Comments Posted By Brian
Displaying 241 To 270 Of 1,084 Comments
Re: chart of Asian females
Kind of a weird combination of countries. I am guessing someone asked AI to show what a “typical” Asian 20-something female would look like and that was what was spit out.Not sure why Timor Leste would be included and not Indonesia. Why Brunei and not Malaysia, no Thailand, etc.
Re: House on the beach
Does seem pretty pricey, especially from what it looks like from the outside. The place you are renting; what would you estimate to be the selling price if it went up for sale?» Posted By Brian On 17/September/2025 @ 1:23 am
Re: politcal discourse
I know you like to keep politics to a minimum on your blog, so I will try to keep this brief :). I do think that you are isolated and a bit siloized (probably not a word LOL) in your corner of the PI. I spend the majority of my time in the US and have yet to experience in real life the kind of vitriol that seems to exist on social media, and this is true of both deep red and deep blue territories. If social media and similar things are where a person gets the majority of their information on the pulse of the US, then they are getting a very distorted look at reality. And the algorithms from the social media companies push a person further and further into that silo, which only compound the problem.The whack jobs who are 10-20% on BOTH sides are the ones that get clicks and views. However, in no way do they represent the vast majority of the US population. A reasoned middle of the road response gets quickly lost.
Tyler Richardson does not represent the majority of Democrats any more than President Trump sexualizing his daughter on the Howard Stern show represents the majority of Republicans. (okay, that last is a bit of a cheap, but true, shot. 😛 )
Re: Friday walkers
Kind of cool that even after all this time, there are still “new” trails to forge!» Posted By Brian On 14/September/2025 @ 5:53 am
The day that lives on in infamy
People of a certain age group will always remember where we were when we heard about 9/11.
The equivalent of Pearl Harbor or Kennedy assassination for earlier generations.
» Posted By Brian On 11/September/2025 @ 11:20 pm
Maybe you have discussed this in the past, but any reason not to get a PI retirement visa? Seems (relatively) easy to get.
Could you do a one time (or multiple time) transfer of your monies directly to Swan’s bank account, or is that a road you dont want to go down?
Weather in Korea is starting to turn for the better (or any country in north Asia). Maybe a trip there?
» Posted By Brian On 11/September/2025 @ 2:19 am
Its similar to apple maps in that you can download a trail ahead of time and you can follow it via GPS even if you dont have a cell signal.
» Posted By Brian On 11/September/2025 @ 11:09 pm
>Brian, well I often see a map of the trail before hand, but that’s pretty useless when you are on a narrow dirt path and come to a junction, the maps are not detailed enough to follow precisely.
I can only speak to something like “All Trails” but in that app, I can set a trail, share with someone, and my path is highlighted. If a person walking my trail starts to deviate from my highlighted trail, it will let me know that I have left the trail. You can zoom in as much as you can on a satellite view.
I dont know what the distance is before it notices. It may be 100ft, 100 yards.
Of course, everyone would have to have the same app. I am sure that would lead to a whole new set of bitching from people about “why didnt you use App X instead of App Y, etc.” LOL
» Posted By Brian On 10/September/2025 @ 11:25 pm
RE; Hash Trail
Has any Hare ever marked the trail on an app, such as All Trails, and then shared it with the group? Seems like this would be a logical thing to do. The trail can also be physically marked, but others could have it on their phones, and this would hopefully alleviate missed turns, etc.Im sure that half the fun is following the markings, but seems to lead to a lot of bitching also. #shrug
Re: water problems.
Bummer. Are there any fitness clubs in town that may have a locker room/shower facilities?» Posted By Brian On 10/September/2025 @ 2:47 am
Okay John, you are going to have to explain the joke about the girls name to me….
Re: perspective on aging
Yeah, weird how 70 doesnt seem that old when you are that age or close to it. To someone in their 20’s, someone 70 is pretty darn ancient.Enjoy the weekend. Good to change things up. Familiarity can breed contempt.
» Posted By Brian On 05/September/2025 @ 11:06 pm
>My impression is that a lot of these guys getting into the bar business here have more money than sense,
Well, as they say: How do you make a million dollars in the bar business? Start out with 2 million!!
Like you, I have thought it would be a cool idea to have some sort of “Cheers” type expat bar. But also like you, I am smart enough not to do it.
» Posted By Brian On 01/September/2025 @ 12:46 pm
Re: guns meme
As is usual, it is a bit more nuanced than “guns aren’t the problem, people are” vs. “people aren’t the problem, guns are”Take a homicidal whack job and drop them in Singapore where it is almost impossible for anybody to buy a gun and the odds of them going on a shooting rampage is pretty low. (Not to say they won’t go on a stabbing rampage however.)
As with most things, 100% freedom (ie no laws) and 100% tyranny (ie dictitorial nanny state) usually end up with the same problems under a different name.
