World Economic Meltdown Reaches CM

Yesterday my girlfriend called me from work, which she doesn't usually do. It turned out she had some rather dire news. The jewelry factory where she works as an accountant is shutting down. The falling demand for jewelry in China and the US has caused the owner to pull out of northern Thailand. I was full of commiseration, trying to be understanding, etc. Then she told me, "Oh, it isn't so bad. If I am not working, maybe I will go back and get my master's degree." So it might not work out badly for her at all. Anyway, the plant will close in early May (Thailand has a 60 day plant closure notification law), but she will stay on to wrap up the accounts until July. So she has time to make a decision.

This and That

It has been awhile since I posted. I can't say that I have been too busy to post, I just haven't had much to say. I guess I am in a quiet and reflective stage at the moment.

It is the dirty air season here in CM. This year doesn't seem to be as bad as the last couple, but it still is problematic. I wear a dust mask whenever I ride my motorcycle, or if I am going to be outside for an extended period of time. I also have the windows closed most of the time, which isn't something I like to do. I'm very much a "fresh air" kind of guy. The PM10 count reached 170 the other day. (Above 120 is considered unhealthy). But that is no where near as bad as the 350 we had two years ago. So the situation is tolerable, if not pleasant.

What else have I been doing lately? Well, there is a new pool hall right down the street. It is pretty nice. They actually bought good tables and good cue sticks. Many places in CM have pool tables, but they tend to be planerily challenged. It is kind of like 3 demensional pool. Some people say swaybacked tables, curved cue sticks, feltless surfaces, and none spherical balls adds a bit of welcome challenge to the game. I personally disagree. So some of my friends and I have gone over to while away an hour or two of an evening. Good fun.