tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696781428995081994Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:37:24 +0000Due to a theft of domain name I am now at the above address !http://thephnompen.blogspot.com/jgcambodia@gmail.com (The Phnom Pen)Blogger300125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696781428995081994.post-1055475487622888755Wed, 22 Apr 2009 06:12:00 +00002009-04-23T07:22:48.758+07:00Get your mind out of the gutter you lot !One thing I personally believe every household should have in it is a power drill. I had to borrow Murray's Bosch when I last hung photos in The Compound and as his has now blown up, I decided that as Veasna's birthday photos needed hanging and I have various other small projects in mind it was time to invest in my own.A quick phone call to Murray informedhttp://thephnompen.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html#1055475487622888755jgcambodia@gmail.com (The Phnom Pen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696781428995081994.post-4158452191795353120Tue, 21 Apr 2009 04:41:00 +00002009-04-21T11:49:20.036+07:00As a fan of American Idol and in particular Simon Cowell for his ability to keep it real when everyone else around him is gushing forth with crap, this clip is truly legendary. Apparently I am a bit behind the 8 ball as this lass' performance on Britain has Talent has been viewed over 100,000,000 times on various websites but I am glad I got to see this.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=http://thephnompen.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html#4158452191795353120jgcambodia@gmail.com (The Phnom Pen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696781428995081994.post-7976418388090788699Mon, 20 Apr 2009 06:56:00 +00002009-04-20T14:11:02.013+07:00Back home, as 12a.m approaches on New Year's Eve everyone is usually tanked up,throwing up, partying their arses off and getting ready to snog some random spunk or their partner, pop some bubbly etc etc.Grace couldn't hack it.ZZZZZZZZYou know what they do in Cambodia ?. For about an hour leading up to 1.30a.m ( that's NYEhere ), they watch this inane TV broadcast with a bunch of holyish apsarars http://thephnompen.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html#7976418388090788699jgcambodia@gmail.com (The Phnom Pen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696781428995081994.post-134968720724673375Mon, 20 Apr 2009 03:17:00 +00002009-04-20T10:32:01.813+07:00I'll tell you when I am finished with the spoon ok ?Our little Grace is coming along marvellously. She now has her two top teeth coming down and is a very confident, inquisitive and all round easy to manage baby. She is eating EVERYTHING that we throw at her - baby foods, bread, rice soup, soft boiled eggs,yogurt, ice cream, mango and she can destroy a bottle of formula in seconds.Her favourite http://thephnompen.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html#134968720724673375jgcambodia@gmail.com (The Phnom Pen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696781428995081994.post-6305089669418838606Mon, 20 Apr 2009 02:23:00 +00002009-04-20T09:25:52.145+07:00Well I sold the Jeep last week. Then the guy recanted. As part of the sale process I had to put some new Monroe shocks on the front and all of a sudden the car was riding like a Rolls Royce. After a heavy rain storm on Saturday afternoon and then battling waste deep water along 136 st in the Jeep to get to my Poker game whilst all around me were conked out, I have decided to keep it . I bloody http://thephnompen.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html#6305089669418838606jgcambodia@gmail.com (The Phnom Pen)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696781428995081994.post-1027944107991502995Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:58:00 +00002009-04-20T09:04:40.850+07:00The Lord of The Manor - Paul <!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"http://thephnompen.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html#1027944107991502995jgcambodia@gmail.com (The Phnom Pen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696781428995081994.post-945643704695534334Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:40:00 +00002009-04-20T07:58:53.510+07:00Looks like and Apple iPhone......... <!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if !mso]> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } <![endif]--> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pthttp://thephnompen.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html#945643704695534334jgcambodia@gmail.com (The Phnom Pen)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696781428995081994.post-6504049661302887111Fri, 10 Apr 2009 02:56:00 +00002009-04-10T10:29:57.844+07:00What were you doing 30 odd years ago ? Like me, I bet you were tucked up in suburbia enjoying the good life ?I was happily attending Neutral bay Public School in Sydney, enjoying being a Boy Scout, riding skateboards, learning how to surf and generally leading the life of a happy little kid. Australia was and is the Lucky Country and the greatest threat I faced was a wooden spooning from my dad (http://thephnompen.