Hey folks! Well, i’ve been sitting here and have tried for the better part of the afternoon again and again to get onto the youtube website without any success at all. I know I had promised you guys a video clip of the insane holiday madness that is called ‘Songkran’ here in Thailand, and I’ll just have to try again later. As you are already aware, I’ve no wish to participate in the 3 or 4 day holiday event going on right now when the whole country descends into an anarchy of drunkenness and water gun fights filled with stagnant klong water. However, I cannot simply chose to abstain from the festivities going on around me if i venture out in public. Those of us wishing not to partake in water fights must bunker up in our homes till Sundown when the water fights and festivities end each day. After that most revelers are to drunk to accost anything but a porcelain throne, but not that I’m bitter old queen or anything. Do i sound bitter? 🙂
No, I actually don’t mind staying in as I can quite happily keep myself occupied inside all day with writing blogs for you wonderful people, watching movies, or playing WOW. It is EXTREMELY hot here since April is the height of summer, so you are sweating within seconds of merely walking out the door. Speaking of movies…I’m sitting here writing and passively watching the movie “Castaway,” with Tom Hanks simultaneously. I actually watched the tail end of the movie last night and thanks to the repetitive nature of movie channels it is on again. It is ok though, as I really enjoy this film. I relate to the main character in a way much the same as i relate to Bill Murray’s character in “Lost in Translation.” I live out my life here in Thailand isolated from the world around me and thousands of miles from my loved ones at home. Now i know what some of my readers are thinking, and especially one reader in particular. You would say, “but Tom! remember you choose your life” and “you choose to live in Thailand” and that’s true to some extent. However, life isn’t that cut and dried. Do you really think we choose all the important things in our lives such as who we love? Do you make the conscious decision at some point in time to say to yourself…”Hey, I think I will love this person starting now, at this point in time.” No of course not. What would you do if i shrugged my shoulders and said you had to between love and geography? You should ask yourself how good are your empathy skills? 🙂
So…I sit here in my semi-self imposed exile somewhat by choice and somewhat by fate. I do miss my home with all my heart, but I also love my partner very very much. So what choices do I have then? The U.S. isn’t going to welcome me home with partner in hand anytime soon, despite the progressive nature of laws in other western countries like Australia, Holland, or the U.K. that do treat ‘all’ their citizens equally. So, until my country reaches a place that grants me equal rights like heterosexual citizens, I will do my best to live positively in the country here that I’ve adopted as a second home. There will always be things about Thailand that i don’t like or find annoying but who’s to say it wouldn’t be the same anywhere. Gosh, where did all that come from, huh? Anyways, much much love to you and thank you so much for stopping through to have a read. I appreciate the little bit of time you’ve spared and please please don’t be afraid to comment. Till next time I hope this finds you well, wherever this finds you!
"Tom in Thailand" 