Off Topic Posts - Whats on your mind?

I've lost weight, down 1.5kg (~3,5lbs) in about 6 weeks! Not that I was much overweight to begin with, at 176cm/80kg (5'9"/176lbs), but now I'm noticing my pants and T-shirts fit much better.

I love, love, love fried foods. Battered fish, shrimp, southern fried chicken, crispy pork squares, french fries etc and eat deep fried foods at least 4 times a week.

How did I manage to lose the weight? By cutting out, 100%, the use of seed oils in favour of lard (Link to prior post). Not only have I lost weight, but I feel much better, with more bounce in my step, more energy, feeling more alert.

Nice to be able to indulge in Western fried foods and to feel better in spite of it

    I've lost weight, down 1.5kg (~3,5lbs) in about 6 weeks! Not that I was much overweight to begin with, at 176cm/80kg (5'9"/176lbs), but now I'm noticing my pants and T-shirts fit much better.
I love, love, love fried foods. Battered fish, shrimp, southern fried chicken, crispy pork squares, french fries etc and eat deep fried foods at least 4 times a week.

How did I manage to lose the weight? By cutting out, 100%, the use of seed oils in favour of lard (Link to prior post). Not only have I lost weight, but I feel much better, with more bounce in my step, more energy, feeling more alert.

Nice to be able to indulge in Western fried foods and to feel better in spite of it -@Aidan in HCMC

Always good to hear that someone has landed on a dietary plan that works for them 😎👍

It would interest me to see your next blood lab results, especially lipids (especially triglycerides) & glucose.

I would never, ever recommend that diet (exactly as you've described it) to anyone, unless they were willing to forego all fried-food breading and limit their daily intake of all carbohydrates to < 20 grams.

Cheers!

        I've lost weight, down 1.5kg (~3,5lbs) in about 6 weeks! Not that I was much overweight to begin with, at 176cm/80kg (5'9"/176lbs), but now I'm noticing my pants and T-shirts fit much better.I love, love, love fried foods. Battered fish, shrimp, southern fried chicken, crispy pork squares, french fries etc and eat deep fried foods at least 4 times a week.How did I manage to lose the weight? By cutting out, 100%, the use of seed oils in favour of lard (Link to prior post). Not only have I lost weight, but I feel much better, with more bounce in my step, more energy, feeling more alert. Nice to be able to indulge in Western fried foods and to feel better in spite of it -@Aidan in HCMC

Always good to hear that someone has landed on a dietary plan that works for them 😎👍
It would interest me to see your next blood lab results, especially lipids (especially triglycerides) & glucose.
I would never, ever recommend that diet (exactly as you've described it) to anyone, unless they were willing to forego all fried-food breading and limit their daily intake of all carbohydrates to < 20 grams.
Cheers! 
    -@OceanBeach92107

Coincidentally, I'm going for a physical and cbc Tuesday. I'll let you know.

Last time I had cholesterol checked was ~8 years ago in Canada. Cholesterol level was lower than my (vegetarian) doctor's.

@Aidan in HCMC

I lose kilos living in Vietnam without trying.  Still eating pizza and Popeyes. When I go to America,  the kilos go back on. I am eating pho about 3 days a week.

Any other members in VN experiencing internet slowdown/disconnect the past couple of days?

    Any other members in VN experiencing internet slowdown/disconnect the past couple of days?
   

    -@Aidan in HCMC

A bit more than usual in Đà Nẵng

    Any other members in VN experiencing internet slowdown/disconnect the past couple of days?
   

    -@Aidan in HCMC

Yes me, YouTube freezing up a lot

@goodolboy

Got reports from friends up in Hanoi of the same troubles. Seems it's nationwide.

    @goodolboy
Got reports from friends up in Hanoi of the same troubles. Seems it's nationwide.
   

    -@Aidan in HCMC

Its that shark again, happens every year, they need to feed it some meat & not having it chomping on cables.

Need help with this.

