californiabeachboy

18 hours ago, up-country_sinclair said:

Everything I have read online says that California does not check residency or immigration status to get a COVID vaccine.  But I just checked the San Diego County vaccine portal, and it states that you have to show proof that you either live or work in the county.

 

https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hhsa/programs/phs/community_epidemiology/dc/2019-nCoV/vaccines/COVID-19-VaxEvents.html

 

I don't want to fly my wife and I all the way over there just to be turned away.   And then have to do two weeks quarantine in Bangkok when we get back to Thailand.

 

☹️

I live in San Diego and received my shots (Moderna) at a pharmacy near my home. They did not ask for confirmation of my residency. Maybe the San Diego County sites, publicly funded, require proof of residency, but the private/pharmacy sites do not? Check with CVS, Ralphs, or Vons websites, all with pharmacies in San Diego as to whether they are giving shots without proof or residency.

As to California, your chances are excellent. I got mine back in January and they asked about insurance but if you say none they don't care, because it is free to all. Didn't ask if I was a resident (but I am). We are now awash in vaccines - Moderna and Pfizer. Anyone over 16 can get one in most states, if not all.

I would second the thought of coastal California. Nice winters, good social services, and a vibrant educational/intellectual community for the elders. Good public transportation in the smaller towns. So far relatively good for the coronavirus. It can be expensive for housing, but electricity bills are peanuts even in the winter, and you can go for a walk on the beach for free. I would look at Carlsbad in North San Diego County, or maybe Mendocino north of San Francisco. I am in my late 60's, hate driving, and this my spot. 

On 2/19/2017 at 2:44 PM, sqwakvfr said:

What about the Notary Travel Fee? I was a notary in the past and I used to charge a travel fee around $35 USD+the actual fee $10(at the time and notaries are now charging $15.

I do not recall the exact travel fee, but it was not close to $35US, maybe $10 or $15 extra. Her notary office was only a 5 minute drive from the doctor's office.

Just a comment regarding the need for the medical certificate to be notarized (LA Consulate)

About 3 years ago I applied for the O-A at the LA Consulate and noted that the medical certificate had to be notarized, but my doc doesn't have a notary in his office. So I just found a mobile notary nearby who came to the office to notarize the document - as I recall it cost me about 15 USD extra - not a big deal in the grand scheme of things.

The only strange thing is that the notary (she) came into the exam room with me, so she was there during the cursory (thankfully for her and me) exam. He then signed the certificate, she notarized it, and off we went.

Keep in mind most cities will have mobile notaries if your doc (or anyone else) doesn't have a notary in the office.

Unless I've missed it I can't believe yesterdays NRL hasn't got a mention somewhere in the Sports forum. What an amazing game! I don't know how accessible it was in Europe and the UK but catch a replay if you can.

I agree. I am a Yank but I spent some time in Brisbane and I can get the NRL here in the US and all I can say is..

Wow, what a great final! - one of the best footie matches I have watched, tough rugby, drama to the end, but without all the other crap in the State of Origin (i.e Gallen). I am happy for JT, well deserved.

Cheers.

I stayed at the Opium about a year ago - nice place, clean, very helpful front staff.

As far as grocery, there is a Tops market about a 15 minute walk away. But if you stay there you should check out the Tanin fresh market, about a 5 minute walk away - great Thai fresh groceries, and you can also get cooked food that is good and cheap. A real Thai experience.

As for the gym - not much. Just a few machines, a couple of which didn't work very well. About a 20 minute walk away there is a decent gym (Thailand Fitness?) which has a lot more equipment as well as classes.

Good luck.

I have never been with a Latino woman. However I would like to tick it off my bucket list. Can we discuss here, politely please, the pros and cons between Latino and Thai girls?

If you like 'plump', Latinas do tend to plump up as they age. Not bad if your into the 38 to 42 range, and I don't mean age. Lol Lot's of loving to be had. And you can pick up spoken Spanish in about a year. Predominately Roman Catholic if Buddhism isn't your thing. Family oriented and probably a lot less likely to have a gik on the side. If you enjoy Mexican food (I do) you'll plump up too.

Although I am no expert (sadly), I have spent time with both and I agree with the "plump as they age" comment. I think youngish (25 to 40) Mexican women are some of the most beautiful women in the world, but ohhh that diet. Think frijoles and carnitas vs khao soi and laab muu.

As to personality, I have found that the Mexican women are more reserved around foreigners - maybe it is the Catholic upbringing, I don't know. But in my trips to Thailand and Mexico, I have had many more casual conversations with a Thai women (not in a bar) than I have had with a Mexican woman.

In my opinion, they are both wonderful.

Maybe a bit off-topic, but I need to say it.

I just watched Jarryd Hayne play for my team the San Francisco 49'ers.

So I am watching when he comes into the game to return a punt.

There he is, the ball is in the air.... what?..... he fumbles!! ( not sacked as one Aussie blogger said - sacks only happen to quarterbacks).

But after that he did really well, so I am happy.

Inching back on topic, I visit Thailand a couple of times a year and love to watch NRL so I am keeping contact here to see how I can do that. I really admire Hayne - he could have continued in NRL, made a boatload of money, but he looked for other things to do. he seems like a class athlete.

Cheers.

I visit Thailand a couple of times a year, most of the time I use a serviced apartment, but I have used Airbnb 3 times in Bangkok. All were good experiences, but make sure you read the reviews carefully.

