Speedo1968

Rose apple - home made

4 hours ago, Martyjustice said:

Might check with John at Ubon homes. He is a Brit actually running a real real estate business ( no pun intended). Just google Ubon homes. ( I have no connection with him , but have met him)


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Thanks for the information.

Great to read some British humour so early in the morning !

Intend moving to Ubon around early December time.

Now live 50 Km south of Khon Kaen.

Have worked / lived Thailand nearly 20 years, now 72 years old and relatively fit.

Can anyone recommend agencies etc that I can approach re-house rental.

Looking for a 2 bedroom simple house with garden, single level, have most of own furniture.

Not sure of area at this time but away from town side around t/ past the Utthayan Bun Niyom restaurant.

Depends on what the problem is i.e. confirmed health issue.   What has been confirmed ?

How long is long term ?

What have you tried so far ?

From past posts I understand that some people have real stinging nettles growing on their farms.   I think they imported it as a trial and it got out of hand.   It seems they grow as a weed here as well as they do in the UK.    Sorry can't remember the particular post though.

With the whole plant you can enjoy it as a green vegetable and use its sting to help reduce arthritis or similar discomfort caused by the cold weather.

It took 3 weeks from the date of their letter to arrive at my PO Box.

Completed my form today at my local police station.

The chief of police is a regular customer ( as am I ) of the early morning street coffee and butterfly seller outside the local hospital.

The police station is also nearby.

It took about an hour of chit chat but, at the end, I even got an official stamp and they even gave me a report sheet ( nicely written in Thai ) to go with it.

Sent the duly completed form by registered post.

On the form "About you" Part 2 - "address you are living at now" - mine is a PO Box number for many years as shown on their letter to me.    Have attached a comment giving my living address separately.  Waiting to hear about that one .... 

Oh the sweet youth of the 50's, 60's and 70's of Cuba.

On 8/27/2018 at 11:59 AM, Stocky said:

If she has problems with Skype using WiFi on her Sky package she may well find Line will encounter similar issues if Sky has some sort of fatwa against VOIP.  

Thanks Stocky, will let my daughter know.

I have a friend here who is in daily contact with someone in the UK via LINE, works pretty well, even where I am outside a small village and 'damage' done by rain etc to the local internet.

On 8/26/2018 at 10:09 PM, Langsuan Man said:

LINE would be the best fit, since all the "kids" are using it so she has plenty of tech support when needed, which is seldom

 

I like it since I can send photos directly from my phone to my LINE contacts as they happen, or later on, behind the keyboard on my PC

 

I personally never like the "tin can tunnel" sound I get from SKYPE and their confusing interface

 

If she happens to have a iPhone, then she cannot find LINE on their "store" she will have to Google " LINE for iOS " and get it from the Play store  

Many thanks Langsuan Man for your comments and advice.

Will let my daughter know of this option.

Has anyone received one of these ?

You have 16 weeks to reply, it has taken 3 weeks from date of letter to arrive here ( Thailand ) !

The life certificate will be checked after we ( Pensions Service ) receive it at the International Pension Centre !    My dealings in the past with them have taken weeks to get a reply, what happens if it goes past the 16 weeks before they ( Pensions Service ) check it out ?     Never got them to acknowledge receipt of documents before.

If you had have one of these forms did you find a suitable witness ? 

They ( the witness ) has to sign that they have seen photographic proof of who you are e.g. passport and, there is a box for the "Official Stamp of Witness".

2 hours ago, robblok said:

Line will allow free calls too.. once you got the app installed on your computer you can chat and or do free calls.

 

I have line on my phone and on my computer.. when I am behind the computer i open the line app as i prefer it over typing on the phone. I have also made free calls with the line app from the computer.

Will ask if she can install LINE on her phone if can't get free with WhatsApp, her current app.   

25 minutes ago, Stocky said:

In that case just subscribe either to a Skype package as suggested previously, or just use Skype-Out and buy some credits; cost of a call to landline or mobile in the UK from Thailand is 2.3¢ per minute.

Thanks for your response.

1 hour ago, marcusarelus said:

I do it all the time.  Click on the phone in Facebook messenger. 

 

Oh sorry.  Didn't realize you don't want facebook.  But that's the easy way to do it. 

 

 

Thanks for the video link.

Guess I am old fashioned but have stuck with Win7, it suits me fine.

My first word processor was an Amstrad, can't remember what my first PC was but my first laptop was a Packard Bell.

Yes, I understand Facebook is the popular way but no thanks.

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

Does she not have access to wifi. It seems she was using the data mode on her phone.

Yes she does have wifi but as I understand it the Sky internet provider is making hefty charges on her phone when trying to Skype.    I guess Sky also provides her TV ?    Will re-check and come back to you on that one.

38 minutes ago, Stocky said:

If you have Skype why doesn't your daughter install Skype on her smartphone? Skype to Skype is free regardless the platform assuming both parties are using an Internet connection. Ditto Line.

