Here I am, Saturday morning waiting for the arrival of Mater. She apparently arrived in Bangkok yesterday at three in the afternoon but has not yet called. I am a tad worried.
Last night I had some ciders, as some of you may have realised by my activity on Facebook. I lovingly had handed over my paycheck to my lovely wife who then announced I had to go go to watch Grace dance on a stage at 8:30 in the morning. My glee instantly vanished. 8:30 in the frigging morning!
I really didn't want to go. Thais also have a nasty habit of dressing up children to look like prostitutes. Something most Westeners have a real problem with.
In the end Oi said that if I didn't want to go, then I didn't have to. Good. I am glad about that, for various reasons. I don't want my life to be spend obeying the crap commands of a school. They take hours to do anything and you have to endure some windbag prattle on for hours and hours and hours.
Bloody Hell.
So that's out of the way.
Things have been getting quite fiery at work too. I have been kicking out up to half the class as they appear to have no knowledge about acceptable behavoir in class. Sleeping, chatting, playing with iphones, throwing water bottle at each other all seems perfectly normal to a Thai. But not to me. I have been playing hardball and doing quite well at it. I locked a bunch of them out before they even arrived the other day. When I enquire to my boss about the situation, I get told, "You're a professional. You can handle it." Ok. Don't worry, I never lose my temper. I just tap them on the shoulder and tell them to get out, which they duly do. We normally end up with about 8 or so students who have good manners.
Friday, January 10, 2014
Monday, January 6, 2014
Beer Lao
Monday night and raced home, after perusing the aisles of Tescos for mayonaisse, spaghetti, baked beans and mushrooms. Then i picked up Grace from school and finally headed home.
Then, for reasons unknown I cracked open a bottle of the lovely Beer Lao, stuffed down a baked potato with mayo and beans (disgusting, I know) and settled down to finish off episode 1 of the final season of Morse, of which I am the proud owner of the entire series. And I just ticked the boxes on Bitcomet to complete my collection of Pie in the Sky with the ever loveable, the ever cuddly, Richard Griffiths.
Housemartins plays as I type and we are days away from the arrival of Mater. It is quite exciting and Oi has been getting the rooms ready. Grace is chattering away and demanding I chase her around the garden whilst pretending to be a giant, and these days we have to have swords too!
I procured Sim City 4 off Steam and is wonderfully addictive and definitely a game you want to keep on your hardrive.
I was chatting to my co-worker today, Karen from San Fransisco, and we started talking about French movies, and then I found out that she has never seen Jean De Florette. OMG! I am downloading it too as it's been a long time. But so glad to recommend such an incredible movie to someone who hasn't seen it.
She told me she is currently hooked on these UK period dramas, Downton Abbey and Lark Rise to Candleford. I had abandoned Downton after an appaling start to season 2, but I promised I would give it another go.
Then, for reasons unknown I cracked open a bottle of the lovely Beer Lao, stuffed down a baked potato with mayo and beans (disgusting, I know) and settled down to finish off episode 1 of the final season of Morse, of which I am the proud owner of the entire series. And I just ticked the boxes on Bitcomet to complete my collection of Pie in the Sky with the ever loveable, the ever cuddly, Richard Griffiths.
Housemartins plays as I type and we are days away from the arrival of Mater. It is quite exciting and Oi has been getting the rooms ready. Grace is chattering away and demanding I chase her around the garden whilst pretending to be a giant, and these days we have to have swords too!
I procured Sim City 4 off Steam and is wonderfully addictive and definitely a game you want to keep on your hardrive.
I was chatting to my co-worker today, Karen from San Fransisco, and we started talking about French movies, and then I found out that she has never seen Jean De Florette. OMG! I am downloading it too as it's been a long time. But so glad to recommend such an incredible movie to someone who hasn't seen it.
She told me she is currently hooked on these UK period dramas, Downton Abbey and Lark Rise to Candleford. I had abandoned Downton after an appaling start to season 2, but I promised I would give it another go.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
2014
Well, here we are in another year.
We've had a fun family time, which I knew to make the most of for young Gracie.
We had Christmas which was fun and she got her enormous Playmobil dolls house. I know how important it is to have epic toys and this is one. I loved my toys when I was a kid and I want Grace to have great fun with her toys. I have already overheard many domestic re-enactments going on in the minuter world.
Then on Monday we went to Grandma Noi's farm and had a fun day walking to the neighbours house through the rubber trees and across the small river at the back of the plot. Grace can play with her two cousins, Ot and Axe. She has a great time.
Then yesterday I suggested we head to the beach. It was a good idea as there was some entertainment going on. She had a cracking time making sandcastles and rolling about in the sea, before gazing in awe at the fireworks. Unfortuantely for me, I had the misfortune of being violently sick in the middle of the night. I had probably overdone it on the fine food and beer. I thought I was going to die but felt much better immediately after.
