.
15 October: Happy Birthday, Friedrich Nietzsche, wherever you are!
.
Locally, we are still not affected much by the floodwaters that have hit neighboring districts so hard. No one really knows what will happen in these next few days, so it is watch, wait, and Be Prepared.
.
Our latest news is that a stray kitten has mysteriously appeared in the corner of our courtyard. She is wild and scared and hiding under some corrugated metal sheets. When it rains, she cries, and it is heartbreaking. We put out some food, and she apparently ate it. Tomorrow we will start attempting to gain her trust with food and constantly talking to her from a non-threatening distance. One of my few areas of moderate expertise is taming cats, a skill learned growing up on the farm. (My nephew once called me “The Cat Whisperer.”) Cats are tough critters to domesticate – then after that they own you.
.
For this kitten it is a race against time, because neighborhood monitor lizards eat small cats. The monitors tunnel under our wall frequently, and we see one every week or so. We lost a litter of four kittens a few years ago to them, one by one, and we only figured it out too late when the last kitten, an almost full-grown adolescent male who had just been neutered, was killed but was too big to be swallowed. Dukkha everywhere.
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-Zenwind.
.
15 October 2011
14 October 2011
Still Above Water
.
14 October: We are not yet flooded here at home as of early evening. But a huge thunderstorm roared through and the rain was hard.
.
We took Father-in-law to his hospital checkup (as well as me to my own checkup in the same hospital), and we had to go over a couple of bridges over the Chao Phraya River to get Father, as well as to return him. We saw a lot of flooding along the way. In particular, when Tuk and I were on our way home, our entire lane on a main road was running fast with water up to the taxi’s running boards, and it was not bad in that spot just an hour before.
.
My new doctor, a hematologist, is great. My ultrasound showed thrombosis and he is taking over my treatment. His questions and explanations are thorough, and I have a lot of confidence in him. I could hardly believe the huge amount of blood they took from me. I was given a shot and take-home meds, and I go back to the hospital again for each of the next three days for shots and then for major bloodwork again a week from today. Because the meds for the clots in my leg must be carefully monitored for the safe yet effective level, the doctor carefully explained it all to me and made sure I understood. I took home a six page document about the meds. I have no pain, just a little swelling still in my ankle, and I feel great.
.
We continue to closely monitor the news about the flooding. The latest word is that Bangkok will be safe from flooding but that those of us living outside the capital will not be. Tomorrow I plan to do a walking exploration of our neighborhood and scope out the waterfront. It reminds me of the Red Shirt riots in 2010, because everybody is wondering what will happen next. I will post news again soon, if the nagas be willing and the creeks don’t rise.
.
-Zenwind.
.
14 October: We are not yet flooded here at home as of early evening. But a huge thunderstorm roared through and the rain was hard.
.
We took Father-in-law to his hospital checkup (as well as me to my own checkup in the same hospital), and we had to go over a couple of bridges over the Chao Phraya River to get Father, as well as to return him. We saw a lot of flooding along the way. In particular, when Tuk and I were on our way home, our entire lane on a main road was running fast with water up to the taxi’s running boards, and it was not bad in that spot just an hour before.
.
My new doctor, a hematologist, is great. My ultrasound showed thrombosis and he is taking over my treatment. His questions and explanations are thorough, and I have a lot of confidence in him. I could hardly believe the huge amount of blood they took from me. I was given a shot and take-home meds, and I go back to the hospital again for each of the next three days for shots and then for major bloodwork again a week from today. Because the meds for the clots in my leg must be carefully monitored for the safe yet effective level, the doctor carefully explained it all to me and made sure I understood. I took home a six page document about the meds. I have no pain, just a little swelling still in my ankle, and I feel great.
.
We continue to closely monitor the news about the flooding. The latest word is that Bangkok will be safe from flooding but that those of us living outside the capital will not be. Tomorrow I plan to do a walking exploration of our neighborhood and scope out the waterfront. It reminds me of the Red Shirt riots in 2010, because everybody is wondering what will happen next. I will post news again soon, if the nagas be willing and the creeks don’t rise.
.
-Zenwind.
.
13 October 2011
Flood Update
.
13 October 2011: It is worse than anyone thought. Our immediate neighborhood area (here on the northern rim of greater Bangkok) is not flooded yet, but neighboring districts in our province are. And whole provinces in the rest of Thailand are under water.
