sharksy

On 8/5/2022 at 3:41 AM, Lucky Bones said:

I suggest that 2008 has long  gone, totally different world now  - Move on.

Plenty of opportunities out there.

Research your goals (and remember that future expected returns should not be based on past returns.)

If unsure.... "Cash can be King".

Good hunting.????????

I thought Cash is Trash in an inflationary environment.

I arrived in a 4 star hotel in Brussels with my girlfriend.  Just got into room and there was a power cut.

It really was pitch black.  I felt the walls to get back to the room door, reassuring the girlfriend that there would be emergency lighting in the hallway and stairs.

But that was pitch black too.  After 10 minutes carefully feeling the walls, found the emergency stairway, then  lights all came back on.

Couldn't believe this could happen in Brussels, home of the EU rules and laws

On 6/2/2022 at 6:54 AM, zzaa09 said:

What makes all this illegal and illicit? 

 

Does any sound person really know why?

????

I saw an AlJazeera?? program about this.  There are a number of warlords in Myanmar who control areas and this requires money for guns etc.  Each warlord has his own Meth lab and traffiking routes.

I was on Soi Boakhow at an ATM.  Just got my cash out, and a farang politely asked me for money, stating why he was in this unfortunate position and he needed to buy breakfast.

I smiled at him and told him that I too was about to eat breakfast and he was welcome to join me.

The dismay on his face was priceless.

What a top guy

Hang on - I saw an Al-Jazeera program on this, and whilst the Thais worked long hours and were exploited, some were still looking forward to returning the following year despite the difficult work.

I don't think the BBC has created a balanced program in at least 25 years sadly.

I got interested in computers when I was about 13, learning BASIC, then machine code to make my games faster.  Different computing era back in the early 80s.

Always wanted to be a programmer since then, but I was rubbish at college, whilst I got pretty much 100% scores in the programming subjects, the maths, statistics, business studies etc bored he hell out of me so I failed the course.

Eventually "fell" into a programming job at the age of 28 (working with the company in a systems support role), with absolutely no experience of the language used (SAS) which I found somewhat uninteresting and very different to what I was used to.  But it was my only chance.

Ended up at consultancy level, made a fair bit of money as a contractor using this software.

After nearly 20 years, I couldn't wait to get out of IT.

Back to your original question about learning how computers work, I really think assembly code is not the way to start.  If you wanted a slightly higher level language, then maybe C would work(I used this as a language at college to control motors etc), but not sure how much that is used nowadays.

I would go for SQL.  Always seems popular in the business world and would be a good start.

On 1/16/2022 at 7:42 AM, wolf81 said:

My girlfriend could tell me of plenty of cases of sexual abuse in our village in north-western Thailand, so my guess is these kinds of abuse are endemic. Perhaps even more likely to happen here than in e.g. Europe because parents often go work in a city far away while some relatives take care of their children. 

I think it was endemic in the UK years ago.

My mum and all her 7 sisters were raped by their stepfather at a youngish age.  Obviously, no councilling etc back then, not even reported to police.

Mum seemed fairly unaffected by it, just got on with life, she grew up poor.

I do wonder if all the councilling for victims or "survivors!" these days just makes them feel worse?

Its mostly about Oil now.  Loads of oil and gas off the coast.  Of course Thailand won't give that up.

The province used to be part of Malaysia, but was handed to Thailand after the 2nd World war.

16 minutes ago, The Cipher said:

Actually I was thinking about this today, and not out of arrogance or a sense of superiority. I joined this forum because I was interested in learning more about the lives of the Western retirees I saw around Bangkok but never had a chance to interact with, and I feel like I've accomplished that goal.

 

I'm not sure what purpose I serve here anymore and so I think this may be my last post for some time. I realize nobody cares, I'm just musing.

 

Will probably continue to lurk occasionally tho, because I owe a dude a coffee and the only way he knows how to reach me is on AseanNow. I'll respond to some of your other points below, but if you'd like to continue the convo thereafter and are in Bangkok in the next three months, feel free to DM me and we can grab a beer or something (I'm around until end of March). Would at least be more fun to do that.

 

Nothing is difficult about getting a college degree-ish. In that the requirements of college (both admission and expectations) now are so low that it seems like almost anyone can attend university and graduate with a degree.

 

What I would suggest is pernicious about the college game, is that: (i) they essentially tack on a mandatory four extra years post high school, which carries an opportunity cost; (ii) the cost of a college education in America has (and continues to) increase at a significantly faster rate than wage growth, which causes a ton of young people to get enter adulthood with a monster pile of debt; (iii) information available to high school students and other prospective applicants tends to be unevenly distributed such that many of the people who make poor decisions about college are those who are most in need of what they believe is education's promise of upward-mobility; and (iv) the utility of a college degree is more questionable than ever (essentially rent-seeking gatekeepers to employment), particularly in an era where almost anything can be learned to an elite level online and with some willpower, but in this world the credential still matters.

