Now what?! (6)

And if you've just joined us: it's time to guess that brand again. If you know what Western brand is in this Thai bottle than hit your buzzer!

It could be anything from a drink to a creamy sauce or a personal lubricant. But is it? If you are right you take home everything behind door number one.

And the answer is as always... in...the...comments!

[Insert jingle here]

With the end of term exams out of the way I can afford to spend a little time on what I think are the best albums ever. Forget the winamp randomizer. That only does mere tracks anyway. And there's always room for an extra list on the web. So here goes... One album per artist only (argh) and none of those three-and-a-half-nice-tracks-jobs either. Thirty real killer albums!

30) Talking Book, Stevie Wonder
29) L.D. 50, Mudvayne
28) Live at the Marquee, Dream Theatre
27) Live and in Living Color, Tower of Power
26) Countdown to Extinction, Megadeth
25) Ten Summoner's Tales, Sting
24) Alive in L.A. , Lee Ritenour
23) Adam's Apple, Wayne Shorter
22) Coltrane Jazz, John Coltrane
21) Anniversary, Stan Getz
20) Mood swing, Joshua Redman
19) Synergy, Dave Weckl Band
18) Three Sides Live, Genesis
17) Jagged Little Pill, Alanis Morisette
16) Starfish and the Moon, Bill Evans
15) A Go Go, John Scofield
14) Far Beyond Driven, Pantera
13) Live at Winterland, Jimmy Hendrix
12) Vine, Chris Cheek
11) Get In, Benjamin Herman
10) Another Standard, Bob Berg
09) The Forbidden Zone, Tom Coster
08) Morph the Cat, Donald Fagen
07) Thick, Tribal Tech
06) Lateralus, Tool
05) Alive in America, Steely Dan
04) Prime Directive, Dave Holland
03) All Blues, Miles Davis
02) Flood, Herbie Hancock

And finally.....[insert drum roll]

01) Perceptual, Brian Blade

Stop the press!

I always read The Bangkok Post and The Nation. Especially the letters people send in and especially the ones written by frustrated teachers. Lately they were frustrated about all the cheating going on and the fact that no one did anything when they went and shot their mouths off, slammed doors and got red faced.

So I decided to weigh in on the matter and wrote an email to the Bangkok Post. It looks like they published it (scroll down). Now all I've got to do is find a copy of the real paper issued today. Or maybe it's in tomorrow's paper. If I find one I'll scan it of course. Text 'postbag on' for hourly updates as this story develops...

Update: there it is, in today's paper (click to enlarge):

Random Schmandom

When I moved to Thailand I knew one thing: I was not gonna leave my CD collection behind. So I put over a thousand CDs on a hard drive. And when I got here I wanted everything to be rated. So I left winamp on 'random' for most of the time and rated and rated. That is two years ago by now. And the result is stunning. This is what my personal Top 30 looks like and it has an unlikely number one (click to enlarge)...

It's Joshua Redman's 'Headin' Home'. From the killer album Mood Swing, granted. And a funky tune at that. But number one... Oh well. The facts don't lie. Of course the randomizer is not all that random. And some tunes have a high play count because I use them as practice material (Dream Theatre!), but still there it is on number one. What can you do? Steely Dan is somehow way down the list. How did that happen? And it's not even 'Peg' or 'Babylon Sisters'. At least some of the tunes from what I consider my favorite albums are there; 'Actual Proof', 'Evenrude Fifty', 'Platina' (the highest Dutch entry) and the best version of 'Stolen moments' ever. But where is Tribal Tech, or Coltrane, or Dave Holland? Behind a Diana Krall X-mas song? I don't dare look. While I do: go play will you? For all you sax heads here's the sheet music for 'Headin' Home'. Enjoy.

Khon Kaen: the basic survival map

Here's a message for all you touristic types: part one of the free downloadable and printable maps of Khon Kaen has arrived. I repeat: part one of the free downloadable and printable maps of Khon Kaen has arrived. Mind the gap. Proceed to luggage terminal 4. Don't get lost!

(Don't forget to click for the larger version: way easier to read).

(And yes, there are more hotels, hospitals and stuff in Khon Kaen: these are the ones I know).

