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I’m spending a few days in the Baltics to review how things have changed since I was last here over the summer. This region was among the hardest hit in the world, and as I have stated numerous times, I’m convinced it will end with a devaluation in Latvia. The big news of
I tend to shy away from politics and policy. Sure I’ve discussed taxes, privacy, and healthcare a few times, but I don’t normally whine about government too much because (a) it’s unproductive, and (b) living a ‘multiple flag’ lifestyle means that governments have little impact on me. Last night, though, President Obama spoke
I’m sitting in a comfortable, overstuffed leather chair this morning typing away at this letter while a team of local women give me a traditional Thai foot massage. 30 minutes in the chair will set me back about $4, and I can’t think of a better way to part with my money.
The ticking time bomb in Dubai finally exploded late last week. On the eve of their most important Muslim holiday, which happened to coincide with the eve of Thanksgiving in the west, Dubai authorities made two statements spaced a few hours apart. The first– that the heavily indebted, government-owned flagship holding company Dubai
Long ago, physical commodities were used as a mediums of exchange… gold and silver were quite popular because they were scarce, divisible, durable, and hard to replicate. If you had a few extra ounces laying around and wanted to store it securely, you would seek out the people who dealt with precious metals
I was having breakfast this morning at my favorite Bangkok cafe– they do a delicious American breakfast with eggs, bacon, toast, orange juice, and fresh fruit for under $3… and it’s delicious. For another $3 I could get a backrub while I eat. As I was reading the local paper, something caught my
If he keeps this up, they might start calling it Panama, Inc. Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli has been in office less than 6-months, yet to the extent that it is politically possible, he seems bent on running Panama with the same vision as when he ran the chain of supermarkets that made him
After a hard afternoon of jet skiing yesterday, my friends and I came off the water right as the sun was descending in the horizon over the ocean. The sun sets in Thailand in a more vibrant, distinctive way than most other places in the world that I have seen, and quite honestly
Sending an unsecured email is like shouting something across a crowded room… if you expect the information to be kept private that is probably one of the worst methods available. You might as well rent a billboard so everyone can see. The problem with the internet is that there are so many touch
It was a rare, cool evening in Bangkok, so we decided to take a tuk-tuk back to the hotel. You’ve probably seen them– they’re like open-air rickshaws attached to a lawn mower engine, and the drivers will take you anywhere in town for a buck or two. I was riding with my
Tony looked the part– measuring tape draped over his shoulder, wire frame spectacles, and ashy hands that had been sullied by the chalk marks he had been making on my garments. “SAHM SIP!” he said in Thai, announcing my 30-inch waist to an anxious-looking recorder. The fitting was almost over, and Tony’s crew
I was reading a menu, but I wasn’t in a restaurant. Liposuction: $625 Tummy Tuck: $1,250 Breast Enlargement: $1,125 Sex change operation: $1,625 I did a double take. Yep, that wasn’t a misprint. Thailand is renowned for a lot of things– beautiful beaches, crazy nightlife, political instability, etc. One of the things it
Please begrudge me the quote from V for Vendetta, but I’m really starting to worry about what’s going on in the United Kingdom. On Wednesday I wrote about the UK’s “Interception Modernisation Programme.” New rules under the program require wireless companies and internet service providers to archive phone records, web history, and emails
It was with great irony and despicable deceit that UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown was commemorating the fall of communism in Berlin on Monday. In his remarks, he insisted that the tide of history was moving towards our “best hopes,” and praised the people who helped end tyranny and bring down the
First of all, thanks to all the well-wishers (especially Dusty) after my accident… your concern is much appreciated, and I’m feeling a lot better. Today I want to talk about real estate in Thailand, and particularly here in Pattaya. I’ve spent the last few days scouting property, and talking to agents, developers, and
