music

Sunday, September 16, 2012

"Dos Amigos"

"Amicitiam finis temporis"
Friendship is the "True Blood" of life.
 I can say without a doubt,that the fact i am here in Thailand "Alive",is only because of family & friends.
  Life is a "Bitch"@ times,and only a will to survive and the help of family & friends will see you through the storm.
 I am writing this post for a number of reasons.
The first reason,and without number two even coming close is"Your friends & family" our seven thousand miles away if you our from the (USA).
  The truth of "packing up & fleeing" for a exotic retirement to S.E. Asia/Thailand,is you leave behind your most valuable assets"Family & friends" behind.
 The Internet & Mobile phones & Skype.......just does not"Compute"!
If you think hauling ass to another(very far away) country is a easy thing to do,then you really need to
reevaluate your common sense.
 I have lived without my family & friends for almost four years(emails,phone & two short visits home).....It is a "hard road"!
  My buddy sitting on the "Harley" is sorely missed.
    I am American first and foremost in all things that really matter.
The point of this post is,"you will get "Home Sick",miss your comfort zones,and be in cultural shock for a very long time.
 My friend Jim was a,buddy & solid rock when things were going "South" for me in a number of personal areas of my life.
 Yea,he is only a "email/phone call away",but he is not just a 15 mile quick trip,more like 7K miles.
 My friend speaks English,eats American food,follows American news...hell,he is "All-American" in every real sense...
I am "Farang"(foreigner) to my Thai family & friends(I really don't have Thai friends),and the other 60 million Thais call me"Farang".
 My family call me "UJ"(Uncle Jim) & my friend call's me "Jimbo".
The life of being a expat is nowhere close to what i thought it would be.
 Is it awful?
No.
Thailand is a wonderful country,but it is as far away as "MARS" is from Earth in culture,and your(my) comfort zones.
 I have written in the past about the challenges of making the "leap of faith"& hauling ass away from everything you hold dearly,choose wisely.
              "Periculum et praemia nostri optimi".....If you have read this far,then "Google Translate" can do the "Latin/English" ....Chok dee mak!
 Luckkyybuddha999

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Back to the past

Lords "American Pie" "SS" 2012  Camaro "HOT"!
I guess this picture is worth all the money & Time(three years) to see her happy smile.
 The(USCIS) after many thousands of dollars &
years granted Lord a "K-3" Visa.
  The fact that it took so long,and cost so much money,prevented Lord & I from doing anything but a two week visit.
   I am happy to say that my American family
treated my Thai wife with great respect and two wonderful weeks of adventures.
 I live(used to) in Bellingham WA. about 80 miles north of Seattle.
   The Pacific Northwest is beautiful and Spring was in full swing.
Having the chance to introduce my wife to another culture was fantastic.
Thai people just do not understand how large America is,or the real difference's in a Christian versus
Buddhist culture.
   I promised my wife four years ago to bring her to America.
The trouble associated with keeping that promise,has been truly brutal.
 If any of my readers our considering getting a "K-3" Visa for their spouse,then be warned!
   As i get back into the swing of regular updates to my blog,i will be updating the current(IRS)
"FBAR" rules(concerning past due fillings).
Their is at this date some very good news for those of us who missed filling 'Fbars" in the past.
  As i said,i will follow up soon with the current situation.
 That "SS" Camaro...was way "HOT"!
 Chok dee mak,
Luckkyybuddha999