Now what?! (5)

Lights off, spot on. Now let's hope your answer is too. Because it's looking mighty nice isn't it: our preposterously pricey prize package next to our pretty-in-pink-presenter Priscilla. All you have to do is guess that brand. And yes: you should know this one. The answer is.... In the comments.

Yoga with balls: smashing!

Have a computer? I knew it! Bet you have that terrible tense feeling in your shoulders as well. You know that somebody's been pounding me with a mallet feeling and you haven't even been close to your Nintendo.

Well, this is how it goes away: you buy a hard basketball. And a mat if you like. Then you lie down on the basketball. It should be below your ribcage. Your legs should be pulled up. Comfy? Give it time. Now roll down slowly until the ball reaches the base of the neck. Keep your neck straight. Now roll back. You will probably feel your spine adjust as you do this. Mallet-feeling be gone! Like having your own round orange little chiropractor.

Now let's do it one more time. Intensify the stretch by stretching your arms up (interlace the fingers, palms upward). And roll back and forth as long as you like. Keep breathing normally.

This stretch also works for the lower back. Rest on shoulders and arms and feet and put the ball under your lower back.

(Thanks for this stretch David).

Travel Picture Yard Sale

Today's Travel Picture Yardsale Picture takes you to India in 2002. Aurangabad to be exact. The place they have the worlds largest monolithic structure. That's right: a huge mountain of a rock became a temple. Aurangabad also has buses. And that's were I came across this boy. I've always thought he must be going to the dentist or something. But you can make up your own story...

Khon Kaen: getting here

Somebody recently asked my why on earth I never posted any info for travelers about Khon Kaen. Surely as a resident I would know the ins, the outs, the hots and the nots way better than any guidebook out there. True. I have come to know the place very well. And I've decided to share my...erm... vast knowledge of this town. Be careful however: things change and my opinion might not be the general one. Here goes...

First things first. Before you can enjoy this town you have to get here. Most people come to Khon Kaen because it's on the way to Vientiane, Laos. Other routes include Chiang Mai to Ko Chang and or Cambodia (over land) and for the real dare devils the Thailand/ Southern Laos/ Vietnam track.

There are no beaches. No real tourist scene. And to most people that is exactly what is so charming about the place. This is Thailand at it's most Thai and if you want more of that, it's a great gateway to the rest of the North East or as the locals call it: Isaan. Definitely worth your visit. You can get here in three ways if you don't count walking:

1) By plane: there are daily Thai airways flights from Don Muang. A single ticket is about 1500-2000 Baht per person (around 40 euros). Be advised: these flight are pretty packed, so you have to book ahead. Flight time: about 45 minutes.

2) By train: a number of trains pass through Khon Kaen, notably the night train from Bangkok to Nong Kai. It will get you here slowly (9-10 hours) and safely. The train reaches Khon Kaen at around 5. You could have a pretty decent night's sleep (if you bring an eye patch). Second class sleeper will cost around 600 Baht (12 euros). Or have a very nice little first class compartment all to yourself and a significant other for around 1400 Baht (28 euros) per person. Book ahead Hualampong Station in Bangkok (it's the final/first station on the subway), especially near holidays.

3) By bus: there are many buses to Khon Kaen. Some slow, some fast, some safe, some, unsafe. The rule in Thailand is that you go on the gouvernment bus if you can. They are the most safe. But they are also slow at times. Luckily there are a couple of bus companies that have a really good reputation according to the locals and me. The best one for the Bangkok-Khon Kaen route is called Nakorn Chai Air. They drive modern, comfortable, well serviced and staffed buses, have two drivers per trip and they are said to fine their drivers if they arrive early. Travel time is about six hours (and that makes sleeping in the night bus useless). A single ticket goes for about 400 Baht (8 euros) and can be bought the easiest at Ekkamai bus station (AKA the eastern/North Eastern bus station). That's easiest because it's on the Sky train. The bus doesn't leave from there however. It leaves from its own Nakorn Chai Air terminal outside the city and passes Mochit bus station. It's best to take a taxi there. They will know both. On the way back don't get off in Mochit. It's easier to catch a cab at the Nakorn Chai terminal.

