Thai Handicrafts

Among other things the Thais are famous for their handicrafts such as textiles, bronze work, and ceramics just to name a few. The Thai people are also prized for their exquisitely detailed hand-carvings and it may interest you to know that I've got some freshly carved Thai teeth in my head at this very moment. I wouldn't exactly call them exquisite however -- at least not yet. At present the quality is more along the lines of what you'd see carved in wax rather than alabaster but these are temporary. Today we prepared the surfaces for what ended up lasting over four pain-free though I might add fun-free hours. The two new veneers and crowns are being cast godknowswhere and then my dentist will adjust them and file them until I am hopefully elated with the stunningly understated results. I promise photos if I remain dry-eyed at that time. If you're expecting a Hollywood Smile however you'd be sadly disappointed because I'll never even have a Broadway Smile not even in dim lighting. I used to have a Garage Band Smile but am currently featuring something more along the lines of a Christian Haunted House Smile: not too scary but a little unsettling. I'm hoping on an Off-Broadway Smile but one with a long successful run and perhaps featuring a former television star or scandal-propelled celebrity. If I get a Dinner Theater Smile or a Bus and Truck Tour Smile there'll be hell to pay I can assure you. The upside to staying in Bangkok for longer than I expected is that on the 8th at the Ambassador Hotel across the street they're celebrating with a full floor show of Elvis impersonators in honor of the King's birthday. Now so help me God, if I get a Hotel Floor Show Smile somebody's going to get the living hell beat out of them.

WAI?

When I didn't have a drill and a hacksaw in my mouth I was eating and drinking. I had breakfast on the Ambassador's terrace today and ate the most ridiculous piece of "cake" I've ever attempted to eat. I would have been happy to write that it was only insipid but that would undermine the great undertaking the "baker" spent on completely removing any semblance of moisture whatsoever seemingly defying its wedge-like shape to remain intact. They make a nice cup of joe but that's the last time I eat their so-called food. I had dinner at my hotel's open air restaurant (Gallery 99) where I am already a certified regular. The food there is seriously amazing, the atmosphere is so charming and comfortable and the service is friendly and warm if not remotely attentive. I'll be posting photos soon.

Thai Food Suggestions: Are you like me and usually order the same thing every time you have Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, etc.? I have two names of some amazing dishes and frankly I'm not even sure what's all them but they're both delicious and worth trying. CHU-CHEE PLAA: I've had this twice already and it's the best Thai dish I've ever had in my life. It contains little pieces of crispy red snapper cooked in a thick red coconut curry with tons of fresh hot basil and is of course served with rice. There'll be a photo of it soon on this page soon. The next dish is one that I had today at a very chic little place where I ate yesterday and it's called KAO PHAD PRIK KHING (sounds a bit suggestive but it's very good). I don't really know what's in this one but it comes with this very fine lightly crunchy stuff on the side that is almost like a ground bacon or something. The main part of the dish is rice and prawns and the tamarind sauce is very delicate and complex. Keep in mind that when transliterating languages you can come up with various spellings but if you print this out and put it in your purse or with your take out menus you'll hopefully be armed with more choices.

Tomorrow I plan on seeing some of the major players, i.e., the Grand Palace, the Emerald Buddha and the Reclining Buddha and need to get some sleep so it's back to Gallery 99 for a nightcap and then to bed. I just have to stay clear of beer nuts for a week and I should be fine.

Cheers!