Monday, April 23, 2012

Freedom

Our you free to choose religion,government,taxes,privacy and your right to make basic choices in your everyday life?If the answer is "NO",or I am not sure,then maybe it is time to reevaluate your priorities.I figured out years ago,that my rights were going south.You do not need a very high "IQ" to see the "Writing on the Wall".Freedom,is not without costs.How much does it cost?The answer to that question is staring you right in the face.If you our unhappy and keep living the "Same old way",you will get the same unhappy results.Money,of course plays a big part of this answer.If somebody told you you could live a relatively affordable life style on a budget close to your current social security payment,what would your next question be?Where?The "Answer",anyplace other than your current situation.I live in a country that has affordable walk-in health care(out of pocket),my social security check is not hit with the government medicare deductions(and if you have a small benefit,that is huge!).This same country allows me religious freedom.I have cheap Internet,cable,water,electricity,and public transportation is dirt cheap,including taxi's.I am living in a modern city with every possible comfort you can think of.Again,how much does "Freedom cost"?The answer is"Not anywhere close to what you our now currently spending to just scrape by".I ask you this simple question,"can you live on a thousand dollars a month",and pay for all the above mentioned needs?If the answer is yes,then you can stay"Home"!If on the other hand,you answer "No",then it is time to find a place where you can enjoy your remaining years in relative comfort.There is a number of places on this earth to relocate,some better than others.I chose Thailand,but Vietnam,Cambodia,Malaysia,Burma,Philippines,all provide a cheaper option .It does not take hundreds of thousands of dollars to retire.The people promoting mass retirement budgets,have their own interest in mind"Getting your retirement money"invested in what works for their bottom line(profit)!I suggest you evaluate your "Cash-Out " options,and ask yourself how much money have you earned being fully invested(brokerages,IRA,401k,savings),then do the "Math".Thailand banks pay up to 4% interest on savings.Vietnam banks pay up to 14% interest,and the list goes on!It takes some courage to put your money in a another countries banking system,but it can be done relatively safely.Living in S.E. Asia,allows easy access to multiple countries banking systems,all which can be accessed online.I can fly to (HCM)Saigon,Vietnam for less then a 100.00 US Dollars(1 hour flight).I can open savings/atm/debit in that country(they want your business & money).The same is true for most all other countries in S.E. Asia.Yes,their our some restrictions involved,but most can be safely navigated.I like having "Options" ,and living in this corner of the world provides plenty of options.In the attached picture,i am standing next to my new car.I have a home,a Thai wife,and at least four hospitals within 30 min. drive of my residence.I play golf,go shopping and do everything that i could do in America,except for one major difference"COSTS"!I would be eating at a "Senior center if i lived in America".I would not be able to just walk into a hospital and have a expert doctor examine me,prescribe medications,and not need a appointment,insurance,and co-pay.The fact of the matter is,if i lived in America today,"Destitution" would be my status.I support a family of four,and can do "All" of the above mentioned,for under a "1000.00" US Dollars a month.If you our doing the math,then multiply by your remaining months to live(average mortality rate for your gender & year you were born).I am suppose to make it until age "82",but i figure it is better to be realistic(75-79) Male,and family genetic history.That monthly amount comes in at around "180" months x 1000=180,000 US Dollars.Think you can just retire in America on that figure?Think again!The answer is"Only outside of America".I have that amount in a annuity that pays me every month for twenty years,I have my social security(small,but with a cola attached),and i have savings that amount to high five figures.I can retire,survive,and enjoy my life in S. E. Asia.I am not even close to middle class in America.In Thailand,I am "High Middle Class",and treated as such.What is the risk of living outside your comfort zone?The answer is(no more so,than if you stay put!)I can go broke anyplace in the world,but i do want to live as well,as possible before I do!I also want "FREEDOM".Chok Dee Mak.Luckkybuddha999"When governments fear the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny."
-Thomas Jefferson