.
The inner city of Bangkok might have built up enough floodwalls to save it from major deluge. But we are not in Bangkok proper, so we are not as well protected. The crucial test will be this weekend when a huge amount of flood runoff from the north will reach us just as the high tide occurs, the tide retarding the river’s ability to empty the excessive water. Bangkok is only two meters above sea level, so you can imagine the problem. And it keeps on raining!
.
I walked to the Chao Phraya River this morning and looked around from the walkway on the bridge. Many homes along the river are flooded, especially the tin squatter shacks put up on piles over the water. I have wanted to take an express boat into the city to see the water levels, but family illnesses and the threat of home flooding have stopped me. I am sure that any waterfront levees that are not strongly reinforced will fail. The sandbag walls down by the river pier are holding it back so far, though water has seeped through because the river is up level to the shoreline and roadway.
.
Today I have been reading the local news closely, and what has really sobered me are the maps of the flooded areas and the risks of each area. We are in a very at-risk area. I am writing a list of items for our “Bailout Bags” just in case we are hit hard and forced to pack up and evacuate. “Be Prepared” was the Scout Motto, and it never hurts to think ahead. Write the list; then assemble the stuff in a good old USMC “junk on the bunk” inspection layout (where you lay everything out on a bunk or bed for inspection); stage the stuff for quick retrieval later; then, if it comes to that, pack and go.
.
The worst predictions now for our area – if floodwaters actually do break through – are for about a meter or maybe two of water. We can move valuable stuff upstairs, but it would ruin our refrigerator and treadmill. We would still be lucky compared to many poor souls throughout the country who have lost everything they own.
.
One problem for anyone evacuating is that looters raid flooded houses that are temporarily abandoned. Anyone who knows me personally well might imagine how I would be tempted to handle this if it happened to any of my property Stateside: Lights off; powerful flashlight waiting in hand; sufficient caliber loaded and locked; waiting in the shadows; looters break and enter; the looter population goes down. Miserable goddamn cockroaches! Can you tell that I’m angry?
.
Stay tuned for later developments.
.
-Zenwind.
.
13 October 2011: It is worse than anyone thought. Our immediate neighborhood area (here on the northern rim of greater Bangkok) is not flooded yet, but neighboring districts in our province are. And whole provinces in the rest of Thailand are under water.
.
The inner city of Bangkok might have built up enough floodwalls to save it from major deluge. But we are not in Bangkok proper, so we are not as well protected. The crucial test will be this weekend when a huge amount of flood runoff from the north will reach us just as the high tide occurs, the tide retarding the river’s ability to empty the excessive water. Bangkok is only two meters above sea level, so you can imagine the problem. And it keeps on raining!
.
I walked to the Chao Phraya River this morning and looked around from the walkway on the bridge. Many homes along the river are flooded, especially the tin squatter shacks put up on piles over the water. I have wanted to take an express boat into the city to see the water levels, but family illnesses and the threat of home flooding have stopped me. I am sure that any waterfront levees that are not strongly reinforced will fail. The sandbag walls down by the river pier are holding it back so far, though water has seeped through because the river is up level to the shoreline and roadway.
.
Today I have been reading the local news closely, and what has really sobered me are the maps of the flooded areas and the risks of each area. We are in a very at-risk area. I am writing a list of items for our “Bailout Bags” just in case we are hit hard and forced to pack up and evacuate. “Be Prepared” was the Scout Motto, and it never hurts to think ahead. Write the list; then assemble the stuff in a good old USMC “junk on the bunk” inspection layout (where you lay everything out on a bunk or bed for inspection); stage the stuff for quick retrieval later; then, if it comes to that, pack and go.
.
The worst predictions now for our area – if floodwaters actually do break through – are for about a meter or maybe two of water. We can move valuable stuff upstairs, but it would ruin our refrigerator and treadmill. We would still be lucky compared to many poor souls throughout the country who have lost everything they own.
.
One problem for anyone evacuating is that looters raid flooded houses that are temporarily abandoned. Anyone who knows me personally well might imagine how I would be tempted to handle this if it happened to any of my property Stateside: Lights off; powerful flashlight waiting in hand; sufficient caliber loaded and locked; waiting in the shadows; looters break and enter; the looter population goes down. Miserable goddamn cockroaches! Can you tell that I’m angry?
