Saturday, March 31, 2007: Hot HOT
It is hot season now which means that it’s about 40 degrees C. Today Sandy and I took a taxi across the bridge to her Sister Dang’s. First we Dang, her husband Chuvet, Pet, and Pluk at MK. Lut, Mikey and Min were already there. We had a big meal then afterwards Lut and Mikey headed back to their place with Min and we went back to Pet’s house. We stopped by the Floating Market on the way and bought some fresh vegetables and fruit then headed on.
The rest of the day we just hung out there. We sat outside in the breeze until the sun started to go down watching the many antics of Pluk. The antics were moved in doors once it got dark so as to avoid the mosquitoes. Sandy made some food and we ate then at around 8:00 pm we headed out. Pluk cries when ever anyone leaves, but especially when Sandy leaves. We got a taxi and drove back to the new apartment.
I took a swim which was nice after such a hot day.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007: The Applicators
Here's a flashback from the mid-90s. The Applicators at some tiny CD shop on the Danforth. Too sickly to stand, no mics just like a little rehearsal. This video had never been seen before now and we must thank the greatness of Jeff for finally unearthing this lost treasure.
And now... Tiny Rubber Dinosaur
VTV010 The Applicators 4 of 7
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Monday, March 26, 2007: Arielle Leaves
My alarm went off at 4:00 am. I think I'd got about an hour of sleep. If that. I got up and Arielle was up not long after. There was no trouble sending her off.
Tonight I worked on trying to finish up or at least improve the track I did on the 18th with the EA-1. I used the Sigma again, which has seen more use in the last month than in the whole time i've had it.
Sunday, March 25, 2007: Arielle Arrives
Today Arielle arrived. Sandy and I took a taxi out to the new Airport at around 2:00 pm and got there just when Arielle's flight from Koh Samui would have landed. We walked around looking for the domestic gate and when we found it Arielle was already there. We took a taxi back to the new apartment, stowed her stuff then went to MK near Siam Square for some much needed food.
After we'd eated we walked to Siam Paragon and had some Starbucks. Arielle wanted to buy some gifts and we walked around a little. She was surprised by the luxury cars on the fourth floor. After that we walked over to MBK and marched around there until we were all in a daze. We took a taxi back to the new apartment and Sandy made some food. I took a swim then we watched "The Wedding Singer".
Arielle has to be at the airport by 5:00 am tomorrow.
Saturday, March 24, 2007: Fish Day
Today was the big fish tank remodeling. This included cleaning and afterwards Sandy went off to the weekend market to but some fish tank related items. This included some new fish. Our old dying fish is still alive amazingly. I actually hold him up to the food so he can eat. But the rest of the time he sits at the bottom waiting to go to the next world.
Yes, I believe fish/pets go to heaven. Is your paradise so small that only you and your friends can get in? Glad I’m not going there.
I did some recording using the Roland MC-303 Groove Box. It always seems like such a foreign machine to me now until I’ve been at it for a bit. Then it all comes back and it’s almost 1999 all over. Almost. Except its not. I even used the MC-303 for a bass synth sound. I probably should have run it through the tube preamp but I was feeling lazy.
Arielle arrives tomorrow! Huzzah!
Tuesday, March 20, 2007: wormwood
Back in 1988 I contributed in a minor way to a collective project called “Starblanket” wthat was comprised of some friends of mine in the Kitchener Waterloo region. My main focus then was “Wisehammer” though. Recently I’ve reconnected via Myspace with two of the Starblanket alumni, Phil and Jeff. To this end Phil and I have begun to collaborate again via the internet on some possibly new Starblanket tracks.
Tonight I worked on the first bit of this. This piece consists of a stereo track of drums that I spliced up in Sound Forge, some samples of a Mattel "Speak and Spell" toy off a sample disc, two drum/synth sequences on the Yamaha AN200 (one at 130 bpm, and one at 65 bpm), and two tone/pad tracks generated manually with the synth engine of the AN200. Everything is being run through my Electro Harmonix stereo tube preamp for extra crunchies.
I'm not sure how much phase cancellation is going on with this piece. I'd say some.
Anyways I can't wait to hear what Phil adds to the soup
For the historically minded and those who wish to see me with a sort of mullet here is a recently unearthed Starblanket video experiment from 1988, thanks to Jeff, keeper off the video archives.
Monday, March 19, 2007: Breakfast
Last night I spent two hours recording something which may or may not be any good. I have been trying to use all my different machines so that I can get my head around them to the fullest. This is why the AN200 has been on so many things the past six months. I feel I finally have an idea with what it can do no thanks to the useless manual.
