JohnBarleycorn

7 hours ago, MrBrad said:

In an astounding photo by pepe_soho which is like something of Monet, or Van Gaugh’s Starry Night came to life, this is a firefly sanctuary on the wooded mountains of Nanacamilpa in Tlaxcala, Mexico.

Definitely Monet.

By the way, Monet also painted some amazing paintings of boats and harbors, as I recall.

1. Van Gogh

2. Monet

According to my order of preference.

4 minutes ago, naboo said:

Loads of them about still. You just need to leave the concrete jungle and head to the traditional jungle.

Good to hear!

These days, we all suffer from a dearth of glad tidings, it seems.

Maybe next year, when hopefully the virus is a thing of the past, then I will go looking, someplace far from the concrete jungle.

Years ago, when I first arrived in Chiang Mai, I was surprised to see that Chiang Mai did have a few fireflies.  Not in great numbers, but still quite a few.

During the past several years, I have not seen even one.

Then, this evening, just a moment ago, I did see one, but only one.

Has anyone else remarked on the fact that the firefly of Chiang Mai is probably a dying breed?

To me, this state of affairs is quite saddening.

All children love fireflies.

Even I like fireflies.

Where did they all go?

Do you think they will return?

Have you seen even one this year?

On 5/10/2020 at 11:17 PM, BritManToo said:

Dude, everyone knows foreign guys that have to work as teachers are completely broke.

That's why they don't ask you for money.

Please don't call me "dude", Dude....

Yes, I agree with you that students coming to Thailand to teach are sometimes penniless, or farthingless.

Yet, the good thing about being in Thailand is that a farthing goes further than than the same farthing in Tokyo.

This is why I harbor no yen to move to Nara, even though Nara is a pretty nice place to live and study, I would imagine.

Besides....

I teach, usually, on a volunteer basis, simply because my passion is studying English, Thai and Chinese, as has been the case for over 40 years.

Being a volunteer does not mean that I am not one of the best teachers I know, probably better, at teaching English and Chinese.

But you are completely correct; volunteers enjoy even less income than young ESL teachers, even though, in my case, I am at least twice as good, and much more patient, and also smarter than 98 percent of the children their semester in Thailand, or the riffraff backpackers, or even many uni profs who have an advanced degree but still cannot teach a foreign language, worth beans in my opinion....

When you're good, you're good, Baby!  And I know I am better than good.

49 minutes ago, Sujo said:

Well thats the longest topic heading i have seen.

 

I havent been away from my home country permanently as long as you. I now consider my home country as wherever i live at the time.

 

My thoughts on my home country are worth but a fleeting glance and i am not minded to return.

The original heading was over 60 words.

Took me over and hour to edit it, and whittle it down to save you time.

9 minutes ago, Enoon said:

 

I'd love a Turbo Porter.

 

Or a Super Courier.

 

If going "well classic" it would have to be a Lysander (I'm sure I could mod it to deal with the scary go-round problem).

 

Sorry, what else was it you said? 

 

 

In this life, there are no "go-arounds".  You either nail it the first time, or it's crash and burn on final.

Sorry, what were you saying?

2 hours ago, RichCor said:

 

This really should be posted as separate topic. I was lucky that I got mine renewed in February before many services were reduced or wait times extended. The US State Department currently states the following on its website:

 

 

EDIT, ADDITIONAL:  

https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passports/adult-passport-renew/

 

I would highly suggest, if you are currently in Thailand, you contact either the US Embassy in Bangkok or the US Consulate in Chiang Mai and inquire about the current process and wait times.

 

Thank you.

Yes, you are most correct...I think that I have no other choice, but I dread contacting them.  It's like playing hide-and-seek, and much more stressful than the game children play.

When one is in East Asia or Southeast Asia, time stands still for no one.  The Hot Seasons come around again, and again, with ever increasing rapidity.  And these days as I continue to age, it seems as if the seasons rotate so fast that they have become as one, like the four spinning blades on an Air American Pilatus PC-6, rotating 1800 rpm at cruise speed.  The seasons meld into a circular blur, and who even cares that there are three and not four.

Some days, while sitting on my veranda watching my beloved Thai myna birds, I think back to the election of Bill Clinton, long, long ago.  I watched his acceptance speech from East Asia, live on CNN; it seems like just yesterday, sitting here typing this Post.

So many things have I done since that time, and many places have I seen, and every day nothing but a rolling stone, and a complete unknown.

You know, I have heard people say to me, "You've gone to the finest schools, alright Miss Lonely. But you know you only used to get juiced in it."  I never quite understood what they were telling me.  But, I never turned around to see their frowns as I was departing them; I do not listen to jugglers and clowns, anyway. I have no time for their chatter, those of the chattering class, and many others.

So, anyway, this is how I feel.

