Did you ever wonder what you'd look like with no hair? I don't have to wonder.

We enjoyed a week of bearable temperatures, but that weather is going bye-bye. This week we're going up to 38 degrees. Hot!!! In preparation, we took a beard trimmer to my hair/scalp.

20220226

Coffee situation is not bad.

If you happen to work at UCC (Ueshima Coffee Company), and you want to sponsor me, I can accept payment in coffee and tea. Your products are excellent, including the drip coffee in the photo below.

20220226

U.S. citizens: Switch to the metric system now.

The best time for the United States to switch to the metric system would have been back in the late '70s when President Carter asked us to. The current best time to switch is now. I will help you. Your countrymen who grew up in other countries will help you.

If you are still not using the metric system in 2022, you are letting the U.SA. down. You are allowing a small percentage of people who are afraid of change to weaken our country's competitiveness. In case you don't know, there is and always has been a global competition. Assuming you want the United States to compete at a high level, I need you to join me.

From now on, use the metric system. I thank you. Your country thanks you.

Today was unusually cool in นครราชสีมา / Nakhon Ratchasima at 17 degrees in the morning, increasing to a high temperature of 22 degrees in the afternoon. What a blessing!!! It's usually been 32 or 33 degrees in the afternoon. What this cool weather means is that I was able to go for a walk for the first time since we moved here. I did 6.4 kilometers in a big loop around our housing complex. 

I would like to say it felt wonderful, but that would not be accurate. In truth, it hurt quite a bit. But it needed to be done, and done it was. With high temps of 27 to 28 degrees forecast for the next few days, there may be a morning walk around the entire moat structure of Old Town Korat in my future. 

20220221

Paper maps are superior for learning.

I found my first paper map at The Mall Korat. I have looked at online maps (phone, tablet, computer) dozens of times since I've been here, and I have learned next to nothing. Let's see what happens with the old-school paper map.

20220219

Pool Otter finally arrives in Thailand.

This evening may have been the first time that I felt like I was really in Thailand. This pool has been waiting for me since January 1st. Thank you, Billy Bob, for refusing to recognize my lame excuses. Physically, my resemblance to Jabba the Hutt has become so striking that I finally had to do something about it. Maybe another session tomorrow evening?

20220218

Made an expensive bet on motorcycle riding in Thailand.

Shark Evo-GT modular helmet

(My existing 3/4 Shoei RJ helmet is not safe enough for these conditions. Must have the chin bar.)

Thai Baht 15,900 = U.S.$ 482

Expensive, but it appears to be the best kind of helmet for these tropical weather conditions.

Also purchased gloves for approximately U.S.$ 42.

It will be hot!!! But this gear must be worn.

 

20220212    

Haven't seen him for a week or so. Maybe he wised up?

We have a Super Beetle (not the actual scientific name) that we have found three times helpless on his back on the front porch. Each time we find him, we turn him over and send him back to his hidey hole area under the front porch. We haven't seen him for a week, so I'm hoping he finally wised up. 

But if not, and we find him on his back again, we'll help him out. He's mighty scary looking due to his large size, but he doesn't seem harmful. 

Super Beetle on his back

Super Beetle size comparison with Gerber Dime mini multi-tool

Lost La-Z-Boy recliner regret: Possible solution

I guess I can be charged with loving material things because I greatly miss my La-Z-Boy recliner that I drove for 20 years plus. Lots of sleeping time in that chair. I never imagined that replacement would be possible, but it is, and right here in นครราชสีมา / Nakhon Ratchasima. Scrimp and save some retirement funds and the Nora model could be mine...

Note: Sale price of Thai Baht 23,500 = U.S.$712

20220209

Looking down on ลำตะคอง / Lam Takhong from กังหันลม เขายายเที่ยง / Khao Yai Thiang Windmill Farm

Full circle of life? Looking down at the อ่างเก็บน้ำลำตะคอง / Lam Takhong Reservoir from กังหันลม เขายายเที่ยง / Khao Yai Thiang Windmill Farm reminded me of looking down at the Cannelton Locks and Dam from The Overlook (now known as Eagle's Bluff Park and Overlook).

The thing I remember about the Cannelton Dam, while they were building it in the '60s, is how the construction trucks looked like little toy trucks. Same thing at the windmill farm on top of the mountain. You're looking down at the massive traffic on the Friendship Highway, and the cars and trucks look like little Hot Wheels.

Thank you, สมจินต์, for driving us up there.

20220129

Got both motorcycle and car driving licenses.

No photos of my brand new Private Motorcycle Driving License or my Private Car Driving License. (two completely separate licenses) I will never understand why people post photos of such documents. It's like they're screaming, "Identity theft me, please."

At any rate, it was a good day in the Conner family's นครราชสีมา / Nakhon Ratchasima household. Props to the spouse for planning and executing the entire mission, with me merely tagging along for the most part. I did manage a hopefully decent ไหว้ / wai to the excellent DLT (Department of Land Transport) employee upon receiving the licenses. After observing the five or six people who went before me, it was easy to understand the appropriateness of the gesture. It felt good, possibly the first time in a month here where I could confidently execute a proper social behavior. 

The future's so bright I gotta wear shades, I guess one could say.