 

TLDR: Implicit (opportunity) and explicit costs of college are high and getting higher. But university's increasingly dubious value prop continues to be upheld by cultural legacy.

 

Pressure is higher, pace of innovation is faster, and sources of competition have increased. This is true at all tiers of society except the tippity top.

 

In the working classes we've seen a hollowing-out of traditional sources of employment, increased pressure due to competition from overseas workers (offshoring) and machines, wage suppression due to those same factors of globalization + technology, and an increasing number of people checking out and/or turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms.

 

In the professional classes we've seen the bar of expectations rise steadily. A ton of professionals place their kids on a competitive path towards an 'elite' profession from basically as soon as they enter high school and those kids walk that path with the single-minded goal of passing recruiting in college. And the reward for those kids that make it past the professional gates is...100 hour work weeks and the crucible of professional expectations. And competition is getting fiercer because at this tier, everyone is looking for an edge. As the competitive frontier pushes outwards and upwards (at increasingly velocity, I might add), everyone has to rise to meet it or be left behind. It's no fun.

 

Younger generations in general also tend not to be beneficiaries of (and thus are negatively affected by) the asset price boom relative to wage levels. Expanding on this could fill a book in itself and would also get pretty technical, but there's probably been plenty written about this on Google if topic is of interest.

 

I don't remember saying this. If I did say this, I'm not sure the context it was in. I think that the older generations alive today (as a generalization) enjoyed a relatively easier path to wealth accumulation, but in terms of meaningful material day to day things I'm not sure there's too much of a difference. If anything younger generations would be the winners here because of wider diversity of available products and entertainment/experience options.

 

I mean, nobody is accusing Boomers of maliciously rigging the system here (at least I'm not). But as a large-in-number group, Boomers have enjoyed a ton of political power for most of their lives. Because they're such a large portion of the electorate, policies tend to be favorable to the demographic in general. Not sure if this would be best described as a feature or a bug of democracy.

 

Some quick examples would be: beneficiaries of generous social security that may not ultimately be available to other generations; simultaneously requiring relatively large societal burden of care due to aging en masse; NIMBYism that would benefit younger gens (for example densification of residential neighbourhoods in high cost cities); Brexit lol; Covid policies that disproportionately affected younger people to the benefit of older people, while simultaneously exacerbating intergenerational wealth inequality due to policies that preserved pension and home values at the expense of incomes; etc. 

 

I ascribe no maliciousness to these actions, it's just a group swaying the political calculus in their own interest due to happening, by chance, to be a massive voting bloc. But facts are that this resulted in a privileged political position not (yet) enjoyed by other gens.

---

Anyway, this post = probably my swan song as an AseanNow poster. I'll revert to lurking occasionally. Thanks for taking the time to chat with me!

I sincerely hope this is not your last post.  I for one, enjoy reading your long and well thought out pieces and generally agree with much of what you state.  I do sense that you are often trolled somewhat, and are way too polite to call them out!

Anyone for an acid bath as an alternative?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/dissolving_the_dead

On 12/19/2021 at 10:44 PM, robblok said:

Not sure what he even means with working class.

 

I mean there is a huge difference between someone who works as an constructor(earning a wage) and someone who owns a construction company (in knowledge levels)

Or a person who works in an high paying IT job or someone who stacks shelves (intelligence wise in general that is)

I was bought up in working class household (I think!).  Although my parent were buying the house in a reasonable area, my dad was a mechanic and mum a solderer in a factory.

I particularly remember using newspaper for the toilet, toilet rolls were considered an unnecessary luxury.  Not by any visitors to the house mind!!

My mum worshipped money, but splashed out very occasionally on something expensive that she would cherish (I remember G-Plan Furniture being her brand of choice) and she constantly rememinded the household to look after it.

I was pretty much the dunce at school, not particulary stupid, but not particularly bright either.  Possibly ADSD.

Got into computers (none at my poor standard school) and eventually made it as a high paying IT specialist.

Purchased lots of property to rent out, and that's now my job.

Still consider myself working class, most people I meet, I end up looking up to them intellectually, even though I have probably outdone them in "wealth".  And they think I must be really clever to have bought all this property, which to be honest, almost anyone could have done, but just chose not to.

There are idiots all over the world.  At least the bomb squad didn't have to be called, unlike this chap at my local hospital recently?

https://metro.co.uk/2021/12/05/bomb-squad-called-after-doctors-find-wwii-shell-stuck-up-mans-bum-15710207/

The Royal Marines ("Frozen Chosen" division) often partake in a "naked bar" drinking sessions up in Scotland.

Don't think many of them end up dying the next day.

On 12/9/2021 at 11:27 PM, jacko45k said:

I have certainly felt unwell after a little too much durian but never thought lamyai too were an issue.

I remember seeing a list of ancient Chinese lists of food which they grouped into 2 categories: Warming foods and cooling foods.

