No, I am not moving anywhere physically but virtually online. As there are a number of limitations on MSN Live Spaces, I decided to switch to other weblog service which is more flexible. Please be notified that from now on I will continue blogging at my new home in cyberspace. Bookmark it, syndicate it or digg it as you like by following the link below.

 

I found a piece of interesting and well-written poem regarding Thai-language newspaper nowadays printed in "editor's note" column of Guru magazine (page 4, Vol. 3 No. 17; April 27 - May 3, 2007) - a free weekly English-language Bangkok lifestyle & Entertainment magazine distributed by the Post Publishing Company Limited (Bangkok Post newspaper.) In fact, this poem is based on a 1999 teen-flick Hollywood movie "10 Things I Hate About You" which is in turn based loosely on Shakespeare's classic comedy "The Taming of the Shrewd." I really love the way the writer portrayed the so-called Thai tabloid-like newspaper in all aspects, just read it and you'll know what I mean.

I hate the way your dirty ink dirties my fingers
And the way you become just another paper-bag for my meatballs at the street vendor.
I hate the way you print pictures of dead bodies, right underneath half-nude young ladies.
I hate that you report ridiculous stories.
I hate your big dumb fonts
And the way you grab my attention.
I hate you so much I let my dog poo on you.
It even makes me rhyme... badly.

I hate it...
I hate the way you exploit and exaggerate stories.
I hate it when you put ugly blocks on the chest of half-nude young ladies.
I hate it when you print maimed and bloody bodies;
Even worse when you make me turn to the celebrity gossip stories.
I hate it that you're around everyday
And the fact that you make more advertising revenue than I do.
But mostly I hate the way I can't stop reading your sensationalized stories, or staring at the half-nude young ladies;
Not even close;
Not even a little bit;
Not even at all.

Happenstances (noun) a circumstance especially that is due to chance.

Today, I experienced the greatest happenstance I never imagine it would happen. It totally changed my point of view regarding what we called "happenstance." Now, I believe that everything could possibly happen no matter how slim chances are, intentionally or not. Let me tell you my story. Here it goes...

Today I had an appointment with my friend to go watching movie at Lido Multiplex. First we met and went to Central Chidlom because I had a small business to handle there. My friend waited for me at B2S bookstore and once I finished, we ran back to Siam Square for dinner and later the movie. My friend mentioned to me that he found an advertisement featuring P'Yong (Songyos Sugmakanan, the director of Dorm) in the magazine he read while he was waiting for me. Once P'Yong told me that if I happened to see him in an article in any magazine or newspaper, I had to tell him so I was about to call P'Yong but I had to take a look at the magazine first to make sure that I got the correct magazine name. However, we had to hurry to the theater and I hadn't had a time to check the magazine yet. Later after the movie finished around 9.00 PM, we went to Siam Paragon and looked for a bookstore. We tried at least 3 book shops until we could find the magazine in question. I checked and confirmed that it was P'Yong in the advertisement page of the magazine and I was about to make a phone call to him. At that very moment, my friend told me to "tell P'Yong directly." I didn't think that he meant it "literally" but he did, as I saw P'Yong walked pass-by. This was unbelievable coincidence that I still couldn't believe it now that I am telling you the story. A series of events lead up to one after another and ended in a dramatic encounter of me and P'Yong in the most unbelievable coincidental moment. Finally, I could told him with my greatest surprise that it's really a "coincidence" to meet him at Siam Paragon at this hour of the day.

Now, I could confirm you that what we usually see as coincidences in a novel or a movie and swear that it would never happen in real life could happen. At least, it DID happen to me today. Was it a destiny or a force of nature that make it happened? I don't know. All I know is that I DO believe now that anything could happen. Impossible is not true anymore.

Today I went to attend the sixty-third Annual Thammasat University (TU) - Chulalongkorn University (CU) Traditional Football match at Suphachalasai National Stadium. It was an exciting and enjoyable match. The cheerleaders from both universities were energetic and provided a fascinating eye candy. The cheering stands of both sides worked hard to provide a fantastic plate-transformation in order to display numerous beautiful pictures and quick-witted phrases. CU team went ahead 1-0 earlier in the first half of the game. It seemed to end that way, however, TU team equalized later in the second half of the game with penalty shot. In the end, the match ended up with a draw for both sides at 1-1. In fact, the result of the game didn't matter as much as the unity of both universities.

