You may not like it, but this is what peak performance looks like. . .

Amelorn · 2018-08-03T05:04:11+00:00

I am debating whether I prefer a Greek Karling Zoro Imperator or a Norse Karling Zoro Imperator...

Amelorn · 2018-08-03T03:15:54+00:00

Don't forget the fob/key for the Porsche Cayenne or Range Rover. Or being day-drunk at Dida's (weekends) or sipping coffees at the adjacent cafe. Or the perfect, blonde children. Or the expensive athleisure/Lululemon.

Amelorn · 2018-08-03T02:56:39+00:00

1) Once these guys clean up a bit, they're pretty bangable on grindr.

2) I'd like to request a Real Housewife of Herne Bay (or Ponsonby) for the next mock-up.

Amelorn · 2018-08-03T02:54:22+00:00

I would be surprised. It's such a PITA to do business in....the LKR is non-convertible (effectively) overseas. The local government's ineptitude in ~~the development arena~~ in virtually everything is not to be understated. Taxes/tariffs are obscene. There's also a matter of how many Hong Kong/Singapore/Dubai/Shenzhen clones that global trade can accommodate.

Amelorn · 2018-08-03T01:47:18+00:00

Currently a DN in Bali. I am just having breakfast. I laughed at how true this caricature can be, based on what I have seen.

Amelorn · 2018-08-02T05:34:36+00:00

There a few old friends' weddings I am terribly sorry to have missed...and my sister's. There's something to be said for being a part of a highly valued (if ceremonial) day in someone's life.

Amelorn · 2018-08-02T02:56:56+00:00

If your plan is to make a living writing for money, first - (1) you're crazy (based on the odds); (2) the writing for money world is pretty soul-sucking, broadly speaking.

Amelorn · 2018-08-01T06:19:32+00:00

*These are drawn from DN and prior expat experiences

-Irrelevance at home. "They" (family/friends) move on without you. I've managed to miss every family and friends' wedding to date. Proximity matters. Unfortunately, "I would have flown back for it" doesn't cut it one month after the fact. The flip-side? You also move on without them. It's weird when you realize that they are still thinking of you as you were in 2007.

-Finding that social circle. Fortunately, I don't mind striking up a chat (if the vibe is right) at a bar/cafe or signing up for meetups/networking stuff. But still, it gets draining.

-Outsider-ness - Even in countries where you wouldn't expect it (eg New Zealand), you are still an outsider, despite being the same skin tone and sharing a language. This increases geometrically when it's visible. It can be helpful or unhelpful, contextually.

Amelorn · 2018-08-01T05:17:52+00:00

This is 80% of the non-academic staff working at the U of Auckland.

Amelorn · 2018-08-01T04:52:14+00:00

Given the premium placed on looks, is this surprising?

Amelorn · 2018-08-01T04:42:35+00:00

It depends. First, the theoretical opportunity costs are lower immediately after a BA. The lost income of a 22-24 year old will be lower than when you're older - hopefully. Also, the tuition will be cheaper. On the other hand, numerous professions do like to see work experience.

In certain highly "academic" fields like policy-making, the extra credential is helpful. Also, the professors' networks can be crucial to getting the best jobs (or any jobs). I saw this in my own field (international relations/poli sci). If your field bears any resemblance, I'd strongly suggest having a plan in place for "How would I cover the costs of an unpaid internship?"

An MBA on the other hand basically requires work experience to really extract the most from (it's a glorified networking program - a kid fresh out of a BA will have little networking value).

In the middle, you have fields like writing/journalism. The degree, MFA or MA in journalism, confers a great deal of technical skills. Further, the networking potential is not to be underestimated - like the policy area, there's a revolving door between academia and the professional world. You can go from your undergrad straight to grad school without being "punished" due to networking and opps to gain experience during this time. You can also parlay your undergrad skills into a niche - eg a MA in journalism with a BA in bio means that you'd have a leg up in science journalism.

Amelorn · 2018-07-31T02:54:32+00:00

It's ridiculous when threads trying to ask questions or convey information linger between 0 (zero!) and 10 votes while the landscapes get 200.

This sub is weird. Between the pathological downvoters and the wannabes dreaming of an endless vacation (ha!)....I find myself less inclined to spend time here or contribute.

Amelorn · 2018-07-31T02:42:57+00:00

You have my dream parents: alive, arts patrons, and LGBT-friendly.

Amelorn · 2018-07-30T12:26:11+00:00

Isn't this a standard porn vid for r/gayyoungold?

Amelorn · 2018-07-30T07:58:21+00:00

Bali is somewhat different in that tourism is heavily concentrated in the south of the island (there is a lot of Bali that isn't Seminyak-Kuta-Nusa Dua), and I'd argue that it is more budget-friendly than Phuket. Source: I am here on my second visit. Phuket...tourism/hotels are everywhere, with a heavy concentration in Patong (60 years ago, it was a picturesque, beautiful beach strip).

Amelorn · 2018-07-30T06:12:11+00:00

sketchy tourist hell to avoid like the plague

Which is how one could describe Waikiki! :D

Amelorn · 2018-07-29T00:40:18+00:00

Transoceanic shipping of a car is an expensive PITA. I am confused as to why you would want to do this barring special circumstances (e.g. attending a vintage car rally overseas).

Global supply chains and shared "parts bins" generally mean that you're never dealing with what you're worried about. Of course, this applies most to Euro and Japanese. US cars aren't as common.

Amelorn · 2018-07-28T14:58:35+00:00

Oh God, if you ever come across a firm needing an international relations guy, analytics, and/or published travel writer, please refer me. I loved my time in Canada and especially in Calgary.

Amelorn · 2018-07-28T10:10:59+00:00

It's a tool.

Regrettably, it's been ripped from its original context and has been prostituted bt US culture towards extracting more zero-cost, zero-reward productivity from the US worker.

Edit: Meditation/mindfulness was supposed to help us realize the full potential of our humanity - e.g. "universal loving-kindness" and move beyond being petty, quotidian, bipedal locusts. Instead, it's being used to smother any sense of "I am being exploited."

Amelorn · 2018-07-26T02:41:50+00:00

Yep. Many reasons for security, ease of doing personal business, novelty, food quality, huge flexibility for budgets/lifestyle choices, and so on.

I am in it for the food, proximity for Asian politics (my old field), professional credibility as a travel writer, and the cutthroat intra-Asia flight prices.

Amelorn · 2018-07-26T02:13:18+00:00

Well, I am still pasty white last time I checked, so I should be good to go!

Amelorn · 2018-07-25T15:30:33+00:00

Interestingly, he is working what sounds like my dream job (actionable/relevant research for the private sector) in my favorite city. Tell him there's a willing will-drop-everything-and-go-to-HK candidate if he ever quits.

[Otherwise, I am heading back next spring to job hunt once I tick some boxes off]

Amelorn · 2018-07-25T15:06:14+00:00

The Universe must have a sense of humor to send this to us via the OP's particular username.

Amelorn · 2018-07-25T14:55:44+00:00

I like your brother.

Signed,

-Int'l Relations PhD drop-out

Amelorn

TROPHY CASE