After attending the ceremony at the Wat Bangkrachao Nok yesterday morning and the funeral ceremony the last two days I am starting to see a pattern. It reminds me when I first attended a Catholic church ceremony, I could not figure out how the people knew what was going on. After attending for awhile I began to see the pattern. In fact I see many of the same patterns that I observed in the ceremony for Sutep in Fairbanks.
Yesterday morning, at the Kathin ceremony at Wat Bangkrachao Nok I noticed a little boy, maybe seven or eight years old with a couple guns. He was having "fun" shooting his father. He was also wearing camouflage pants. He was slightly overweight and looked indulged. In Fairbanks when we had visitors I had them check their toy guns at the door!
I have seen people, a couple times walk and up and down the canal with a slingshot, they are fishing. I have not seen any success yet. I even saw one person trying to fish with a pellet gun. So far I have not seen a fish large enough to shoot, but they must be there.
The road is getting near and it is a mess, they cut down the palm fronds that surround Jit's old house. The house is much more exposed. I am still unclear exactly how the road will be routed. I think it will eventually go to the river near the small boat dock. I am assuming, with no facts, that eventually more houses are going to be built. It is hard to imagine the investment in the road without some method of earning money.
Yesterday as we were returning from the ceremony at the Wat Bangkrachao Nok I saw a Lotus sports car beside the road with its hood up. Sort of surprising, not the hood up, it was a Lotus, but just that it was there.
On the way to the funeral last night I saw a sign on the front of a store, Optimum Brain.
There were many more people attending the funeral last night, there was a series of four distinct chants and people visiting and paying respect.
As we were leaving for the funeral last night Juke put a small leaf in my pocket for protection. After we were at the funeral Jit said many of her mother's relatives were there. I asked why Jit's mom was not going and Jit said it was because she was sick. Somehow attending a funeral makes people who are sick more likely to get worse. I bugged Jit a little, I would think it would be great for her mom to get out and see some of her relatives. Being at home makes her life perspective get pretty small.
We dropped 18 rolls of film by for developing last night. They should be ready to pickup today. I need to select and get pictures printed of the funeral by Thursday so that I can give them to the family.
Tonight Pan, Jit's younger brother will pick us up to go to the funeral. There are two more days of ceremonies and then on Thursday the body will be cremated.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Bopae, Wat Bangkrachao Nok, and Kathin
The proper spelling, according to the map, for the area we explored Saturday is Bopae. Getting meaningful and consistent spellings is difficult.
On our trip Saturday and Sunday I noticed a couple signs and a few random observations..
Sign on a beauty parlor, Fly Heart.
Sign on the back of a shirt, What Drives You.
At the temple last night there was a small poodle with a coat, sort of like those coats that are used to keep a dog warm!
In addition to the large river boat not having a driver, sometimes, the engine is dangerous. The engine is set in the center of the aft portion of the boat. People sit around the engine. There is no protection from the pulleys and the exhaust. Peoples clothes could get caught in the pulleys and belts, people could get burnt. People sit right in front of the fly wheel. None of these disasters has happened that I have heard about, but the potential is real. People walk right by the running motor when they go to the back of the boat. The engine is in pretty poor condition, with rags and wires holding things together. Some of the boats have the driver in the rear, others in the front, some of the boats have the engine in better condition, but all of the boats have an exposed engine. One thing about the boats is beautiful, the grain and wear of the wood.
When we were at Bopae the river boats were going by, I love to watch them. The boats are powerful and run up and down the canal making large waves. They are like large buses in capacity. It is exciting to see and hear them go through the canals. Most times there are two men, one at the bow and other at the stern that hold the boat close to the dock as people jump on and off. One of the boats only had a person at the front so the aft portion of the boat drifted away from the dock. There was a women caught between the boat and the dock with a heavy load of clothes. She got back on the dock, people helped her with her clothes, and she made it. People really do help each other in Thailand.
We went to the Wat Bangkrachao Nok this morning. The ceremony was called, I think Kathin. People brought new robes for the monks to wear. There was food preparation and a meal for the Monks, after the Monks ate the community ate. What was amazing was the group of drummers that were at the temple. They played and then they led a procession around the temple three times, the women were dancing, the rhythm was exciting. I think the drum group travels and does it for a living. It was wonderful to hear. After the procession around the temple there was a ceremony inside, the new robes were put on, and them we went to another building to feed the monks. The meal needed to be done by 12:00 because the Monks are not supposed to eat after noon. I took some pictures, and was encouraged to take more pictures, but I felt awkward. Some times I am torn between the tension of participation and observation. I also do not want to be rude or thoughtless in my pursuit of photographs. Today I participated and observed at different times.
Coming back we were going to walk, I guess there is a short cut, but then we all rode in the back of a pickup. There must of been about 12 women, almost my age, riding in the back of the truck. Many of the women I had not seen before. They are on the path to the small boat dock. I think that there is a way, using concrete paths, to get to the Wat quickly. I want to learn the paths. Naturally I was an opportunity for teasing and comments on the return trip. It was fun. I took a few pictures. When they found out that I was 60 one women mentioned that I had good teeth, I guess everything is relative!
Today, during the dancing procession, there was a drunk women dancing in front of the other women. After words she tried to talk with me a little. It was awkward.
Tonight we go back to the funereal ceremony. I need to get the pictures to Phra Pradaeng to get developed. I will then edit them and have them printed to give to the family.
On our trip Saturday and Sunday I noticed a couple signs and a few random observations..
Sign on a beauty parlor, Fly Heart.
Sign on the back of a shirt, What Drives You.
At the temple last night there was a small poodle with a coat, sort of like those coats that are used to keep a dog warm!
In addition to the large river boat not having a driver, sometimes, the engine is dangerous. The engine is set in the center of the aft portion of the boat. People sit around the engine. There is no protection from the pulleys and the exhaust. Peoples clothes could get caught in the pulleys and belts, people could get burnt. People sit right in front of the fly wheel. None of these disasters has happened that I have heard about, but the potential is real. People walk right by the running motor when they go to the back of the boat. The engine is in pretty poor condition, with rags and wires holding things together. Some of the boats have the driver in the rear, others in the front, some of the boats have the engine in better condition, but all of the boats have an exposed engine. One thing about the boats is beautiful, the grain and wear of the wood.
When we were at Bopae the river boats were going by, I love to watch them. The boats are powerful and run up and down the canal making large waves. They are like large buses in capacity. It is exciting to see and hear them go through the canals. Most times there are two men, one at the bow and other at the stern that hold the boat close to the dock as people jump on and off. One of the boats only had a person at the front so the aft portion of the boat drifted away from the dock. There was a women caught between the boat and the dock with a heavy load of clothes. She got back on the dock, people helped her with her clothes, and she made it. People really do help each other in Thailand.
We went to the Wat Bangkrachao Nok this morning. The ceremony was called, I think Kathin. People brought new robes for the monks to wear. There was food preparation and a meal for the Monks, after the Monks ate the community ate. What was amazing was the group of drummers that were at the temple. They played and then they led a procession around the temple three times, the women were dancing, the rhythm was exciting. I think the drum group travels and does it for a living. It was wonderful to hear. After the procession around the temple there was a ceremony inside, the new robes were put on, and them we went to another building to feed the monks. The meal needed to be done by 12:00 because the Monks are not supposed to eat after noon. I took some pictures, and was encouraged to take more pictures, but I felt awkward. Some times I am torn between the tension of participation and observation. I also do not want to be rude or thoughtless in my pursuit of photographs. Today I participated and observed at different times.
Coming back we were going to walk, I guess there is a short cut, but then we all rode in the back of a pickup. There must of been about 12 women, almost my age, riding in the back of the truck. Many of the women I had not seen before. They are on the path to the small boat dock. I think that there is a way, using concrete paths, to get to the Wat quickly. I want to learn the paths. Naturally I was an opportunity for teasing and comments on the return trip. It was fun. I took a few pictures. When they found out that I was 60 one women mentioned that I had good teeth, I guess everything is relative!
Today, during the dancing procession, there was a drunk women dancing in front of the other women. After words she tried to talk with me a little. It was awkward.
Tonight we go back to the funereal ceremony. I need to get the pictures to Phra Pradaeng to get developed. I will then edit them and have them printed to give to the family.
Ksanjai Temeyachat
Last night we drove to the funereal ceremony for Jit's aunt, Ksanjai Temeyachat. I was hesitant to take pictures, but other people were, and then I was invited, especially when the memory card got full. I had to run to get ready for putting the body into the coffin. I took many pictures. The light, in the evening, was terrible, high fluorescent bulbs, so I know I will need to do some work to make the presentable. The light was OK in the beginning. I tried to focus on the relatives and the son and daughters. I hope that the pictures are going to be OK, there are a lot of memories depending on my photography.