But, what I am wondering is:  How does it feel for others who have not returned home during the years since before Bill Clinton was first elected?

I do know why I have not returned since 1991.  It was not because I did not like Pennsylvania, my home state.  And, in truth, Naples, Florida is a beautiful place, maybe even too beautiful according to my druthers.

The real reason is, I can only guess, is because Asia is the only place for me.  Yet, 32 years is half my whole life?  I guess it is too late to return to Pennsylvania or Florida and live there for another 32 years.  There is no way I can recoup those 32 years, return to Naples, and relive them there...  Is there?

So much to think about, and so little time left.

It makes you wonder.

(Please do not ask me to proofread this Post.  I have no time.  I am presently too deep in thought for grammar, or for rereading what I have already written.  Maybe next time I will post another one that is more or less gramatically and sensical.)

6 hours ago, lee b said:

I am happy to be here but my visa date has already gone, and the head immigration office has told me no problem I am ok until july 31 . But I am still worrying like s$#@ I cant just see me getting stamped oût of Thailand when I go with no questions asked or fine etc, maybe ive been here to long, and I dont trust the system.

 

I will feel like this and will not be relaxed until I am in the air. If I was still in Vietnam where I have lived for a few years, I would never feel this way. 

I, for one, completely empathize with your worry and inability to relax about this very important situation.

What I am worried about is that the US consulate will not resume the issuing of passport renewal for US citizens by July of this year.  I need a new passport in time to do my visa extension sometime end of August, but I need to begin processing the extension by July 15th.  Therefore, I MUST have my renewed passport delivered by this date.......or else!

Wish someone could tell me if passport will resume, and if not, then what to do.  For example, do I send my passport by DHL or FedEx back to the USA?

Who knows, and maybe nobody knows at this point.

So, you are right....

There is too much uncertainty afloat and going around, these days!

5 hours ago, pookondee said:

I notice most replies here are from posters who are actually stuck, so it makes sense to remain positive about your surroundings and the decision to stay, since you can hardly do anything about it now.

 

I am of the camp that bailed out when i could.

I just didnt trust the current Thai government to competently handle the crisis.

And you are never sure how you will get treated as a farang in a crisis.

(We are 2nd class citizens and just walking ATMs at the best of times)

 

So on one hand, i commend those who stayed.

It took big nads to stay put there and take that risk.

 If things had of turned REAL bad, it could have became a completely different, dire situations for foreigners there.

 

So, on the other hand, if it had all turned to sหit, your country would now be saying:

 

"well, dont come a cryin now, we told you to come back when you could...."

 

And you could have been stuck in a terrible situation where you were at the mercy of uncle Tu..

(who pretty much has no mercy for dirty devil farangs).

 

How secure do you feel in a country where a health minister blames "dirty unwashed farangs" for spreading the virus..

and even normal Thais reccomend others to go out and fire sling shots at farangs with no masks, f.f.s. lol

 

Anyway, I sincerely hope things pan out ok, but y'all are not at home base yet if a 2nd wave hits.

It looks like pure dumb luck has been good to Thailand so far.

 

Im sure the folks who went home are not regretting it. Some nationalities are getting ongoing welfare/stimulus/ free money to watch it all on the sidelines in a country where we get free health care and actually treated like actual citizens.

 

 

 

 

Big Nads?

Yes, I AGREE! That's me, and sometimes I find my nads get in the way while walking.

BUT, I am NOT a walking ATM.

After several years in Thailand, more than 7, not once has anyone asked me for money.

Quite the opposite, actually: Sometimes I make small gifts to my students if they don't have headphones or important learning items (expensive dictionary apps), things like that. They are invariably hesitant to accept, and they often refuse, and do without instead.

And so, this stereotype you mention in your comment is completely contrary to my experience of the culture in Thailand.

I think you got this wrong....so solly to say...

On 5/3/2020 at 11:21 PM, daphnia88 said:

I'm in a teacher's group on facebook, and there was a discussion there saying that students' grades are lower than usual since the online learning thing started. For younger students, the house is not a conducive place for learning. There are too many distractions, both from within their own homes or from other students taking part in the conference call (mic not muted). There are also students who NEED structure, and learning from home doesn't give that if their parents don't provide them with a structure in their daily lives. That can also cause trouble in concentrating, etc. And let's not forget the social aspect of school: where kids learn and develop social skills and figuring out their own identity. 

 

I'm also a university student, and for me personally, online learning works. However, teachers would need to learn how to communicate really well using written instructions, something many Thais, doesn't matter which profession, struggle with (it is related to the culture - too long to explain here). Lots of confusion otherwise. My university is also offering scholarships for students whose families are affected by COVID, but they would need to provide adequate financial proof. As for facilities, for the last 2 months, my uni hadn't provided any sort of support regarding internet connection, gadgets, etc. So it was up to us to provide our own internet connection and gadgets. Thankfully I have a reliable wifi and laptop, but some students have only their mobile phones. I don't know how they adapt. But then again, maybe they just don't care about the quality of <deleted> they submit since many students are so lazy and unmotivated. 

