Eleventh Day

 Wow, it is easy to slip into a similar pattern to what I had at home. I produced a plan to change many things - delete more emails, eat healthily, get enough sleep, write, sketch, take a few classes...and what has happened is the same old same old with a few new twists and turns.

Ok., 11 days out of 120, I still have 109 to go, and I will consider this the coasting into phase.

There is a great deal to say about a sparse, simple room; you get out of it. My new digs invite me to stay, linger, and noodle the time away. Up before dawn to watch the Bills - might as well play cards as the score clicks along - have a cup of tea, read the Sunday D&C. Lay on the bed and watch the motorcycle races... two TVs, two ACs. 

On Friday, I begin a month of no carbs - (I haven't told Leo in the beer bottle yet). There is a pool out my window and down one flight of stairs - two bathing suits in the closet and the pool is perfect for walking—101 excuses as to why I have not been wet or worked out in the exercise room.   So, I am making a list of a few things to do and accomplish and put into a habit -

I will plan the day - MIT's most important things first - habits second - meals third and put a timer on when I am doing "busy" stuff - email, surfing, etc. I just checked off another of the 4156 weeks in my life.

I have made a little progress. I have unsubscribed to twenty more sites and kept my email bin empty.  

I have posted something on Facebook so folks that worry know I am alive

I (Bruce and I) have booked a trip to Laos for Jan 6 to 10, and our mandatory visa run - I hope my visa works.

We have tentative plans for the circle-around CM ride and a scooter trip to Pai. (80 miles)

I plan to go to the Nest and will try to go to Nan with Cheryl.

The teeth work has started - root canal accomplished. Now two crowns.

I have been to the art store three times and had three massages. I have eaten in different places every day except Joey's three times and booked for TG dinner... so not too bad. Onward to the new week and new leaf.

Has it only been since last Tuesday

 It feels like I have been here - as in out of the country, in Thailand, and in my little living space for a long time.   When I reflect that I left on Tues spent 40 hours en route and it is now early Sunday, it feels like a long and brief time.  

    I haven't been all over the city but around the usual route of the old city and you can see some things are gone but many are open and doing well etc.   Some big missing places are the large plaza and music hall.  Hard to believe they would scrap such a wonderful place for music, but I never saw it's even one-half filled.  

    At this moment, Bruce and I are on the second floor, but he is scheduled to move to the 7th(top) floor over my room on the corner.  The back of the space overlooks trees and the side looks toward the mountain.  There are some silly things like a four-shelf shoe rack.  I have my usual sneakers, my water shoes, and my flat-foot-toe space shoes.   The rack could hold fifteen pairs. 

    I have participated in a meal at Joey's, Blue Diamond, UnIrish Pub, and Coffee/Ice Cream place.  Today I hope to do Bake and Bite for Breakfast and I'm not sure about dinner.  Tomorrow I will start intermittent fasting, water walking some weights, and the dentist.

    Went to the plastic store and got a basket that is bungeed on so brought home two gallons of water last night

     Bruce is doing great on his scooter. Getting around the mote and through the traffic like a champion.  It is easier with two bikes, and we can do longer trips more easily.

I am going with the art group to Lampang on the first weekend in December.  I have done nothing with a pencil in an exceptionally long time. But it will come back.

    I will be more regular with my journal blog.  Watched the local election stuff - Jeremy and Jackie made it.  Looking at the US from a distance, it is hard to see democracy but more a continuation of the privileged and the have-nots. sad.

ARE WE THERE YET

 A very frustrating day.   All about money and planes and anxiety.   Hard to relax and be calm. I know Bruce feels the same way.  When I used to do canoeing every once in a while, when I was carrying the canoe from one place to another over my head... the no see ems or mosquito would get under with me and there was nothing to do but keep going.  I would try to not react with the thought that if they just take a little bite and leave, the sting will not be as bad. Sometimes that was true and sometimes not.    

    It started with the Thai Visa, then I got double billed for an app, and I can't reach a vendor to suspend my service and got a bill for a service that was not mine.   I will take the attitude that nothing else can go wrong.  That is not always the case.  Sometimes this is just the prequel to something greater.

So, it has taken me 5 1/2 hrs. today to get the car wash, Sirius, and instant ink suspended for four months...   And I got the lift folks to cancel a pending charge that was not mine.   all of that will amount to about $500.

I got my car to the garage and bike stowed (thank you Karen) and the garage owner to know that the car is there.

I am now cleaning the refrigerator, almost packed, Jim's many dozen scones made.  I will take a nap from midnight to 2 am then shower, load the car and roll down the driveway at 4 am.  and it is all good.  With much good fortune, the bags will be checked to Chiang Mai, I will see Bruce in Tokyo and we will both forget what a hassle this trip has been.

40HRS AND 21 MINUTES SOUNDS LIKE A WORK WEEK... BUT IT WILL GO FROM 6AM ON NOVEMBER 8 TO NOVEM ER 10 FLYING ACROSS 12 TIME ZONES.

PRE TRIP NOTE

 Getting organized.  It is a little scary to feel like I am in great shape to go with things at home in pretty good shape.  I know I can buy about anything in Thailand but a bra, but i want to go feeling i have what i need and will be comfortable and not lacking essentials..

this is the paste from Penzu   This is a test of transferability to the blog. 

now off to complete the prep.