Shocked! 2 Brits who the Bangkok Post reports

have been here for 10 years, well read about it here:  http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/crimes/300316/two-brits-nabbed-for-bungled-atm-thefts

When you go bush there is no coming back. One character who is 25, that means he's been here since he was 15. Does your mother know what you've been up to? Pictures included. Ripping out ATMs - my word. Try getting a job is my best advice. Foreigners, go figure.

Trouble sleeping. A meaningless post on Jesus

and Anne Rice. Short little book, I'm 20 pages in. Told through Jesus's eyes, as a seven year old. He killed/brought back a kid a couple pages in. So why doesn't he heal laughing Uncle who is dying of something? That's what I call a plot hole but I haven't read too far into it so I shall try not to judge a book by its first few pages.

And sweet mother Mary actually showed some temper. Once so far. I like little quirky books. Bach's The Reluctant Messiah was another one that took my fancy. You'll remember Bach from the book of the bird - Jonathon Livingston Seagull. Music by none other than Neil Diamond. 

Classic writing, classic music. So long ago.

Cooked up dinner, talked to an old friend, and in

bed early to prepare for my weekend blitz of work. Doesn't get better than that.

Great day, took off for my bookstore, exchanged

titles, had a great meal and home in time for a short blog word before bed. Mexican food, brought home my fav hummus with 'mato sauce. Extremely busy, more soon when I'm into my new schedule. Cheers!

No, I haven't died - extremely busy right now.

I have also had a three alarm headache (weather?) feels like the fore runner of a Chinook. I predicted Chinooks 12 hours before they hit. Overcast, lots and lots of rain off an on, cooler but still need a fan or two on.

I think high/low pressure zones are running in and out of the area with all speed, causing the thumper. A buddy of mine is also suffering from a head pounder.

Backed up the blog, will maybe try WordPress when I get over my crammed days/evenings. I've had several different pairs of glasses lately, might be something to do with that. Nothing serious, but screen reading, even this small post is making the hammer harder behind and above my eyes. I also read a lot each day so could be a combo plate of weather/eye strain. Who knows?

Our exchange student from 4 years ago, a lovely

girl from Germany returned after 6 months in India. What a delight to see her! She's been here for a month before heading home to Germany to resume her studies. She loved her year here. She learned the language in a blink of an eye, embraced the experience and still has friends here. She cooks Thai food back home even.

I think exchange programs are the best. The students gain so much. To be plopped into another part of the world for a year, what an experience. All bring new understanding back to their home country.

We're going to have dinner together, she leaves Monday, so it will be nice to have a chance to chat further. I took her to one class an M6 who remembered her. She chatted with the students in Thai and they were happy to see her.

Adventurous and curious about the world, she's already had great experiences in countries so far from home.

Durian - the stink weed of the fruited tree: love/hate

I have no idea what got into me but when I saw the big spiked fruit, I had to have a taste. It is back in season along with rambutan. (Ram boo tan)

 First select your weapon/fruit. Point, the market man will get it. Stand back. I picked a small one, think of a football with spikes and sort of squish it in a ball. A smallish basketball with spikes? Note the gloved hand of the slicer upper.

 Not sure what happened to the photo. He cuts into it, figures out where the "pockets" are in the fruit then slices away.

 He opens it with skill and precision. He then removes the soft fleshy parts you want to eat.

 Voila - the stink weed is ready to eat. Each portion comes in a tear drop shape. There is a pit inside. You can dry the pit and roast it. Tastes like almonds I'm told. I got five or six of these in varying sizes for 120 baht. I do no work and can eat as it. Each portion is wrapped in a light waxed paper.

Here is one of the five or 6. I put it in my hand to give you an idea of how much you get in each piece.

You quickly get beyond the stench. What does it taste like? A sweet butter consistency custard. To die for. It has a rich taste, not unlike Bird's Eye custard come to think of it. It smells like a dead rat. But if you can handle Camembert rind you will have no problem. I eat that poopy smelling cheese rind and all.

The King of Fruit is ready when it drops from the tree.   Many people get killed by dropping fruit every year. So many in fact that tree geneticists are trying to make the trees grow smaller/shorter.

I'm convinced I could live on mung beans and durian. The two are so rich in all we need to stay healthy.

http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/2088/2  The link will take you the analysis.

Amazing fruit even if you can't eat it in parks and subways. Please moms, never send it with kids to school in their lunch (unless you are rigging up payback).

As my father said when I was a kid eyeballing the scalloped potatoes, "You won't know you don't like them until you try them."

Native to Asia, there are many varieties but only nine are edible. Nutrients will blow your socks off. And it is a good mask for the face. Even the husks apparently keep the mozzies away.

I love it raw. I wouldn't dream of cooking it spoiling/diluting the taste and texture.We get durian dried fruit snacks but they too disappointing to bother with. Like my mango licorice.

There is a recipe I saw involving durian and chicken but I'm not eating bipeds these days. Or four beaters, or swimmers. Or eggs, or cow juice.  I'm trying something new, soy what?

If there is an Asian market, trust me, by the second bite you'll thank me. And your body will be grateful, durian is loaded with the really, really good stuff.