No Longer TV-less

Posted on 11 November 2008 by christao408

For the past eleven and a half months we have been a household without TV. That has been both a source of pride and inconvenience and wasn’t so much driven by principle as it was by finances: the TV in our apartment was part of the furnishings, so when we moved into our condo last December it was left behind.

As our “to finish” and “to furnish” lists continued to grow, a TV didn’t seem like a priority. If we wanted to watch a DVD, there were our laptop computers. And, truthfully, I don’t really like the way that a TV with broadcast television just sucks you in, turning you into a zombie even when there isn’t anything particularly interesting to watch.

So we were in no rush to get a TV even though we planned to get one eventually. The big question was, “Where will we put it?”

Our recent houseguest Bruce commented upon first stepping into our condo, “Wow, it appears a lot larger in pictures.” That’s true: we have just 68 neatly arranged square meters; just about 730 square feet. And one thing that we don’t have much of is wall space.

In ongoing conversations about where we could put a TV, there were three possible locations: In the bedroom on the wall across from the bed, in the living room above the fireplace mantle, or in the office (“slash guest bedroom”). Our thoughts about each:

The bedroom idea (below left) was a nonstarter. I don’t think TVs belong in bedrooms. Just my opinion – you are welcome to have a TV in your bedroom. Plus, if one person wants to sleep and the other wants to watch TV, you have a conflict in the making. On top of it, the sconces would have to be removed.

The living room location (above right) seemed the best bet. We didn’t want the room to be dominated by the TV, but our designer came up with an idea of hiding it behind a decorative screen that could be folded open when we wanted to watch TV.

Just two problems remained: putting the TV there would fill up the mantle space leaving no room for decorative items. Also, the TV would be awkwardly high. From the sofa you would have to crane your neck or slouch way down in order to get a good viewing angle. Not an ideal situation.

The office location, which has a love seat along with my computer armoire, seemed the best option. But the entire reason we had purchased a two-bedroom condo was because when we had a one-bedroom and my “office” was part of the living room, there were many occasions when my work and Tawn’s TV viewing conflicted. Especially when I had evening calls to the US and Europe.

We were at an impasse. Each of the locations had drawbacks. But on Saturday morning we talked about it again – Tawn has started agitating for a TV – and in the process of reviewing our options, we hit upon an elegant “middle path” solution. We would place the TV on a rolling cart, normally leaving it in the office but moving it to the living room when necessary.

We purchased the TV on Sunday – funny story there that I’ll relate in a moment – and now have it placed temporarily on a two-drawer bedside table situated in the corner of the office. The next step is to search for a TV cart that meets our needs. Ultimately, we may ask the nice people at Bangkok Wood Company to custom design something, perhaps a piece that matches the coffee table.

We don’t have a DVD player yet, nor do we have cable (or even a cable outlet anywhere near the TV’s location) so all we can watch is static. We’ll get there eventually. Baby steps, right?

So the TV buying adventure: I’m sure some of this is a universal phenomenon, but I’m amazed at the extent that TV salesmen push you to bigger! better! more expensive! television sets. After doing some online research, a Samsung series 5 32″ LCD seemed our best choice. It is full HD (while Thai TV won’t broadcast in HD for several years, best to be prepared) and received good reviews for color density and other technical specifications.

Needless to say, the salesperson was skeptical that a series 5 would be sufficient for us. Why not a series 6 or the brand new series 7? And only 32″? Surely we would go blind trying to watch that. How could we live with anything less than a 40″ TV? Better yet, why not get a 54″ model?

Here in Thailand, salesmanship is all about the freebies. In the US, I think that price is the point of competition, but here it is about throwing in extras. When we bought our wine cellar, we received a free digital camera. And when it arrived, there was also a small hot pot cooker, a package of powdered laundry detergent (explain that to me!) and two or three other things.

At the Samsung store, we were offered a price of 29,990 baht and that price included a “home theatre system”, an upright vacuum cleaner and a Samsung digital camera. Of course, we don’t need those other things. In fact, the five speakers would completely overwhelm our viewing area and we already have a spare camera from the wine cellar purchase. If we wanted to skip the extras, the price dropped to 26,990.

At Central Power Buy, the initial price was 36,000 baht with nothing included. But when we explained what the Samsung store offered, the salesman conferred with his boss then countered with the 29,990 price and a free Samsung 22″ series 4 (HD-ready) LCD. Two TVs for the price of one. It makes you think they use these freebies to deplete excess inventory.

