The video file is big ...
DW
13.4.13
Veteran Cars on Display in the Karan Hotel Jubail
I am working here this week and thought you'd like to see the great cars they've got on display!
The video file is big ...
DW
The video file is big ...
DW
12.4.13
Arrived Jubail
But my luggage didn't!
Last time this happened I waited one week for my case to arrive. I went to Khartoum and because of bad weather I changed from BA to KLM ... This time from KLM to Egypt Air.
Clearly Schipol cannot manage airline changes as all of us who were affected suffered the same fate.
I should get it tonight.
DW
Last time this happened I waited one week for my case to arrive. I went to Khartoum and because of bad weather I changed from BA to KLM ... This time from KLM to Egypt Air.
Clearly Schipol cannot manage airline changes as all of us who were affected suffered the same fate.
I should get it tonight.
DW
O2 Porky Pie
After yet another delayed flight I have been rerouted so I have spent more time at Schipol Airport than I should have.
On landing at Schipol I got an sms from O2. You will understand what has happened from the following.
U said £1.99 per DAY for data so i switched it on so that i could send and receive emails to/from the office; chat on whatsapp, read the news and so on. After about two hours, a minute ago, u sent me a message telling me i had used up my data allowance. Did u tell me a lie or make a mistake?
I will follow up on this when i get a wifi signal.
DW
On landing at Schipol I got an sms from O2. You will understand what has happened from the following.
U said £1.99 per DAY for data so i switched it on so that i could send and receive emails to/from the office; chat on whatsapp, read the news and so on. After about two hours, a minute ago, u sent me a message telling me i had used up my data allowance. Did u tell me a lie or make a mistake?
I will follow up on this when i get a wifi signal.
DW
6.4.13
Read the article then read this
I tried to respond to what i think is a crass article in today's FT. The FT engine says my response contains suspected profanity.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/0e8b2180-9bf4-11e2-8485-00144feabdc0.html
Well, i can't see any and here is what i said anyway.
Isn't this just about the most ill thought out example of setting out
to prove a point and, by goodness, finding it?
This is a travesty: this is NOT what Amsterdam is like at all.
Yes, you will find a large and organised red_light district.
Yes, you will find drugs there.
Yes you will find the other things that Ms Birchill has written about
after her TWO visits in a decade there.
It's a lot like the Sherlock Holmes' dog that didn't bark. What Ms
Birchill has left out is far more representative of Amsterdam that the
lurid bits she's put in.
Are we meant to snigger and tut tut at the suggestion, not so clever
and not so hidden, that Ms Birchill goes to Amsterdam to partake of
noxious substances? Do we really need to know that? No, I for one do
not. Had I been the editor of this piece I would have struck that out
and reprimanded the woman.
I think Ms Birchill is also misrepresenting the availability of
cannabis for foreigners too: I think I am right in saying that they
recently tightened up the laws on the clots who are allowed to go and
smoke themselves silly. I am prepared to stand corrected but I am sure
I am right.
Ms Birchill's representation of the red_light district is misinformed
too. A couple of years ago I worked in Amsterdam with a woman, yes a
woman, who is a red_light district guide and my goodness I am sure she
would love to get her red pen to this article. Yes the red light
district was tightly controlled. Yes there were freeloaders and other
problems. Yes parts of it were closed down. However, what remains is
nothing like the mess that Ms Birchill is claiming. That Julie
Blindell would do well to talk to the red_light district guide too
because what she has apparently written sounds more like feminist
angst than hard reality.
Go to Amsterdam, I recommend it. You could even stay within a street
or two of the red_light district and not know it was there. There is
so much more to do than snigger about cannabis, noxious mushrooms and
alcohol. Oh! and if you do go, talk to someone who knows what they're
talking about.
DW
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/0e8b2180-9bf4-11e2-8485-00144feabdc0.html
Well, i can't see any and here is what i said anyway.
Isn't this just about the most ill thought out example of setting out
to prove a point and, by goodness, finding it?