The ceremony was similar to the one for Sutep in Fairbanks, the chanting and the community participation. I do not understand all the symbolism in the ritual. Jit's uncle was hesitant to come, his feelings were too intense, Jit, Juke, Tuke, Nuck and Nick walked to his house to encourage him to come. I tagged along. The house was in a compound surrounded by higher buildings, there were three or four traditional Thai wood houses. Jit's uncle is a very dignified man and his grief was very deep and very restrained. You could feel the intensity of his loss. He agreed to come and we rode back in two Tuk-Tuks.
Many people gathered around him with compassion, touched him with reassurance, and let him speak. At the end of the ceremony he want up to the front with his two daughters and his son. It was very deep. As we left people were putting the chairs away and his chair was the only one remaining and occupied. People were with him. His wife had been in the hospital for a couple months, going home alone, after spending a life together, must be very difficult.
Jit's uncle had suffered a stroke about a year ago, but has recovered his abilities. He was a school principal. His home was decorated with tropical pictures. On the wall was a very handsome picture of him, it looks like he was a movie star. He is tall, with gray well groomed and combed hair. What I can not express, is the dignity and depth of his grief. He made a comment that he would go to Alaska because he needs friends now. The picture of his wife looks very different from the women that I saw in the hospital and in the coffin. She was a pharmacist. She was in her middle sixties.
There will be three more days of ceremony before the cremation. Jit's nephew will go through the ritual of becoming a monk. I believe that this helps a person make the transition to death. Hyde, Surinam son, did the same thing for Sutep in Fairbanks. We will go to the ceremony again tonight.
Juke and Nuke could not participate, they had to stay back because they both had injuries. I was also told to wash my face after taking the pictures. There is some echo of being careful of spirits of the dead. None of this extra dimension lessened or diminished the care of compassion or grief that was being expressed and soothed and the funereal.
I have about 15 rolls of film to develop from the last few days. Tomorrow in the morning we will go to a ceremony at the local temple.
The ceremony was similar to the one for Sutep in Fairbanks, the chanting and the community participation. I do not understand all the symbolism in the ritual. Jit's uncle was hesitant to come, his feelings were too intense, Jit, Juke, Tuke, Nuck and Nick walked to his house to encourage him to come. I tagged along. The house was in a compound surrounded by higher buildings, there were three or four traditional Thai wood houses. Jit's uncle is a very dignified man and his grief was very deep and very restrained. You could feel the intensity of his loss. He agreed to come and we rode back in two Tuk-Tuks.
Many people gathered around him with compassion, touched him with reassurance, and let him speak. At the end of the ceremony he want up to the front with his two daughters and his son. It was very deep. As we left people were putting the chairs away and his chair was the only one remaining and occupied. People were with him. His wife had been in the hospital for a couple months, going home alone, after spending a life together, must be very difficult.
Jit's uncle had suffered a stroke about a year ago, but has recovered his abilities. He was a school principal. His home was decorated with tropical pictures. On the wall was a very handsome picture of him, it looks like he was a movie star. He is tall, with gray well groomed and combed hair. What I can not express, is the dignity and depth of his grief. He made a comment that he would go to Alaska because he needs friends now. The picture of his wife looks very different from the women that I saw in the hospital and in the coffin. She was a pharmacist. She was in her middle sixties.
There will be three more days of ceremony before the cremation. Jit's nephew will go through the ritual of becoming a monk. I believe that this helps a person make the transition to death. Hyde, Surinam son, did the same thing for Sutep in Fairbanks. We will go to the ceremony again tonight.
Juke and Nuke could not participate, they had to stay back because they both had injuries. I was also told to wash my face after taking the pictures. There is some echo of being careful of spirits of the dead. None of this extra dimension lessened or diminished the care of compassion or grief that was being expressed and soothed and the funereal.
I have about 15 rolls of film to develop from the last few days. Tomorrow in the morning we will go to a ceremony at the local temple.
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Bopae Market, a boat with no pilot, and some sadness.
Friday October 28th
I thought I should explain Pantip Palace. Pantip Palace is a large, I think six story technology department store. There are hundreds of shops each selling technology. Everything from used equipment, to digital cameras, to all kinds of computers. Some of the stores are actually factory run. The selection is amazing, the prices are not especially cheap, except for copied software and DVD's.
Last night at Juke's house I saw the 100 Pipers Glass again. The exact wording of the glass is "Only you know what is real." and then on the other side "Real Friend"
Yesterday we had another amazing experience, but I only realized it when I reflected on the day. When we got to the Klong Toey dock to get on the boat we paid and got on. I only then realized that there was no pilot or boat driver. The pilot was on shore getting some Pepsi. The boat was in gear, the throttle was set, and the boat was nudged against the dock so that people could get on, but there was no driver! The pilot then got on board and we took off. My poor imagination can fill in many possibilities with disasters. I guess it takes some faith to live in Thailand. If you are not in the present moment you can die! Maybe it is a form of meditation. I know if I was preoccupied and not paying attention I would get hurt.
We had a good discussion and meal at Juke's house, Nick and Nuck will go with us to Bopae Market. We will get up at 5:00 AM
Saturday October 29th
We got late start, we left at 5:45, but the light was just right. My goal for this trip is to take pictures. I will use the Voigtlander Bessa R2a with the 50mm and the 75mm lens. Just experimenting with a different view. I also will use the Ricoh GR1v. The light is beautiful in the morning, very pastel and shaded, hopefully the pictures will show the effect.
Bangkok is a very hard working city. People are up getting to work and getting organized for the day. It is already busy in the morning, it is a great time to wander and take photographs. The Bopae market is a huge clothing market, early in the morning people set up booths up and down the street. There are many permanent stores and factories in the area for clothing. The Market encloses the base of the Prince Palace hotel where we stayed in 2004. By 9:00 AM all the temporary stalls are removed and only the permanent clothes sellers remain. This goes on seven days a week. I really like the area. The canal also goes through the area with the canal boats roaring up and down carrying passengers. There is a large mosque also in the area. The Bope area, and the Prince Palace hotel is a great place to explore. I took many photographs.
There are many weird and profound T Shirt slogans in the market. One that I think is awesome is:
No Concept
No Ideas
No Tears
Nick and Nuck are great traveling companions, they make me laugh with there perspective on life. It was fun having them with us. We took the small boat across and back so we could walk. At least with the small boat we can be sure there is a pilot on board! We met Jit's dad and Nuck's mother on the way back home. They were heading into town.
There were loudspeakers from a truck when we got back from the market. They were getting people to sign up for the government health program, I think.
We donated to the temple, we are registered in the temple under the Cysewski name. I saw our name in Thai, but it is still incomprehensible!
There are at least four kids in this community who are aides orphans and are being taken care of by their extended family. When people explain they say drugs and Aids. There are a lot of subtle things that are going on in this community that I do not see, some people are taken care of better then others, but I do not see the difference.
When we got home we found out that Jit's aunt died, the one we visited in the Pak Kret area. There will be a ceremony at 4:00. Many people in the community are organizing to attend. She had a long battle with cancer, I think it was of the liver.
According to Jit I can take pictures. I am getting ready. I will use the 28mm 1.9 and the 40mm 1.4 lens with 800 speed film. I do not want to impose on the process, but I do hope that I can take some pictures for peoples memories.
I thought I should explain Pantip Palace. Pantip Palace is a large, I think six story technology department store. There are hundreds of shops each selling technology. Everything from used equipment, to digital cameras, to all kinds of computers. Some of the stores are actually factory run. The selection is amazing, the prices are not especially cheap, except for copied software and DVD's.
Last night at Juke's house I saw the 100 Pipers Glass again. The exact wording of the glass is "Only you know what is real." and then on the other side "Real Friend"
Yesterday we had another amazing experience, but I only realized it when I reflected on the day. When we got to the Klong Toey dock to get on the boat we paid and got on. I only then realized that there was no pilot or boat driver. The pilot was on shore getting some Pepsi. The boat was in gear, the throttle was set, and the boat was nudged against the dock so that people could get on, but there was no driver! The pilot then got on board and we took off. My poor imagination can fill in many possibilities with disasters. I guess it takes some faith to live in Thailand. If you are not in the present moment you can die! Maybe it is a form of meditation. I know if I was preoccupied and not paying attention I would get hurt.
We had a good discussion and meal at Juke's house, Nick and Nuck will go with us to Bopae Market. We will get up at 5:00 AM
Saturday October 29th
We got late start, we left at 5:45, but the light was just right. My goal for this trip is to take pictures. I will use the Voigtlander Bessa R2a with the 50mm and the 75mm lens. Just experimenting with a different view. I also will use the Ricoh GR1v. The light is beautiful in the morning, very pastel and shaded, hopefully the pictures will show the effect.
