Jim's quiet musings . . .

2011-12-17T17:47:00.001+07:00

YEAH! This is my newest TOY and by - gawd it's the best of the best! The Blackberrry BOLD 9900! Didn't fuck around this time...just did my research and went out there and bought the damn thing. Believe me, this is the max...the balls. Shit, it's gonna take me months to learn how to use the damn thing. My Nokia X2-01 ended up being nothing but a cheap mobile phone full of bugs. The ringer

2011-10-24T19:04:00.002+07:00

A few weeks ago I lost both my dogs...Puppy first and then Chok. I cannot even begin to mention the pain and grief I went through during this time. My cute little Chok Both dogs suffered greatly. The disease that gripped them was leptospirosis, from rats...the veterinarian told me. I have no idea how they contracted the disease, but Puppy obviously contracted it first and Chok, who was

2011-08-11T19:09:00.022+07:00

I've kept it a secret for quite a while, since...well, I'm not the luckiest guy in the world regarding relationships, even though I've been in hundreds of them...thousands? Who knows.... Anyway, I met a Thai woman at work some months ago...as she initially approached me, wanting to "practice her English." Thing is...her English is practically better than mine. But, I humored her and now,

2011-07-31T17:18:00.001+07:00

My new toy... The Acer® one terabyte (1000 gigabytes) external hard drive. Silly me, thinking when I bought my desktop PC five years ago, that 80 gigabytes would last me a lifetime! They fill up so fast! Especially when you're downloading mega-games and mega torrent movies and pirated software programs... Very cheap actually...only 2,459฿ ($82.62 U.S. and 50.31 British pounds).

2011-07-18T11:23:00.000+07:00

Damnest cat I've ever owned! No, I didn't teach her to do this. I know some people do, but I wouldn't have either the patience or the know-how to teach a cat to do its business in the toilet. She did this on her own, most likely by instinct. At first I had problems with Boo Boo pooping and peeing just about everywhere she pleased and I was seriously considering giving her away to

2011-07-13T06:35:00.000+07:00

As promised...I finally purchased a card reader in order to get those pictures off my Cannon digital camera. Still can't download them for some reason. Anyway, as you can see from the pic above, it's another leggless visitor to my home. This was the really big one I was talking about. I was sitting at the kitchen table doing a Sodoku puzzle when Puppy suddenly went berserk, barking and

2011-05-17T21:17:00.000+07:00

Second day on the job in my new capacity as a private hire. I'm freelancin' now baby! It's quittin' time and I head out to my motorcycle, hop on and head North to Ban Phrue. I'm running out of medication and want to get to the pharmacy and get home fast as there's a big storm front building and I don't fancy getting caught in the rain. I pass through Ban Thung Lung and am approaching Ban

2011-05-12T09:37:00.000+07:00

To follow up with my previous post about the mystery caller at the store... I finally discovered it was the woman at the store who called the guy on her mobile. So much can get left out and misunderstood in a country such as this one, where most people cannot speak English. Evidently, the guy had discovered I frequented her store and approached her, asking that she call him if I were to

2011-05-08T18:40:00.000+07:00

Ahhhh..... The wonders of drinking and blogging.... Beer Chang, six-point-four on the liqtor scale. -Jeeem-

2011-05-08T12:08:00.002+07:00

Have you ever seen this sign? You're more likely to see it in Western countries than in Asia. Do you understand what it means? Most likely most people don't, but they think it's funny so they post pictures of it on the Internet as gags and jokes. But, it's really a serious issue! You see, here in Asia...off the touristy path...you'll find the real deal...What Asia is really all about.

