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Roger Rabbit goes to London
Pat Glynn began the regular Sunday meeting of the Pattaya
City Expats Club at the Amari’s Henry J. Beans Restaurant on Sunday, January
4 with an announcement about club member Derek McCarrick, also known as
Roger Rabbit. Derek is well known for dressing in a rabbit costume and
running in marathons. Dr. Iain Corness some time ago for the Pattaya Mail,
wrote, “This rabbit runs to raise funds for research into leukemia. Not jogs
around the block either, this rabbit has run marathons in London, New York,
Boston, across the Sahara Desert and through Death Valley. ‘I’m the only
rabbit in the world that’s run across the Sahara,’ he said proudly. He also
added, ‘People think I’m bonkers!’”
 Well
known magician Dr. Penguin shares with the PCEC his experiences as a
performer at the Beijing Olympic Games.
Well, apparently Her Majesty Queen Elisabeth II does not think so. Pat
announced that Derek will be going to Buckingham Palace to receive from Her
Majesty the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of his
charitable works. After a rousing round of applause, Derek briefly addressed
the audience about his works that earned him this great honor.
Emcee Roger Fox then welcomed back the well known magician Dr. Penguin, who
has previously demonstrated his skills to the club. However, his appearance
was not to do a magic show, but to talk about his trip to China for the
Olympic Games.
Dr. Penguin said he was invited by the Beijing Olympic Committee and the
city to perform on stage. He mentioned that he had previously lived in
China, so he was already familiar with the country, culture, and language.
Although he enjoyed the experience, he said there were a few difficulties.
He first described what he went through to obtain his visa including having
to deposit a $4,000 bond, which could not be touched until he left.
On the flight to Beijing, he observed that all the passengers were in some
way involved in the Olympics. So, his first question was where are the all
the people that are supposed to be going to see the games? Upon arrival, he
said he was a bit nervous when he observed that the path to immigration was
bordered by two armed soldiers spaced about every 2 meters. This was his
first experience of the tight security the Chinese Government had set up for
the games.
 Derek
McCarrick, also known as Roger Rabbit, addresses the PCEC about being
honored with the Order of the British Empire.
His first direct encounter with this security was the next day in entering
the Olympic area. There were different lines and no clear instructions on
who should go where, thus a lot of confusion. This did not improve on
succeeding days because on the following days, they kept changing the lines
you were supposed to go through, apparently designed to confuse any would be
terrorists. But, its main effect seemed to be to keep everyone else in a
state of confusion - often taking up to 2 hours to gain entry.
The next problem was that security would not let him bring in most of his
magic props, thus they were taking away the tools of his trade. However, he
said he managed to improvise and carry on with the show. Although he was
scheduled to do 8 ten minute shows per day, there were large crowds and
became about 40 minutes in length. Another difficulty was the lack of food
choices on the Olympic site. The food choices were McDonalds or the “Chinese
Exploding Box” lunch - yes, he reiterated “exploding.” It seems you pulled a
string and the box expanded and “cooked” the food inside for about 4 to 8
minutes.
Although there were all kinds of shows, his was the only comedy/magic show.
Consequently, he picked up a big audience as well as some unwanted official
attention. During one performance before about 4 thousand people, a rather
sour faced lady security official came up and told him to stop the show. Why
he asked? Her answer, “Too many people having fun!” Although she stopped
that show, she never appeared again. Further, he started being asked to do
several VIP shows. He also related some interesting stories about the Cuban
band, who seemed to start their drinking at 6 a.m. and passed out by noon,
but would be back later to continue their music. He also mentioned other
performers from South Africa and Jamaica, all of whom seemed to enjoy
drinking and partying back stage.
He was invited by his sponsor to stay over for the Paralympics, which are
also held in the same country as the Olympic Games. The Paralympics feature
disabled athletes. Dr. Penguin said he was very impressed with their
performance, especially the wheelchair basketball and blind soccer (only the
goalie can see).
China agreed to host the Paralympics at the request of the Olympic
Committee, but Dr. Penguin felt it was probably not the best host country
because of Chinese culture, which is to make fun of the disabled. He noted
that there were many signs in Chinese advising on how to treat disabled
persons. Even so, he saw much of what we westerners would call very rude
behavior toward the disabled athletes.