Bangkok is a very hard working city. People are up getting to work and getting organized for the day. It is already busy in the morning, it is a great time to wander and take photographs. The Bopae market is a huge clothing market, early in the morning people set up booths up and down the street. There are many permanent stores and factories in the area for clothing. The Market encloses the base of the Prince Palace hotel where we stayed in 2004. By 9:00 AM all the temporary stalls are removed and only the permanent clothes sellers remain. This goes on seven days a week. I really like the area. The canal also goes through the area with the canal boats roaring up and down carrying passengers. There is a large mosque also in the area. The Bope area, and the Prince Palace hotel is a great place to explore. I took many photographs.
There are many weird and profound T Shirt slogans in the market. One that I think is awesome is:
No Concept
No Ideas
No Tears
Nick and Nuck are great traveling companions, they make me laugh with there perspective on life. It was fun having them with us. We took the small boat across and back so we could walk. At least with the small boat we can be sure there is a pilot on board! We met Jit's dad and Nuck's mother on the way back home. They were heading into town.
There were loudspeakers from a truck when we got back from the market. They were getting people to sign up for the government health program, I think.
We donated to the temple, we are registered in the temple under the Cysewski name. I saw our name in Thai, but it is still incomprehensible!
There are at least four kids in this community who are aides orphans and are being taken care of by their extended family. When people explain they say drugs and Aids. There are a lot of subtle things that are going on in this community that I do not see, some people are taken care of better then others, but I do not see the difference.
When we got home we found out that Jit's aunt died, the one we visited in the Pak Kret area. There will be a ceremony at 4:00. Many people in the community are organizing to attend. She had a long battle with cancer, I think it was of the liver.
According to Jit I can take pictures. I am getting ready. I will use the 28mm 1.9 and the 40mm 1.4 lens with 800 speed film. I do not want to impose on the process, but I do hope that I can take some pictures for peoples memories.
Friday, October 28, 2005
Immigration, turtle heads, watching bread, and a dog.
They were working on the road all night, we can hear the truck come and go. I think the road is getting near the old house. I hope the road does not change things too much. I think they haul fill at night because of the traffic, but I am not sure.
We went to Immigration to get my Visa extended until we leave. I guess, even though the Visa was a six month Visa, that you need to report every 90 days. It was confusing. There were layers of signatures, getting numbers to wait, many different choices, I could not hear the numbers and did not really have a clue as to what was happening. I just could not de-code the layers of processes going on. Jit handled it and it all worked out, but I am not sure what I would have done without Jit. I do not like the feeling of powerlessness that I have when I face bureaucracy. Anyway it worked, my VISA, even though it was already a 6 month Visa, needed to be reviewed in 90 days. It cost 1,900 Baht, about $50 for the extension. Even though my Visa is now good until I leave I still need to report to immigration again in 90 days. Oh well......
We went to Pantip Plaza, it was much more active and interesting then the IT shopping center at Zeer. There were many notebooks and digital camera places. On the first floor I kept getting persistently approached to buy DVD's and Software. Sort of irritating. I did not look at the software in detail, but with the need to upgrade and patch software I am not sure if it is worth it anymore. It was pretty interesting though, and there was still a lot of IT energy.
After getting home Jit went to sleep, I think she exhausted herself during the last week. I read the Bangkok Post and then looked around outside. I threw a small piece of bread into the canal by the house. I watched it until it disappeared, it took about 25 minutes, small six inch fish would periodically nibble on the bread. I also saw a large turtle head twice, it was sort of lumpy looking. I had not seen that before. A few years ago, in the fall, I sat by a beaver pond and just watched, there were ripples and a beaver showed up, I heard a splash, and through the growth, I could see a moose. Just watching nature is a joy, but it takes a little to calm down and watch.
Yesterday I saw a really beat up dog, it had some sort of skin disease, similar to the black dog that I posted pictures of. The dogs skin was loose and wrinkled, it looked like elephant skin. The dog did not scratch or anything and its nose was wet, so it might actually be healthy internally. By the skin was loose, almost baggy, and wrinkled looking. There was only a little hair left. Sort of odd. I was not in a good place to take a picture.
I posted some pictures from downtown Bangkok the last two days, there are many more. I am anxious to return to the area to do more photography. I backed up all my photographs onto DVD disks because I am running out of hard disk space. It feels good to have backups.
This sabbatical has been very good for Jit. Working as a partnership and being included in all the meetings and activities has re-awakened Jit's interest in going to college. She is thinking deeply about what she want to do with her talent and ability. It is great to see her sense of potential re-awakening.
We went to Immigration to get my Visa extended until we leave. I guess, even though the Visa was a six month Visa, that you need to report every 90 days. It was confusing. There were layers of signatures, getting numbers to wait, many different choices, I could not hear the numbers and did not really have a clue as to what was happening. I just could not de-code the layers of processes going on. Jit handled it and it all worked out, but I am not sure what I would have done without Jit. I do not like the feeling of powerlessness that I have when I face bureaucracy. Anyway it worked, my VISA, even though it was already a 6 month Visa, needed to be reviewed in 90 days. It cost 1,900 Baht, about $50 for the extension. Even though my Visa is now good until I leave I still need to report to immigration again in 90 days. Oh well......
We went to Pantip Plaza, it was much more active and interesting then the IT shopping center at Zeer. There were many notebooks and digital camera places. On the first floor I kept getting persistently approached to buy DVD's and Software. Sort of irritating. I did not look at the software in detail, but with the need to upgrade and patch software I am not sure if it is worth it anymore. It was pretty interesting though, and there was still a lot of IT energy.
After getting home Jit went to sleep, I think she exhausted herself during the last week. I read the Bangkok Post and then looked around outside. I threw a small piece of bread into the canal by the house. I watched it until it disappeared, it took about 25 minutes, small six inch fish would periodically nibble on the bread. I also saw a large turtle head twice, it was sort of lumpy looking. I had not seen that before. A few years ago, in the fall, I sat by a beaver pond and just watched, there were ripples and a beaver showed up, I heard a splash, and through the growth, I could see a moose. Just watching nature is a joy, but it takes a little to calm down and watch.
Yesterday I saw a really beat up dog, it had some sort of skin disease, similar to the black dog that I posted pictures of. The dogs skin was loose and wrinkled, it looked like elephant skin. The dog did not scratch or anything and its nose was wet, so it might actually be healthy internally. By the skin was loose, almost baggy, and wrinkled looking. There was only a little hair left. Sort of odd. I was not in a good place to take a picture.
I posted some pictures from downtown Bangkok the last two days, there are many more. I am anxious to return to the area to do more photography. I backed up all my photographs onto DVD disks because I am running out of hard disk space. It feels good to have backups.
This sabbatical has been very good for Jit. Working as a partnership and being included in all the meetings and activities has re-awakened Jit's interest in going to college. She is thinking deeply about what she want to do with her talent and ability. It is great to see her sense of potential re-awakening.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
STOU, Jargon alert, Scorm, Reload, and Leslie Richards
Another day at STOU, the workshop I have been participating in has been valuable. Not only is the subject interesting the group of faculty members are a joy to work with. Today I will briefly mention some of the workshop jargon. Leslie Richards is doing an excellent job or exploring the material. One of the purposes of my blog is to document my sabbatical and some of the information, in the workshop today will be immediately valuable.
We saw examples of e-portfolios, we looked at a free course management system called Moogle, and also looked at a software package, Reload, that will take a well constructed web site and convert it to SCORM compatible modules for importation into a course management package. It looks pretty cool. There is some valuable information to explore.
We also looked at LearningMapR, which when it is released, will help the creation of task based courses. I especially was intrigued with the idea of 90 examples of task based exercises that could be used for inspiration. I am eagerly anticipating seeing the task examples and structures. The tool looks useful and practical.
Finally we saw an excellent resume writing set of tasks integrated into the University of Waterloo learning management system. I was very impressed with this tool and would love to adapt something similar into our advising at TVC.
Before we went to the seminar we stopped at our favorite coffee shop at STOU. I was looking at the Thai newspapers. There were a couple computer ads. HP was advertising some Compaq notebooks with the "DOS operating system." I am sure they meant Windows XP, but it was curious. A fairly well configured notebook was around a $1,000. There was also an ad for some desktop computers with Intel processors. The best configured model, with an 80gb hard disk and 512mb of memory was about $500. There were advertised as Family PC's. The computers that I see at Big C usually have 256mb of memory, which is pretty slim.
