GammaGlobulin

Are you stating that such a thing is completely impossible? Of course, I would never marry for the convenience of moving to Scotland. These days, meaning the days during the past four decades, it has become ever more difficult to just live anywhere you choose in this world. Still, there must always exist a legal way. If push comes to shove, I might be able to qualify for a paid research position at some university in Strathclyde or Edinburgh. I mean, I have already been to McGill. I loved it there. I was there with Pinker, but never met him. The academic teaching format in Scotland is just about the same as Canada. I think I'm still young enough to get another degree before I die. But, I will definitely steer clear of the baloney Social Sciences. All I would need is a decent academic advisor, an excellent tutor, and then, it might just be Blue Skies smiling at me. I know plenty of people, half my age, who have gotten a second advanced degree. But, this might be just one of several legal options. People should always keep in mind that it is never too late to reinvent oneself. After 45 years in Asia, I think I have paid my dues. I deserve another paper-chase opportunity at a decent institution in Scotland. Don't you agree? When I get there, I will send you a postcard. And maybe, even a few pics of me and the co-eds. I hope just the image of me with these co-eds in Scotland keeps you up at night.

This is important to me, as well. I prefer those of few words.

Nice to know where you are from, actually. I think culture outweighs climate in most cases. Humor, too, is culturally based.

Before I provide my own reasons for wishing to live in Scotland, before I die, let me refer you to this link: https://www.scotland.org/live-in-scotland In addition to warm and friendly people, vibrant cities, and stunning scenery, I also enjoy the humor of Scotland. Also, culture. Equally importantly, I like the architecture. There are many things I like about Scotland. If I listed my likes, concerning Scotland, then I would, once more, be accused of posting too much, and writing too much, on any given thread, on this forum. I think Scotland is right for me. Years ago, many moons ago, I thought China was right for me. And, it was. But then the political winds changed, and China is no longer for me. Thailand is like heaven on earth, for sure. Yet, after so many years in Asia, maybe I need to get back to my roots. You might not know this, but, some of my ancestry is Scottish. Some of my roots might even have originated from the House of Stuart, although I cannot prove it. One thing is for sure; I can trace my lineage back to Scotland. Therefore, why wouldn't I wish to return home to see the land of some of my forebears? Furthermore, I like the peace and quiet of a village in Scotland. Maybe I like living in a house of stone, rather than in a house of reinforced concrete. Many reasons, actually.

It's not about any nonexistent wish to leave Thailand. Instead, it is ALL ABOUT my wish to go to Scotland. You see?

Maybe based on the last refuge from the insanity of the rest of the world? Not sure, yet. (Or, maybe as tit for tat in some partial compensation for the Lend-Lease Act of March 11, 1941?)

My Dear Friends, I have tried out most of the countries in East Asia, a few near here, and I am wondering if, and only if, the culture in Scotland might be welcoming, then I might try it out during the waning years of my life. I am getting concerned about the GLOAMING YEARS I have left, and I wonder if I should not try to live in Scotland while I am yet agile enough to board a plane. What would be waiting for me in Scotland, anyway? Personally, I prefer small village life. However, I have lived in very small villages in East Asia, and it does take a while for the natives to adjust to a newcomer. And, I am not sure if I have that much time left, if my intention were to wait for villagers in Scotland to get used to me. I am kind of a loner, anyway. I enjoy crashing seas upon rocky shores. I enjoy the cold rain. And, I have lived in a stone house, for many years, not finely built. Therefore, what would it be like for me, as a newcomer, living in a tiny village in Scotland, maybe not even understanding the language, just as I did not understand the language when I first arrived in Thailand? I am just beginning to feel that, now that I am in my gloaming years, I might miss out if I did not take the final plunge to go to Scotland. And, in my mind, I envision that this last trip of mine might be my final journey, before the Great Journey lying ahead of us, all. Absolutely, I would have no problem loving the Celtic music in Scotland. But, I might NEVER wish to hear JS Bach while there, too!, maybe... One might be suspicious of my sincerity in even mentioning the wish to emigrate from Thailand to Scotland. Yet, this seems entirely logical to me, at this stage in my life. What might be the best place for someone like me to settle; some small village where people are friendly and cosmopolitan, and welcoming? I prefer the quiet life, mostly. However, I also enjoy walking around the village, and plenty of fresh air, too. Maybe just a dream, unless I can negotiate a passage to Scotland, and some way to keep body and soul together, not wanting overly much. Just something I am toying with, fairly seriously, not necessarily due to Global Warming issues, either. Food for thought, maybe. Regards, GammaGlobulin Please Note: I am sure that I am not the only American here who often toys with the option of going to Scotland, to retire.

Moors, and mores, nice!

Mark Train, is it?

If times are hard, then there is always fish on Fridays.

And, no southern fruit hanging from the poplar tree?

In this report, there was mention made of... a. a black man b. a white sheet

In Pattaya? Shouting, ho, ho, ho?

