Porthole

31st week of the Year 180 as rains diminish in Isan.

(exercise) = Exor. (observations) = obsv. (s***,shave,shower) = ss&s. (read something) = read. (comment blogs) = bogs. (BoyLove series on-line) = ytBL. (Thai TV BL series on GMMTV25) = tv25. (write poetry or prose) = PorP. (take a daily walk) = walk. (buy something) = shop. (take a photo) = foto. (video) = วิดีโอ. (speak Thai/Lao) = pôod. (learn Thai) Thai. (go-into-the-water) = pool. (clothes) = wash. (cook something) = cook. (tidy up) = mess. (travel) = trip. (noon) = เที่ยง. (talking to ex-pats/travelers/strangers in European) = chat. (Thai teaching book) = book. (hand written journal) = jour. (contests) = test. (water) = agua.

22 oktober - 22 ตุลาคม

300/200/400/400 = 1.300. 75-81 degrees, 09:13-09:46 Sun coming around earlier every day.
obsv. family with a ball; I'm dissociating, distracted; spoke to Rick; yawn; aches; small orchid in bloom; no haze; leaf scurry; breeze in my ear.
foto. orchid
wash.
เที่ยง. 85°F 29°C
ss&s. Late, but ate first and got distracted. As long as I'm fresh before I go out it doesn't matter much.
agua. 6 liters.
walk.
shop. Malago, cabbage, greens...

In 2023, the Loy Krathong festival will be held on Monday, November 28th.
King Bhumibol's Birthday Holiday (Father's Day) Tuesday, December 5th.
Sunday 10 Dec - Constitution Day; Monday 11 Dec - Substitute Holiday for Constitution Day
Prince Prajak 18 January?
Magha Puja วันมาฆบูชา --- Sat, 24 Feb 2024.

To Stik: "I've taken thousands of photos. Today I took a picture of an orchid I've been waiting to see bloom. Yesterday, a video of the passing local train. I'll be taking more of the Halloween displays because this city in Thailand does weird things.

I'd take more pictures of Pan, but he prefers professional photos. Have a few good ones though. I'm very attuned to color, contrast and composition.

I don't have the proper equipment nor the discipline. I only have the urge to capture "something". Stained glass light in Portugal illuminating a child. Painted manhole covers in Beppu, Japan. Garbage in a canal in Paris. I point. I shoot."

21 oktober - 21 ตุลาคม

Holly Jahangiri: Change what the skeleton is holding!

         💐
  💀    /
|{🎈}\_/
| =||=
I  / \
  /_ \_

exor. 200/200/200/500 = 1.100
obsv.
PorP.
ss&s.
cook. Pan isn't here... so I'm cooking rice with carrots, onions and garlic.
เที่ยง. 87°F 31°C Sunny. Day after boring day.
bogs. Stik/Lyn/Pumpkin
walk. rose, offering, ice cream.
pool. can't hold my breath.
tv31.

Pan came home.

To Pumpkin: "I remove the elastic and cut up into pieces for rags. Most anything can be a rag. The elastic can be tossed or used to tie or bundle other things. Socks can be cut up as well. Depending on fabric... the compost heap might be appropriate.

I keep my best underwear/socks/etc. for travel. I tend to use until threadbare. I have 'ancient' shirts. I have pants that are too small or too big. My weight has fluctuated. I usually buy second hand."

20 oktober - 20 ตุลาคม

"Tsum tsum" I have a new Disney notepad I'm writing in. Prefer paper for many things... maybe an old habit, but it works for me. It's like my checklists... yes, maybe I don't have to add "ss&s" every day but it helps me stay focused and present. I could sleep in and do nothing some days. I am easily depressed and accomplishing 'something', anything, is a good thing.

exor. 200/200/300/400 = 1.100 79 degrees. 0911-09:34. Saw Tom.
obsv.
PorP. ""Magnolia" O20 [129] 40w 'nice'"  and in my notepad.
ss&s. dove drinking water, scratching its head; long seed pods yellowing; sweat trickling down my back; stained sweatpants that need to be washed.
เที่ยง.89°F 32°C, breeze... sprinkles in the forecast?
walk.
foto.
tv31.

Pan didn't come home.

19 oktober - 19 ตุลาคม

exor. 300/200/200/300 = 1.000 81 degrees. 09:52
obsv.
agua. 10 liters.
PorP. ""Tradescantia zebrina" O18 38w [128] 'wander'" 
ss&s.
flutter of small pale wings, haze, pigeons, worker cutting the blooming flowerbed.
เที่ยง. 89°F 32°C, jets overhead. Wish it would rain.
walk.
pôod. Jack and Earth (Nong Khai).

