What is your vacation plan?

I hope SPQR doesn't think we're angry or we're trying to pick on him. We just read what you wrote. We're not twisting it or trying to make you look bad.

You said it, SPQR. We work with what we're given.

PS: Unblock JonVoightCar, he isn't talking nonsense. He's being harsh but realistic and genuinely seems to care.

I hope SPQR doesn't think we're angry or we're trying to pick on him. We just read what you wrote. We're not twisting it or trying to make you look bad.

You said it, SPQR. We work with what we're given.

PS: Unblock JonVoightCar, he isn't talking nonsense. He's being harsh but realistic and genuinely seems to care.

I'd agree on Marti's first one, I unblocked him to read it but found the last post way too preachy.  It was like something that would result in a slow-clap on a cheesy 80s sitcom. 

You basically said, "I'm gonna get pissed on the beach and be a slob until I die."

Think of me as a New Yorker who gets TF out of New York at retirement
and relocates in Florida. (minus the white shoes)

I really hope the dude has a wake-up moment before all of this happens. It doesn't seem like he either grasps or has come to terms with what is really involved with aging and what can happen. Life can come at you REALLY fast as you age.

I don't wish injury on anyone, but maybe if he had some kind of scare and saw his family and even in-laws come to his aid and sacrifice in some way, he might reconsider things. Or maybe just doing some kind of volunteer work. Like really understanding that living to get high is no way to live, especially with the final third of your life. And that if you do live such a way, it won't take away the pain and will likely make things worse. Unfortunately, as of right now, he seems like the kind of person who would expect all his Korean in-laws to sacrifice everything to save him, but if they had a problem would just keep drinking away on a Thai beach.

I've mentioned this before, the #1 quality above all to look for in a partner is loyalty. If you're ever clipped by a car or come down with something and end up in one of several possible states that require expensive, long-term care to recover or even just have some level of living, you damn well better hope your partner is loyal. If they are, you'll be fine. If not...well, good luck. And if you aren't willing to sacrifice like that for your partner, there's a pretty decent chance they won't do the same for you. This is especially true for mothers who sense that your attitude towards the kids is one of relative disinterest. And if there's issues and your partner isn't loyal or senses that they and the kids aren't the biggest priority, that's when a running tally starts to be calculated and that's not a good place. A loyal partner doesn't even hesitate.

This forum is mostly guys and guys, 50-70 is not an age to F around and find out. Not unless you have F-you money.

What if someone is single? Like yourself? and many others on this board.
They are doomed I guess.

What is someone is single? Like yourself? and many others on this board.
They are doomed I guess.

Marti was just on a soapbox.  It's a testament to his ability to annoy people that he's taken a thread that had turned into a dump on SPQR and redirected some scorn back at himself.  He had one good post and he couldn't leave it at that.  You got to know when to walk away. 

Marti was just on a soapbox.  It's a testament to his ability to annoy people that he's taken a thread that had turned into a dump on SPQR and redirected some scorn back at himself.  He had one good post and he couldn't leave it at that.  You got to know when to walk away. 

He got some weird obsession with SPQR's posts. Literally, every time he writes about any topic, Marty comes and dumps a load on him. Not sure why he is getting triggered so much.

He got some weird obsession with SPQR's posts. Literally, every time he writes about any topic, Marty comes and dumps a load on him. Not sure why he is getting triggered so much.

He holds a grudge like LI/Data.  LI can never forgive me for some past transgression I never thought twice about.  Marti got all worked up on behalf of the Korean tech industry ages ago when SPQR crapped on coupang or some site like that as being unnavigable.  I assumed Marti was the one who wrote the code for the site, because he got so worked up and took it so seriously.  SPQR has been in his sights ever since. 

He got some weird obsession with SPQR's posts. Literally, every time he writes about any topic, Marty comes and dumps a load on him. Not sure why he is getting triggered so much.

Unless you guys quote him, I can't see what he writes. I couldn't
be bothered reading what he spurts out. He's like a psychotic
temperance woman hanging outside a liquor store screaming at
customers.
 

It was like something that would result in a slow-clap on a cheesy 80s sitcom.

Well, that certainly rates better than cheesy 80s After-school special. I'll take it!

Look, I have to say, I'm not a big fan of SPQR and his schtick. But I do know about addiction and buzzfiending. Those who have read my posts carefully can probably suss out that when I discuss things related to ah, consumption, I have more than theoretical knowledge. And when you reach a point of being a buzzfiend i.e. "needing something to take the edge off" or an addict such as having to strictly limit yourself to 14 units (that is a massive tell for addict behavior, even if it is controlled. Something brought this on), and planning the rest of your life around drugs and showing little interest in your alleged loved ones, you really need to start evaluating things and why you feel this way. Like that is three separate red flags for both underlying issues relating to addiction and self-medicating/self-therapy. The "needing something to take the edge off" suggests either anxiety or something that is happening when in a "normal state" that is causing him not to feel normal. The consumption limit suggests that already there has been some sort of physical health-related issue related to consumption. The whole "high on the beach in Thailand" suggests that a desire for drugs is starting to affect judgment, long-term planning and prioritizing the health of loved ones. One of those? Maybe not such an issue. Three things? Suggests that something more is going on. It's the kind of thing that probably he should be talking to a mental health/addiction professional over.

Seriously SPQR, talk to someone. You need to address why doing drugs is so important to you and why so much of what you're on about relates to dopamine release and trying to self-medicate.