2011-05-05T22:04:00.000+07:00

If you've been reading my other posts, you know how much time I've invested in getting the employment position at the school near to where I live. But, for months I was wondering if I'd have to leave the country, as jobs appeared few and far between here. When I first arrived here in Southern Thailand in July of 2004, it wasn't three months before my damn phone was practically ringing off the

2011-05-04T19:34:00.000+07:00

Should have posted this eon's ago but as I mentioned earlier, I've had trouble with getting the photos off my digital camera until I can purchase a card reader. Luckily though, I took some photos with my mobile phone too, last time I was in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia. This is the Jaya Restaurant I've raved about so many times. Just down the road a piece from the Oriental Hotel, on Penang

2011-05-04T11:56:00.001+07:00

For the past three weeks at least, this is what it has looked like here...at THREE O'CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON! I've always loved thunderstorms. They're so ominous and foreboding...giving me a sense of security when I'm home and safe. It's difficult to explain really, but they always give me a good feeling inside. They're exciting! Mother nature at her best. It's 11:38 a.m. right now as

2011-04-30T21:01:00.003+07:00

If you haven't read the post below this one, it might be helpful to do so first... No, you can't stop corruption in Thailand, so don't even freaking bitch about it. I had asked the school for an advance on my salary since I'd run out of money. My last salary from OLC on March 3rd was not for the amount I was supposed to receive and I had a start date at Songsaeng of May 1st, leaving me

2011-04-30T12:45:00.002+07:00

It’s about time I played a bit of catch-up and brought my happenings up to date for all you who actually bother to read this stuff I crank out. I’m sick to death of working for English teaching agencies here in Thailand since most of them try and cheat you as best they can, pay you late, or offer you minimal salaries while they are making money from the schools hand-over-fist. So, after

2011-04-21T14:53:00.013+07:00

This is my fake International Driver's License. I made it over a two month period, using only Internet searches, Photoshop and images I had on my computer. I had the opportunity to use it yesterday, while on my way into Ban Phrue to purchase some medication. Usually, when I travel into Ban Phrue, I never see a Thai cop or a road block, so I suppose I've become lax. This time I was just

2011-04-21T14:42:00.001+07:00

And yet another snake in the house... This one, as you can see, is rather large also. I'm guessing about five feet long. It's a cobra, although I'm not exactly sure what species. I raised a bit of a ruckus and it's hood expanded, although it never really straightened out and eventually disappeared into the crack you see, under the stone step. I was a bit unnerved about this, since I had

2011-04-18T04:09:00.004+07:00

Another snake in my cottage... I was washing my dishes in my kitchen and placed some dirty ones in the wash water to soak. I then went to my kitchen table to work on my Sodoku puzzles while the dishes were soaking, when suddenly Puppy started whimpering. Usually I ignore him but this time there was a certain tone to his whimpering that caught my attention and as I began to turn around to see

2011-04-18T01:55:00.000+07:00

I was surfin' Stumbleupon.com again and came across this video on a site claiming this technology is something "New and Different," offered up by the Smack Nightclub on Tavistock St., Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England. Well, I beg to differ. While teaching and living in Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China back in 2003, a handful of friends and I used to jump on the bus

2011-04-15T21:36:00.001+07:00

If ya haven't figured it out yet.... You're supposed to shoot the damn duck! More senseless entertainment by... -Jeeem-

2011-04-15T21:19:00.001+07:00

Without a doubt, the Scottish accent is one of the most interesting and captivating. I've found that it tends to be regional also, depending on where the person is from. Some accents are definitely harder to understand than others. About three years ago I stopped at a small cafe in Hat Yai for some breakfast and grabbed a seat right next to the sidewalk. While waiting for my meal a guy

2011-04-10T22:15:00.000+07:00

If you take a look at my Cool Column to the right, you'll see a new entry for "AWESOME PICTURES!" A depository of sorts for photos I find in my stumbles around the Internet. Hope you enjoy it! -Jeeem-

2011-04-09T18:04:00.003+07:00

Sometimes you see something that just gives you the shivers and brings up enough emotion that it brings a tear to your eye. It doesn't have to be anything sad or heartwarming...the video you're about to see isn't any of that. It's just a bunch of fairly talented young people having fun on a playground and believe me...there's surely a great deal of talent in this video. For me, I suppose

2011-04-07T08:25:00.000+07:00

BANANAFLASHER

2011-04-07T08:17:00.001+07:00

I can't remember exactly when...but it was maybe six or eight months after Facebook hit the big time that I read a well-written piece online warning people against joining up with it. The article was very informative and was good enough for me at the time to convince me never to have anything to do with Facebook and I haven't. I've never joined up with Facebook or MySpace, since both social