We chose Power Buy so now have a 22″ LCD that we don’t know what to do with. Maybe I’ll use it to replace my 17″ computer monitor. Maybe we’ll post it on Craigslist and see what we can get for it. Maybe Khun Sudha will buy it for a reasonable price.

In any case, we are no longer TV-less.

Dressmaking Discussions Part 2

Posted on 11 November 2008 by christao408

Trish’s dressmaking adventure enjoyed a second very productive day on Monday. She managed to meet with two dressmakers, one of whom she’s used before, and visited several sources for Thai silks.

Working with Bulan, her pink-spectacled assistant, Trish spent about two hours with each dressmaker, reviewing (and in some cases, redrawing) designs and discussing fits, measurements and fabrics.

After a morning at work, I caught up with Trish at Ratchata Designs, a cozy studio located just a short walk down Sukhumvit Soi 35 on the second floor of an old shop house.

Above: Trish, flanked by Bulan, talk measurements with Tui, owner of Ratchata Designs.

Trish and Tui determined that for accurate fitting, Trish’s customers will need to provide a total of fifteen different measurements. This will provide a much more customized fit, one that allows women of all different sizes to enjoy the designs.

So that clear instructions can be provided to customers, Trish asked me to take photos of all the measurements. I won’t share all fifteen with you, but here’s an example:

When I left them, Trish and Bulan were on their way to Shinawatra Fabrics, a company known for its Northern Thai silk. If the name sounds familiar, that’s because it is owned by the family of the former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in September 2006’s bloodless coup.

I returned home to prepare some food for dinner. On the menu: a curried Doi Kham butternut squash soup with ginger and coconut milk , baked chicken breasts stuffed with herbed chevre, a mixed green salad with organic avocado and peppers, and a homemade loaf of whole wheat buttermilk oatmeal bread. A bottle of 2004 Penfolds Bin 2 Shiraz – Mourvedre was a wonderful accompaniment to the meal.

Upper left: Despite following the recipe, it seems there may be a bit too much yeast. Or maybe the yeast is just super-active. Upper right: The end result is a very full loaf. Lower left and right: Doi Kham butternut squash before and after.

Above: Our table is set as Tawn and Trish pose before digging in.

Thanks to all of you who have left messages of support and encouragement for Trish. I have passed them along and she’s thrilled (and just a little bit nervous) to know there is an audience.

Dressmaking Discussions

Posted on 9 November 2008 by christao408

Despite her early morning arrival, Trish was ready to meet by late morning. Tawn and I picked her up from the Windsor Hotel (conveniently located and very comfortable on Sukhumvit Soi 20) and headed to lunch.

Over a nearly three-hour lunch we poured through all of the outfit designs, reviewing notes and suggestions Tawn and I had received during our “pre-visit” visits with the dressmakers. This needs to be in two-ply. How is that strap meant to be cut? Is this meant to flow from the hips or start tapering before? And other questions and comments like that.

Right: One of the fifteen different outfit designs that we are working with.

We had time in the afternoon to visit the Jim Thompson factory outlet. Jim Thompson is one of the big names in Thai silk and their factory outlet on Sukhumvit 93 has a huge range of colors, patterns and textures available at a very reasonable price. The problem is, since it is the outlet, they don’t have everything and they won’t necessarily have it in stock in the future.

With Trish’s business model, she wants to be able to offer outfits in a wide range of colors. But of course that range needs to be consistently available and accurately represented on the computer (this is an e-business). So we will need to investigate other fabric sources to ensure a more consistent supply.

Late afternoon we met up with Bulan, a former student and former employee of Stuart’s, who has agreed to work as Trish’s assistant the next few days to get her to all her appointments, take her to all the fabric shops and the wholesale district, and to translate and negotiate along the way.

Tawn and I would love to play this role, but we have our jobs to attend to. We’ll check in regularly, though, and sit down over dinner each night to answer questions and help brainstorm the next steps.

Pat’s Back

Posted on 8 November 2008 by christao408

Trish arrived last night at 2:00. Thankfully, I was able to get several hours of sleep before going to the airport and then several more upon my return. When it comes to sleep, I’m not sure if two halves equal a whole or not, but that’s what I have to work with today.

Trish (she was “Patricia” before but has done a bit of midlife reinvention – good for her) is back after her first visit two years ago.