The Korg EA-1 has been another machine I've barely used. I cracked it out last night and programmed some sequences on it then recorded them onto the MRS8. I need to spend alot more time with that box. (The EA-1)
I'm not sure when I will finish what I started last night
After Currahee today I went to the Dubliner for breakfast. There are few things better than that after a run and all the rest. I got my usual which is poached eggs, sausage, bacon, grilled tomatoes and toast with jam. And tea. And a great deal of ice water.
In other news. Arielle arrives briefly in Bangkok this weekend
Saturday, March 17, 2007: Saturday is Shopping Day
Sandy and I finally emerged from our sick bed and made the great journey to MBK tonight. The main reason for this sudden burst of energy was that we'd pretty much run out of food and didn't desire another JJ's meal.
We walked over and had a meal at MK first before heading off to shop for groceries. There was a big sale on clothes going on and the only thing that rivals Sandy's passion for buying shoes is her passion for finding me new shirts. We managed to find a couple XL size ones and then we bought our supply of groceries for the week.
Afterwards we walked back over to Siam Center and took the BTS back to the apartment. I went for a swim once we got back.
Friday, March 16, 2007: Influx
Sandy and I have both have been sick all week. She came down with a nasty head cold that I was hit with a few days later. It’s been a week of pills and not much else. I have done my runs however Wednesday was lack luster to say the least.
Today I managed to get through the 5kms and do the assorted other tortures that I am required to do. There have been a multitude of US servicemen around as some sort of exercise is on. This has resulted in lots of security around the Hotel. The additional security is partly Thai Military Police but the Hotel seems to have also brought in more private security guards. These guards are the garden variety shopping mall types and are dwarfed by the giant US servicemen. The contrast in size is so pronounced it borders on ironic.
The gym has been crowded because of this influx. There also seems to be some sort of seminars being held. During the breaks the Yanks will stroll out by the pool and have a smoke or just talk. Some who must be off duty or something will also come in a work out. The gym is normal empty in the early hours of the morning so it’s weird to have others there.
I have to say the fellows who’ve been in the gym are very polite and considerate as far as sharing space or using gear goes. One of the reasons I go when I do is to avoid the usual rudeness of either the European tourists or Hi-So locals who’ll stake claim to ever piece of kit in the room or move on to something and not even ask if I still need it. Maybe this comes from being crowded on a ship or something.
After Currahee I went to the Dubliner and had an excellent breakfast of pouched eggs, sausage and soda bread. We are heading into hot season now. Even by 11:00 am this morning it was brutally hot. The humidity should rise over the next month.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007: Still Restive
9 dead in Thailand passenger van attack
BANGKOK, Thailand - Suspected Muslim insurgents opened fire on nine Buddhists who were riding in a commuter van in Thailand's restive south Wednesday, killing all of them execution-style, police said.
The attack prompted officials to step up security in the south, where a Muslim insurgency has claimed more than 2,000 lives since 2004.
Suspected insurgents bombed the van as it slowed into a curve in the road, which they also had blocked with a large tree trunk, said police Lt. Kitti Mankhong, a duty officer in the Yaha district of Yala province, where the attack occurred.
Armed with assault rifles, the attackers first shot at the driver and then opened the side door of the van and fired at each of the passengers, he said. The driver, who was hospitalized with a gunshot wound to the face, was the only survivor from the morning attack.
"Everyone was shot in the head at close range, execution style," Kitti said.
The van was shuttling people from the Betong district of Yala province to Hat Yai, the south's major city, in the neighboring province of Songkhla. All of the passengers were identified as Buddhists and the driver was Muslim.
Monday, March 12, 2007: More Restive
Myanmar worker beheaded in Thailand's Muslim south
PATTANI, Thailand (AFP) - Suspected Islamic militants shot dead three workers from Myanmar and beheaded one of them during an attack on a construction site in Thailand's Muslim-majority south, police said Monday.
Four others were seriously injured in the attack by six suspected insurgents late Sunday in Pattani, one of three insurgency-plagued provinces along the Malaysian border.
Fifteen workers were living at the site, police said. The three victims were all in their 30s.
In neighbouring Yala province, nine people were injured, three of them critically, early Monday after a five-kilo (11-pound) bomb exploded at a morning market.
Some 2,000 people have been killed in Thailand's restive south in the past three years. There has been a recent upsurge in violence despite a raft of peace-building measures proposed by Thailand's military-backed government.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007: Restive?
Man beheaded, two shot dead in restive Thai south
NARATHIWAT, Thailand (AFP) - Suspected Islamic separatists have killed three people in Thailand's restive south, including one man they beheaded and set alight, police said Wednesday.
The 53-year-old rubber tapper was beheaded Wednesday in Yala, police said, one of three Muslim-majority provinces along the Malaysian border hit by a worsening insurgency that has killed about 2,000 people in three years.
