Monday, October 4, 2010

The Ball

So ya heard all about Deeds experience on Saturday afternoon. End result we were all gussied up and ready to go. This was to be a people meeting evening. Right from the get go we met a couple that actually arrived that afternoon, and here they were attending the party, Lenny and Gordon. She the worker, he the retiree. Sound familiar!
We arrive in style, guests #4, 5, 6 and 7 into the building!! We find out a little later that Thai's arrive at least a half hour late to stated time. Is standard protocol. Live and learn. There were tons of items laid out for the silent auction. Yes my little Deedles does love a silent auction, but really, this is Thailand and we have only been here for 10 days so really what is it that she could want or think to buy? Really?
I do notice a BB Bold up for auction starting at B11,000 (B stands for Thai Baht,  money like. 1 CDN $ = 33 Baht, so 11,000 = $340. Not bad for an unlocked, in the box BB)
The place starts to fill and we begin the introductions of peers and bosses. No problem for me. I have a name retention capability of an iron trap. The name goes in and is trapped. I can never get it to come out, soooo I have a tendancy to call alot of people "Buddy". Doesn't go over that well in Thai!!
One of the most interesting people we met was Chaiwat Utaiwan and his wife Narin. They are Thai locals. He just happens to be the President and CEO of Siam City Bank. This is the bank that Thanachart (Scotia 49%) purchased and essentially the reason we are here.
So we are chatting, pleasantries, etc. We find out that they were in Toronto in 1984, springish, right after they both graduated university. Oh really Diane says, and where did you go to school. Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky says Chaiwat. Uhuh, says Diane, so I chime in. So how are the Cardinals doing this year! Chaiwat looks at me and his face just beems. Yeah the Cardinals he says and gives me a high 5! Deeds nearly fell over. Here I am talkin college hoops with the CEO of Siam City Bank.Way cool.
BOYS - take note, sitting in front of the tv eatin chips just paid off!! It's actually research work we are doin!!
The rest of the night just got better. Chaiwat and Narin in true Thai fashion offer to assist us anytime we might need their help. And I am positive they mean it.
Besdies Chaiwat, also sitting at our table was Brendon King (Director and Vice Chairman of Thanachart) and his wife Sadie. Firdos (owner of the integration project and the individual who recruited Diane directly) and his wife Arzina.
There were more people of significance, too many to mention. But I think you get the drift.
Little girl from Tottenham, Ontario and rugged adventurer from Thunder Bay meet big time corporate in Bangkok, Thailand. Who woulda figured.
Oh yeah before I forget, most of you know Deeds did win auction items! Always, wins acution items. We have a weekend for two in Chiang Mai. The second largest city in Thailand. It is about 700 km north of BKK, probably go there in the summer when it is very hot down here, will be cooler into the mountains. For our new apartment we picked up a beautiful persian style rug.
Home by midnight, what a night it was!

1 comment:

  1. wow what a night!! Sounds great! You were really hob nobbing. Enjoy every opportunity that comes your way there. Try and enjoy some for the rest of us too!!! Love all of us here.

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