happenings

This is why I am learning Thai

Next month I will get back to going to school everyday for about 3 hours a day.

Someone has to combat this China taking over the world thing. Bums me out.

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.04/mandarin.html

back to the books...

Breakfast

Went back to Crepes and Co today for some breakfast.

had a nice breakfast crepe with some iced coffee. very tasty.

nice and quiet morning place to eat and read the economist.
I like this place cause it feels like a small hideout from the hustle and bustle of bangkok.

btw - soap and xml is just too mainstream now.
ad in the economist for a fuji xerox copy machine.

main selling point - fully xml and soap compliant.
yes - I am sure the office manager in charge of hte copy machine knows what that is all about.

too funny

l8r

To the ignition and starter we go...

Well we discussed the battery last time as the source of stored power
in your automobile.  Now what happens when you need it - for example, to
start the car.  You push the button on key fob to unlock the car and
expect it to unlock the door. Well it worked and the door lock solenoid
pulled the door lock in the direction to unlock the door. Your in the
car and you put the key into the ignition switch and turn it to the
start position.  Now what happens next? Behind the  key is a switch
that when turned supply electrical energy to the starter solenoid.  It
takes a lot of electrical energy to turn the engine over.  A lot more
energy then can be supplied by the key switch. So the key switch
supplies a small amount of currant to a solenoid
on top of the starter.  I just realized that I have been using the word
solenoid many times without explaining what it is and does.  It is a
electrical device that when electrical current is supplied to it,  a
electro magnetic field is generated within its windings and pulls a
solid metal object to it. This movement may push or pull a rod or lever
to make a mechanical action.  In the case of the door lock it usually
does this.  In the case of the starter it pulls a lever which engages
the starter gear into the fly wheel teeth and at the same time closes a
very strong electrical switch to apply a large amount of electrical
currant to the starter motor. This is what happens when the key is
turned on the modern auto. In the old days, before this system was
invented, a pedal or a starter button on the floorboard of the auto was
used to engage the starter and make this electrical connection.
    Well back to today, some autos have started using a button on the dash
to start the engine after the computer has identified you as the
regular driver for that auto through a key fob in your pocket.  Driver
identification can go as far as adjusting the drivers seat, mirrors and
pedal cluster for each driver that uses the auto. I have not had to
work on one of these autos yet and I am not looking forward to that day. Now when
turning the key to energize the starter motor to engage the flywheel
that is bolted to crankshaft it starts to turn.  The
crankshaft must turn greater then 400 revolutions per minute (RPM's)
for the fuel pump to be signaled to start pumping fuel to the injection
system.  The reason this threshold must be met is in case of the key is
left on, the fuel pump would not be running with out the engine
running. Also in case of a severed fuel line due to a accident or major
fuel leak.  As the crankshaft turns, a crankshaft sensor tells the
ignition system to supply spark to the spark plugs and supply fuel to
the combustion chamber by opening and closing the fuel injectors at the
appropriate time.
    I also just realized that keys have also come a long way.  Many new
auto have a chip embedded in the key so as to identify it to the auto
security system.  There is on problem when the chip is erased or altered by some electrical source in your
pocket or purse.  If the damaged key is inserted into into the ignition
switch the antitheft system locks out and
auto must be towed to the dealer for reprograming before even a spare
key can start it.  I think I have exhausted the key and starter
explanation.  Next time I will poke my head back
under the hood in the garage for more under the hood inspection.

Hey my friend!

There are 2 things that bug me about Thailand. Really only 2 unless I think about it really hard.

Tuk tuk drivers. Not in general but the ones that hang on the busy corners who greet u with - hello friend. where u come from? Where u going? They claim to drive u around for an hour for like 20 baht. BS. They will take u too all these little tourist traps that give the Tuk Tuk drivers a gas coupon in exchange for u walking around some stupid store looking at overpriced junk. Kills me. I like to tell them off in Thai.

The second thing I hate is the guys working the doors at the Indian tailor shops. Central bkk is full of them and they try to lure u in to buy some lame ass poorly made suit. Now granted u can find some deals and there are some good tailors but generally the good ones don't have these door guys working the street. Anyway. These touts bug the hell out of me. They try to shake your hand - people don't shake hands here and I don't want to shake your hand after u have been trying to shake the hand of everyone who walks by you. We are not friends. I doubt we will ever be friends and I hate u asking random questions about me that have nothing to do with me needing clothing. Anyway. Irritating. So much so.

Enough. Thailand is great. Come on over. I just hate these 2 things.

cya

Yet Even More Free Money!