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Mia

This copy of a email to my sister in America, correctly describes a "Thai Wife".
Hi Sis,
Lord has about "8" very small cysts in total,and there is no cancer.
The "drill" is monthly home breast exams and once a year x ray & medical check.
  The weather is very "HOT"...36-38c and this will be the norm for the next two plus months,then "RAIN"!
Lord is @ "Toshiba" this am......Another "Meeting" with the management..Thai style "Bottom Line" Stick & Carrot" covering their
asses...Toshiba has lost a very large number of employees due to their reluctance to restart operations.
I need my wife @ home,not working.......
Sawat is just to old to look after Mak,cook & clean and other normal Thai cultural family routines.
Thailand & Asia our very different than America in respect to "Males" helping with household & children,it is just not
acceptable for males to help in these areas..I want to help,but it causes "Loss of Face" for the female members of my family.
 I can tell you that even picking up your dishes after a meal,is a 'NO GO"..forget about house cleaning,laundry and food shopping(except @ western style stores).
Lord has almost twenty years @ Toshiba,and the toll on her body has been huge..Lords face has now been clear and free of "Acne" for almost five months,and she has gained needed weight and a real sleep routine(6-8 hours)..The doctor who treated her for Acne issues,told her the "Acne" was stress related,along with lack of sleep and nutrition(good eating & rest habits)..he was 100% correct.
I know it may sound selfish on my part,but i have invested a very large amount of both money & emotions in this marriage,and i want a return on my "Investments"..I need a wife,friend and supporter in this stage of my life.....not somebody who i see for just a few hours everyday.
I have made my position very clear on this issue to the "Family" & Lord",and i am in position(retirement money & savings)to change directions if my wishes our not heeded.
The latter(change of directions) should not be necessary,as i believe Lord likes her new"life" better then working 80 plus hours a week,no house payments now,no bills(for her)and the chance to spend time with her mother,Mak and doing family things that Thai females love doing...LOL,cooking,cleaning,laundry...Lord would be "Shocked"if she spent any real time in America.....Thai people just do not get it!....
As a "Male" chauvinist pig.....LOL,well it does not get any better...she will not let me even clip my own finger & toe nails...I really need her to stay @ home and take care of the "PIG"....
Love "The "FARANG PIG"..."UJ".

OK,so I am a "PIG",but it "IS" a normal way of life living in Asia,and that will not change any time
soon.
 If you our lucky(No Bar Girls) and marry into a  traditional Thai family(again,you marry a Thai woman,you marry the whole family!),you get the benefits that come with marrying a Asian woman.
I also must note that you will of course be the one paying 100% of the benefits package..please do not
judge me to harshly,as this post is a bit"Tongue in cheek"!
Chok dee,
luckkyybuddha999

Thursday, March 8, 2012

The Eight Thousand Dollar K-3 Visa

It is a nice picture of my Thai wife,Amporn.Is it worth 8 grand?
I do not believe it is,nor was the almost 30 months that the "USCIS" took issuing it to Amporn.
The "K-3" expires July of this year,a little more then four months from this date.The multiple entry is good until 2014.
  It is necessary to go back in time to explain this complete failure on the part of "USCIS & Visa Lawyers".

 Long before i started my adventure of living as a expat in Thailand,i dreamt of marrying a beautiful Thai Woman.
Living out my life alone was not my idea of fulfillment of my retirement dreams.
 I first connected with my future wife on"ThaiLoveLinks.com" back in early 2007.
  TheThai women who contacted me on this site,numbered in the hundreds.
Amporn stood out from the pack,not because she was the most beautiful,sexy,or youngest,but because of her honesty and persistence and good heart.
  The online romance lasted almost a year,with hundreds of chats online and emails.
 Marriage,Visa's,and other considerations were talked about in length,and promises were made.
The fact of the matter is ,we had planned on a marriage in both Thailand and America,with Thailand being only a 'Buddhist" rite,and America being the legal one.
Enter the quest for the original"K-1" fiancee visa late 2007(5 years ago).
I hired a Thailand based American Lawyer for almost 2 grand to get this visa before my planned visit to marry Amporn in July of 2008.
.I was in for a big disappointment upon my arrival in Thailand.
The aforementioned American Lawyer informed me that Amporn would not be granted the "K-1"without me providing the tax records (1040's) for the last two years(06/07).It is strange,but he never emailed or contacted me about this issue.
The resulting loss of "The k-1 Visa",fall's directly on the lawyer's failure to perform his duties  and informing me in a timely manner about the Tax forms required.
Amporn and I decided to marry in Thailand(legal & Buddhist),as there was no time left to get the documents before her 'K-1" interview.I did however have complete financial records of all my American assets,which would have sufficed to comply with all "USCIS" support of spouse/fiancee requirements.
The Lawyer failed to inform me of the"5-1" US Dollar asset rule,simply meaning, if i had five times the yearly income requirement(i had 600 grand in money & assets liquid),then "NO PROBLEM",visa would have been granted,and i would have married in America,applied for Amporns "Change of Status",and been able to keep the "Promises"i made to her back in 07.
It goes without saying,but this lawyer was responsible for the loss of that first "K-1 Visa",plus thousands of more dollars to be later spent.
I love "Good Lawyers"and despise bad ones,as they(Good Lawyers) were the main reason i had 600k in assets.The facts our good legal help is worth the costs,bad help is a losing proposition.
   OK,so the story moves forward to April of 2009,which found me back in America trying to keep my assets from going completely south after the market crash.
 I hired a another lawyer to try and get the "K-3" visa while i was waiting out the storm of the market.
The new lawyer seemed very competent,and had worked in Washington D.C.,thus knowing how the government operates(NOT!).
That lawyer charged me another 5 k for this service.I was told i could go back to Thailand and wait eight months,visa issues would be resolved by that time(NOT!).
  The time period of April 2009 to March of 2012(almost three years) found me living in Thailand,dealing with Thai family issues,riots,floods,closed US Embassy and more Visa experts,the latter(Sunbeltasia.com) finally getting the job completed,
I mention this company in Thailand,because they have worked for me almost four years now,and they have done a good job.
If you have managed to read this far,then maybe you our thinking about visa issues yourself.
The efforts and costs related to getting any kind of visa to America our huge,make no mistake in thinking differently.
USCIS,our not going to give you any help,advise you in any matters related to your applications,or in anyway make your life tolerable in visa related issues...".you our guilty,until proven innocence in their eyes!"
If you manage to get your wife,fiancee into America,then the process of further "HELL ON EARTH" awaits you in getting the change of status,work authorisation,Green card, SSN,and many other issues.
I know the costs first hand,and it runs into the tens of thousands of dollars and years....
        If you want "EASY",then stay in Thailand and forget about the Visa "LOTTERY",because only fools would bet on something with those kind of odds.
Chok Dee,
Luckkyybuddha999


