Sometimes you get into a bad habit without realizing it.
In the past couple of years I have become "Diet Cola Dependant". I find myself drinking two liters a day and if I have a choice between drinking water or Diet Cola - the carbonated one always wins.
Water didn't seem to quench my thirst anymore.
Recently, there have been a number of studies done concerning the health risks of diet sodas and their effectiveness in controlling weight gain. While there is still debate as to what these studies actually proved, it is worth noting.
I also looked at a more immediate concern - cost.
I figured at two liters a day, I'm spending almost 20,000 baht a year ($600.00) for artificially sweetened caramel colored water! By comparison, bottled water costs me a total of 600 Baht ($18 USD) for the same amount.
20,000 Baht covers my entire Health Insurance policy for the year (including travel Insurance).
While I know I will miss it, I'm banning colas from the house. It's been almost a week now and although it's been hard, I've managed to stay the course.
Will I drink Diet Colas again? Sure. From time to time I might have a mixed drink (although I tend to order gin & tonics) or as a special treat with a meal in a restaurant.
But if you come over to the house, you'll have to "make do" with a glass of water.
Friday, November 6, 2009
It Was 20 years Ago Today...
I had just disembarked the cruise ship "Crown Odyssey" in Athens Greece. I had an overnight at a hotel in the resort area called Glyfada near to the International airport.
Knowing I had a very early flight to the States the next morning, I decided to eat early and go to bed about 7pm. I decided to walk about the area in search of a place to eat.
Not too far from the Hotel Emmatina, where I was staying, was a beautiful Chinese Restaurant. I decided that my last meal in Greece would be Chinese.
It almost was!
The food was delicious and cheap and the red & black velvet decor quite nice. I finished my meal and made my way back to my room fat & happy.
About midnight I was awakened with a wave of nausea & hyper salivation. I laid perfectly still hoping (& praying) it would pass. Eventually, I had to move and that was it! I dashed to the bathroom just in time.
I had the worst case of food poisoning I had ever experienced.
The next four hours found me on the bathroom floor making noises that sounded like they were from a slaughterhouse. I apologize to those in adjoining rooms as it was truly disturbing, I know. Eventually, my body had no more to give and I laid on the cold floor in total exhaustion.
I only had two Imodium tablets with me and I decided not to take them until the absolute last minute for fear of not keeping them down. Just before leaving the hotel, I took a chance and swallowed them.
As sick as I was, I was determined to make my flight. I was completely washed out and hardly able to walk. What little I remember during the check-in process evolved around me carrying my baggage 10-15 feet stopping due to exhaustion, waiting and moving another few yards.
Somehow I made it on the flight (Middle seat) and thankfully slept to my first layover.
I was still in a fog as I de-planed and had about four hours til my onward flight to NYC. I found my connecting gate and a large black leather chair to collapse in.
As sick as I was, I could see there was a buzz of excitement about the airport. People were huddled in bars watching TV (a soccer match, I assumed) and singing loudly.
Still, I was too sick to care and my only thought was "holding it together" until I boarded my flight to the USA as I didn't want to stay in a foreign hospital if I could avoid it.
Once I made it onto the NY bound flight, I fell to sleep again and remember little of my journey.
It was only when I made it home the next day that I discovered what the commotion at the airport was all about.
Turning on CNN, I found out why they were celebrating at the airport .... Frankfort Airport on November 9, 1989 .... and it wasn't a soccer game at all - THE BERLIN WALL HAD JUST COME DOWN!!
Knowing I had a very early flight to the States the next morning, I decided to eat early and go to bed about 7pm. I decided to walk about the area in search of a place to eat.
Not too far from the Hotel Emmatina, where I was staying, was a beautiful Chinese Restaurant. I decided that my last meal in Greece would be Chinese.
It almost was!
The food was delicious and cheap and the red & black velvet decor quite nice. I finished my meal and made my way back to my room fat & happy.
About midnight I was awakened with a wave of nausea & hyper salivation. I laid perfectly still hoping (& praying) it would pass. Eventually, I had to move and that was it! I dashed to the bathroom just in time.
I had the worst case of food poisoning I had ever experienced.
The next four hours found me on the bathroom floor making noises that sounded like they were from a slaughterhouse. I apologize to those in adjoining rooms as it was truly disturbing, I know. Eventually, my body had no more to give and I laid on the cold floor in total exhaustion.
I only had two Imodium tablets with me and I decided not to take them until the absolute last minute for fear of not keeping them down. Just before leaving the hotel, I took a chance and swallowed them.
As sick as I was, I was determined to make my flight. I was completely washed out and hardly able to walk. What little I remember during the check-in process evolved around me carrying my baggage 10-15 feet stopping due to exhaustion, waiting and moving another few yards.
