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Help a blogger out and...
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The time is just passing away as always has, and continues to do without fail. I need to get more active with my blogging/journaling, to a standard I once maintained years ago as a bachelor. Life with a family can be demanding, though it's certainly no excuse for procrastinating consistent archiving of time and existence via words. Writing is a magical tool of expression and communication. Each day that passes, I appreciate this wonderful weapon more, It's important that I not neglect it, for it truly is a gateway to a colorful and prosperous future to look forward to. In 2007.MAY.16 entry, I announced that I accepted a position as editor-writer for a grass roots tourist guide-booklet, Phuket Day & Night Magazine, here in Phuket. Exactly one month after that (June 16) I announced my resignation there. Actually, I surprised myself that Saturday. The previous night I had eaten a nice juicy steak at Bangtao beach five star resort, Pearl Indigo's restaurant, Rivet Grill for a review. My (ex) boss and photographer accompanied me for the informal interview with F&B manager, Stephane and resort marketing rep, Meo. As satisfying as such a prestigious VIP meal was, as was Baan Yin Dee and La Gaetana--lets face it, perks don't pay bills. By the time I came home, my son was fast asleep...
The next morning (Saturday), I had a 10am appointment with the director-owner of a spa products shop in Cherng Talay area. I was about to hop on my bike when the photographer suggested we drive the company car to avoid the rain, threatening to come pouring down any minute. I agreed and asked her if she had the keys. At that moment, the office manager came down and told us if we were going to take the car, we had to fill it up with gas. Neither I nor my photographer had any money, nor did the OM look motivated. Irritated, I hopped on the bike, accompanied by the photographer. Halfway there, sure enough the monsoon fury came pouring down, welting me in the face as I hurried to make my appointment in such dangerous conditions. We arrived to the spa 10 minutes late--maybe 15--completely soaked, and to my disappointment, the director, some cat from Malibu called Bobby's time was too important to wait around an extra 10 minutes for our FREE featured review. And the reality dawned on me. I was working for a free booklet that sells advertising. On the surface, it's a handy guide for tourists, but in reality, it's priority target group is actually businesses and their marketing budgets. What was I expecting from such a gig? While the photographer took photos of the spa shop, I waited, and made a few phone calls. I called Kru Supot and Kru Pisit at Wat Teprasit school, one of the schools I was teaching at in Samut Songkhram. Out of curiosity, I wanted to know about the new teacher, my replacement. What do you know, they still haven't got one yet and are waiting for one supposed to come next month (July)... I called the agent at my old employer and he confirmed that they were still without a replacement, asking me to come back. It got me thinking, and I told them it wasn't for sure, but maybe... Later at the office, in the spontaneity of the moment, I told my employers that starting next month, I would likely leave and return to my old job, a 2 week notice for say. I assured them that I would fulfill all my responsibilities to the teeth, including finding a replacement before I left. They weren't happy with my surprise news and asked me not to wait for the two weeks. Like either I was going to stay with them forever or nothing. In the long shot that such a business turns out to be a gold mine, then good for them...Over the last month, I've come to realize that the tourism industry is not something I ever want to become a slave to, at least not in such a demanding and stressful environment, where one is forced to spend a lot of time worrying about if they were going to get their next pay check or not. Time to move on. So, now I'm back at home on the computer with an opportunity to gather and apply maintenance at personal organizational matters--have updated my website some, and started working on a new project. My friend, Kit, who's a 27 year old Thai-British guy from Bkk working and living in Phuket for the past three years, introduced me to his boss here in Phuket. He (they) work at a well established company which specializes in online travel reservations, bookings, and travel info for Phuket and the world at whole. I've accepted a writing project to pilot for trial. If they're satisfied with my work, it could turn into an additional supplemental income source. Within the next week, I shall decide if I will return to my job in Mae Klong or not for sure. If I wait too long without giving any word, they could find a replacement. I do miss the laid back lifestyle and peacefulness of Samut Songkhram, but I'm not sure what's the best thing for my son and family at the moment. I and his mother have had some real tempered moments recently. It's not good for my son to have to hear us fight. Sometimes, I feel so helpless. I mean I'm living under the 'inlaws' roof. I'm not sure that my baby's momma wants to or is willing to go back to Mae Klong. I certainly don't want to be away from my son for long periods. I know for sure, the moment that I'm no longer in Phuket, her family would cut all kinds of corners that I worked real hard in establishing, particularly for his safety. For instant, I don't allow him on anyone's motorcycle except my own and only with me. The minute I'm gone, they wouldn't hesitate to bring him along to the market or grocery store on one of the scooters. They don't like or care to wear helmets if they don't have, so I doubt they'd force him to wear one either. I've only brought him on the bike a few times with his mom, and that's just for short trips in safe conditions and all precautions taken. I prefer to take him on the bicycle like the good old days. I absolutely don't want him on motorcycles with his relatives or anyone else here, they don't value high safety standards, particularly with motorbikes---like all their neighbors and fellow citizens who drive around recklessly without helmets, families of five, swerving to their doom. It's a standard and attitude I don't want to instill as 'normal' and 'acceptable' for my son. Chances are, if a Thai does wear a helmet, it's cause he/she is worried that a traffic cop will give them a ticket. At night, the Phuket police aren't busy enforcing much, so 9 Phuketians out of 10 don't bother wearing helmets during the night, When I forced my son's mom to wear the helmet one night going to the grocery store, she had a big fit and refused to go. She was worried how awkward she'd look! Even her family stuck up for trying to tell me that I was overreacting, as a helmet would make no difference, that fatal accidents are only in major high speed incidents...errrggh, I was so irritated. I don't care if a helmet only increases survival by .000001 percent (which I'm sure it's much higher than that!!!) it's more about the principal of giving our son an example of non-laziness, instilling in him good habits! Okay, that's enough rant for now. Stay tuned for the next update. If you want to receive regular updates of this blog or have any comments or feed back, don't hesitate to contact me. END OF LOG FEEDBACK For this blog entry? Click the Contact link above. Once Jao Moragoat has accepted it, he shall post it here.
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