|
Run No:- |
1092 |
Date:- 23 February 2004 |
|
Location:- |
The Port |
|
|
Hare:- |
Bruce "Hash Hash" Weeks |
|
|
Scribe:- |
Anon |
|
A poignant start to the run when, passing the Mariners Club, it had apparently been closed up and moved on next to the "Sea Dragon', that grubby ill-lit bar just before the expressway where the Harriettes had an AGM a year or so back. That night it was cleared of sailors but you could just imagine, standing on what remained of the flaking carpet and linoleum and the sticky bar stools, what comings and goings and high seas of mariners dreams that went on in that dingy hole. I know, I was one of them, many, many years ago… The 'Mosquito Bar' was so so much better, darling! But with regret tempus fugit
A full boat took almost the entire group of around 40 on the designated boat. The 2 Baht ferry took the rest - along with the commuters returning from their day's slog. The hare, resplendent in colourful flip-flops and looking relaxed as the late and venerable Mahatma Gandhi, came over the river to see us off. (Setting a run is great isn't it; when the sweaty masses disappear to follow your every command, and you sit back, basking in the setting sun with a large, cool green bottle and perhaps some other paraphernalia - peace man!).
FRB's went straight on the road at the first junction. But Bruce "Hash Hash" Weeks' psychological game had already started. A devious and quite unusual turn to the left took us alongside the park and into it to find ourselves out of paper. The ever-shirtless hasher from Hawaii, looking like a thin roll of tobacco, struggled manfully on with a strap around his knee and with the call of ON ON we continued on the concrete paving stones and continued around in a somewhat circular motion. Soi dogs caused minor havoc, particularly on new boots and virgins, who despite their overall speed and fitness had to slow and drop behind more sedentary runners to avoid the snapping jaws. I believe the hare had similar problems in setting the trail, and thus, instead of a meandering ducking and diving run through the trees; we ended up with about 8kms of solid running on road and paving stones. I didn't hear anyone complain though. But 'Bald Eagle' was concerned about the strain on his abs as he had planned to do the Rama IX bike ride he next day. The longish run-in, in the absence of any calling from the half-dozen at the front had obviously taken its toll.
'Ajarn' had with "brass in pocket" fucked off to see that great rocker Chrissie Hinde (referred to in the circle constantly as "'Chrissie Hindes") and that man of the earth from the UK's North East, Bryan Ferry. Strange mix I thought, but separately a great show to see, particularly in culture-starved Bangkok. Then after starting the circle going, GM George also took the same route to see this eclectic mix. With Bruce 'Hash Hash' Weeks around, there are no joins, no gaps no hiatus in the proceedings, because as GM George of the Jungle was driving out sheepishly in his green Jag, Bruce was already in full flow, naming a virgin 'Batpong", giving shit to the Finnish guy from Manila for calling his run 'crap' and crucifying "Baby Jesus". The performance was Shakespearean as Bruce then proposed, "there is only O N E person who can call a run crap… and that is… THE BUG". It followed therefore that this Finn from Manila got the POTW. The competition was tough. Imelda was in and then out. "Baby Jesus" was left in his stable and so were half a dozen others, but I suspect the decision was finalised early in this lawyer's mind. And so we left for Marie's grub at Noriega's. Thanks for the 'pantheon' run Bruce Almighty.
****
On Monday 23 February we had 30 Harriers, 11 Harriettes and 11 visitors, total = 52. Returners included Geoff “Cultured” Pearl, Jannifer Pearl and Wychanee. Welcome to new boots Elen, Jarmo and Mike Thomas.