What both sides are lacking is common sense. Both sides are so entrenched that their side has all the answers when it comes to gun violence such that the end result is nothing gets done and the best we can do is offer “thoughts and prayers” when another school shooting, etc happens.
Anyway, back to lighter fare
re: chicken or egg
John, here is a way for you to answer that question for once and for all. Next time you stop in at your local McDonalds, order an egg McMuffin and some chicken nuggets. See which one you receive first! 😛» Posted By Brian On 30/August/2025 @ 10:55 pm
Looks like an awesome start to the 70’s!!
Good on ya’.
» Posted By Brian On 28/August/2025 @ 10:45 pm
Happy Birthday John. Here’s to many more. It is funny how the closer you get to a particular age, the younger it seems. 😛
Have a great party!!!!
re: Teri – what does Teri do that Swan (or you) does not do or could not do? I thought you mentioned that Swan was a certified caregiver. Are you just looking to try and up employment in your neck of the world or does Teri (and her replacement) actually provide some benefit? LOL You have definitely been spoiled with the cost of labor there in the PI. Dont tell me you are turning into someone like King Charles where he (supposedly) called his aide into the room because he dropped his pen (or something similar) and needed it picked up.
re:Mama -I see she is still rocking the nerdy glasses look.
» Posted By Brian On 27/August/2025 @ 11:10 pm
re: call centers
On the surface, seems like a good idea, but there are always unintended consequences. Would US workers flock to do these types of jobs? Our president keeps reminding us that the economy is great, unemployment is low, etc. Will the net result be higher wait times? On the positive side, communication would be much better when you did talk with a person. I would guess that if this passes, companies will invest even more in AI chat/voice bots.» Posted By Brian On 25/August/2025 @ 2:03 am
Re: video
I think that most/all relationships are transactional, and this is even more true in a developing country where there is a large age gap.In a “traditional” western relationship where both sides are close in age and relatively close in economic status, the initial transaction is more likely to be love on both sides and then maybe moves to security (financial and otherwise). In a developing country with a large age gap, I think it generally starts with one partner thinking of security and financial gain first and then possibly moving to love/attraction.
That is not necessarily a bad thing. Both sides are getting what they want.
(Back to the video. I have to say that some of Reekay’s examples were kind of face palm. “I want to encourage my wife to learn new things, so when she said she was interested in cooking, I bought her a wok!” LOL. But his point is well taken. I think you need to let your partner grow and whatever happens, happens.
Always the joke that a girl goes into a relationship thinking, “my boyfriend is really good, but once we are together, there are some changes I need to make to him so that he is perfect.” The guy goes into a relationship thinking, “my girlfriend is perfect. Once we are together, I dont want her to change at all!!”
Of course, what happens is that the guy never changes and the girl does.)
» Posted By Brian On 23/August/2025 @ 11:23 pm
Re: Beckies post
I think this is one of those posts that no matter which side of the political spectrum you fall, you are in agreement that it applies to the other side. LOLDemocrats are 100% sure that it applies to Republicans.
Republicans are 100% sure that it applies to Democrats.A rare instance of bipartisanship. LOL
Re: Aging and death. I saw recently (in the past year or so) that Greg Kihn passed away.
» Posted By Brian On 22/August/2025 @ 11:29 pm
For group #3, I think it would come down to quality of life. Would (generic) you rather have a relatively good quality of life, but need to be in the US or have a miserable quality of life but be stay in the PI?
» Posted By Brian On 21/August/2025 @ 10:30 pm
Re: Video
The guy seems to have a pretty good grasp of the positives and negatives of a medical issue in a developing country. For basic, or medium basic care and treatment, local docs/hospitals will suffice. Complicated or chronic care, US (or other home country) is probably the best bet.I have met expats who need complicated or chronic care. Seem to fall into two categories.
1. Those who can’t go back to their home country (mainly due to lack of funds), so have to suffer through a decline in their country of choice. These guys usually turn pretty bitter.
2. Those who head back to their home country because the quality of care needed where they are at just isn’t there.
3. I supposed there is a third category of those who can return to their home country but choose not to for one reason or another. Haven’t met any of those yet. LOL
Granted, the above is based on a pretty limited set of data points.
» Posted By Brian On 21/August/2025 @ 2:36 am
Yes, it is a cover. If you go You Tube and look at the video you posted, it indicates that it is “The Mick Lloyd Connection – A Tribute to Garth Brooks”
He certainly does have a similar sounding voice, which is a good thing for a cover band. LOL
» Posted By Brian On 21/August/2025 @ 2:03 am
Re: music video
Im a Garth Brooks fan, but it is interesting that he doesn’t put his music on You Tube or any of the streaming services. Even the video you linked is a cover version. He tried to start a streaming service that was much more artist friendly (higher % of the $’s from streams would go to the artist rather than the music label) but it was never able to gain enough traction.Saw him in concert a couple of times in recent years. Both times, he kept adding shows in a city until they did not sell out. Tickets were reasonable and he did not want there to be a secondary market that would push prices up. Granted, he has more than enough money already, but it was still a nice way to handle things.