See you again next year at the 64th CU-TU Traditional Football Match.

In fact, I wouldn't have to sit and update my blog at this time of the year as I had already had a plan to celebrate a New Year's Eve and counting down to the year 2007 at my friend's house. However, our plan went scrap when we saw the news of bombing in Bangkok late in the evening followed by the cancellation of the New Year's count-down celebration at Central World Plaza. Our joyful mood was spoiled as almost everyone got telephone calls from family and friends asking if we are okay. Indeed, we are physically fine, however, I am mentally hurt. Those who ruined everyone's cheerful spirit at this time of the year must be psychotic freaks. How could they do this in the time of celebrations? What do they want to achieve? Generating fears and hatred? Well, I felt sorry for them as their souls are lack of lively spirit.

My deepest condolence goes to the family of those innocent people who lost their lives in this shameless act. I hope we, Thai people, would find peace and live a normal and happy life in the coming year. It's certain that this is not a happy New Year's Eve but I am positive that we will have a Happy New Year 2007. Let's cross our fingers and pray.

Wherever you go to celebrate New Year's eve and count down to the year 2007, I wish you an enjoyable moment with family and friends around you. Let you fulfill your New Year's resolutions and become a better person in the year 2007.

Happy New Year, everyone!

This is magnificent video showing a man reaching out for people trying to convey a message of "love" and "peace." Hopefully, the message would get spread out around the globe.

Anyone wanna try giving a "free hug" in Bangkok? Siam Square on Sunday seems to be a perfect choice.

Recently, I read an article from BK Magazine (No. 157 Oct 27 - Nov 2, 2006 issue) regarding "13 things that scare the hell out of us." I stumbled upon a list of bizarre "phobia" vocabulary that I have never imaged there are such words describing strange, but true, fearful feeling. Here are some examples:

Arachibutyrophobia = fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia = fear of long words

Phobophobia = fear of phobias

Tonguingphobia = fear of French kisses

Venustraphobia = fear of beautiful women

So, what do you think? Do you fear anything like those phobia described in the list? I, for sure, would never be "Venustraphobia."

Most of you might have heard of the news about "Mak Tae" a.k.a. "Lucky Loser" - the controversial Thai movie about football that stirred Thai-Laos relationship back in May 2006. However, after some discussions with Laotian officials and hard efforts from everyone involved, the movie is back to the cinema with everything regarding Laos was totally removed and replaced with a tiny, fictional country called "Arvee."

There is a practical joke saying that the name "Lucky Loser" is a bad omen for the movie. This might be true. Yesterday, I bought a comic book version of the movie and took it with me to read at my friend's. We were playing cards, well just for fun, and whoever read, or even touched, the book bearing the name "Lucky Loser" lost the game.

Is it a "curse" or just a coincident? Who knows? Let see how much the movie could earn at the box-office.

Finally, a long and painstaking hard work with a series of nights without sleep is paid off. A new and supposed final official web site of Sirachuch "Michael" Chienthaworn (Don't know who he is? Do not worry, check out the web site: MichaelClub.com) and MFC (Michael Family Club) is launched today (May 28.) We regarded this as a special occasion because it is also our young star's birthday.

Well, first of all, I have to express my deepest gratitude to everyone at Chienthaworn family especially Papa, Mama and Michael himself for putting the faith in us, a team of novice staff members who at first didn't even know how to set up a commercial web site. (Even though I said that it is a "commercial" web site, there is no "advertisement" whatsoever in MichaelClub.com thanks to Michael's Papa and Mama for sponsoring the site.) I myself have only a knowledge of basic HTML and all I did in the past is only some personal home pages. However, together with assistances from books and friends, we all as a team of staff members of MichaelClub.com could make it happen. All praises and applauses should go to New, the Three J's - JJ, Jojo and Job , Thip, Vi and Yada. Thanks everyone for a job well done. This is just the first step, thus let's keep up our hard work.

