I took this photo in an open area of my university in January, but it feels so long ago… It’s hot season now. The temp yesterday got up to 41C, and it was miserable being outside. Today it’s supposed to rain and it feels a bit cooler.
Author: Justin
Old keyboard amp
I bought this off a retiring colleague a couple years ago and used it a few times. The last time I tried, though, it was broken. This amp actually sounds pretty good, so I want to get it repaired. The crusty tinker shops that used to fix this kind of thing are scarce now, so I need to keep my eye open for somewhere that can do it cheaply.
Potak Soup
“Potak” apparently means “shipwreck,” although I haven’t confirmed it beyond a Google search.*
This may be considered a variant of Tom Yum Goong, although it really depends on who’s making it. Some online recipes describe it as Tom Yum soup with nam phrik pao (roasted chili paste) added, but every version I’ve had has been much more than that – some are more sour, some have a pinkish stock, some are clear, and some, as above, are packed with herbs. Either way, when we find versions we like, they are usually superior to Tom Yum Goong (which also comes in many versions, the most popular overseas version being the creamy style with coconut milk). Just looking at this photo makes my mouth water with anticipated sour garlic spice explosions – we will visit this place (near Nam’s uni) again, soon.
*Update: After some more research, the “Po” in “potak” refers to a fishing pontoon used in the south of Thailand. “Tak” means “break.” So this word compound refers to when a pontoon breaks off (e.g. during a storm) and floats away. My best guess as to a specific kind of pontoon (there are many, including floating docks and piers) is described by this page as a “bamboo stake trap” set in shallow or deep water. I will archive some photos from that page and others here:
I need to go check these out in person sometime, they look fascinating.
Japanese Hyosatsu (Name Plate) in Thailand
When we built our house in Thailand 17 years ago, we had a Japanese-style name plate carved in granite. When we were thinking of selling our house and moving back to the states last year after the floods, we painted it it over and put an artsy plastic address number over it. Then, when we decided not to move back after all, I eventually scraped all the paint off it… No harm, no foul, I guess.
Rice paddy view
These particular fields (next to a needle shop and art village) have lain fallow for so long, I’m not sure if there’s actually any rice left.
Someone brought a puppy to class
They were nice enough to put a nappy on it.
Viola the Bird
This is most entertaining for at least 15 seconds: Viola the Bird (Google Labs Experiment)
Thai meatball
Thai meatballs (luk chin or look chin, depending on your preferred Romanization) are, like sausage, popular and of mysterious formulation — you never really know what they’re made of, even after eating them. More important, however, is the dipping sauce. Good dipping sauce has saved many a bad meatball, and sauce is actually one of the most important aspects of Thai culture.
NY Fireworks
The neighborhood was lit up. Taken in front of our house.