Dr. Penguin concluded by mentioning that he has already been invited to
perform at the London Olympics. He also said that he would be performing
locally at the Bikers Festival, which will take place here in Pattaya on Soi
4 from February 12 through 14th. There will be many acts including jugglers,
a hypnotist, and belly dancer(s). He said there will probably be around
30,000 bikers here for the event with proceeds going to charity.
Emcee Roger Fox then updated everyone on upcoming events and called on
Hawaii Bob to conduct the always informative and sometimes humorous Open
Forum where information is shared on living in Pattaya and Thailand.
Hospital turns green for party
It’s all green at the Phyathai
Hospital New Year party.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Staff of Phyathai Hospital Sriracha changed from starchy clinical white
to leafy green to celebrate the “Power of Green party 2009”, the theme of their
new year festivities.
On December 26 Chonburi Governor Surapon Pongtadsirikun, Vichai Tongtaeng,
director of Phyathai Hospitals, and Dr. Tanakom Manthananon, director of
Phyathai Hospital Sriracha joined in the green fun.
There were food and drinks aplenty going down well with the background music.
Staff members showed off on the stage in performances with everyone wearing
green.
Director Vichai went up on stage and announced a 3-month bonus as a surprise
gift to all employees after their hard work all year in boosting the revenue
above target figures.
Phyathai Hospital Sriracha provides a full range of health services.
ESBEC/WMS Community Fund donates to 6 projects for local school & community
Steve Duckworth (back row,
center), ESBEC general manager & representative of the Community Fund
Committee presents donations to the school headmasters from Baan Khao Hin,
Baan Khao Tabak, Baan Phan Sadej Nok Schools and Yang En’s community leader,
cheered on by the attending students.
In 2008 the Eastern Seaboard Environmental Complex
(ESBEC) and Waste Management Siam (WMS) Community Fund provided donations to
support six projects at local schools and communities.
The projects included hiring additional teachers for two schools, providing
educational books for children, improving water supply systems and
installing new water storage tanks. The total value of the donations for
these projects was 263,648 baht.
The donations form part of ESBEC’s ongoing community programme which was
introduced when the site began operations in 1992. ESBEC supports the
programme by allocating monies to the Community Fund for every ton of
materials handled at the facility.
The main objectives of the Fund are to provide educational, welfare and
environmental benefits to the people within the local communities.
Black & White Splendour
PILC Special Events Committee 2008
Saturday January 17, 2009 is shaping up to be a glamorous event; a truly
festive way to bring in the New Year with a bang! With sweeping views of the bay
and a January sea breeze to match, the Dusit Thani will be hosting this event.
 PILC
members dressed in beautiful costumes at last year’s masquerade ball.
The evening begins on the veranda, listening to the lively sound of Bangkok Jazz
Band “Sharps and Flats”. Wash down your canapés with a lychee martini and
sparkling wine, while you browse our fantastic auction items, including a
private French chef who will cook for you and 5 of your friends, a weekend away
in Hua Hin, fabulous artwork donated by renowned Pattaya artists, an antique
silver cutlery setting valued at 100,000 baht, and your very own sailing coach
at Royal Varuna Yacht Club!
A four course meal will follow, along with a sumptuous dessert buffet, after
which the real fun begins; you can let your hair down and spend the rest of the
night on the dance floor, with a DJ and Jazz Band to ensure your feet will be
sore!
Of course beautiful wines and stunning company is a given, but we must not
forget the purpose of this important event … to raise money which the Pattaya
International Ladies Club (PILC) welfare team will distribute to many needy
causes throughout 2009. Your participation will ensure the health and welfare of
many local families and orphans. We have received tremendous support in the form
of sponsorship for this event, now we need you to make this night one to
remember!
Tickets are on sale for 3500 baht. This includes sunset cocktails, canapés, a 4
course meal, wine, beer & soft drinks on tap, fabulous entertainment,
photographs & of course a special gift from the PILC, a massage for those tired
feet!
The theme is black and white, so be creative, there will be prizes for the best
dressed.
Contact Jacinta Chamberlain on 086 997 0671 or Rachel Hoag on 081 782 6118 to
make your reservation NOW!
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