I have laptop my daughter uses phone.

We tried last weekend.

First we couldn't even connect, then it was very expensive her end ( no free connection ) using her Sky package.  

24 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

I 2nd that. I talk to my daughter all the time with me on the computer (or my phone) with her using Skype on her phone.

We tried last weekend.

First we couldn't even connect, then it was very expensive her end ( no free connection ) using her Sky package.

21 minutes ago, robblok said:

How about line ? 

 

I got line on my computer.

 

Just to add you just have to register your line and after that you can use it on a desktop and or laptop computer. Its not that hard but it does require line to be on a phone initially.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Does that mean that LINE will allow free calls with phone to laptop or vice versa ?     Do you have to do it via Facebook Messenger ?     

To download I use Opera browser which has a Turbo Download Manager ( see Opera info about its use ).   

I also use 4K video downloader.

Both of these will advise you in advance if files cannot be downloaded.

Bulk files are also possible to download.

You may be able to reformat via these downloaders.

For reformatting downloaded I use Format Factory, fast, simple, efficient.

As with any downloads it is safer ( although I have had no problems so far ) to download to a specific file on an external drive where you can scan for safety.

Trying to find app that will allow me to chat using my laptop with my daughter in UK who is using her Smart Phone.

I have used Skype in the past laptop to laptop.

I don't have a Smart Phone and have little use even for my cheepo mobile phone.

I understand calls using laptop to phone are either impossible or very expense.

I have LINE but same issues apply when using laptop to phone.   I know LINE works well with mobile / iPad.

I don't use Facebook having closed my account some years ago over security issues and don't wish to sign up again.

Any ideas please ?

On a related note - my daughter has a couple of good no longer used phones.

Is it worth having them sent here, postal and customs services allowing and, obviously being able to unlock for use here ? 

One was used here by her in the past when she visited here.

39 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

The prior stroke and rhabdo are unlikely to have anything to do with your current issue.

Where your liver enzymes (AST, ALT) also elevated or is it only the AG levels that were off?

Low albumin can indeed be due to cirrhosi. There are also other possible causes including some types of kidney disease. Was the creatnine normal? Any albumin in the urine?

Elevated globulin can be due to autoimmune condition or to certain malignancies like lymphoma.

All I can really tell you is that you do indeed need further evaluation.

There are many possible causes of cirrhosis aside from alcohol. Including autoimmune disease.



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Thanks Sheryl for your prompt reply.

AST was 23 ( RR 5-34 ), ALT was 13 ( RR 0-55 ), Creatinine was 0.80 ( RR 0.6-1.2 ), other readings fine.

When leaving hospital last year following the stroke all readings were ok.

Already on a healthy ( ? ) diet I have tried to eat only fresh foods and, if possible, so called organic.   It is difficult where I live to get food out ( being vegan ), places I know will not put MSG or salt in my food; ( I use only black or pink mountain salt ).     The main difficulty is as always with a vegan diet, "How to get enough protein ?"

The only other change to my daily exercise routine of walking 3km morning and evening is 1 - 2 hours of floor exercise.

Guess it's another trip to a hospital for a scan.

Thanks again for your input.

On 8/23/2018 at 12:57 AM, bangkokjase said:

Hi Kwasaki, 

 

Not a problem but always a good reminder. Thanks. 

How long is 'sometime' in Bangkok ?

There are also other banned books that have nothing to do with Thailand itself but the content does relate to religion.

I am giving away my age here by mentioning the book "The Third Eye" by Lobsang Rampa as a prime example.

Unless the books you have are of financial or emotional value then don't risk bringing them in.    Remember you may have Thai goods to take back home and could end up as excess baggage.

You may possibly be able to buy copies of your books here, depending on your language.   There are two major bookstores in Bangkok and you can check online before you travel if they have them in stock and the price.

In the old days of travel in the 60's and 70's once you read a book you exchanged it with someone else you met on the road.

Others have mentioned Kindle books and stored books on external drives, depends what you want to lug around with you.

On 8/23/2018 at 1:48 PM, lemonjelly said:

BBC radio is unsurpassable for choice and excellence.
Just A Minute
Hancock’s Half Hour
The Goon Show
The News Quiz
The Secret World
Count Arthur Strong’s Radio Show
Round The Horn.... not to mention the thousands of radio dramas, history, science, natural science, philosophy, documentaries.... and so much more. Any expats out there, British or not, I cannot recommend enough downloading the BBC Player app..... there’s a nice supply of brain food available in the current shortage this country is experiencing


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BBC Radio - In Our Time, Radio Dramas - try these "Welcome to our village" and "Toad of Toad Hall" and as you so rightly list "Hancock".

There are a few websites that have full series downloads of UK radio comedy etc. for free.

There is of course youtube.

If you are still a UK library card holder then it is possible to login to your 'local branch' to download various books that have been adapted for listening to.

