"The Rounds" September 23, 2005

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Hurricanes are widely classified according to wind speed on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale; here's that classification system:

(You can calculate the above wind speeds in kilometers per hour, approximately, by multiply the numbers by 1.6.)

The CNN story says Katrina was the most powerful hurricane ever to strike the U.S. mainland. At the reported sustained speed of 175 mph/280 kph, it's clear Katrina was massively strong, making all the more lucky the death numbers are still running far below early, fearful predictions. To put that speed in perspective, if you were already airborne approaching Bangkok from the southwest headed straight toward Vientiane, Laos at 280 kph and never slowed, flying over the Laotian capital at the same speed, it would take you a only slightly under 1 hour and 50 minutes to cover the 500 kilometers separating the 2 cities. (Let's hope those numbers continue to stay relatively low.)

The other point of main interest in the CNN story is that it also reports the average number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes globally -- called "typhoons" on this side of the world, of course, has risen. Three decades ago, the average number was 11; just since 1990 that number as climbed to 18, a remarkable increase for so short a time.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the U.S. government has compiled a page of satellite images of Hurricane Katrina (available on the page at high resolution). You can see a particularly stunning view of Hurricane Katrina here. Note the sheer size of the storm.

Thanks to reader J. Osborne for the heads-up to the information making it possible for me to track down additional info for this story. [Saturday, September 17, 2005]

It's Thursday as I write, and I spent the last several hours reading up on the latest hurricane threatening the U.S. mainland, Hurricane Rita.

If anything, Hurricane Rita is even more extraordinary, at least for now, than Hurricane Katrina was. For example, it went from a Category 2 storm to a monster Category 5 storm in a stunning 2 hours, its sustained maximum winds going during that interval from 188kph/115mph -- unprecedented, as best as I can determine after several hours' worth of reading. Since then, those speeds have increased to 265kph/165mph, with gusts up to 280kph/175mph. Before that mighty leap, forecasters were predicting it would reach Category 3 (likely) or maybe Category 4 (less likely); early on, no one expected it to increase to Category 5, certainly in not such an incredibly short time.

Hurricane-force winds extend out about 112 kilometers 70 miles from the eye of the storm -- and tropical-storm extend about another 175km/110 miles beyond that (as of now).

The meteoroligic factors allowing this storm to become so powerful so quickly have to do with the source of power for a hurricane: warm waters and an absence of upper-atmosphere winds helping moderate that force increase.

There is a warm current in the Gulf Of Mexico along which Hurricane Rita is pretty precisely following. But the explanation goes deeper than that. First is that the water is warmer than usual, significantly so: about 35°C/85°F. Second is that the current usually has a maximum depth around 38m/125ft -- but it now reaches all the way down to about 92m/300ft deep, well over double its normal depth.

Nothing I read indicates the current flows along the final leg of Hurricane Rita's most likely route as it curves north, implying there may be a chance of the storm weakening at least a little before making landfall somewhere around Houston -- as happened shortly before Hurricane Katrina struck further east along the Gulf Coast less than a month ago.

On the plus side, response as been far better this time from all concerned than was the case with Hurricane Katrina. All levels of government are scrambling, as are private relief organizations, even as I type. The same holds true for potential victims: an estimated 1.3 million people in the danger area are evacuating inland. All of that's good -- as one federal official was quoted as saying, it's far better to have too much of everything there and the storm fizzles than for it to roar ashore a la Katrina with people sedately refusing to evacuate and no one really prepared to help them.

Visit the National Hurricane Center website for further information. [Thursday, September 22, 2005]

I got the following e-mail press release this morning that may be of interest to people who can design:

