BFD

Actually, if it is a faker, it's a pretty clever one. I gotta say that I might be buying this blog as legit.

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Good job, NorthernStar. I hope things work out better for you in the future.

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As am I.

I am eager to hear more about this scenario.

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I've played guitar for about 15 years now (I'm 27). Started out with the typical early 90s stuff (Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Soundgarden). Eventually found Led Zeppelin, which brought me into an 80s hair-metal phase (Motley Crue, 80s Kiss, Poison, Extreme, Oh my god that music sucks), which thankfully was ended when I discovered metal (Metallica, Meshuggah, Pantera, Iron Maiden) and then death metal (Suffocation, Cannibal Corpse, Nile, Sigh, Immolation).

Throughout this time, I played in bands around Canada. I released two CDs with a metal band (we were based out of Vancouver then). We toured through Canada and the states for about two years, making barely enough money to get to the next show and get drunk. During this process, I learned how to play piano, bought myself a synthesizer and recorded a solo album (that sold miserably). After the metal band broke up, and I realized that I couldn't sing, I went back to Edmonton, got a Music degree, discovered folk music (Dylan, NEIL YOUNG [my absolute favorite now], Built to Spill, Gomez) and started a country-folk band. I finally had something commercially viable (we were making more than beer money!), but then I made the mistake of taking a vacation to Thailand. I fell in love with the place a little too much and decided to return home, complete an Education degree, and that put me where I am today: teaching Literature in an International school.

My god, that took forever to type. I suppose I could have just said:

I play guitar and piano.

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I've had a really good experience with Krungsri bank. Their online system is very simple to use, seems secure to me, and offers all the things you mentioned. I even transfer money home to Canada every month online for 800 baht (UOB charged me 1200 baht, and I had to provide my passport and workpermit every single time _plus_ I had to actually mail in the documents).

Yes, I do have a work permit, so I guess that's a bit different.

Anyway, Krungsri is the way for me, now.

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Just talked to you on the phone Derek, and wanted to say thanks in person. Well, in person over the internet, anyway.

Thanks again, and I'll see you next month sometime!

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Once again, some very informative posts. For the most part, you guys have been able to avoid the vague "It'll change you" kind of posts, and for that I thank you.

Also, about dreams/nightmares: I'm one of those strange folks that almost never remembers his dreams. Honestly, I would say it's about once every 2 or three months that I'll be able to recall what I was dreaming about. I wonder, exactly, if this same intense dreaming will also occur to me. Perhaps my brain doesn't want me to see my dreams for a reason. If that's the case, I wanna know why!

I am also a fairly introspective fella, so I think I'll be somewhat equipped to avoid the people that want to distract me.

As I said before, I was drawn to this particular retreat because of the non-religious, non-profit claims made on their website. Can you tell me if they back this up with real action? I mean, are there any cultish or "Give us all your money" aspects to the retreat. Believe me, I ask this with no preconceptions; I simply want to have as much information as possible.

Thanks again,

BFD!

I live in the Middle East.

Where do I vote??

Uh.. Asia.

http://go.hrw.com/atlas/norm_htm/asia.htm

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Loot

tasty

train

I must admit, i've stopped using FBP and now favour ChefsXP when i need a delivery.

The price did it for me (im a tight bar steward) but generally the service seems better than with FBP and the drivers are better presented. Also, ChefsXP seems to have a wider choice of resturants with more and more being added

I'm done with FBP, too. I even signed up for their VIP service when I first started ordering from them, but I find XP much faster and definitely cheaper.

I've never had a problem with drivers being 'grubby', though. I must say I'm curious why it would even matter, unless they were doubling as the cooks themselves.

Anyway, consider me a convert to XP, thanks to everyone one this thread for a newly satisfied customer.

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Again, thank you guys for the clarifications; this is exactly why I posted here.

The only thing I find scarier than 10 days of thinking is 10 days of NOT thinking, so this should be an interesting experience.

Actually, from that last sentence, it seems like I'm a pretty good candidate for the retreat, as I really don't think I've shut off my brain since I gained consciousness in the 80s.

BFD!

Don't expect too much. But expect it to be tough. At the beginning you'll sit before a mountain and fear the impossibility of lifting it. Then when you've lifted it and are holding it over your heard, you'll fear not being able to put it down. Then when the mountain is back sitting before you, your fear will be gone. Till next time that is.

Whew! That sounds pretty daunting, and I appreciate the forewarning. Thanks to everyone who has posted.

I don't foresee this being a cakewalk, that's for sure. While I consider myself to be a pretty introspective person, I know that I've never been faced with the reality of ten days of thinking. I'm pretty sure there are some dark places in my head that I have rationalized into near-oblivion, and they will come out to feed on me in my vulnerable state. I'm cool with that, I think.