But I would never rent for more than a few days the first time, and if you like it talk to the owner about a longer term.. Cancellation charges for a long term rental can be huge.

Several years ago I had the same problem - my teeth were getting very yellow, and I was taking in too much sugar and fat (cream) just to get some caffeine.

Here in the US they sell "caffeine pills" - basically a pill with about 200 milligrams of caffeine. They are sold over the counter (no prescription needed), and cost about the same as aspirin. I switched, and really like them.

As you say, Red Bull is bad news - you are taking in a bunch of sugar to get some caffeine.

I have never looked for the caffeine pills on my trips to Thailand (I bring my own), and they may not be available there, others can tell you. But if you ever go back to your home country or have friends there it is something to consider. I drink green/herbal tea, and if I need a boost, with 1/2 caffeine pill.

I agree, a very nice place to visit. But did you eat the dancing shrimp? I did not see them on the table, unless the plate was covering them.

Did anyone see the Thailand - Ivory Coast match? - a great match to watch. i am here in the US and maybe some in Thailand have not watched it so I will not give away the result. But very entertaining match to watch - even ESPN said so, therefor it must be true!

I was looking for a discussion thread on the Women's World Cup, but maybe the best way to start off a good discussion in a Thailand forum is not to call the Thai women a joke - they have a tremendous disadvantage in terms of size and financial support, and I admire them for putting their work and discipline into something they know will not end well.

But to answer the OP's question, I am an American but I am rooting for Japan - they are small (except for the goalie - she is a giant!), but are quick and very disciplined. I think a final four with a team from Germany, US, Japan, and a longshot of your choice, would be great.

Cheers.

The best part of the Blazer hearing transcript released today. The Judge was having trouble with how to pronounce

"Federation Internationale de Football Association"

"I don't know how you pronounce it," the judge said.

"FIFA, your honour," said Evan M. Norris, and assistant U.S. attorney.

We may not know "soccer", but we know "racketeering"

Regarding where Sepp might be able to go, I think he is best to just stay put in Switzerland. Most extradition treaties (including, as I have read, the one between Switzerland and the US), include a provision that a country will not be required to extradite one of its own citizens. Since Sepp is a citizen of Switzerland, they will not send him to the US.

Of course, he could go to Moscow, where his brother Putin would welcome him, and certainly never extradite him to anywhere. But living in Moscow... for Sepp worse than jail.

A great day for the world of soccer,,, sorry football.

He said he will stay on until someone is selected succeed him, but he will be gone much sooner than that. It doesn't take 6 months to schred all the documents.

It is now a footrace by those indicted executives of FIFA to turn, sing like a canary, and implicate Blatter. My prediction it will be Jack Warner.

I just read you last post, and as a fellow San Diego resident, I admire your ability to adapt. I live here in San Diego (Pacific Beach) and have visited Thailand about 10 times, but after 3 or 4 weeks that weather just kills me, so I start planning my way home.

For me, there are only two solutions - every time you return home, take a shower - it will feel sooo good. The second is, when you are out and about in Thailand, and the sweat is pouring down you, just think of the shower that will be soon be coming your way.

I will not pretend that I have given this some deep thought, but I love the headline for the post, so I must respond.

I just listened to Detroit Medley by the Boss (Bruce Springsteen for you non-Yanks). That is one reason Detroit has it over Pattaya - it is the music and the soul.

Cheers.

Last month, on one of my visits to Bkk, I finally went to the Sky Bar (my neighbor convinced me to watch Hangover 2).

I paid 550 baht for a vodka on the rocks (the menu said Absolut, but I think it was the Thai version of Absolut).

I nursed that drink like never before. I actually enjoyed my time there, chatting with some others and admiring the view, so it was ok.

But after reading this thread, I am thinking I got a really good deal.

Just a quick story here.

I live in the US, but on my first visit to Chiang Mai I was staying in Chang Puak area. About 500 meters North of the Chang Puak gate there is a pedestrian crossing for Chang Puak Road with red/green lights. But it is for pedestrians - there is no cross vehicular traffic.

When the light for me turned green, being a rookie, I started to cross. About half way I realized I was in trouble. Some of the cars stopped, but none of the motorcycles. One of them almost hit me, but then he nodded his head in apology. They knew that since there was no vehicular cross-traffic, they had the upper hand.

At first it was a bit interesting, exotic culture and all.

But after trying to cross many times it became annoying.

That is when I realized - I am a short term visitor to Thailand, not the place for me to live.

Cheers.

Agree that with United you are boarded based on your fare class/ticket price. Last month I returned from Bkk to California. When I got to LAX, after 16 hours of flight, the United attendant declared that my puddle jumper from LAX to San Diego was overbooked. When I asked her where I was on the "bump" list", she said "you will be the first to be bumped". I appreciated her honesty, but I didn't like her answer.

What? after a 16 hour flight? But apparently because I had booked the ticket on CX (including the LAX-SAN segment), I was at the bottom of the fare class. I begged, I pleaded, but to no avail. She said "we bump based on fare class", and I was in the absolute bottom.

I was lucky, because a group that already had a boarding pass didn't show up at the gate, so I got on. But it is very important now to be aware of your fare class/ticket cost in terms of your place in line. Showing up early means nothing as far as I can tell.

So if you said no, he is not hard working, what is your next job??