From: Silas Steve 
Abidjan, Cote D' Ivoire 
West Africa. 
Tel: +22507359487 
My Dear, 

I am Silas Steve the only son of late Mr and Mrs Steve Oga. My father was a very
wealthy cocoa merchant in Abidjan the economic capital of Ivory coast, my father was
poisoned to death by his business associates on one of their outings on a business
trip . 
My mother died when I was a baby and since then my father took me so special. Before
the death of my father on 24th sept.2005 in a private hospital here in Abidjan he
secretly called me on his bed side and told me that he has the sum of sixteen
million,five hundred thousand United State Dollars. US($16.500,000) left in fixed /
suspense account in one of the prime bank here in Abidjan ,that he used my name as
his only son for the next of Kin in depositing of the fund. He also explained to me
that it was because of this wealth that he was poisoned by his business associates.
That I should seek for a foreign partner in a country of my choice where i will
transfer this money and use it for investment purpose such as real estate management
or hotel management .Dear, I am honourably seeking your assistance in the following
ways: 
(1) To provide a bank account into which this money would be transferred into . 
(2) To serve as a guardian of this fund since I am only 22years. 
(3) To make arrangement for me to come over to your country to further my education
and to secure a resident permit in your country. 
Moreover, Dear i am willing to offer you 15% of the total sum as compensation for
your effort/ input after the successful transfer of this fund into your nominate
account in overseas. 
Furthermore, you indicate your options towards assisting me as I believe that this
transaction would be concluded within Seven(7) days you signify interest to assist
me. 
please make sure that you reply me today. 
Anticipating to hearing from you soon. 
Thanks and God bless. 
Best regards, 
Silas Steve
silas_steve1@yahoo.fr

Foot Massage

I like foot massage and been getting them ever since I first started traveling to Asia. Some people know this as foot reflexology. U just need to know it feels good and Thailand ranks right up there as one of the best places to get it.

So let me tell of 2 of my favorite places. First one on Sukumvit soi 8 since I live on this street I have to have a foot massage place here. I like the first one on the left - I forget the name. But never fear. Enter Soi 8 from Sukumvit. Look for the Tatoo place on the left and then keep walking and will see a foot massage place. First foot massage place on the left hand side of Sukumvit Soi 8. Good price, mellow place and a good massage. I am a regular there.

Next one is on Sukumvut under the Robinson that is located on Sukumvit and Soi 19. I forget the name here as well but who cares. find the Robinson which is near the Westin. Everyone knows where this Robinson is. Go downstairs, kind of like a basemant that holds the Tops and the food court and right at the bottom of the stairs on the left(naturally) is the foot massage place. One of the best in Bkk I think. Great atmosphere, always a good rub and nice people. They like to help me with my Thai. Tasty food court BTW.

Enough.

Crepes and Co

Tried this place out the other night: Crepes and Co

Good stuff. On sukumit Soi 12 - right past Cabbages and Condoms on the right hand side.

My crepe was okay but mostly it was because I picked the wrong one. Next time will take the build my own option.
However the menu looks great with lots of diversity and I must admit the salads are really good.

I need to go back for breakfast since the breakfast menu looks awesome and I think it would be nice to sit in the courtyard in the morning reading a paper and having breakfast.

If u are in bkk - check this place out.

I will be back.

cya

Bangkok - La Dalat Indochine

Had a friend in town and he wanted something different. So for me that means not Thai and somewhere I have never been either. So since we wanted to be in the Soi Cowboy area, imagine that, I opted to take him to La Dalat Indochine on Sukumvit Soi 23. Go to Soi 23, go straight, pass Soi Cowboy on your left and look for La Dalat Indochine and your right. Go in and eat.

It is located in a cool old house and is mostly a Vietnamese menu. A little pricey for my Bkk lifestyle but the service was great, food was tasty and the staff was fun to chat to. I am sure there is better food in town for less money where you don't have to get so dressed up to indulge but I will have to epxeriment more.

Either way. I can't really complain about the place and if you are in the area - stop in and have a bite.

cya

Damn - that's old...

super old turtle

pretty amazing.

reminds me never to buy a turtle for a pet...

cya

The Money Blog

This is interesting.

It seems I keep getting to ideas much earlier than they are generally accepted.

I put some angel money down on a p2p startup helping to harness unused computer power. It could have worked but we were too early it seems.

Now naked money blogging? What will come next - fund companies creating interactive sites for their investors. I imagine it will happen someday. Wait - I did that one already too. Metamarkets.com. Oh well. Sometimes being early is the key but doing it at just the right time might be better.

back to the drawing board.

cya