2011-04-01T21:32:00.001+07:00

The Most BEAUTIFULAsian womanI've ever seen! Occasionally, via surfing the Internet or using Stumbleupon...you come upon something that really stands out. I can't remember where I saw this photo, but it doesn't matter...this woman is without a doubt....one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen in my life. She's got the most perfect almond eyes I've ever seen. WHERE ARE YOU? -Jeeem-

2011-03-27T11:59:00.000+07:00

Trying to deal with Thai's.... There just isn't any way I can possibly convey what it's like to have to deal with Thai people.... The word "Impossible," comes to mind...but that's not necessarily so since sometimes things work out. But, most of the time things don't work out since they are really total uneducated or under-educated idiots in most cases, who couldn't think themselves out of a

2011-03-27T11:25:00.001+07:00

It didn't even occur to me that anything had happened in Japan until I received a pop-up screen from one of my news service accounts this morning. I clicked on the pop-up link and was taken to a site that showed one of the most remarkable videos I'd ever seen of a tsunami that hit Japan's coast and just kept going...and going...and going...seemingly for miles and miles, destroying

2011-03-04T21:48:00.000+07:00

It's late and I'm on one of those confused pseudo-schedules that occur when I'm not pinned down by work. My last working day was on the 25th of February and I won't begin work again until sometime in early May. So, I'm up since I can't sleep... I smell rain. That distinctive scent in the air letting you know rain is either imminent or simply up-wind of you. As a young boy in seventh grade

2011-03-04T21:17:00.000+07:00

It's all about me baby...It's all about ME. -Jeeem-

2011-03-03T20:36:00.000+07:00

I am a Jedi Knight.... Kung Fu to you too...matha faaka! -Jeeem-

2011-03-03T17:37:00.001+07:00

Sooooooo.... This is my new toy. For the last, like three years or so....I've been toting around an i Mobile phone (translation: El cheapo). The cost? Just under 1000 baht ($32.77 U.S. dollars...23.64 Euros...20.13 British Pounds...1,475 Indian Rupees...99.39 Malaysian Ringgit) Then, around six to eight months ago my little El Cheapo partially died...couldn't call out...nobody could call in.

2011-02-19T12:47:00.001+07:00

Living here in Southern Thailand you see Buddhist monks everywhere, in their saffron or bright orange robes. They walk the streets collecting alms from people and typically have some "assistant" with them who carries a bag and stashes their cache in it so their alms bowl can be free and empty to receive more and more alms. It is said that the "assistant" is one who has somehow screwed up in

2011-02-18T23:23:00.001+07:00

I've been thinking about featuring a "PICTURE OF THE DAY" for quite a while since I am a truly addicted STUMBLEUPONer...and I end up coming across some pretty interesting, funny, shocking, or just plain awesome photo's that I'd like to share with folks... I added a picture of the day on the top of my selection column but it seems to be a tad too small...so I'll be phasing that out soon. So

2011-02-18T20:42:00.000+07:00

You gotta see this! Laughed my ass off. -Jeeem-

2011-01-30T08:54:00.000+07:00

Okay, okay, so I'm bored an lazy today and just want to cop out and insert a photo. But seriously, there are not many things that get an actual physical reaction from me...this one definitely made me laugh. -Jeeem-

2011-01-23T10:38:00.001+07:00

Most people have a certain way they get comfortable in order to have a restful sleep. Some sleep on their sides, some on their backs and some on their stomachs. They get inventive with pillows and those long, sausage shaped bullet pillows, along with their sheets and bedspreads. I sleep primarily on my side or back and for some damn reason I have to have my leg partially sticking out from

2011-01-16T11:14:00.002+07:00

Screwed by the U.S. Government... As I posted a way's back, I had to take a trip to Bangkok on the 14th of December, 2010 in order to renew my passport. It was due to expire January 10th, 2011. I also mentioned in my posting that due to my financial matters at the time, I was not quite prepared for such an expensive trip and began looking closer at reasons why I had to show up to the Embassy