The man's head was left in the middle of the street, about one kilometre (half a mile) from the charred remains of his body, police Lieutenant Mit Khunchum told AFP.
Mit said the attack was aimed at terrifying residents in the region, where violence has escalated recently despite a raft of peace-building measures proposed by the government, which was installed after a coup in September.
Shortly after the bloody attack early Wednesday, a 25-year-old Buddhist man was killed in a drive-by shooting in nearby Pattani province.
The attacks followed the deadly shooting late Tuesday of a 43-year-old Buddhist rubber tapper in Narathiwat province.
An army official said he believed the militants were stepping up attacks in reprisal for a raid on a training base last week that killed at least five separatist rebels.
Monday, March 5, 2007: Pluk Goes Home
Just so you know, Sandy's Nephew Pluk was released from the Hospital this afternoon.
All's well that ends better, and thanks to those of you who said a prayer.
Sunday, March 4, 2007: Buddhist House Warming
We headed over to Sandy's Sister's place at about 8:30 pm last night. The original plan had been to go over in the day to help prepare for the Buddhist house warming/blessing party but with Pluk still in the Hospital everything was delayed until much later.
Sandy took Pet over to the Hospital in the afternoon and I made an attempt to get my hair cut. The barber was off and I wasn’t up for marching over to MBK so I just headed back home. Sandy got back with Pet later and we were joined by Julian, Pooh and her friend then after they’d eaten some essan food we got a taxi and headed to the outer rim.
Our driver was Mr. Magoo. He sped as fast as he could on the toll-way where there wasn’t any traffic (drifting from lane to lane) but when we got to the outer rim and started getting into the side roads he drove as a snails pace, riding the breaks the whole time. When we finally got to Ree and Mike’s place I was very glad to get out of the cab.
On the street in front of the house there is a big square open sided tent affair that you could park two cars under. Apparently this is where everyone will be eating tomorrow. Sandy’s parents are here as are several other cousins. Mike made some English style chips and we had those together. His friend Bob (also a Brit) was around for a while earlier in the evening. For some reason Bob reminds me of one of the Toronto Morris Men.
British style "chips"
I had a diabolical sleep last night. Due to the limited space I was stuck in a (thankfully air conditioned) room with Sandy, Julian, Pooh and her Friend and Pet. Sandy and I slept on a mat on the floor with Pet beside Sandy, and the others took the bed. There was a great deal of slumber party gibbering early on but I dozed off only to wake several times through out night. We were woken early when Sandy’s Mom started calling for Sandy to come and help set things up for the day. Everyone scurried off and I managed to get another hour or two of sleep.
I emerged at 9:00 am and had a shower. The house was already packed full of cousins, friends, siblings, and so forth. The only people missing were obviously Pluk and his Mom and Dad. I scavenged for food but had to settle for tea as everything that was being prepared in the kitchen was reserved for the Monks who were coming to bless the house. There were mats set up in the living room area and a little Buddha shine affair that usually resides at the top of the stairs on the second floor had been moved down beside the main doors.
Shrine
At 10:00 am a jeepney type pickup arrived and unloaded a cargo of Buddhist Monks, all dressed in their orange robes. There were about a dozen of them and they filed into the house and took up positions on the mats and the ritual began. There was an order to the events which made no sense to me but I was glad that photography seemed to be allowed as I got lots of photos. The Monks unrolled this ball of string passing it from one to the next down the line while they chanted. I managed to get a good spot to sit but had to sit either sesa or cross-legged for an extended period of time, something I haven’t done since my Aikido days.
The Monks arrive
There were Chants that everyone seemed to know and chant back with and there were parts where some of the family would chant to the Monks then get a response. Candles were lit, and at one point the main Monk made this paste with some ass from this incense. I found it interesting that during all this, several of the Monks had their cell phones go off. No one seemed bothered by it or even surprised.
The Monks eat
Eventually the monks stopped their chanting and food was brought out to them and they ate while people served them. After they’d eaten everything was quickly cleaned up and there were small packages placed in front of each Monk which were gifts from the family. These packages contained things like incense, aspirin, tooth paste and so forth. There was more chanting this time involving Sandy’s Parents then the head Monk took the white paste he’d made and dress some symbols above the main door. I’ve seen these symbols above many doors, on the roofs inside of taxi above the drivers head as well as on the butt of a soldier’s rifle. It was interesting to see the process involved in creating them.
Marking the door for luck
Once the marks were applied the thing seemed to end and the Head Monk went around blessing all the inside of the house by splashing water on things. Later he came outside and splashed water on everyone sitting around at tables and under the big tent. My video camera is now blessed.
