I'm slowly losing my mind here!

[Jester]

Did you see the new 6 month visas? They look a really good deal.

Keep meeting guys in Thailand doing stupid visa runs. Saw one guy doing a complicated run to Malaysia on the train. Reckon it would have been nearly as cheap to hop on a plane, plus you save a load of time.

Guys without money can just find lonely rich ladies

In the future, the PI will get just like Thailand.

My own visa is a retirement visa, and in the past I've had Non-Imm O (marriage) and M (media) visas. In the very beginning it was easy to get multiple entry tourist visas. Nowadays, it's not as easy to get them, in fact, in SEA it's near impossible. My guess is eventually the Thai government will crack down on those getting the ED (education) visas. This is one of the last ways for guys to live in Thailand if they aren't earning enough or don't have the necessary funds in the bank.

I'm looking forward to the day when the Thai government reinstates it's failed policy of only allowing a foreigner to visit the country for 6 months out of a year. If you don't have money to live here, then why should the Thai government allow you to run back and forth doing visa runs for years? They shouldn't. There are countless foreigners living in Thailand, working illegally to continue living here. I believe this is an option that will dry up as well. Bottom line is, if you don't have a chunk of money or an established method of earning that can pay the bills, what country in their right mind is going to give you a long-term visa?

Any country that wanted hardworking, ambitious immigrants. Any country that wanted its people to breed with quality fresh blood.

Like America till 1920 or so.

Countries now look for pension checks, rather than humans.

This policy may be necessary in our time of easy transport, and racial equality. Without financial standards for immigrants, every country would become Chinese, and China would become African. OK I got that. But let's not pretend this brings in the best immmigrants. What it brings in - and I am not talking about you - what it brings in is the old, the feckless, the indolent. Doddering pensioner worried about cost of living and medical care can get in almost anywhere. A guy who wants to work is treated like a criminal.

Remember "Jack" in the movie "Titanic"? That kid wouldn't get in anywhere today.

[Jester]

Yep, Western men are just some of so many impoverished refugees now.

Jesus that's a dismaying picture.

[Ghost]

.

[Will N. Dowd]

I can't believe the day has finally come. I'm at Vancouver Airport waiting for the Manila flight in 2 hours. Strange feeling to be going back since It seemed all long the day would never come, since I've been waiting over a year, but it is here. I've come a long way since a year ago when I got fired/laid off.

I've been living at my parents since a week ago, and already a lot happier there in Victoria, and to be out of Vancouver. This trip to the Philippines will be 3 months compared to the 3 weeks my first one was so I expect to be ruined silly by the girls again, to a much greater degree than last time, since I am there for much longer and will have much greater variety. I've lined up lots from DIA, including several coming from out of town to see me. I've got some real stunners too, including several single mums. One in particular is an exotic beauty with huge boobs and is taking a 9 hours bus ride to see me the day after I arrive. I bought 72 condoms just in case! haha

I've put a lot of effort into making myself look better than I did last time. I had a buzzcut then and while it was easy didn't look as good as my full head of hair I have now. I still cut it myself and have learned a lot about styles and tips from watching free youtube videos. I can now give myself a professional looking cut at home and get compliments on it. I also got cooler sunglasses, and got nicer shirts and shorts. I also got smaller and sleeker electronics, luggage and computer things. I try to get things that are timeless, classic and elegant, since that's what men should do in their 40's. I know I look a lot better than I did a year ago and have much nicer things, so I should clean up big time this time with girls. My Mum even tells me I remind her of a younger George Clooney.

As Michael Franks said in the Song Island Life from 1987, this describes how I now feel perfectly:

Keep believing you soon will earn your turn to flash in the pan
It's deceiving 'cause nothing kills like this metropolis can
Everywhere there's blind ambition
Dog eat dog and screw you
You do unto others and they do unto you
Everyday you fight taxicabs and traffic, permanent frowns
Lay awake at night wondering if you hear burglary sounds
Think it's time to make my exit
Kiss all this goodbye and
Catch the next flight south connecting to my island life
Look at me I'm a refugee from the island life
I belong where the shade is palm and the mango's ripe
I'll do all my swinging in some hammock by a turquoise sea
For free
Guess it must be clear I do not belong in this cityscape
I am not from here and I do intend to make my escape
Take me back to waterfalls in volcanic canyons
Where coconuts and orchids are my sole companions
Look at me I'm a refugee from the island life
I belong where the shade is palm and the mango's ripe
How inviting it would make always killing time if you
Came too
Can't you see we're just refugees from the island life
We belong where the shade is palm and the mango's ripe
We'll do all our swinging in some hammock by a turquoise sea

[Will N. Dowd]

The Philippine Airlines flight attendants just walked by me on the way to the gate. My god...have mercy. They were all tall, elegant and cute or hot.

[xiongmao]

Wow, good luck and keep us posted on your trip!

Wish there were more busty women in Thailand. Dated one at the weekend, but she was high maintenance.

Tonight I'm re-dating yesterday's date. It's great being abroad