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html#6504049661302887111jgcambodia@gmail.com (The Phnom Pen)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696781428995081994.post-8200867995525281044Mon, 06 Apr 2009 01:19:00 +00002009-04-06T08:28:51.163+07:00Last Friday night I got roped into auctioneering duties at a Penfold's wine tasting night at the Intercontinental. Sponsored by ABAC,ANZ and Infinity Insurance and with proceeds going to the Sunrise Orphanage I was a little nervous as I had never auctioneered before but I volunteered because I thought " how hard can it be ??". With 50 people in attendance and with tickets costing $80 for the http://thephnompen.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html#8200867995525281044jgcambodia@gmail.com (The Phnom Pen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696781428995081994.post-8713595439082332332Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:13:00 +00002009-04-01T09:38:42.741+07:00Well yesterday we had a very nice surprise indeed. It seems that the larger block of land we bought in Kep falls within an area slated for industrial development by the Governor of Kep. Luckily, my brother-in-law is very good friends with the Governor so rather than having our land simply stolen as is often the case, they have offered us a more than fair price. In fact, the 2700m2 block of http://thephnompen.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html#8713595439082332332jgcambodia@gmail.com (The Phnom Pen)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696781428995081994.post-5077724653417970952Tue, 31 Mar 2009 02:52:00 +00002009-03-31T11:38:53.148+07:00Chris and Isabelle My mate Chris Brown and wife Ahya have just had their second child. A healthy 4.4kg girl ( that's 9.5 pounds folks !! ) with a crop of hair to rival Donald Trump and a ruddy complexion, she now completes the Brown's one boy ( Alex ) /one girl entourage. Chris is now looking for a clinic to have a vasectomy (as it is Chris this will be simple micro-surgery ) and I have told him http://thephnompen.blogspot.com/2009_03_01_archive.html#5077724653417970952jgcambodia@gmail.com (The Phnom Pen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696781428995081994.post-4192884932365641452Mon, 30 Mar 2009 01:11:00 +00002009-03-30T08:19:27.995+07:00On my travels on the weekend I drove past a non-descript shed and barely noticed in graffiti style spray paint the word SKATE on the front fence. I stopped to have a look and lo and behold there was a skating rink with polished terrazzo concrete floor, some whoop de doos and disco music blaring. A few khmer kids were strapping on in-line skates and I was wishing I had my longboard with me !http://thephnompen.blogspot.com/2009_03_01_archive.html#4192884932365641452jgcambodia@gmail.com (The Phnom Pen)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696781428995081994.post-1610909831339338121Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:36:00 +00002009-03-30T08:05:25.542+07:00MMMM "Perfume"....My live-in brother-in-law Veasna turned 17 on Saturday so Leakhana and I decided to spoil him. He has been living with us a month now and ( or is it tow ? ) and he deserved a treat. The kids in my family ( hell..everyone for that matter ) have hardly ever celebrated their birthdays for two reasons - none of them seem 100% sure when their birth dates are and there has not been http://thephnompen.blogspot.com/2009_03_01_archive.html#1610909831339338121jgcambodia@gmail.com (The Phnom Pen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696781428995081994.post-253958357150072515Fri, 27 Mar 2009 01:10:00 +00002009-03-27T08:13:18.274+07:00A few drinks at ABAC Sundowners and then on to Eden Bar for the Texas Hold Em tournament. Played for 5 hours and eventually dipped out. Total spend ; Buy-in - $10, Beers - $5.What was more interesting is Eden's new sign. Take a GOOD look at it.http://thephnompen.blogspot.com/2009_03_01_archive.html#253958357150072515jgcambodia@gmail.com (The Phnom Pen)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696781428995081994.post-3915639117741382387Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:53:00 +00002009-03-24T07:58:45.983+07:00Here comes the sun.....I have been going to work early this week and the sunrises have been phenomenal. That's one of the bonuses of living in SEA - sunrise and sunset are guaranteed to please. I love the early hours of the day here in Phnom Penh. The city is waking up, everyone ( except me ) is exercising, it is cool,food scents are starting to waft and it is just a great time to be alive !The http://thephnompen.blogspot.com/2009_03_01_archive.html#3915639117741382387jgcambodia@gmail.com (The Phnom Pen)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696781428995081994.post-8225072481058621620Mon, 23 Mar 2009 01:42:00 +00002009-03-23T08:46:21.845+07:00After a long hot day of chores around the house and having had a very quiet Friday night, I decided to go and sit in on the Red Fox poker game. The Red Fox seems to be poker central in Phnom Penh, with games going on most nights and many a time I have gone past the front of the bar and seen the guys playing and thought about joining them. Brett the owner had just put the finishing touches onhttp://thephnompen.blogspot.com/2009_03_01_archive.html#8225072481058621620jgcambodia@gmail.com (The Phnom Pen)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696781428995081994.post-7831833689643485210Fri, 