Headline: Legendary American Musician Dead At 87

Why isn't her name mentioned (better for lick bait?) in the headline. She was Carla Bley, a jazz musician.

This is the poem that Elle Schroeder wrote for Ann Gross February 18, 2016: "A letter from a dear friend" 

I opened your letter today,
and you sat in the armchair
beside me, cup of tea in hand,
as we gossiped like two old women.
Of mutual friends, and Molly,
of dreams and fears and life,
and all the while, we laughed,
and prattled on as only
two long standing friends can do.
When I reached the letter's end,
I was quite surprised to find
myself alone, as at the start,
only the memory of your smile
and your words to remind me of
all we had said.

Was being a lesbian important to her? Did she have a late-in-life partner. The obit remains silent.

18 oktober - 18 ตุลาคม

exor. 350/200/250/400 = 1200. My goal... that I seldom reach. 09:15 79 degrees.
ss&s. I shave although there's no one to shave for.
PorP. ""It is what it is" O17 [127] 40w 'authentic'" 
เที่ยง. 88 degrees.
chat. P'Nan. Thong is quite ill, went to hospital. Tiger.
shop. One wee item... a new notepad as mine are full.
walk. Ate at McD's again.

17 oktober - 17 ตุลาคม

bogs. Evelyn/Grace/Dave
exor. 300/150/150/300 = 900. 79 degrees. 09:02-09:24. Didn't push myself today. The sun comes around earlier every day.
ss&s.
chat. Rick re healthy habits; P'Nan.
gnus. Although it almost always puts me on edge.

Pan decided to go to Khon Kaen. He tells me at the last minute. He lives his life this way. I cannot plan around him.

To Grace: "I had a haircut last week. Didn't like it so I just ignore it. Once upon a time I had long hair; once upon a time I had more hair.

I could use a podiatrist. My circulation isn't as good as it once was. And cutting nails? I'm not as flexible and my eyes...

I'm just on my way to becoming ancient. "

To EvelynCase "labels" : "I was called names... but I had other issues. These days you can call me 'Cory' (or with the proper lilt in Norwegian) or 'Liam' in Thailand.

huser:elle I didn't know that you pronounced your name that way (or I knew and forgot)! We were taught French in grade-school so I've always pronounced it as French.

huser:daveryan: I was mistakenly called 'Jim' by a parent of a classmate... and that was acceptable. It became a personal name I liked. I avoided most people in school.

huser:evelyncase I consider names important. My mother was old-school in that way and I learned well. I have many friends from other countries. I always try to pronounce their name correctly."

16 oktober - 16 ตุลาคม

exor. 200/350*/300/400 = 1250. 79-81 degrees 09:35-59. Suns was vicious so I did them out of order ending on the swinging* side-to-side which normally is my least favorite station.
ss&s. I list this to remind me how important it is. Need to shower 2-3 times to tell you the truth.
mess. Not really a mess but ants got into the rice last time so I've filled up 5 containers this time.
เที่ยง. 86 degrees (30c).
PorP. ""May we never be forgotten" O16 37w 'specimen' " 
walk.
foto. plant, food.
shop. Black/Pink, container for Milo, coffee.
pool.
bogs. Eric/Patricia/Jimminny

To Teresa (ChewyKitty): "I get grumpy when I read certain travel blog posters. Really? If I wanted a toxic giddy faux picture I'm sure I could read a travel brochure. I ask... have you ever been there? IS someone paying you to travel first-class and stay in 5 star hotels? Do you know the pain of cattle-class? Have you ever stayed in a hostel. Did you visit for more than two days? Have you been there for over a month? How many times? Places I know: Norway, Japan, Portugal... not to forget living twice in Costa Rica and now in Thailand. Yes, I know it's not quite the same thing... but I'd request 3 employees chosen from a hat... not just the happy ones."

To Eric "Picking Up Blocks" : "There comes a time... At the end of "He's Coming to Me" (Thai TV series) Mes is shocked to find he's still a ghost. The rituals have been performed, the conditions met for him to move on... it's just not time for him to go.

At my age, the Veil thins. Death is a given. What I do with my time until then isn't. It's my choice.

Yes, I think your grandsons will remember you fondly for all the quality time you have gifted them."

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