The Baton – 4th April 2024

You got all of me
The good and the bad
And for all to see
The happy and sad

Take up this race
Carry the baton on
Please take my place
I love you, son

Submitted to WDYS and NaPoMo


Today I’m feeling:

Pretty good again. The air is pretty putrid again today. You can taste it, not just smell it.

Today I’m grateful for:

The delivery people who still manage to get our parcels to us from all around the world, despite all the disruptions in our soi from the new road being built.  4 parcels were delivered while we were out.

The best thing about today was:

The air was slightly clearer the higher up the mountains we got but then once up there it was impossible to see any view.

Most of the restaurants and resorts were closed but we found one and enjoyed Akha food and coffee before hitting Charin Pie and LungChom for desserts.

We should get home around 5 pm and hoping the electricity is back on.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

In our soi, they are moving the electricity poles today so they cut off the electricity all along. And today it’s forty degrees! No choice but to go out somewhere so we took a lazy drive up to Doi Chang.

Something I learned today?

Anchan messaged me again. She is staying in Chiang Mai by herself as her extended family is working in BKK.

Her mum, who is in jail, will go to court tomorrow and may end up in prison. She sent Anchan some money to take care of herself and some bills but her uncle, whose house she stays in in Chiang Rai, demanded it all off her.

She’s only 14 and has to deal with all this. She is keen to work to support herself and is highly motivated but I’m also worried about her being vulnerable and could easily be taken advantage of.

She’s smart but the offer of good money for selling her body could sway her and I don’t want that to happen.

Review your acts, and then for vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad. — Discourses 3.10

I sent Anchan 200 baht to keep her going. 

She didn’t want me to send her money and I can’t afford it much either but there is little else I can do. Even emotional support can’t buy her some vegetables.

I messaged some other of my vulnerable kids today to try and keep some dialogues open.

I took this picture because these red buds stood out at this little water feature as we entered Suan Charin Pie this afternoon.

The Way Of The World – 29th December 2023

Why is the way the way it is?
Blue corner white, red corner black
The fighting cocks duke it out
With their Gods at their back

All the knowledge the child digests
Unquestioned and never put to test
Makes the world the way it is
And unlikely to ever be at rest


Today I’m feeling:

Lazy and a little uninspired. Last night Amy went to stay at her mum’s and it was cold enough to enjoy a whisky and I ended up finishing off what was left of the two bottles here. I didn’t feel too drunk but also didn’t feel great this morning either. The pleasure wasn’t worth it.

Today I’m grateful for:

 The TV and Xbox for keeping my sore brain busy today.

The best thing about today was:

Lard Na for brunch. Healthy and delicious and got rid of my minor hangover.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

Last night I went to bed at about 11 and noticed a missed call from Amy. As she had told me that she was staying at her mum’s house I figured she was just calling to say good night so I didn’t call back. 

At some point during the night she called again but it was all a bit of a blur though I could remember something about helping her today at 8 am because she had been pulled over at a checkpoint. I immediately got back to sleep and my usual 6 am alarm annoyingly woke me up. Then I noticed Amy in her bed and she said, one more hour, to which I agreed. Even though I was confused at what she was doing here I easily slept again until 7 and the reset alarm.

We both hazily got up without talking much and eventually headed to the police station in the city.

Apparently Amy was out with friends last night and then went to meet Aun at Tawandang and as she was leaving there at around 2am she got pulled over at a police checkpoint and breathalysed. In typical Thai style, they told her that she should check the local websites before driving so that she can avoid checkpoints! And after they told her to come to the station in the morning they just let her drive off again!

Anyway, at the station she signed some papers and was told to come back again at 10 to go to court. As we didn’t know how long all this was going to take, she dropped me back home first.

Something I learned today?

In the court Amy accepted a 5000 baht fine and has to do some kind of community service, also reporting back to an office somewhere three times and if she’s found to have done anything else wrong she could face 7 days in jail!

Review your acts, and then for vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad. — Discourses 3.10

Taking Amy into the city in the morning, though I’m not sure why I was needed except I was happy to provide moral support.

Fah took this picture yesterday with Jet on the left and Mai on the right. I like these kids and their group of friends (Lin, Noah, Gina, Guitar and Poom). No new pictures today.

*The Week That Was – 17th December 1984

18th December 1984
Gave Piwi another cassette.

19th December 1984
Went to disco at (Holtwood) Youth Club. Managed to get in for nothing. Was quite boring.

20th December 1984
Went to court – got landed for £150.

21st December 1984
Won a bottle of whiskey at work. Got given a vegeburger mix and lentil soup as a present. Got a couple of diaries and a couple of calendars. Went to (Hinton Martell) Youth Club.

22nd December 1984
Went to Wimborne. Met Ratty. He bought a toaster. Wandered around selling (trying to sell) tickets. I could be on the door next Saturday. Bought myself a necklace. Gave Houldey’s their present.

23rd December 1984
Pissed around down Gaunts.