	TSUNAMI MEMORIAL DESIGN COMPETITION Council of Architects, Thailand The Information Technology and Communication Bldg. Wisutkasat Road Pranakorn, Bangkok 10200 Thailand www.tsunamimemorial.or.th E-mail info@tsunamimemorial.or.th Fax +66 (0) 2280 8882
For Immediate Release		Press Release 21 September 2005
Thailand Launches International Competition for Building Memorial to Commemorate Tsunami Disaster
BANGKOK, THAILAND, 21 September 2005: The Government of Thailand will soon build a memorial to commemorate the devastating December 2004 Tsunami that claimed thousands of lives across South and Southeast Asia. Today, at a launch event, press conference and exhibition, held at the United Nations Conference Center, Bangkok, Thailand, the Thai Government announced the Tsunami Memorial Design Competition, open to all architects and designers, artists and laypersons to design and submit concepts for a memorial that will be built to commemorate the victims, both Thai and foreign, of the devastating December 26 Tsunami that struck the six southern provinces of Thailand along the Andaman coast along with their islands. Presiding over the auspicious event was Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop. Some 5,395 Thai and foreign nationals lost their lives, 8,457 people were injured and 2,817 are still missing, while the total amount of damage due to the December 26 Tsunami to the economy, society, geological settings, ecological systems and coastline landscape is still difficult to assess. The Government of Thailand has launched the Tsunami Memorial International Design Competition with the goal of gathering and developing ideas and concepts with the objective of building an appropriate and interactive Memorial. The Thai Government has selected a site in Khao Lak – Lamru National Park in Phangnga, the hardest hit province in Thailand, to build the Tsunami Memorial as a permanent tribute to those who lost their lives.

According to Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop, the Thai Government felt it was important to establish some form of cooperative effort between Thais and foreigners to remember the tremendous losses attributed to the Tsunami.

“At the same time, the proposed memorial is to honor all those across the globe who provided assistance and relief to Tsunami-affected persons immediately after the Tsunami hit and in the hours, days and weeks that followed,” announced Deputy Prime Minister Suwat.

“Thus the Tsunami Memorial Project should not just be a memorial to the dead, and to the horror of December’s natural disaster, but also a monument to the living, to the friendship and humanity that was demonstrated by all. It is hoped that the project once completed will be a place where people from all over the world would like to visit and pay tribute,” the Deputy Prime Minister added.

To carry out the international competition, the Sub-Committee for Tsunami Memorial Project, headed by its chairman, Dr. Plodprasob Suraswadi, has set up a working committee to act as competition organizer. The Competition Organizing Committee chaired by Prof. Dr. Apinan Poshyananda, Director-General of the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture, Ministry of Culture, has appointed the Council of Architects Thailand as the Competition Advisor to manage the international competition as well as oversee the competition procedure.

The Tsunami Memorial will be created through a two-stage international competition. Stage I is open to all. A jury of prominent design professionals from Thailand and other countries will select five finalists, who will then be invited to further develop their concepts together with an architect who has a license to practice in Thailand in Stage I of the competition. A second jury will then review these designs and recommend a final design for submittal to the Government of Thailand in May 2006.

The concepts from the five finalists will be displayed at an exhibition planned during the foundation stone laying ceremony at Khao Lak – Lamru National Park in Phangnga. H.E. Prime Minister Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra will preside over the event on 26 December 2005.

The five individuals or teams participating in Stage II of the Tsunami Memorial Design Competition become eligible to receive a US$ 25,000 Honorarium. The Honorarium will be paid upon submission of a refined concept for Stage II. The owner of the selected final design will sign a contract with the Thai Government and then be asked to work cooperatively together with architects registered in Thailand in the development of the final design for construction.

Dr. Plodprasob Suraswadi, Chairman of the Sub-Committee for the Tsunami Memorial Project, stated, “On behalf of the Thai Government, we would like to invite architects, designers, artists and laypersons from around the world, to enter this competition, which commemorates those who lost their lives, not only Thais, but all citizens. This competition is a great opportunity for all nations to participate in the spirit of kindness and to help and support the countries most affected by the disaster.”

The Government of Thailand invites individuals or teams to participate in the competition. Registration information has been placed online.

The web-site (http://www.tsunamimemorial.or.th) provides all pertinent information, including the official competition manual and other data relevant to the competition.

For more information on the Tsunami Memorial Design Competition, please contact the Competition Advisor at:

Tsunami Memorial Design Competition

Council of Architects, Thailand

The Information Technology Building

Wisutkasat Road, Pranakorn, Bangkok 10200, Thailand

Fax: (66) 2 280 8882

Email: info@tsunamimemorial.or.th

Or contact:

BrandComm Consultants Co., Ltd.

The Official Public Relations Consultants to the Tsunami Memorial Design Competition

Fax: (66) 2 645 0170

Email: simon@brandcomm-pr.com

I feel this is a worthy effort by the government to remember those killed by last year's tsunami. While I realize a relatively small number of readers may have both the ability and interest to investigate this further, even those of you who don't but do know someone who might be interested can let them know. [Thursday, September 22, 2005]

There's a story at CNN Money that actually came out Wednesday of last week but which I just saw about financial woes of 2 major U.S. air carriers that could affect passengers.