Many years ago my grandmother told me that if you ever have a song stuck in your head, the only way to get rid of it is to give it to someone else.

Well, I've had this little ditty (Link, YouTube) following me around for a couple of days now. I'm not sure how or where I contracted it. I don't even know a Harry.

Any members willing to pick it up for me?

Thanks in advance

(and, you're welcome! Hope you didn't have any heavy thinking to do today)

@Aidan in HCMC.  Just how old are you? .   This number used to be part of my father's extensive whistling repertoire of songs from the 30's and 40's that he did throughout the day almost without thinking.   I never heard him sing more than a line or two but he was a master whistler.  He told me that he learned this one to tease his brother Harry.  Strangely I can't even whistle a single note so I guess it's not inherited.

@THIGV

Thanks for sharing that story of your dad and uncle, THIGV. Made me smile.

In answer to your question, I was born 1961, 40 years after that song was penned.

@THIGV

I just realized that song is 102 years old!

"Great Googly Moogly!"

(F. Zappa)

    @Aidan in HCMC.  Just how old are you? .   This number used to be part of my father's extensive whistling repertoire of songs from the 30's and 40's that he did throughout the day almost without thinking.   I never heard him sing more than a line or two but he was a master whistler.  He told me that he learned this one to tease his brother Harry.  Strangely I can't even whistle a single note so I guess it's not inherited.        -@THIGV

Ahhh your post brought back memories......Could be another sign of the times I wonder? back in my younger day everyone whistled songs or along with songs. Now never hear anyone whistle. Could it be everyone was a lot more happy & relaxed back then. Whistling always made me feel happy anyways.

   
    @Aidan in HCMC.  Just how old are you? .   This number used to be part of my father's extensive whistling repertoire of songs from the 30's and 40's that he did throughout the day almost without thinking.   I never heard him sing more than a line or two but he was a master whistler.  He told me that he learned this one to tease his brother Harry.  Strangely I can't even whistle a single note so I guess it's not inherited.        -@THIGV

Ahhh your post brought back memories......Could be another sign of the times I wonder? back in my younger day everyone whistled songs or along with songs. Now never hear anyone whistle. Could it be everyone was a lot more happy & relaxed back then. Whistling always made me feel happy anyways.
      -@goodolboy

My thought on that is that it's because of the kind of songs/music we hear now, starting around the mid 1960s or so.

"Modern" era music seems to be, with exceptions of course, built with its focus on rhythm. Prior to this music seemed to use melody as its base.

Much simpler, not to mention much more pleasing to the ear, to whistle a melody than it is to whistle a rhythm. Just my thoughts.

            @Aidan in HCMC.  Just how old are you? .   This number used to be part of my father's extensive whistling repertoire of songs from the 30's and 40's that he did throughout the day almost without thinking.   I never heard him sing more than a line or two but he was a master whistler.  He told me that he learned this one to tease his brother Harry.  Strangely I can't even whistle a single note so I guess it's not inherited.        -@THIGV
Ahhh your post brought back memories......Could be another sign of the times I wonder? back in my younger day everyone whistled songs or along with songs. Now never hear anyone whistle. Could it be everyone was a lot more happy & relaxed back then. Whistling always made me feel happy anyways.      -@goodolboy

My thought on that is that it's because of the kind of songs/music we hear now, starting around the mid 1960s or so.
"Modern" era music seems to be, with exceptions of course, built with its focus on rhythm. Prior to this music seemed to use melody as its base.
Much simpler, not to mention much more pleasing to the ear, to whistle a melody than it is to whistle a rhythm. Just my thoughts.
   

    -@Aidan in HCMC

yes not easy to whistle along to a rap "song" right enough!

