Diary of a farang in Isaan

[owl sees all]

37 minutes ago, faraday said:

Owl, if you banged your head hard & you're feeling under the weather, then go & have an X-ray. Please.

 

Love the big tree in Udon, what sort is it?

 

Of course you're not selfish not wanting Mildred to go back to school. It's lovely having them at home.

 

Hope the weather was good for your holiday; you went to Ireland to see that nice Dr Dolores didn't you? 

I'm not sure what tree it could be. There seems to be a few like that one over the salt flats near me. I'll take some pics next time I'm going that way. That one in Udon is the tallest tree I know of. Although there is a Chilean Pine (monkey puzzle) in Holten (Holland) that is absolutely huge. I'll try to find the pics of that. Of course, our US friend would say that these are small compared to theirs.

 

While Mildred has been off school, we were doing an hour or so tuition every day. We went back over old ground in the maths. Especially working out land areas, and converting them into rais. Just basic stuff really. But it does incorporate Pythagoras and the area calculation of different shapes.

 

One interesting thing I discovered recently. If a circle is drawn, and a square placed exactly both in the inside and on the outside. The outside square is exactly double the area of the inside one. And with that information we can say that the area of any circle with diameter 'D' has the area of D2 x 0.786. Fascinating! Milly thought so too. I'll speak to her again on this in a few years time.

 

The lady you refer to was in Germany, setting up an alternative to the WHO. So I didn't catch her. Later!

 

Edited November 29, 2020 by owl sees all

[Lacessit]

2 hours ago, AlfHuy said:

Those are not road tyres.

The noise  must be horrible.

I'm wondering what the tyre age is, they seem to go hard in the Thai hot climate after 4 or 5 years, and start cracking.

[Andrew Dwyer]

Owl , the “ two white sticks “ is the depth perception test , one stick is fixed and you control the other backwards and forwards to put them both the same distance from you.

When I did it first time I failed and the guy showed me , from the side of the box , how far off I was and got it on the second go .

I renewed earlier this year and an old lady pointed out to me that you could tell when it was in the right position as it cast a shadow on the open door. Everyone was passing first time and the instructor didn’t think this was strange ??, or he just didn’t care more likely .

 

Apparently its not a secret:

https://driving.information.in.th/secret.html

 

Edited November 29, 2020 by Andrew Dwyer

[HighPriority]

11 hours ago, Odysseus123 said:

One day?

Well,I jolly well hope so!Still the Top End is rather marvelous too...it's quite an adventure up there.

Wine country..

 

 

Don’t go talking about wine you’ll upset TBL !!

It seems that football (soccer ????) and wine are not at all agreeable to him ????

 

[sotonowl]

5 hours ago, owl sees all said:

And with that information we can say that the area of any circle with diameter 'D' has the area of D2 x 0.786.

You're going to have to explain that a bit better Owl. Let's say we have a circle with a 6" diameter. We know the area of a circle is calculated by using Area= pi R squared. So this would be A= 3.142 X 3 x 3   which would be A = 28.278 square inches.

How does your formula compare, or am I missing something?

[sotonowl]

23 minutes ago, HighPriority said:

Don’t go talking about wine you’ll upset TBL !!

It seems that football (soccer ????) and wine are not at all agreeable to him ????

 

He didn't care for Isaan either. He couldn't understand why anyone, who had a choice, would choose to live there. Strange bloke, didn't like football or wine? I wonder if there was any other blokey stuff he didn't like.????

[HighPriority]

7 minutes ago, sotonowl said:

He didn't care for Isaan either. He couldn't understand why anyone, who had a choice, would choose to live there. Strange bloke, didn't like football or wine? I wonder if there was any other blokey stuff he didn't like.????

When the time comes, I’m not really sure how I’ll go in the village... I was planning on setting up the Phon Phisai Triathlon Club to keep me amused but it seems that China has “borrowed” all the water from the Mekong ????????‍♂️
I’d love somewhere coastal, but Champagne tastes and beer budgets...

[GarryP]

53 minutes ago, HighPriority said:

When the time comes, I’m not really sure how I’ll go in the village... I was planning on setting up the Phon Phisai Triathlon Club to keep me amused but it seems that China has “borrowed” all the water from the Mekong ????????‍♂️
I’d love somewhere coastal, but Champagne tastes and beer budgets...