Somehow I made it on the flight (Middle seat) and thankfully slept to my first layover.
I was still in a fog as I de-planed and had about four hours til my onward flight to NYC. I found my connecting gate and a large black leather chair to collapse in.
As sick as I was, I could see there was a buzz of excitement about the airport. People were huddled in bars watching TV (a soccer match, I assumed) and singing loudly.
Still, I was too sick to care and my only thought was "holding it together" until I boarded my flight to the USA as I didn't want to stay in a foreign hospital if I could avoid it.
Once I made it onto the NY bound flight, I fell to sleep again and remember little of my journey.
It was only when I made it home the next day that I discovered what the commotion at the airport was all about.
Turning on CNN, I found out why they were celebrating at the airport .... Frankfort Airport on November 9, 1989 .... and it wasn't a soccer game at all - THE BERLIN WALL HAD JUST COME DOWN!!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Loy Krathong in Pattaya
One of the most beautiful holidays of the year in Thailand is celebrated this time of the year - Loy Krathong.
It is held on the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar. In the western calendar this usually falls in November.
This year, I spent it on the beach with about a dozen Thai friends. The music, fireworks, food & drink most enjoyable. I posted a blog last year about the history of the celebration... At the time I wrote...
{From Wikipedia}
"Loi" means "to float". "Krathong" is a raft about a handspan in diameter traditionally made from a section of banana tree trunk (although modern-day versions use specially made bread 'flowers' and may use styrofoam), decorated with elaborately-folded banana leaves, flowers, candles, incense sticks etc.
During the night of the full moon, many people will release a small raft like this on a river. Governmental offices, corporations and other organizations also build much bigger and more elaborate rafts, and these are often judged in contests. In addition, fireworks and beauty contests take place during the festival.
The festival probably originated in India as a Hindu festival similar to Deepavali as thanksgiving to the deity of the Ganges with floating lanterns for giving life throughout the year.
According to the writings of H.M. King Rama IV in 1863, the originally Brahmanical festival was adapted by Buddhists in Thailand as a ceremony to honour the original Buddha, Siddhartha Guatama. Apart from venerating the Buddha with light (the candle on the raft), the act of floating away the candle raft is symbolic of letting go of all one's grudges, anger and defilements, so that one can start life afresh on a better foot.
People will also cut their fingernails and hair and add them to the raft as a symbol of letting go of the bad parts of oneself. Many Thai believe that floating a krathong will create good luck, and they do it to honor and thank the Goddess of Water, Phra Mae Khongkha.
The Thai tradition of Loy Kratong started off in Sukhothai, but is now celebrated throughout Thailand, with the festivities in Chiang Mai and Ayutthaya being particularly well known.
A multitude of Lanna-style hot-air lanterns (khom fai) are also launched into the air where they resemble large flocks of giant fluorescent jellyfish gracefully floating by through the skies. These are believed to help rid the locals of troubles and are also taken to decorate houses and streets.
If you ever have the opportunity to experience this wonderful event, don't miss it!!
We're Number 2!!!
Travel guide firm Lonely Planet said Tuesday that Thailand is the second best-value destination (Iceland, after it's economic woes is currently 1st).
According to Lonely Planet, the annual snapshot captures "the world's hottest travel trends, destinations, journeys and experiences for the year ahead,".
London, South Africa, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Bulgaria, Kenya and Las Vegas rounded out the top 10, said the British-based company in its "Best In Travel 2010" guide.
Thailand, at number two, remained "perennially good value", said the book.
"It's one of the cheapest long-haul holidays for European holidaymakers... visitors are always spoilt for choice regarding accommodation."
Hopefully, this will bode well for the future of Thai Tourism, which has taken quite a hit of late. After three years living in country, I can honestly say that Thailand is truly amazing.
According to Lonely Planet, the annual snapshot captures "the world's hottest travel trends, destinations, journeys and experiences for the year ahead,".
London, South Africa, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Bulgaria, Kenya and Las Vegas rounded out the top 10, said the British-based company in its "Best In Travel 2010" guide.
Thailand, at number two, remained "perennially good value", said the book.
"It's one of the cheapest long-haul holidays for European holidaymakers... visitors are always spoilt for choice regarding accommodation."
Hopefully, this will bode well for the future of Thai Tourism, which has taken quite a hit of late. After three years living in country, I can honestly say that Thailand is truly amazing.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Free Wifi At Suvarnabhumi Airport
Great news for travellers who use Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok Int'l)!
Three years after the airport initially opened, FREE WIFI was inuagurated this week bringing it inline with services already available from regional competitors such as Singapore and Hong Kong.
To use the service, simply present your boarding pass at any airport information counter to get a username and password for the 1 Mbps service.
Suvarnabhumi Airport opened 126 kiosks earlier this year, providing free Internet access for people without laptops.