In a story headlined "More airline turbulence ahead" it was reported that both Delta and Northwest -- the 3rd- and 4th-largest U.S. carriers respectively -- filed for bankruptcy, Delta first, followed half an hour later by Northwest.

The immediate fear of anyone traveling either (or both) airlines is that the carrier will stop operations. A little surprised at the story's quotes of experts that such is not likely to happen, I read a number of other online articles quoting a wide variety of expert observers. The history is there: generally, major carriers don't stop flying in this kind of situation.

However, that doesn't mean travelers won't necessarily find themselves unaffected. For one thing, schedules, especially to less profitable destinations, may be reduced -- or even eliminated entirely. Even in the former case, schedules may become less convenient and planes more crowded.

And there are exceptions; people old enough may well recall the debacles at the now long-defunct Braniff in the U.S., which went bankrupt not just once, but twice and travelers were indeed affected, their tickets worthless.

Why should anyone here care? -- well, for one thing, Northwest flies directly to Bangkok; though Delta does not, it does have a ticketing office here and through a multiple airline provides connecting service. (Delta used to fly here, up until sometime in the 1990's, but pulled out of direct service.)

Anyone working for Delta has to be worried, not only about their jobs, but their insurance and pensions. And stockholders may be looking on nervously. I have friends retired from Northwest, and I'm quite sure they are paying close attention.

For them, and for everyone else facing possible effects, I sure do hope the carriers pull through okay. [Thursday, September 22, 2005]

This is a most pleasant bar in the Cambodian capital (and a pleasant change of tone in this week's column!)

I discovered this bar 2 or 3 trips ago, and on my last trip nearly a month ago I and my 2 friends visited it, as it is one of our favorite watering holes. The friendly American owner, Robert runs a great place; his prices for food and drink are very reasonable, the food delicious, and the staff all very friendly. As is true of Cambodians in the capital in general; they speak at least passable English and in some instances pretty good.

Open from noon until about midnight 7 days a week, the bar atmosphere is pleasant as well, in part because of the positives above, and in part because it's pleasing to the eye and comfortable. (I happened not to have my camera with me either of the 2 times I've visited so far, but plan to rectify that oversight next time around.)

I haven't actually eaten there except for a piece of cheesecake -- home-made and to die for -- but a friend who has tried the S.O.S. says it's as much to die for as the cheesecake. We had the cheesecake, made by Robert himself, this last trip, and I promise you I and my friends were way more than pleased. One of my buddies bought one, made fresh, necessitating a happy return visit a few hours later. Robert passed through Bangkok earlier this week on his way to visit the States a month or so, and he brought along another cheesecake for my friend who had bought one. Because they're friends, Robert made both thicker than his standard one -- but his standard one is worth every cent of the US$15 it costs, I promise you that. (Unless you don't like cheesecake, that is -- unthinkable to me!)

Wat Phnom is a famous Buddhist temple located on a traffic circle across the street from Coyote Ugly Bar. In another direction, it is across the street diagonally from Casa Hotel -- but if you tell your taxi driver that, be sure to stress you mean the other Casa Hotel; our driver took us to one on the Mekhong River first, then, when we were puzzled by an entirely different name on the hotel, we asked him why he had brought us there. He explained that in a previous incarnation, that hotel was called the "Casa Hotel," and many local drivers still call it that. It's far grander than the one across from Coyote Ugly, so it's reasonable a driver would assume a Western visitor meant that one.

Robert hasn't gotten around to making a website yet, though I told him last trip I'd do a basic one for him for free if he'll provide me the information (digitized picture and menu, for instance). He wants to wait until he gets back from holiday, but once we have that up and running, I'll advertise the link.

Do give the bar a visit -- and tell them you heard about it from Bear's friend Kurt! (They don't know anything about the "Mekhong" part of my moniker.) [Thursday, September 22, 2005]

There's an interesting report on CNN about a new booklet the Paris-based Reporters without Borders freedom of expression advocacy organization, especially as that freedom applies in public venues such as traditional news media (both print and electric), and, now, specifically Internet bloggers.

In the story headlined "Guide aims to help bloggers beat censors," the network gives front-page coverage to the story. The story mentions the languages in which the booklet, available as a paper book and electronically via the Internet (both free). Those languages are telling; besides French and English, it currently is available in 3 other languages: Arabic, Persian, and Chinese.