.
Stay tuned for later developments.
.
-Zenwind.
.
10 October 2011
Flooding, Rains, and the Ailments of Aging
.
The recent severe flooding in Thailand only gets worse. Entire provinces are complete disaster areas, people have been killed or have had their homes destroyed, and the great historical temples and museums of old Ayutthaya up-river have been overflowed. Here in greater Bangkok, our worst high water will peak around 16-18 October when the main water volume flows south to us. Yesterday, Tuk and I were in a taxi coming home, and the driver made a bad navigation decision; he took us into side streets in a heavily flooded area, and I could both hear and feel the water hitting against the underneath of the floor of the taxi. It was slow going but we made it. Our house still appears to be safe. But in the other danger areas I have seen more people filling sandbags than I’ve ever seen since Hill 55 in Vietnam in the autumn of 1969.
.
The monsoon rainy season is supposed to be over, since the official end of the monks’ three-month Rains Retreat is the full moon of Wednesday the 12th, Pavarana, marking the traditional end of the wet monsoon in South and Southeast Asia in a tradition going all the way back to the Buddha almost two and a half millennia ago. But it still rains. I must admit that a hard downpour adds a brief respite to this constant god-awful heat. But there is too much water!
.
As for my personal health, today’s hospital visit confirmed that thrombosis is the diagnosis for my ongoing leg problem for the last six weeks. The ultrasound spotted a few clots down in my ankle area, and I am seeing a hematologist in a few days for a follow-up. I am back to almost normal, with no pain, and I can walk quite fast and far. Stay tuned.
.
My father-in-law has been sick lately, but has bounced back somewhat. He fell on a wet slippery cement slope – twice – and his hip and leg cause him intense pain. He was hospitalized for a couple of days for tests (no broken bones) and for treatment of a spike in Blood Pressure, which was perhaps related to the pain. He is now staying at Tuk’s brother’s house, but Tuk is the one most concerned about seeing to his care. I checked his B/P today with my own B/P cuff, and his reading is now much better than my own normal B/P. He is still in pain and still lame, but we are finding equipment to aid his ability to move around. I was amazed to see him sit in a half-lotus meditative position with the foot of his painful leg resting up on his opposite thigh, and this was most comfortable for him when sitting up! He is a wonderful man, a true sage. As a lifelong Buddhist, he knows that all of life is Dukkha and he takes it philosophically, but if anyone on this earth deserves to be free from suffering, it is him.
.
This coming Friday, both father-in-law and I have medical appointments at the hospital. Tuk will be taking us there, worrying perhaps more than she has to. We old guys still have a lot of fight in us.
.
-Zenwind.
.
The recent severe flooding in Thailand only gets worse. Entire provinces are complete disaster areas, people have been killed or have had their homes destroyed, and the great historical temples and museums of old Ayutthaya up-river have been overflowed. Here in greater Bangkok, our worst high water will peak around 16-18 October when the main water volume flows south to us. Yesterday, Tuk and I were in a taxi coming home, and the driver made a bad navigation decision; he took us into side streets in a heavily flooded area, and I could both hear and feel the water hitting against the underneath of the floor of the taxi. It was slow going but we made it. Our house still appears to be safe. But in the other danger areas I have seen more people filling sandbags than I’ve ever seen since Hill 55 in Vietnam in the autumn of 1969.
.
The monsoon rainy season is supposed to be over, since the official end of the monks’ three-month Rains Retreat is the full moon of Wednesday the 12th, Pavarana, marking the traditional end of the wet monsoon in South and Southeast Asia in a tradition going all the way back to the Buddha almost two and a half millennia ago. But it still rains. I must admit that a hard downpour adds a brief respite to this constant god-awful heat. But there is too much water!
.
As for my personal health, today’s hospital visit confirmed that thrombosis is the diagnosis for my ongoing leg problem for the last six weeks. The ultrasound spotted a few clots down in my ankle area, and I am seeing a hematologist in a few days for a follow-up. I am back to almost normal, with no pain, and I can walk quite fast and far. Stay tuned.
.
