Fat is a type of crazy

I can remember getting faxes at work from some Nigerian prince back in the early nineties. I have a bit of sympathy because in the back blocks of Thailand they have probably never heard of such scams and are barely financially literate despite having some available funds. People are lonely too and hearing nice words can have an exaggerated effect on a lonely Thai lady who has little interest from potential suitors.

I think one good thing is on this site, you can do what you cannot do in real life, and that is pick and choose topics and discussion with people and log off. We all know that there are certain topics that appear with regularity, with a lot of horrendously boring and predictable replies that get 20 likes each, and so I avoid them, which is easy as I don't live in Thailand, but come from time to time, and though I may retire in the future, I don't feel invested in the minutiae of life here like others. I like some of the stuff in the Pub section. There are discussions in the Pub about life on the streets, if you will, but they involve issues of temptation, morality, honesty and fairness that could be discussed here. Same with some of the news stories. Then there are some that are simply lighthearted. I like stories too about potential retirement destinations. So it's not too hard to avoid negativity. But negativity can be good as we all feel that way on some topics and best not to pretend our thoughts and ideas are all sweetness and light.

I want a date who could care less about stuff. I want someone who cares. I am cynical enough for both of us. I think that's why older westerners like thai girls. Big open smile and eyes. They think it's because of the tits and ass which it is a bit of the reason but western men and women too easily see each others flaws and it seems thai ladies are more like a blank canvass. Too blank sometimes.

Fashions change and I think people are getting over the reliance by politicians on the whole anti woke thing rather than serious policies. So often Republicans are a bit weird. He seems weird and horrid.

If something makes me lose a bit of faith in human nature it's this. That people put up with their health being put at risk like frogs in boiling water and not holding the govt to account makes you wonder what it takes to get people to stand up.

They became famous in Australia in the 80's when attempting to set up an ashram in Western Australia. There was pushback from the community and the spokesperson for them seen below called locals stupid, idiotic, prune faces and fruitcakes. She was interviewed about local concerns and she said 'What can I say. Tough titties'. Caused amusement for a time and proabably drew a line in the sand of feeling that that sort of supposed mysticism was not to be taken seriously. She then went to jail for a different issue. But mention Rajneesh and the orange people and people in Australia think of

I accept that attitude, confidence, heart, discipline, and the flow on effects such as education, risk taking or carefulness, etc effect your financial outcomes. There are some people who seem attracted to bad investments and others who seem to have an ability to invest well and succeed. My opinion though is the link between thoughts and actuality is based on known factors and not some spiritual, or other worldly, or kharmic factors. Someone said how can you explain kharma to an 8 year old. My opinion on kharma is that at different points we make decisions - hard path or easy path, sensible or indulgent, long term or short term thinking. Good is not written on a tablet somewhere but stem from things that make our bodies strong - things that give us clarity, allow us to hold our head high, and have a strong heart. If we choose bad we become weak, tired, confused etc. Not morality as such but the reality of the effect of actions on ourselves. People sense it. Being bad opens up vulnerabilities in our bodies and allows people to take advantage of us. Kharma is based on our own decisions and the effect on the body and doesn't require a god or other wordly interaction. We make our own selves to an extent, but based on reality, based on real things. If an earthquake happens it comes under the category of stuff happens.

But in your own words you say you ' take ideas, subjective reality, and literally materialise that into it's physical counterpart.' That is the point of my posts. There should be proof of that. If not then let's stick with Exhibit A and say you have subjective experiences that seem significant.

OK I accept your right to have an opinion in that way. Exhibit A: Someone says meditation brings me a clarity and insights I never had before. I believe it has a significance beyond this and could indicate there is a god. Exhibit B: Someone says I know that ideas and thoughts can be turned into reality. Those who do not believe this are constricted in their thinking and have closed their mind. I am happy to leave A to their devices and can be interested in what they have to say but B is a different kettle of fish. It is reaching for the stars when it may be time to get their feet back on the ground. But I appreciate your input and concur that it is best I disappear back into the ether.

I don't want to get into debate so sorry if I don't reply further but if you believe we are creating our own reality, not just think it could be but believe it, then you must have extraordinary examples in your own life to show how you have put it into action. Post a picture of your $10,000,000 bank balance, show us your harem of hot chicks, etc. OK, maybe you are not materialistic but there should be extraordinary evidence of things happening that make you think it is correct. I get the feeling you are a normal person living a normal life. Like the rest of us. That life has not been particularly kind or bad to you. So why would someone believe that we can turn ideas into the physical when it's proponents have nothing to show that it works. I want extraordinary. Not coincidences. Not feelings that seemed special. Not a lucky car parking spot. It's a BIG CALL to go with your theory. The irony in many of your posts about people not being willing to change their mind when presented with new evidence is palpable. No more words. Evidence. If no evidence then fine - you believe Seth and that's fine but it is no more than a normal belief by the normal definition.

Good post Owl. Sorry to hear about the lack of rain. Doesn't seem long ago you had plenty. Everything is a bit topsy turvy - we had the wettest spring and early summer I can remember - had torrents of water flooding past the house damaging the road on a few occasions. Cats are a problem here. They have to be kept inside for killing the local wildlife. Rarely now you see a cat at all and if you do it is hiding in the bushes like a criminal or something.

I look at a girl. She hits the spot. Causes emotion. No thought required first. Thank you.

