retiree

Powerbuy sells this item in partnership with "Mac Modern" (they do a lot of this sort of thing), and their site says 3-5 day delivery. Mac Modern is online only; Chrome will translate the page if needed: https://macmodern.co.th/รายละเอียดสินค้า/12294317706 I just called Mac Modern, and they assured me that the PaperWhite gen 11 is in stock. Re dodgy sellers on Amazon; yep, you have to comparison shop esp. if overseas delivery is limited. Same with Lazada / Shopee -- I try to go with the "Laz Mall" or similar sellers. Re Lazada (and lesser Shopee), you have to beware that even if you asked for a domestic source, the seller page may say "preorder" 20 or 30 days. This means they are just drop-shipping from China (for some reason most Kindle Oasis cases are like this). I've never lost money on these orders, but I have had some cancelled after waiting 3 or 4 weeks. Finally, re stuck pixels, no idea if this is available for Kindles, but there is such a thing as a stuck pixel tool for regular screens. These should be free, and can actually work. Happy reading, --Retiree

Uh, I got a Kindle Oasis from Amazon USA last year; took about a week. And as far as I can see department stores in Thailand do sell current models of Oasis and Paperwhite (and say they'll deliver in a few days), e.g.: https://www.powerbuy.co.th/en/catalogsearch/result?q=kindle Fwiw the Oasis is crazy expensive but turns out to be great imho. -- Retiree

Likewise at CW for retirement. Most recent bankbook entry is always an interest payment 2+ months prior to visit (although one year the IO had to ask her boss what to do). Otherwise, practice == The Theory: bank letter, book, and copies only. -- Retiree

Google "your protective filing date" -- yes, what you thought seems to be correct. The phone interview was very easy. I don't recall if they called me, or sent me a number, but contact wasn't a problem. Questions were basically about where I lived, when I wanted to sign up, and making sure I understood the system. I was fine with starting to pay a few months sooner than was technically necessary, which seemed to strike them as odd. I set up a quarterly auto-pay system via my US bank (because I wasn't collecting SS yet). Medicare has its own monthly debit system, but it was more paperwork to set up. I also get a bill here in Bangkok from the Manila office that invariably arrives right around the due date, after I've already paid it via the US bank. Medicare has a website / account system, and their US help line is human and very helpful. The only tricky part is that you have to remember that the rate may go up a bit each year (it gets published online). But they'll allow one or two quarters' slack before you're penalized. Good luck, -- Retiree

Re 90-day, as DrJack54 says you can even have a motorcycle person go file for you (if you can't manage it online). Re retirement over marriage, retirement has fewer administrative hoops (e.g. no home pix). --Retiree

Tan Tock Seng Hospital will do it. I spoke with a Nurse Tan in the Travelers Clinic. They will: - schedule a doctor consultation (required), - reserve a Shingrix injection for same-day service. An advance appointment is required. Cost in $Singapore are S$427 (Shingrix), S$33 (doctor), + 15% foreigner surcharge, so a little under US$400. No doctor needed for second shot in 2-6 months. Nurse Tan understands the situation, and said a half-day was reasonable. +65 6357 2222 [email protected] I also checked with Raffles Medical Group, which has a 24-hour clinic at Changi Airport. They advertise that Shingrix vaccine is "available at most Raffles Medical Clinics." After a series of phone calls and e-mails, this turns out not to be so. The airport clinic doesn't have Shingrix, and I don't think the other Raffles centers do either. They were very nice, though, and pointed me to Tan Tock Seng. Just fyi, I had the Zostavax shot nearly a decade ago. For me, I think that getting a Zostavax booster now (apparently safe and effective, although not heavily studied), then waiting a year to reconsider travel for Shingrix is my own best "Covid-era" strategy (CDC says that an 8-week gap is sufficient). There's a somewhat higher relative risk of shingles and PHN, but the absolute risk year-on-year is still low. --Retiree