What is in your cup?

[CRussel]

Peet's Anniversary Breakfast Blend. And worried about Stitchy, since he hasn't been online since yesterday early.

(oops, I see him now. Good!)

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by CRussel

Peet's Anniversary Breakfast Blend. And worried about Stitchy, since he hasn't been online since yesterday early.

(oops, I see him now. Good!)

... but maybe not for long. Shots fired this evening, and protests right here in Chiang Mai. They've brought in several truck-loads of soldiers in riot gear. But still, it's safe enough as long as I don't go to the protest locations, and they are relatively small. It's not like the French Revolution, with Citizens running amok in the streets, grabbing every Aristocrat and beheading them. Even with the 10pm curfew, the traffic on my street is normal for 11:30, with cars and motorbikes going in both directions.

Stitchawl

[cromag]

First tea of the day.

[dreams]

Good to hear that is it relatively calm in your area, Stitchawl.

Sumatra coffee in my cup and making my grocery and errand list. It looks to be a great weekend for a big BBQ.

[CRussel]

And life is definitely better today. Just heard that a good friend who lives across the street got her job offer too. A big step up for her, moving to run a school for gifted students.

Tonight, definitely some sparkling wine to celebrate. Maybe some Sumac Ridge, a BC sparkling wine that is really quite respectable.

[VydorScope]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

Understand that the explosions he's reporting on have NOTHING to do with the coup. These have been going on for the past few years down in the southern provinces, with hundreds killed. This is the work of Muslim extremists wanting to separate the lower provinces from Thailand and restore them as Malaysian property. He's correct in reporting that these are almost never reported on by CNN or BBC...

He's also correct in reporting that as of tonight, there ARE active protestors here in Chiang Mai right now, and the soldiers are attempting to restore order. But again, the protests are confined to a 100 yard square along one side of the moat surrounding the Old City. It is NOT something that is happening all over town.


Stitchawl

Another local to your country is reporting that all his TV channels have been cut and he can only get the military propaganda broadcasts now. Seems like his biggest concern is he can not get top gear anymore. I guess that means its safe by him too.

[poohbear_nc]

Tragedy! Horror! Disappointment! Despair!

I went to the local purveyor of spirituous liquors to stock up for our 3 day weekend (Monday is Memorial Day) - and they had sold out of Lagavulin! How could they?

What to do?

So, I had to console my shattered psyche with a bottle of Talisker Storm .... sigh ....

[Stitchawl]

Oh the summer time is coming
And the trees are sweetly blooming
Where the wild mountain thyme
Grows around the blooming heather
Would you go, lassie, go?

And we'll all go together
Where the wild mountain thyme
Grows around the blooming heather
Would you go, lassie, go?

( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKfgKQIzc4s )

Good morning, everyone! Happy Sunday! With all this activity here in town these days, I think it's a good day for a hike up into the mountains. I guess we can't pick mountain thyme, but there should be plenty of coconuts and bananas! But first, a big mug of East India Company's "Assam" tea, and some stick food I picked up last night at the night market.

Originally Posted by VydorScope

Another local to your country is reporting that all his TV channels have been cut and he can only get the military propaganda broadcasts now. Seems like his biggest concern is he can not get top gear anymore. I guess that means its safe by him too.

There is a Web forum for Thailand that is very popular with the expats. And with just a few exceptions it seems that no TV and the bars closing early (which translates to no beer or bar girls) is their biggest grip. At the moment it really IS pretty safe if one uses their head. You do NOT go to 'watch' the demonstrations. They really are localized pockets of possible problems, confined to parking lots or plazas. If you keep away from those (and don't watch TV) it's life as usual here in the north. And actually, most of the TV stations are already back up and running, with just CNN and BBC still down.

Stitchawl

[kindlekitten]

After all of that kind of boring on my end. My little town had a harbour festival, a five k run and the grand opening of our public market. I was on my knee way too much today and am headed for bed shortly, which will be not much after eight here, really early for me especially as I wish I had a bunch of kids to sleep in the back yard with and watch the meteor showers

[CRussel]

I hope the knee isn't too bad this morning, KK, but I fear that's a slim hope.

Today, start some more sausage. Cajun-style Andouille, and Basque Chorizo. Both are excellent eating sausages, but can also be the basis for many dishes. The Andouille is smoked, and the Basque Chorizo can be smoked or fresh. In this case, it will be smoked. I need to lay down a good supply of sausage as we go into the summer and I start the new job. Both make it much harder to make more sausage. Speaking of which, a reminder to Stitchawl: Keep everyrthing ice cold at all times while making sausage in your climate. A good idea for everyone, but critical in hot, humid climates.

A big mug of Peet's Major Dickason's this morning, to be followed by some Lion Mountain Keemun.

[VydorScope]

Hey Stich... is this what your car looked like when you lived in Japan?

[cromag]

Caffeine-free diet Coke, left over from the ride back from my folks' place.

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by CRussel

I hope the knee isn't too bad this morning, KK, but I fear that's a slim hope.

Today, start some more sausage. Cajun-style Andouille, and Basque Chorizo. Both are excellent eating sausages, but can also be the basis for many dishes. The Andouille is smoked, and the Basque Chorizo can be smoked or fresh. In this case, it will be smoked. I need to lay down a good supply of sausage as we go into the summer and I start the new job. Both make it much harder to make more sausage. Speaking of which, a reminder to Stitchawl: Keep everyrthing ice cold at all times while making sausage in your climate. A good idea for everyone, but critical in hot, humid climates.

A big mug of Peet's Major Dickason's this morning, to be followed by some Lion Mountain Keemun.

I did end up layed up all day

Is your new job going to bring you this side of the border as often? We really should meet up sometime

[Stitchawl]

I get this feeling I may know you as a lover and a friend.
But this voice keeps whispering in my other ear,
Tells me I may never see you again.

'cause I get a peaceful easy feeling
And I know you won't let me down
'cause I'm already standing...
I'm already standing...
Yes, I'm already standing on the ground

( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6ezBNtELtQ )

Good morning, everyone. Yeah, it's a peaceful easy feeling this morning... Quiet night. I'm drinking unbranded Keemun tea, eating foods from the Food Lady, and getting ready to go play some music with friends. Coup? What Coup?
(It would be different if this were a Mau-mau uprising but it isn't.)

Originally Posted by CRussel

Speaking of which, a reminder to Stitchawl: Keep everyrthing ice cold at all times while making sausage in your climate.

Will do.

Originally Posted by VydorScope

Hey Stich... is this what your car looked like when you lived in Japan?

No... My Lamborghini was painted pink in a 'Hello Kitty' motif.


Stitchawl

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

I did end up layed up all day

Is your new job going to bring you this side of the border as often? We really should meet up sometime

Sorry to hear it, though not surprised. That was my scenario all too often.

I don't think the new job will have me down there quite as often, though I expect to still have cause to be down periodically. I'll try to give warning before the next time when it isn't a flying visit.