 

My uni plans on maintaining the online learning for the coming semesters in the foreseeable future. Maybe they will figure out a way to provide students with more services / facilities. I'll never know. But yes, I think it's safe to say that the campuses are ghost towns right now. 

 

For me, the challenge of studying from home during quarantine was the amount of work that needed to be done during a short period of time, and the lack of options for activities where we can unwind and recuperate. Usually, I would sit in class or work on projects from morning to early afternoon, then I'll go swim or meet friends, before going home to netflix. Now, there is only netflix. Which is not enough to get the mind refreshed and ready to work again.  Teachers need to understand this. 

For me, watching Netflix is extremely stressful, not stress-relieving.

I think that it is the wasting of time that I find discomforting.

When I am occupied in doing something productive, no matter what it might be, I feel positive and more energetic.

But when I give in to the temptation do nothing, such as is the case with watching Netflix, especially, it increases my paranoia, even worse than looking in my rear view mirror and seeing a police car.

So I try to keep occupied by installing a LAN network on my several computers, or English-Chinese translation which I can use to help students, or Thai language learning, baking bread once a week, volunteer teaching online but only to hardworking students who follow my teaching methodology, ......, you know, things like that.

Stay engaged in positive and productive activities, please.

Netflix is a bummer, for sure.

YES!, I too worry about those students in Thailand who do not have proper internet connections, computers, and interactive skills to learn online.  A phone is inadequate for students to learn online.  In this case the students need to find ways to teach themselves, either through independent study, or researching topics of interest.

7 hours ago, lopburi3 said:

Only aware of your multi vit search - Vit D3 is easily available here in many size (wife has it from hospital).  I use several NOW products and believe them to be good quality at fair price.

https://shopee.co.th/????ถูก-แท้-ของใหม่????Now-Foods-Vitamin-D-3-High-Potency-2000-IU-120-Softgels-5000-IU-วิตามินดี3-D3-i.206992706.7715634111

You are correct:  The NOW FOODS offering is a fair price, and the right product.  Thank you.....much!

11 hours ago, Puchaiyank said:

It really does not matter where you are...many people are without hope...desperate...their once manageable live now filled with angst and chaos...

Yes, and they are the luckier ones.  Some others on respirators.

5 hours ago, teacherclaire said:

 

           

           It's impossible to answer this question. Many teachers went home for a holiday and are stranded back home.

  Neither do schools know who'll come back, nor would a member here know exact numbers. 

 

        But considering the new regulation that more teachers are needed to ensure that high school students have a CEFR level of B 1 at the end of grade 12, there won't be enough teachers around.

 

        Of course, will they then use some Asian teachers, which wouldn't be a wise decision? What Thailand needs are experienced teachers. With or without degrees.

 

 

       I'd have thought that foreigners who've been teaching here for ten plus years know what they are doing. 

Of course, with exceptions. 

 

      I do not think that hiring Russians, Uzbekistanis, Indians, or other nationals who are very difficult to understand, would be an excellent idea to fill the positions. But that's my own personal opinion. 

 

    

Thanks.  Interesting report from you about new government regs for B1.  Good news, all around, I would say.

9 hours ago, lopburi3 said:

Now low Vit D levels is being linked to increased covid-19 death rates.

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-05-vitamin-d-role-covid-mortality.html

 

Yes.

I know.

This is why I am buying D3.....  But, I just wish that Pfizer (Thailand) would cooperate.  They don't.  They do not understand the importance of vitamin D.  And yet, they produce vitamin tablets....  Something fishy going on here, obviously.  Fortunately, canned tuna is a good source of D, and I eat a lot of it.  I don't eat bluefin tuna. I try to keep my mercury levels low, while trying to keep my D-blood-serum levels high.

Pfizer Thailand is clueless.  Clueless, obviously!

36 minutes ago, kenk24 said:

ps - if you want a real taste of the culture, get out into the small cities and villages where there is less or no tourist influnece

Will do!

After the plague passes, of course.

12 minutes ago, kenk24 said:

I was first here in 1974... so, no feeling of being trapped, FT for 20 years now... but my few visits back to USA, I worried abt somehow getting trapped there and not being able to return here... 

 

nice that you can enjoy yourself here... the positive side to the old saying - "Wherever you go, there you are.." 

 

Enjoy.

Speaking of the wizard of OZ....

Yes, wherever you go, there you are.