                @Aidan in HCMC.  Just how old are you? .   This number used to be part of my father's extensive whistling repertoire of songs from the 30's and 40's that he did throughout the day almost without thinking.   I never heard him sing more than a line or two but he was a master whistler.  He told me that he learned this one to tease his brother Harry.  Strangely I can't even whistle a single note so I guess it's not inherited.        -@THIGVAhhh your post brought back memories......Could be another sign of the times I wonder? back in my younger day everyone whistled songs or along with songs. Now never hear anyone whistle. Could it be everyone was a lot more happy & relaxed back then. Whistling always made me feel happy anyways.      -@goodolboyMy thought on that is that it's because of the kind of songs/music we hear now, starting around the mid 1960s or so."Modern" era music seems to be, with exceptions of course, built with its focus on rhythm. Prior to this music seemed to use melody as its base.Much simpler, not to mention much more pleasing to the ear, to whistle a melody than it is to whistle a rhythm. Just my thoughts.        -@Aidan in HCMC

yes not easy to whistle along to a rap "song" right enough!
   

    -@goodolboy

Ahhhhhh them were the days, been whistling allong all morning & now my lip & cheek muscles hurt!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39dJptQV_Jc

"Modern" era music seems to be, with exceptions of course, built with its focus on rhythm. Prior to this music seemed to use melody as its base...


    -@Aidan in HCMC

Hopefully this (direct .mp3 WordPress link) is one of those exceptions...

Wow.

"Customers of Size" (i.e. the morbidly obese)  are being given a second, or a third, seat for free. Reports are that people of normal/average size are being bumped from flights due to extra large customers requiring, and being given, an additional seat(s) to accommodate their girth.

Southwest Airlines' "Customer of size and extra seat policy" (Link)

Since the post on the closing dates for Immigration offices has been locked to prevent it going off topic, let me post my question here.   OB has told us when immigration is closed, from 8 Feb 24, but what is the actual New Year Day?  My calendar says Chinese New Year is 10 Feb 24, but Tet is not always the same due to differences in longitude between Hanoi and Beijing.   What is the date for 2024?

    Since the post on the closing dates for Immigration offices has been locked to prevent it going off topic, let me post my question here.   OB has told us when immigration is closed, from 8 Feb 24, but what is the actual New Year Day?  My calendar says Chinese New Year is 10 Feb 24, but Tet is not always the same due to differences in longitude between Hanoi and Beijing.   What is the date for 2024?
   

    -@THIGV

(Referencing this sticky thread)

February 10 is also the first day of Tết (New Year Day) in 2024, though just as with New Year on the Gregorian calendar, the day before (eve) the 9th is when the major celebrations begin, leading up to fireworks at the stroke of Midnight.

As I'm sure you know (for the sake of the casual reader) there are 8 days of Tết, so the last day of the formal celebration will be February 17th.

The government only formally recognizes the holiday period from 8 February 8th thru February 14th.

However, the lead up into Tết begins on the 23rd day of the last month of the year (February 1st in 2024) known as Tết Tào Quán, which is when many parties will begin and some people will travel home early to attend these gatherings of families and hometown neighbors/friends.

It's known in English as "Three Deities"or "Kitchen Gods" or "Kitchen Witches" day, when those entities traditionally ascend to heaven to report to the Jade Emperor.

Why is this worth knowing?

If you have a Vietnamese wife or girlfriend, she may insist on traveling home as early as January 31st (Gregorian calendar) next year to help her mother and grandmother begin ceremonial cleaning for Tết Tào Quán.

That's also when businesses and workers of all types (government & private sector) will begin taking time off to assist their families and party with them.

So shorthanded staffing and business closings with reductions in services can begin to become a problem 8 days before the first day of Tết and continue beyond the last day of the official government holiday period.

Immigration is not immune to these staffing shortages, so in addition to zero processing on the holidays and weekends (Saturdays & Sundays) limited processing can be expected both before and afterwards.

Couple that with increased workload from a buildup of unprocessed applications submitted during the holidays and it's no wonder it can take immigration up to two weeks to get back up to speed.

