But nobody seems to have told these two; or maybe they just don’t listen:

Or, from the same musical source and perhaps more appropriate given that we are talking more Chinese gods than Buddha: Paint it black.

Having not had a chance to play much with my new camera, I took a little trip to Viharn Sien this morning. a pretty Chinese temple next to the lake featured in the Pattaya Days header image.

It a depressing feature of modern life that, on occasion, young men will take a gun or three and open fire on a school, workplace or some other location where people are gathered. Society recoils in horror and urgently needs a scapegoat for this evil deed. It could be poor parenting, a history of abuse, a pervasive gun culture, or just teenage hormones needing an extreme outlet; but all of these reasons need some analysis, and perhaps some partial acceptance of culpability by those doing the analysing. So it is much easier to blame it on a video game.

Regular readers may recall the collision between two boats earlier this month which resulted in two deaths.

As predicted, the overhaul of safety procedures and prosecution of the owners of the boats never happened; but the unwitting drivers of the boats were promptly arrested because it was their fault they were employed without being properly licenced…..

There has now been some more “action”. A meeting was held yesterday morning at Pattaya City Hall, attended by a cast of thousands where, according to Pattaya Daily News, it was stated “that the city needs co-operation from all of the boat owners to strictly control their staff in following the rules. Police officers and rescue teams, including Harbour Department officers must be on patrol and arrest any illegal boat or boats that break any rules. Boats must be fully checked before leaving the pier and life jackets must be provided for everyone.”

There is a man with a barrow full of fried insects who appears after dark. He announces his presence by playing the drums and then follows up with a performance on the spoons.

You can’t beat a bit of misery for Xmas.

Quite frankly I am sick of the manufactured pap that too often passes for popular music. Nowhere is this crap more publicly promoted than in the feeble “talent” shows such as the X-Factor which I have never personally suffered; but was made aware of the winner last year whose claim to fame was that she looked like an elephant but could actually sing. Her crime was then to release a cover, or rather a crude karaoke version of Hallelujah, a song that only should be attempted by artists. I understand this year’s winner has released similar junk and has been successfully kept from the number one position by a mass purchasing of a Rage Against The Machine song, which I have never heard either, but it has to be better than Cowell-pop.

Consider the cow.

Look deep into the eyes and what do you see? A soulful being pondering existence and yearning for a mountain top and clear air? Unlikely, unless you are on drugs. At best it is ruminating about why it has to ruminate and manage a four-compartment stomach just to process grass. Most likely it is just being, and waiting to be a steak.

But imagine how Dick McDonald would have felt if he had awoken one morning and decided that such a gentle, placid creature should not be destined to be substantial component of a Big Mac (along with worms, cardboard and the general detritus swept off the floor at the abattoir). Imagine if he dedicated the rest of his life to righting his perceived wrongs.

The polo event this weekend was the Polo Escape Celebration; and they decided this meant there had to be fireworks. “Can you take some photos please?”, was the request; little realising that to snap fireworks you need a tripod and a remote release, neither of which I had with me. Never mind, I used a table, stuck a couple of the trophies in front of me, propped up the camera on a pair of socks (slightly smelly), and pointed it approximately across the field where men with torches appeared to be preparing to do the business. I think they turned out quite well.

It is an accepted ritual that the purchase of any new camera should be marked with the photographing of a cat. Such photographs are most often prominently displayed on photo sites by those who have just bought a zillion dollars worth of Leica and decide to show off their purchase by a snap of their cat disappearing in a blur behind the dustbin. This can lead to some disparaging comments.

Proud new owner: Here’s my cat, taken with my new zillion dollar camera. Sorry it’s a bit blurred. And dark. And only part of the cat; and not the attractive part.

Commenter: RTFM

Proud new owner: ?

Commenter: Read the fucking manual.

Not wishing to break with tradition, I cornered Tiki on the balcony this afternoon and aimed the GF1 at her eye. Seems like the focus works OK.