My father-in-law has been sick lately, but has bounced back somewhat. He fell on a wet slippery cement slope – twice – and his hip and leg cause him intense pain. He was hospitalized for a couple of days for tests (no broken bones) and for treatment of a spike in Blood Pressure, which was perhaps related to the pain. He is now staying at Tuk’s brother’s house, but Tuk is the one most concerned about seeing to his care. I checked his B/P today with my own B/P cuff, and his reading is now much better than my own normal B/P. He is still in pain and still lame, but we are finding equipment to aid his ability to move around. I was amazed to see him sit in a half-lotus meditative position with the foot of his painful leg resting up on his opposite thigh, and this was most comfortable for him when sitting up! He is a wonderful man, a true sage. As a lifelong Buddhist, he knows that all of life is Dukkha and he takes it philosophically, but if anyone on this earth deserves to be free from suffering, it is him.
.
This coming Friday, both father-in-law and I have medical appointments at the hospital. Tuk will be taking us there, worrying perhaps more than she has to. We old guys still have a lot of fight in us.
.
-Zenwind.
.
06 October 2011
Bad Flooding in Thailand
.
We are not personally affected, but this is some of the worst flooding to hit much of Thailand in many decades. Floods have caused over 200 deaths and have affected over 2 million people. It is now getting toward the end of the normal Rainy Season monsoons, but a number of typhoons coming in from the west Pacific have added huge amounts of water to an already saturated ground and an overflowing river system up-country. Entire provinces are flooded.
.
Walking along the Chao Phraya River this week, the water level was higher than I have ever seen it. Sandbag walls are everywhere, and floats made of long bundled bamboo stalks are tied out to help stop waves from hitting the sandbags. That is a lot of water moving downstream.
.
-Zenwind.
.
We are not personally affected, but this is some of the worst flooding to hit much of Thailand in many decades. Floods have caused over 200 deaths and have affected over 2 million people. It is now getting toward the end of the normal Rainy Season monsoons, but a number of typhoons coming in from the west Pacific have added huge amounts of water to an already saturated ground and an overflowing river system up-country. Entire provinces are flooded.
.
Walking along the Chao Phraya River this week, the water level was higher than I have ever seen it. Sandbag walls are everywhere, and floats made of long bundled bamboo stalks are tied out to help stop waves from hitting the sandbags. That is a lot of water moving downstream.
.
-Zenwind.
.
05 October 2011
Been Down So Long, It Looks Like Up to Me
.
Forgive an old man for going on and on about his health concerns. You too will reach such a day; all you must do is live long enough. My leg problem is almost cleared up, although the doctors don’t know if it was thrombosis or what. For over a month I have had soreness and swelling in my lower leg and foot, and that meant not walking for exercise. At one point I was using a cane just to get around the house. For me, to stop marching/ rambling/ wandering afoot is to stop living in the complete sense.
.
But things are looking up. My walking distances and speeds have come close to normal in the last week, and I’m approaching the rigor of true Marching. “Left, Right, Left, Right. One, Two, Three, Four, I love the Marine Corps!” Ooh rah!
.
Today I have been sitting outside in the shade all afternoon, trying to keep our cat, Silly Willy, from major mischief. He is a full-grown neutered male who sleeps indoors most of the day and night, but sometimes he fancies himself to be a great wild tiger hunter and goes after birds outside. It is his nature and it doesn’t bother me, but my wife and other more traditional Buddhists in the household believe in literal rebirth and in the karmic consequences of actions in this life following on into the next rebirth. In short, they do not want to see Willy murder birds or mice lest his rebirth after this life places him in a lower realm of being. I am a total skeptic about any survival of death, but I like their (metaphorical) point a bit – as an aesthetic musing.
.
So I have been thwarting Willy’s attempts at murder. He – being a cat – concealed himself well behind obstacles while intently watching some pigeons feeding nearby. One could sense his feline tension, wound up tight for the kill. I tried to scare the birds away by waving my arms and throwing water at them, but the dumb things ignored me. Finally, I picked Willy up high so they could all see him and said, “Cat! Cat!” The birds scattered, and Willy kept his good karma intact for the time being although he was not happy with me. Ah, we all just wallow through samsara as best we can.
.
-Zenwind.
.
