HOWDY’S ADVENTURES IN THAILAND – PART II

Like my first adventure story in Thailand, this one is also the truth – well, mostly anyway…

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Jeremy was in love with a Thai National lady named, Dami.

 

She was for sure a pretty lady and lots of guys were after her; including Jeremy and a Thai Air Force guy who was stationed on the same base with us there in Ubon. The word around was that Dami was much too involved with the TAF guy and Jeremy was being used mainly just to provide her with things she wanted from the BX, the Air Force’s on base GI department store.

 

One day, as Jeremy sat in the Day Room (kind of our squadron party room) after hours talking with Dami, he heard a loud noise outside the door. When he turned to see what was happening, he found several Thai Air Force personnel standing around him with guns aimed at his head.

 Geesh, what do you do at a time like this! 

Luckily for those guys, God was looking out for them that day. Cause Jeremy ‘n me would have whooped the Thai Air Force from one side of the base to the other! (I mean, had I been there, that is). Cause Jeremy ‘n me had taken karate together there in Thailand and no one was about to take us down… nobody! ;  )  Yep, lucky for them guys!

 

The U.S. Air Force Security Police had seen the Thai Air Force truck go barreling down the road on the wrong side of the base and they followed to see where they were going.

 

Quicker than Jeremy could say his last prayer, the U.S. Security Police surrounded the Thai Air Force with their weapons and backed them down. They left without anyone getting hurt; at least this time.

 

Jeremy was stationed in Thailand with me and was supposed to return to the states before I did. However, he decided to stay behind and see if he could win the hand of his truly beloved, Dami.

 

I never heard from my friend, Jeremy, again after I left Ubon to return to the states. I hope he was able to win Dami’s hand and see his dreams come true.  ~Howdy

Synesthesia – Blending of the Senses

Early today I was watching a reporter from Sunday Morning, one of my favorite television shows, interview Michael Kalish, the now famous “license artist.” (creative, original, and fascinating – www.michaelkalish.com) As I listened to the dialogue, I was surprised to hear that Michael was color-blind. This thought took flight. Back-up almost ten years to a high school prom.

 A highlight of the high school years’ experience is the prom. The day, not unlike, the day of one’s wedding, in the pampering that occurs. A dress must be selected that is just the right fit, color, and price range. Shoes may need to be dyed to match if you are not lucky enough to find a pair off the shelf. Hair styles and manicures may call for appointments. After hour functions must be decided along with means of transportation. I clearly remember one of our daughter’s experiences (on her birthday no less). After all the pictures, and there were many, we sent the pair off. Shortly before midnight she returned to change clothes. Walking in the door with her date, she stood chatting with us about the theme, the music and the dresses of her friends. She was bubbly and expressive. Sharing her excitement, I inquired who was chosen as Prom Queen and Prom King. She couldn’t hide her grin, and only said, “Took you long enough to notice.” There was a crown on her head to be sure. She just laughed. The King was not her date but another friend. This friend happens to be color blind. I remember thinking how he would have “seen” the colors around him.

 This thought easily directed me to my next thought which was – how do we know any of us are really seeing the same degree of color…..is my blue the same shade as yours? Sure we can say “bright blue,” but who determines the “brightness”? This, in turn, made me think of a rare phenomenon of the human mind called synesthesia. Synesthesia is a blending of two or more of the senses.

 For more information, read an article entitled: Hearing Colors, Tasting Shapes found in the magazine, Scientific American.http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=0003014B-9D06-1E8F-8EA5809EC5880000

Jennifer Maite, a teacher, speaks from experience and has put together an interesting and informative website.           http://www.maitespace.com/interests/synesth/synesthesia.htm 

If you are one that has synesthesia, here is a great site to share your experiences and those of others. http://exploration.vanderbilt.edu/news/news_synesthesia.htm    

Funny the paths our thoughts take.

