Ah, here I am in my boyhood home (Northridge, California), visiting Mom and missing LOS.

First I should point out that the EVA Evergreen Deluxe class is great. A thousand bucks round trip from Bangers to LA. Business Class seats and "economy" service that beats Northwest's business class by a mile (1.6K). (At least the FA's are half my age instead of twice my age.)

Flight from BKK to Taipei was on a brand new 777 with excellent interactive video (movies on demand) and even 110 volt outlets for your laptop or iPod.

Flight from Taipei to LA was on an older 747, but the business class seats had enough space (2-4-2) and pitch to allow a decent recline -- enough for me to sleep at least 7 or 8 hours.

Approach to LA was lovely -- clear skies and excellent views of Bakersfield and the surrounding Central Valley. (Now, not so sure that Korat is the Bakersfield of LOS.)

Prices here are astounding; even after liviing in expensive Saipan all my life. Gas over $3.00 a gallon, small tube of toothpaste for three bucks and apples at two dollars a pound. Four of us went out for Mexican food lunch and spent nearly sixty dollars. I think I spend that for food in about a month in Korat.

One thing I notice is how frantic everyone is be here. My life in LOS seems so laid back and relaxed, but here people are in a constant quest of the next great moment. I want to ask them ?what's wrong with this moment?", but, hey, we're on a roll.

Life in the fast lane. Only three weeks more.

And, I miss my sweetheart, my garden, lunch at Pasinee, roti for dinner and that Chinese guy on Thai TV every morning.

See you soon.

Ah, here I am in my boyhood home (Northridge, California)... <snip> ...See you soon.

Enjoy your trip Mike.

I bet you will be yearning to return to LOS after only a week.

You will appreciate your life here so much more when you return.

I bet you are missing it all; no pubs with free beer & food. Sidewalks that don't move. Hotels that actually know who you are. Vehicles that can't make their own way back to the hotel. Oh dear. How you must long to be back in LOS.

"We" miss you too Mikey. I'm thinking of motorcycling to Korat tomorrow. If I do, "we" at the Pasinee will think of you again as the "student nurses" walk by.

Enjoy your visit to the USA buddy.

Ah, here I am in my boyhood home (Northridge, California), visiting Mom and missing LOS.

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You are probably better off there than here in Thailand. Living in Thailand is not the same as "visiting" Thailand. The place loses its shine after a few months and you realize that it wasn't as much fun as when you were a simple tourist. That probably explains why most expat farangs who have been living in Thailand too long have a drinking problem. I would say 80% have one after staying here for more than 10 years. Do you want to have a drinking problem ?

You are probably better off there than here in Thailand. Living in Thailand is not the same as "visiting" Thailand. The place loses its shine after a few months and you realize that it wasn't as much fun as when you were a simple tourist. That probably explains why most expat farangs who have been living in Thailand too long have a drinking problem. I would say 80% have one after staying here for more than 10 years. Do you want to have a drinking problem ? 

Why so negative?

Do you have a drinking problem yourself?

Ah, here I am in my boyhood home (Northridge, California), visiting Mom and missing LOS.

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You are probably better off there than here in Thailand. Living in Thailand is not the same as "visiting" Thailand. The place loses its shine after a few months and you realize that it wasn't as much fun as when you were a simple tourist. That probably explains why most expat farangs who have been living in Thailand too long have a drinking problem. I would say 80% have one after staying here for more than 10 years. Do you want to have a drinking problem ?

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Thanks for your kind and encouraging words, Butterfly. I've always had a drinking problem. I've just taken it from Saipan to LOS. And, now, it's visiting LA where I can barely afford to feed it.

Ah, here I am in my boyhood home (Northridge, California), visiting Mom and missing LOS.

You are probably better off there than here in Thailand. Living in Thailand is not the same as "visiting" Thailand. The place loses its shine after a few months and you realize that it wasn't as much fun as when you were a simple tourist. That probably explains why most expat farangs who have been living in Thailand too long have a drinking problem. I would say 80% have one after staying here for more than 10 years. Do you want to have a drinking problem ?

Thanks for your kind and encouraging words, Butterfly. I've always had a drinking problem. I've just taken it from Saipan to LOS. And, now, it's visiting LA where I can barely afford to feed it.

:D

Have a good trip Mike.

Hope we can meet up when you get back and have a few to help eachother with our problem! !

Derek

You are probably better off there than here in Thailand. Living in Thailand is not the same as "visiting" Thailand. The place loses its shine after a few months and you realize that it wasn't as much fun as when you were a simple tourist. That probably explains why most expat farangs who have been living in Thailand too long have a drinking problem. I would say 80% have one after staying here for more than 10 years. Do you want to have a drinking problem ? 

God, there must be something wrong with me then. I have lived here 16 years and hardly drink at all anymore. Help me guys, where did I go wrong?

Ya Mike, gas has gotten really expensive over here. Its not just California buddy, its all over the place. $60 lunch for a group of people sounds about right. Good Luck man!

You are probably better off there than here in Thailand. Living in Thailand is not the same as "visiting" Thailand. The place loses its shine after a few months and you realize that it wasn't as much fun as when you were a simple tourist. That probably explains why most expat farangs who have been living in Thailand too long have a drinking problem. I would say 80% have one after staying here for more than 10 years. Do you want to have a drinking problem ? 

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God, there must be something wrong with me then. I have lived here 16 years and hardly drink at all anymore. Help me guys, where did I go wrong?

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hehe, you are the exception that proves the rule

Good job

You are probably better off there than here in Thailand. Living in Thailand is not the same as "visiting" Thailand. The place loses its shine after a few months and you realize that it wasn't as much fun as when you were a simple tourist. That probably explains why most expat farangs who have been living in Thailand too long have a drinking problem. I would say 80% have one after staying here for more than 10 years. Do you want to have a drinking problem ? 

Why so negative?

Do you have a drinking problem yourself?

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just realistic.

Me, no drinking problem but I might if I stayed here too long

God, there must be something wrong with me then. I have lived here 16 years and hardly drink at all anymore. Help me guys, where did I go wrong? 

I believe Lampshade runs a 'rehabilitation' centre in Surin.

Enjoy your time back in the states Mike.

cv

I believe Lampshade runs a 'rehabilitation' centre in Surin. 

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Always works for me when I accidentally fall back on the wagon....

Have a great trip and don´t get too down.

It´s much better for you to be there just visiting, as opposed to settling down there. You could develop any number of californian neuroses...

Better off getting back to LOS and drinking....

have a great one.