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Bookazine Book Review: Living in the Land of Milk and Honey

by Lang Reid

This is a slim paperback (ISBN 3-8311-1233-9) published by the author Kurt Krieger in Europe, but having a testimonial on the back cover from a gentleman in Naklua. The author states at the beginning that the book is “not your usual travel guide, but rather an amusing little book that describes a beautiful distant land - the land of smiles. For the reader who is interested in Thailand, this book with all its true stories, offers an insight into the everyday life of the Siamese people.”

The author is a native German speaker, made apparent by some very Germanic grammatical quirks and a penchant for the use of “k” where “c” would be more normal in English. Amerika for America being an obvious example.

Again, at the outset Kurt Krieger does point out the inherent fallacy in generalizing. All Thais are not the same, just as all Austrians are not the same, but he does manage to find a common thread to his tales.

The book is divided into sections and he deals with the various geographic regions, the monarchy, Buddhism, the life of the people and how it encompasses birthright, education, food, fun, death and doctors.

There is advice for the retirees, for those who wish to build their dream home and how to avoid the nightmares of building. There are also many pages devoted to the trials and tribulations of living with a Thai woman. This may be the land of milk and honey, but there can be liberal doses of vinegar at times.

The review copy was made available by Bookazine, 1st floor Royal Garden Plaza, next to Black Canyon and Boots and costs 490 baht. It is certainly not your average travel guide, but rather the personal experiences of a 70 year old European gentleman as he travels through the remaining years of his life in Thailand. As such it is more of a travel diary than a travel guide. For those who reside here, they will recognize many of the problems that they (and I) have had to overcome. The vignette on purchasing a TV set at a “superstore”, where the potential purchaser was totally ignored as the “service” people were all watching a soap opera was painfully true to the last detail. I would even hazard a guess as to the location of said establishment.

In the five years that Kurt Krieger has been here, he has developed a deep and insightful view of life in Thailand - while living with a Thai. As such it comes from the point of view of the elderly single male who finds he is living with a very much younger Thai woman. Such an age difference union would have its problems in the western world, that it can survive at all with two different cultures as well is probably in most ways a reflection on the adaptability of the Thai partner, rather than the farang.

An interesting, if somewhat overpriced book, it includes a good chapter on Pattaya with some excellent views on the stormy relationship between Pattaya and the foreign press.

Movie Review: Star Wars Episode II

By Poppy

This fifth chapter of the space saga recounts the coming of age of Annakin Skywalker (who will become Darth Vader). The story begins when Jedi knight Obi Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor,) and his prot้g้ Annakin (Hayden Christensen) are summoned to protect the Padme (Natalie Portman).

The movie follows the love story between Annakin and Padme (the future parents of Luke and Leia). Ewan McGregor is now much more comfortable as Obi-Wan and appears to be enjoying himself more. Ian McDiarmid is brilliant as Chancellor Palpatine - the growth of this character was the best thing in Phantom Menace and is continued to great effect here. Count Dooku - Christopher Lee is an incredibly talented actor and I was amazed at the power his character holds. If you hated Jar-Jar in the first one you will REALLY hate him in this one and of course my favourite, Yoda - Never, ever, turn to the dark side - or else. You have to see it to believe it. Words cannot describe the awe. Scared? You will be. You will be.

I don’t see how any Star Wars fan, whether an obsessive fanatic or simply someone who has always just enjoyed the films as fun entertainment, could not like this film.

There is plenty for both men and women to enjoy, young and old.

Directed by George Lucas

Cast:

Ewan McGregor ... Obi-Wan Kenobi
Natalie Portman ... Senator Padm้ Amidala
Hayden Christensen ... Annakin Skywalker
Ian McDiarmid ... Supreme Chancellor Palpatine/Darth Sidious
Samuel L. Jackson ... Mace Windu
Pernilla August ... Shmi Skywalker
Jack Thompson (I) ... Cliegg Lars
Christopher Lee ... Count Dooku/Darth Tyranus
Anthony Daniels ... C-3PO/ Lt. Dannl Faytonni
Frank Oz ... Yoda (voice)
Andrew Secombe ... Watto (voice)
Oliver Ford Davies ... Sio Bibble
Silas Carson ... Nute Gunray/Ki-Adi-Mundi
Kenny Baker (I) ... R2-D2
Ahmed Best ... Jar Jar Binks (voice)/Ahck Med-Beq

Mott’s CD review: 

Van Halen – Van Halen

by Mott the Dog

***** 5 Stars Rating

One of the greatest party albums of all time by one of the greatest party bands of all time, these young tearaway Americans knew how to rock and enjoy themselves to the limit and beyond.

Discovered by Gene Simmons of “Kiss” after playing the American club circuit, they were rushed into the studio with experienced rock producer Ted Templeton and came out with this raw product.

At the time (1978) it was given no chance, a fully fledged Rock ‘n’ Roll album at the height of the seventies disco scene. However, straight to the top of the charts it shot, almost single-handled killing of disco (for which we should all be eternally grateful) and giving Van Halen 4 top ten hits along the way.

As for debut albums this one just about tops the tree, especially for a bunch of total unknowns.

At least half the songs on this eponymous debut are still considered one hundred percent solid gold classics. Each band member establishes his own character in every song. Frontman and showman extraordinaire Dave Lee Roth pants, rants, screams, and pouts his way through the album like the old tart he was. Sticksman Alex Van Halen made his own sound, very heavy drums with plenty of double bass work and open high hats, always pushing the other members of the band to the limit. Michael Anthony was the ultimate good time rockin’ bass player. In later years he had a guitar painted and shaped like a bottle of Jack Daniels.

But the man who really grabbed the headlines was the soon to become legend Eddie Van Halen creating his own unique style with legato, palm silencing, fat rhythms, finger pinching, and hand tapping; almost every song starts with something original from the man. After the opening salvo of “Runnin’ With The Devil”, Eddie is allowed to let rip with “Eruption” one minute thirty seconds of guitar that would change the world of guitar rock forever, revolutionizing the guitar community and inspiring a thousand imitators into the heavy metal lexicon.

A magnificent debut for sure, but maybe the band should of held onto a few of their blockbuster tunes to bolster the lean years that started after 1984 and continued to the present day. (I mean, does anybody even know who is lead vocalist with them now? And does anybody care?)

But on this album Van Halen amply demonstrates their drive, showmanship, sense of fun (Ice Cream Man) and musicianship throughout, blowing the needle off the scale on such tracks as the old Kinks classic “You Really Got Me”, “Atomic Punk”, and “Ain’t Talkin About Love”.

Turn it up and turn on. Party time boys and girls.

Musicians

David Roth – Vocals
Edward Van Halen – Guitar
Alex Van Halen – Drums
Michael Anthony – Bass Guitar

Track Listing

1. Runnin’ With The Devil
2. Eruption
3. You Really Got Me
4. Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love
5. I’m The One
6. Jamie’s Cryin’
7. Atomic Punk
8. Feel Your Love Tonight
9. Little Dreamer
10. Ice Cream Man
11. On Fire

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