@OceanBeach92107  Thanks.   That's a lot of detail and explanation of the "why's" that I never heard even when living in Vietnam.    My wife tends to be the type that explains things by saying that's just how it is, especially if she really doesn't know the reason.   How unfortunate that the tread was locked and it can't be posted there.  Oh well.

    @OceanBeach92107  Thanks.   That's a lot of detail and explanation of the "why's" that I never heard even when living in Vietnam.    My wife tends to be the type that explains things by saying that's just how it is, especially if she really doesn't know the reason.   How unfortunate that the tread was locked and it can't be posted there.  Oh well.
   

    -@THIGV

Much of what I learned about Tết came from my twin sister, Ciambella.

Somewhere in our archives she wrote a great post about the Kitchen Witches.

    Wow.
"Customers of Size" (i.e. the morbidly obese)  are being given a second, or a third, seat for free. Reports are that people of normal/average size are being bumped from flights due to extra large customers requiring, and being given, an additional seat(s) to accommodate their girth.
Southwest Airlines' "Customer of size and extra seat policy" (Link)
   

    -@Aidan in HCMC

When I was a regular long haul traveler by plane it was always was one of my worst nightmares, sitting in my seat with an empty seat beside me & watching an obese person shuffling up the isle sideways looking at their ticket & seat numbers & getting nearer & nearer & what a relief it was as the passed by.

The other one was a family with small children or a baby.

Lucky as I got on a bit with work & climbed up the greasy pole my companies policy was for Business class travel at my level.

Mind you I traveled Business Class to & from France a couple of weeks back & on the return there was a lady opposite snoring  like a trooper & that did not go down too well either.

Living in Viet Nam, for a few years now; I've time to observe Vietnamese motorbike riders, who travel in our lane, the wrong, or opposite direction, and or enter into traffic w/o looking. There is a specific look in their eyes, a blank stare. Interesting.

Just sayin'

     There is a specific look in their eyes, a blank stare.        -@Mac68

The blank stare is intentional.   If you allow eye contact, you lose.  It took me a while to figure this out but once I did, I put it to good use myself when needed.   I really did try to avoid the wrong way travel, but the blank look is essential when entering traffic from a side hẻm  You have to know where they are but don't let them see you looking.

   
     There is a specific look in their eyes, a blank stare.        -@Mac68
The blank stare is intentional.   If you allow eye contact, you lose.  It took me a while to figure this out but once I did, I put it to good use myself when needed.   I really did try to avoid the wrong way travel, but the blank look is essential when entering traffic from a side hẻm  You have to know where they are but don't let them see you looking.
   

    -@THIGV

the blank stare is not only seen or used in motorbike riding, its in general use.

There is a specific look in their eyes, a blank stare.        -@Mac68

The blank stare is intentional.   If you allow eye contact, you lose.  It took me a while to figure this out but once I did, I put it to good use myself when needed.   I really did try to avoid the wrong way travel, but the blank look is essential when entering traffic from a side hẻm  You have to know where they are but don't let them see you looking.        -@THIGV

the blank stare is not only seen or used in motorbike riding, its in general use.        -@goodolboy

That blank stare in their eyes is especially evident whenever I "speak" Vietnamese.

    There is a specific look in their eyes, a blank stare.        -@Mac68
The blank stare is intentional.   If you allow eye contact, you lose.  It took me a while to figure this out but once I did, I put it to good use myself when needed.   I really did try to avoid the wrong way travel, but the blank look is essential when entering traffic from a side hẻm  You have to know where they are but don't let them see you looking.        -@THIGV
the blank stare is not only seen or used in motorbike riding, its in general use.        -@goodolboy

That blank stare in their eyes is especially evident whenever I "speak" Vietnamese.
   
Yesh ! got my answer, the one I probably expected. I think I'll wear my tinted swi, goggles.

-@Aidan in HCMC

Heading off up the mountains tomorrow to stay cool!! so

@goodolboy

Nollaig Chridheil agus Bliadhna Mhath Ùr

Stay safe.

