When one is in East Asia or Southeast Asia, time stands still for no one.  The Hot Seasons come around again, and again, with ever increasing rapidity.  And these days as I continue to age, it seems as if the seasons rotate so fast that they have become as one, like the four spinning blades on an Air American Pilatus PC-6, rotating 1800 rpm at cruise speed.  The seasons meld into a circular blur, and who even cares that there are three and not four.

 

Some days, while sitting on my veranda watching my beloved Thai myna birds, I think back to the election of Bill Clinton, long, long ago.  I watched his acceptance speech from East Asia, live on CNN; it seems like just yesterday, sitting here typing this Post.

 

So many things have I done since that time, and many places have I seen, and every day nothing but a rolling stone, and a complete unknown.

 

You know, I have heard people say to me, "You've gone to the finest schools, alright Miss Lonely. But you know you only used to get juiced in it."  I never quite understood what they were telling me.  But, I never turned around to see their frowns as I was departing them; I do not listen to jugglers and clowns, anyway. I have no time for their chatter, those of the chattering class, and many others.

 

So, anyway, this is how I feel.

 

But, what I am wondering is:  How does it feel for others who have not returned home during the years since before Bill Clinton was first elected?

 

I do know why I have not returned since 1991.  It was not because I did not like Pennsylvania, my home state.  And, in truth, Naples, Florida is a beautiful place, maybe even too beautiful according to my druthers.

 

The real reason is, I can only guess, is because Asia is the only place for me.  Yet, 32 years is half my whole life?  I guess it is too late to return to Pennsylvania or Florida and live there for another 32 years.  There is no way I can recoup those 32 years, return to Naples, and relive them there...  Is there?

 

So much to think about, and so little time left.

It makes you wonder.

 

 

(Please do not ask me to proofread this Post.  I have no time.  I am presently too deep in thought for grammar, or for rereading what I have already written.  Maybe next time I will post another one that is more or less gramatically and sensical.)

This is your home, after 32 years, there would be nothing left of almost anything you knew back there. It is consigned to history and your memories. 

 

 

 

 

I'd love a Turbo Porter.

 

Or a Super Courier.

 

If going "well classic" it would have to be a Lysander (I'm sure I could mod it to deal with the scary go-round problem).

 

Sorry, what else was it you said? 

 

 

9 minutes ago, Enoon said:

 

I'd love a Turbo Porter.

 

Or a Super Courier.

 

If going "well classic" it would have to be a Lysander (I'm sure I could mod it to deal with the scary go-round problem).

 

Sorry, what else was it you said? 

 

 

In this life, there are no "go-arounds".  You either nail it the first time, or it's crash and burn on final.

Sorry, what were you saying?

Well thats the longest topic heading i have seen.

 

I havent been away from my home country permanently as long as you. I now consider my home country as wherever i live at the time.

 

My thoughts on my home country are worth but a fleeting glance and i am not minded to return.

I moved back to Florida after 10+ years in Thailand.

 

Bought a grand home not far from the beach

 

Thai wife loves it here with many Thai restaurants, temples, grocery stores

 

Weather is nice, close to all amenities

 

Anything to miss about Thailand?

 

After visiting in Dec 2019, the quality has just gone down hill a lot since my last visit in 2014.

 

The air pollution was appalling.

 

Was super happy we made the decision to move to Florida when we did.

 

I don't hate Thailand, I just do NOT have to move there to financially survive.

 

I was happy to leave after 3 weeks in 12/2019

 

I can say for certain our quality of life is 100% better in Florida; but it takes money.

 

I am back working in corporate America. I don't even mind as I like my job and the people I work with. Educated people, technical people of same mind and thought.

 

Will be able to leave my family with so much when I pass, they will never have to worry which makes me feel good.

 

I liked living in Thailand, but after 10 years I was looking more to a better future than just surviving.

 

My wife said she never wants to go back.

 

One man's situation only.

 

 

Take a holiday back home and then re-assess your situation. Pondering and dwelling on the matter seems to be troubling you.

49 minutes ago, Sujo said:

Well thats the longest topic heading i have seen.

 

I havent been away from my home country permanently as long as you. I now consider my home country as wherever i live at the time.

 

My thoughts on my home country are worth but a fleeting glance and i am not minded to return.

The original heading was over 60 words.

Took me over and hour to edit it, and whittle it down to save you time.

Have you ever heard of Monica Lewinski? 

Op, you is of the too mutt mind. 

You sound a bit homesick and are perhaps letting the the time-moving-on thing get to you. It happens, esp there where the years thrash by. Get yourself 'home' for couple weeks or summat - after this thing quietens down of course. Naples is stunning - was there (from UK) in the 90s. I'm an Asia lover too, but sometimes one needs a bit of perspective even when well versed. 

Not away as long as you, OP, but I did miss most of the W and Obama years.  I didn't keep up with much (that was the idea) and when I came back the whole political-ization of the news was a culture shock, and this was a little bit before the 2015-16 presidential campaign.  Seems everyone now has a political perspective, even if it's usually a head-up-the-hindquarters perspective they got from someone else.

 

No reason to be glum, you seem to have been content these past 30 or so years.  Each day you wake is a good day, and when your time comes you will hopefully go peacefully -- that's the best it can be for anyone.  Your accomplishments in life?  They don't matter.

 

I too have been a rolling stone, but don't relate to the song you quoted.  That song was obviously written as a put down for someone in particular.  IMO Dylan was at this best when spitting venom, my favorite is "Positively 4th Street."  Don't think much of what he's done these past 50 years.

 

 

3 hours ago, JohnBarleycorn said:

Is there?

The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind, the answer is blowin' in the wind!

2 hours ago, Retarded said:

Have you ever heard of Monica Lewinski? 

What is she famous for?

Yes, like you, I have been in Asia for 30 years: From 1990 to 2006 in Japan; from 2006 to the present here in Thailand. There is the moment when you cross that line, when you notice you have spent more years outside of the States than in it and you realize that the United States is a foreign country to you now and that Thailand is your home. How does it feel? Not bad. There's no other place I'd rather be now. I'm not sad for those stranded here. I'm sad for those locked out.

 

Or in words you might be better able to understand:

 

But the funniest thing was as I was leaving the bay
I saw three ships sailing and they were all headed my way
I asked the captain what his name was and how come he didn't drive a truck
He said his name was Columbus and I just said Good luck!

On 5/12/2020 at 5:36 AM, JohnBarleycorn said:

How does it feel for others who have not returned home during the years since before Bill Clinton was first elected?

I departed a year after the OP and found a world more to my liking elsewhere. In the end I returned to my home country not because I wanted to but because of the cost of health insurance, and being old with no pension.

However, my philosophy was always that "everything ends" and "when things are really good, some <deleted> is going to come along and stuff it up". I've never been wrong on that.

In the military we had a saying "life is <deleted> and then we die". Pretty much sums it up for me.

On 5/12/2020 at 9:07 AM, bendejo said:

IMO Dylan was at this best when spitting venom, my favorite is "Positively 4th Street."  Don't think much of what he's done these past 50 years.

The song Thunder on the Mountain was his best IMO. Came out in 2006.