I will be retiring to a very small provincial town in Kalasin in just over 2 years after having worked in Bangkok for what will then be 40 years. My biggest concern is keeping myself occupied.  It will be so different and I know it won't be easy. Without a pension (apart from a Baht5,000/month payment from the Thai social security system) and living off savings, I won't be living a Champagne lifestyle either.  Hopefully, apart from fishing and cycling, I will find other things to keep me busy.  

[Odysseus123]

5 hours ago, sotonowl said:

He didn't care for Isaan either. He couldn't understand why anyone, who had a choice, would choose to live there. Strange bloke, didn't like football or wine? I wonder if there was any other blokey stuff he didn't like.????

Well..he certainly didn't care for photos with bikes in them either-as Michel could have testified at the time.Great bloke Michel-full of that Gallic passion,wit and appreciation of the finer things in life which made his posts so interesting and entertaining....

[Damrongsak]

On 11/28/2020 at 7:48 PM, bluesofa said:

I always thought it was Bach's composition of Hair on a G-string?

I don't know music too well.  I was thinking a low G with a rising boing-boing-BOING tone.

[Andrew Dwyer]

7 hours ago, Odysseus123 said:

Well..he certainly didn't care for photos with bikes in them either-as Michel could have testified at the time.Great bloke Michel-full of that Gallic passion,wit and appreciation of the finer things in life which made his posts so interesting and entertaining....

Yes , Michel ( ATX ) was a real likeable fella, his photos were usually of red dirt roads stretching into the distance and his trademark bicycle, with the sack on the back , in the foreground, they were always a pleasure to see, made you sort of envious for his simplistic yet happy lifestyle.

 

I remember during last year’s POTY Michel was feeling left behind in the race and one poster ( cannot name names but she did go on to win ???? ) started posting photos of busty Asian girls in bikinis to gain votes . Michel saw this as a way to boost his own rating and posted some “ racy “ photos of his own choosing, unfortunately he overstepped the mark somewhat and posted what can be only described as Japanese porn ( without the pixelation !! ). They were obviously removed ,and I think he received a few days holiday for his efforts , but he knew what he was doing and just wanted to see how far he could push it .

Strange, we are all mainly faceless strangers posting on an expat forum yet some bring a breath of fresh air to the daily read and leave a gap when they depart .

Edited November 30, 2020 by Andrew Dwyer

[owl sees all]

13 hours ago, sotonowl said:

You're going to have to explain that a bit better Owl. Let's say we have a circle with a 6" diameter. We know the area of a circle is calculated by using Area= pi R squared. So this would be A= 3.142 X 3 x 3   which would be A = 28.278 square inches.

How does your formula compare, or am I missing something?

It's great to see a post from someone that appreciates football and maths.

 

Yes, the area of a circle. My dad, before we covered it in school, would tell me pi is 22 divided by 7. Of course, that is an approximation, but near enough for most general uses.

 

As you say, the area of a six inch diameter circle would be pi x R2 = 28.278 sq inches. The method I refer to would be D2 x 0.786 (rounded from 0.7855) would give 28.296. Using a further decimal place; 0.7855, would give 28.278.

 

Great stuff! And there is more. If this thread is a bit quiet one day, we could indulge further into math's mysteries.

[owl sees all]

14 hours ago, HighPriority said:

When the time comes, I’m not really sure how I’ll go in the village... I was planning on setting up the Phon Phisai Triathlon Club to keep me amused but it seems that China has “borrowed” all the water from the Mekong ????????‍♂️
I’d love somewhere coastal, but Champagne tastes and beer budgets...

Triathlons! Phon Phisai style. I'll enter. Swim across the Mekong. Touch a Lao lady's hand. Swim back. On the bike to Nong Khai. Short time in Mindy's bar*. Back to PP. Start the run to Fao Rai. Die of heat exhaustion on the way back.

 

My daughter was World Triathlon champ. Took her title in New York many moons ago. 

 

* Paid for by the organisers.

Edited November 30, 2020 by owl sees all

[owl sees all]

15 hours ago, HighPriority said:

Don’t go talking about wine you’ll upset TBL !!

It seems that football (soccer ????) and wine are not at all agreeable to him ????

 

It does seem a shame that TBL is no longer with us. He brought a 'hard hitting' edge to the thread. Very opinionated. And that's good.

 

I've often thought of PMing him to get him back. Still thinking about it.