Thursday, March 1, 2012

American Citizens Service Center,Bangkok Thailand

It's that kind of morning    My head hurts, my feet stink, and I don't love Jesus.
'(Jimmy Buffet).

The Nine circles of Hell, better described as a visit to the US Embassy s “American Citizens Service Center, Bangkok Thailand.
(This discription of Dante's Inferno,is not my work"writing",but best describes this "Poem" or Story).I barrowed this explanation or discription of Dante's classic....hope he approves of my "Hell".jas/LB999.
 Dante's Inferno, widely hailed as one of the great classics of Western literature, details Dante's journey through the nine circles of Hell. The voyage begins during Easter week in the year 1300, the descent through Hell starting on Good Friday. After meeting his guide, the eminent Roman poet Virgil, in a mythical dark wood, the two poets begin their descent through a baleful world of doleful shades, horrifying tortures, and unending lamentation‘s .

  My journey through the “Hell of doing business with the US Government” is long and storied.

It has been my misfortune to have made a “K-1 & K-3” Visa applications for my Thai wife over the last four years.

Misfortune comes in many flavors when dealing with any US Embassy in Bangkok Thailand, especially if you want to give your Wife or fiancée a chance at a new life in America.

The Visa process is very close to Dante’s journey through the nine circles of Hell, and that is putting it mildly.

American Citizens service center is the “Bottom Circle of the Inferno”.

Today is March 1, 2012.I made application for the “K-3” over 27 months ago and “8,000.00 US Dollars” and three “Visa lawyers @ assorted Visa experts..?

The above application expired 12 months after application, yet after many attempts of trying to

Locate, update or by any reasonable inquiries as to its fate, I was told there was no records?

 Ok, let’s go back in time two weeks.

February 15, 2012.

Yahoo Mail “Spam folder” ( Dear Applicant:

Bangkok’s Immigrant Visa (IV) Unit is ready to begin final processing of the immigrant visa applicant(s) named below in this case. We have scheduled an appointment for a visa interview at the Immigrant Visa section on the date printed below.

Visa Appointment

Date Time

*****************************

01 Mar 2012 13:00PM

Please read and follow very carefully all of the Appointment Instructions located on the Embassy’s web site at:


I guess you might be asking yourself “What is the problem?

The problems are the complete lack competence, professionalism, and doing due diligence on visa applications in a reasonable time frame.