We visited Nednapa during lunch. I really like visiting the people at the counseling section. The Access database is being used, I think it is the first Access database that I have created that is really useful. We looked at creating a lookup field for disabilities. Dr Sumalee was also at the workshop today. I really like to see people that I have worked with. There is a chance I will be able to participate in another adult education graduate seminar.
It looks like my next assignment area at STOU is getting clarified. People seem to know what I am doing before I do! I think Jit is my agent! I believe I will be looking at courseware and educational design.
I got my immigration letter from STOU. We will try to go the department of Immigration tomorrow or Monday. I want to make sure that my Visa will be extended until we leave, I do not like to encounter governmental decision makers. Anyway we have the letter and will need to get my Visa extension.
This morning as we were waiting for the motorbike to take us to the dock I was looking for the snake, I am not sure I really wanted to find it. Anyway I felt some water falling on me from raindrops the tree I was under, as I looked up a squirrel ran up the tree, It was pretty cool, no snake and a squirrel. There was also a dove in the next tree, it was very fresh and pretty out because of the rain last night, a beautiful morning.
When we got to the Klong Toey pier I saw the devastated women in black, but she was wearing a new outfit, flowered pants, she was still in her same perch and very dirty. Somebody must of intervened a little to get some new clothes for her. She is so out of it, it is scary. Some people are really heartbreaking. Last night when we crossed on the boat a very inebriated man in a cowboy hat and long hair rode across. This morning he was walking to the boat to cross the river again. I am not sure if I am seeing the effect of alcohol, drugs, or mental illness, but there are some very lost people. It is a real challenge to think about photographing devastated people. Usually I do not, the photograph might be powerful, but I sort of feel like I would be stealing, maybe it is just lack of courage. I know, because of some experiences in Alaska, I do not reach out to devastated people. I am not sure what I would communicate or what I could do. I need to reflect on these experiences.
We saw examples of e-portfolios, we looked at a free course management system called Moogle, and also looked at a software package, Reload, that will take a well constructed web site and convert it to SCORM compatible modules for importation into a course management package. It looks pretty cool. There is some valuable information to explore.
We also looked at LearningMapR, which when it is released, will help the creation of task based courses. I especially was intrigued with the idea of 90 examples of task based exercises that could be used for inspiration. I am eagerly anticipating seeing the task examples and structures. The tool looks useful and practical.
Finally we saw an excellent resume writing set of tasks integrated into the University of Waterloo learning management system. I was very impressed with this tool and would love to adapt something similar into our advising at TVC.
Before we went to the seminar we stopped at our favorite coffee shop at STOU. I was looking at the Thai newspapers. There were a couple computer ads. HP was advertising some Compaq notebooks with the "DOS operating system." I am sure they meant Windows XP, but it was curious. A fairly well configured notebook was around a $1,000. There was also an ad for some desktop computers with Intel processors. The best configured model, with an 80gb hard disk and 512mb of memory was about $500. There were advertised as Family PC's. The computers that I see at Big C usually have 256mb of memory, which is pretty slim.
We visited Nednapa during lunch. I really like visiting the people at the counseling section. The Access database is being used, I think it is the first Access database that I have created that is really useful. We looked at creating a lookup field for disabilities. Dr Sumalee was also at the workshop today. I really like to see people that I have worked with. There is a chance I will be able to participate in another adult education graduate seminar.
It looks like my next assignment area at STOU is getting clarified. People seem to know what I am doing before I do! I think Jit is my agent! I believe I will be looking at courseware and educational design.
I got my immigration letter from STOU. We will try to go the department of Immigration tomorrow or Monday. I want to make sure that my Visa will be extended until we leave, I do not like to encounter governmental decision makers. Anyway we have the letter and will need to get my Visa extension.
This morning as we were waiting for the motorbike to take us to the dock I was looking for the snake, I am not sure I really wanted to find it. Anyway I felt some water falling on me from raindrops the tree I was under, as I looked up a squirrel ran up the tree, It was pretty cool, no snake and a squirrel. There was also a dove in the next tree, it was very fresh and pretty out because of the rain last night, a beautiful morning.
When we got to the Klong Toey pier I saw the devastated women in black, but she was wearing a new outfit, flowered pants, she was still in her same perch and very dirty. Somebody must of intervened a little to get some new clothes for her. She is so out of it, it is scary. Some people are really heartbreaking. Last night when we crossed on the boat a very inebriated man in a cowboy hat and long hair rode across. This morning he was walking to the boat to cross the river again. I am not sure if I am seeing the effect of alcohol, drugs, or mental illness, but there are some very lost people. It is a real challenge to think about photographing devastated people. Usually I do not, the photograph might be powerful, but I sort of feel like I would be stealing, maybe it is just lack of courage. I know, because of some experiences in Alaska, I do not reach out to devastated people. I am not sure what I would communicate or what I could do. I need to reflect on these experiences.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
The New Classroom, The Virtual Hill Tribe Museum, and another new Bangkok experience.
The New Classroom, The Virtual Hill Tribe Museum, and another new Bangkok experience.
The New Classroom :Rethinking Learning for e-Learning is based on a creating tasks for students as a method of teaching. You can see the previous blog entry for more detail as to the workshop content. Essentially creating tasks takes priority over creating course content. By creating tasks you are creating rich, focused expectations with a clear method of coaching and feedback for student learning. Everything that I hear in this workshop I agree with, it has been very valuable.
Last night, when I was not sleeping I realized that the CIOS 211 Providing Computer Support course and the Information Technology Specialist Certification Review are both a form of task based learning. I do not think that either the course or the certification review are a complete implementation of the concept, but they contain the germ of the insights discussed at the workshop. When I revise my Excel course and whatever additional courses that I create I will embed tasks more deeply into my courses. You can see my previous course syllabi at http://www.faculty.uaf.edu/ffsdc/syllabus/
We went Siam Discovery center to meet with John Morris who helped create the Virtual Hill Tribes Museum. John is a deep, creative, and thoughtful person to talk with. I enjoyed sharing experiences and perspectives. His experience in the Peace Corp and in Thailand is invaluable. John has been in Thailand for seven years. I felt an affinity with John and found that the conversation re-awakened previous experiences that I had in Alaska. I highly recommend reading his blog at http://www.hilltribe.org/blogs/
After meeting with John we wandered around the Siam center area, a completely different part of Bangkok. Bangkok is amazing, I wander into new areas and see new things on every trip to Bangkok. Bangkok is a city with many semi-autonomous and unique experiences. Maybe it is easier to think of Bangkok as many cities instead of one city. For instance Seattle has one downtown, Bangkok has many downtowns, each with a slightly different focus and atmosphere. I think I could spend a year just getting to know Bangkok and its different neighborhoods and communities. No matter where we go in the Bangkok area it is always a relief to get home. I think I would be overwhelmed, even more, if we did not have an island of rural calm to retreat to.
The New Classroom :Rethinking Learning for e-Learning is based on a creating tasks for students as a method of teaching. You can see the previous blog entry for more detail as to the workshop content. Essentially creating tasks takes priority over creating course content. By creating tasks you are creating rich, focused expectations with a clear method of coaching and feedback for student learning. Everything that I hear in this workshop I agree with, it has been very valuable.
Last night, when I was not sleeping I realized that the CIOS 211 Providing Computer Support course and the Information Technology Specialist Certification Review are both a form of task based learning. I do not think that either the course or the certification review are a complete implementation of the concept, but they contain the germ of the insights discussed at the workshop. When I revise my Excel course and whatever additional courses that I create I will embed tasks more deeply into my courses. You can see my previous course syllabi at http://www.faculty.uaf.edu/ffsdc/syllabus/
We went Siam Discovery center to meet with John Morris who helped create the Virtual Hill Tribes Museum. John is a deep, creative, and thoughtful person to talk with. I enjoyed sharing experiences and perspectives. His experience in the Peace Corp and in Thailand is invaluable. John has been in Thailand for seven years. I felt an affinity with John and found that the conversation re-awakened previous experiences that I had in Alaska. I highly recommend reading his blog at http://www.hilltribe.org/blogs/
After meeting with John we wandered around the Siam center area, a completely different part of Bangkok. Bangkok is amazing, I wander into new areas and see new things on every trip to Bangkok. Bangkok is a city with many semi-autonomous and unique experiences. Maybe it is easier to think of Bangkok as many cities instead of one city. For instance Seattle has one downtown, Bangkok has many downtowns, each with a slightly different focus and atmosphere. I think I could spend a year just getting to know Bangkok and its different neighborhoods and communities. No matter where we go in the Bangkok area it is always a relief to get home. I think I would be overwhelmed, even more, if we did not have an island of rural calm to retreat to.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
The Lung, Photographs, the kitchen is done, and a Seminar at STOU.