Three years after the airport initially opened, FREE WIFI was inuagurated this week bringing it inline with services already available from regional competitors such as Singapore and Hong Kong.
To use the service, simply present your boarding pass at any airport information counter to get a username and password for the 1 Mbps service.
Suvarnabhumi Airport opened 126 kiosks earlier this year, providing free Internet access for people without laptops.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Martini In the Morning
Every once in awhile, you come across something special and want to share it with everyone you know.
For me, Martini In The Morning is one of those special things.
What is Martini In the Morning, you ask?
Just my favorite Internet Streaming Radio Station, that's all.
As I write this, I'm enjoying Louis Armstrong's "A Kiss To Build A Dream On". Moments ago they played Bette Midler & Linda Ronstadt's "Sisters".
24 hours a day they play the best of what they call "Lounge Music" Frank Sinatra, Harry Connick, Michael Bublé, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Bobby Darin, Rosemary Clooney and many more.
You'll hear original recordings along side of newer versions of classic songs by the likes of Rod Stewart, Barry Manilow, Natalie Cole, Diana Krall and Steve Tyrell.
If your musical taste runs toward Cole Porter, Harold Arlen and George Gershwin - this is where you'll want to listen everyday.
I first found MITM via my mp3 player that supports streaming Internet radio. If you don't use a media player (like Winamp, Spider, Real Player) you can listen via the Web at:
http://www.martiniinthemorning.com/martinivision.html
One of the first things you'll notice is the fact that they have very few commercials - maybe 2 or 3 minutes an hour. Most stations' these days run 15 minutes or more an hour.
{ As I'm writing Ella Fitzgerald's BEGIN THE BEGUINE fills the air}
The driving force behind MITM is Music Mixologist Brad "Martini" Chambers who has kept the music playing for the past three years despite the fact that many in the Radio Industry maintained it couldn't be done.
It hasn't been easy. This musical labor of love deserves a lot more listeners.
Brad hosts the morning show (Pacific Time) which actually is evening for me in Thailand. His personal conversational style augments the music nicely and doesn't detract from the main focus - the music.
So, do yourself (and Brad) a favor and give Martini In The Morning a listen.
Drop them a note and let them know you appreciate them keeping the great American Songbook alive.
{Micheal Bublé is now singing "Pennies From Heaven"....}
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Miton Supman - Dead at Age 83
Yes, it's true.
The iconic golden age of Television entertainer passed away today (Oct 22, 2009)in New York City.
A little history....
Milton was born in Franklinton NC in 1926 and after a stint in the Navy in the latter part of WW2, became a Disc Jockey. He parlayed that into local Television shows in Cleveland and Detroit before attracting national exposure in the late 50's and 60's.
I met Milton (very briefly) while standing in line behind him at Orlando International Airport back in the mid 80's. Although his hair had greyed, his rubber face and infectious smile remained.
He was always known for his having time for his fans and would sign autographs graciously.
In recent years, his health has been failing and he has been out of the spotlight.
Of course, his greatest success came from doing a children's show in NYC (actually watched by a lot of adults) but he was a familiar face on game shows.
Wild & zany, he sometimes got into trouble with his on air pranks. Once he encouraged children to go into their parent's wallet and send him pictures of US Presidents on green paper (They did!).
During the course of his career, over 20,000 creme pies were hurled....
He shared the stage with hundreds of stars including Ernest Borgnine, Frank Sinatra, Shirley MacClaine ........ and White Fang, Black Tooth and Pookie the Lion!!
By now, some of you know who Milton Supman became....
It was, of course Soupy Sales!!
The iconic golden age of Television entertainer passed away today (Oct 22, 2009)in New York City.
A little history....
Milton was born in Franklinton NC in 1926 and after a stint in the Navy in the latter part of WW2, became a Disc Jockey. He parlayed that into local Television shows in Cleveland and Detroit before attracting national exposure in the late 50's and 60's.
I met Milton (very briefly) while standing in line behind him at Orlando International Airport back in the mid 80's. Although his hair had greyed, his rubber face and infectious smile remained.
He was always known for his having time for his fans and would sign autographs graciously.
In recent years, his health has been failing and he has been out of the spotlight.
Of course, his greatest success came from doing a children's show in NYC (actually watched by a lot of adults) but he was a familiar face on game shows.
Wild & zany, he sometimes got into trouble with his on air pranks. Once he encouraged children to go into their parent's wallet and send him pictures of US Presidents on green paper (They did!).
During the course of his career, over 20,000 creme pies were hurled....
He shared the stage with hundreds of stars including Ernest Borgnine, Frank Sinatra, Shirley MacClaine ........ and White Fang, Black Tooth and Pookie the Lion!!
By now, some of you know who Milton Supman became....
It was, of course Soupy Sales!!
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