The facts are that my wife was forced to redo all the required documents for the third time, pay extra

Fees to our visa lawyers and hundreds of dollars of other related costs, all because the “Visa section” of the United States of America, could not find their ass, with both hands firmly planted on the cheeks. I am being kind & gentle in my evaluation of their job performance.

My “Blog “Luckkyybuddha999” is all about the adventures of living as an “Expat”in Thailand, I would be remiss if I failed to warn you about dealing with “America”.

If you our American, then always remember that your “Government is there to help you…..”NOT”!

As a foot note, it was 35c in the shade, no water. No place to sit, and no admission without an “online appointment” into the “American Citizens service center”.

My wife is Thai; I am “American”...

Go Figure!

Choke Dee,

Luckkyybuddha999

Friday, February 24, 2012

SPOT ON ! MAK,MAK....Charlie Reese

First and foremost,this essay is not my writing.
I came across this online and wanted to share this mans wisdom.
I am sure he (hope so!)would not complain about sharing his thoughts on America,the Congress,Supreme court,and the complete failure of the American political system & courts.

-By Charlie Reese
Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.
Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?
Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?
You and I don't propose a federal budget. The President does.
You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.
You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.
You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.
You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.
One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one President, and nine Supreme Court justices equates to 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.
I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.
I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a President to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.
Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.
What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The President can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.
The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House now ? He is the leader of the majority party. He and fellow House members, not the President, can approve any budget they want. If the President vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.
It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist
If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.
If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red.
If the Army & Marines are in Iraq and Afghanistan it's because they want them in Iraq and Afghanistan ...
If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.
There are no insoluble government problems.
Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like "the economy," "inflation," or "politics" that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.
Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.
They, and they alone, have the power.
They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses. Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees...
We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!
What you do with this article now that you have read it... is up to you.
This might be funny if it weren't so true.
Be sure to read all the way to the end:

Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Sales Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?
Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was the most prosperous in the world.
We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom , if agreed, stayed home to raise the kids.

What in the heck happened? Can you spell 'politicians?'






#

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Money & Banking Expat style

When a government is dependent upon bankers for money, they and not the leaders of the government control the situation, since the hand that gives is above the hand that takes... Money has no motherland; financiers are without patriotism and without decency; their sole object is gain." 
-Napoleon Bonaparte, 1815
 I sort of look prosperous in this picture taken in "Issan Country" of Northeast Thailand.
The true facts our much different.
I am like many expats now living in Thailand,wondering if my "dreams" our soon to be shattered by governments and banks.
The past two weeks have pretty much been a real "eye opener" in the fiscal department of my retirement plans.I seem to be going south alot faster then i would have ever believed possible.
    Americans woke up this morning to the lovely news of our governments spending almost three quarters of a Trillion US Dollars on Defense.The signing of this particular fiscal matter by Obama signals the coming of hard times for expats(USA),as it also gives new and very unconstitutional powers to various government bodies,who i might add,do not have yours or my best interest in mind.
 The "Patriot Act" is your worst enemy and mine.It has stripped Americans of every single constitutional rights our  forebears fought for.I am sick with disgust at the hidden agenda of my government.I left America to be away from the coming "Police State" that is now rearing its ugly head.Americans have left in droves over the last few years looking for less "Government" and intrusive police,corporate stealing,violence and the list goes on....!
 Freedom does not come without cost.I gave up my American dream a long time ago,and had hoped i was free to live out my life.
 Living as a Expat in any country is and will always be a challenge.I am now dealing with trying to protect my assets and future.If you our really trying to decide if pulling up stakes for greener pastures is for you,then consider this"Their is no place to hide"!I am not trying to really hide as such,but being free to live as a retired person,without my government trying to reach out and "touch me",is foremost in my long range plans.I would suggest that anybody with escape plans search out countries without "Tax Treaties" as these our going to come back to bite you in the butt!Cambodia does not have a treaty,nor Vietnam,Laos and a number of others.The key word here is "RESEARCH"..everything and i do mean everything!As i stated,asset protection from government bodies intent on derailing your retirement,should be first on your list of "To Do",before picking your dream destination.I might be needing to relocate to Cambodia,as i did not do the "RESEARCH"...You have been warned!Luckkyybuddha999