Sunday, August 3, 2008: Alone

I was up early to the empty house and spent the morning recording some stuff out by the pool. Once I felt it was warm enough I packed all the gear back inside and swam. I managed to contact Cousin Val and they will be coming down this way tomorrow so I should see them then.

Out to the pool

The XioSynth, Mini Kaoss Pad and Zoom MRS8

The XioSynth and Mini Kaoss outside

I had to relocate inside at around noon when there was a massive rain storm. It cleared up by about 1:30 pm and by 2:30 pm it was nice enough out that I took a walk over to the grocery store, then headed on to the Vietnamese/Thai restaurant. I had an outstanding meal of Pho as well as a tasty jackfruit shake and some excellent spring rolls.

Summer walk

Tracks

Lazy Town

A creek

Nice streets above

The walk back took about 45 minutes. It was a lovely day and although the tempetures are about ten degrees cooler than what I’ve grown used to I don’t miss the humidity at all.

Tonight I swam and lazed about.

Friday, August 1, 2008: Water World

I was up early early and was joined by Fred in the TV zone at around 7:00 am. Once Sweet William was up we relocated out to the pool area. Jayne eventually joined us as well.

Watery goodness

More water

Jessie comes to visit

Today the T-M Massive vacated Lazy Town and went up to Camp Something or Other for the long weekend leaving me alone to converse with Jessie and the Ghosts of Wyndham Manor. They rolled out at around 3:30 pm and I quickly returned to the comforts of the pool after they’d gone.

The pool is empty

This evening consisted of pool although I did conjure myself up some pasta for dinner. It was strange to cook without the benefits of “my” kitchen, or the usual Tops Market ingredients.

Thursday, July 31, 2008: First Day

I was awake very early but didn’t rise until Fred came to wake me. Once I was up breakfast was had with Sweet William and Jayne by the pool. The day consisted of much swimming or relaxing and little of anything else.

Towel

Yummy Breakfast

Pool

Once Paul was back from work we went to the Vietnamese/Thai restaurant nearby for a yummy dinner.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008: The Flight

I was up by 4:30 am. Not an easy feat.

This was the saddest departure I have had. It was a departure that I didn’t want but one that came all the same. I left for the airport by taxi at 5:45 am.

And with that my life in Bangkok ended.

I checked my two suitcases which were packed with what I either needed or wasn’t willing to trust to shippers. I got my boarding pass and went through customs and on to my gate area. At 8:00 am or so boarding commenced and I took my seat. We flew at 8:20 am to Hong Kong and landed at around noon. The flight was on a Airbus and the cramped nature of the plane made me wonder if the designers had thought they would be transporting gnomes.

I had several hours to putter about in the Hong Kong Airport. I spent most of the time at a café near the gate for my flight. We boarded at around 2:20 pm or so.

Warning

Hong Kong Airport

Our Flight

The Boeing 777

The flight to Toronto was on board a new Boeing 777. When I took my seat I found I had the misfortune of being put beside this obnoxious fellow but fortunately he was moved when it was discovered he was sitting in the wrong seat. Instead of having to sit beside Mr. Boob my row mates were two very petite Chinese Ladies. A much easier arrangement as even before take off Mr. Boob had demonstrated a desire to take as much of the row for himself as he could. Undoubtedly the monstrous size of his balls made it necessary for him to sit with his knees as far apart as possible.

It was as pleasant a flight as an 18 hour flight could be. As it was a real Chuck Heston type airplane instead of a rattling paper mache Airbus gnome transport we didn’t need to stop in Alaska to refuel or re-staple the wings on. The seats were generous and roomy and over all it was a nice trip except perhaps for the shrieking baby who shrieked from Hong Kong until about the International Date Line. The kid squawked long enough that every Chinese Grandmother on the plane came over one at a time to see if they could calm her or perhaps to see what the malfunction the parents had might be. The kids Dad had already proved he was a Boob when he came on board and began trying to cram his oversized carry on into already full overhead bins.

We arrived in Toronto at around 7:00 pm. I passed through customs quickly but then had to wait an eternity for the luggage to come tumbling down to the belt. At first they seemed to be offloading the luggage one bag at a time in ten minute intervals but eventually the two bags I’d checked spilled forth and I collected them. With that I dragged all my stuff out into the arrival terminal to meet Jayne. Further struggle was required and we managed to get to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Once loaded we headed out with the top down and got on the road to Lazy Town.

