fredwiggy

My PEA bill usually fluctuates from around 500 to 1500, which was last month and was the highest ever in 6 years. I've been thinking my bills haven't been right for a long time, just like back in Texas, where they rose very high with no more usage a few times, and it was the meter that was wrong or something else I never figured out. This month it was almost 2000 baht. I usually water my grass from my well, from a water tank I fill up. This past month I only watered two times, and wasn't home at least 9 days that month, meaning the only usage was my refrigerator those 9 days. When I left to visit the states last November, nothing was used besides that refrigerator and the bill was still over 1000 baht, which is impossible because I wasn't home for over 30 days. I'm the only farang in our village and my bill is always higher than anyone else's, but this time I know there's something wrong, as I water my grass every other day when it's not raining, and my bill was never over 1500 baht. Now , with only those 2 watering days, using my pump, it's almost 2000 baht, so, even though it was a little hotter than normal, it's still never been higher than that 1500 baht, and usually around 1200 a month. Anyone else's bill from PEA last month go up that 500 baht or more?

Yes, clinical or major depression, is real. Like mentioned, everyone gets depressed at times, especially living in a world full of problems. Some stay depressed much longer. Everyone gets the blues. This is why there are many songs about being down. Listening to them, you can relate, seeing others are also feeling like you are, and it helps drive the blues away. Some, like my daughter, cousin, girlfriend, a wife before, and a best friend who took his own life, have (had) major depression. The best thing you can have is someone who is there to support you, just to be there to talk to, and who will listen, trying not to give much advice but just to listen. Talking , like talk therapy for depression, is one way for a person suffering to relate and to get their negative feelings out, because keeping them in and thinking too much is one way to make it worse. Some respond to medication, as long as it's the right one, to help with symptoms. Millions suffer from clinical depression, and it's one reason relationships fail, have problems, and people lose their lives. My best friend had everything a man could want. A pretty, loving wife, house, car, job, hobbies and many friends. What he didn't have, back then, in 1987, was someone who understood what he was going through, and maybe get him to a doctor and on something to help with his symptoms. I always remembered going to his house when we were young. He would be asleep in the middle of the day, many times, and this, although we (I) didn't know it then, is a major symptom of clinical depression. He was always a class clown, like a Robin Williams, and we know what happened with him. People have many ways to help themselves to feel better, and some are dangerous. Buying a lot of things, especially online, is one. Having sex a lot helps them feel something else. Drinking and drugs, self medication, is two more. Many think tomorrow will be worse than today, and think there's only one way out. They can't see past their negative feelings, not understanding tomorrow might bring about a change in their thinking, their brain chemistry, to see things just a little better. Recognizing they have a problem and wanting things to be better is the best first step in getting help. My daughter likes to smoke weed, and this helps her cope. I've tried to tell her to talk to someone, but it hasn't happened yet. Her mom, my ex girlfriend, has it, and drives a truck, which helps her to stay focused on making money to live, and it takes up much of her time. Her mother had it, and was a real piece of work, causing a lot of problems in my ex's and my life, both before we met and after. Her dad had it, and hung himself when she was little. My late cousin had it, and his marriage suffered, until he got on some meds, and it changed his whole life, until he passed from cancer two years ago. This disease has major effects on the world today, and people hurt others and themselves because of it. There is always a better way, as long as you think about tomorrow, and understand it can be a better day.

The other day you were in Pattaya? I thought you were in the Philippines. Or I guess the other day could be back in March.

Until the next time it returns and maybe bites you, your wife or a child, who has to get to a hospital very quickly or they will die.

A couple posts ago you said you were in the Philippines last year. So you're back now? But a few posts before that, you said you were in Pattaya, and a few before that, you were mopping floors in Australia. I wish I could travel on such a salary.

You're talking about a few hundred out of 35 million. There are many boys here that do not have fathers, or at least real men as fathers, who teach them to be men. Many learn from friends in the same positions, as can be seen when a group needs to gang up on one armed with weapons and kick them when they're down. A real father doesn't teach their sons this behavior, but how to fight fairly and also how to treat others, especially women.

Actually, as history has proven, the majority of wealthy people are the ones that are causing the most environmental damage, along with thinking they are somehow better than all the others, which translates into being someone with narcissistic personality disorder, the bane of society. Of course, there are some who put money towards environmental concerns, animal concerns and those who suffer ailments, though these are few. Although all humans are equal in God's eyes, these types are the opposite of what you call better.

Anything that moves

It has nothing to do with a clean environment but food and shelter. If they can get in, they will. Rats are everywhere, as well as mice.

Rats and mice don't just enter dirty places. If they smell food, in any house, they will try and get in, and the opening only has to be the size of a quarter, so sealing any holes has to be done. Having cats helps of course. Sticky traps are the way to go, although not really humane, but vermin do not belong in a house so that's the only way to go if you have cats, because spring traps might catch them. Poisoning isn't good also, because, as stated, they will die in the walls or attic and smell awful for quite awhile. Poisoning outside doesn't work because it kills domestic animals also. Also,like mentioned, poisoning kills them in the house, where they die and can't always be located, and this attracts other rats. If you catch them, find a local that will take them, as they eat rats here all over.