Plug

Some of you might have discovered them in the sidebar already: my new two blogs. No, I haven't gone insane. Yes, I still have a life. And no, I actually don't have that much time :)

New blog number 1 is my information-just-wants-to-be-free-way of organizing my teaching materials. Worksheets, games, lessonplans: it will all be posted there from time to time. Check it out on teachthings.blogspot.com

New blog number two is sort of a joke and a fun way for me to collect some nice lines, quotes, soundbites and that kind of stuff. Check it out on writinglines.blogspot.com

Wanted: boat

It's the rainy season. And that means the soi (alley) we live in turns into a klong (canal). Sometimes for hours. Sometimes for days on end. It hasn't really been bad yet. But these images will be a nice comparison with next month's (October is supposed to be the wettest month). Expected water level: at least thirty centimeters higher...

Now what?! (4)

Same rules, new round. You guess what this brand name is and you get the full prize monty! This time it's easy. If you don't know this one ladies and gentlemen, then I'm starting to wonder if you should even be on this show. Look at it carefully. Don't just blurt out stuff you still have three seconds. Two. One. And the right answer is.... In the comments!

Travel Picture Yard Sale

Here's one from the travel archives for your viewing pleasure and/or desktop or something. A nice shot from Ko Chang in 2003. I know most of you guys are slowly getting ready for winter. This picture will either make you warm and happy, or slightly frustrated and really thirsty. Hey hey: I'm hoping for the first to happen of course :)

Meditation made easy (2)

Now that you've had some time experimenting with counting the breath it is time to take it one step further. Being aware of the breath is a great thing. It makes your brain stop thinking all those dispersed thoughts. It gives you focus. And if you do it right you'll feel fantastic.

But it can get more fantastic. Although, if you have done exercise 1 right, there is barely a transition to exercise 2. Because if you are really aware of your breathing, you know that it is a part of your body. (Duh). So this is just a little shift in focus. Making sure you know that you are here now and breathing.

Exercise 2: Being aware of your 'breath body'

* Start by sitting down. Just like in exercise 1. Count your breath. Try to get that focus. Breathe naturally. Relax. The breath comes first. You know the feeling by now. Probably it will take you less time to take hold of your breath and be aware of it. You can finish counting back or not. But don't take the next step until you're ready.

* Remember: it is best to breathe in and out through the nose, unless it is blocked.

* Finish counting. Now stay with your breath but don't count. Be mindful of the air going in and out your body. You can put you hands on your abdomen and feel the rising and falling as you breathe in and out. One goes with the other (and to make sure you take you're time I'll let you discover what goes with what on your own).

* Now be aware of the airflow near your nostrils as you breathe in and out a couple of times.(It kinda tickles). Now follow the air in with your mind and feel that same air that was just at your nostrils go down your windpipe and fill up your lungs. Do that 10 times or so.

* Go deeper. On your next in breath: don't only follow the air into your lungs. Follow it as the oxygen goes into your blood and nourishes every cell of your body. Keep doing that until you are truly aware.

* Go out. Keep following the breath all the way in as you did, but now on every out breath: feel the air leaving your body. Follow the flow outward into the world. Further and further in to the world or even the galaxy. As far as you can. Do this 10 times (or longer if you want).

* Hold it! Like with exercise 1: don't jump up.

This is a great exercise, some people like to do it lying down. What ever way you do it: you might be aware that your breath naturally deepens. That is great, as long as you haven't been striving for it. Feel that? Told you it could get more fantastic!

Now what?! (3)

You know the rules: come on down and guess what this product is! Yes: you can walk away with truckload of prizes. Are you ready? Quiet in the audience please. Your time starts now! You have seen that yellow can before, trust me. Owww: it's easy for me, it's right here on my card. Could it be that anti-mosquito spray? Or is it the Thai version of WD-40? Five seconds. And the answer is... in the comments. (As always).

Where in the now?

I'm still in Khon Kaen (and if that changes you'd be the first to know). Where exactly? Really... You want me to put my adress on the internet? That's just a tad too scary for me. I'd be sure to get all kinds of spam in my mailbox. And it is small as it is. But no worries: here's a little movie I made of my street. See that little shop across the Soi? That's where you can have a dress made. They also handle all appointments. And I'll be sure to open that big gate at the agreed time. (Depending on who you are I might also release the hounds).