This is a travesty: this is NOT what Amsterdam is like at all.
Yes, you will find a large and organised red_light district.
Yes, you will find drugs there.
Yes you will find the other things that Ms Birchill has written about
after her TWO visits in a decade there.
It's a lot like the Sherlock Holmes' dog that didn't bark. What Ms
Birchill has left out is far more representative of Amsterdam that the
lurid bits she's put in.
Are we meant to snigger and tut tut at the suggestion, not so clever
and not so hidden, that Ms Birchill goes to Amsterdam to partake of
noxious substances? Do we really need to know that? No, I for one do
not. Had I been the editor of this piece I would have struck that out
and reprimanded the woman.
I think Ms Birchill is also misrepresenting the availability of
cannabis for foreigners too: I think I am right in saying that they
recently tightened up the laws on the clots who are allowed to go and
smoke themselves silly. I am prepared to stand corrected but I am sure
I am right.
Ms Birchill's representation of the red_light district is misinformed
too. A couple of years ago I worked in Amsterdam with a woman, yes a
woman, who is a red_light district guide and my goodness I am sure she
would love to get her red pen to this article. Yes the red light
district was tightly controlled. Yes there were freeloaders and other
problems. Yes parts of it were closed down. However, what remains is
nothing like the mess that Ms Birchill is claiming. That Julie
Blindell would do well to talk to the red_light district guide too
because what she has apparently written sounds more like feminist
angst than hard reality.
Go to Amsterdam, I recommend it. You could even stay within a street
or two of the red_light district and not know it was there. There is
so much more to do than snigger about cannabis, noxious mushrooms and
alcohol. Oh! and if you do go, talk to someone who knows what they're
talking about.
DW
Answers on a Post Card
Well, what do you think these two bits of rope represent, then?
UPDATE ...
Come on, have a go! Make a suggestion!!
DW
UPDATE ...
Come on, have a go! Make a suggestion!!
DW
4.4.13
More Falang Tripe!
Sitting in a restaurant having a decent meal and behind us is a pony tail wearing foreigner. Fake US accent as he is from Europe somewhere.
He's talking big while his wife/partner sits silently and his audience is a young Thai man.
Maybe he's a genuine big shot, who knows!!
DE
He's talking big while his wife/partner sits silently and his audience is a young Thai man.
Maybe he's a genuine big shot, who knows!!
DE
2.4.13
Great Self Portrait!
I took this photo yesterday on automatic EXCEPT for changing the EV to +1.
I took the photo in RAW too!
Zoom in to see the detail and ignore the Alice Band!!
DW
I took the photo in RAW too!
Zoom in to see the detail and ignore the Alice Band!!
DW
30.3.13
It's Back ... the Moon
I did it again, took a photo of the moon. From my balcony in Bangkok this time.
DW
DW
Waterproof not Sweat Proof
Look at the photo: it says that this watch is waterproof or water resistant to a depth of 50 metres.
Zoom in, though, to see the effects of my sweat on the innards of this watch.
A waterproof watch that isn't sweat resistant!
DW
Zoom in, though, to see the effects of my sweat on the innards of this watch.
A waterproof watch that isn't sweat resistant!
DW
29.3.13
Scrambled Eggs err Omelette err Scrambled!
We went for something to eat. I like and eat Thai food then i will eat something more familiar from time to time
I ordered scrambled eggs: it comes with toast and bacon. I give the bacon away.
Namwan ordered her food.
We waited and when the omelette arrived i started eating it. La la la laaaa. Not bad although a bit greasy.
Namwan's Thai food arrived and she tucked in!
Then the scrambled eggs arrived 😳
Me: (confused and guilt ridden) Did you order the omelette for yourself?
Namwan: Yes!
Me: Why did you let me eat it then?
Doh!
Not done that before!!
DW
I ordered scrambled eggs: it comes with toast and bacon. I give the bacon away.