Right: Trish at Wat Yai in Ayhutthaya in November 2006.

A friend and former professional colleague of Albert’s, we were introduced in 1999 when Albert and I attended my sister’s wedding in Kansas City. Family housing was full, so Trish offered us guest rooms at her house, which was nearby.

Since then she has become a close friend of the family, someone who is always a pleasure to have at birthday parties and holiday gatherings.

A widow with two post-university children, Trish has a taste for style and fashion. While she was here two years ago, she had several outfits custom made from Thai silk, based on her own designs. She received so many compliments that she has decided to start her own online business, selling dresses made to order from Thai silk.

The designs are varied and I’ll share more of them this week, but many are geared towards mothers of the bride/groom, or women of a certain age who are brides themselves. Designs that flatter the women who look more like society as a whole, rather than the unfed supermodels that we see airbrushed on the covers of Vogue.

Above, Trish goes through a final fitting on one of her outfits while Tawn’s mother, Nui, looks on.

(Have to give kudos to jojobaDESIGNS who shared a lot of useful information about online retailing. Check out her beautiful jewelry designs.)

Trish chose a great time to visit. The weather has been cool and breezy, the rain seems to be letting up a little, and not only will she be here for my birthday but also for Loy Khrathong.

Over the next few days, I’ll provide more details about Trish’s visit and the dress-making adventures. That should be interesting. Also, there’s some news on the home front: we may finally buy a television after living nearly a year without one.

Wrapping it all up

Posted on 6 November 2008 by christao408

The first few weeks of November are the last few weeks of rainy season here in Khrungthep, the weather cools and the monsoon rains come one storm after another. It is pleasant to see the end of this season as it is followed by three or four months of relatively cool weather.

Meeting Markus for lunch the other day at Central Chidlom department store, another storm arrived, stranding everyone indoors. The mid-day traffic, usually very heavy around here, was notably absent.

A montage of monsoon scenes with some nice music.

After the rains ended, I noticed this billboard atop the Metropolitan Electric Authority building, next to the Chidlom BTS Skytrain station.

The message: “Dedicated every minute for the good life of every person.” I’ve never seen MEA employees look so happy.

If you could take a year off from school/work, what would you do?

Posted on 5 November 2008 by christao408

There is one thing I would do: move to Samut Songkhram province, where I spent a year and a half working as a volunteer once-a-week English teacher at Bangkhonthiinai School, and give my full-time effort to that 50-student school. That way, I could change the lives of those students, whose homes are shacks amidst banana and coconut plantations and whose families live in near-poverty.

I just answered this Featured Question; you can answer it too!

Sitting at the Roadhouse

Posted on 4 November 2008 by christao408

I’m sitting on the third floor of Roadhouse BBQ, an American-owned restaurant on Rama IV road, with members of Democrats Abroad. There’s about 100 people here including news reporters and photographers from some of the newspapers. A few minutes ago CNN (which is playing on all the screens) announced Obama’s win and a huge cheer went up. For Americans abroad, many of whom see this election in terms of how America is perceived abroad, this was the result we were anxious for.

As a person at the next table over put it, “Now we can take those Canadian flags off our backpacks.”

More photos and footage later today when I return home. Meanwhile, a mid-day bloody mary to celebrate this historic win.

P.S. Huge kudos to Senator McCain for a very graceful concession speech. Had he been more like that during his campaign, I think he would have won.

Now that Dixville Notch has voted

Posted on 4 November 2008 by christao408

Now that Dixville Notch, New Hampshire has voted (and selected Senator Obama by a 15-6 vote), I feel safe sharing my prediction with you. This is the prediction I made on October 9th.

Sort of interesting that my map is mighty similar to the map from the Washington Post’s The Fix political column:

NPR’s Ken Rudin doesn’t seem quite as optimistic for Obama although still sees him winning:

We will see how it all turns out. Wednesday morning at 9 (Bangkok time) the Roadhouse BBQ will be open, a special breakfast on the menu and all TVs tuned to election coverage. I’ll be there.

Phrae’s Photos

Posted on 3 November 2008 by christao408

As I mentioned in my previous entry, I lent my camera to young Phrae, the rambunctous niece of Brent’s maid, while we were there for a photo shoot on Sunday. Her nearly 1 gigabyte worth of photos produced on some interesting results. Click on a photo to see a larger version.

