A couple of notable birthdays:
First of all, happy birthday to the internet. It was twenty year ago last Saturday that this appeared for the enjoyment of the world, although I expect there were not that many people connected to enjoy it. The Spike family were a little late to the game; it was another three years or so before we savoured the delights of the randomly available dial-up service of Brunei Telecom. Nearly twenty years on and I am now enjoying the delights of the randomly available ADSL service of Thailand Telecom; but at least there are a few more pages available to visit. So well done the internet, and the rather clever and very British Tim Berners-Lee.
The other birthday may have slightly less worldwide recognition, but today’s the birthday of she who must be obeyed and is therefore slightly more important in this household. There would certainly be greater repercussions should I forget it.
Last night she suggested I might like to kiss her while she was still young, but I failed to spot a significant deterioration overnight (unlike myself. Margaritas followed by red wine with my friend Tic, visiting from Singapore, left me feeling somewhat the worse for wear this morning).
The day started with much needed coffee and stomach settling croissants at La Baguette.
After this I was informed it was time to make merit. First it was off to Naklua to sponsor a coffin and make assorted offerings at a temple. I left her to get on with it and took a photo.
Then it was off to a nearby temple to perform more merit. I have no problem with my wife exercising her beliefs but, given that my spirituality can be summarised as “we are born, we bugger around for a bit, we die, the end”; I would prefer not to get involved. But she did a bit of pleading and gave me the baby deer sad eyes routine, and I eventually agreed. After all, it was her birthday.
So it we presented some gifts to a monk who showed his gratitude by chucking water over me. Then there was some chanting by she who must be obeyed and I passed the time during this by considering my Trade Nations strategy (level 25, thanks for asking). Then we did the bowing on the floor bit and the monk tied some cotton round our wrists and trimmed the end with the holy scissors. About ten minutes in all, so not too painful.
I had previously offered her a range of what I consider to be sensible gifts. Would she like a new camera, an iPad, a new phone? No, she wouldn’t. Quite frankly, there is nothing else worth buying, but she suggested cosmetics so I gave her a budget and she disappeared for an hour and returned having spent just 1/5th of the offered amount. A cheap date, I think I will keep her; even though she is getting a bit old.
To compensate, I lashed out a bit for dinner this evening. Pork BBQ buffet at 129 baht a head with a nice bottle of water on the side. After last night, I am never drinking again. Or at least not until I meet Camberley tomorrow.
Comments 🔗
2011-08-09| Wally saysAttention Mrs Spike, aka SWMBO. Happy Birthday, hope you have a nice day. I hope he didn’t offer you those nice flowers in the second photo !
2011-08-10| Barry saysThat is a nice looking coffee. Nice lightweight cup too. I like nice lightweight cups. Why do good coffee-making machines cost so much (and I don’t mean the wife)? Tens of thousands of baht for what? Answers on a postcard.
2011-08-11| Spike saysShe says thank you. She is a woman who does not like receiving flowers. I am trying to encourage her into being a woman who does not like receiving cosmetics, jewelry and clothes.
2011-08-11| Spike saysMy coffee machine was the subject of my first ever post (2008_03_coffee-with-the-president) which rather indicates how much I like it. Cost me 28,000 baht, had it for about eight years and I expect it to last for ever with routine maintenance. It also makes excellent coffee. Worth every satang.