Namwan ordered her food.
We waited and when the omelette arrived i started eating it. La la la laaaa. Not bad although a bit greasy.
Namwan's Thai food arrived and she tucked in!
Then the scrambled eggs arrived 😳
Me: (confused and guilt ridden) Did you order the omelette for yourself?
Namwan: Yes!
Me: Why did you let me eat it then?
Doh!
Not done that before!!
DW
Three Films
In the last three days i have watched
Olympus Has Fallen
GI Joe
A Thai Film ... Pee Mak Phra Khanong*
Pee Mak is a hoot even though i relied on English sub titles. She's a ghost ... no she isn't ... nonsense, hair styles, slap stick, appalling rowing skills, terrible one like jokes ... worth watching!
GI Joe: Bruce Willis is really only a cameo player. Interesting storyline but the script is dreadful. Action packed and there's a ticking clock countdown ... otherwise the world ends NOW! Not the best action film ever but watchable.
Olympus: i enjoyed this. Action film, clicking tock counting down at the end ... otherwise the world ends NOW! One man hero. Couldn't stand the sight if the child wearing a baseball cap. Got sick to death of people constantly asking if the President's alright ... enjoyable action film, better than GI Joe!
DW
*Phra Khanong is my local Sky Train station!
Olympus Has Fallen
GI Joe
A Thai Film ... Pee Mak Phra Khanong*
Pee Mak is a hoot even though i relied on English sub titles. She's a ghost ... no she isn't ... nonsense, hair styles, slap stick, appalling rowing skills, terrible one like jokes ... worth watching!
GI Joe: Bruce Willis is really only a cameo player. Interesting storyline but the script is dreadful. Action packed and there's a ticking clock countdown ... otherwise the world ends NOW! Not the best action film ever but watchable.
Olympus: i enjoyed this. Action film, clicking tock counting down at the end ... otherwise the world ends NOW! One man hero. Couldn't stand the sight if the child wearing a baseball cap. Got sick to death of people constantly asking if the President's alright ... enjoyable action film, better than GI Joe!
DW
*Phra Khanong is my local Sky Train station!
26.3.13
Lebanese Food Excellent. Falang Chat Tripe!
Lebanese restaurant today in Ploenchit Centre: excellent food. Sat near two expats, they were at the next table. Firstly, they bought enough food for a week.
Secondly, they spoke loudly. They spoke drivel. And they clearly weren't listening to each other!!
DW
Secondly, they spoke loudly. They spoke drivel. And they clearly weren't listening to each other!!
DW
24.3.13
Analysis of Second Hand Car Prices in Bangkok
Take a look at my latest post on my Excel blog ... It's a combination of Excel, depreciation and other things ... http://excel2007master.wordpress.com/analysis-of-second-hand-car-prices-in-bangkok/
Duncan Williamson
Duncan Williamson
23.3.13
18.3.13
Phoooooone ... The Phone's Ringing
Some years ago i was in a railway station or airport and, surprise, surprise, i had my phone in my pocket. I was minding my own business when a man. a complete stranger, near me said to me, Your phone's ringing!
He was right! I was shocked but i hadn't heard a thing.
The same happened again yesterday. Phone in my pocket. Walking along ... phoooooone!
It happened again ... phoooooone!
It happened five or six times and even though my senses were heightened after the first two calls, i never heard the thing ring. It even vibrated as it rang too but that made no difference!
UPDATE 7th April 2013
I was walking around, minding my own business when i walked past a rucksack and inside it ... a phone was ringing. I heard it. Ta daa!
UPDATE 11th April
I was walking along, minding my own business, when i heard a familiar sound. The phone in my pocket was ringing and i heard it! Suave!!
DW
He was right! I was shocked but i hadn't heard a thing.
The same happened again yesterday. Phone in my pocket. Walking along ... phoooooone!
It happened again ... phoooooone!
It happened five or six times and even though my senses were heightened after the first two calls, i never heard the thing ring. It even vibrated as it rang too but that made no difference!
