A photo of my first grandchild

In October, her Mom and Dad (my youngest son) will softly say to her, "Your name is Gabriella".

I expect Gabby will smile sweetly when she learns how much she is loved, from both near and far.

Khun Grandpa

My Uncle Chuck taking a nap

Family Reunion
Pt. Defiance Park - Tacoma, WA
1958

Note: I'm pretty sure my Dad was behind the flower trick/photo

Amazing THAILAND!!

photo by: Peter Wall

McCain speaks of his Naval Academy status

"My GPA earned me fifth from the bottom of my class at the Naval Academy status. So, the GPA was based - since that was in the Coolidge administration it was a different measurement, but I can assure you in today's standards it would be barely passing."

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"… it would be barely passing"?

I suggest, EVEN the U.S. Naval Academy wouldn't flunk out a grandson and son of admirals.

John S. McCain, Sr.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_S._McCain,_Sr.

John S. McCain, Jr.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_S._McCain%2C_Jr.


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If you don't think intelligence and hard work are important attributes for the President, than I suggest you haven't been paying attention the last eight-years.

VOTE for CHANGE,

VOTE for BARACK OBAMA

United States (CA) - 1955

photo by terrance

McCain’s bib and his ‘bib-aide’

BIBS:

Gawd forbid I ever become infirmed; but if I do, I hope someone is kind enough to tie a bib around my neck.

But until that time, get the FU*K AWAY with the bib!!

And NO, I don't need anyone to dab the barbeque sauce off my chin!!

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AIDE(s):

There have been stories for years that McCain is VERY SUPERSTIOUS, including the fact he has an aide carry his 'lucky pen'.

http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/15986.html

MY QUESTION: Does he have a single aide or two aides (one for the bib, and one for his 'lucky pen')?

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MY PERSONAL OPINION: I don't think McCain is eccentric, I think he's simply another crazy old man.

And YES, age matters in this election -

VOTE for BARACK OBAMA for PRESIDENT

My Top Dozen List of Favorites

MY LIST (as of 15:59, 18/07/08):

1. Book-non-fiction: Neil Sheehan's "A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Bright_Shining_Lie

***
2. Book-fiction: Tom Robbin's "Another Roadside Attraction"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Another_Roadside_Attraction

***
3. Movie-comedy or musical: Roberto Benigni's "Le Vita e Bella" (It's a Beautiful Life)

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/1998/int/980223/the_arts.cinema.its_a_be17.html

***
4. Movie-drama: Akira Kurosawa’s "Rashomon"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashomon_%28film%29

***
5. Play-Non-Shakespeare: David Mamet's "Glengarry Glen Ross"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glengarry_Glen_Ross

***
6: Shakespeare Play: "Romeo & Juliet - Scene 2 - Capulet's Orchard"

JULIET appears above at a window

"But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.
Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,
Who is already sick and pale with grief,
That thou her maid art far more fair than she:
Be not her maid, since she is envious;
Her vestal livery is but sick and green
And none but fools do wear it; cast it off.
It is my lady, O, it is my love"

***
7. Favorite Singer: Van Morrison

http://www.vanmorrison.co.uk/

***
8. Song: Charles Dawes melody – Carl Sigman's lyrics: "It's All in the Game"

"Many a tear has to fall
But it's all in the game
All in the wonderful game
That we know as love

You have words with him
And your future's looking kind of dim
But these things
Your heart can rise above

Once in a while he won't call
Oh but it's all in the game
Soon he'll be there at your side
With a sweet "OK"

And he'll kiss your lips
And caress your waiting fingertips
And your heart will fly away

Come on sing it now
Do-do-do-do-do do doo, oh yeah

And he'll kiss your lips
And caress your waiting fingertips
And your heart will fly away"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqQPXeYc49s

***
9: Album: Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A"

http://www.brucespringsteen.net/albums/bornintheusa.html

***
10: Painting: Edwin Hopper's "Nighthawks"

http://plaza.ufl.edu/rkarkkai/Tavern/Story/My%20Story_files/nighthawks.jpg

***
11: Favorite Poet: Matsuo Bashō

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matsuo_Bash%C5%8D#References

***
12: Favorite Poem: Bob Dylan's

"Yippee! I'm a poet, and I know it,
Hope I don't blow it"

Used book stores in Chiang Mai, Thailand

One of the things I like, no make that LOVE, is the availability of good cheap reads.