Last but not least, I have to say sorry to my friends who were kept in the dark of what I was doing during a past few months. My absence from the scenes might annoy someone. This is all my fault. Anyway, now I am back. Thanks to the one (you know who you are) whom I kept calling and asked a series of questions regarding the set up and hosting of web site. MichaelClub.com wouldn't be possible without your help.

Then, what are you waiting for? Come and celebrate with us at <http://www.michaelclub.com>

Songkran festival, formerly known as Thai Traditional New Year Day, is celebrated during the middle of April every year. And yes..., it's the time of the year again. Even though our ancestors had never celebrated the festival with water splashing and powder smearing, it seems that the culture itself has been transformed; getting wet and wild has become an essential part of Songkran spirit in recent years.

Khao San Road is one of the most renowned places to enjoy Songkran in its special way. As it's a foreign backpackers base in Bangkok, from words of mouth to Lonely Planet guide book, Khao San Road has become a well-known tourist destination. Songkran activity here goes virtually around the clock, though the city officials restricted the time to run around and splash yourself like crazy from 11 AM till midnight. Things could get a little out of control, thus you should not let your guard down.

Hopefully, I could survive the insanity at Khao San Road and get a chance to come back and report what was going on there. Stay tune.

BK "Asia City Living" Magazine is published by Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd. and is distributed for free every week on Friday. Last week, I grasped the 5th Anniversary edition (March 10-16, 2006) from Starbucks @ RCA.The cover story of this issue is the results of the magazine's 5th annual Readers' Choices Awards. Even though there were mere 208 ballots submitted before the deadline, most of the results matched my idea. Here are some of the interesting results in City Living and Culture category.

Worst Thing About Bangkok: Traffic <<< Yes, we all know that.
Runners Up: Pollution, Hot weather

Most Alarming/Annoying Trend: Korean Wave <<< Autumn in My Heart, Winter Love Song, Full House, Dae Jang-Guem, My Sassy Girl, Rain, Seven, Won Bin, just to name a few...
Runners Up: Gay-vague, Gigs, Hip-hop

Next Big Thing: New Government/Prime Minister <<< I doubt that wouldn't be possible...

I have just been back from Swarovski (Thailand) Siam Paragon branch grand opening ceremony. In fact, I was invited to join the event as a member of Swarovski Crystal Society, exclusively at Siam Paragon branch. Even though the Swarovski Shop @ Siam Paragon has opened since last December, the official opening was today with His Excellency the ambassador of Austria, the country where Swarovski originated, as a guest of honor. This Swarovski Shop @ Siam Paragon is the 9th branch in Thailand and stands proudly as the biggest Swarovski shop in Asia-Pacific region.

In conjunction with this auspicious moment, Swarovski Thailand also introduced a brand new Spring/Summer 2006 collection of Daniel Swarovski and Swarovski jewelry and accessories under the theme of "Poetic Journey." The highlight of the event was a glamorous fashion show of this glittering Swarovski collection. The catwalk was sparklingly hot when a group of supermodels set feet on the floor. Well, as an old saying goes, a picture speaks a thousand word. Take a look at some of the pictures I took below (or at the photo album) by yourself and you'll understand why I couldn't take more pictures. I felt sorry for myslf as well. It's because I just couldn't take my eyes off of those hot and sexy models as well as the perfectly-matched Swarovski accessories they put on. Don't you agree?

新年快樂 恭喜發財

Xīnnián kuàilè Gōngxǐ fācái

The celebration will never end in Thailand where every occasions could mark national festival, especially the Chinese New Year as there are a lot of Chinese-Thai families in the kingdom. I wish everyone a good health, wealth and fortune in the year of the Dog. Don't let it bite you but, instead, let it be a good pet for you. I wish there would be a lot of money in a red envelope of those who are still lucky enough to get a hóng bāo. As for those who had switched a position from a receiver to be a giver of a red packet, let you have a great fortune in return.

Happy Chinese New Year!