Never really knew of him during his peak in the 90’s. LOL
» Posted By Brian On 19/August/2025 @ 11:30 pm
Re: vlogger
Not a big deal, but it seems like he is slightly looking off camera. Not sure if he is reading a script that he has to the right of the camera or maybe he thinks the camera lens is in a different position than it really is located. (first world problem!)But, he does bring up a lot of points that are common in SE Asia. LOL
» Posted By Brian On 18/August/2025 @ 11:25 pm
RE: discount coupons
The more you buy, the more you save!!!!! LOL» Posted By Brian On 15/August/2025 @ 11:33 pm
Re: videoke. I have to agree with the hotel’s policy. In my experience, 95+% of the people who want to do amateur singing in public should not be allowed to do so. Unfortunately, they usually think they are quite good and it is tough to get them away from the microphone.
(But, I do have fond memories of karaoke in Korea, though that was usually in a private room in the KTV, so nobody was too bothered.)
» Posted By Brian On 13/August/2025 @ 11:19 pm
Re: Chinese navy/coast guard. I had seen that previously and had a chuckle over it. What goes around comes around I guess. LOL
re: your getaway. Are you not a pool guy? Even if they have a “swim up bar”? 😛
» Posted By Brian On 12/August/2025 @ 11:35 pm
Looks like it will be a good trip.
(Just my opinion, but I am not a fan of one night stands (in hotels that is!!! Realize why you are doing it at the beginning and end of the trip, but not a fan of doing it in the middle of a trip. I like to get at least 3-4 days in a location. Otherwise, I feel rushed.)
» Posted By Brian On 11/August/2025 @ 9:29 am
Re: cities in SE Asia. From what I have heard, Pattaya has actually cleaned up a bit compared to the “old days”. Demographic has shifted – some more local tourists and lots more Chinese and Indian tourists vs. the stereotypical western expat. For a low key Pattaya, I would recommend Hua Hin, which is on the other side of the bay.
» Posted By Brian On 06/August/2025 @ 9:46 pm
Seeing the title of your post, I was predicting that you were going to go with “A Thousand Miles from Nowhere” by Dwight Yoakam as your song of the day. LOL
» Posted By Brian On 05/August/2025 @ 10:55 pm
Yeah, but it is a bit disingenuous to think that any kid would turn down candy (yes, I know that some do) and their parents are most likely uneducated when it comes to healthy eating and cause and effect of sugar on oral health and obesity. In the US, the poorest ZIP codes have the highest rates of health and teeth problems and there is a pretty good correlation that it relates to diet.
To take the candy handout to a ludicrous extreme, would you be okay handing out (assuming it was legal) small baggies of drugs to addicts in the neighborhood? They would be happy, you would see a lot of smiles, it would be a feel good for you……. LOL
Anyways, in the grand scheme of things, you are correct, handing out candy is but a tiny blip in the cosmos of life. And there are definitely worse things you could be doing. It is a good reflection on you if this is what passes for bad behaviour on your part.
» Posted By Brian On 05/August/2025 @ 10:49 pm
Maybe an unpopular opinion, but I think the lady in the church has a point. The kids that are on your route probably never see a dentist and overall, have pretty bad oral hygiene. Giving them pure sugar may not in and by itself cause their teeth to fall out, but directionally, is not a good thing to do.
I know it is a “feel good” thing for you guys, but kind of the gateway drug to an unhealthy diet. LOL I think that RFK jr. has a lot of crackpot ideas, but one of things that he is trying to do that I fully agree with is cutting down on sugars and processed foods in school meals.
Just my 2 pesos worth.
How about handing out nuts or something like that?
» Posted By Brian On 04/August/2025 @ 11:27 pm
@Kevin said:
>Swan commented on how much she enjoys the friendly vibe here and said we should make it a weekly event. I concurred.>We should place bets on what happens if the girls start to ignore your table, the bar plays the wrong music, or the place runs out of wine!
I had to chuckle at the above as I was thinking the same thing. But, as you have pointed out many times, there are a lot of choices in your little neck of the world, so voting with your feet is not a bad thing.
Re: missing Korea
I realize that I have mentioned it before, but you should give thought to a couple of week trip back to Korea, seeing not only your stomping grounds but also other places you did not go to while living there. The saying “you cant go home again” is probably true, especially since where you were has such a transient population, but Korea is an interesting place to visit. (And Swan would probably enjoy seeing it also.)» Posted By Brian On 01/August/2025 @ 8:29 pm
«« Back To Stats Pagere: Swan in the sand
Not sure I would trust walking through the washed up stuff on the beach. Never know whats underfoot. :eek» Posted By Brian On 24/July/2025 @ 1:00 am