Edited November 30, 2020 by owl sees all

[bluesofa]

18 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Triathlons! Phon Phisai style. I'll enter. Swim across the Mekong. Touch a Lao lady's hand. Swim back. On the bike to Nong Khai. Short time in Mindy's bar*. Back to PP. Start the run to Fao Rai. Die of heat exhaustion on the way back.

 

My daughter was World Triathlon champ. Took her title in New York many moons ago. 

 

* Paid for by the organisers'.

Talking about 'Die of heat exhaustion', I see there are two reports today about people collapsing and dying while running in a half-marathon and also a health campaign run:

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1194485-run-for-health-campaign-proves-fatal-for-two-men/

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1194489-senior-disease-control-official-dies-while-taking-part-in-run/

 

[owl sees all]

15 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

Talking about 'Die of heat exhaustion', I see there are two reports today about people collapsing and dying while running in a half-marathon and also a health campaign run:

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1194485-run-for-health-campaign-proves-fatal-for-two-men/

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1194489-senior-disease-control-official-dies-while-taking-part-in-run/

 

Heat should always be considered. And that's only in a sprint (compared to HP's ironman). 

 

I reckon HP's tri', would need to start in the night. But! As they say in the French FL, 'If you're thinking of dessert don't cross the desert'.

 

Just take some water with you. And drink a small amount every few minutes.

Edited November 30, 2020 by owl sees all

[Odysseus123]

53 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

It does seem a shame that TBL is no longer with us. He brought a 'hard hitting' edge to the thread. Very opinionated. And that's good.

 

I've often thought of PMing him to get him back. Still thinking about it.

Actually..I thought that he'd never been to Isaan in his life..

He continually attacked other posters and could never come up with a single photo to back up his claims-even if his life depended on it.

He contributed nothing to this thread.

How about that for a 'hard hitting' edge to your post?

[Odysseus123]

1 hour ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Yes , Michel ( ATX ) was a real likeable fella, his photos were usually of red dirt roads stretching into the distance and his trademark bicycle, with the sack on the back , in the foreground, they were always a pleasure to see, made you sort of envious for his simplistic yet happy lifestyle.

 

I remember during last year’s POTY Michel was feeling left behind in the race and one poster ( cannot name names but she did go on to win ???? ) started posting photos of busty Asian girls in bikinis to gain votes . Michel saw this as a way to boost his own rating and posted some “ racy “ photos of his own choosing, unfortunately he overstepped the mark somewhat and posted what can be only described as Japanese porn ( without the pixelation !! ). They were obviously removed ,and I think he received a few days holiday for his efforts , but he knew what he was doing and just wanted to see how far he could push it .

Strange, we are all mainly faceless strangers posting on an expat forum yet some bring a breath of fresh air to the daily read and leave a gap when they depart .

Ha..ha..

Well,I'm sure that we have all overstepped the mark at times..I've been busted from Sergeant to Lance-Corporal (acting-unpaid) on many an occasion but I was never daredevil enough to bring Japanese pornography to the table..

 

Too old,I guess..(sigh) 

[HighPriority]

9 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Heat should always be considered. And that's only in a sprint (compared to HP's ironman). 

 

I reckon HP's tri', would need to start in the night. But! As they say in the French FL, 'If you're thinking of dessert don't cross the desert'.

 

Just take some water with you. And drink a small amount every few minutes.

No ironman here Owl, ironman (and women, but not your daughter obviously...) are obsessive <deleted> with a decent serve of OCD thrown in for good measure !

????

Edited November 30, 2020 by HighPriority
Felt like editing ????????‍♂️

[sotonowl]

16 hours ago, owl sees all said:

It's great to see a post from someone that appreciates football and maths.

 

Yes, the area of a circle. My dad, before we covered it in school, would tell me pi is 22 divided by 7. Of course, that is an approximation, but near enough for most general uses.

 

As you say, the area of a six inch diameter circle would be pi x R2 = 28.278 sq inches. The method I refer to would be D2 x 0.786 (rounded from 0.7855) would give 28.296. Using a further decimal place; 0.7855, would give 28.278.

 

Great stuff! And there is more. If this thread is a bit quiet one day, we could indulge further into math's mysteries.

I still wasn't getting it Owl, but I do now. I couldn't get my head round it until I divided your answer of 28.296 by 0.786 = 36. It was only then I understood the D2 you wrote was actually D squared, I now understand.

