Thread: My struggle. The ghastly tragedy of North American civic life

Indeed miss kit or You (Socal) can wallow in your own misery

Originally Posted by misskit

Yet people in Thailand and Philippines have a richer life. Closer to their families and neighbors. Happier.

That's what we're led to believe but in my long time in various parts of Asia I've understood that Asian families are far more dysfunctional than western societies. Yes, they live together . . . out of necessity, not free will. Yes, the grandparents take care of the kids while both parents work - because they have to and don't have a personal life until they die, stuck in a house. Yes, many have maids - who are far to often physically abused, mentally tortured and made to work in at least one household for 16-18 hours a day etc ad infinitum.

The romanticised idea of the happy, traditional an respectful Asian family is utterly ridiculous

^ I’ve seen all that, too. Still can’t say Westerners are happier than Asians.

Originally Posted by panama hat

That's what we're led to believe but in my long time in various parts of Asia I've understood that Asian families are far more dysfunctional than western societies. Yes, they live together . . . out of necessity, not free will. Yes, the grandparents take care of the kids while both parents work - because they have to and don't have a personal life until they die, stuck in a house. Yes, many have maids - who are far to often physically abused, mentally tortured and made to work in at least one household for 16-18 hours a day etc ad infinitum.

The romanticised idea of the happy, traditional an respectful Asian family is utterly ridiculous

This is not about family life. Its about civic life. My wife tells me all the time that the kids around the neighborhood would play and look after themselves all day


Anyway Pananma, do you like Asia ? Have you ever spent time in a suburban clusterfuck ?

Originally Posted by Cujo

What about the country? Could you live in the country. I mean the countryside or however you might describe it.
The bush.

I live in the (rural) country on 2 Ha (13 rai) which is enough to be looking after.
Friends with farms find it very confining.
Townies that move to small rural blocks feel like they’re on ten thousand acres.
It’s all relative.

Originally Posted by TheRealKW

Indeed miss kit or You (Socal) can wallow in your own misery

What are you on about now ? I am just reflecting on how I grew up and why i liked Thailand so much when i went the first time.James Howard Kuntsler isnt just onto something, he is 100% right.

And again, dont you live in a bustling part of Asia you plonker ?

I am curious what Tax or TheGent aka seekingassylum would have to say about this topic.

For all that is said about Pattaya, the place is fucking electric. It has oodles of character. The trees are even placed correctly on Beach road per James Kunstler's specs. The shopping, formal and informal. Motorcycles and pedestrians out number cars. There's also the view point up on the hill. The place is a jewel. You dont have to do anything to feel like you are doing something. Just walking down the road is an experience.

Originally Posted by Backspin

This is not about family life.

Addressing Misskit's post

Originally Posted by Backspin

My wife tells me all the time that the kids around the neighborhood would play and look after themselves all day

Sure, did she tell you about the alcoholism, rape, domestic abuse, crime etc...?

Originally Posted by Backspin

Anyway Pananma, do you like Asia ?

Yup, some things

Originally Posted by Backspin

Have you ever spent time in a suburban clusterfuck ?

No. I grew up in suburbia at times

Originally Posted by misskit

Still can’t say Westerners are happier than Asians.

Nope, safer, healthier and more looked after yes. Happier? That's subjective.

^ those questions of happiness and family do overlap with the topic. But remember , I'm taking aim specifically at North America. My favorite country before I went to Thailand was Croatia.

Some parts of Europe are far BETTER than Thailand in regard to civic life. But as far as raw stimulative horsepower goes , you can't beat Thailand and SE Asia in general.

Originally Posted by Backspin

I am perpetually strategic renting suburban Vancouver

Ok - in the simplest of terms.

You know where you are and you know your current situation. Determine where you want to be and connect the two dots.

Develop a plan. Develop a timeline. Identify obstacles and define methodology to overcome them.

Good luck with it - it's up to you.

Or, if you are a lazy fuck you can just accept what's coming down the line and blame those before you for your miserable life and lifestyle.

I like life on the streets, and that's one thing I miss living here in the Adelaide 'burbs. The main thing, actually. Ideally, I'd like to end up someplace where I can ditch the car entirely- so that means either close to a city or major town centre here in Oz, or any number of places in SE Asia. Life in the 'burbs does seem a bit sterile really, maybe all well and good if you're raising a family.

Originally Posted by Backspin

"mein kamf"

Originally Posted by Backspin

If you were more cultured, you would have understood it

If you were more cultured you'd be able to spell it.

Originally Posted by Backspin

I don't think Cujo understood the my struggle "mein kampf" reference

He thought I meant it literally. No Cujo. If you were more cultured, you would have understood it

Cultured like you you mean?

Originally Posted by Backspin

No Cujo. If you were more cultured, you would have understood it

Originally Posted by Backspin

again, dont you live in a bustling part of Asia you plonker ?

nope.

There ya go.
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Originally Posted by Cujo

And you're whinging about your terrible upbringing in a middle class suburban environment with healthy nutritious meals provided by parents who also provided a secure dwelling, (I'm sure you had your own room in a detached house) and access to medical and dental care as required as well as appropriate clothing and a good education and you're comparing that to some kind of 'struggle'???
You should quit while you're ahead.

Life is far more complicated than that now isn't it.

Originally Posted by Buckaroo Banzai

Same here . Quiet suburban bedroom community, with nice homes,nice people who say "Hi" when they pass you in the street while you a jogging in the morning, even if they don't know you, and hold a door open for you at the store. We Have a community college, an adult education center, with any classes in most subjects , hobbies, languages and sports. community swimming pools, tennis courts . Masonic lodge, Nights of Columbus, Elks, Rotary. Our Theater provides professional , and mature involvement venues. Group Kayaking and busicling ,Hiking trails. The sea turtles are laying eggs and my daughter is involved with an environmental group protecting the Eggs until hatching.
Many of the titles at our library is available on Kindle for free, I download one almost every week now that I am retired.
Life is what you make it, and you almost always find what you are looking for.
Anyway. This is Steve wasting away in suburbia.

I am sure those Hi's in the morning as people jogged by was so fulfilling when you were 18 years old and full of piss and vinegar

What a load of whiney bullshit.
Pull yourself together.
Stop the self pity party and get on with it.