I live in Isaan and it's the most boring place I've ever been, and most can identify with this, although quiet is something some like, with farm life, rice fields and no traffic. I lived in New Jersey and Texas before this, and was about 2 hours max from the coasts. I loved the beach, fishing, seafood and the romantic part of it all, and I was close enough to go there anytime. Here, I'm 8 hours from the closest beach, good fishing and good views. People who live near the beaches like them for the reasons I mentioned. Yes, Isaan does have mountains, but most of them no one will ever walk or climb. Nice to look at maybe, but you can't just walk anywhere you want because much is private property, and snakes are a real concern, along with mines near where I live next to Cambodia. There are lakes and fishing in Isaan, but only the private ones and the huge ones will have good fishing, as the smaller ones are netted out from people who don't practice conservation. The ocean has many opportunities and does have regulations as far as what and how many fish you can keep. I never saw the hill tribes near Chiang Mai, and would like to, but that's only something you might do once. Thai food is available anywhere, and the best seafood is always near the beach areas. If you like swimming, there are always pools somewhere. Yes, the beaches might have jellyfish, and they are a concern, but the beach areas also have pools in some hotels. I don't enjoy living here for many reasons, and will leave asap, but I still like beach areas for there are a lot more things to do than sitting in bars or watching the rice grow, as most so here in Isaan. Like others have said, Samui is only one island, and there are hundreds of smaller islands where you can have a romabtic getaway and great seafood.

If you're renting a car and do not live there , you will get daily coverage for the car that's extra.

Like many other things that are in reality illegal here, officials allow it to happen because of the amount of corruption here. Human trafficking is a byproduct of prostitution and in Thailand it's huge, with some officials allowing it to continue, as the amount of continuous arrests show. Bending the laws here because of Thailand being a poor country will continue until the people allowing it to happen are removed from office, those involved in trafficking are incarcerated or executed, and the people are allowed to have more of a say in what happens here instead of being encouraged to shut up.

https://thailawonline.com/prostitution-laws-in-thailand/

He is right that a clean air filter reduces the black smoke in a diesel. Also using a higher Cetane in the fuel., along with clean injectors as said. All fuel based motors emit pollutants, so they should be eliminated eventually, as long as there are better alternatives like electric, when they are perfected. Burning of chaff and cigarettes are the ones that hurt most people here, especially in country living.

I'm not sure where you get the idea that it's not Thailand that is causing the problem, but it is all of Thailand's problem. China has many cities in the top world polluters and Thailand has2 in ther top 5.This isn't pollution drifting in from surrounding countries but started here. There are laws against burning and they are not enforced, just like many other laws that are routinely broken here. I see burning almost daily, and not just in the fields but on roadsides and in people's yards. They think it's okay to burn anything because it's done so much here and nothing is done to enforce against it. I have to tell my girlfriend to stop burning trash and leaves, but instead use the leaves for fertilizer, but it usually falls on deaf ears for the same reasons. There are ways to use the chaff from sugar cane and rice that other countries use and they know about them here but again, nothing is done. Air quality here will continue to get worse until they enforce the existing laws, meaning now. .............https://www.iqair.com/th-en/world-air-quality-ranking

Looks like a centipede. A friend was hit by one and had to go to the hospital for treatment, meaning it either got infected or he was allergic to one. Hand swelled up almost twice it's size. Antibiotics stopped it. Ex wife's cousin also had one on her leg, and it swelled up big also. I was pinched on my forehead in bed by a little one but nothing but a bit of pain. Most times you can take care of it at home, unless there are more harsh symptoms as described below............https://www.medicinenet.com/what_happens_if_you_get_bitten_by_a_centipede/article.htm

If giving is the most gratifying thing to you, you aren't quite the narcissist you believe you are. All of us have slight narcissistic tendencies, but some have the personality, and they aren't givers but takers and users, not caring about anyone besides themselves.

Traveling the world hunting and fishing and seeing all my children end up with good partners.

You don't brandish the gun, you wear it under your shirt, and this isn't a bad idea. They aren't illegal, and won't scare others thinking it's a real gun. Soi dogs can be bribed with food, although some are plain mean and will attack anything in their territory. I see this around my house in the country where dogs have killed any cats I bring here that stay outside. Having biscuits handy will make a few friends and dogs will remember you but again this won't always work. A baseball bat isn't illegal either , if you can get one. A cop isn't going to give you a hard time if you explain yourself. A dog that attacks anyone isn't supposed to be around anyway, unless it's on it's home property and you enter. One of the horns people use at sporting events also will deter them.

No, just tired of hearing people brag because something's missing in their lives. It's always best to be humble because showing off only impresses the sheep. I know a lot of people who do better than most and they aren't feeling the need to tell others.If it was a topic on how much a person spends on food monthly it's a little different. There are some here, and we all know who they are, who feel the need to tell others just how much they have, and this is bragging. How they came into the money might be an interesting story also. Many of them are probably lying anyway which is sadder yet. This is a world in which most people are just getting by, and any advice on how to help others is always a good thing. Do you think anyone in their right minds cares how much the Kardashians make, let alone how they make it?

Of course we are not equals, but it's still bragging showing off what you have. You think anyone cares to hear?

I really don't assume much, preferring facts and evidence, so I'm not sure what you mean.

A large portion of Americans don't spend that much on food every month, and that includes children. Cheese costs here, as does foreign beef, which is much better than Thai beef. Cooking two meals a day does cost more, but I still can't see paying that much if most of it is cooking at home. If I remember right, when I lived back in Texas I ate like you did, with fish, chicken and seafood, salads daily, for my daughter and I, and I spent around half of what you do now.

Some of the people who do have more and don't find a need to brag about it are called humble, modest, frugal and a quiet achiever.