UPDATE 7th April 2013
I was walking around, minding my own business when i walked past a rucksack and inside it ... a phone was ringing. I heard it. Ta daa!
UPDATE 11th April
I was walking along, minding my own business, when i heard a familiar sound. The phone in my pocket was ringing and i heard it! Suave!!
DW
15.3.13
Subscribe to The Times ... hahahaha!
This post contains the text of s summary of my run in with The Times subscription and customer services departments.
Dear Sirs,
Please read this message and do something about it this time.
I posted this on your Facebook page just now as you have been impossible to deal with. Since you have taken money from me under false pretences, you have made this a serious matter now, not just an inconvenience.
"In The Times tomorrow ... how would I know? Try subscribing online and this is what you get. Sign up and complete the direct debit details. Finished? No, they will write and say your email is not registered on their system. They advise you to call them or try again. I wrote and said I am abroad for several weeks so cannot call ... why not call me on +... ... Ignored. I tried to sign up again this time as I typed my email address it said, are you XXX, in that case we'll fill in your details for you and they did. Was I now a happy subscriber? NO! They wrote and said my attempt to subscribe had failed and they had looked through their entire database and my email address is not registered. Call them or try again they repeated. In the end I subscribed for a month on the iPhone from the Apple Store. Happy now? NO! the App keeps crashing and yesterday after a crash, a deletion and reinstallation I am now "enjoying" a 30 day free trial ... I am getting no service for my money. Anything else? YES! I found out yesterday that they have taken money out of my bank account via the direct debit that couldn't possibly exist in their database. Is that the end then? NO! I wrote to them yesterday and asked for action. They ignored me. I wrote again and suggested that since I have received no services for my money AND they are seemingly misleading me, they might be guilty of fraud or theft. So that worried them then? Not a bit of it. I have heard nothing. So, this message comes with the clear warning that The Times has the worst customer service people I have ever come across: no exaggeration. This comment will probably be deleted but I will put it here and there and on my blog so that it can be seen for eternity!"
DW
Dear Sirs,
Please read this message and do something about it this time.
I posted this on your Facebook page just now as you have been impossible to deal with. Since you have taken money from me under false pretences, you have made this a serious matter now, not just an inconvenience.
"In The Times tomorrow ... how would I know? Try subscribing online and this is what you get. Sign up and complete the direct debit details. Finished? No, they will write and say your email is not registered on their system. They advise you to call them or try again. I wrote and said I am abroad for several weeks so cannot call ... why not call me on +... ... Ignored. I tried to sign up again this time as I typed my email address it said, are you XXX, in that case we'll fill in your details for you and they did. Was I now a happy subscriber? NO! They wrote and said my attempt to subscribe had failed and they had looked through their entire database and my email address is not registered. Call them or try again they repeated. In the end I subscribed for a month on the iPhone from the Apple Store. Happy now? NO! the App keeps crashing and yesterday after a crash, a deletion and reinstallation I am now "enjoying" a 30 day free trial ... I am getting no service for my money. Anything else? YES! I found out yesterday that they have taken money out of my bank account via the direct debit that couldn't possibly exist in their database. Is that the end then? NO! I wrote to them yesterday and asked for action. They ignored me. I wrote again and suggested that since I have received no services for my money AND they are seemingly misleading me, they might be guilty of fraud or theft. So that worried them then? Not a bit of it. I have heard nothing. So, this message comes with the clear warning that The Times has the worst customer service people I have ever come across: no exaggeration. This comment will probably be deleted but I will put it here and there and on my blog so that it can be seen for eternity!"
DW
14.3.13
Ants in my Pants!
After the shower last night i came out in blotches. It turns out that our local ant colony had taken up residence in my towel.
These ants are small but they bite. Here is a photo to prove it all ... my skin today!
DW
These ants are small but they bite. Here is a photo to prove it all ... my skin today!
DW
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