Back at home and school tomorrow. I have marked the students exams and am idly making a lesson for the morrow.
Mum will arrive soon and in a couple of months we will break for the Summer. Hopefully all good things to look forward to on the horizon.
We've had a fun family time, which I knew to make the most of for young Gracie.
We had Christmas which was fun and she got her enormous Playmobil dolls house. I know how important it is to have epic toys and this is one. I loved my toys when I was a kid and I want Grace to have great fun with her toys. I have already overheard many domestic re-enactments going on in the minuter world.
Then on Monday we went to Grandma Noi's farm and had a fun day walking to the neighbours house through the rubber trees and across the small river at the back of the plot. Grace can play with her two cousins, Ot and Axe. She has a great time.
Then yesterday I suggested we head to the beach. It was a good idea as there was some entertainment going on. She had a cracking time making sandcastles and rolling about in the sea, before gazing in awe at the fireworks. Unfortuantely for me, I had the misfortune of being violently sick in the middle of the night. I had probably overdone it on the fine food and beer. I thought I was going to die but felt much better immediately after.
Back at home and school tomorrow. I have marked the students exams and am idly making a lesson for the morrow.
Mum will arrive soon and in a couple of months we will break for the Summer. Hopefully all good things to look forward to on the horizon.
Friday, December 27, 2013
Saturday
Saturday morning and we are now all on holiday. Grace is so active now it often becomes way too much for my delicate misdemeanour. It's hard to remain calm at times with the constant tsunami of questions and demands. However, she is a very happy kid and very alert, which is a good thing. We try to take it in turns amusing her, while the other gets some much needed downtime, and we run a pretty fair ship.
Oi had some friends over last night for a dinner. I retired early and got some well needed rest, fading out to Melvin Bragg discussing the divine rite of kings.
This Thief mod is really amazing. Though I know most people have no interest in video games at all, this one is a master that is surprisingly seductive even fdor the most skeptic person. Dark medievil streets, hiding in shadows. Creeping through an open window, picking locks and looting golden treasures. And of course there is the hilarious coughs, moans and comments from the guards, priests, maids and nobles that inhabit the game. There appears to be a lot of user written missions on a new engine which is superior to the official Thief game. There are new options and control features too, but the core remains very true to the original. It's a game that has you quitting in frustration when the guards spots you and slices you up, only to log in again a few minutes later to try again.
Looking at a few days break now and will do my darnest to enjoy it to the full. I got a Mean Green soaking in water which will put me in good stead. You feel like you've been injected with a powerful stimulant when you drink one of those things. It's so stinking strong your whole body is reacting to it.
I had been indulging in sausages and bacon of late and drinking a faie spot of wine, and the 'roids came back. I did my best to fight back by drinking lots of water, vitamin C, sitting in warm water and even sticking a warm teabag on it (thanks, Pete. Tea from Ceylone). I also stuffed down a banana I found at work and ate some vegetables at Oi's dinner party. This morning I feel no pain and have yet to quaff the Meanest Green.
My body is actually holding together quite well, considering I am not exercising. I have been keeping the yoga going and my diet is normally pretty healthy. The ten or so stretching exercises I found on the Net for lower back pain, all help to relieve pain. It's great that something like yoga can make such a difference.
So, some free time ahead. I hope Grace won't be demanding trips to Play World too much
Oi had some friends over last night for a dinner. I retired early and got some well needed rest, fading out to Melvin Bragg discussing the divine rite of kings.
This Thief mod is really amazing. Though I know most people have no interest in video games at all, this one is a master that is surprisingly seductive even fdor the most skeptic person. Dark medievil streets, hiding in shadows. Creeping through an open window, picking locks and looting golden treasures. And of course there is the hilarious coughs, moans and comments from the guards, priests, maids and nobles that inhabit the game. There appears to be a lot of user written missions on a new engine which is superior to the official Thief game. There are new options and control features too, but the core remains very true to the original. It's a game that has you quitting in frustration when the guards spots you and slices you up, only to log in again a few minutes later to try again.
Looking at a few days break now and will do my darnest to enjoy it to the full. I got a Mean Green soaking in water which will put me in good stead. You feel like you've been injected with a powerful stimulant when you drink one of those things. It's so stinking strong your whole body is reacting to it.
I had been indulging in sausages and bacon of late and drinking a faie spot of wine, and the 'roids came back. I did my best to fight back by drinking lots of water, vitamin C, sitting in warm water and even sticking a warm teabag on it (thanks, Pete. Tea from Ceylone). I also stuffed down a banana I found at work and ate some vegetables at Oi's dinner party. This morning I feel no pain and have yet to quaff the Meanest Green.
My body is actually holding together quite well, considering I am not exercising. I have been keeping the yoga going and my diet is normally pretty healthy. The ten or so stretching exercises I found on the Net for lower back pain, all help to relieve pain. It's great that something like yoga can make such a difference.
