I had intended to do this everyday but to be honest I have been too busy.
The day before I left was crazy. I had a problem with the new bass for Jingles and ended up having to rewire it. It was only completed 1 hour before I left.
My dad picked me up at 3:30 PM. Now the PM part is important as my dad was knocking on my door at 3:30 AM. I chased him and went back to bed but the night was ruined.
We had a good trip across flying from Dublin to Abu Dhabi then on to Bangkok where we were met of the flight and escorted to a waiting Limo.
I have to say this beats the usual commotion and confusion that surrounds me when I travel.
We arrived at the hotel and checked in where my very gracious host Mr Ekkasit had arranged a beautiful suite for me. After a quick shower to wash away the sweat and a quick brush of the teeth to remove the fur that had built up during the flight we went to meet Mr Ekkasit in the presidential suite to present him with his new guitar.
When we met I think we were both as nervous. I was nervous that after 3 months work and 9 months in planning the guitar would not be what he wanted and he was nervous that after 9 months this might not be what he hoped and in fact he later told me that he didn’t really like the designs from the picture.
He opened the case and to see the look on his face was worth travelling half way round the world to see.
He loved the guitar in every way and when he plugged it in it sounded awesome as I knew it would. The double EMG humbuckers really give this guitar a big voice. And the carbon makes it sustain for ever.
It was a great first day and we topped it off with a beautiful Thai meal.
That night I slept like a log and then Tuesday was just spent relaxing and catching up on a few emails before going for a traditional Thai massage and no it wasn’t what you are thinking. It was the best way to get rid of the tension that had built up over the previous months and indeed year. I lay there looking down at the flowers floating in the bowl below me and it was as if this was the reward for everything that has gone on. I very rarely look back ,but this past couple of days have allowed me to look back and realise that it was the difficulties I have encountered over the last few years that have led to the opportunities that now lie before me.
Yesterday we went to the grand Palace in Bangkok, what a beautiful place. Its quite inspiring to see the detail and skill that went into creating it. We wandered around in the melting heat taking the sights and sounds of this beautiful place in and everywhere I went there was Melvin with the camera. Oh yes I forgot to mention I have this crazy little Leprechaun following me around filming my every move for a documentary. I don’t think I will get used to that but at least you will all get a chance to see what I have been up to.
Now brings me to today!!!!!! Where to strart ? Well it was an ordinary day, breakfast by the pool followed by a trip round Bangkok’s art galleries to get a feel for the local scene and to stimulate my imagination. When I came back I met with Mr Ekkasit where he requested that I move the strap button to help how the guitar balanced on a strap. I borrowed a screwdriver, drill and some drill bits and set about what should have been a 2 minute job but while under the firm supervision of Mr Ekkasit and his butler disaster struck. On the last turn of the screwdriver the head just came off the screw. I froze there for what seemed like a few minutes and then looked at them. I didn’t know what to do as the sweat started to build on my brow.
Within a couple of minutes we were in a Limo with Draco reclining in the luxury seats and off we went across the city to the emergency room. A few minutes later we arrived at an exclusive jewellery store where the owner met us at the door and quickly ushered us up stairs. It was like we had just turned up at the ER with a gunshot victim .
It turned out this place was also a major jewellery manufacturer and they took us into a room where about 40 people were working on some highly exclusive jewellery. Everyone stopped to look at this pale faced Irish guy holding a dragon by the neck.
They sat me at a bench and brought me tools and with the Butler by my side and 8 assistants we performed the delicate operation to remove the screw. I think I would have been less nervous removing a bullet from someones chest. The operation actually went pretty straight forward once I had the correct tools but it was certainly a dramatic and surreal experience. We got a new screw and this time it went in without a hitch. Job Done.
There was still the issue of what to do with the hole that remained so we went into another room and chose a nice 4mm ruby which we are going to set in a white gold bezel and then we will come back on Tuesday to have it inserted. That should be a less dramatic procedure.
As I write I am in Bangkok airport waiting for our flight to Beijing. I am really excited about this trip. It was amazing being in Malaysia for a Lee Hom show but to be in Beijing will really be special. Special because it’s the capital city but also because I get to meet everyone who became friends at the Malaysia show. There are a great bunch of people there and they really make me feel welcome. I also have a lot to do to move the exhibition idea forward so a lot hangs on the next few days. Lets hope it all goes to plan.
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