There are about a dozen used bookstores in town where you can buy good quality, RECENT, pocketbooks.

example: Gecko Books

http://www.geckobooks.net/

An average price of the books is +/-200 baht ($6.00).

But when you finish with it, they guarantee to buy it back for half price.

ONLY $3.00 - SHOOT, I use have to pay bigger library fines than that, and that's when I was in high school!!

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Good Gawd Almighty, I love this city!!

Amazing THAILAND!!

photo by: Patshoo Shoocongdej

George W.Bush Sewage Plant

In November, alongside casting their ballot for the next president, the people of San Francisco will also vote on a measure to rename one of the city's largest sewage works the George W Bush Sewage Plant, to provide a "fitting monument" to the outgoing commander-in-chief's achievements.

Activists from the Presidential Memorial Commission of San Francisco, a mischievously-named group behind the move, will ask supporters to participate in a "synchronized flush".

It may sound like a student prank, but the proposal is almost certain to be passed.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/san-francisco-to-vote-on-naming-sewer-after-george-bush-855433.html

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NOTE: I hope someone will create a 'virtual sychonized flush'; not only to conserve water, but to avoid having to 'FEDEX a FLUSH' from:

Chiang Mai,
Thailand, a.k.a. "The Land of Smiles"

United States (CA) - 1937

photo by Dorothea Lange

Toolin' around Chiang Mai, Thailand

Anyway, like I was sayin', you can walk, bus or take a cab. You can scoot or tuk. That's - that's about it.

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- Walking: Chiang Mai is a compact city, and it's a joy to walk the narrow sois (streets), past the gazillion wats, markets, bookstores, restaurants and coffee shops, etc, etc. The ONLY drawback to walking here is the krappy sidewalks; but hey, it’s a +700 year old city.

- Biking: I just read in the paper today, that because of the spike in gas prices, bicycle sales are way up. Bad drivers are a definite minus, but a definite plus is the city is as flat as a board.

- Motor scooters: They are very popular with the Thai people and falangs (foreigners). They of course burn very little gas and are a cinch to park.

And they are dirt cheap - you can rent a Honda or Yamaha scooter for 200baht ($6) per day, which INCLUDES insurance and a helmet. Of course if you rent for a longer period, the price drops dramatically.

- Cars: A lot of foreigners live in the country, or up in the mountains, and end up driving. Japanese cars/small trucks are the most popular, and are reasonably priced, especially if a year or two old. Gas is more expensive here than the States, but insurance and repairs are much cheaper.

- City Bus: They have nice air-con busses priced at only 15-baht ($.50). The problem is there aren't any maps in English, so unless you speak Thai, which I don't, it can be a challenge.

- Metered Taxis: They are metered, providing you can get the damn drivers to use 'em. They don't cruise the city, so the only time I take 'em is to and from the airport. But they are very clean, and quite inexpensive

Note: Threaten to get out, is ALWAYS successful in getting 'em to meter up.

- Tuk-Tuk (see photo): one person a little pricy; two people perfect; three, not impossible, but tough.

Fares are negotiable up front, but you MUST be able to bargain. Man, they are so much fun!!!

Songtaews - canopied pickup, with two (song) bench (taew) seats: These are essentially communal taxis. You hold up a hand to get them to stop, and then you tell the driver where you are going.

If he is going in that general direction, he'll nod his head and you'll then jump in the back, and off you go..

When you get to your destination, you'll pay the driver 20-baht ($.60). The routes vary depending on the destination of the other passengers, and I find it a terrific way to meet Thais and fellow falangs.

Note: They recently increased the fare by 5 baht ($.15), and this is a REAL HARDSHIP for many of the riders; but on the other hand, the drivers haven't had an increase in ten-years, so …

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How do I get around? I usually walk, take a songtaew, and on occasion, a tuk-tuk. I estimate my in-town travel expenses to be less than $40 a month.

I like the costs, but I like even better, MUCH BETTER, being GREEN.

President Bush - Job Approval

President Bush Job Approval Rating

LA Times/Bloomberg (6/19-6/23) is 23%

23%!!!

I can't help but wonder if all this talk about McCain would be a '3rd-term Bush' is beginning to hurt Bushes numbers.

Amazing THAILAND!!

photo by Dan Walsh