07-07-07

In just an hour 07-07-07 will be history. The number seven is considered to be a “lucky” number in many cultures and thus three sevens in the number should be extra lucky. No?  Many couples will be sharing their wedding anniversary date and, as luck would have it, one that is easy to remember. Lottery tickets with the triple sevens were bought at such a rate that the split on the money would put little in your pocket. Seven was thought to be the number of perfection or completion and dates back to Biblical times where it took God six days to complete creation and He rested on that seventh day. Three being spiritual – the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost and four being earthly – North, South, East, and West and Fire, Water, Earth, and Air. Together 3 + 4 = 7 and represented the merging of the two. Seven shows up numerous times as in Snow White and SEVEN Dwarves, and the SEVEN Wonders of the Ancient World. Coincidence or not?

If you are superstitious….. keep in mind next Friday is the 13th.

Websites We Like and Hope You Do Too

Over the last decade, the number of computers sold has increased and we all fit somewhere on the “technology learning curve.” Howdy and I have shared interesting websites with our “not so computer savvy friends” and with each. We’d like to share them now with you. We’ll keep adding to the list and if you have any you’d like to share, please let us know. Navigate around the sites and enjoy!

 

View the earth in 3D, zoom in on the Grand Canyon, “visit” any place you’d like, it’s quite the trip!: 

 

Wonder what time it is anywhere in the world?  Are they ahead or behind us?   

 

Need additional emoticons to spice up your chat on yahoo…a rose, the flag?  

 

No TV Guide, try this site for listings in your area, also find movies and show times:   

 

Looking for a particular newspaper or magazine, a radio or television station? 

 

Want to know anything about your state? OR TRY - Great guide for students or teachers:   

 

A tribute to our fallen heroes from Operations Iraqui Freedom and Enduring Freedom:   

 

Check out the classes available for free through MIT’s OpenCourseWare: for educators, students and self-learners around the world:  

 

Find the blue, mail drop-off boxes located throughout your town and the USPS pick-up times by typing in your city and state and moving the directional arrows:  

 

Babyboomers, have you ever wondered what happened the year you were born? Check it out:  

 

Quotes for a speech, poems, verses to complement your thoughts:  

 

Have a word or a phrase you need translated to another language?  

Fun site with trivia, games, sports, humor, music – if you’re bored, take a look at this site.  

 

The right words can make or break your anticipated results – sometimes all you have are keywords to impress in those first few minutes.  

 

Research your school and see how they rate. Moving? Check the schools in that area?  

 

Are you a reader? Want to know the “best selling books”? Books, books, and more about books – Anything on books:

 

Interested in the stock market, trading, or investing – need to know the terms and learn the how-tos?  

 

Are you the curious sort? Have questions or just want to learn more?  

 

Teach your children how to save, how I-bonds and interest work. Calculate what your bonds are worth:

 

Libraries at your fingertips – reference materials, journals, publications and articles.  

 

Is there anything you want to know how to do? Find it here. 

 

Excellent site for English teachers, students, writers – grammar related powerpoint demos.

 

 

 

 

 

GOOD BOOKS FOR YOUR READING ENJOYMENT!

I FEEL BAD ABOUT MY NECK, by Nora Ephron

Blogging Vulgarity

 I was checking out a blog this morning that was tasteless, rude & vulgar. I promise I didn’t know it was that way until AFTER I started reading it. I have been told that the lady who writes the posts for this blog makes over $80K per year from her writings. There are many advertisements on her blog and I wonder why any company would want to advertise there with all that vulgarity she uses! Go figure -  I guess it shows the online society’s desire for this sort of junk.

Since it is open to the public for viewing/reading, I am strongly opposed to this type of garbage. I will stay poor, broke and hungry (well, poor and broke anyway) if smut is what it takes to make a dollar online. Children’s eyes should not be subjected to these sorts of things. She is not the only one, of course. I believe in freedom of speech, but moreso in maintaining decency for others.

I won’t give the name of the blog, because I don’t want to be free advertisement for her. It shudders me to think that society thinks they need stuff like this, and, even more, that there are people who have such disrespect for themselves that they will share their vulgarity with the world for a few bucks!

How do you feel about the indecency on the internet?  ~Howdy