Kiwi

I crack a 70 hour week in my business. Never contemplated retirement. But,the inevitable happened. Eyes wide - in concern. Woke up as per usual - 4am- and knew it was time to approach the subject of selling my business. I’ve done nothing other than work the long hours in my business for so long, the hours are as much just normal to me. The sacrifice of the long hours has had the effect on what could have been a normal life….but it has created many losses. Too many on the personal side. However,thoughts are at a stage where I’m accepting it is time. Now,issues of what will occupy my time are considerable in contemplation - realisation of what NEEDS TO BE DONE CONCERN ME. Here I touch on,am I able to stop what has become so very much part of my existence ? So,perhaps the return trips which I have not done as a result of the business needs,can now be taken. I imagine the pleasure of NOT HAVING TO RETURN DUE TO WORK PRESSURE - this appeals to me. Hell it does more so now than before. So here goes chaps,I have 10 months to retire,then I’ve ’gotta do what a man wants to do’. See you maybe, maybe not,but rather the former! Ten months = 300 days = time to engage ‘second’. Wink wink !!

I crack a 70 hour week in my business. Never contemplated retirement. But,the inevitable happened. Eyes wide - in concern. Woke up as per usual - 4am- and knew it was time to approach the subject of selling my business. I’ve done nothing other than work the long hours in my business for so long, the hours are as much just normal to me. The sacrifice of the long hours has had the effect on what could have been a normal life….but it has created many losses. Too many on the personal side. However,thoughts are at a stage where I’m accepting it is time. Now,issues of what will occupy my time are considerable in contemplation - realisation of what NEEDS TO BE DONE CONCERN ME. Here I touch on,am I able to stop what has become so very much part of my existence ? So,perhaps the return trips which I have not done as a result of the business needs,can now be taken. I imagine the pleasure of NOT HAVING TO RETURN DUE TO WORK PRESSURE - this appeals to me. Hell it does more so now than before. So here goes chaps,I have 10 months to retire,then I’ve ’gotta do what a man wants to do’. See you maybe, maybe not,but rather the former! Ten months = 300 days = time to engage ‘second’. Wink wink !!

So this begs the question. Those of you who are of the ‘get the gold watch’ time frame,where are your energy levels in comparison to the years long gone? Are you any where near the antics of the 1990’s and later? Got to admit,the mind is eager,but the body is hesitant.

Another day passed yesterday,and before that,another. And then another month. The months run a relay. The years run a marathon with no water break. Sat on the pool deck and punched in Thai360. I’d been away for a while.I had visions of a trip,this did not eventuate,I run my own business which consumes 70 odd hours a week. So with no trip on the immediate horizon,I peruse Thai360 - it’s almost the same. The postings remind me of my countless trips,too many to recall. The strangers met in the bars in the early hours of my travels. I once took advice from a character on the board,and made a trip to southern LOS. Again took his advice,found a freelancer,found a boat and we parked off on an island for three days. Three memorable days. Still have the video clips. We were young,fit and didn’t care a whisper. Had a farewell at the local bar. Years later I ‘think’ I saw her again. Time had passed and she had a ‘guest’ alongside her. I tried to catch her eye,at one stage I saw a smile,but that could have meant ‘hi’. Given the passing of time,I’ll never have the energy to ‘Island again’,but I have the memory. Just a sharing of an experience,sitting at the pool. ‘Happy to have found Thai360 those years back.

Another soldier falls. RIP mate.

A while back I posted a topic on the above title. There have been arrivals,however,multiple departures (From Thai360). Here we are today ,with passings of both board members and old friends. The passing of KS is a reminder of the fragility of life. For those members whom have been on the forum for over twenty years,will no doubt have memories of the sad departure of those old names which are no longer in use. So I say to those of you who remain on this forum - good cheer and good days lads,we just never know our day. Salut.

Having read a multitude of books on LOS I am after a book which is worth an afternoon’s read. Ditch the incessant night life repeats and bar girls …. Anyone wish to recommend a quality read on some character’s arrival and life in LOS? Thanks.

My kiwi buddie had just climbed out of the pool and sat on his lawn lounger and poured yet another Pinot noir. He always said it was his poison. We had been chatting on WhatsApp and covered the subject of yet another return,reunion,in Bangkok.He loved the city,as I did as well - we had met there by chance at a hotel reception,as I was leaving and he,arriving. Our last meet had been a great break away from both our businesses and the significantly different life of Thailand was the very essence of change we both sought. When one experiences the night life and ALL that runs in parallel with this,it is hard to forget and to not try and repeat. The days were for rest - the nights were,well,the opposite. From Bangkok to Buriram,Patong to Phuket, beers to birds and days to nights. It became a blur from day one to thirty one. So he sat up and climbed into his wicker seat and suggested we try another trip. So the usual ideas flowed until the Pinot noir ended,and we agreed on an idea and put forth a date which would suit us both. He was the keener of the two,and by the nature of his business was able to make a decision quite sooner than I. I looked forward to the break as it would take me away from the long hours and stress of my business. So I agreed and we set about arranging the meet. Covid arrived. Brakes on. Both now stranded on a move forward. ‘Not to worry’ he always said. This’ll be over in a jiffy. It wasn’t and …. the worst happened. The kiwi mate caught Covid - in the early days,he said it would pass. Days did pass,Covid did not. He went for a walk on the beach one morning at his holiday home. Got half way. Lost his wind. Stopped and fell. An hour later he was in hospital. We talked every second day - one morning he texted…‘that’s me mate’. He passed away an hour later. No trip-no mate. Who knows - perhaps a return to paradise,just without a great mate. Here is to you buddie,I hope there’s Pinot noir up there,somewhere.

Nasiadai, Some have found permanency in marriage,some have found other shores,some have passed on and some have just aged. And some remain on Thai 360….take a seat.

Last stool Golden Beer Bar …. the times I mirrored that! Nice one Cyril!

Some of us here, some of us not! Those of us here,will remember those of us not here. And in five years, Some of us here, some of us not.

Not so much one’s age that bothers these days,it's the departure of many mates whom have shared the LOS experience with us.Bugger!

Seasons greetings all 😊

Sad RIP.