Podcasting around

When we were in Loei we got to talking about podcasts and all the stuff out there that can be downloaded. For all the time you're standing around in line or on the sky train, better to have your I-Pod with you and a bunch of podcasts to catch up on the news that way. I subscribed to NPR's business story of the day, world story and world roundup, Cato's daily podcast for all your libertarian needs, and Prairie Home Companion to get the latest in Lake Woebegon. I used to listen to that with Mom and Dad, brings back some memories.

Pii Taa Khon

Last weekend we flew up to Loei for the Ghost Festival, aka Pii Taa Khon. We had no idea what to expect, and actually didn't know until a couple days before we left just where it was. Turned out it wasn't in Loei, it was 60 miles away in Dan Sai; our hotel wasn't in Loei either, it was about 40 miles outside Loei, luckily on the way to Dan Sai so it all worked out in the end. We still don't really know what the Ghost Festival was about, best story we heard was that someone was run out of town years ago, but the town realized the error of their ways, allowed him back in and held such a massive party even the ghosts came to celebrate. So every year the celebration continues with lots of ghosts roaming the streets wearing bells and carrying swords. And large penises. The Lonely Planet warned us there'd be "wild penis antics" and sure enough, lots of guys were carrying phalluses and teasing all the bystanders. Still no idea what it was all about, but sure was funky.

Trent's 30th

A couple weeks back was Trent's 30th birthday, celebrated over at Trent & Julie's place. Trent's sporting the latest in Bangkok fashion, the Jatukam Ramuthep amulet. A few months back all of Thailand started going nuts for these amulets, supposedly protecting the wearer from whatever. Whatever it is, they're big and ugly and everybody's got one, so we got one for Trent, too. Happy Birthday!