don't assume you can wrestle a knife away. SOmebody will get hurt.

Don't attempt to incapacitate that Thai before damage with the knife is done. You will be charged with assault.

Find your defense against an pulled knife: a door, a frying pan, a blanket, a long strong stick. Just don't threaten with it or use it. Unfortunately, you have to get hurt first before you can use defense here.

For the record, the police never showed up. 90 minutes and nobody came around to help. She left thank Gawd. She left everything in tact because she had a friend there.

These knife stories now give me an uncomfortable feeling.

I think its a fallacy.

If anybody thinks they have to limit themselves to 2 drinks, most likely that person wants more than 2 drinks.

ah, ok so can I assume that was not the first old skinhead in the toilets.

Has no money, flies home to work. $$

Has to pay big money for court case $$

flies back to Bangkok $$

drinks enough until early morning. $$

Where did he get all that cash in 2 months in a failing economy?

jogging/ walking - everybody carries a stick; but I'll also carry a nice throwable rock (or 3) which I can throw in front of a dog. a flat rock in case I have to strike it.

bike riding. I have twice fallen because dogs come out of nowhere to fuc_k with people on bikes - ok, make that 3 times. I read on this site that many bikers simply gave up biking as it was not fun because of the dog problems. You just can't enjoy a hard bike ride without the threat of soi dogs.

motorsai riding. Much better as dogs appear to be intimidated and do not approach. Ready horn is good. Just have to stay calmer and keep aware. Use the horn and accelerator. I'm going to buy a stick on a rope.

Pepper spray sounds like a good option. Sticks are good with a high arm motion. I think a number of rocks thrown ahead of the dog is good. If I have to defend a dog with a rock, that doesn't sound like fun.

oh, That pack of dog crap where they flank you and try to get behind you. SUcks to all hel_l. You really have to keep the backside and one flank clear.

So the options are:

1) stick

2) high frequency emitter

3) pepper spray

4) stones

5) gestures like raising the arm with a stick or rock

6) throwing rocks

7) spraying other irritants.

8) feeding the dog.

ok, here is where feeding the dog is wrong in my opinion. I know a woman who carries food for all the soi dogs. SHe gives them food as she walks. They all come running to her now. They expect her to bring food. They've trained her in my opinion.

Try doing that on a bike or a motorcycle. The dog will now come to you when you are on that bike. That is stupid. You are asking to get hurt when that dog comes out of nowhere barking at you for some food.