Sunday 10/23
There was an article in the Bangkok Post today about the Bang Krachow area. I saw it online, in the area that I live, and even at both Big C's, I can not get the Bangkok Post or The Nation, so I still read the newspapers on the Internet, just like in Alaska. I copied the article and Jit translated it for Juke. I wished people had Internet access because information like the newspaper article are crucial for the community decision making. I wonder how the new road, that was approved at the community meeting, relates to the developments discussed in the newspaper article?
I did three Thai lessons and am making some progress, still very slow, but progress. We went with Juke in the afternoon to drop by the film and the CD for printing.
It was a productive day.
Monday 10/24
Today was cool and cloudy, relatively speaking of course. There was heavy rain last night.
We walked to catch the bus and went to Phra Pradaeng to get the pictures, we then took a taxi to Kong Chai to look at a stand for the stove. We saw a cabinet and also ordered another set of shelves for the kitchen. We actually had a fully cooked meal at home. The kitchen, the cupboards, the sink, and the laundry are all working, we even have water. I might get spoiled.
We also went and did a large shopping at Big C so that we could use our working kitchen. We even ate at KFC which was just the same as in the United States. KFC makes me feel fat in the USA and I feel the same way in Thailand. At least I tried it once, but not again.
The pictures look good, I am still looking through them, throwing out the pictures that have no value, and letting other pictures "simmer". Many of the pictures do capture the Chinatown experience. I think that I might try to start organizing a web site with my Thai pictures. The problem will be uploading them with the poor bandwidth. Maybe I can load them on a CD and take them to STOU. I know that my Blog is getting too slow because of all my pictures.
I gave Juke the pictures of the community meeting. I hope that people keep the pictures and look back at them for memories.
Tuesday 10/25
It has been cloudy and cool for three days, it is nice, but the light is sort of ugly for photographs. We went to STOU for the seminar with Leslie Richards from Waterloo University. The seminar is excellent, practical, pointed in its opinions, and very useful. It would be great to bring Leslie Richard to Alaska for the College of Rural and Community Development. His perspective on technology and learning is practical and refreshing. You can read the previous blog entry to see the seminar content. I am very satisfied with the content and it is fun to meet more of the professors at STOU. No surprises or traffic jams.
Tomorrow we will go to the seminar again and then, during lunch, go to the Siam Discovery center to meet with John Morris of Virtual Hill Tribes Musuem.
This morning when we got off the boat there was a person playing a single string Thai musical instrument. The sound was moving and evocative, it tugged at my feelings.
I visited Counseling Center at STOU and they are experimenting with my database. There are over 300 records entered in the database. It was strange to see it in Thai. I demonstrated Filter by Selection. I also had a great cup of real coffee at our favorite coffee shop at STOU. I was looking forward to the coffee and it was as good as I was hoping for.
I also got some information about Summer School. It looks like I will get to teach Digital Photography which should be fun, I really want to teach Digital Photography during the summer. I have many photo assignments ready for the students.
There was an article in the Bangkok Post today about the Bang Krachow area. I saw it online, in the area that I live, and even at both Big C's, I can not get the Bangkok Post or The Nation, so I still read the newspapers on the Internet, just like in Alaska. I copied the article and Jit translated it for Juke. I wished people had Internet access because information like the newspaper article are crucial for the community decision making. I wonder how the new road, that was approved at the community meeting, relates to the developments discussed in the newspaper article?
I did three Thai lessons and am making some progress, still very slow, but progress. We went with Juke in the afternoon to drop by the film and the CD for printing.
It was a productive day.
Monday 10/24
Today was cool and cloudy, relatively speaking of course. There was heavy rain last night.
We walked to catch the bus and went to Phra Pradaeng to get the pictures, we then took a taxi to Kong Chai to look at a stand for the stove. We saw a cabinet and also ordered another set of shelves for the kitchen. We actually had a fully cooked meal at home. The kitchen, the cupboards, the sink, and the laundry are all working, we even have water. I might get spoiled.
We also went and did a large shopping at Big C so that we could use our working kitchen. We even ate at KFC which was just the same as in the United States. KFC makes me feel fat in the USA and I feel the same way in Thailand. At least I tried it once, but not again.
The pictures look good, I am still looking through them, throwing out the pictures that have no value, and letting other pictures "simmer". Many of the pictures do capture the Chinatown experience. I think that I might try to start organizing a web site with my Thai pictures. The problem will be uploading them with the poor bandwidth. Maybe I can load them on a CD and take them to STOU. I know that my Blog is getting too slow because of all my pictures.
I gave Juke the pictures of the community meeting. I hope that people keep the pictures and look back at them for memories.
Tuesday 10/25
It has been cloudy and cool for three days, it is nice, but the light is sort of ugly for photographs. We went to STOU for the seminar with Leslie Richards from Waterloo University. The seminar is excellent, practical, pointed in its opinions, and very useful. It would be great to bring Leslie Richard to Alaska for the College of Rural and Community Development. His perspective on technology and learning is practical and refreshing. You can read the previous blog entry to see the seminar content. I am very satisfied with the content and it is fun to meet more of the professors at STOU. No surprises or traffic jams.
Tomorrow we will go to the seminar again and then, during lunch, go to the Siam Discovery center to meet with John Morris of Virtual Hill Tribes Musuem.
This morning when we got off the boat there was a person playing a single string Thai musical instrument. The sound was moving and evocative, it tugged at my feelings.
I visited Counseling Center at STOU and they are experimenting with my database. There are over 300 records entered in the database. It was strange to see it in Thai. I demonstrated Filter by Selection. I also had a great cup of real coffee at our favorite coffee shop at STOU. I was looking forward to the coffee and it was as good as I was hoping for.
I also got some information about Summer School. It looks like I will get to teach Digital Photography which should be fun, I really want to teach Digital Photography during the summer. I have many photo assignments ready for the students.
Monday, October 24, 2005
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Bangkok Post `LUNG' UNDER THREAT Bang Krachao eyed by greedy speculators
`LUNG' UNDER THREAT
Bang Krachao eyed by greedy speculators
When referring to kraprawh moo, food connoisseurs might initially think of the pig offal used as a tasty ingredient in the Chinese noodle soup called khiew jab . But for nature lovers, the name also refers to Bang Krachao, a vast area of green space located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in Samut Prakan province. The name refers to the location's unusual shape.
``If you look down from an aircraft, you can see the vast green forest, which takes that shape. But I regard this area as a lung, since it is one of the largest `green' spaces around Bangkok,'' said Sumeth Sirilak, an official from the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, which is responsible for the Sri Nakhon Kuen Khan public park in Bang Krachao.
Covering 11,810 rai in six sub-districts of Samut Prakan's Phra Pradaeng district, Bang Krachao, which is rich in mangrove palm or ton jaak, can boast that it is one of just a handful of orchards near the capital. It can be reached in just a few minutes by long-tail boat from Klong Toey.
The area was originally known as an early settlement for the Mon people, an ethnic Burmese group who migrated to Thailand more than 200 years ago. Locals can still make a living from the orchards, providing an occupation harmonious with nature. The area is sparsely populated, with only 40,000 residents.
In 1977, the government approved a plan to develop Bang Krachao into a garden city, similar to Singapore's Sentosa Island. About 3.2 billion baht was used in the project, which included a small park called Sri Nakhon Kuenkhan, which was opened in 2003, and a flood prevention wall.
In order to achieve the goal, the government issued a land expropriation decree to reclaim all private property, only to face strong opposition from locals. As a result, only 1,276 rai, accounting for 10% of the total area, was appropriated.
A strict town planning code, which prohibits high-rise buildings and large factories and real estate, contributes enormously to the maintenance of Bang Krachao's ``green'' attributes.
Recently, local conservationists who joined together under the Kraprawh Moo Bang Krachao Environmental Protection Group conducted a campaign for another strict municipal code that, if effective, would oblige residents who cut down trees or clear land for sale to plant new ones.
Charnchai Julameth, head of the group, said Bang Krachao is facing threats and precautions were urgently needed regarding an increase in land development activities. About 20 rai of green space had been destroyed as private land owners levelled their land for sale.
Some land owners had tried to reclaim land, and some had even built private piers over mangrove forest. The group is actively trying to convince the private land owners to save the valuable green space.
``Development brings problems with it. The launch of the industrial ring road project has pushed up land prices. Many people want to level their land for sale,'' said Mr Charnchai, who is also kamnan of Bang Krachao sub-district.
When opened next year, the industrial ring road, which links Suk Sawat Road in Phra Pradaeng district to Rama III Road near Sathon and Pu Chao Saming Phrai Road on the east side, will open up Bang Krachao, making it more appealing to land developers.