Summer sky

The drive to lazy town

It was truly bizarre to be here in the summer. The sun was still up and the air was full of scents I have not smelled since August 2000.

We pulled into Wyndham Manor and Jayne sent the kids out to help “bring in things” from the car. They had no idea that today was the day of days. I got an excellent picture of two very surprised faces. There was a great deal of rejoicing and hugging after which my many belongings were carted down to my wing of Wyndham Manor.

Sunset and the trees

Sunset and the trees

Tonight was Paul’s Birthday so we had a lovely dinner out by the pool followed by cake and candles. The evening ended off with swim.

So here I am.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008: The Last Day

The morning train under the BTS construction

Crossing the tracks

Currahee decorations

Up earlier and out early to Currahee. One last run and one last sauna before my membership is no longer relevant. I cleared my locker and packed up my radioactive shoes in a bag for easy disposal. Then I bid the staff farewell and walked over the Black Swan to meet UK Mike. We had a pleasant breakfast and I lucked out with a three poached eggs rather than the usual two. Afterwards we said good bye for now, I said farewell to the staff and I headed out. I will miss the Swan a lot.

I took the BTS over to Siam and then on to MBK to pick up a few things that needed to be picked up. Then I walked back over to Paragon and had one last Starbucks with Bonhomme. From there it was over to Coco Walk to get my hair cut and visit the Software Lady one last time.

One last view of MBK

The new Arts Center

Paragon and Siam BTS Station

I walked over to Pantip and saw the crew at the Notebook House. I had some old drives that I wanted them to check over. Two were dead but I sold them one that still worked. Then I said my good byes there and headed back over to Ratchathewi.

Pantip Plaza

I had one last tasty meal at Fresh Milk then walked back up past the SOL and said good bye to the Water Mellon Lady, who’s been selling me fruit since 2001.

The last Fresh Milk meal

This evening was spent trying to fit all my stuff in to the limited space of two suitcases, one carry one bag and one laptop bag. That was a challenge.

At 8:00 pm I had my last swim then came back up and had some food. Now… Time for sleep. I will be up at 4:30 am.

Monday, July 28, 2008: Going To World

Morning view of the BTS Construction

I won't be here to see it finished

Up early and out to Currahee. Afterwards a walk over to the Black Swan for the last Monday breakfast there for the foreseeable future. A difficult thing. If I have learned anything in the last eight years (which is debatable) it would be that, as the Flaming Lips once said, “All we have is now”.

Breakfast

After Breakfast it was over to the the Dentist for the last cheaply priced cleaning in the foreseeable future. I was pleasantly surprised when she didn’t charge me as it was my last visit. (Imagine a Dentist in Canada doing that!)

Asok & Sukhumvit

Asok & Sukhumvit

An excellent poster!

Cat Hair Design

The afternoon consisted of various running about to be completed and other tedious tasks to address before Starbucks. From Starbucks at Nana it was back over towards Siam and onwards eventually ending up with spicy beef salad for dinner. I chose to have it today as it would problematic to have the day before getting on an airplane for 18 hours.

Ratchathewi view

Walking back

Walking back from Spicy Beef

A view of the construction across the road

A view I'm used to now

The Skyline I will miss

The evening was spent trying to pre-sort things for packing as I only have one more day. Unbelievable.

Sunday, July 27, 2008: Korg ES 1

When faced with hardship or sorrow many people take drugs, drink or even take up mime. I however buy gear. The gear purchase will usually distract me from what ever might be bothering me and will give me something to do other than sitting about eating bon bons and feeling sorry for myself.

With that in mind, today I purchased a used Korg ES-1 sampler which has been sitting at the Music shop in Pantip for about a month...

Sitting... Calling my name... saying "Yes, you are sad. You are mighty sad in fact. So I have been sent by Space Walk Shirely herself to cheer you or at least provide you with hours of amusement and noise-making.."

I have resisted that call as best I could. However yesterday was bad enough to require me to buy the Korg ES-1. So I did.

It is basically a sampler that is set up like an old-school drum machine. Its from the same linage as the very useful ER-1 which I've had since 2000, and the less used and slightly more frustrating to program EA-1 analog modeling box. I spent several hours this evening clearing out the previous owners samples, which although nice not needed. I then took a small sample off of some thing I did years ago that was on my iPod and proceeded to mangle it up and make a truly twisted drum program.

I can see this machine has a lot more to offer than I had suspected.