And if you think this whole "i'm going to do drugs and party hard" thing is seen with respect or even amusement in people over the age of about 40, guess again. It's basically a cause for concern unless you're a well-paid celebrity. And if you have a family, it is really looked at with concern. You don't want to be that dad that pisses away their kids college money on booze and drugs or can't be there in the event of a family emergency because they're trippin balls on some beach in Thailand.

He holds a grudge like LI/Data.  LI can never forgive me for some past transgression I never thought twice about.  Marti got all worked up on behalf of the Korean tech industry ages ago when SPQR crapped on coupang or some site like that as being unnavigable.  I assumed Marti was the one who wrote the code for the site, because he got so worked up and took it so seriously.  SPQR has been in his sights ever since. 

He's a bit of an easy target. Not really a grudge per se. Dude is a bit toxic (who isn't? Including me) but he does do some things that are pretty laughable. Like if you wanted to create a caricature of the drunken sexpat who can't adapt, he'd pretty much fit the bill. Dude can't even sign up for internet sites without help, has to limit himself to 14 units, thinks he's doing hookers a favor by using their services and has deluded himself regarding his retirement, I mean, come on, that's prime stuff!

But also, as I said, I do get where some of this is coming from and I really do hope he maybe sees someone who can get him some help on this. Like i said, life can come at you FAST in your 50s and 60s.

Marti was just on a soapbox.  It's a testament to his ability to annoy people that he's taken a thread that had turned into a dump on SPQR and redirected some scorn back at himself.  He had one good post and he couldn't leave it at that.  You got to know when to walk away. 

Well, I had a split view on this. I'm not going to lie and claim I didn't feel like taking a dump on him. In some sense, dude is kind of asking for it, especially when he comes on here and brags about his retirement plans that seem to be somewhat divorced from reality. But another part of me also wanted to help and also view things in a human light and at least try and be constructive or to look at things in a different light.

I'm sorry, maybe you're right. Maybe I should have just flown over, dropped a turd and then buzzed off. I agree that preachy does suck even if warranted. Probably wrote it as much to salve my conscience as help....

What if someone is single? Like yourself? and many others on this board.
They are doomed I guess.

Hopefully you have good friends or relatives. If not...

Single with no one to call on is NOT a great place to be when you are incapacitated and someone else has to make medical decisions for you...

That's reality.

He holds a grudge like LI/Data.  LI can never forgive me for some past transgression I never thought twice about.  Marti got all worked up on behalf of the Korean tech industry ages ago when SPQR crapped on coupang or some site like that as being unnavigable.  I assumed Marti was the one who wrote the code for the site, because he got so worked up and took it so seriously.  SPQR has been in his sights ever since. 

Yeah, now that you mention, that's probably where it originates from. Marty has brought that up on countless occasions ever since. For some reason, it scarred him almost as deeply in his soul as that infamous ddongchim.

Yeah, now that you mention, that's probably where it originates from. Marty has brought that up on countless occasions ever since. For some reason, it scarred him almost as deeply in his soul as that infamous ddongchim.

I dunno, I thought it was pretty funny a 50 year old man was helpless and throwing temper tantrums over using a Korean site, something 3D workers from Sri Lanka can manage, but apparently he can't.

I'd say that's pretty prime stuff for occasional callbacks.

I dunno, I thought it was pretty funny a 50 year old man was helpless and throwing temper tantrums over using a Korean site, something 3D workers from Sri Lanka can manage, but apparently he can't.

You think 3D workers from Sri Lanka are typically incompetent?

You think 3D workers from Sri Lanka are typically incompetent?

3D workers from Sri Lanka don't have a college degree, nor are in an industry related to teaching and languages, but he does. Yet he can't even do what they do.

3D workers from Sri Lanka don't have a college degree, nor are in an industry related to teaching and languages, but he does. Yet he can't even do what they do.

I guess. I've been to Sri Lanka and the average person I met there didn't exactly strike me as the benchmark for ignorance.

The stereotype of the blue collar, factory worker is alive. I'm not saying JVC believes it, but it is a trope.

The fact is, they have high school and we have uni. That doesn't mean they're dumb, but it does say "Look, these non-Korean native speakers can figure it out, why can't you?"

I'm sorry, maybe you're right. Maybe I should have just flown over, dropped a turd and then buzzed off.

Nah these are your best posts.

Nah these are your best posts.

Gracious me!

Quite a lot happened after I mentioned this Thailand trip as a kind of "last hurrah" with Korean retirement looming. 

SPQR, just so you know (ignoring the rest) I may possibly retire to Thailand in the long run, but I'm 61.  Turns out, I have to put in 5 more years stateside before I can get full Social Security, so I just meant (I think I was unclear) this is my last trip or visit there from Korea. 

And visiting the dispensary, downing a few Leo, and laying on the beach, sounds like a good way to go.  At least occasionally.  What do other folks do in retirement?  Play golf?  (Not for me.)  Help out at the food bank? (I've only ever been a teacher, so more likely to avail myself of their services!) Take up woodworking?  (Okay, worth a try, but that's a pretty fair investment in, y'know, saws and chisels and what-not--I'm pretty sure my Dad's fully kitted-out set-up is rusted and dusted (and I know for a fact my idiot brother sold off his ham radio shack for a pittance)).  I'm pretty good with grammar and such, maybe write a book or something?  (Not a memoir, though.)  Besides, I like teaching, and over the years I've gotten pretty good at it.

And Marti, many people would say doing (legal) drugs and lying on the beach is just as fulfilling as being a sanctimonious git on a teachers' forum.