Flowers have always played a major role, traditionally, over many thousands of years. There have always been flowers for the dead, for example, which was also a minor theme in Catch-22. Can you think of at least three ways in which flowers are used to commemorate and celebrate an important tradition in at least three different cultures? Do you recall the significance of flowers and how they were used, untraditionally, in the short novel, Lady Chatterley's Lover? This novel is all about being out in the woods, communing with Nature, and flora and fauna. Why does the Lily signify what it does for one culture, yet mean something different for another culture? The fine flower of their intimacy was to her rather like an orchid, a bulb stuck parasitic on her tree of life, and producing, to her eyes, a rather shabby flower. Why do some people throw rice at a wedding, and others eat rice at a wedding? For that matter, traditionally, why do Chinese eat noodles, long noodles, to celebrate longevity? Here is a tradition: 满月酒 Just a party given when a child reaches its first month in life. This is a good excuse for everybody to get sloshed. Also, please prepare a few red eggs. It is not so easy to explain this tradition, in words. Therefore, please refer to this short video: Perhaps you cannot understand the language spoken. But, TRADITION, you might understand. The joy of a newborn child, reaching one month, is cross-cultural and universal. This celebration of a child reaching its first month is like.....VICTORY! Too many infants died, in years gone by, before reaching the first month. (Please Note: The dialect being spoken in this video is NOT standard Mandarin. Therefore, it's not easily understood by the majority of Han Chinese, one might imagine. This is why there are Chinese subtitles. Mandarin is being spoken in parts of the video, but not throughout the entire video.)

In my opinion, this is Jagger's best. Funny that you might think so, too. So sad, really. Because, without The Stones, Jagger might have been a star. Anyway, great video of what might have been.

All good things under Heaven.

Yes. I believe in God. Because, without God, there could be no such devastating perversity present in our world. Without God, there would only be finches, Happily singing random songs, Chirping their little hearts away. Contentedly, Before falling off their perches.

If the person who posted this post wishes to find people of intelligence, far more intelligent than Harvard undergrads, then he/she should book a flight to PNG. I could reference this observation with a valid academic citation. But, why bother?

Rarely does it rain in Arizona. Huge drought in Arizona, at this time. Will they soon run out of water? Will Jagger ever run out of steam?

Dear Friends, as usual, Watching the rains come down, if you are like me, then, the resultant slight flooding might bring forth feelings of one's most memorable girlfriend, of the stormy kind. Just now, as I watched the downpour, the sight of this reminded me of a song, long forgotten. This is a song which was once considered to be slightly un-PC. But, the beat is just too good, and somehow complements the sound of the rain. Therefore, in your case, how do you feel about this great tune? Is it unforgettable? Lyrics, like poetry, is personal. Every one of us reacts in a different way to the same poetry. Under My Thumb is one of the greatest songs every performed. You might not know unless you had been there, at that time. But, it was. It was like, FINALLY, she is under my thumb. Finally, I might be able to control her. You know? So what does this song mean to you? Having read this forum for almost a number of years, I have read tales of woe, as well as tales of gladness. In my opinion, this single composition from Keith Richards and Mick Jagger epitomizes just how most of us may be feeling now, during this extended raining season. It is not the rain that I am talking about. It is being cooped up with one's beloved, month after month, and under her thumb. Or, you might have her under your thumb. Either way, this tune is so fantastic for a rainy day. You cannot deny it. Enjoy, please. Or, not... Ups to you.

It has fasinated (fascinated) me for years that people can believe in Tradition and that most people adhere to Tradition, over time. When you realize that there are so many thousands of cultures on planet Earth, it must be great to have Tradition to provide a sense of stability and belonging. Do you really believe in Tradition, and the usefulness of Traditions among all cultures? Without Tradition, where would we be? And, if we do not respect others' Traditions, then where would they be? I love Tradition. I love Thai Traditions, American Traditions, Scottish Traditions, Irish Traditions, all kinds of Traditions. This is just one small part of being human. Again, do I love Tradition? I cannot even begin to tell you the many glorious ways. Therefore, do you believe in Tradition, even above any known Deity? And, why? What is Tradition good for?

James Fenimore Cooper knew nothing of wilderness lore. Twain wrote about the idiocy of Fenimore Cooper's scribblings, and ridiculed him. In fact, "Fenimore Cooper's Literary Offenses" is an 1895 essay by Mark Twain, written as a satire and criticism of the writings of James Fenimore Cooper. It draws on examples from The Deerslayer and The Pathfinder from Cooper's Leatherstocking Tales." Why resurrect the Last of the Mohicans at this late date, on ThaiVisa? I refer you to Twain's great essay, if you are in the mood for a laugh. There is good writing and bad writing, and ne'er the Twain shall meet.

West is Mad, for sure. Don't go west, young man! Horace Greeley knew nothing about punctuation. HERE, is a Full Stop!

Strangely enough, in all my born days, I have never, even once, visited a bar in Thailand. This is the God's honest truth. Maybe, someday. I am curious. Curious Yellow, even.... https://youtu.be/2KXjUs31-Wg The link could not be embedded because youtu.be does not allow embedding of that video.