Cinema going in Thailand

Going to the cinema in Bangkok was something that I did on a frequent basis whilst living there. The two that I went to most where the SFX cinemas at MBK and the Emporium shopping centres. Both are great cinemas that attract different crowds of people. At MBK, the clientele are more teenage kids or tourists while the Emporium attracts a more affluent, upmarket bunch of people. Both cinemas can easily be found along the skytrain(BTS) line.

At a fraction of the cost of a cinema ticket back home, a night out at the flicks is a good option either to just get out of the house/condo/apartment or just to get a break from the bars. The cinemas are immaculately clean and never really full. Most cinemas are kept at cool temperature so it is advisable to wear trousers or jeans as oppose to shorts.

The choice of English language movies available at the cinema in Thailand is great when you consider the amount of people that can speak the language in the country. Although the variety is not going to be as good as say the US or Ireland, you always have at least six English language movies to choose from at any of the larger cinema companies. Ofcourse you can always buy a bootleg copy on the street for 100baht(2euro), but it's not the same as watching the movie on the big screen.

One unusual thing that you will notice when going to the cinema in Thailand is that the king's song will be played before every movie. During the song you are expected to stand and remain silent to show your respect for the king of Thailand. This always catches out the tourists that have come to see a movie to break up their shopping day. After a few seconds of looking around they get the idea and copy everyone else. This happens at almost every movie I've been to at MBK as this shopping centre would attract a huge amount of tourists.

Whilst I've only mentioned two of the cinemas available, Bangkok has many others that offer a great service. Most large shopping centres have a cinema. The cinema in Central World is another top class place to watch a movie. But be careful with your choice. I went to see Beowolf in 3D on my last visit there and the movie was rubbish.

For the cost of a cup of coffee back in the West, I think the cinema in Thailand offers great value for money.

Real Madrid in Ireland

The mighty Real Madrid will soon be setting up camp in Ireland for part of their pre season preperations. They will base themselves at Carton House in Maynooth from July 13th for aprox. 10 days. Open days will be held for the public to watch the galatico's training. This visit comes as a bit of a shock. Ireland, with it's tempermental weather, would not be the first place to come to mind when thinking of the ideal location for a pre season training camp. Somehow, Dubai or maybe America seem a more likely destination.

With the exciting recent additions to the Real squad this is a great opporunity for Irish soccer fans to see some of the world's best talent up close. The chance to see Kaka, Ronaldo and the other galatico's may not come again. Real have also arranged a pre season match against Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght Stadium. This bring the Shamrock Rovers story full circle. Having been without a 'home' for 22 years after their glory days in the 1960's. Now with their new stadium, they have come full circle as they host the richest and most historic club in the world.

Click here to get a tour of Tallaght stadium to see where Ronaldo and Kaka will make their Real debuts.

Street Performance World Championships

The Street Performance World Championships have come to Dublin again. It all kicked off on Thursday and will run until Sunday. It's now an annual event which attracts huge crowds. I went last year and it was very entertaining.

The event is held in the park in Merrion Square. There are about 5 acts on at the same time so if you don't like what you are watching simply move to the next performer. Along with all the performers there is lot to keep the small as well as the big kids entertained with face painting, games and all sorts to do. All the performances are free but the performers do ask you to make a donation at the end of each of their acts. This is optional and there is no pressure to contribute should you decide against it. It will interesting to see how many people put some money in the hat for the performers in these troubling times. From what I seen last year, they did very well and I'd say they made a tidy sum each when it was all added up.

I'll be there tomorrow. Right now, looking out the window at work, the weather is a little overcast with a strong wind. Hopefully the sun will be out for tomorrow and the rain will stay off.

If you have some time this weekend it's worth a visit. It's free, fun and you won't be disappointed. Further information can be found at their blog, including interviews with the performers.

Moving House

It's been a while since I've posted anything. Sometimes I just don't get the time to blog while other times I just don't have anything that I want to write about.

Last month while I was on holiday in Thailand I received an email from the tenants of a house that I rent out. They said that they wanted to move out of the house. After them being in the house for more than 2 years there wasn't much I could do. One of the guys was going back to Poland while the other tenants wanted to be closer to their work. They also could not afford the rent without the Polish guy. So we agreed a months notice and I had a decision to make.

Moving back into my parents house after coming back to Ireland 18 months ago was a financial decision based on saving as money as quickly as possible to finance our move back to Thailand. It wasn't ideal but something I was willing to do as a means to an end even if my wife wasn't too keen.

I had a feeling that the tenants of the rented house would move out at some stage in the future due to the state of the economy in Ireland. I had thought maybe the end of the year but not this soon. Things were going too smoothly with rent coming in and low interest rates bringing down my mortgage repayments.

So what should I do? Get new tenants or move in myself? There wasn't really an option. We decided that we were going to move in ourselves. The tenants left the house last Saturday and we moved in on Monday. Thankfully they had taken good care of the house and there wasn't much to do to bring it up to standard.

Saturday night and Sunday were spending cleaning and moving our belongings over to our new home. On Monday morning we had the phone, internet and digital tv installed. A company came to clean the carpets in the afternoon while my wife spent the day finishing off the cleaning. I've been repairing bits and pieces here and there for the last few evenings. Were almost there with very little left to do. I'm delighted with how with a little bit of work, that the house looks great after more than 3 years of having been rented out.

My wife is obvious really happy that she now has a place that she can put her stamp on. The garden is next to be tackled. She has plans to grow her own fruit and vegetables so I have to prepare an area for that. With 4 bedrooms we now have somewhere for guests to stay. With visitors from Thailand and Sweden expected before the end of the year we can now accommodate them comfortably.