Tables ready
The Monks left not long after and then the food was served. I sat under the big top with Bob and Mike. I have to admit I like the way Sandy’s family always make sure I have a soda water in front of me, as they know that is all I drink now. The food was served and it was more of Chinese style than what I had expected. There was this rather disgusting looking soup brought out which Mike took a bowl of. I didn’t like the gelatinous look of it but he convinced me to give it a try. It was amazing. I ended up eating four little bowls of the stuff. Then I made the mistake of asking what it was…
Shark’s fine soup! Good luck trying to get the Asians to stop eating that.
The karaoke began as we ate. At the top end of the tent structure there were speakers and unfortunately they were two tables away from me. The DJ service also supplied two gyrating mini-skirted singers who belted out all of the disco essan favorites. When enough Johnny Walker had been consumed they were joined by various revelers.
As the Irish Rovers once said... "wasn't that a party?"
By 3:00 pm I could no longer take the heat, the noise or another bite or drink so I retired to the air conditioned room and promptly passed out until 6:00 pm. By this time things were beginning to wind down although the karaoke was going full blast and people were dancing about to the songs.
cleaning up
By 8:00 pm only the tent remained, the caterer and DJ service had packed up and gone. Mike’s giant TV stereo set up was dragged out by the front entrance and Karaoke DVDs were played. It is important to keep in mind that all of the songs played all day were Thai songs. There wasn’t one single western hit or elderly fellow singing “peewings…” in the course of the day. The last stranglers left eventually and at 9:00 pm Sandy, Pooh and her Friend and I headed back to the City.
During the taxi ride back we came a cross a large tour bus that had nailed a mini-van. The accident wasn’t nearly as bad as it might have been and there seemed to be no casualties. The mini-van was stuck to the front of the bus though and the bus passengers were standing around on the side of the highway.
Sandy and I got home at around 10:00 pm and she went straight to bed. I went for swim.
Saturday, March 3, 2007: 1980s Flash Back
Last night Sandy showed up with Pet in tow and a shopping cart full of fresh flowers from the Flower Market. Tomorrow her other Sister is having their house blessed by Monks so Sandy is in charge of bringing all the flowers for that event. Because Pluk's Mom is occuppied with the Hospital we are taking care of Pet until that is sorted out.
Pluk is still in the Hospital and has a fever of 38 C, which is not good. Its heart breaking to think of such a fun little guy in that situation. Sandy said he covers his eyes when the Doctors or Nurses come in. "Poor wee thing" as my Grandma would have said.
Now Sandy and Pet have headed out to the shop. I believe we will be going to Sandy's Sister's afterwards.
Here's a flash back from my youth. I saw this one Friday Night in 1981 on ABC's rip-off of NBC's Saturday Night Live which was called (how clever) "Fridays". I knew who Fripp was but this was the first time I saw or heard the "new" King Crimson or saw the amazing Chapman Stick and the equally amazing Tony Levin or the great guitar sound mangler Adrian Belew. I remember discussing this on Monday at School with Steve Hillis and Clayton Hill...
This goes with a big shout out to Clayton and Steve...
Friday, March 2, 2007: Sleepless
I slept poorly last night. Actually I would love to have a night where I actually slept all the way through with out waking up from some dream. I woke up twice, the first time thinking “oh man, I bet its only 1:30 …” and then checking my phone say it was actually 1:43 am. I woke again at 4:30ish then again when my alarm went off at 6:30 am.
I was amazed that I got to Currahee today. Once I’m there though it is just a matter of doing what must be done. Afterwards I had breakfast at the Dubliner. I shouldn’t need to eat again for several days.
Sandy is at the Hospital today. We were supposed to go out to her other Sister’s tomorrow but I am not sure if that is still happening. Pluk is still there and is running a fever. It seems to be some sort of virus but because of his age they can’t do a lot about it. I can’t think of a worse place to be for the little guy. Sandy let me “talk to him” when she called me this evening. That consisted of him mostly yelling into the phone. The Doraemon theme song failed to console him.
Thursday, March 1, 2007: Pluk Sick
Last night Sandy got a call from her sister that her Nephew Pluk was quite sick and they were taking him to the hospital. Because he was admitted overnight Sandy had to get up at 6:00 am and take a cab over to take care of Pet after his Father left for work. Later she also went to the hospital. I am going to be on my own until this is sorted out
That being said today was sort of odd. Normally if Sandy is out I will record or something but the best I managed under the present worrying circumstances was to practice guitar for an hour while watching TV.
I tried to watch “V for Vendetta” but it sucked to such a degree I gave up half an hour in. It was like “A Hand Maiden’s Tale” on crack. Complete rubbish. I now believe that the first Matrix movie being good was some sort of freak accident as these guys should be making propaganda movies for the Khmer Rouge or something.