A number of Arabic-speaking countries', Iran's, and China's government have come under harsh criticism for their efforts to curb freedom of expression over the Internet. Google has come under heavy fire for its cooperation with the authorities in Beijing to filter out certain words and phrases (including such dangerous ones as "democracy" and "Tiananmen Square," according to media reports).

The story also says the organization explicitly takes the stand the booklet is not intended to help terrorists or other criminals. Yet it would be foolish to suppose that such people who don't already know the information in the booklet can use it just as much as an blogger who lives under a repressive regime and is trying no more than to broadcast news the public media either cannot or are afraid to broadcast because of that very regime.

The guide also makes the critical point that anyone using any of the techniques discussed in it should check to see just how severe penalties are where they are should they get caught. Only with that knowledge can a blogger considering crossing the legal line make an informed decision.

I don't think any of us would say organizations such as Reporters without Borders support, for example, websites of terrorist groups. Quite awhile ago it was reported here in Thailand that the website of a violent separatist organization is blocked -- and I fully agree with the authorities on that.

I haven't read the booklet, but if the information it contains is in fact helpful in helping Internet surfers to get around censorship nets, I'm sure we'll be hearing howls of anguish from regimes whose leaders live with the haunting fear that someone, somewhere, somehow may actually be able to dispute what those regimes are saying.

That brings up the point about a government's abilities. I have no idea what it takes, in terms of technology, techniques, or money, to effectively impose controls on the use of the Internet, but I suppose the majority of governments with concerns have access to all three, so I suppose if that information is useful, they'll scramble to counter and overcome them.

This issue is a flashpoint for many people on both sides of the debate, with passions sometimes running very high indeed. This development may well contribute to that passionate discourse. [Friday, September 23, 2005]

George Pipas, a.k.a. "Generous George" and "The Rabbi," is set to return Saturday, October 1st, to resume the helm at the Texas Lone Staar Saloon in Washington Square.

George has been gone since about May 12th or so on his annual trek to be with his beloved Mary Ann at their home in Pensacola, Florida.

Getting information from George over the telephone is notoriously difficult, and the person to whom he said he was returning was not able to keep him on the line long enough to find out if George will be on the EVA flight that arrives late Saturday morning or the one that lands about 5 o'clock that afternoon. However, past on quite a few years' experience, my bet goes for the late-morning arrival; most of his Old Thai Hand friends are daytime folks, and he likes to head straight for the bar from the airport and hold his opening court, something akin to the opening session of a national parliament -- with himself in the lead role of Prince-Prime Minister-President and -- most importantly, Proprietor.

The girls will have mixed feelings: on the one hand, his long-time employees dote on him (or his antics, anyway), but when he's here, they can't get away with watching Thai television, at least not in his presence.

Those of you who would like to greet, harangue, and heckle might drop around. (You may want to confirm first -- if possible -- his arrival time before making the trek.) [Friday, September 23, 2005]

I got Chris' monthly newsletter yesterday and want to pass along the highlights.

Long-time readers know I'm a friend and huge fan of Chris, regarding him, as I do, an under-appreciated author -- though that's changing. I'm later than I would like to be in reviewing his latest novel, Gambling on Magic. That'll be forthcoming, I assure you.

Two highlights from his newsletter regarding that latest novel: there are still some limited-edition, numbered edition's available at his Christopher G. Moore website. This hardback edition may well become a collector's item; Chris will autograph it for you (or write a dedication up to 25 words if you are buying a copy for a friend). But you better hurry -- the limited edition was printed in a single run of only 125 copies. When I bought a second copy a week or two ago, that copy was numbered 69. So act quickly if you want a copy.

The newsletter also contains the unexpected but pleasant news for fans awaiting publication of the soft edition. It was scheduled for early next month -- but is available as of today.

My latest novel ‘Gambling on Magic’ will be officially launched in Bangkok on Friday, 7^th October 2005, at 5.00pm at Central Department Store Chidlom Branch at B2S on the 6^th floor. If you are in Bangkok please come along. I will be there to say a few words and will be happy to sign your copies.

On Saturday, 15^th October, I will speak before The Pattaya Expat Club at the Grand Sole Hotel in Pattaya. The hotel is located on Pattaya 2^nd Road, half way between Tops & Big C. The event will start from 11:30am. Buffet lunch is available (65Bt).

Again in Pattaya on 6^th November, I will be speaking before the Pattaya City Expat Club at Henry J. Beans Restaurant, at the north end of Pattaya Beach Road, at 10:30am.

A Turkish publisher Venus has bought translation rights to ‘Gambling on Magic’. The Turkish edition of the novel will be released in November 2005.

