KhunLA

I know the store bought stuff is crap, in reality, but easy and inexpensive. Wife made some form cacao pods. Once you had the real deal, you realize what store bought is lacking. But it's a lot of work, small yield and not cheap, unless growing your own. Her friend gave her a few pods. What a treat that was and taste bud & eye opening

Hell yea, definitely won. I never expected to live past 30, especially after I started riding motorcycles. That and a few other vices, and risks I'd take, just for the hell / thrill of it. Game changer aside from trying to kill myself, financially, was realizing, I'd never be able to retire, let alone as early as I did, if I remained an employee for anyone or company. Learned to use them, and the system, instead of being used up by them. Only I would ever pay myself what I was worth. From that point the rest is history, and made life easy and even more fun. Somehow I still didn't kill myself, knockin' on 70 in less than a month. 3+ yrs past life expectancy for a yank born in 1954. Since I made it this far, might make it to 80, or so I read. Been much more health conscious the past 15 ish years. Especially the last 2+ years with major diet change, and never felt healthier, aside from simply being older, and avoid bouncing since I don't do it nearly as well as I used to. Been one hell of a ride

I don't believe any organization, media, etc. I believe what I personal know. I don't know anyone who died from covid or even with covid. I do know people that had adverse effects from the vaccine, even 1 child dying from direct result of the vaccine. The science of the vaccine, testing and silly mask contradicts everything I know and learned prior to covid, and after all the silliness started. My common sense told me it was all wrong.

We use these to make our chocolate goodies, and get from Makro. Comes in 2 bag packs. Quality & inexpensive. Most chains or baking supply shops should carry it. @ravip

Yes it was, self serve, glass, ice chest, and water cooler. Actually quite common where I live, free water. Usually a pitcher of on the table, and they bring you glasses of ice, or, self serve. Bottled water also available. I just test it, to make sure it's clean, and or, not tap. At those prices, it might as well be free, and simply a perk of dining there. 18L of water might cost 20 baht. That's home delivered price, and if we pick up, only 15 baht. Doubt if they are bothered to calculate the 50 satong of water we drink into the food bill.

That's just part of it, as CN just puts out a better product. Even the legacy auto maker have CN build their cars for them, in some sort of partnership. Which are waning, as Chinese don't like losing money, and JP badged vehicles simply aren't selling and those lines are being shut down at a few factories. I think CN builds a good part of their vehicles on robotic production lines. Employee salaries aren't that important.

All valid reasons, though all not applicable to most people, and really common sense items 🙄 Getting nuked & war is my greatest worry

Something different for brekkie, Mussels in Arrabbiata sauce ...

Geez, good thing I didn't take some of the advice offered. And no, you won't be chastised just for asking, politely, respectfully, and with a little humor. Smiling goes a long way. Catch her when she is alone. She a pharmacist, so her English is probably better than you think, she's jut not use to using or confident enough. That changes quickly. I ask the current wife out about 3 times ... no .. no ... no Still went back to her workplace, as some of the best food in town. Even took dates there a few times. She eventually warmed up to me, after watching daughter & myself's interactions, as it was a weekly stop for us. Taking an interest when realizing I wasn't dating anyone. So asked again, and finally agreed. Moved in about 6 months later and 18+ years on, all good. Major plus in her favor, she's pretty much the only gat that ever said NO, that I was interested in

That's what happens when you can't compete, with value for price. Legacy auto makers keep putting out overpriced crap, and people are tired of it. Now that some are waking up and realize they have options, well ... nuff said. Same with the auto invasion from JP decades ago. People stopped believing the BS, and realized they were better. Now it's CN's turn, and people are not believing the BS any more. People want the best product for the best price. That's coming from China now.

Damn Global Warming ... ... definitely chillier than I remember in the past

FFS, just ask her out. Ask her what her favorite restaurant is, then ask her to go there, show you where it is, on her next day off. That puts her in a familiar safe environment, so she'll be comfy and relaxed. Her name should be hanging on a diploma / certificate somewhere in the shop. If you see it, ask her how to pronounce it. Pay attention to details

Most are 5 yrs now, so covers 50k-75k kms from most local folks driving. Oil changes about every 10k with most manufacturers, and aside from that, most cars don't really need much, fluid levels, tires & brakes, depending on driving habits. Maybe a couple batteries. I wouldn't buy anything more than 5 yrs old, and here, I never kept anything over 7 yrs old, (125k-150k kms) and those were bought new.

Unless wanting to pay silly price, and sill not knowing what the 'specialty' shops, bakers put in their bread, then just make at home. Really is too easy, and one of the easiest things to bake. No need for a machine, but without, need to be around for about 2 hours, start to finish. 15-20 mins to mix, 30 min rest, another 30 min rest, then about 30 mins in oven. Last loaf I made, yesterday, was 250g whole wheat & 250g bread flour, water, salt, yeast, and I did put 10g sugar in, when doing a 50/50 split on flour. So not so dense, and the sugar is probably gone anyway, by the time it goes in the oven. Makes for an 825-850g loaf (350 water), healthier than store bought & tasty. Some current bread thread (buying / making) ... ... Bread Making Machine or Convection Oven ... Bread shops ... Yeast flour ... My Bread Has Begun (recipe vid) Bread @ 7:20 of vid

When someone tells you ... 'it's THEIR culture' ... rest assured, chances are they are going to benefit from that culture, and it's going to cost you money. Curious, what's the Thai culture, when a Thai male marries a non Thai female ... sin sot ???

Suzuki might not be far behind ...

"Squirrel fight" .. 2 nuts fighting over who gets to play with the nuts

Is this a holiday for him, or ... ... leave USA since Trump is PE, or ... avoiding limelight of Diddy investigations I read more than a few celebs have been MIA, maybe seeking out countries with no extradition treaties Just me thinking out loud, as not stating that is what they are doing and why MIA.

And yet, the dealers are full of folks maintaining their vehicles. Maintenance require to keep warranty intact.

Not up on my DEI slang, and not wanting to offend any alphabet folks ... ... since 2 dudes fighting, is this a 'dog fight' or a 'cat fight', since both are in drag. Maybe a 'dragon fight'

Actually bootlegged or watered down, even swapped out with something else. Whiskey is something I wouldn't order in a bar in TH, or the USA, as some do the same there. Crown and Jameson has too much of a distinct taste for a regular drinker not to notice. Haven't a clue of other whiskeys or spirits, and never got into them. Only in mixed drinks.