Martin

Senior Member
Dec 31, 2000
56,913
That's a long period. My life has tons of stuff happening weekly, let alone in five years. Despite going through tons of small stuff I don't think I have some huge news like yourself, getting wife and stuff. I'm not super hard for relationships as I love my freedom, although I'm seeing some girl that shares the same birthday as Del Piero so that gotta be huge! Anyways, I took quite a big dive into literature so I've roamed through Russians and random Europeans for some years, then finally took Serbian since it's way too rich. I got an interest in photography, bought myself a cheap-ish entry level dslr so that's another hobby of mine (but I actually consider literature way above a hobby level). I'm still into coffee, wine, movies, huge walks, nerve breakdowns from watching Juve and all standard stuff. I hate how covid thing happened, I didn't take a vaccine, no, and I'm awaiting another wave of restrictions and horrible stuff that's not suited for humans. Latest thing is that I was offered a job in the book store, I'm yet to decide by tomorrow whether or not I would accept it since it has tons of bad stuff like working 6 days per week (always), both shifts and wages are 350e literally. So I have no idea what's going on with that. I'm writing a new book although that's a slow process so it will take some time, but I gave it a lot of attention so far, took it quite seriously so I loved the progress. Recently I started learning some Russian too as I had a plan to read, yet again, all of the Russian literature in the future in their language, so that's sort of long term plan. Oh and it's that period when I can get the girls if I give it a go but sadly they mostly want relationships, kids and stuff, and I'm not into that honestly, at least not yet.

What's happening on your side, dr M?
Fantastic summary. I asked you a difficult question cause I find it hard to answer this even over a one month period - I forget so fast what I've been doing.

Let's see. I turned 40 a few months ago. Very strange feeling. I quit a bad job and celebrated by drinking a glass of real champagne which wasn't worth the price. But quitting was still sweet. I went through a period where I would drink a beer about once a week, mostly just cause I was bored and wanted some variety. I stopped. I'm getting into meditation now - I do 10min daily listening to a recording - and it's really doing something for me. I feel less anxious, I get less irritated or angry. I'm recommending it to everyone. I wish I had known about it when I was a teenager. All that mental pain in my teens (juventuz would probably never have happened lol). I stretch every day and I do strength training several times a week - without it my fitness grinds to a halt. But it also really helps my morale. I still like taking walks. Now during covid and lockdown I've been going after dark when there's almost noone around - another morale boost. Last year wife and I used to go to some national parks around here on the weekends and take walks but now we have to stay within 5km of home so all my walks around local. I'm grateful for my neighborhood, it's a really nice place to live. A place that's walking friendly - most of Sydney is dedicated to cars and traffic jams. I reminisce about the days I used to read philosophy (did you ever get into that?). I never thought very highly of the historical thinkers - they all seem depassé now. My favorites were Comte-Sponville and Onfray. And Zizek lol, although he's less about thinking and more about telling funny stories from pop culture. He's been repeating those stories for 2 decades. These days I don't feel I have the patience for philosophy anymore. Or is it lack of focus? I rarely read any challenging books these days, but I do read for entertainment. I don't think I could do what you do and read the Russian classics. The whole literature tradition (from the little I know) seems to be based on people who are gravely depressed and disillusioned. It's not a good influence - I try to read stuff that is more uplifting. Oh, I studied some economics so I'm not completely ignorant about that anymore. I understand MMT (sorta). I guess I'll stop now.
 

Dostoevsky

Tzu
Administrator
May 27, 2007
88,436
Fantastic summary. I asked you a difficult question cause I find it hard to answer this even over a one month period - I forget so fast what I've been doing.