Again, thanks to everyone for their words of encouragement. I am doing the retreat from July 16-27, so I'll let you know how it goes after that.

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Most people have to work today other than banks and gov't offices. Hard to believe that people at a school that get so many weeks off/year actually whine about having to work today.

I'm just judging by traffic this morning, but I'd say you're dead wrong with your 'most people' there. Honestly, a trip that takes 40 minutes every single weekday took 15 this morning at the same time, so something is indeed a little different.

Also, until you've been a grade 8 teacher, please don't question the teacher's need to whine.

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Traffic was heavy around Thonburi, but I think it was people leaving on their long weekends.

I agree with Scott in regard to the labor day (used yank spelling...) confusion. Only poorly paid labourers get the day off??? Do they get paid for this day off?

p.s. BFD, you've been on this forum long enough to relalize that one never bothers to reply to / take the bait of a certain moronic and antaganistic Prawet based poster...

Very true Scott! Thanks for the reminder; sometimes I get a wee bit hot-headed!

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Most people have to work today other than banks and gov't offices. Hard to believe that people at a school that get so many weeks off/year actually whine about having to work today.

I'm just judging by traffic this morning, but I'd say you're dead wrong with your 'most people' there. Honestly, a trip that takes 40 minutes every single weekday took 15 this morning at the same time, so something is indeed a little different.

Also, until you've been a grade 8 teacher, please don't question the teacher's need to whine.

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I guess I lucked out, in that I actually work today but have tomorrow off. I'd much prefer a 4-day weekend to having Thursday off and have to work Friday before a long weekend.

Wait, you DO get Coronation Day off, right?!

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Curs

I Fell in LOVE Today - Ween

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I took about 20 of my students on a field trip from Bangkok to the Elephant Nature Foundation last year, and I have to say that it was one of the more rewarding experiences of my life. The founder, Lek, is an inspiration for us all.

She has a 'banned' video that she showed us, outlining the torture and abuse that elephants go through prior to being in a 'show'. I can still hear the pain of an elephant being 'broken'.

As for touristy, I can't be sure, since we had the run of the place. However, they certainly know their stuff, and it's an experience I will never forget.

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Hi folks, I'd like some anecdotes here. I'm not sure what forum to put this in, but I know that it does NOT belong in the Buddhist forum.

I've recently applied (and been accepted) for a 10-day meditation retreat in Kanchanaburi with Vipissana instruction being the goal. Here's the website, if you're unfamiliar with it (Buddha knows, I am!):

dhamma.org/

Anyway, I'd like to hear from some people who have gone through the course. I've searched through the forums and come up with the usual 'It will change' your life-style cheerleading, but I'd really like to hear even a vague description of exactly what has been changed. Also, what initially drew you to the course in the first place? What did you hope to get out of it? What was it actually like when it was going on?

For myself, I stumbled upon it by accident and just decided to read the section entitled 'What is Vipissana?' I was pleasantly surprised when I was told that religion and worship plays no part in the retreat. Being a devout atheist, this pleased me greatly. I am planning on doing this to learn ways to manage stress in daily life, but I have to admit that I am completely new to this. Meditation is something I am completely ignorant about. Additionally, I am about as un-spiritual and skeptical a person as you will ever meet.

So, bottom line; can anyone relate their experiences (before, during, and after) with Vipassana Meditation?

Thanks kindly,

BFD!

EDIT: spelling and additional questions.

hmmm, my Gf is thai chinese, well educated ect....She has no problems with Kissing, Thai or Farrang style.....Even kissed on the first date. Seems like this girl has a few issues,

I have to say i would be more worried about a girl who kisses on the first date, than one who holds out, good education or not. Unless of course we are talking about short time.

I'm sorry, but I really don't think a kiss on the first date is cause to 'worry' about a girl's character. Sure, it is culturally unacceptable in some circles, but many of these rules were made to be broken, in my opinion. These archaic rules might have had some applicability in the past, but that time is long gone (again in my opinion). Your use of the phrase 'short time' shows me you are not completely out of touch with some of the sexual activities going on around you, but come on, it's a kiss!

I don't mean to be rude, but I really think this kind of prudish thinking has no place in a cosmopolitan society.

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An upside down plastic chair.

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"Scream Queens of the Dead Sea: Sex! Heavy Metal! Linguistics!" by Gilad Elbom

That should give someone plenty to work with!

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Get It Started in Here - Black Eyed Peas

Believe me, this is not my choice! I absolutely HATE this band! However, I'm teaching right now, and there is a Sports Day going on. Apparently, this schlock pumps the kids up.

BFD!