I have been exploring dinosaur country this past week, otherwise known as Isan, or to be more specific in my case, northern Chaiyaphum.
There was great excitement in this province recently when they announced the discovery of the largest-ever dinosaur which roamed the planet.
The province even gets an honorary mention in the pre-historic creature's official name, Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis.
Now, you wouldn't want to mess with that would you? The name is admittedly bit of a mouthful but deserving of such a scary monster.
The word "dinosaur" translates from the original Greek as "terrible lizard" which feels like something of an understatement for something that looks so fearsome.
Suffice to say it is definitely more menacing than Thailand's most popular lizard, the jing-jok (gecko). There are few households in Thailand that do not have a family of jing-jok in residence. They are quite harmless and do a terrific job keeping down the mozzies.
Unfortunately, for all of their undoubted skills at walking on the ceiling the jing-joks do sometimes fall off and have been known to make spectacular plunges into the "soup of the day" at fancy restaurants.
Back to the "terrible lizard". The people are very proud of their dinosaurs in these parts and throughout the Northeast.
The small towns between Chumphae and Khon Kaen are well represented by large replicas of dinosaurs overseeing traffic at road intersections with the Tyrannosaurus particularly in evidence.
There is a dinosaur museum at Phu Wiang, 87 kilometres northwest of Khon Kaen provincial town. My wife cheekily suggested that an ancient relic like me would not be out of place as one of the exhibits.
You never know, they might find a discreet corner for a Delapedatus crutchus.
Hot dog verdict
Following last week's item on hot dog etiquette in the United States concerning the use of ketchup. My thanks to former Bangkok Post colleague Alan Dawson for the following g important information.
In the 1983 Clint Eastwood movie Sudden Impact, Inspector Harry Callahan arrives at the scene of a murder on the beach, with mangled body and he tells a fellow officer:
"Nah, this isn't getting to me, the shootings, the knifings, the beatings of old ladies being bashed in the head for their social security cheques… Nah, that doesn't bother me.
"But you know what does bother me? You know what really makes me sick in my stomach? It's watching you stuff your face with those hot dogs. Nobody, and I mean nobody, puts ketchup on a hot dog."
So now you know.
Billie Joe's bridge
With America's 250th birthday celebrations still ongoing I would like to sneak in a few more musical memories courtesy of the US. Last week I made a reference to Bobbie Gentry's Ode to Billy Joe without explaining its appeal. For me, this 1967 song is an absolute classic, both in sound and lyrics.
An atmospheric song, the opening line which informs us it's "another sleepy Delta dusty day" sets the tone. Gentry's sultry Southern twang makes you listen to the lyrics. Like probably everyone else, I never quite figured out what it was that Billie Joe and his girlfriend threw off the Tallahatchie Bridge.
Following the song's release, that bridge at Choctaw Ridge became one of the most famous in the world, despite its relatively small size. People around the globe were intrigued by the tragic fictional tale of Billie Joe. The bridge became a massive tourist attraction and the police had problems preventing people jumping off it. Fortunately it was only six meters high so no-one did themselves too much damage.
California comfort
It might be a coincidence but two of my favourite pop songs from the mid-sixties concern California, the only US state I have visited. Released in 1965, there was the feel-good Beach Boys hit "California Girls" written by Brian Wilson. There is a particularly melodic orchestral intro before the singing starts.
Then there is the iconic California Dreamin' by The Mamas and the Papas. That song must have been responsible for many Californians pining for home. It was written by John and Michelle Phillips when they were suffering a severe New York winter and Michelle in particular was missing the warmth of her home in California. There is also a terrific version by Jose Feliciano.
Take me home
One American song that has kept West Virginia on the map is Take Me Home, Country Roads released by John Denver in 1971. It has always been hugely popular in Thailand and if you ever attend a karaoke session you'll be lucky if you escape without hearing someone having a bash at it.
Many readers of a mature age are probably familiar with Country Roads, so why not start the day with a hearty breakfast rendition of "Country roads, take me home to the place I belong…"
Cooke's letters
One thing I miss concerning the US is Alistair Cooke's weekly "Letter From America", which used to be broadcast on BBC World Service shortwave until he passed away in 2004.
A gifted raconteur, Cooke had the knack of making the most complex issue in America comprehensible to listeners all in the space of 15 minutes. It felt like he was in the room with you having a fireside chat. He was an absolute master of his trade.
One wonders what he would have made of America these days.