Let's see. I turned 40 a few months ago. Very strange feeling. I quit a bad job and celebrated by drinking a glass of real champagne which wasn't worth the price. But quitting was still sweet. I went through a period where I would drink a beer about once a week, mostly just cause I was bored and wanted some variety. I stopped. I'm getting into meditation now - I do 10min daily listening to a recording - and it's really doing something for me. I feel less anxious, I get less irritated or angry. I'm recommending it to everyone. I wish I had known about it when I was a teenager. All that mental pain in my teens (juventuz would probably never have happened lol). I stretch every day and I do strength training several times a week - without it my fitness grinds to a halt. But it also really helps my morale. I still like taking walks. Now during covid and lockdown I've been going after dark when there's almost noone around - another morale boost. Last year wife and I used to go to some national parks around here on the weekends and take walks but now we have to stay within 5km of home so all my walks around local. I'm grateful for my neighborhood, it's a really nice place to live. A place that's walking friendly - most of Sydney is dedicated to cars and traffic jams. I reminisce about the days I used to read philosophy (did you ever get into that?). I never thought very highly of the historical thinkers - they all seem depassé now. My favorites were Comte-Sponville and Onfray. And Zizek lol, although he's less about thinking and more about telling funny stories from pop culture. He's been repeating those stories for 2 decades. These days I don't feel I have the patience for philosophy anymore. Or is it lack of focus? I rarely read any challenging books these days, but I do read for entertainment. I don't think I could do what you do and read the Russian classics. The whole literature tradition (from the little I know) seems to be based on people who are gravely depressed and disillusioned. It's not a good influence - I try to read stuff that is more uplifting. Oh, I studied some economics so I'm not completely ignorant about that anymore. I understand MMT (sorta). I guess I'll stop now.
I turned 30 last year. Ever since I finished uni I was "worried" when time flies by and how I'm reaching 30 which looked so disgusting and scary at the same time. But when I did reach it was just... normal. I'm quite comfortable in my skin, I like the experience that I've gained and I'm satisfied with it. Now when I look back I can't say I'm happy about myself in early 20s. I think every period has its own thing of good and bad, but later maturity gives you different glasses so the past looks quite fragile and you look funny. These times are quite weird, I think so many people have some form of anxiety. I had a lot more when I was younger, I'm happy how I managed to cope with it and when people hear I had problems with it they think I lie. It's nice that you workout, I always respect that for many reasons. I stopped myself because I feel 24 hours in a single day is way too little and I hardly manage it. Socialising and literature took quite a big part of my free time. I honestly have no idea how can somebody be bored in this period. There's just so many things to do which make you happy and grateful, even without money (I master it). Oh and I did read some philosophy, not much though. But I roamed through some Greeks, Nietzsche, and read even some Chinese. When it comes to modern stuff I read some stuff by Luciano De Crescenzo who passed away a couple of years back. I find it interesting and worth of studying but I'm focused more on stuff like classics and some modern stuff which is usually challenging and hard-ish stuff to read. It's my entertainment, but I never read entertainment/light beach stuff. I'm a firm believer how everything great out of literature came from hard and difficult periods of either whole country or author himself. It's when layers pop up and you dig deep to the very core of soul. It surely may seem depressing and tough to swallow, but hey, it just teaches you about people and life, you get to meet biggest characters with their own conscience, characters that are complex and worth of studies. It's not only reading for fun surely, but learning too. I don't find that in easy, uplifting literature where authors write how you can live without money yet all of them became millionairs for selling those books and I highly doubt they wanna give up on it. That stuff along with motivational books for fragile people don't have my interest. I don't need someone to point a finger and tell me how to look at life, how to live or how to be happy. I've been through stuff and that's amateurish stuff imo since I can't believe people are fucked up on that level they seek help through that medium/level of "knowledge". I don't think anything good can come out from a happy place when it comes to literature. It's always being surrounded by death, misery, and all other big things. But I guess you should avoid it if such thing throws you on your knees (which should not happen). I mean, what the fuck, you have a huge brain capacity, you shouldn't be reading shit like Coelho or buy a book The Monk who sold his Ferrari.

I'll make it sound like you're on an interview right now, but where do you see yourself in future? And I don't mean in which country.
 

DutchJuventino

Senior Member
Apr 9, 2015
3,891
Don't know where to place this, but has anyone experience with travelling in Southeast Asia?

I've been tot Thailand two years ago with two friends backpacking for 1 month and it was by far my best vacation ever. I want to travel next year with my girlfriend for 1 month. I am clueless which country is the nicest. Vietnam, Phillipines or Indonesia? I think Vietnam will suit me the most, we both like all food btw and we are searching for some backpacking mixed with once or twice in the holiday a luxe resort. Nature and history are most important for me, driving on a scooter, get some good food and just have chill vibes. I don't like TOO much mass tourism, tourism is not bad but i heard Bali is like Mallorca or Lake Garda.. Other countries can also be considered.

If someone can help me it will be really appreciated
 

swag

L'autista
Administrator
Sep 23, 2003
83,441
Vietnam is great given your requirements. I don't see how you can go wrong.

But depending on your relationship with your gf, there are countries that make it easier to "disappear" someone if she isn't working out either. :shifty:
 

DutchJuventino

Senior Member
Apr 9, 2015
3,891
Vietnam is great given your requirements. I don't see how you can go wrong.

But depending on your relationship with your gf, there are countries that make it easier to "disappear" someone if she isn't working out either. :shifty:
What do you mean with the last sentence?

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Other Indonesian Islands and tips are welcome ofcourse!
 