2011-01-14T15:45:00.041+07:00

A man or woman with the best intentions, who've lived an honest, humble life prior to office, will become tainted by the United States Government's Political Regime...where the government's needs come well before the people's needs, their own very citizens...needs. However, most honest, humble individuals never even get close to holding a position or office of authority in the United States

2011-01-09T16:19:00.003+07:00

The deadly box jellyfish... Look at this thing. Glowing, undulating, pulsating with unearthly beauty...floating aimlessly along with only the bare essentials of a nervous system. It's the world's most deadly jelly fish, and each one packs enough venom to kill 60 adults. Tentacles up to 3 meters long, and just brushing one is enough to automatically release the microscopic darts, flooding

2011-01-08T11:28:00.000+07:00

Check out the video below for the ultimate in WTF? Now if any of you readers out there actually understand that video, please...by-all-means, send me an e-mail and explain it to me. -Jeeem-

2011-01-03T07:20:00.000+07:00

2011-01-03T06:50:00.000+07:00

WARNING! If you are an animal lover like I am, you will surely cry over this video...but then hey, that's a natural thing, right? I'm fifty-five years old and have lived long enough to see so many human atrocities...cruelty to others and to animals. Makes you wonder what is going on with people that they lose their sense of caring. Then you see something like this and...at least for me.

2010-12-31T10:20:00.003+07:00

Leonard James AndersonBorn 25th July 1955On this day… I was born on a Monday. My star sign is Leo. My birthstone is Ruby. The season when I was born was summer. I was born in the Chinese year of the Sheep. The US President was Dwight D. Eisenhower (Republican). The UK Prime Minister was Sir Anthony Eden (Conservative). Monday's child is fair of face. I am 55 years

2010-12-31T10:07:00.000+07:00

I couldn't put it off any longer... My passport was due to expire on January 10th of next year, so I had to renew it. Living here in Asia, the rules are different. Why? I have no idea. If I was still in the U.S., all I would have had to do would be to send my passport to some government agency located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. But, since I live abroad, I have to show up at the U.S.

2010-12-25T17:57:00.000+07:00

Hi everybody, As of today I've decided to place this blog back into the public mainstream. After today it will not be private anymore unless I end up with problems again from the moronic foreigners here in Southeast Asia who find it necessary to stalk this site, for whatever reason, and leave brainless, immature comments. I've changed the settings so it will be impossible for anyone who is

2010-11-01T11:20:00.001+07:00

Sorry about the "blowing" sound on the video...rather irritating. It's the fan I had going on the kitchen table. As I write this post, this very minute, my house and the jungle surrounding it is inundated in flood waters. I arose this morning to an e-mail from work saying school was canceled today due to the rains as it's been raining steadily for the past two days really and hasn't

2010-10-16T08:55:00.001+07:00

I would have posted this sooner but Blogger.com wouldn't seem to upload an .avi video, so I had to search around for a free video converter and changed the thing to .wma, which worked. Excuse my weird actions and screaming paranoia, but it's not every day I find myself within feet of a potentially lethal snake. It's not the first time I've seen cobra's around here, as I've seen at least

2010-10-04T07:29:00.000+07:00

It's been a while since I let anyone know what's really been happening with me, so I'll attempt to be brief... I left Patong Wittaya Mulnithi School in Thung Lung because I got sick of the corruption, lies, laziness, empty promises and back stabbing. Pitiful situation for a school supposedly engaged in the education process. Patong School, I kid you not, is run by a criminal. A man who

2010-08-27T10:37:00.010+07:00

After work in Hat Yai yesterday I hopped onto a....Then, while on the way home a large group of young, nubile high school girls got on and I was immediately...+ ED Between them....A big bunch ofWell...A tad smelly...you know.Actually it was....And quite clearly.............I'm still getting over it!- Jeeem -

2010-08-26T12:07:00.002+07:00

Weather predictions...Over the years, in particular as a fisherman, I learned to watch the weather. Predicting it often became the difference in coming home with fish for dinner and coming home empty handed.There was an old ditty I remember well:"If the wind is from the North...Man should not go forth. If the wind is from the South, it blows the fly into the fishes mouth. If the wind is

2010-08-23T09:00:00.002+07:00