1 hour ago, JensenZ said:

This is wrong for many people. The sun is so hot and severe in Thailand that many people, myself and my wife included, never go out in it long enough to get sufficient vitamin D3. To get enough one would need to expose quite a bit of skin for a reasonable amount of time everyday, and that causes the skin to age prematurely, so it's a case of damned if you do, damned if you don't.

 

Back at home (in Australia) the sun was more enjoyable and I spent a lot more time in it, but my skin is ruined from years and years of sunbathing on the beach.

 

The solution is D3 supplementation. I've been taking 10,000 IU (250 mcg) per day for many years and my wife takes 5,000 IU (125 mcg) per day. She avoids the sun like the plague as she has fair skin and wants to keep it that way. D3 supplementation is essential, and from all the research I've done (I did a lot, but won't be going into it here), without any sunshine you should take at least 5,000 IU per day. I weigh about 100 kg, so I bumped up my daily dose to 10,000 IU. I'd rather have a bit more than I need than not enough. The reports of toxicity are exaggerated by many as you'd need a huge dose to reach toxicity levels. 5000 IU to 10,000 IU will allow you to reach full saturation, comparable to people who spend most of their days in the sun (example - some African tribes). You don't get enough in multi formulas. 1000 IU is not enough if you don't get sun. It might be enough if you get some daily sunshine, but if you get too much sunshine your skin will eventually resemble a wrinkled prune.

 

I remember my wife gained a lot of energy after she started taking it.

 

I buy Doctor's BEST, 5000 IU, 360 softgels, from iHerb for $11. That's enough for 5000 IU per day for a year.

 

Unfortunately my last iHerb order has not arrived after 7 weeks. Usually it takes 2 weeks.

 

 

10,000 IU of D3 per day?  And you have no fear of hypercalcemia?

Well, your case just proves the point that it is difficult to OD on D3, I guess.

7 hours ago, Sheryl said:

When a product is listed as off market it ususually means the manufacturer has stopped importing oe manufacturing it in Thailand. Thete can well still be some on the shelves and typically is for a year or two after hping off market.

Hopefully, this product will soon be removed.  The packaging labels are misleading, to say the least.

I expect more word on this from Pfizer within 45 days.

When they state 1.2 mg per tablet of D3, this was just plain wrong.

Also, they state that this product is 50+, which one presumes means for people ages over 50, but the label is printed using microscopic fonts, probably about 0.5pt font.

If you really want to know how small it is:   This is 8 pt font printing.  The label on the Pfizer product is smaller than this.  Much smaller.  Terrible packaging.  Worse product.  Overpriced, too.  Who buys this?  Well, I bought it. But then when I realized that I had been had, I sent them an urgent email, and they called me back within the hour.  So, I am not COMPLETELY unhappy with their service.   But, I learned my lesson this time..... The lesson I learned is: No matter how difficult, it is still important to read the small print.

5 hours ago, faraday said:

Great stories, John - or should I call you Mr Yezhov.....??

 

@JohnBarleycorn

Call me what you wish; I am one of many names.

5 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Were you familiar with the Bedside bar? I arrived for my one and only ever one night stopover in H K and found that place, but being very late nothing was going on. Always wondered what they got up to in there. Perhaps you can inform me/ us. That'd be appreciated.

Well, that was during a period extending from 1979 to around 1992. I would need to think a while before recalling names, though I do recall experiences.

One name I recall was the Apple. This was a below-ground disco in the early 90s. It had a large three-dimensional glass or plastic red apple hanging above the entrance door which was lit up from inside ---- quite unique.  The clientele would drink until well after dawn, and after around 6 AM, when leaving the bar, I would need to step over drunken bodies lying just outside the entrance door.  I always wondered how long they would lie there before waking up and stumbling home.  Hong Kong was quite tolerant of drunken bodies lying around back then.  But after the commies marched into Hong Kong around 1997, the UK crowd left the colony en masse, probably because government jobs dried up in a hurry, and that was when I became unable to buy Stilton cheese at many of the local shops.  The inability to buy Stilton cheese and its sudden unavailability is one of the greater tragedies of the Hong Kong takeover by the CCP or the CPC, whichever.

3 hours ago, Puccini said:

Yes, that would be the Centrum Silver 50+ that was and perhaps still is sold in Thailand, although the Google archive picture you posted in post #12 appears to be obsolete. MIMS lists vitamin D as "vit D (as vit A acetate /vit D₂ mix) 400 IU"

 

Very interesting.

At my request, Pfizer called me. They are now investigating my complaint about their 50+ product. The company stated that they would reply within 45 days to inform me the results of their investigation. 

3 minutes ago, Puccini said:

The MIMS app for Thailand tells me that Centrum Silver 50+ "may be off-market". This might be because of the irregular labelling of the ingredients.

 

Please clarify.  Are you referring to the Centrum Silver 50+ product which is sold in many pharmacies locally in Thailand?