Last year, there were reports that a US-based film studio had shown interest in opening a low-rise studio, while several apparently well-off people were said to have begun buying up land on which to build houses.
Mr Sumeth said land prices have increased three-fold over recent years. Riverfront plots could fetch as much as five million baht per rai.
Bang Krachao eyed by greedy speculators
When referring to kraprawh moo, food connoisseurs might initially think of the pig offal used as a tasty ingredient in the Chinese noodle soup called khiew jab . But for nature lovers, the name also refers to Bang Krachao, a vast area of green space located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in Samut Prakan province. The name refers to the location's unusual shape.
``If you look down from an aircraft, you can see the vast green forest, which takes that shape. But I regard this area as a lung, since it is one of the largest `green' spaces around Bangkok,'' said Sumeth Sirilak, an official from the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, which is responsible for the Sri Nakhon Kuen Khan public park in Bang Krachao.
Covering 11,810 rai in six sub-districts of Samut Prakan's Phra Pradaeng district, Bang Krachao, which is rich in mangrove palm or ton jaak, can boast that it is one of just a handful of orchards near the capital. It can be reached in just a few minutes by long-tail boat from Klong Toey.
The area was originally known as an early settlement for the Mon people, an ethnic Burmese group who migrated to Thailand more than 200 years ago. Locals can still make a living from the orchards, providing an occupation harmonious with nature. The area is sparsely populated, with only 40,000 residents.
In 1977, the government approved a plan to develop Bang Krachao into a garden city, similar to Singapore's Sentosa Island. About 3.2 billion baht was used in the project, which included a small park called Sri Nakhon Kuenkhan, which was opened in 2003, and a flood prevention wall.
In order to achieve the goal, the government issued a land expropriation decree to reclaim all private property, only to face strong opposition from locals. As a result, only 1,276 rai, accounting for 10% of the total area, was appropriated.
A strict town planning code, which prohibits high-rise buildings and large factories and real estate, contributes enormously to the maintenance of Bang Krachao's ``green'' attributes.
Recently, local conservationists who joined together under the Kraprawh Moo Bang Krachao Environmental Protection Group conducted a campaign for another strict municipal code that, if effective, would oblige residents who cut down trees or clear land for sale to plant new ones.
Charnchai Julameth, head of the group, said Bang Krachao is facing threats and precautions were urgently needed regarding an increase in land development activities. About 20 rai of green space had been destroyed as private land owners levelled their land for sale.
Some land owners had tried to reclaim land, and some had even built private piers over mangrove forest. The group is actively trying to convince the private land owners to save the valuable green space.
``Development brings problems with it. The launch of the industrial ring road project has pushed up land prices. Many people want to level their land for sale,'' said Mr Charnchai, who is also kamnan of Bang Krachao sub-district.
When opened next year, the industrial ring road, which links Suk Sawat Road in Phra Pradaeng district to Rama III Road near Sathon and Pu Chao Saming Phrai Road on the east side, will open up Bang Krachao, making it more appealing to land developers.
Last year, there were reports that a US-based film studio had shown interest in opening a low-rise studio, while several apparently well-off people were said to have begun buying up land on which to build houses.
Mr Sumeth said land prices have increased three-fold over recent years. Riverfront plots could fetch as much as five million baht per rai.
LT3 - The New Classroom Faculty Series
LT3 - The New Classroom Faculty Series
I will be attending this workshop Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. It sounds interesting and relevant.
I will be attending this workshop Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. It sounds interesting and relevant.
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Whisky, www,hilltribes.org, and a snake
This morning I took a long walk in the park and then walked down the new village path. The path connects with other communities. I thought it went to the road, but I was wrong. As the path crossed the canal I met three men, they asked me if I wanted whisky. "Yo Whisky, Whisky in Thailand" laughter. I declined, I am an alcoholic. I have not had any alcohol to drink in over 20 years, alcohol still scares me. In Alaska if I ran into a group of people who were drinking I would be scared, in Thailand I was not. I am not sure why. Also I do not think that the incidence of Alcohol related suicide is like Alaska. Meth-amphetamine is a whole other thing and is devastating to peoples core values the way that alcohol can destroy a persons self-image in Alaska. Anyway. I have many places to explore.
One of our friends drinks 100 Pipers Whisky. There is a whisky glass in his house, on one side it says Friend, on the other "You know who your friends are" When I used to drink alcohol took the place of friendship. A glass like that is a pretty blatant message equating alcohol consumption and friendship, at least it seems like that to me.
In the late afternoon we went to Phra Pradaeng. There was a boat race on the river, large long boats were being rowed very quickly, maybe 14 people to a boat. There was a very enthusiastic announcer. When we went into town to go shopping the race was being broadcast on loudspeakers. Dropped off 11 rolls of film and a CD of pictures to be made. Also picked up another pack of Fuji 400 film. The film and prints should be ready for tomorrow.
Jit got some mattress covers, she already has the packing. Jit's aunt will help her make mattresses for Tone. We also picked up a lot of fruit and vegetables. The road back was fine, the broken poles from yesterday were all cleaned up.
The water was very high today, it was over the path to Jit's old house. A snake came across the path to out house, it was a green snake, not poisonous, but it was another experience.
A phone conversation with John Morris
I called John Morris this morning, we had an excellent conversation, about culture, cultural preservation, processes of cultural change and the similarities and differences between Alaska and the Hill Tribes of Thailand. He described teaching people to use the computers, starting with MSN Messenger, and then letting curiosity lead people to other computer skills including web publishing. We talked about the forces of cultural assimilation and the deep lose to human knowledge and experience when a language is lost. John was aware of the Eyak experience in Alaska.
For me, our brief conversation confirmed my hypothesis that the internet is the key technology that will motivate people to use technology, it is not computers. If there is excellent internet access then affordable computers becomes important, but affordable computers, without the internet is not a motivating technology.
Next Wednesday or Thursday John will be in Bangkok. He is on his way to Kentucky for a visit. I am looking forward to our visit. We have many experiences and beliefs in common. It was an excellent conversation hopefully to be continued.
To see the work the John accomplished visit the Virtual Hill Tribe Museum visit http://www.hilltribe.org/. I would recommend that anybody who is interested in rural Alaska visit and explore this web site in depth. There are many projects and activities that we could emulate in Alaska. There are many common experiences and problems shared between the Hill Tribes of Thailand and the Alaska Native cultures of Alaska. A highly recommended web site.
One of our friends drinks 100 Pipers Whisky. There is a whisky glass in his house, on one side it says Friend, on the other "You know who your friends are" When I used to drink alcohol took the place of friendship. A glass like that is a pretty blatant message equating alcohol consumption and friendship, at least it seems like that to me.
In the late afternoon we went to Phra Pradaeng. There was a boat race on the river, large long boats were being rowed very quickly, maybe 14 people to a boat. There was a very enthusiastic announcer. When we went into town to go shopping the race was being broadcast on loudspeakers. Dropped off 11 rolls of film and a CD of pictures to be made. Also picked up another pack of Fuji 400 film. The film and prints should be ready for tomorrow.
Jit got some mattress covers, she already has the packing. Jit's aunt will help her make mattresses for Tone. We also picked up a lot of fruit and vegetables. The road back was fine, the broken poles from yesterday were all cleaned up.
The water was very high today, it was over the path to Jit's old house. A snake came across the path to out house, it was a green snake, not poisonous, but it was another experience.
A phone conversation with John Morris
I called John Morris this morning, we had an excellent conversation, about culture, cultural preservation, processes of cultural change and the similarities and differences between Alaska and the Hill Tribes of Thailand. He described teaching people to use the computers, starting with MSN Messenger, and then letting curiosity lead people to other computer skills including web publishing. We talked about the forces of cultural assimilation and the deep lose to human knowledge and experience when a language is lost. John was aware of the Eyak experience in Alaska.
For me, our brief conversation confirmed my hypothesis that the internet is the key technology that will motivate people to use technology, it is not computers. If there is excellent internet access then affordable computers becomes important, but affordable computers, without the internet is not a motivating technology.
Next Wednesday or Thursday John will be in Bangkok. He is on his way to Kentucky for a visit. I am looking forward to our visit. We have many experiences and beliefs in common. It was an excellent conversation hopefully to be continued.
To see the work the John accomplished visit the Virtual Hill Tribe Museum visit http://www.hilltribe.org/. I would recommend that anybody who is interested in rural Alaska visit and explore this web site in depth. There are many projects and activities that we could emulate in Alaska. There are many common experiences and problems shared between the Hill Tribes of Thailand and the Alaska Native cultures of Alaska. A highly recommended web site.
