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

Not clear to me that ordinary rough treatment -- aside from being stretched or intentionally kinked -- is a problem. See: https://www.reddit.com/r/HomeNetworking/comments/e7h25x/how_fragile_is_fibre_optic/?sort=old https://www.ecmag.com/section/systems/fiber-tougher-you-think Fiber optic cables are designed to withstand crushing forces. The soft jacket and padding provided by the strength members protect the fibers. Fiber optic cables are used under carpets in casinos where money carts are regularly pushed over them. I'd check the "attainable rate" and related stats in the router / modem (not the online speed test) before blaming the fiber. I would also guess that most sites use xDSL, which is fiber from street to building, then existing phone wire internally. This will be limited by wire length and quality; i.e. the last 100 meters probably determines what you get.

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