So, some free time ahead. I hope Grace won't be demanding trips to Play World too much
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Holiday Mode
Today, being Friday, I should be attending a school sports day, however I am being naughty and not going. In fact the only person who is going is Karen, who was cornered by the evil Rojo as she went to sign in yesterday. It's laughable how we are treated, but becoming more apparent the inability of Rojo to control her staff.
So today I can relax on my own until five, when I must go and do a private class for an hour.
I have been playing some interesting games. I bought Thief 1: The Dark Project which I have never actually played. Thief 2: The Metal Age is one of my most favourite games of all time. I discovered this morning The Dark Mod, which is a community based Thief world using a better engine and user developed missions. Looks like a lot of fun. And it's free to download, Peter.
Also been playing the excellent Panzer Corps on the ipad.
Grace got her playmobil dollhouse on Christmas Day. Boxing day she stayed home with me so she could play with her toys. I took her to a restaurant in the town where she has fried rice and I have spaghetti carbonara.
So today I can relax on my own until five, when I must go and do a private class for an hour.
I have been playing some interesting games. I bought Thief 1: The Dark Project which I have never actually played. Thief 2: The Metal Age is one of my most favourite games of all time. I discovered this morning The Dark Mod, which is a community based Thief world using a better engine and user developed missions. Looks like a lot of fun. And it's free to download, Peter.
Also been playing the excellent Panzer Corps on the ipad.
Grace got her playmobil dollhouse on Christmas Day. Boxing day she stayed home with me so she could play with her toys. I took her to a restaurant in the town where she has fried rice and I have spaghetti carbonara.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
My Favourite Tank - Hellcat
This tank is great fun, very fast and a powerful gun. It's tier 6, so quite up there really.
In Chumpon, Jon, Lesley and Colin are all nightly players. We make platoons together to join forces and wipe out the opposing team. Though, it must be said, Les is the best team player. When he and I team up we invariably form a pincer and squeeze enemy tanks. One time we took out more than half the other team between us.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Time Out for Fun
Two days into my break and at home with Gracie again while Oi is at a camp.
I've got straight back into cooking, rediscovering how eating scrummy food puts all the delight into being alive.
Yesterday morning Gracie and I zoomed over to Makro and had a whirlwind around the store. There is plenty of Christamas goodies there so Grace was in awe and very excited. I stocked up on veggies and my new find, Cumberland sausages (very tasty) and I a pack of bacon. All had been recommended and explained to me by the local teachers here. Bloody Hell, is it good!
I've been eating bacon sarnies, bacon and eggs with fried bread and sausages with saute potatoes so far. A positive gorge fest. I acquired a few bottles of South African cider the other day which goes down a treat. Thinking about it, I might repeat that tonight actually. Last night I was back on Leo which brought me straight back to poor Thai beer. Something they should be ashamed of if they knew any different.
Added to this, one of my all time favourite games became available on the ipad last night, Panzer Corps. A table top WW2 strategy game which is generally regarded among the high brow veterans of such things as the best and quinessential game of its era. It dates back a few years, but plays like a fine wine. Authentic german voices congratulate you on your success and scorn you when you fail. It's an epic game. This format means I can play in bed with headphones late at night.
BTW, this game can be played over the Net (multiplayer) and its turn based. Perfect for friends and family to get together with. Hint Hint. ANd you might want to start soon as we are getting rather old.
These things should keep me occupied for the interim and beyond
I've got straight back into cooking, rediscovering how eating scrummy food puts all the delight into being alive.
Yesterday morning Gracie and I zoomed over to Makro and had a whirlwind around the store. There is plenty of Christamas goodies there so Grace was in awe and very excited. I stocked up on veggies and my new find, Cumberland sausages (very tasty) and I a pack of bacon. All had been recommended and explained to me by the local teachers here. Bloody Hell, is it good!
I've been eating bacon sarnies, bacon and eggs with fried bread and sausages with saute potatoes so far. A positive gorge fest. I acquired a few bottles of South African cider the other day which goes down a treat. Thinking about it, I might repeat that tonight actually. Last night I was back on Leo which brought me straight back to poor Thai beer. Something they should be ashamed of if they knew any different.
Added to this, one of my all time favourite games became available on the ipad last night, Panzer Corps. A table top WW2 strategy game which is generally regarded among the high brow veterans of such things as the best and quinessential game of its era. It dates back a few years, but plays like a fine wine. Authentic german voices congratulate you on your success and scorn you when you fail. It's an epic game. This format means I can play in bed with headphones late at night.
BTW, this game can be played over the Net (multiplayer) and its turn based. Perfect for friends and family to get together with. Hint Hint. ANd you might want to start soon as we are getting rather old.
These things should keep me occupied for the interim and beyond
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