Planting trees, Chinatown, and a blocked road
I just got up, I am preparing to write the blog from yesterday. A Monk just walked by, collecting food. The color of his robes, saffron, is beautiful in the morning light. His collection bag is also a beautiful blue. The sun is coming up a little later now. I see a squirrel like creature in the palms. It is fall light, even in Thailand. A crow just flew by, cawing. Another fall sound. Soon it will be 90 degrees, and that is not fall at all.
Yesterday we had a tree planting ceremony in the park. I think the King's mother is known for her love of nature. The different people from different muu's gathered at the park headquarters, there were many speeches and people picked up palms trees that were ready to plant. There were also some trees that were placed in the ground ready to be surrounded with dirt. I helped Jit and Juke each plant a tree. A few people took pictures of the Farang planting trees. We got a late start for the hospital.
When we got to the hospital we found out that Nuke was going to be released. We ordered Pizza Hut pizza to be delivered. It was good.
We took off to Chinatown. I went with Nick, Nuke's sister, Juke, and Jit. We would be back around 4:00 to get Nuke and Tuke, Nukes mother, out of the hospital.
Juke is great at getting across streets he just barges in during a gap, raises his hand, and goes, it is important to stay under his protection. He grew up in the area and knows his way around. We took one of the green buses to the Golden Buddha and started there. Describing Chinatown is overwhelming, layers of impressions, experiences, sounds, smells, heat, taking pictures is very unpredictable. Everywhere is a decisive moment, which means that it is next to impossible to catch a decisive moment, there is an interesting face, look at that dark store, there are some people talking, look at that family, see that building, look at that sign, see that man, you get the idea, there are things to notice everywhere at all times....I love it.
We went through a dense narrow alley that was renovated and covered with some kind of translucent roof at the third floor level. It was packed, cloth, food, trinkets, clothes were being sold at all areas, Vespa's would navigate through the crowd making deliveries, carts would also come through, even without the extra traffic, it was packed. What is amazing is that it all worked, people moved, deliveries were made, carts navigated, and smiles were exchanged. When we left the alley we entered a hot street, the light was low and the smoke was easy to see. We went through another short alley with a restaurant. The stove was an intense charcoal fire in a stone fireplace, hot to hot! It was amazing. I took six rolls of 36 exposure film. I used some 800 ISO Fuji print film so I could get some faster shutter speeds. I have no idea how the pictures will look, but the experience of picture taking was fantastic. We took a green bus to Silom, walked a little and saw a Hindu like Buddhist Wat, and then took a taxi back to the hotel. It was about 4 hours of intense experience.
We check out of the hospital and started to go home, stopped briefly at Big C. When we started to go through Phra Pradaeng there was a big traffic jam. At the isthmus to the peninsula that we live on, just past the canal, a truck had knocked down four electrical poles, there was live electricity, we were told this, and the traffic was snarled. After much waiting, using a short cut, watching motorbikes navigate through the mess, and seeing long lines of trucks waiting beside the road, we got home. When we passed the fallen poles there were wires draped over a pickup truck with Picnic Gas bottles. My poor imagination could visualize a disaster. For awhile it looked impossible to get through, but we did, people worked together with humor and grace, but I must say I was very tired when we got home. I could feel I was emotionally exhausted.
Random observations and experiences
I saw interesting signs, Smith and Nephew on the side of a truck, Shrewsbury International School, Piron Silp with a picture of Che Guevera on the side window of a delivery truck, Dr. Artist, and Apache Toys on a car.
There are many excellent condition VW bugs in Bangkok, the original air cooled ones. Many of them look modified. I wonder how they handle air conditioning.
I have been noticing a few very ugly cars, modern, that I can not recognize. They are sort of an ungainly SUV. I looked at Malaysian, Indian, and Chinese cars and nothing was similar. I finally found a Thai web site and they mentioned a Korean car that I had not seen before, something like Ssangyong. I looked at the web site and it was there. Another important puzzle solved. I am a car nut and read, or used to read, Autoweek so I recognize most cars.
The uniforms on parking attendants are too much. Some wear beret's, others full helmets, there are even campaign ribbons on their uniforms. I looked carefully to see if they were off duty soldiers, but there was a logo identifying a security company on their uniform. I think our friend Sutep ran the company that helped provide security for Tesco-Lotus. They also, thankfully, do not have guns. The security officers in downtown Fairbanks are also too much, they even were bullet proof vests and big fancy boots. It is really pretentious to me, boys dressing up with their toys. Grrr.....
There has been very low water pressure, or no water, for the last few days. What I think was explained to me is that there is a shortage of electricity. When the electric pump comes on for community water distribution the lack of electricity hurts the motor. They are missing a part for the motor. I guess there is a chronic shortage of electricity because people have air conditioners for their bedrooms. People collect rain water in large tanks so people have some water. We also use rain, or bottled water for drinking. The problem is the lack of water for sinks, toilets, and showers. You can also get water from the canals to use for something. It is much less of a crisis then it would be in an American town. People adapt.
Jit's uncle is helping to clear one of the islands of the "farm" of grass. He is the eighty year old man in the pictures. He is amazing.
Today we will go into Phra Pradaeng to drop off twelve rolls of film. Next week I will go to STOU for a meeting on e-learning with a professor from Australia. I have confirmation from three of the four contacts that I tried to make last week. We will need to call the Klong Toey project because they do not answer their email. After the house is dedicated we will start doing some traveling. It is hard to imagine, time goes fast, but we have only four more months in Thailand.
Yesterday we had a tree planting ceremony in the park. I think the King's mother is known for her love of nature. The different people from different muu's gathered at the park headquarters, there were many speeches and people picked up palms trees that were ready to plant. There were also some trees that were placed in the ground ready to be surrounded with dirt. I helped Jit and Juke each plant a tree. A few people took pictures of the Farang planting trees. We got a late start for the hospital.
When we got to the hospital we found out that Nuke was going to be released. We ordered Pizza Hut pizza to be delivered. It was good.
We took off to Chinatown. I went with Nick, Nuke's sister, Juke, and Jit. We would be back around 4:00 to get Nuke and Tuke, Nukes mother, out of the hospital.
Juke is great at getting across streets he just barges in during a gap, raises his hand, and goes, it is important to stay under his protection. He grew up in the area and knows his way around. We took one of the green buses to the Golden Buddha and started there. Describing Chinatown is overwhelming, layers of impressions, experiences, sounds, smells, heat, taking pictures is very unpredictable. Everywhere is a decisive moment, which means that it is next to impossible to catch a decisive moment, there is an interesting face, look at that dark store, there are some people talking, look at that family, see that building, look at that sign, see that man, you get the idea, there are things to notice everywhere at all times....I love it.
We went through a dense narrow alley that was renovated and covered with some kind of translucent roof at the third floor level. It was packed, cloth, food, trinkets, clothes were being sold at all areas, Vespa's would navigate through the crowd making deliveries, carts would also come through, even without the extra traffic, it was packed. What is amazing is that it all worked, people moved, deliveries were made, carts navigated, and smiles were exchanged. When we left the alley we entered a hot street, the light was low and the smoke was easy to see. We went through another short alley with a restaurant. The stove was an intense charcoal fire in a stone fireplace, hot to hot! It was amazing. I took six rolls of 36 exposure film. I used some 800 ISO Fuji print film so I could get some faster shutter speeds. I have no idea how the pictures will look, but the experience of picture taking was fantastic. We took a green bus to Silom, walked a little and saw a Hindu like Buddhist Wat, and then took a taxi back to the hotel. It was about 4 hours of intense experience.
We check out of the hospital and started to go home, stopped briefly at Big C. When we started to go through Phra Pradaeng there was a big traffic jam. At the isthmus to the peninsula that we live on, just past the canal, a truck had knocked down four electrical poles, there was live electricity, we were told this, and the traffic was snarled. After much waiting, using a short cut, watching motorbikes navigate through the mess, and seeing long lines of trucks waiting beside the road, we got home. When we passed the fallen poles there were wires draped over a pickup truck with Picnic Gas bottles. My poor imagination could visualize a disaster. For awhile it looked impossible to get through, but we did, people worked together with humor and grace, but I must say I was very tired when we got home. I could feel I was emotionally exhausted.
Random observations and experiences
I saw interesting signs, Smith and Nephew on the side of a truck, Shrewsbury International School, Piron Silp with a picture of Che Guevera on the side window of a delivery truck, Dr. Artist, and Apache Toys on a car.
There are many excellent condition VW bugs in Bangkok, the original air cooled ones. Many of them look modified. I wonder how they handle air conditioning.
I have been noticing a few very ugly cars, modern, that I can not recognize. They are sort of an ungainly SUV. I looked at Malaysian, Indian, and Chinese cars and nothing was similar. I finally found a Thai web site and they mentioned a Korean car that I had not seen before, something like Ssangyong. I looked at the web site and it was there. Another important puzzle solved. I am a car nut and read, or used to read, Autoweek so I recognize most cars.