It's been great to have our own space for the last few days. With th ebig move out of th eway hopefully I can keep this blog updated a little more frequently.

Election Time

It's that time again in Ireland. Local and European elections are being held this Friday on June 5th. The campaigning has been going on for a long time now and I'm sick of these guys calling to the house door promising me a better future if they're elected. All the candidates have had their ugly mugs posted on lampposts throughout the country for the past few weeks. It all finishes tomorrow when the votes will be cast.

Although there are two separate issues to be resolved, European and Local, I feel it's a little confusing to distinguish who is going for the Europe vote as oppose to the Local Elections. Hopefully the European votes goes to pro Lisbon Treaty candidates as I fear we could be in trouble with our neighbours if we don't pass the treaty next time we are asked to vote. If it wasn't for Europe I think we would be in bigger hole than we are in at the moment with the global meltdown that the world finds itself in. Just look at Iceland.

Amongst all the jokers that are standing for the elections is Dermot Looney representing the Labour party. I know Dermot about 7 years now after first meeting him through Carrig Rovers. You've never heard of Carrig Rovers, I don't believe you. Well we were the pride of Bushy Park, lifting limited silverware over a 4 year period. Anyway that is the past and the legend of Carrig Rovers will live forever and celebrated for generations to come.

Dermot runs a great blog profiling his canvasing and electoral escapades. It's called the Looney Left and is a great read, giving insight to a young upstart politician trying to make a mark in his local area. It's worth taking a look at his blog especially if you are in the South Dublin County Council area where he is standing for election.

Football Silly Season

The Premier League has only just finished and the merry-go-round of players, managers and club owners is already in full swing. This is an exciting time for fans as news of big money signings are swirling around.

Gareth Barry has just signed for Manchester City for £12m. Aston Villa got a good price for him considering that there was only a year left on his contract. Today they are being linked with Carlos Tevez which would really annoy the Man U fans as they have been chanting his name from the stands for the past 2 years.

Chelsea has appointed Carlo Ancelotti as their new manager after he resigned from AC Milan. Expect a few new arrivals at Stamford Bridge this summer as Roman Abramovich seem to have got back his desire for the London club.

All is quiet with Liverpool and Man U so far. I would imagine that Rafa will ship a few duds out before signing 2 or 3 top players. Man U need to do something with their midfield as they seem to lack something in that area. It's hard to say who would solve that problem for them but if they can find the right player(s) they will lead the way again next season. Maybe if Hargreaves can stay fit he will help along with somebody creative that can feed the strikers with denfense splitting passes.

It will be a make or break season for Arsenal as they need to step up to the plate and deliver. Too many years there has been promise with nothing to show for it come May. With alot of players returning from injury, a few additions to the centre of defense and the return to form of Adebayor they could seriously challenge but this will depend on holding on to their best players.

I feel Man City are the only team that will have a chance to break into the 'top four' next season but only time will tell if they can put a 'team' together. Everton and Tottenham will probably be the best of the rest once again with all the other teams happy to retain their place in the Premier League and the big money that it guarantees.

In other parts of the world, Real Madrid have got a new manager and Florentino Perez has once again become president of the club promising big name signings and a return to the glory from the 'galactico era' of Zidane, Ronaldo and Figo. In Italy, Mourinho has signed a massive new deal which I think gives him about €13m per season. All this for achieving exactly the same as Mancini, his predecessor. He also has made Inter a hated club as he did with Chelsea with his arrogance and spiteful comments. You still got to love the guy, he is pure entertainment.

So that leaves just my beloved Leeds Utd who once again will ply their trade in League One after losing out yet again at the play-off stage. Looks like our top scorer, Jermaine Beckford, will leave so Ken Bates will have to dig into his pockets to find a replacement.

It will be all kicking off again in a few short months and I can't wait.

Bank Holiday Weekend

Last weekend was an extended one due to the bank holiday yesterday. So 3 days off work were much appreciated. The weather in Ireland has been great for the past 5-6 days. Over the weekend, the temperature has been in the mid 20's(degrees celsius). This fine weather puts everyone in a good mood.

On Saturday, my wife had a catering job. She had to prepare a choice of starters and 2 main courses for 55 people. Although she is a chef, this is a big party for her to cater for as she does everything from scratch. Spring rolls had to be rolled, prawns had to be wrapped, salads made and wontons prepared. She had spent about 2 days preparing for the party so come Saturday it was time to get cooking. The kitchen was hectic while I was ordered around, clean this, get me that I was told. Eventually we got there and the food was ready. The food was loaded into the car along with plates, napkins and cutlery and off we went to deliver. Apart from a slight spill on the back seat of my car every thing went smooth. The guy holding the party was delighted with the food so my wife was happy with the outcome.

Yesterday we went to Newry in Northern Ireland. We left home at 9am so to avoid any traffic. The journey was less than an hour on the M1 with no traffic what so ever. Maybe the good weather kept the cars off the road as people chose to sit in the sun. First stop was Currys in the retail park at the far end of Newry. We are going to buy a new tv and my wife has turned my head from my original plan of a 32" plasma to her preferred choice of a 50" plasma. So after comparing the prices I decided that buying the tv in the north just wasn't the best option. With the sterling-euro difference along with having to drive up to Newry with any faults, it was a non starter. Then we zoomed around Buttercrane and the Quays shopping centres, picking up a few bits and pieces before hitting the road. We got home around 3pm with little or no traffic again on th motorway.

At about 5pm we went to my aunts house for my cousin's birthday. They were having a bbq which was washed down with 8 bottles of Singha. There was about 15 of us and a good time was had with plenty of banter and slagging. At about 10pm we went home as I was back to work today.

Now it's back to the normal routine, until next weekend anyway. Oh and my car smells of penang curry.