KhunLA

Definitely didn't read all the posts, so probably mentioned, but it only takes one/yours, an open & free thinking mind to break the cycle. My parents were extremely prejudice, and it didn't take much thought at all to be the opposite. I actually remember going completely against their 'programming' at about 5 yrs old. That's mind boggling, that I did at that age, and something that sticks in my memory. One reason why I've always had very few close friends. In that aspect, it's a very sad world we live in.

At Krung Thep now, and popped over to Chatuchak market (not my choice), but noticed, most not wearing masks. Not surprising, since guessing, most are tourist. The interesting part, few vendors were wearing mask, almost non-existent. Since Thais don't really shop there (tourist trap that it is), they don't seem to bother. Apparently not bothering, since they realize, the customer base doesn't care, at a guess. As I state often, same locally, market vendors not wearing masks, or incorrected, setting up, early opening, and not until the customers show up, then the mask get put on. Thais still about 50/50 locally in crowded areas/market, but again, wearing incorrectly. MRT, majority wearing, though surprised many locals, I think, not wearing, since not on the downtown lines. More were wearing, boarding the carriages at the popular stops. More crowded also.

Don't think anyone needs experience to know, Patts diving is probably krap. I personally wouldn't even bother with Tao, as yet to see a vid that would encourage me to go there. The Gulf is extremely iffy, vis wise, most days.

I'll add that to the list of things that have come out from the CDC the past few years, that took away any small credibility they might have had. If people only knew how silly they sounded when saying ganga is addictive ????

Every one that indulged that I know, and that's a lot of people. Compare those to the drunks & dopers I knew, sadly to many of those, and it's pretty obvious which stimulant is addictive.

Everyone I know that did have a drug problem, started with alcohol. And non, had a ganga drug problem. Usually meth/crack were the problem drugs, after alcohol, dulled their intellectual thinking enough for them to try those. Poor decisions when drunk ... then hooked. But not on ganga. Matter fact, most drug addict avoid ganga, as brings them down off their drug of choice. Again .... experience wins over BS.

Wow, a new definition for 'disorder' possibly like addition. That's embarrassing, almost like a credible health organization, wanting to create something that doesn't exist ... so they can treat it ... $$$$ "Marijuana use can lead to the development of problem use, known as a marijuana use disorder, which takes the form of addiction in severe cases. Recent data suggest that 30% of those who use marijuana may have some degree of marijuana use disorder.18 People who begin using marijuana before the age of 18 are four to seven times more likely to develop a marijuana use disorder than adults" That's the most ridiculous thing I've read in a long time, trying to sound very 'medical' I can't stop taking photos ... I'm going to start rehab next week. On Topic ... I got a sh!tload here, and I don't even bother smoking it. Maybe once a month. About the same 'addition' I've had for the past 40+ yrs. Days past, I'd smoke 3-10 joints a day. Stop for 30 days, no withdrawal symptoms at all, and apply for the job that required a piss test.

7 days, that's a rushed trip. especially if you're going to sticking to the river part of the way. You may want to reconsider that.

I don't know about explosion, unless something stored where they hang out. But fire ... yes. Imagine a nest built over an electrical junction, and or any exposed wires. "Pigeons build nests far from predators, so they may build them on rooftops or even chimneys. Nesting materials like twigs, grass clippings, straws, etc., are extremely flammable so they can quickly catch fire. Moreover, the fire can be worse if the area is full of bird droppings as bird droppings are also flammable." BOOM

I saw that in Amsterdam ... ????

You got that right, I used to work at Newark airport, (1980/81) and lived way down off exit 8 / Hightstown. Which turned out really advantageous most days, as was able to fly to work out of Princeton. A double win, as the employee parking lot was on the other side of the highway, and had to allow 30-45 minutes, if you missed the first shuttle over. I think around exit 10 or 11, it started and the stench was repulsive. Don't now how people lived there. Remember reading the headline at Princeton airport early in the morning, "John Lennon Shot & Killed". Along with being at work, and announcing on the PA at the gate, Reagan had just been shot. Didn't quite hit the news channel at the airport ... talk about a hushed silence.

Not exactly east, but sure it looked just as good over there this morning ...

Trivia tidbit ... he never visited Baltimore before writing the song, just impressions from passing through. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/randy-newman/baltimore

P4P is not a conquest, just a business transaction.

Dick Van Dyke, a favorite, and multi talented. The Dick Van Dyke Show, & his movies were great entertainment as a youngin.

Never got caught up in the rat race. Being the ever LPOS, I just didn't care and more concerned about my smile now. One of my first LPs, and pretty much my theme song on life:

My wife followed the 'worker', definitely not a plumber, doing the piping. She had to redo most of the drain piping. This FB post of hers is a crack up ... TIT

https://www.beatlesbible.com/songs/nowhere-man/#:~:text=Originally released on Rubber Soul,from the mayhem of Beatlemania.

I stopped counting at possibly 10 cuts, and not even halfway through. NO, never dream about her/#1, and rarely think about her, can't really remember the last time she crossed my mind, until this topic. Nice quick flashback. The good times, as I never dwell on negatives. Probably why I never think about #3 (1st Thai wife). I prefer to always move forward, rarely look back, unless entertaining myself with my early silliness, and single life. Still in contact with #2, as one of my few FB friends, all of 15, I think, and most family, just to keep in touch.

No, had a great few years but that was it. Always a preference for younger lasses, I was 23, she 17. Courted 2 years, married 2 years. First love, and great till it wasn't. Did motivate me to start being responsible and take life seriously. 2nd wife a few years later, again courted 2, only married one. Enjoyed being unmarried for 10+ years, before coming to TH, so no mid life crisis for me.

Best, by car of course, but if getting a 'yikes' maybe not for you. Do you have a motorcycle license, then public trans to the cities, and rent a MC/scooter when there. Train or bus, (I'd pick train), runs to & through Korat, KK, UT & NK. If not MC license, then I'd rent the car. Depends where else you've been to Thailand, and interest, but if been to UT, then Korat, KK & Ubon aren't much different and I personally would waste a month in Isan. Especially if comin in smog season. It doesn't get a lot of int'l tourist for a reason. Again, depends on your interests.

You paraphrased, "How can anyone defend a serial liar for a president is way beyond my comprehension." I had to back up to see what president he was referring to, as immediately, I thought it could be any of them. Lets start w/LBJ 'I will not send more American soldiers to Vietnam' 'I am not a crook' 'Pardon me' 'Iran/Contra - I don't recall' - that actually might be true 'Read my lips, no new taxes' 'I did not have sexual relations with that woman' 'WMD' 'Like your Dr, you can keep your Dr'

You should have said moon landing .. I'm 50/50 on that. I'm waiting for some other countries photos of the junk that was supposedly left up their by the USA. My life time to repeat, 2 big ones, millions killed or displaced: ... WMD ... Gulf of Tonkin Neither from CH nor RU. On topic .. as always ???? Now will there be another involving CH or RU, and who to believe if and when. MSM is tough to swallow any more .. IMHO Too few people control it, and too much money involved.