Nervous God Posted January 28, 2011 Report Share Posted January 28, 2011 My mate Alec My mate Alec was one of the old time boys of the Nana. Unlike a lot of the other old codgers, he had no time to sit in the lobby, where I sit now and type this, and where I last sat with him. Rather he'd be up at dawn, a brisk walk to Bo Bai markets to buy trinkets and clothing for all the visitors who came to him. An afternoon walk would see him stopping and chatting with the cutest girls in Robinsons, the ones we know would never stoop to talk with us. One trinket he would buy in bulk at Bo Bai was fake gold rings, they looked pretty real, and cost a few baht each I guess. You see, Alec had the gift of the gab, a jealous man like me might say he was a smooth talker, but Alec was beyond smooth, he was old school charming, who could bring a smile to a young niece, a wife, or even my own mum who once he turned the charm onto when they both met aged 80+. He had no fear who he spoke to. And he was charming. I first knew him back in Oz, in those days he was far older than me, another talent of his, he stayed older than me but never seemed to age in the nearly 20 years I knew him. Then I was in my mid to late 20's I guess. We'd met with a great mutual friend of ours, who like me admired the shear relentless spirit of the man. I remember one day walking through a mall, I was a photographer then, and I was with a stunning 18 year old model, this is in Oz remember. We bumped into Alec and I forgot, like I do, her name. I went to introduce them, but my blunder was obvious. Alec lent over, whispered in her ear, she laughed, whispered in his, they did this a few times and Alec said good bye. What was all that about I asked her, “Oh, we're having lunch next Wednesday†I was stunned, he was retired, he was OLD! And his charm knew no bounds. He moved to Thailand about the same time as me, and was a long time resident of the Nana. On his year sabbatical back to Oz, his room was let out to others. If your erotic delight is to have 4 different girls from Robinsons and various bars knock on the door during the night, then you'd queue for the room. If not after 2 nights you;d beg to move. His charm had intoxicated 1000's of girls and women, who knew that just knock, Alec would be there, or come back in an hour or so. His rule was to tell them all in advance, “If you've not had any luck, feeling lonely, stop by and I'll give you some taxi money home†And that's about all he did. Those lucky, would be told after getting some small change, to open the wardrobe and take something from the shelf. A game my wife and family loved when we visited him. My nieces where in love with him, I am sure my wife secretly. One time a girl came back a few weeks later one time very upset that the porn shop had told her it wasn't real gold. Alec was one of life's gentlemen, a man who could charm my mum, and a little kid, and in between 1000's of lucky girls and women that got to knock on his door. Time caught up with Alec, he left the Nana a few years back, making only one return, where we sat as I sit now, he called out to girls by name, girls walking in with customers or leaving with one, rushed over to say hello, ignoring monger etiquette in their delight at seeing the man they loved. Alec past away yesterday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mekong Posted January 28, 2011 Report Share Posted January 28, 2011 Very Fitting tribute Doggy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozpharlap Posted January 28, 2011 Report Share Posted January 28, 2011 A very nice eulogy, I am sure he would appreciate your kind words Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dumsoda Posted January 28, 2011 Report Share Posted January 28, 2011 Beautifully said NG, I remember you telling me about Alec many times DS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamui Posted January 28, 2011 Report Share Posted January 28, 2011 Thanks for the kind words for this guy. I guess there aren't many who do receive this kind of eulogy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkoktraveler Posted January 28, 2011 Report Share Posted January 28, 2011 What a beautiful send off. I hope some of us can do as good as Alex did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh_Hoy Posted January 29, 2011 Report Share Posted January 29, 2011 A very nice eulogy, I am sure he would appreciate your kind words I've got a feeling NG didn't write this. If so, he's accomplished a great deal in a few days in terms of grammar and spelling. Or, maybe, he wrote it and somebody "wordsmithed" it? :content: HH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizardKing Posted January 29, 2011 Report Share Posted January 29, 2011 Oh no. He is quite fine with the English language when it is serious. Otherwise, he takes the piss... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozpharlap Posted January 29, 2011 Report Share Posted January 29, 2011 A very nice eulogy' date=' I am sure he would appreciate your kind words [/quote'] I've got a feeling NG didn't write this. If so, he's accomplished a great deal in a few days in terms of grammar and spelling. Or, maybe, he wrote it and somebody "wordsmithed" it? :content: HH Ah well, let's hope Lizard is right and I guess, at the end of the day, it is the thought that counts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nervous God Posted January 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2011 HH - I wrote it in the lobby, a fitting place to write it. You should go book and look at my stories on other sites, My Aussie Press Pass listed me as Editor Grade B with the ratings used by the Body governing reporters and journo's and press photographers in Australia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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