There are still some copies of the deluxe edition left from the limited print run of only 125 copies—each copy is numbered and signed. This limited edition is only available online from my website: http://www.cgmoore.com (or directly form me). I will be happy to put in a dedication (up to 25 words) if you would like to order a copy for a friend.

For those who have been waiting for the trade paperback edition, you can get it now from my website or in major bookstores in Thailand, from the 23rd of September.

“Moore has the ability to take factual events and weave them into fictional fancy, in a most believable way. This book is written in the present tense, bringing the reader right up to and through the tsunami of 2004. I believe it is his attention to detail that gives his writing the believable immediacy, which in turn keeps you turning pages. And turn pages you will. This is another of those books that will hold your attention right to the last page. An excellent read.”

A number of readers with Thai wives or girlfriends have asked about the Thai editions of my books. Good news. Three of my books will come out during the next few months. Siam Inter Multimedia Public Co., Ltd. will release the Thai language editions of ‘A Killing Smile’ in November this year, and ‘Spirit House’ and ‘Pattaya 24/7’ in early 2006.

The always popular "Ohio Jim" will be returning to Bangkok next month after 3 years, living the first two in China, the last in the U.S.

Jim is younger than the typical Squaronian, but fits in well for those of you who don't know him (or may simply not remember him.

When Jim lived here before, he lived above the Texas Lone Staar Saloon, so is well plugged-in with the subset of Squaronians who frequent it (which is almost all, come to think of it).

Jim's e-mail says he'll be arriving October 20th -- but he didn't tell me what time nor airline (the latter would let me check arrival times). Anyway, sometime on or after October 20th, I'm sure his many friends will be eager to see him after a year or so -- he did pass back through here for a short visit when he moved from China back to Ohio.

If I learn his arrival time, I'll put it here. (He's good friends with Generous George, which may explain the paucity of information!) [Friday, September 23, 2005]

I got an e-mail from John this past Monday, saw his name, and saved it -- but didn't look at the subject line until just a few minutes ago.

I (and others) already knew that John's first couple of months retired back in the States, where he moved after retiring here, had not been especially happy ones. He bought a small RV in which he plans to live as he roams America and was thrilled (as I wrote in an earlier column) -- but immediately began having persistent problems with the electrical system, delaying his departure. Then he came down with a potentially life-threatening sickness.

He got out of hospital last Sunday, which the primary topic of his e-mail. Not only did he recover from major surgery in just 5½ days (with his progress each day being just about perfect), but his medical problems are, his doctors told him, gone, finished, no further difficulties. So, once he gets the surgical staples out and fully recovers, he's good to go.

Happily, so is his RV; the repair folks were finally able to track down it's "sickness" and cure it.

He wrote he was happy to be in the far north of America this time of year in 2 decades to feel the first cool, autumn breezes and to see the leaves turning their beautiful seasonal colors -- but John is like a lot of folks who live donkey years in the tropics. that is, despite being reared on Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where it gets colder than all thunderation, he doesn't like cold -- so the timing of his own and his RV's companion recoveries couldn't be better: he's raring to go.

Great, John! Now just don't go barreling down the highway craning your neck this way and that admiring the scenery of the homeland where you didn't live for so long -- only to run your home-on-wheels of, say, into the Grand Canyon! [Friday, September 23, 2005]

I got an interesting telephone call from a lady who works for a company here that, among other things, is engaged in promotional work. It seems there is a new group starting up to promote tourism to the Andaman Sea coast and the company for whom the lady who called me works is promoting the effort. Here's the information:

Place: Santika Pub, Soi Ekhamai (Sukhumvit Soi 63) between Sois 9 and 11
Time: 1800-2100, Thursday, September 29, 2005

Admission is free, and so are refreshments, as I understand it.

I did a bit of research on the promotion company, and it appears solid. I tried repeatedly to put the full data in, but the information was sent in formats I could neither copy-and-paste insert, nor could I do a direct insert of the 2 files.

Despite my lack of knowledge and inability to include more than sketchy data, I'm interested enough that I plan to show up; after all, right here in this column I have repeatedly tried to promote tourism to the tsunami-affected areas, and if these groups are doing something towards that end, then I'm all for it.

The victims need livelihoods, not charity. And those livelihoods are largely still not forthcoming.

If you're in Bangkok, give it at least a passing thought. It can't hurt to go give a look and listen. [Friday, September 23, 2005]

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