The uniforms on parking attendants are too much. Some wear beret's, others full helmets, there are even campaign ribbons on their uniforms. I looked carefully to see if they were off duty soldiers, but there was a logo identifying a security company on their uniform. I think our friend Sutep ran the company that helped provide security for Tesco-Lotus. They also, thankfully, do not have guns. The security officers in downtown Fairbanks are also too much, they even were bullet proof vests and big fancy boots. It is really pretentious to me, boys dressing up with their toys. Grrr.....
There has been very low water pressure, or no water, for the last few days. What I think was explained to me is that there is a shortage of electricity. When the electric pump comes on for community water distribution the lack of electricity hurts the motor. They are missing a part for the motor. I guess there is a chronic shortage of electricity because people have air conditioners for their bedrooms. People collect rain water in large tanks so people have some water. We also use rain, or bottled water for drinking. The problem is the lack of water for sinks, toilets, and showers. You can also get water from the canals to use for something. It is much less of a crisis then it would be in an American town. People adapt.
Jit's uncle is helping to clear one of the islands of the "farm" of grass. He is the eighty year old man in the pictures. He is amazing.
Today we will go into Phra Pradaeng to drop off twelve rolls of film. Next week I will go to STOU for a meeting on e-learning with a professor from Australia. I have confirmation from three of the four contacts that I tried to make last week. We will need to call the Klong Toey project because they do not answer their email. After the house is dedicated we will start doing some traveling. It is hard to imagine, time goes fast, but we have only four more months in Thailand.
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Assumption College, Lerdsin Hospital, and the Rare Stone Museum.
Lumpoo called this morning from Fairbanks Alaska. It was great to hear from her. It sounds like she is doing well. I sent her the URL for Richard's web log on Thai food.
We went to Lerdsin Hospital today to visit Nuke. We went with Juke. We drove a different way and I got to see the absurd empty Sky Train track across the Chao Phraya river at Taksin station. If there was ever a symbol of dysfunctional government that is it. I guess there is some kind of fight over who should control the Sky Train, and because of that a perfectly empty place on a bridge exists for the Sky Train. It is beyond comprehension how a government could not get itself together to get the Sky train across the river. Anyway for more details see 2Bangkok.com. It really is unbelievable though.
After visiting for awhile Juke, Jit, and I went for a walk. We went to a Wat that looked like a boat, we went to Assumption College and Cathedral. The Pope visited the cathedral in 2000. I can not figure out the relationship between Assumption University and Assumption College. The atmosphere is very different.
We walked up New Road to the Rare Stone Museum. The URL for the museum is www.rarestonemuseum.com. The museum really is interesting, many different kinds of stones, an ash tray museum, and an archive of contemporary documentation of Chinese news about the Thai Chinese community. There was even a long walk over stones to massage your feet. The most amazing thing though was the names on some of the stones.
I listed some of the more evocative titles:
Mushroom cloud of an A bomb
A competition of penises
Habitat in the deep white cloud
Expected rain in mountain
Looking short while on high
The blew lotus by autumnal wind
Eagle broken in Wings
Tempting snake out of the hole
The goat looks on the moon
Attacking the Pearl Harbour
The Monkey King and his Piggy Colleague
Sky-mending angel
Stone-holding forever
A stone displaying worldly pleasure
The remains of lotus listening to sing of rain
Flowers blooming on an iron tree
There were three floors to the museum. I was surprised by how interesting it was, but it was an idiosyncratic collection from a strong and interesting human. Most uniquely individual expressions of creativity are interesting. I do not think that a committee had a thing to do with the museum or the collection. It is worth a visit, I really liked it.
When we left we walked back to the hospital, we stopped and picked up some street food and purchased many items for the house dedication. There was a whole store to buy things for Buddhist ceremonies.
It is great walking with Juke, he knows the area well, he walks fast, and we are on the street. I took about 5 rolls of film using the Ricoh GR1v, the Ricoh GR21, and a Hexar AF. All the cameras worked well in a street shooting situation. I used color because I am almost out of my Kodak Black and White C41 film.
Tomorrow we are going to visit Nuke again and then Juke is taking us wandering in Chinatown. I have my cameras and film packed and ready to go. Downtown Bangkok is a great place to walk and explore, although the more we walked up New Road the more boring it became.
Nuke is doing well, she is still pretty sore. Hopefully she will be home soon.
I got a nice email from Stuart. He is in Laos but we can arrange a visit when he gets back. Stuart teaches computer and business courses at Bangkok University. He is a refugee from the Internet bubble collapse in the United States. His blog is always interesting. The URL for his blog is http://www.sgtowns.com/
Tomorrow photography in Chinatown!!
Odds and Ends
An odd sign I saw today. On the back of a car a decal saying "Drunk 24 Hours"
People fishing with fishing poles in a canal. Near STOU there is a fishing tackle shop, at least it looks that way from the road. The fishing gear looks like good spinning equipment.
We went to Lerdsin Hospital today to visit Nuke. We went with Juke. We drove a different way and I got to see the absurd empty Sky Train track across the Chao Phraya river at Taksin station. If there was ever a symbol of dysfunctional government that is it. I guess there is some kind of fight over who should control the Sky Train, and because of that a perfectly empty place on a bridge exists for the Sky Train. It is beyond comprehension how a government could not get itself together to get the Sky train across the river. Anyway for more details see 2Bangkok.com. It really is unbelievable though.
After visiting for awhile Juke, Jit, and I went for a walk. We went to a Wat that looked like a boat, we went to Assumption College and Cathedral. The Pope visited the cathedral in 2000. I can not figure out the relationship between Assumption University and Assumption College. The atmosphere is very different.
We walked up New Road to the Rare Stone Museum. The URL for the museum is www.rarestonemuseum.com. The museum really is interesting, many different kinds of stones, an ash tray museum, and an archive of contemporary documentation of Chinese news about the Thai Chinese community. There was even a long walk over stones to massage your feet. The most amazing thing though was the names on some of the stones.
I listed some of the more evocative titles:
Mushroom cloud of an A bomb
A competition of penises
Habitat in the deep white cloud
Expected rain in mountain
Looking short while on high
The blew lotus by autumnal wind
Eagle broken in Wings
Tempting snake out of the hole
The goat looks on the moon
Attacking the Pearl Harbour
The Monkey King and his Piggy Colleague
Sky-mending angel
Stone-holding forever
A stone displaying worldly pleasure
The remains of lotus listening to sing of rain
Flowers blooming on an iron tree
There were three floors to the museum. I was surprised by how interesting it was, but it was an idiosyncratic collection from a strong and interesting human. Most uniquely individual expressions of creativity are interesting. I do not think that a committee had a thing to do with the museum or the collection. It is worth a visit, I really liked it.
When we left we walked back to the hospital, we stopped and picked up some street food and purchased many items for the house dedication. There was a whole store to buy things for Buddhist ceremonies.
It is great walking with Juke, he knows the area well, he walks fast, and we are on the street. I took about 5 rolls of film using the Ricoh GR1v, the Ricoh GR21, and a Hexar AF. All the cameras worked well in a street shooting situation. I used color because I am almost out of my Kodak Black and White C41 film.
Tomorrow we are going to visit Nuke again and then Juke is taking us wandering in Chinatown. I have my cameras and film packed and ready to go. Downtown Bangkok is a great place to walk and explore, although the more we walked up New Road the more boring it became.
Nuke is doing well, she is still pretty sore. Hopefully she will be home soon.
I got a nice email from Stuart. He is in Laos but we can arrange a visit when he gets back. Stuart teaches computer and business courses at Bangkok University. He is a refugee from the Internet bubble collapse in the United States. His blog is always interesting. The URL for his blog is http://www.sgtowns.com/
Tomorrow photography in Chinatown!!
Odds and Ends
An odd sign I saw today. On the back of a car a decal saying "Drunk 24 Hours"
People fishing with fishing poles in a canal. Near STOU there is a fishing tackle shop, at least it looks that way from the road. The fishing gear looks like good spinning equipment.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
PCWorld.com - Taiwan Tests Island-Wide WiMaxh
PCWorld.com - Taiwan Tests Island-Wide WiMax
I hope to visit the WiMax demonstration at Samkha village of Mae Tha in Lampang if I can get a good contact. We hope to do our traveling in November if it works out. WiMax is very exciting technology.
I hope to visit the WiMax demonstration at Samkha village of Mae Tha in Lampang if I can get a good contact. We hope to do our traveling in November if it works out. WiMax is very exciting technology.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)