20 Mar 2009 01:05:00 +00002009-03-20T08:48:38.938+07:00Yesterday afternoon whilst consuming a cold Asahi, I got a hankering for a game of poker and a quick phone call confirmed that Eden Bar was holding a tourney from 8pm. At the allotted hour I turned up and about 10 of us headed upstairs to the intimate little private back room complete with AC, poker table and....best of all.....a young Khmer guy who did dealer duties all night and ran a tighter http://thephnompen.blogspot.com/2009_03_01_archive.html#7831833689643485210jgcambodia@gmail.com (The Phnom Pen)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696781428995081994.post-7730080468219430462Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:22:00 +00002009-03-19T08:08:44.508+07:00Up here in Cambodia there is an abundance of cheap labour. And I do mean CHEAP. Adam...you would love doing business here - your average construction worker earns $60 a month and that's 6 days / 10 + hours a day. Casual rates for unskilled workers run at $1 an hour. With the Global Economic Melt Down forcing Cambodia's garment sector into complete breakdown and mass sackings a daily event, there http://thephnompen.blogspot.com/2009_03_01_archive.html#7730080468219430462jgcambodia@gmail.com (The Phnom Pen)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696781428995081994.post-2846259099065727785Wed, 18 Mar 2009 23:55:00 +00002009-03-19T07:19:10.062+07:00Lock and LoadMy poker buddy and International Man of Mystery, "Afghan Dan" ( real name withheld ), arrived back from his "contract" in Kabul,Afghanistan, last week. Dan is a shady character who moves best at night and whilst the poker crew know what Afghan Dan does up there in that war torn region none of us choose to discuss it out of respect for his secre....er..privacy. Hell, all the poker http://thephnompen.blogspot.com/2009_03_01_archive.html#2846259099065727785jgcambodia@gmail.com (The Phnom Pen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696781428995081994.post-3628208699133118681Tue, 17 Mar 2009 01:18:00 +00002009-03-17T08:31:22.709+07:00This won't hurt a bit Grace.....you ready ?As the temperatures soared on Saturday there was only one thing for it and that was to hit the pool at work for a swim. After googling extensively, I also felt I was suitably equipped with enough tips to get Grace underwater for the first time and the results were very positive. After a few minutes paying in the pool and getting her comfortable it was anhttp://thephnompen.blogspot.com/2009_03_01_archive.html#3628208699133118681jgcambodia@gmail.com (The Phnom Pen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696781428995081994.post-2751657045310116290Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +00002009-03-23T12:53:27.782+07:00<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if !mso]> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } <![endif]--> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; http://thephnompen.blogspot.com/2009_03_01_archive.html#2751657045310116290jgcambodia@gmail.com (The Phnom Pen)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696781428995081994.post-420336357669002685Mon, 09 Mar 2009 08:23:00 +00002009-03-09T15:28:55.347+07:00Hey - No photos when I am in my changing room !Sing it ; "Another one bites the duck hey hey another one bites the duck....."Gobsmacked ; Have you seen Vichea's chest ?Vichea. The Johnny Weismuller of Cambodian infants.http://thephnompen.blogspot.com/2009_03_01_archive.html#420336357669002685jgcambodia@gmail.com (The Phnom Pen)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696781428995081994.post-6057174513227478074Mon, 09 Mar 2009 07:45:00 +00002009-03-12T15:29:30.794+07:00When we inherited Veasna recently, we were also given all of Phalla's much beloved plants and Veasna bought his much red frangipani ( khmer ; Champei or Funeral tree ) with him. Now all the palms have been relegated to the back courtyard to give us some privacy in at least one area of our house and the front has taken on a whole new look. Veasna is a very keen gardener and between the two of us, http://thephnompen.blogspot.com/2009_03_01_archive.html#6057174513227478074jgcambodia@gmail.com (The Phnom Pen)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696781428995081994.post-2153030887275555891Mon, 09 Mar 2009 01:10:00 +00002009-03-09T09:45:51.599+07:00<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if !mso]> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } <![endif]--> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; http://thephnompen.blogspot.com/2009_03_01_archive.html#2153030887275555891jgcambodia@gmail.com (The Phnom Pen)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3696781428995081994.post-5004159289809953476Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:46:00 +00002009-03-05T08:39:02.341+07:00DuncanYesterday I blogged about bizarre dreams brought on by eating prawns and wild mushrooms. Well, last night after a visit to our local beer garden for BBQ beef and an 8p.m bed time, it happened again. Leakhana could not sleep and I awoke at 2a.m to find her listening to Duffy on the new iPod and when she went downstairs to watch TV with Grace, I slipped back into a deep sleep and the dream http://thephnompen.blogspot.com/2009_03_01_archive.html#5004159289809953476jgcambodia@gmail.com (The Phnom Pen)0