A quick scan revealed that many vegetables were in the "cooling" list.

I guess its all down to calories - the more calories in what you eat, will produce more body heat.

I believe the fruit raises the body's temperature and is dangerous when consumed with alcohol to dangerous levels.

On 12/3/2021 at 7:51 AM, Led Lolly Yellow Lolly said:

When you think of the vast quantities of money thrown at the NHS, it beggars belief you need a military style plan and a day off work to see a GP for a sniffle and when you get there they make you wait for hours in front of a clucky middle aged receptionist that thinks you shouldn't be there. . . Yet I can go to any hospital here without and appointment (government or private) and see a doctor in minutes for a couple of hundred Baht, or for free on my SS account. I really wonder what the NHS are doing wrong actually. Just crunch the numbers, any idiot can see something is wrong.

 

 

 

 

Forget the NHS - If I need a dental appointment (e.g. chipped a tooth), I can usually pay £50-£70 and get an appointment same/next day.

Thailand is obviously a lot cheaper, but you still have to pay.

One thing I hate about the dentist in Thailand, is the shield they always seem to use on me (not covid related).  Never had that in the UK.

However you make it, please add Tamarind Sauce or paste.  For me, it is the essential ingredient which gives the Massaman curry "depth".

It's got to the state where I cook massaman better than the restaurants (according to people who have tasted mine), in the UK.

Some of us age quicker than we should.  I was going grey at about 23 years old - mind you, I was working about 100 hours per week and getting called out in all hours.

I always used to look young for my age, but since my early 40's my hair is not gray, rather white.

Thinking blonde is a close (but nicer) shade of white, I tried that - but people took for being gay.....

Went to being light brown to match what my natural colour is. 

What a difference it makes it Thailand on my holidays.  The ladies are so much more playful as they think I am a lot younger that I am.  (I'm now 53 - but naturally Thai ladies will put me more towards 60).  Dyed hair - They think I'm 35-40.

Works for me.  I usually just dye my hair for a holiday, too much faff to keep it coloured permanently.

That's my story.

I've been with HSBC in UK since they took over Midland Bank.

Been upgraded to "Premier" customer for last 20 years and everytime I call, I get first class service.

Only time I've not been happy with them is when trying to get an interest-only mortgage.  I met all the requirements, but the lady quietly told me she hadn't heard of anyone actually getting the product!

How about Milford Haven?  Nice semi for £500/month.  Cheap to eat out round there too!

https://www.primelocation.com/to-rent/houses/swansea/?beds_min=1&include_rented=true&include_shared_accommodation=false&keywords=detached&price_frequency=per_month&price_max=500&q=Swansea&radius=40&results_sort=lowest_price&search_source=refine&view_type=grid

10 hours ago, seedy said:

Economic slavery - it exists also, not just the ball-and-chain pickin' cotton kind

I think you are missing the point.  The Thai berry pickers (through very hard work, long, cold hours) are able to earn a fairly handsome profit.

They return to Thailand with their money.  Then CHOOSE (not coerced or forced) to go back to Finland.

This is economic migration work, not slavery.

Watch the program on Al-Jazera, like I did.

There was an Al-Jazerra feature on this.  Might still be findable on the news App.

I got the feeling that the program makers were insinuating a victim culture throughout.

It was certainly long hours and hard work on the Thai's side, but they were glad of the money at the end.

Many planned to return to Finland the following year to do the same all over again.

So, hardly slavery?

4 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Every Chinese take away I ever had in the UK was good.

Never needed any specialist local knowledge.

Totally agree, however, it is not authentic Chinese food.  I remember eating in Hong Kong at a busy restaurant where I was the only westerner I could see.  Pork had the skin and hair still attached.  Nasty.

I did have a Shechuan hot pot at the Chinese area of Birmingham.  The Shechuan chillis were even too hot for my Thai girlfriend.  Didn't even taste nice.

On 10/6/2021 at 11:49 AM, spidermike007 said:

Step it up a notch. Stop eating in food courts. Spend a bit more, and the food you will find will blow your mind. For me, and many others, it is one of the highlights of living here. Most of the restaurants I eat at make beautiful food. Fresh, and delicious. The ones who do not, I don't go back. It is a simple system.

Thais not only know how to make amazing food, they are blessed with the culinary gene, unlike most others. Thai people are the polar opposite of Cuban or Philippine people, with regard to their cooking skills, and their great instincts with regard to the preparation of food. And alot of the food is healthy. I typically order all of my food without pan chulott (MSG). And my wife is a gourmet chef, and cooks with only the healthiest oils. 

You might want to step it up a notch. Perhaps you have set your sights too low, with regard to the caliber of restaurants you are choosing. There is some spectacular food here that I am incredibly thankful for!

 

 

 

I totally agree, pay the money and you get the best food.  Same for those who criticise British food.

The OP mentions cost - so I assume he is pretty broke and can't afford the nice food - or just too tight to pay for it.