Forgive an old man for going on and on about his health concerns. You too will reach such a day; all you must do is live long enough. My leg problem is almost cleared up, although the doctors don’t know if it was thrombosis or what. For over a month I have had soreness and swelling in my lower leg and foot, and that meant not walking for exercise. At one point I was using a cane just to get around the house. For me, to stop marching/ rambling/ wandering afoot is to stop living in the complete sense.
.
But things are looking up. My walking distances and speeds have come close to normal in the last week, and I’m approaching the rigor of true Marching. “Left, Right, Left, Right. One, Two, Three, Four, I love the Marine Corps!” Ooh rah!
.
Today I have been sitting outside in the shade all afternoon, trying to keep our cat, Silly Willy, from major mischief. He is a full-grown neutered male who sleeps indoors most of the day and night, but sometimes he fancies himself to be a great wild tiger hunter and goes after birds outside. It is his nature and it doesn’t bother me, but my wife and other more traditional Buddhists in the household believe in literal rebirth and in the karmic consequences of actions in this life following on into the next rebirth. In short, they do not want to see Willy murder birds or mice lest his rebirth after this life places him in a lower realm of being. I am a total skeptic about any survival of death, but I like their (metaphorical) point a bit – as an aesthetic musing.
.
So I have been thwarting Willy’s attempts at murder. He – being a cat – concealed himself well behind obstacles while intently watching some pigeons feeding nearby. One could sense his feline tension, wound up tight for the kill. I tried to scare the birds away by waving my arms and throwing water at them, but the dumb things ignored me. Finally, I picked Willy up high so they could all see him and said, “Cat! Cat!” The birds scattered, and Willy kept his good karma intact for the time being although he was not happy with me. Ah, we all just wallow through samsara as best we can.
.
-Zenwind.
.
27 September 2011
First Migratory Bird of the Season
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27 September 2011: Yesterday morning I heard a birdcall that I had not heard in a long time. It was definitely a seasonal visitor, a bird from the north coming down to make Thailand its winter home. It is a similar feeling to hearing the first robin of spring back in the States. Once this Rainy Season finally ends, some cool and comfortable weather will follow. We have also had the early surprise of a few clear days lately, and it makes it much easier to dry laundry outside.
.
-Zenwind.
.
27 September 2011: Yesterday morning I heard a birdcall that I had not heard in a long time. It was definitely a seasonal visitor, a bird from the north coming down to make Thailand its winter home. It is a similar feeling to hearing the first robin of spring back in the States. Once this Rainy Season finally ends, some cool and comfortable weather will follow. We have also had the early surprise of a few clear days lately, and it makes it much easier to dry laundry outside.
.
-Zenwind.
.
01 September 2011
Back to Health
.
01 September 2011: I have recovered from over a full week of a nasty head cold. I still get about one cold per year, and, like summer colds Stateside, these warm weather colds are the hardest to kick. Because of my busted up sinuses – broken from boxing and from an ice climbing accident – my left Eustachian tube blocks up and thus the hearing in my left ear goes way down despite taking antihistamines. My left ear is my good one; the right ear has major permanent nerve damage from an in-coming NVA mortar round back in 1969; so I am a bit deaf for a while.
.
Whenever I start coming down with cold or flu symptoms here in Thailand – body and joint aches, fever, chills, etc. – I immediately suspect Dengue Fever and rule it out first. That is the most dangerous mosquito-borne disease threatening us, and it would require immediate hospitalization.
.
I took a short walk to the store in the middle of my cold bout, seeking ice and beverages. It is only about a 700 meter round-trip, but coming back I thought I would have to sit down and rest. It was so hot and I was so thirsty. Checking the weather after finally arriving home, I saw that the Heat Index was over 114*F. Wicked humid heat and major dehydration. Break out the ice drinks!
.
It will be an up-hill battle to get back in shape, walking, marching and eventually lifting again. But then, life is always an up-hill battle, isn’t it? The Myth of Sisyphus comes to mind, in which Albert Camus muses on our ephemeral creations.
.
-Zenwind.
.
01 September 2011: I have recovered from over a full week of a nasty head cold. I still get about one cold per year, and, like summer colds Stateside, these warm weather colds are the hardest to kick. Because of my busted up sinuses – broken from boxing and from an ice climbing accident – my left Eustachian tube blocks up and thus the hearing in my left ear goes way down despite taking antihistamines. My left ear is my good one; the right ear has major permanent nerve damage from an in-coming NVA mortar round back in 1969; so I am a bit deaf for a while.
