Chit Chat and All That...

[all to gain]

Your story about Russian culture reminds me of this clip from dating beyond borders. Apparently, Russian women like men who are overly assertive with a tinge of dominance. At least now I know how you won over your wife's heart

It may be true generally speaking. When my wife first met me she said she liked me because I am somewhat brutal
But that said my wife is, moreso with time, independent and very opinionated. Pretty much a feminist in some ways, in others not.

I realise now when reading what I wrote in my original post that it may sound like things are really rough and hard. It's not like that. Most of the time things are fine, but as a person who studies people I may pick up on things happening around me more than others. In addition, having spent much time in gyms and doing sports like Judo, Thai Boxing, Sambo etc, I have tended to come across more of the people who fit the mold I outlined above.

I'm not brutal by the way LOL

 

[all to gain]

Thank you. And why is it hard to build one in the UK?

Not hard to build one, but to actually have one in a garden may require planning permission, which isn't always easy to get, eg smoke comes from a banya and may go onto other people's properties. It would be OK though if I lived more in the sticks.

The photo below is typical of the banyas I have been to in the village:

 

[Shera]

Hi, @aot,

The chinchilla is doing great. She is a hands full for sure. Needs, craves, demands your attention... haha. She now lives in a luxury 4 feet high, with different floor levels, "chinchilla hotel." LOL. I must say, it is an expensive pet! The toys and food are very expensive and she goes through them like there's no tomorrow! But she is cute and loving. Super soft!!!

Here she is playing with Pixie. These two are funny together.

View attachment 40488

Ah, what a cutey! I love that little glint in her eye. She's got you wrapped around her paw and she knows it!

I get you on the toys. There's cat toys and cat tubes strewned out all over my house! I keep tidy up after them and they pull their toys out of the toy box. I keep having to sew up certain favorite toys too.

 

[OnceUponaTime]

Both are super cute @OnceUponaTime.

I used to have a lop-eared bunny named Raisin. He was super cute, not very smart tho, and had the softest fur ever. He was very noisy during nighttime, that's the only thing I don't miss about him.

Hi Kriszti,

She is super active at night but I have her downstairs in the family room... haha. Can't hear her upstairs.
The lop-eared bunnies are adorable.

 

[all to gain]

As an older woman passed me today she said, "Guten Tag".

Obviously she knows I'm a foreigner, it gets around. Shame she got the wrong language.
I didn't want to embarrass her so I just said nothing back and nodded. Should have said "Guten Tag" back.

Not the first time I've been hit by a bit of German.

 

[aot]

 

[Elmer B Fuddled]

View attachment 40509

Sapphire Bombay Gin, same colour, what will it give.

 

[aot]

Sapphire Bombay Gin, same colour, what will it give.

You'll feel really awsome but then regret in the morning.

 

[gary]

Thought this might put a smile on someone's face.

 

[Rjbookworm]

@OnceUponaTime, your chinchilla is adorable! I had a pet chinchilla as a child.

I'm trying to adjust to reading with tinnitus. It's a struggle at times, but I read @Shera's posts about reading with tinnitus for encouragement. I'm currently reading a cute middle-class book called "The Good Thieves" by Katherine Rundell and I'm really enjoying it.

 

[Elmer B Fuddled]

I'm here to help.

If you get a loan from the bank it takes 30 years to pay it off.
If you rob a bank you are out in 10 years.
Follow me for more money advice.

Elmer

 

[Rjbookworm]

I'm here to help.

If you get a loan from the bank it takes 30 years to pay it off.
If you rob a bank you are out in 10 years.
Follow me for more money advice.

Elmer

Lol! Thanks for making me smile.

 

[Shera]

@Rjbookworm oh, I always thought a chinchilla would make such a great childhood pet. I used to volunteer to help with our science teacher's and I loved it.

I'm glad my posts about reading are helping you. I've been going through a rough patch recently. Didn't/couldn't read in June, most of July, and August. Just started reading again and I can only do it in short bursts. But it's getting better. *sighs* It sucks cause I never could imagine anything taking away reading from me. So I refuse to let Tinnitus do that.

Are you just having trouble disappearing completely into a book, or just staying focused? Both, or the other?

 

[Rjbookworm]

@Rjbookworm oh, I always thought a chinchilla would make such a great childhood pet. I used to volunteer to help with our science teacher's and I loved it.

I'm glad my posts about reading are helping you. I've been going through a rough patch recently. Didn't/couldn't read in June, most of July, and August. Just started reading again and I can only do it in short bursts. But it's getting better. *sighs* It sucks cause I never could imagine anything taking away reading from me. So I refuse to let Tinnitus do that.

Are you just having trouble disappearing completely into a book, or just staying focused? Both, or the other?

Aww! It's sweet that you loved helping out with your science teacher's chinchilla. I used to love watching my childhood pet chinchilla roll around in his dust bath.

I'm sorry about your reading slump this summer. That sounds so rough. I'm glad that you're reading in short bursts. Don't let tinnitus take reading away from you! Keep being determined.

I'm mainly struggling with focus. I can get lost in my book and concentrate when I have white noise or soft music on in the background. But if my tinnitus is loud or moderately loud then focusing is a struggle.

 

[all to gain]

Sometimes I plant information in my conversations with people on the playground when I'm out with the kids to see how fast that information gets around and comes back to me full circle like a boomerang and if it has changed at all

Man, people don't half gossip...

 

[Shera]

Aww! It's sweet that you loved helping out with your science teacher's chinchilla. I used to love watching my childhood pet chinchilla roll around in his dust bath.

He had a menagerie of pets and I felt bad for them. Always loved helping the critters out. Even if I wanted to punch the man.

Thanks. I'm sure it will keep getting better and better.

Sounds like you're doing pretty good for keeping your reading mojo going. Soon you won't even mind the spikes. As long as you can still totally get lost still. At least that's what I've seen/read from other tinnitus sufferers.

 

[all to gain]

@Daniel Lion my sarcasm is totally lost on Russians, as is my wit and blatant piss taking They take everything I say to be the absolute truth, which has led to my life here becoming a 15-year tragi-comedy

I can't decide on what I should write a book about, but in reality the subject matter is staring me in the face: a stranger comes into town, and all types of absurdity and mayhem ensues.

It could be a classic... that might see me being deported or killed

 

[Rjbookworm]

He had a menagerie of pets and I felt bad for them. Always loved helping the critters out. Even if I wanted to punch the man.

Thanks. I'm sure it will keep getting better and better.

Sounds like you're doing pretty good for keeping your reading mojo going. Soon you won't even mind the spikes. As long as you can still totally get lost still. At least that's what I've seen/read from other tinnitus sufferers.

Dang! He shouldn't have had so many pets. It's great that you helped him even though he wasn't sensible.

I hope so for your sake! I'll think positive thoughts for you.

Maybe I shouldn't read right after a meal. For the past few weeks to a month, my tinnitus gets really loud whenever I eat. It's obnoxious! My audiologist thinks that the issue is related to blood pressure. I'm trying to drink a lot of water during and after meals to flush my system like she (my audiologist) suggested.

 

[Shera]

Dang! He shouldn't have had so many pets. It's great that you helped him even though he wasn't sensible.

Yeah. I reported him a few times when I was in school. Probably why he didn't care for me, but didn't totally snub me as I was one of the only volunteers. Last year he made national news for feeding a puppy to his poor snapping turtle. I say poor snapping turtle because they put the turtle down during the scandal.

I hope so for your sake! I'll think positive thoughts for you.

Ah, thank you. Trying to conjure those positive thoughts too.

Maybe I shouldn't read right after a meal. For the past few weeks to a month, my tinnitus gets really loud whenever I eat. It's obnoxious! My audiologist thinks that the issue is related to blood pressure. I'm trying to drink a lot of water during and after meals to flush my system like she (my audiologist) suggested.

Probably a good idea then. Interesting that happens. Hope it works.

 

[Rjbookworm]

Yeah. I reported him a few times when I was in school. Probably why he didn't care for me, but didn't totally snub me as I was one of the only volunteers. Last year he made national news for feeding a puppy to his poor snapping turtle. I say poor snapping turtle because they put the turtle down during the scandal.


Ah, thank you. Trying to conjure those positive thoughts too.

Probably a good idea then. Interesting that happens. Hope it works.

I'm glad that you reported him. He sounds like a creep. Oh my god, that's terrifying! What possessed him to do that?! I feel bad for both the puppy and the snapping turtle.

You're welcome. What book are you currently reading?

I was okay when I had a snack today surprisingly. The tinnitus didn't become as loud as it had been during the past few weeks. Maybe it was a temporary thing.

 

[Shera]

He's fed other things to that turtle. It's a long story.

Currently reading Dragon Wytch by Yasmine Galenorn and Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher. How about you?

That's good! Maybe it even could have been your jaw? Either way I'm glad it might have been a temporary thing.

 

[aot]

I'm glad that you reported him. He sounds like a creep. Oh my god, that's terrifying! What possessed him to do that?! I feel bad for both the puppy and the snapping turtle.

You're welcome. What book are you currently reading?

I was okay when I had a snack today surprisingly. The tinnitus didn't become as loud as it had been during the past few weeks. Maybe it was a temporary thing.

How loud is your tinnitus usually? Can you mask it?

 

[Rjbookworm]

He's fed other things to that turtle. It's a long story.

Currently reading Dragon Wytch by Yasmine Galenorn and Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher. How about you?

That's good! Maybe it even could have been your jaw? Either way I'm glad it might have been a temporary thing.

Wow. That's beyond crazy.

Wishful Drinking sounds like a good book. I love the title. Lol! I'm finishing up The Good Thieves by Katherine Rundell. I'm going to read What the Night Sings by Vesper Stamper next or maybe Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink. Can't decide.

Maybe it was my jaw. I've never had issues with TMJ before. *shrugs* I'm relieved too.

@aot, I'm not sure how to answer your question because the volume of my tinnitus fluctuates. Sometimes it's very quiet and easy to mask. Other times I can hear it over my fan or the television. My tinnitus is mild but still distressing since I'm very new to it.

 

[Daniel Lion]

@Daniel Lion my sarcasm is totally lost on Russians, as is my wit and blatant piss taking They take everything I say to be the absolute truth, which has led to my life here becoming a 15-year tragi-comedy

I can't decide on what I should write a book about, but in reality the subject matter is staring me in the face: a stranger comes into town, and all types of absurdity and mayhem ensues.

It could be a classic... that might see me being deported or killed

Funny, living as a foreigner, I've come to love the people here and their culture, and have come to realize I am a lunatic and a nut job, but a kind hearted one.

I really hope you'll start writing, it's such a noble and beautiful thing to do and actually helps the world... I believe it could also help with the tinnitus. Perhaps you can start working on a few different pieces and see where it leads... hope you do.

I have started sculpting again, the first time since my acoustic trauma. I will work for hours and my hands will ache, the tinnitus screams, and I am so absorbed in my work that it doesn't matter. Fucking nut job.

My art and trying to be a great dad and husband are my legacy.

Sorry I am not humorous today, just wanted to say hi and encourage you to write.

Here's something a wee bit funny... I had my wife and kids watch Mel Brooks' young Frankenstein. She didn't get it at all, but pissed herself laughing as she thought I looked like Marty Feldman with bulging eyes. She didn't bother watching the whole film.

Go Chit Chatters, hip hip hurray... this thread is full of creative people and art makers from Ireland, Russia, Australia, USA, Laos, UK, Holland, and more.

 

[all to gain]

Funny, living as a foreigner, I've come to love the people here and their culture, and have come to realize I am a lunatic and a nut job, but a kind hearted one.

I really hope you'll start writing, it's such a noble and beautiful thing to do and actually helps the world... I believe it could also help with the tinnitus. Perhaps you can start working on a few different pieces and see where it leads... hope you do.

I have started sculpting again, the first time since my acoustic trauma. I will work for hours and my hands will ache, the tinnitus screams, and I am so absorbed in my work that it doesn't matter. Fucking nut job.

My art and trying to be a great dad and husband are my legacy.

Sorry I am not humorous today, just wanted to say hi and encourage you to write.

Here's something a wee bit funny... I had my wife and kids watch Mel Brooks' young Frankenstein. She didn't get it at all, but pissed herself laughing as she thought I looked like Marty Feldman with bulging eyes. She didn't bother watching the whole film.

Go Chit Chatters, hip hip hurray... this thread is full of creative people and art makers from Ireland, Russia, Australia, USA, Laos, UK, Holland, and more.

Is there anyway you can upload a picture of one of your sculptures?
Would you say you have 'gone native'? Everything influences us, but I haven't gone native as such. But, I can see things from their point of view as I know the mentality inside out, even if often it's not a point of view I agree with. Massive generalisations though, as there are many different views and opinions here. I am still basically the same person through and through, but I now have more experience of life and I know that I can deal with lots of different situations in life.

Many here will never understand why I don't drink at all. This especially becomes noticeable when I participate in the many family get togethers where the extended family sit around the table and toast everything under the sun. I refuse to have vodka, and just have some water. Even now, after 13 years of knowing this extended family, and them knowing that I don't drink at all, I am still often asked if I will take part in some drinking.

Men here die young. I don't want that for my sons, so we must leave. Easier said than done...! But I want my sons to view both the UK and Russia in as positive light as possible, but at the same time I don't want them to become blind patriots of either.

 

[Shera]

Wishful Drinking sounds like a good book.

It's very funny and sad at the same time. Carrie Fisher was a brilliant woman. Oooo, I like the new cover for The Good Thieves by Katherine Rundell looks so cute. What the Night Sings sounds interesting. I haven't read a Holocaust story in a long while.

It may not be TMJ. There's so many things that could have temporarily done that.

I'm not sure how to answer your question because the volume of my tinnitus fluctuates.

Ah, mine too. But it doesn't get too quiet anymore.

 

[all to gain]

@Elmer B Fuddled I remember you saying that you were in Nam, which I presume means you are American, but don't you live in Ireland? Or am I missing something?

How is life?

 

[Shera]

Many here will never understand why I don't drink at all. This especially becomes noticeable when I participate in the many family get togethers where the extended family sit around the table and toast everything under the sun. I refuse to have vodka, and just have some water. Even now, after 13 years of knowing this extended family, and them knowing that I don't drink at all, I am still often asked if I will take part in some drinking.

This I've never been a drinker. It bothers my family so much at gatherings. It's kind of crazy. When I do have a sip or two they feel relieved but then want me to do more.

 

[Daniel Lion]

Is there anyway you can upload a picture of one of your sculptures?
Would you say you have 'gone native'? Everything influences us, but I haven't gone native as such. But, I can see things from their point of view as I know the mentality inside out, even if often it's not a point of view I agree with. Massive generalisations though, as there are many different views and opinions here. I am still basically the same person through and through, but I now have more experience of life and I know that I can deal with lots of different situations in life.

Many here will never understand why I don't drink at all. This especially becomes noticeable when I participate in the many family get togethers where the extended family sit around the table and toast everything under the sun. I refuse to have vodka, and just have some water. Even now, after 13 years of knowing this extended family, and them knowing that I don't drink at all, I am still often asked if I will take part in some drinking.

Men here die young. I don't want that for my sons, so we must leave. Easier said than done...! But I want my sons to view both the UK and Russia in as positive light as possible, but at the same time I don't want them to become blind patriots of either.

I don't drink either and the locals are heavy drinkers. They will pressure and cajole but I never give in, I don't want to be drunk. People who know me will offer iced tea or Pepsi now. Locals are very generous and will always invite a stranger to eat and drink with them.

I haven't gone native, still Daniel. When I first arrived here the incredibly slow pace and laid back nature really resonated with me. It was amazing how primitive things were when I first arrived in terms of technology. What they lacked in technology they excelled in human relations and living a good life. There were no ATMs or WiFi for example. There were many parts of American culture as a kid and young adult that I didn't jibe with (still don't) and found myself in circles of like minded bohemians, artists, musicians and thinkers. My habits and lifestyle really haven't changed that much weather it was in Boston, London, or Laos.

I still don't have Facebook and tinnitus is what really brought me to the digital world when I was searching for help.
Tinnitus has forced me to chill as well as living in a culture that's relaxed and doesn't like conflict.
The locals aren't high achievers and are generally content with family, food and friends. They just don't have that drive, that thrill of the deal and the angst that goes with it. Things are changing fast here but the general vibe is still remains.

I want to return to the US one day and move to the countryside but I don't have the money now.
I am concerned about global warming and want to move to a location I think my family and I could ride things out better, sounds crazy but it's true. There a parts of the USA, the white mountains in the North East that I know well that appeal to me.

Talk to you soon xxx

 

[Elmer B Fuddled]

@Elmer B Fuddled I remember you saying that you were in Nam, which I presume means you are American, but don't you live in Ireland? Or am I missing something?

How is life?

I'm American yes, served 6 months in Nam. After that I tried to drink and drug myself to death. Then I married a lady from Ireland. My wife lived with me in the US for 6 years. When her youngest son came to visit, he met a lady there and they were married in less than a year. Then one day his wife called to tell us she made a mistake and didn't want to stay married. With that our boy got himself over the limit drunk. He went to the home where they lived, got out the rifle and committed suicide. At that time we were caring for my mother. We brought our son back to Ireland to bury him. A year later my mom passed. Two lost people we were. The wife wanted to come home. We did, sold everything we had worked for and left. Been here now 11 years and wouldn't go back. That's life @all to gain.
We stay sane by walking and enjoying our granddaughter.