A hospital doctor recently suggested that following results of blood tests I may have cirrhosis of the liver.    Further follow-up may be required e.g. ultra sound or CT scan.

I understand there are multiple reasons why cirrhosis may occur.     I understand further damage may be halted or even possible improvement to the liver.

My Questions Are –

Could Rhabdomyolysis caused by a stroke, ( over 48 hours totally immobile on floor ), have caused damage and subsequent scarring to the liver to extent that cirrhosis has occurred ?

Recent blood test showed Albumin ( low ) 0.8 ( Ref range 3.4 – 4.8 ), Globulin ( high ) 5.9 ( Ref range 2.5 – 3.5 ); meaning lows and highs reversed as per normal considered levels.    

Has anyone had a similar experience and been able to improve liver condition, if so how ?

Details

Stroke in question led to almost total muscle loss within body, my CPK ( Ref range 30-200 ) level of 131,000 on admittance to local hospital where, rapid correct emergency treatment reduced this to 44,000 on arrival at main hospital.    Creatinine reached 10.5, BUN 94; many other related tests way over Reference levels.

Acute renal failure.

Hospital treatment was limited at my request over the 12 days in ICU.     

On leaving hospital only creatinine remained high at 4.6, and within normal 3 weeks later.

I am in my early 70’s, started work 1961 at 15 and semi-retired in 2011.

Multiple burn outs due to extensive overseas and in-country travel, also on call 24/7.

Nondrinker since my late teens ( never a heavy drinker ).  My work ( farming = for safety reasons ), some countries I worked in e.g. Saudi local laws.    In other countries as a farming consultant I would only accept the initial drink with a client and others, if toasting then I would only raise my glass.

I stopped smoking for my 21st birthday present.

My diet has been vegetarian since 1971 and vegan for about 40 years.

Multiple TIA’s and strokes since 2012 when I retired.    Coincidence to retiring ? – just curious !

Be careful what you wish for ....... !!!

For anyone out there who still reads books there is an excellent novel ( thinks I ), regarding newts / salamanders.

The book " War With The Newts", written in 1936 by the Czech author Karel Kapek was popular with the beatnik / hippie generations in the 1950's and 60's ( even as far back as the 1940's ).

When ex Eastern Block countries became liberalized I can remember seeing special displays of similar books in local libraries in the UK on some visits there.      I read this book in the 1960's and again a few months ago, still fascinating.  

The Wiki text says it is a "satirical Science fiction novel", depends what you think of as fiction in todays world .....!!!

"Geckos are not Salamanders" -  If you read the last sentence about the reproductive differences between each species could this be a warning ... ?

Wiki Text:-

War with the Newts (Válka s mloky in the original Czech), also translated as War with the Salamanders, is a 1936 satirical science fiction novel by Czech author Karel Čapek.

It concerns the discovery in the Pacific of a sea-dwelling race, an intelligent breed of newts, who are initially enslaved and exploited. They acquire human knowledge and rebel, leading to a global war for supremacy.

Geckos are not Salamanders.

Many people confuse geckos and salamanders.   At first glance, it's easy to understand why -- both types of animal are usually small and have similar body shapes. Despite these similarities, geckos and salamanders are very different animals that are separated by millions of years of evolution.

Geckos and salamanders are not closely related; salamanders are amphibians, while geckos are members of the class Reptilia.    While approximately 360 salamander species inhabit the globe, geckos are a much more diverse group, represented by almost 1,500 species.

Reproduction

One of the key innovations of the ancestor of modern reptiles and mammals was the development of the shelled, amniotic egg.   Unlike the eggs of most amphibians, which have no shell and must be deposited in the water or some very damp location, the shell of a reptile’s egg prevents it from desiccating.    This allowed reptiles to colonize habitats far from water, in places few salamanders could follow.

On 8/10/2018 at 11:34 AM, fxe1200 said:

I did ask Betagro about the availability of the S-pure product line. There is no answer since four days. I assume that was a PR-stint only.

Not sure how I should read this text that appears on Betagro website regarding the S-pure product.

Perhaps it is my poor grammar or that I like to read between the lines.

For me the statement says "No antibiotics", does this mean none used or none found at slaughter ?   I ask because the statement goes on to say "no hormones used, no growth promotants used".    It does not say "No antibiotics used"

It could mean as other companies declared "Free of antibiotics" - this can and often does mean that antibiotics were used but their is a regulatory stopping of medication 7 - 10 days before slaughter.

As for other statements about closed housing etc. this is all normal practice today, and it written in to farmers contracts.

As for chicken you buy on the street this are often end-of-lay birds, i.e. those that produced eggs but are now too old.

Eggs that you buy on the street, especially duck eggs are often fertile eggs that failed a fertility check after a few days.

Tell me what you think.

No antibiotics, no hormones used, no growth promotants used, no harmful pathogens