Post: #76

(05-09-2011 05:27 PM)Gringo Wrote:  I prefer proper good Scottish whisky and not shitty blends made for foreigners who just buy it for the label.

Oh please... So now "Shitty Blends" like the widely acclaimed Johnny Walker Black Label are tossed off like all the other rubbish to those dirty foreigners? Get your head out of your ass.

Single Malts have been marketed to chumps who don't know any better. Find one person who has a decent palate for whiskey and doesn't have good things to say about JW Black.

Post: #77

I think you'll find single malt whisky is far superior to blended whisky (in general as there's always exceptions and there's definitely bad single malts) any connoisseur will tell you so. I have a decent palate for whisky (spell it right please), have an extensive collection and have sampled bottles that cost in excess of £5,000, I know whisky. No whisky loving Scotsman will ever drink JW.

Post: #78

"whisky (spell it right please)"

We spell it whiskey when we are talking about whiskey in general in American English. But it will say whisky on whiskey bottles that aren't from the U.S.

Post: #79

(05-09-2011 05:27 PM)Gringo Wrote:  The risk of mixing alcohol with valium is pretty much non existant especially when using low doses of valiu, even in high doses of both booze and valium you priobably won't die.

You are just fooling yourself, same way as some smokers believe cancer is not related to smoking in any way. Risk of taking pretty much any medicine with alcohol is far from "non-existent". Especially in case of medicine which depress central nervous system. But those who claim overdoses of diazepam(valium) with alcohol, opiates and/or other depressants may be fatal. are just part of world conspiracy, right?

Quote:Considering I travel to the otherside of the world continually alone I don't think being by myself is a problem for me but I've never known anyone who doesn't like company at some point. Being alone can be great but as I've said before almost everything in life is better when it's a shared experience.

There is significant difference between company of locals (which I don't mind, but they do not stay in hostels) and company of tourists. And I disagree with your "almost everything in life is better when it's a shared experience" statement.

Quote:You really don't understand hostels at all, many people stay in them not just because they are cheap but because they love the atmosphere, the communal feeling and sociable aspect of them.

This is exactly what I said - from my experience I do not click with the types of people who "love the atmosphere, the communal feeling and sociable aspect of hostels". I just described it more precisely as "people who feel uneasy on their own and must constantly communicate with others to maintain their mental homeostasis".

Quote:There's nothing wrong with wanting to travel on a budget, some people couldn't afford to do it otherwise, some people simply want to travel longer term so ahve to keep the costs down.

No, there is nothing wrong with being dirt cheap. But it is unlikely we'd find anything to talk about or even click. Those are usually the kind of people who'd prefer spending more time or suffering inconvenience to spend money, and my preferences are completely opposite.

Quote:Maybe you need to man up?

Dude, I was born and grew up in EE, and have been traveling using those trains my whole childhood and early adulthood. Probably took more of them than you will ever take in your whole life.

Quote:If you gave them a chance maybe you'd find out you actually liked some of these 'random people', they might even become friends, it happens.

The ROI is not acceptable in this case.

Post: #80

Quote:Risk of taking pretty much any medicine with alcohol is far from "non-existent". Especially in case of medicine which depress central nervous system. But those who claim overdoses of diazepam(valium) with alcohol, opiates and/or other depressants may be fatal. are just part of world conspiracy, right?

Taking a valium with some beer is just like having an extra beer, it's only when you reach high doses does it become a bit more risky. I know a couple of people who have taken up to 1000mg of Diazepam after drinking a bottle of vodka and came to little harm.

Quote:There is significant difference between company of locals (which I don't mind, but they do not stay in hostels) and company of tourists. And I disagree with your "almost everything in life is better when it's a shared experience" statement.

That silly old and highly flawed argument... 'I like locals but not the other travellers'. How does it make any sense that when in Germany you'll like the company of Germans but when the Germans are in Thailand you can't stand them?

Quote:This is exactly what I said - from my experience I do not click with the types of people who "love the atmosphere, the communal feeling and sociable aspect of hostels". I just described it more precisely as "people who feel uneasy on their own and must constantly communicate with others to maintain their mental homeostasis".

Seeing as you don't do hostels how can you accurately comment on the people who stay in them? You've no idea the reasons people chose to stay and I can assure you not everyone is staying in a hostel because they feel uneasy on their own, there are people out there who like meeting new people .