After she finally tired of photo shooting (more accurately, after her aunt insisted that she give the camera back to me), she decided that it was almost as much fun to play model as to take pictures:

Cute, huh?

Photo Shoot at Brent’s

Posted on 3 November 2008 by christao408

A few weeks ago I wrote about the Health & Cuisine magazine photo shoot at our condo. The magazine is always looking for people to feature in their “Men’s Cooking” column, so Tawn has used his connections to promote people as potential profiles.

Brent is an expat American who manages Chanintr Group, the company that owns the rights to retail brands like Martha Stewart, Thomasville, and Barbara Barry in Thailand. With his sense of fashion and style, he was the perfect person to recommend for the column.

With Tawn serving doing pro bono PR work for Brent, he arranged the column and photo shoot, setting Sunday morning as the appointment.

We arrived a bit after 10:00 at Brent’s apartment (left), a high-rise on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River nestled at the end of a small soi between the Shangri-La Hotel on the south and the Oriental on the north.

As one would expect for the manager of a group of home furnishing stores, his apartment is beautifully decorated, tastefully appointed in a comfortable but not stuffy way. It was a relaxing place to spend a Sunday morning as the photo shoot and interview took place. Especially after the bottle of pink champagne was opened!

Here are some views taken from Brent’s apartment. From top left, clockwise: View towards Taksin Bridge with the Shangri-La on the left. View upriver with the Oriental on the right and the Millennium Hilton (with the “saucer” on top) across the river. View of the State Tower which has the rooftop bar and restaurant, Sirocco. View of Assumption Cathedral where we went to a wedding recently and, behind it, Assumption University.

While there, we were introduced to the maid’s niece, Phrae, who was staying with them during the November school holidays. She is quite the tom boy, with the aunt constantly complaining about her poor manners. She’s rambunctious, yes, but it seems fueled by spirit rather than spoil. Below, Tawn and Phrae play on the balcony.

I think my role was to keep Phrae occupied so we played with her pretend mobile phone for a while and then, when I took some pictures of the view, she wanted to take some, too:

Figuring that the only thing I had to lose (beside the camera, if she dropped it off the balcony) was some memory space and some batteries, I let her start taking pictures. In the next hour she snapped 400 photos, using up one battery and almost filling the memory card.

As she was taking pictures, I decided to let her shoot uninterrupted because I was reminded of the 2004 Academy Award winning documentary, Born into Brothels, directed by Ross Kauffman and Zana Briski. Briski, a documentary photographer, went to Kolkata to photograph the lives of prostitutes, While there, she befriended their children and taught some of them photography. The photos were featured in the films and there were many stunning images.

What struck me was a curiosity of what pictures Phrae would take and how she saw the world around her. Of the 400 photos, at least half were completely unusable from the standpoint of being very out of focus or terribly overexposed (you can’t take a picture of something shiny from three inches away, use a flash and expect to see anything afterwards). But there were several dozen that I thought were very interesting. I’ll post them after I’ve finished this entry so you can take a look and see the world through her eyes. Here’s the link to that entry.

The Shoot

Let’s get to the real reason for us being there: the photo shoot. Brent, who spent fifteen years living in Tokyo, is a big advocate of a Japanese breakfast, which he eats every morning.

This healthy breakfast includes brown rice, an egg, some dried seaweed, pickles vegetables, and firm tofu. Looks lovely, right?

Most of the shooting took place in the kitchen, but some additional shots were taken on his south-facing balcony overlooking the front of the Shangri-La. The lighting was a bit of a challenge (at least for me – probably not as much of a challenge for the professional photographer), but they shot a series of a “conversation among friends” at which only Brent had any food in front of him. Strange, huh?

Amazingly enough, Brent makes his own pickles. He demonstrated for us, using a plastic pickle-maker (looks a bit like a salad spinner) that he bought at the Isetan department store. The best of all the pickles was the turnip (brown, lower right corner) which are salted, squeezed to remove all the liquid, then soaked in soy sauce. They pick up such a wonderful smoky, caramel flavor.

Below, Brent slices daikon radish to demonstrate the pickle making process. We also tried his homemade dill pickles (excellent) and pickled beets (the best I’ve eaten).

You just know that I’m thinking about making my own pickles, don’t you?

christao408

The adventures of an expat American who moved to Bangkok for his husband.

Monthly Archives: November 2008