I recommend Kacha if high season rates. Probably no 2 to KC Grande at White Sand Beach. A little less fancy but nice rooms, nice pools, and lovely breakfast and restaurant on the beach. More central than KC Grande too with a small night market right outside. White Sand Beach is nice too because of the trees for shade and no rocks to the right of the hotel. K C Grande is nice but it is worth paying more to be on the beach side as the feel of the rooms on the other side not nearly as nice. On the other hand the hillside rooms at Kacha are cheaper and quite good as long as you ask for a higher floor and facing the pool not the street. They have always given me what I asked for. Other good options are the Emerald Cove though a bit of a walk to the main part of town and Seaview which is extremely beautiful amongst the forest and has it's own bit of beach. Breakfast is fantastic looking over the bay. 10 minutes walk to town on the beach if low tide or cheap taxi to Kae Bai if not. That was the hotel that had the problem when someone complained. I would book before hand as it will likely be cheaper and some of the hotels on white sand beach for example look ok but are pretty crappy inside.

They had a free shuttle back and forward when I was there. 10 or 15 minute walk each way otherwise but no lights at night.

It is unfair whoever you target. What is an alternative solution? One way of looking at it is the big companies such as oil companies make windfall profits and other companies put their prices up freely, more than what the increase in oil price justifies based on demand, and make big profits e.g. Qantas. This causes inflation. The solution? Make things so tough for consumers that they can't afford the high prices and prices are forced to come down. So the individual consumer bears the brunt. Ideally the businesses could be forced to reduce prices in the first place but that reeks of market control or socialism. In theory it would be fair but in reality every business has different situations so it is not practical. How to achieve that other than interest rate hikes? Keep in mind interest rates had been unusually low for years and are still not high on a historical basis. Meanwhile the big corporations and governments keep a limit on wages to limit inflation too. Individual consumers loses again. I concur raising interest rates is not a subtle weapon targeting those who should necessarily be targeted but I am happy not to be targeted for once and to actually benefit from higher savings rates.

In my job I have to give advice to staff and I often find myself thinking 'Please, for the love of god, cut to the chase, get to the point, no need to tell me every step of how you got here or how you feel about the situation'. It can flow through to my personal life too where when people wax lyrical or tell long stories I find myself saying that phrase or similar. So it is normal and you work out some are on your wavelength and some not.

I deal with it by saying could care less means you could care less and if Americans think otherwise they are WRONG.

Couples don't normally sit happily chatting away about books films and philosophy. Especially after a few years and especially thai girls. Do you really want to come home from work and have someone discussing books films and philosophy? Sometimes if you can put the smile back on her face you might feel happier. Happy wife. Happy life. Happy child. Buy her flowers tomorrow. Make her feel wanted. Don't make her feel guilty for being who she is. No one's fault or both of your's fault the situation happened. Seems like you admit the problem may be you and your issues with the past so it is may be no better with a new lady. Given the financial situation you could breathe and realise marriage is a bit of a bore but make the most of it, or if it is beyond fixing as a couple talk to her and consider living separately together for the kid, or give it a go as a family in Thailand if that is an option. Or get a better job and pay lots of child support and get your freedom back but at a huge cost. It's not easy but hang in there.

Not many new points in your post so I'll leave it there except to note: You say 'This is where the guy you met contradicts himself. He says how it's so hard to prove a resident or non resident status because of all of this criteria in the gray area that can be argued by an appellant, but then says this is why the 183 day rule will not be brought in because there needs to be room for argument.' I can't see the contradiction in this. There does need to be room for argument so it is not appropriate to apply the 183 day rule to this situation. You seem to mix up the argument for the 183 day rule with individuals in a specific situation being where they have been many years overseas. The residency issue clearly is easier to decide in such situations. It appears at this time though, there is little appetite to go after people in this situation based on my discussion, but the applying of a 183 day rule is not applicable or relevant to the situation of those overseas for some years. There may be a different rule, e.g. 365 or 730 day rule, that might potentially work a bit better, though it could still be problematic to apply broadly, but that is not the topic. You acknowledge Robodebt was wrong because it applied black and white rules to a situation that is not black and white and put the onus on the individual to prove otherwise. Surely you can see that once bitten twice shy and neither party will be keen to repeat this type of mistake.

I don't know Lineker from a bar of soap but I think it is not totally unreasonable for high profile media personalities to be asked to limit expressing their private opinions on highly contentious issues. If I was boss I would limit it to those in the newsroom though, and not limit the ability of other hosts or entertainers such as those relating to soccer shows, to have their say.

I concur. For example in many countries a large percentage of covid payments went to those that should not be eligible. Terrible waste. Sadly that is how it works with large government under democrats and republicans. It should be a priority to upgrade government IT systems for example to better identify and target receipts and payments and reduce waste. However, all things being equal, in my opinion the government raising money on those earning over $400,000 and for large super profitable corporations can result in fairer outcomes.

Taken from the Knights Templar Order site as a different poster pointed out last time you pulled out this quote. Should acknowledge they are not your words though.

Whatever you think of Trump I guess we can all concur that, if there was any room for doubt previously, Fox News is a total disgrace and cannot be trusted and will say whatever it takes to make money. We can all concur on that I hope.

Came to this site to see what retirement in Thailand might be like. Hmmmm. Stories like this do not have me packing my bags.

You do have a propensity for hyperbole