Suspension of Time and Space

Alexia (a friend from Paris), Gene and I were lucky to bump into Eric Booth (P'Eric) one afternoon after visiting the super duper cool textiles exhibition at the Jim Thompson house/museum.  P'Eric invited us to a performance by Pichet, Thailand's foremost avant-garde performance artists at the Jim Thompson house.  

Alexia and Gene on tuk tuk goin to Jim Thompson

Gene and I - barefoot at the Jim Thompson house

Pichet's performance was dynamic, mysterious but also very clear and simple as he attempted to explain Khon or Thai classical dance . . .it was amazing . . .did not want to blink even . . .

"Theatre is the suspension of time and space" says Pichet, you never see someone die on stage, they die in the back. He showed us how the subtlest movement distinguishes one's role and tells stories and showed us how Thai dance and Thai architecture speak to each other. A lady will never cry in the open, always turning away to weep and the last tear is flicked away to forget.  Real life could learn a few things from theatre . . .

After the eye opening performance dinner was served at the restaurant in the compound.  I had a chance to catch up with P'Harry (who happens to be Gene's cousin) John and Malina. . .and of course the vivacious and sublimely beautiful Pasri Bunnag, Eric's mum and Jean Michel - they own Jim Thompson and are great patrons of the arts - truly inspiring. . . 

It really turned out to be a wonderful evening - like we were taken back into time, to a different Bangkok, the old Thai house and its grounds, the people and conversation . . . so in a way time and space were suspended in real life.

West Coast

Gene put some tracks on my computer some time ago, from a band called - Coconut Records - it's Jason Schwartzman's band.  It was love at first hearing - it is fantastic - mellow, cute and kind of nostalgic - a bit cheeky as well . . .

One of my favourite music videos EVER is the video for West Coast, with Mark Gonzales skating through Cologne and in a museum with Flavins and Opies . . . I will forever be a little skater girl . . . I love this video . . . . it's a couple years old now but still a classic . . . so right.



Kinda does make you wanna go to the West Coast . . . and yes, Gonzo is amazing.

Interval in Bangkok/Samui (the original)

So after paradise, reality will deal a complete blow, I came back from Bali to my last days as Creative Director of nsha, it was sad, but necessary, in the midst of drama that accompanies any break up, Bangkok still manages to whip up a surprise or two . . .Thanks to Nat Sarasas - Andre was in Bkk for the Belvedere IX party - that was a BLAST - Jeed posted the best pics on his blog a while back.  

concentrating really hard

another pose

It was my my first intro into the life of Nat and friends - nice intro.  Those guys are dope, they are away this weekend, I kinda miss them already - wish I could be in Phuket and get everyone on surfboards! But then again watching Roddick v. Murray live at Wimbledon on TV is not so bad either.  Anyhow the Belevedere party and the days after were pure fun . . . I took Andre before the party to one of my favourite spots Le Lys for yummy Thai food, that was my last time at the original spot as it has now moved.  The next couple of days were a blur . . . in the best way possible.

Andre 

Andre and I

Just when I thought finally I would stay put, after the weekend, my very good friend Yui Olivia of Olivia diamonds needed a break and kidnapped me to Samui . .. Powpow was there too for work.  We stayed at our friend Gene's hotel, Muang Kulaypan, I still love that place, very serene but still cool, love how it has not aged since the first time I went there 10 years ago. 

Gardens of Muang Kulaypan

Gene is another childhood friend, we met in England whilst still doing our GCSE's, he is an artist, a musician to be exact, Little Fox.  He used to sing Smashing Pumpkin songs to me on the phone when were in school . . . great voice and great style.

Gene with his new pipe

Gene's dog Charlotte drinking water from my glass!

Gene is still playing music, he is taking care of his own little slice of paradise with his father and has found another vocation in making tea, his own blend of Chai Tea, Little Fox's Chai, it's lovely, very aromatic, it's especially good when he prepares it for you.  I intended to make my own mix of lemongrass something or another but it did not happen . . . I think he should host another folk and poetry reading night like he did some time ago at the Discovery Museum near the flower market.

A TRIPTYCH

Yui and Pow

Yui and I

Pow and friends

It was NICE.  Yui totally needed a break, she is one of the best jewellry designers in the city and works really hard, sun and sea were good for her.  

Yui

I absolutely adore her jewellery, will post some up here later.  Olivia Diamonds is totally the spot here in Bkk, I particularly love the diamond piggies and the diamond bracelets.

Gene and I went out one night with Tant's parents - that was really so much fun. . I must say that her father gave me very good advice, he said GO - JUST GET AWAY and then you will figure it out . . .So glad we ended up having drinks on a terrace rather than getting on a boat to Phanghan for the full moon party - that would have been a mission! 

ME

Anyhow, reality hit after my little break in Samui where I realised that even though my life was great fun, I was in a bit of a quagmire, no job, no income and  . . .no boy, and apart from writing, I was not sure what I wanted to do . . . so after the customary sulking, I realised I needed to get out of it fast and would do whatever it takes. . . thus I went away, far away from Bkk, I went to Italy. . . so props to the support of family and friends who said go away if you have the chance, explore and just go with the flow . . . I went to Florence . . . and that was the first stop of what would become my little European tour of 2009.