 

As far as other maths mysteries? Would you mean things like the golden ratio????? 

[Kadilo]

17 hours ago, Odysseus123 said:

Actually..I thought that he'd never been to Isaan in his life..

He continually attacked other posters and could never come up with a single photo to back up his claims-even if his life depended on it.

He contributed nothing to this thread.

How about that for a 'hard hitting' edge to your post?

He needs to finish off his ex and release all that pent up anger. 

[bluesofa]

4 hours ago, Kadilo said:

He needs to finish off his ex and release all that pent up anger. 

Sounds more like a psychologist's report.

[owl sees all]

47 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

Sounds more like a psychologist's report.

If TBL is having a sneaky visit, he will be sad to read these comments.

[Odysseus123]

8 hours ago, owl sees all said:

If TBL is having a sneaky visit, he will be sad to read these comments.

Well..participation is on a voluntary basis..yes?

 

As I recall he  tossed his rattle out of the pram and departed in high dudgeon.

 

I have always liked high dudgeon as a dessert and equated it with "spotted dog" at my school,rather like rhubarb and custard or the accursed sago pudding....

 

[Andrew Dwyer]

2 hours ago, Odysseus123 said:

Well..participation is on a voluntary basis..yes?

 

As I recall he  tossed his rattle out of the pram and departed in high dudgeon.

 

I have always liked high dudgeon as a dessert and equated it with "spotted dog" at my school,rather like rhubarb and custard or the accursed sago pudding....

 

“ Spotted dog “ ?

Brits know it as spotted dick !! ( and no that’s not an euphemism for .... um .... a spotted dick ????) but a suet and dried fruit pudding often served with custard .

 

Here :

 

 

As they say, “ the proof is in the pudding “ ????

[Odysseus123]

12 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

“ Spotted dog “ ?

Brits know it as spotted dick !! ( and no that’s not an euphemism for .... um .... a spotted dick ????) but a suet and dried fruit pudding often served with custard .

 

Here :

 

 

As they say, “ the proof is in the pudding “ ????

Ha..ha..ha..

 

For some reason or another it changed to "spotted dog" in the colonies.

 

These things do happen as you now..

 

Gawd...in a can?

Well....it's probably like 'Tom Piper' sponge pudding as

in the Scouts I loved the stuff.

 

It's hard to believe that my grandfather lived on this cuisine (bully beef,McConaghey's stew,apple jam and Tom Piper for 3 years..1916-1919.

[Andrew Dwyer]

3 minutes ago, Odysseus123 said:

Ha..ha..ha..

 

For some reason or another it changed to "spotted dog" in the colonies.

 

These things do happen as you now..

 

Gawd...in a can?

Well....it's probably like 'Tom Piper' sponge pudding as

in the Scouts I loved the stuff.

 

It's hard to believe that my grandfather lived on this cuisine (bully beef,McConaghey's stew,apple jam and Tom Piper for 3 years..1916-1919.

Yup , in a can !!

But I seem to remember you boiled the can in water before opening and pouring on the custard, was pretty darn good !!

Can’t imagine microwave getting the same results .

[Odysseus123]

8 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Yup , in a can !!

But I seem to remember you boiled the can in water before opening and pouring on the custard, was pretty darn good !!

Can’t imagine microwave getting the same results .

Yes..boiling the can as in the video.

Please don't  believe that the video is a commentary on British cuisine..British pluck and courage more like..

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOr8OtpctpE

[bwpage3]

On 11/18/2019 at 8:05 PM, sunnyboy2018 said:

People seem to think of Issan as village life. I have been to Issan many times but never been to a village. Just the towns and cities.

My wife's village is 38km to the nearest 7/11.

 

No stores or restaurants.

 

Quite different from the towns and cities, which is always a relief to get to.

[bluesofa]

1 hour ago, Odysseus123 said:

Ha..ha..ha..

 

For some reason or another it changed to "spotted dog" in the colonies.

 

These things do happen as you now..

 

Gawd...in a can?

Well....it's probably like 'Tom Piper' sponge pudding as

in the Scouts I loved the stuff.

 

It's hard to believe that my grandfather lived on this cuisine (bully beef,McConaghey's stew,apple jam and Tom Piper for 3 years..1916-1919.

Spotty dog  - I couldn't eat a whole one: