Sea-Hawks

So, it seems that both files are 4k & DTS 5.1 sound.  
 

So, why is the 1st one listed 80GB and the 2nd one only 30 GB?

5 hours ago, Proffesor said:

 

It occurs to me, using a 2-way mirror in front of a TV screen won't give you "touch-screen" operation.

 

Need to do more research, when I have the time. Will get back to you . . . .

 

 

I believe that a “IR Touch screen” will provide that part

3 hours ago, Proffesor said:

We can do the woodworking aspect of this - no problem. Sourcing a suitable 2 way mirror might be problematic - I'll make some enquiries. If you can supply ( a comparatively simple, with built-in GUI ) electronics package, we should be able to integrate it. Smart TV's are readily available here, so that aspect shouldn't be a problem.

Have you had your condo hard-wired for internet ( LAN ) ?

 

Yes, hard-wired

Regarding: a comparatively simple, with built-in GUI )electronics package, we should be able to integrate it.

I don’t know what that all means, lol.

5 hours ago, forcebwithu said:

Depending on how handy your are you could DIY.

 

I saw a couple of these DIY vdo’s.  It’s definitely not for me.  They make it look so dam easy.  Let’s just say I’m not the most tech savvy person out there.  I’ve owned a raspberry pi in my arcade cabinet & don’t know how to fix, adj or make any modifications.  The tech & computer guys at my office have told me that outside of the really really old guys, I’m pretty bad at managing the company hardware & software.  
 

…so, I won’t be doing this level of a DIY project 

Looking for someone in Pattaya to build me a custom display mirror.  When the tv is off, you will have your typical mirror.  When the unit is on, you can access the touch display to access/see the weather, stock ticker, grocery list etc (whatever i decide to see on the desktop screen).  Also, if I choose so, could also watch tv/movie. 
 

I believe one route is to connect to a raspberry pi cpu.  

I absolutely need touch screen capabilities.  
 

This mirror will be placed in the bathroom, just above the bathroom sink. 
 

Ability to link/sync with my Alexa Main hub would be an added bonus. 
 

If you or someone you know can build me a Display 2-way Mirror here in Pattaya, please send me a PM. 
 

thanks,

Todd

2 minutes ago, Butch said:

I have some chives in a pot but they're really not doing as well as I hoped, my chilli plant is bearing some fruit still, but again, nothing compared to earlier this year. Same for my blueberry bush, hardly anything compared to last year where I was getting handfuls every day 😞

My parsley and coriander are going great guns though.

Chives: consider hitting it with some water soluble fertilizer when watering next. #2 water deeply, but don’t overwater regularly.  If the sun is directly effecting the chives, consider giving it afternoon shade or put a paint strainer bag over it to shield it from the hot sun.  
 

Chilies, hit it with some water soluble fertilizer.  Give it as much sun as possible.  
 

Blueberries annually need to be fertilized with fertilizer that is geared specifically for blueberry bushes. Also, sprinkle some peat moss (can use jiffy peat pellets) on top of the soil, work it in about the first inch of the top soil. Did you do a PH reading of your soil? Blueberry plants need acidic soil.  Over time/waterings your soil becomes alkaline, so you need to regularly amend your soil.  

1 hour ago, Stillearly said:

My little planters on my balcony 

Basil , Chives and chilli 

 

 

Spearmint and a small tomato plant 

 

all grown from seed apart from the toms 

Looking good!   Nice when u can go and just clip what you need to cook with, can’t get any fresher & more organic !!!

…I don’t know about them shirts being my ‘favorite’ shirts, but I got a bunch that are slightly funny &/or makin a point.  
I’ll try and remember to post more when I come across them…but in the meantime, here are a couple

7 hours ago, Freee!! said:

I've seen that in Pattaya (between Christmas 1999 and New Year's Eve).

…now that you bring that up, during when Secrets was around, I do remember a high season when we had a cold front for about 5 days.  I froze up when taking a motobike taxi around 3am.  And remember taking my sweatshirt with me when walking over to the pier in the evenings.  

I was in Khon Kaen in 2019 (wrote up a TR) and I had discussed how cool it was in the daytime.  I remember in the evenings for a few of the nights feeling it was almost chilly….for the bargirls, it was too cold for them.  

6 minutes ago, Chang_Paarp said:

You have coats in Pattaya? 😲

Lol, just always call it coat closet, but here, just to hang my windbreakers, rain gear, umbrellas.  
 

I was up in Loei & Chiang Mai and have seen Thai’s wearing jackets when it gets chilly for them, lol

6 minutes ago, misteregg said:

Next week’s special is slow cooked lamb Irish stew

looks good, btw it doesn’t look like the crock pot i gave you a few years back…

3 hours ago, Stillearly said:

Buy a bed with storage inside , mine lifts easily ( on hydraulics) and I have the whole of the king space available to put suitcases etc 

…if this was for your place in Patts, where did you get it from & how much was it?

Thx

Nice!

I’ve rented a few exotic sports-cars when I was in Vegas.  Completely unnecessary and unpractical given how much they charge to rent in Vegas.  The number of idiotic things I’ve done while in Vegas…well, it’s better not to think about that, lol.  

A former business associate/buddy of mine over at Microsoft is involved in some sort of Car Club.  He gets a high end sports car for use  1 month a year.   I can’t remember how much, but do remember it was really expensive 

6 minutes ago, Peroni said:

Two words for you Murphy bed. There's a good shop in Jomtien at Soi Wat Boon Kanjanaram, near the Atlantis Condo complex.

Here's a link to a website they use, their supplier partner.

https://www.wallbedfurnitureshop.asia/

Good luck

Thanks! 

Will take a look at the site & read -up.

8 minutes ago, Peroni said:

Lol, Op, man you really need a girlfriend.

😉

well, every time I have a gf, I wished I didn’t have one.  I know many who are looking or have that special someone in LOS/Pattaya and are extremely happy.  For myself, I like my own time/freedoms, don’t want to be dragged to stores & markets (don’t need or enjoy couple’s activities), go travel to Issan to see their family, constantly being asked for money. I like to get up whenever I want, eat my breakfast in peace & quiet without a girl yapping in my ear. Maybe, I’m a bit of a selfish prick and/or too consumed about myself, lol.  

…now, not to get too off topic

This thread is about ‘Smaller Living Arrangements’ Since I’m working with an Interior Decorator, just passing on what I’ve been told/suggested 

Both Real Estate Agents & at least my Interior Decorator stated that in Thailand & specifically in Pattaya, builders provide inadequate amount of storage space for condos.  As condos in Pattaya become ‘smaller & smaller’ builders skimp on available ‘Built-In’ storage areas.  

Now, I’ve boughten 4 different condos in Pattaya/Jomtien & viewed a couple hundred units.  Other than most units having a wardrobe closet & small kitchen with not enough or barely adequate kitchen cabinet space…typically no laundry cabinets or possible no mop room/cabinet, little to no misc storage cabinets, no coat closet… etc.  

IMHO, most units I’ve seen for sale in Pattaya are just empty shells with only the wardrobe closets (not including kitchen cupboards or any possible bathroom cabinets.  …where exactly are you going to put your personal effects/items…I guess you could store them in cabinets in the kitchen/bathroom which is not functional, but doable. 
 

In regards to clutter - A condo looks more cluttered when visible, that’s why interior decorators suggest one keep things tucked away, hidden, out-of-sight, cabinets, storage compartments.  I’ll get much detail in upcoming add-on to this threads.  
 

And in regards to hoarding, I’m from the States, the land of hoarders, lol.  Now, this thread is about ‘small living spaces’ since there are so many small units in Pattaya, I’m just passing on the information I received from the REA & ID. And, if one buys any new furniture, it is suggested that we buy multi-useable pieces…which could possibly include additional storage compartments (but not absolutely necessary for individuals that don’t want or need it, just an option).  

    Front Entry Area - Front Door

For those of us with small or narrow front entryways, utilizing some additional features will give the sense of a larger space than it really is. 

A mirror by the front door helps draw in light, reflection & feel that makes the space feel larger than it really is. 

Adding the mirror expands the visual effects, while the floating/raised bench allows for additional storage below while giving you the sense of a larger space 

If you have your front door/wall as an accent wall, providing contrast & higher-end feel, considering painting the trim & crown molding the same color, as this will make that particular space feel larger

A Tall & Narrow Plant will provide not only color & soothing aspects to your home, but will make your area feel more expansive   

…and when possible, sitting pots on legs gives the room a much larger feel

 Hanging plants that are vining will also add the feel of a much larger area  

If the space allows for more than 1 plant or more than 1 decorative pieces, remember to use the “Rule of 3”  

I’ll provide more pertaining to the Rule of 3 throughout the condo (upcoming)

So, for majority of us in Pattaya, our living arrangements are a bit smaller than what we had prior in our home country.  

For this reason, we must gear towards functional & multipurpose furniture.  

I am currently in “negotiations” with the condo manager to allow me to close-off one of my balconies to make into a office den/work space. They allowed owners in the past to close-off their balcony, but since changed their policy…

…in the meantime, I will buy a muliti-use table laptop station   

Majority of us lack enough storage space, so buying furniture with extra storage compartments will be helpful. The great thing about the table below is that not only does it provide additional storage, but the table extends out proving additional length  

1 minute ago, Stillearly said:

Buy a bed with storage inside , mine lifts easily ( on hydraulics) and I have the whole of the king space available for put suitcases etc 

Yes, that will be included in part 2 😉

So, my interior design decorator asked  asked me to send over pictures of my previous condos to see what & how I decorated & placed furniture pieces.  

She stated that here in Thailand (mostly guys living here) tend to do quite a few No Nos in their small living quarters.  

A. See if you can pull your larger furniture pieces & sofas/chairs/large pieces away from the wall.  If you don’t have the space to put it more in the center, at least pull it “just-off” the wall.  

B. Angling your single chairs to provide more visual space & give it a better look & feel. 

C. Larger size Rugs

(do NOT use small rugs)

…this will make your room feel small and makes your furniture look bulky and too big for the room  

Using large rug pieces will make your space look & feel larger than it is while pulling together your combined furniture pieces into one scenic space

Considering using a medium size rug over a larger size rug. It will give the space a larger, more modern & visually appealing look   

D. Buying TOO large a piece of furniture or TOO many pieces for a room/space

Try and avoid buying pieces that are overly large

Don’t buy too many pieces as it will looked cluttered & disorganized 

- to be continued - 

…oh, btw, a way cheaper shoe than the Nike Zoom X $195 USD or the Asics Novablast $175 USD.  
 

The Asics Noosa Tri 13 are at a bargain price of $134 USD.  
 

(all prices above include tax)

So my pre-order new model of the Asics Noosa Tri 13 arrived 10 days ago

I ran in them a few times already and a great shoe.  Quality made shoe both in comfort & responsiveness.  Great cushioning bounce.  Great outer soles with added tread & structure.
 

My Nike ZoomX Invincible Run & Asics Novablast are more squishy/marshmallowy/bouncing/softer impact than these shoes, but not by much.  The complaints by some who don’t like an overly squishy shoe (Nike ZoomX or Asics Novablast) is that they are too squishy & lack enough structure while running on non flat surfaces…well, these Asics Noosa shoes add that extra structure to help you on runs when on surfaces are not flat or even.  I think these shoes will be the go-to shoe when I go for my very early runs in places like Thailand where there are dangers lurking about with the uneven sidewalks, cracked pavement, potholes etc…

Before Covid, I watched very very little YouTube.  Since, I’ve probably watched too much , lol.  
Watching most of the popular u-tubers from Patts…reeshard, CM, Greeny, Notime, Joe, Mr Egg, etc…

Most of them seem to recent expats…and it seems that they are still in their honeymoon faze…everything is rosy & amazingly great, lol.  

13 hours ago, Golfingboy said:

I thought this was Mr Tfue, but it’s another channel. Amazing stuff they build with minimal tools, don’t know how authentic these videos are though. Whatever, great way to stay in shape

…during my first two years visiting LOS/Issan, I saw a lot of hand built things while trek throughout northern Thailand.  Pools, huts, floating pontoons, fishing net contraptions etc…Quite amazing how creative people are and how resourceful lesser wealthy people are building/making things with whatever free items that are about.  

7 hours ago, Butch said:

Those Submarine contracts will get a bit pricey then...

That is what happens when you (allegedly) deliberately over value your currency...some people begin to find out and bet against it.

Yup.  I saw a couple months ago, the U.S. put Thailand on a watch list of countries they suspected of manipulating their currency.  Now, keep in mind, that’s just an initial step and many other steps to go before being put on the dreaded list/sanctions for manipulating ones currency.  
 

Now, Thailand’s MO has always been to keep the baht strong and stable.  Regarding whether that is the correct way of running one’s fiscal/financials is another long & complicated conversation.  I guess, Thailand has the right to do as they please in terms of monetary policies.  
 

I’m sure for expats retired in LOS, it is a welcome uptick in the amount they have to work with.  For myself (still working), it’s a bit of a wash.  I keep a fair amount in thai banks, so that baht/amount has less purchasing power, but I of course still working/spending in Thailand bring over new dollars every trip back, so gain a bit more there. Since my first visit to LOS almost 15 years ago, the dollar has weakened vs the baht, so it’s a welcome sight to see it back around #33 +