Rick

My journey from foreign correspondent to Uber driver in Trump's America I once documented human displacement and desperation; now I am living it

stevescherer.substack.com/p/my-journey...?

I’d recommend reading “Troll Bridge” or watching “Troll Bridge the moving picture” to learn about the true nature of Trolls before embarking on such a project. In fact I’d recommend it anyway. Genghis Cohen aka Cohen the Barbarian is a great Terry Pratchett character

Is it really an occupation any more if you’ve murdered all the inhabitants.

Yesterday we had an African Sweet Potato stew, we had leftovers today as well. It’s a favourite, usually in winter though

I hate the the ones for whatever it is that comes from “patriotic Australians like Gina Rinehart”

Sorry that’s not accurate. The Aussies must all be from Victoria orTasmania. Most of us lock the doors at the first sign of frost.😀😀😀

Sadly, like Australia, we haven’t been fighting for an end to the tyranny that preceded this so called “Board of Peace” our governments were silent or even complicit

First wife was different. I wasn’t bad, just too busy

That time

I never wanted a sailing vessel. Steel and big guns was my preference. Planes are a necessary evil for travel halfway round the world. Though I can’t do it all in one go. 4 or 5 day stopovers make it worthwhile

After leaving town, my kids came for a visit. They said things that concerned me. I quit my job the next day and went back to my old hometown, and made threats of court action.

I can’t really travel anymore. My partner can’t really manage alone. If her granddaughter comes up to stay for a couple of weeks, I might fly up to Bangkok. I’ve always had the travel bug — preferably alone — it’s why I joined the Navy, though that was never alone. I hate flying though.

I generally stay a few days in Chiang Mai, and a few days in a tiny village near the Myanmar border. That’s my happy place. I tended to go on my way to visit my daughter’s family in the UK. Now my daughter’s back in Aus, I might just visit my son.

It’s ok to include America. It’s now one of the least democratic states. It’s all a big brotherhood.

My son lives there. I just walk with him mostly. I do prefer Chiang Mai though

I doubt it’s standard at all, if you are primarily a citizen of another country. That country’s passport should suffice. Glad I don’t need to go back anymore. I have triple citizenship.
It’s the suddenness of the law that has caused issues. My sister is going next month. It’s bloody expensive

Long time ago now. People put 2 & 2 together, and found I didn’t match her description of me. I did have one client of my workplace, come in and ask my boss “Why are still employing that bastard”. I ended up leaving town for a year.

I think more people can fool a psychologist than an ex-wife, but it’s a valid argument

My 2 exes were never in fear of me, though the second one claimed, I’d rape and stalked her. It was a while before the ones who mattered realised it was all bullshit. The first left me in a much darker place

Street vendors and hookers- I ain’t buying. Beggars - there are too many to give to. Either way the response is the same “eyes front walk like I’m still in the military” and watch for sudden changes in the pavement. (I missed that one once on Phetchaburri Rd, and fell headlong into the road.

They’re almost always on the radar. I’d suggest any gun licenses should be withdrawn after a relationship breakdown for a period of at least 2 years, and only returned if the ex partner approves.
That can be a period of very dark thinking. I know from experience.

What you suppose Bennelong Point will be renamed as?

Is it a hate crime to suggest that as men are the shooters 99% or more of the time, that they should be banned from holding firearm licenses

I concur. The only time I support beggars in Bangkok is to get rid of change on my way to the airport

I’ll happily buy a “ Big Issue” and say keep the change. I will send money to some people i know if they’re in need. I will not share my email or phone number with any charity these days. It just becomes an invitation to be bombarded with requests.

Fred Brophy ( of boxing tent fame) bought the Cracow pub and got rid of the pokies straight away. I heard he and his partner later bought a pub in Kilkivan and did the same. Kudos to them

Do you need that stress in your life?🤣🤣

Is there no end to your skills?

Lovely. Of course now there is a danger he’ll grow up believing Dinosaurs and humans lived at the same time.😀😀

Can’t say I’ve come across either here. Though one of my closest friends had a Russian father.