GordoDeCentral

Diez
Moderator
Apr 14, 2005
69,334
Don't know where to place this, but has anyone experience with travelling in Southeast Asia?

I've been tot Thailand two years ago with two friends backpacking for 1 month and it was by far my best vacation ever. I want to travel next year with my girlfriend for 1 month. I am clueless which country is the nicest. Vietnam, Phillipines or Indonesia? I think Vietnam will suit me the most, we both like all food btw and we are searching for some backpacking mixed with once or twice in the holiday a luxe resort. Nature and history are most important for me, driving on a scooter, get some good food and just have chill vibes. I don't like TOO much mass tourism, tourism is not bad but i heard Bali is like Mallorca or Lake Garda.. Other countries can also be considered.

If someone can help me it will be really appreciated
I personally don't like Vietnam that much. Indonesia is huuuuge, I've been there many times, never been to bali. The Philippines is always a good bet, always. But my favorite place is malaysia, especially borneo.
 

DutchJuventino

Senior Member
Apr 9, 2015
3,891
I personally don't like Vietnam that much. Indonesia is huuuuge, I've been there many times, never been to bali. The Philippines is always a good bet, always. But my favorite place is malaysia, especially borneo.
Why didn't you like Vietnam? What are your favorite places/Islands in Indonesia? Thanks for the Malaysia tip what makes it better than both other countries for you?>

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Hahaha so many questions ...
 
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GordoDeCentral

Diez
Moderator
Apr 14, 2005
69,334
Why didn't you like Vietnam? What are your favorite places/Islands in Indonesia? Thanks for the Malaysia tip what makes it better than both other countries for you?>

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Hahaha so many questions ...
It's quite obvious :p vietnamese culture is too close to the Chinese one. I am diver so for me it's komodo, lembeh, and sulawesi. Malaysia has everything and a lot less misery and abject poverty, i also just feel really at peace in sabah for some reason.
 

DutchJuventino

Senior Member
Apr 9, 2015
3,891
It's quite obvious :p vietnamese culture is too close to the Chinese one. I am diver so for me it's komodo, lembeh, and sulawesi. Malaysia has everything and a lot less misery and abject poverty, i also just feel really at peace in sabah for some reason.
Thanks is Malaysia pricier than Thailand? Or around the same price. I'll look into Malaysia, I saw Vietnam has a lot of scammers in tourist places.
 

GordoDeCentral

Diez
Moderator
Apr 14, 2005
69,334
Thanks is Malaysia pricier than Thailand? Or around the same price. I'll look into Malaysia, I saw Vietnam has a lot of scammers in tourist places.
Id say about the same, but when you go to Borneo don't expect thai level hotels and accomodations, it's still pretty pristine, the town i always go to just opened their first McDonald's in 2019.
 

Bianconero81

Ageing Veteran
Jan 26, 2009
39,226
Don't know where to place this, but has anyone experience with travelling in Southeast Asia?

I've been tot Thailand two years ago with two friends backpacking for 1 month and it was by far my best vacation ever. I want to travel next year with my girlfriend for 1 month. I am clueless which country is the nicest. Vietnam, Phillipines or Indonesia? I think Vietnam will suit me the most, we both like all food btw and we are searching for some backpacking mixed with once or twice in the holiday a luxe resort. Nature and history are most important for me, driving on a scooter, get some good food and just have chill vibes. I don't like TOO much mass tourism, tourism is not bad but i heard Bali is like Mallorca or Lake Garda.. Other countries can also be considered.

If someone can help me it will be really appreciated
Since you've already been to Thailand, I'd recommend Vietnam from the list you mentioned. I'd also like to toss Malaysia's name into the hat. Awesome food and culture, great beaches, and solid infrastructure. In terms of nature and biodiversity, Malaysia is probably the most dynamic country in the region. You're also going to find some top notch hotels in Malaysia as well. The only disadvantage Malaysia has compared to the other countries on the list is it's more expensive, especially when it comes to alcohol.
 

Fab Fragment

Senior Member
Dec 22, 2018
3,133
Since you've already been to Thailand, I'd recommend Vietnam from the list you mentioned. I'd also like to toss Malaysia's name into the hat. Awesome food and culture, great beaches, and solid infrastructure. In terms of nature and biodiversity, Malaysia is probably the most dynamic country in the region. You're also going to find some top notch hotels in Malaysia as well. The only disadvantage Malaysia has compared to the other countries on the list is it's more expensive, especially when it comes to alcohol.
I'd really like to visit the Petronas towers.

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Is it true that you can sky dive from there?

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I was reading up on Pol Pot. Talk about evil!
 

Bianconero81

Ageing Veteran
Jan 26, 2009
39,226

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