What do you want to do with your life? I found this wonderful web site from an entry in Chris's blog. 43 Things and its associated sites (43 places and 43 people) offer people to write down their goals in life, places they want to go, people they want to meet and share them to the world. This is quite interesting. It's also fun to read and you might get inspired by other's entry to make something happen. This is a good time to set a new year resolution. You could read mine at <http://www.43things.com/person/songphon>

It's been a year since Mother Nature proved her superiority over human-being by sending the Tsunami, or the giant tidal wave, to the coast of Thailand and other countries around the Indian Ocean region. There are 5,395 people known to have been killed in Thailand by the disaster, and nearly 3,000 people were still missing. More than 2,000 casualties were the tourists. Now, it's the matter of those who live through the tragedy. Christmas might not be a merry moment for those who lost love ones in the year to come but live goes on. I'd like to express my deepest sympathy to those whose lives have been effected with the Tsunami.

PS. Thailand Post issues the commemorative stamp in memory of the Tsunami disaster in Thailand. For more information, please check out my other blog at http://www.blogspot.com/songphon on "Thai Charity for Tsunami Victims Commemorative Stamps."

Do you know what an item in the picture below is? It's a chocolate but it's not an ordinary chocolate. It's a specialty chocolate in the shape of a name-card of LOUIS VUITTON (Thailand) S.A. I got it as a souvenir for attending the store's "Thank You" party yesterday evening at The Emporium Shopping Complex. It was an invitation-only event. No, I didn't get an invitation but my sister did and I accompanied her to the event where millionaires and high-society people were packed in the LOUIS VUITTON store savoring champagnes and glamorous cocktails with a small music band playing classic tunes live in the background. The store offered a luxurious show case of all LOUIS VUITTON products. I had a chance to try a limited edition watch crafted especially by the manufacturer of ROLEX for LOUIS VUITTON's. It looked gorgeous on my wrist. Well, I guess it certainly looks gorgeous on everyone's wrist anyway as the price tag is a mere 200,000 baht. Whoever could afford this watch is no doubt a millionaire. I, by no means, don't dare buying and putting on this watch and wandering around the street in Bangkok alone. It'd better be kept in the locked safe where it belongs.

paragon \PAIR-uh-gon; -gun\, noun:
A model of excellence or perfection; as, a paragon of beauty or eloquence.

Source: dictionary.com

It wouldn't be up-to-date if I didn't write about the recently open Siam Paragon, the most gorgeous and biggest department store in Thailand. Even though the grand opening ceremony was held last Friday, the 300,000 square meter area is not fully operated. There are still construction and decoration work going on. Anyway, only the department store itself with the food center and some unique flagship stores could boost the praise for at least a shop-a-holic Bangkokian. With more than 15,000 million Baht of investment, Siam Paragon expects more than 100,000 customers per day, including both Thais and tourists. As its name suggested, Siam Paragon certainly has to prove its quality as "a model of perfection" or as a metaphor of "an unflawed diamond weighing at least 100 carats" to live up with the investor's expectation.

No, this isn't a new movie from the maker of a classic movie "The Day the Earth Stood Still." In fact, it's a story about my computer.

Yesterday, while I was working on the computer, the screen suddenly turned blank. At first, I thought my computer might be infected with a virus, which could hardly be possible because it was stand-alone without any network connection and I hadn't use any external files. However, when I tried to re-start the computer, it was not possible. No matter how hard to try, the power switch seemed dead. I realized that it might possibly be a hardware failure or a short circuit. The latter case was what I feared most as it might destroy all the data I was working on...

I took the desktop to have it repaired as fast as I could. Fortunately, it's just a power supply failure. My precious data is still intact. Anyway, this might be a sign for me to look for a new computer. Does anyone have any suggestion of the newest model?

Today is my birthday. Thank you all for best wishes and presents. If anyone still hasn't given me a gift, I don't mind having it later. It's better late than never, isn't it?

Well, I got back home a little bit late today and was surprised by my family with a birthday cake. It's not because of the fact that I had a birthday cake at home but the cake itself surprised me. [See the picture below.] Does a cake with "Mickey Mouse" suit me? I doubt...  It might be hidden message from my younger sister who bought this cake for me to stay young at heart, even though I get older and older.