Just heard on CNN, a Beijing woman brandishing a lettuce and complaining that “the government has lost control of prices”. Yes, dear, that’s called a “free market economy”. Get used to it.
Focussed, highly focussed
Just as I’ve decided to leave my detailed travel writing about Thailand until I return to Sydney, ’Pong hasn’t posted much on his website yet — preferring to shoot many, many gigabytes of imagery to edit upon his return. But having looked at some of the raw images, you’re in for a treat.
I shot the image above using my pimple-cam last week, when we caught the train back to central Bangkok after spending six hours (!) hanging about the Don Mueang district government office sorting out his voter registration for the forthcoming Thai general election. How focussed, eh?
Other notes:
- Don’t let your identity card expire and then leave it for 5 years before trying to renew it.
- Do the address change and the radical hairstyle change before renewing your card and asking the staff to believe you’re the same person.
- Even though I was the only farang in the area, ’Pong’s bleached mohawk hairstyle attracted far more attention.
We’re really going to enjoy writing about our journey!
Nothing from Thailand yet
I haven’t been posting from Thailand because I want to absorb the place while I’m here rather than writing. It’s fantastic, though. I love the place — even though it presents a new way of putting my life at risk every day, usually just through using the transport systems provided. High-speed canal boats at night are… insane but somehow just right and Very Thai.
The Golden Age of the Iced Vovo
As I wait for my aircraft to board, I ponder the many, many words which have been written about Kevin Rudd’s victory. I’ve come to a conclusion. When I return to Australia in 10 days I, like so many voters, will expect a Golden Age to have been implemented. Anything less than the following is unacceptable.
- Global warming to have ceased completely.
- All oil usage to have ended, forever.
- A personal solar-powered hovercraft for all Centrelink benefit recipients.
- A free case of Coopers Ale for everyone adult male.
- Two packets of Iced VoVo biscuits for every family with children aged 12 or younger.
- Malcolm Turnbull installed as Leader of the Opposition, with Julie Bishop as his deputy.
What else? What else do we expect from Chairman Rudd?
Prepared for Election Night
The Snarky Platypus and I are well prepared for our election night data feeds! His MacBook Pro and my PowerBook, each with an extra external monitor, and a TV tuned to the ABC. Wine is also available. Stand by…
Waiting for Kirribilli House
The meme on teh intertubes this week was some wag placing a for-sale ad for Kirribilli House on a real estate website. I must admit, though, I do prefer my photo of Craig Gill in his Kevin07 t-shirt (above) at Hyacinth’s open day.
Thanks to Royaltech (and many others!) for the pointer. And in case the advert vanishes, there’s a PDF version.
I’ve already committed democracy today. Now it’s your turn. Remember, vote early and vote often.