.
Whenever I start coming down with cold or flu symptoms here in Thailand – body and joint aches, fever, chills, etc. – I immediately suspect Dengue Fever and rule it out first. That is the most dangerous mosquito-borne disease threatening us, and it would require immediate hospitalization.
.
I took a short walk to the store in the middle of my cold bout, seeking ice and beverages. It is only about a 700 meter round-trip, but coming back I thought I would have to sit down and rest. It was so hot and I was so thirsty. Checking the weather after finally arriving home, I saw that the Heat Index was over 114*F. Wicked humid heat and major dehydration. Break out the ice drinks!
.
It will be an up-hill battle to get back in shape, walking, marching and eventually lifting again. But then, life is always an up-hill battle, isn’t it? The Myth of Sisyphus comes to mind, in which Albert Camus muses on our ephemeral creations.
.
-Zenwind.
.
22 August 2011
Sunny Day
.
22 August 2011: There is not much new to report. I seem to have come down with a flu or cold, with major FMS symptoms, and it has left me weak, groggy, in horrible pain, with a sore throat. I shortened today’s walk because the sun was out and it was extremely hot. Sunny days like this during the Rainy Season are great for drying laundry, but I had to come in before long. I so look forward to winter.
.
Two of my good friends here are leaving Thailand for good soon, and that is sad. I really liked talking with them and sharing ideas.
.
I just installed a fine piece of language software, a Thai-English English-Thai Talking Dictionary, and I am hoping to study Thai more now. I am also still working on several book reviews and articles. If I ever do get them finished I will post them on my main “Zenwind” site.
.
-Zenwind.
.
22 August 2011: There is not much new to report. I seem to have come down with a flu or cold, with major FMS symptoms, and it has left me weak, groggy, in horrible pain, with a sore throat. I shortened today’s walk because the sun was out and it was extremely hot. Sunny days like this during the Rainy Season are great for drying laundry, but I had to come in before long. I so look forward to winter.
.
Two of my good friends here are leaving Thailand for good soon, and that is sad. I really liked talking with them and sharing ideas.
.
I just installed a fine piece of language software, a Thai-English English-Thai Talking Dictionary, and I am hoping to study Thai more now. I am also still working on several book reviews and articles. If I ever do get them finished I will post them on my main “Zenwind” site.
.
-Zenwind.
.
07 August 2011
Still Hot and Steamy Weather, and Mundee Still Plays Some of the Hottest Rock n Roll in Bangkok
.
I know that I am constantly repeating myself, but two constants in Bangkok are absolutes and deserve repeating. One, after five years I still cannot believe how hot and humid this climate is. Two, the band Mundee plays outstanding Rock n Roll at Bangkok’s The Rock Pub.
.
Today I did another death march at midday when the Heat Index was up over 110*F. I will never learn. And, why do I always try to break in new sports sandals in the hottest times of the year? However, after about 5k on the hot sidewalks I did make it back home, and I’ve been re-hydrating with iced drinks ever since. An evening thundershower finally cooled the outside air.
.
I recently got another chance to stay in downtown Bangkok late to hear Mundee. They started at 00:05 and rocked solidly until 02:00. I cannot adequately express how much I love this band and their hard-driving Rock n Roll. I’m becoming a diehard fan.
.
-Zenwind.
.
I know that I am constantly repeating myself, but two constants in Bangkok are absolutes and deserve repeating. One, after five years I still cannot believe how hot and humid this climate is. Two, the band Mundee plays outstanding Rock n Roll at Bangkok’s The Rock Pub.
.
Today I did another death march at midday when the Heat Index was up over 110*F. I will never learn. And, why do I always try to break in new sports sandals in the hottest times of the year? However, after about 5k on the hot sidewalks I did make it back home, and I’ve been re-hydrating with iced drinks ever since. An evening thundershower finally cooled the outside air.
.
I recently got another chance to stay in downtown Bangkok late to hear Mundee. They started at 00:05 and rocked solidly until 02:00. I cannot adequately express how much I love this band and their hard-driving Rock n Roll. I’m becoming a diehard fan.
.
-Zenwind.
.
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