Quote:No, there is nothing wrong with being dirt cheap. But it is unlikely we'd find anything to talk about or even click. Those are usually the kind of people who'd prefer spending more time or suffering inconvenience to spend money, and my preferences are completely opposite.

It's not always about being 'dirt cheap' just choosing to spend money more wisely so you can stay on the road for longer or spend money saved on pointlessly expensive accomodation on more fun activities. Not everyone needs to spend hundreds of bucks a night for a bed when there's another one available for a fraction of the price.

Quote:Dude, I was born and grew up in EE, and have been traveling using those trains my whole childhood and early adulthood. Probably took more of them than you will ever take in your whole life.

Yet you still find them a hardship. Nothing wronf with any trains I've taken in EE / Balkans.

Post: #81

(05-11-2011 02:18 PM)Gringo Wrote:  Taking a valium with some beer is just like having an extra beer, it's only when you reach high doses does it become a bit more risky. I know a couple of people who have taken up to 1000mg of Diazepam after drinking a bottle of vodka and came to little harm.

Well, let's summarize it with that I'm taking medical advice against your opinion and some abstract testimonies (which carry no value to me).

Quote:Seeing as you don't do hostels how can you accurately comment on the people who stay in them? You've no idea the reasons people chose to stay and I can assure you not everyone is staying in a hostel because they feel uneasy on their own, there are people out there who like meeting new people.

It is possible to make an educated guess. And, according to your own description, my guess was quite accurate. But, then, I lost the point you're trying to prove. Hostels work for you - go for it. I think they do not work for me, so I am not going to stay there anyway. What is your point?

Quote:It's not always about being 'dirt cheap' just choosing to spend money more wisely so you can stay on the road for longer or spend money saved on pointlessly expensive accomodation on more fun activities. Not everyone needs to spend hundreds of bucks a night for a bed when there's another one available for a fraction of the price.

This is why I said it is unlikely we'd find anything to talk about or even click. My travel is limited by the time available, not by money available. Our interests therefore are significantly different, as "staying on the road longer" is not an option I pursue or even consider, and the concept of "traveling to save money" is pretty weird for me. This is why I said we won't click; you can actually see it right here. And we've been walking around it back and forth for several messages - again, what is your point?

Quote:Yet you still find them a hardship. Nothing wronf with any trains I've taken in EE / Balkans.

I said "much less appealing", not "hardship". If you quote me, please do it right.

To summarize, I don't really understand what you're trying to prove as we've been going back and forth on a subject. That you can stay in hostels and have fun, or that this is viable or even preferable option for some people because of financial or socializing reasons? I never said it is not the case, this is just not the case for me.

Post: #82

@oldnemesis what's wrong with traveling cheap? i can afford hotels, but prefer hostels. met some great people in there. staff and fellow guests alike. i prefer lowcost airlines too. found better ways to spend my money than on comfort. as long as i get safe from A to B and got a decent clean accessible shelter, i don't care

Post: #83

(05-11-2011 06:04 PM)maestrobaires Wrote:  @oldnemesis what's wrong with traveling cheap? i can afford hotels, but prefer hostels. met some great people in there. staff and fellow guests alike.

I explained it in details already. Please read the post above yours.

Post: #84

Quote:To summarize, I don't really understand what you're trying to prove as we've been going back and forth on a subject.

Right back at you. It takes two to tango.

Post: #85

(05-10-2011 07:03 PM)Gringo Wrote:  I think you'll find single malt whisky is far superior to blended whisky (in general as there's always exceptions and there's definitely bad single malts) any connoisseur will tell you so. I have a decent palate for whisky (spell it right please), have an extensive collection and have sampled bottles that cost in excess of £5,000, I know whisky. No whisky loving Scotsman will ever drink JW.

Don't wanna push an argument for argument's sake, so back on the subject of whiskey, what are some single malts you recommend?

I just tried Laphroaig 10, and I loved it, although it's a bit too unique of a flavor to go back to very often, I'm still glad I have a bottle of it.

This is why I think blends like JW Black are great-- they are the go-to scotch for the majority of times you want to drink something balanced and delicious.

The Glenlivet is also another nice go-to scotch.

Post: #86

How much would you be prepared to spend on a bottle?

Post: #87

(05-12-2011 04:50 PM)Gringo Wrote:  How much would you be prepared to spend on a bottle?

How about list the under $50 favorite and then some of your other favorites regardless of the price.

Post: #88

I'll draw up a list over the weekend for you.

Post: #89

Post: #90

watched this flick last night and wanted to post it here

education is a must but a degree doesn't equal education

studying in europe seems cool too... except for UK it's free or really affordable. that amount of money you pay on tuition fee only can get you a modest to decent student life pretty much anywhere in europe

Post: #91

Uni is free in Scotland but not in England.

Post: #92

I will agree it has come to a point that if one is not studying certain engineering specialties, computer science, mathematics or the more-quantitative business areas (like accounting or finance)....college is a risk and more likely a waste.

I do understand the whole reasoning behind owning a business, etc but let's face it....that is risky also.

I went to college thinking that "I need to major in something so I can get a good return-on-investment". Hence, the Math/Computer Science route. Although I could have stayed in the private sector, I did not want to have to even THINK about outsourcing in my older years so I went and gave up my privacy for the Top-Secret security clearance. Now I have a technical skill set which allows recruiters to call me all day. Yeah, I know I probably won't make over $180,000/year but steady money beats no money or gotta-grind-24-hours-at-day money.

Post: #93

(06-28-2011 11:57 AM)UrbanNerd Wrote:  Although I could have stayed in the private sector, I did not want to have to even THINK about outsourcing in my older years so I went and gave up my privacy for the Top-Secret security clearance.

TS is indeed a goldmine for getting a stable job with guaranteed income. However it carries a lot of responsibility - being busted for something minor like marijuana possession or hiring a whore might get your clearance revoked. Even DUI may be a problem. Also, can you travel outside US with your TS?

Post: #94

(06-28-2011 05:07 PM)oldnemesis Wrote:  

(06-28-2011 11:57 AM)UrbanNerd Wrote:  Although I could have stayed in the private sector, I did not want to have to even THINK about outsourcing in my older years so I went and gave up my privacy for the Top-Secret security clearance.

TS is indeed a goldmine for getting a stable job with guaranteed income. However it carries a lot of responsibility - being busted for something minor like marijuana possession or hiring a whore might get your clearance revoked. Even DUI may be a problem. Also, can you travel outside US with your TS?

True, one has to stay on the "straight and narrow" while holding a TS clearance but I knew I could do the clearance thing because I don't do drugs (never had weed in my life) anyway and do the drinking/driving thing.

TS clearance holders can travel but you have to ASK the "gubment" every time you leave the country. Depending on the status of that destination, you will be approved or not. So far, I have not had a problem with any request EXCEPT for Colombia. I was not told that I could not goto Colombia but I would have to meet with an extra set of officials to explain WHY....instead of the instant approval for most countries. I decided to not pursue the Colombia trip because I don't want have to explain it again when I renew my polygraph.

I know for some of you, that is too much freedom to give up. For someone like me who would only do short trips anyway (I have a daughter), it works for my current lifestyle. Again, being a contractor for the government is pretty easy money...and definitely easy for 6-figures and almost guaranteed when you factor in the foreign policies of the USA. There is defense money for the NSA's and CIA's that will not be affected by defense cuts. I get calls from recruiters even during the recession when half the country was being laid off....so I will take "almost guaranteed" money in exchange for giving up a little privacy and travel.

Post: #95

(07-02-2011 12:52 PM)UrbanNerd Wrote:  True, one has to stay on the "straight and narrow" while holding a TS clearance but I knew I could do the clearance thing because I don't do drugs (never had weed in my life) anyway and do the drinking/driving thing.

Same here, no drugs/weed either. Actually this is one of the possible opportunities for me, as DHS and NSA are actively hiring people with my background. Most of the jobs are in DC though, which really sucks. I cannot get TS as I was born in a foreign country and maintain second citizenship, but even "Secret" should be good enough for this kind of tasks.

Quote:....so I will take "almost guaranteed" money in exchange for giving up a little privacy and travel.

It is more than that. From what I heard even a bunch of unpaid bills would result in questioning, and poor financial management would disqualify you. And this is something a lot of people here in US have issues with.

Post: #96

(07-02-2011 05:11 PM)oldnemesis Wrote:  It is more than that. From what I heard even a bunch of unpaid bills would result in questioning, and poor financial management would disqualify you. And this is something a lot of people here in US have issues with.

Oh yes, your credit has to be up to par. They feds will do a random credit check also. I have those e-mail notifications on my credit report and at least once a year, I get an e-mail telling me that someone reviewed my credit report.

That someone is Department of Defense.

Again, I am used to it now. Plus I keep my credit and bills organized anyway so for now the "cleared" lifestyle does not affect me.