    Heading off up the mountains tomorrow to stay cool!! so


-@goodolboy

Just wondering if that classic (Lambretta?) has enough oomph to get "up the mountains" with the two of you, or mostly with you ?  I heard from a Canadian son-in-law of our landlady that he had driven solo to Dalat on his Air Blade (110 cc), while the family took their car, that it struggled for long stretches and that a two person ride was impractical.

May I acknowledge Ms My and say that the bike is clearly the second best looking thing on your Christmas card.

        Heading off up the mountains tomorrow to stay cool!! so-@goodolboy

Just wondering if that classic (Lambretta?) has enough oomph to get "up the mountains" with the two of you, or mostly with you ?  I heard from a Canadian son-in-law of our landlady that he had driven solo to Dalat on his Air Blade (110 cc), while the family took their car, that it struggled for long stretches and that a two person ride was impractical.
May I acknowledge Ms My and say that the bike is clearly the second best looking thing on your Christmas card.
        -@THIGV

hahahahaha thanks but just to correct you its a vintage Mobylette (1953) & it will take us as far as the airport where we flew to Da Lat care of Vietjet.

Previous years we have actually taken my other bike all the way & yes there are a couple  stretches that need a bit of power. However at 73 years this goodolboy's days of long motorbike rides are nearly over. Just as a matter of interest though I got my International Driving Permit when I was back in UK a couple of weeks back. Have not been asked for it yet at a police stop so cant comment on how the police will react to it though.

Ms My says to thank you for the compliment & to say, usually she is the driver & its me on the back

Maybe too late to consolidate now with over 200 posts each, but why are Visas to Enter Vietnam and Latest News on Visas separate threads?

    Maybe too late to consolidate now with over 200 posts each, but why are Visas to Enter Vietnam and Latest News on Visas separate threads?
   

    -@THIGV

Because certain people won't stay on topic with the OP.

Can you imagine that?

Because certain people won't stay on topic with the OP.

Can you imagine that?
   

    -@OceanBeach92107

That's the best thing about this thread.  I wish I had thought of it myself. 

Read a quote which rings true to me whenever I've even remotely contemplated repatriating.

“You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That’s the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place”. – Miriam Adeney

    Read a quote which rings true to me whenever I've even remotely contemplated repatriating.
“You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That’s the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place”. – Miriam Adeney

   

    -@Aidan in HCMC

I will eventually be repatriated to Scotland but it will be in a small clay jar!

Every year I go back to Scotland via France (where I lived for 3 years) & every year I cant wait to leave & thank god I live in Vietnam even although I am still a guest after 15+ years. I love to live in a country where the adults & children are proud of their country, proud to fly their national flag, proud to sing their national anthems & proud of their history & foreigners are guests of the government. God bless Vietnam & its people!

        Read a quote which rings true to me whenever I've even remotely contemplated repatriating.“You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That’s the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place”. – Miriam Adeney        -@Aidan in HCMC

I will eventually be repatriated to Scotland but it will be in a small clay jar!
Every year I go back to Scotland via France (where I lived for 3 years) & every year I cant wait to leave & thank god I live in Vietnam even although I am still a guest after 15+ years. I love to live in a country where the adults & children are proud of their country, proud to fly their national flag, proud to sing their national anthems & proud of their history & foreigners are guests of the government. God bless Vietnam & its people!
    -@goodolboy

Well...I could not have said it better ! ! ! Going to use it if that is OK?

MY wife just finished up with my first 3 year TRC. Lot of work, but she did it all on her own. So very proud of her.

mAC

Well...I could not have said it better ! ! ! Going to use it if that is OK?

It's become quite a famous quote by the author, Miriam Adeney. (Link)

I'm sure she'd be flattered by your using it, but you'll want to give her credit.

MY wife just finished up with my first 3 year TRC. Lot of work, but she did it all on her own. So very proud of her. mAC        -@Mac68

CONGRATULATIONS!

That's wonderful news and a lovely Christmas/New Year's gift for the both of you!