Thread: Steve 'Kombat' Kramer - Ex-Pat Extraordinaire (another Klassic)

On Jan 12, 5:00*pm, "Takin & Kanoknuan" <takin&kanokn...@stuck-in-a-
wheelchair.org> wrote:
> http://www.retireearlylifestyle.com/steve_kramer.htm
>
> Ex-Pat Extraordinaire
>
> Billy & Akaisha Kaderli
>
> World travel offers the opportunity to meet other roamers from around the
> globe. On Wednesdays here in Chiang Mai, Thailand, there is a standing
> invitation for a small group of us Ex-pats to meet for lunch at a local
> restaurant. It's an international group so topics of conversation run the
> gamut. Several years ago we met Steve Kramer, a very successful retiree, who
> turned his hobby/passion of photography into a business. *Well traveled,
> well read and now a locally famous photography instructor, we figured his
> approach to living in foreign countries was worth passing on to our readers.
> So please enjoy this short visit with a very witty, multi-talented friend!
> All of the photos in this piece are of Steve's work, and we felt they, too,
> needed to be showcased.
>
> Thanks, Steve, for taking the time to answer these questions for us. How
> long have you lived outside of the US?
>
> #17 years. This time. I've lived in Europe, Japan, Mexico, etc, with the
> longest time (so far) spent in Japan. Thailand looks as if it may take the
> lead.
>
> Being an ex-medic in the US Military what is your opinion of the healthcare
> here in Thailand?
>
> #Thai medical care is on par with the best available anywhere in the world.
> I wouldn't hesitate to have ANY medical procedure done here if needed.
> Obviously, just as in other countries, the level of quality varies from
> facility to facility, so it's necessary to do a bit of homework before you
> choose yours, just as it's necessarily to go to the correct facility for the
> particular procedure. For instance, they don't do good breast implants ina
> neurological hospital.
>
> How do you deal with healthcare?
>
> #Thoughtfully. I prefer an eclectic assortment of practitioners. If my
> problem can be best dealt with using modern medicine, I use a western style
> doctor and western medicines. But many health care needs can be better
> served with more traditional Chinese acupuncture or herbal medicines,
> perhaps Indian Auyurvedic medical treatments will be more effective for
> other problems. Those folks have been at it for a lot longer than our
> western medicine, and it's a shame to pass up the opportunity to make useof
> it when needed. If your only tool is a hammer, you try to treat every
> problem with a nail. Obviously that doesn't work as well as a fully stocked
> toolbox.
>
> Do you ever visit the US?
>
> #Sure. I've been back at least four times in the past 17 years. And as they
> quickly erode more and more of our Constitutional rights, I might go back
> once more. Maybe.
>
> What brought you to Asia the first time?
>
> #It was a combination of things. Of course, a desire for adventure! Then a
> desire to understand other cultures. Plus it was a desire to learn new and
> different life styles. But most importantly, it was a ridiculously high
> paying job as a university professor in Japan.
>
> What's the biggest hardship of living in Asia?
>
> #Understanding the Asian thought process, and realizing that the western way
> is not necessarily best. It is so foreign to me as an American, that even
> today I have difficulty trying to figure out why certain things are done the
> way they are. My first instinct is to say 'Hey! That's not how to do it!'
> Then I realize that they have been doing it that way for the past 5,000
> years and it works for them!
>
> If someone wanted to retire here in Thailand what would be your advice?
>
> #First, the real key is flexibility. You must be able to cope with
> absolutely anything at any time, no matter how stressful or disappointingit
> may be. You can't always get a Big Mac and have it your way. Next, be sure
> of your finances. Then decide if it's big city living, small town
> communities, beach resorts or mountain forests that make you more
> comfortable, and pick a place. Plan to 'live' there for one year. That's
> all. One year. Not as a tourist. Rent a home and deal with the day-to-day
> challenges that we all face. Getting a telephone, water delivery,
> Immigration, medical care, foods, friends, etc. See what life is like for
> someone living here. It's very, very different from the tourist view.
> Remember this; you aren't stapled into place. You can always change your
> mind if you don't care for it. But if you do enjoy your year, just stay
> where you are and enjoy!
>
> What brought you from Japan to Thailand?
>
> #Thai Airways? During my years in Japan I was fortunate enough to be ableto
> travel the world for several months a year. We found many lovely places
> during this period, but always found ourselves spending at least a month or
> two in Thailand. When it was time to retire from university, we had several
> choices in mind. We happened to try Thailand first. (For that 'one year'
> experiment.) We never left!
>
> Do you ever yearn to move back to the US?
>
> #I do miss certain things about the US. I miss .... I miss.... err.... I
> miss.... No... I guess I don't.
>
> Wait... I miss "Jimmy Dean Pork Breakfast Sausage!" (Jones Brown 'n Serve
> just aren't as good!) Krispy Kream Donuts? Virtually everything else is
> already here, even Ben & Jerry's ice cream. We could use an "Outback" or
> "Lone Star" steak house, but we settle for Sizzler.
>
> #How do you stay busy here in Thailand?
>
> My God!! The real question is; how do I find the time to do all the things
> available here that interest me! Every sport, every hobby, every diversion
> from needle point to championship golf courses. Rock climbing, river
> rafting, elephant riding, sight seeing, studying anything from Thai cooking,
> massage, martial arts, language arts. Everything you enjoy doing in the US
> you can find here in Thailand. However, be advised that the ski season is
> very, very short. Last year it was on a Thursday. If TV is your pleasure,we
> get about 50 English language channels, same as you'd get in NYC. Of course
> there are also plenty of stations broadcasting in Spanish, Chinese, French,
> German, and of course, Thai.
>
> #Is it easy for Ex-pats to find work in Thailand?
>
> Yes, and no. We are not permitted to work without having the proper visa and
> work permit. You can easily start your own business, as I did, which will
> give you the proper documents, or work for a school teaching languages.
> Please do understand though that working in Thailand doesn't pay the way
> working in the US does, so don't plan on getting rich here. Unless your work
> is something you truly love, and you don't wish to spend your retirement in
> a rocking chair, you're best off starting your own business that deals with
> the outside world for the financial rewards. My photography business is
> divided into three parts; one part dealing with the tourists coming to
> Thailand and teaching them how to use their cameras, one part shooting
> commercial photography for hotels and tour agency brochures, and the other
> part as freelance photojournalist shooting and writing for magazines. This
> is how I keep out of the rocking chair. I won't get rich, but I sure do have
> fun!
>
> #Do you rent or own your residence? Why?
>
> There are certain laws dealing with foreigners owning property here in the
> Land of Smiles. Unfortunately these laws change with the winds. Right now,
> it is illegal for a foreigner to own 'land' here, but if we obtain a 30 year
> lease we can build and own our own homes on the land. We are permitted to
> own condominiums provided the condo building is 51% Thai owned. Personally,
> we chose to rent our condo. We like the freedom that this gives us. Rent is
> cheap, and value is good. Should we wish to live in a bigger or smaller
> place, all we have to do is move.
>
> #What got you interested in photography?
>
> Don't tell anyone, but it was a very kinky girlfriend that I had when I was
> 23..... Unfortunately, 'kink' could only hold my interest just so long, and
> I began to realize that this was a new way to see the world around me. As
> Proust says; "The voyage of discovery is not traveling to new lands; it's
> seeing with new eyes." But.... add those new eyes to new lands and every
> time I turn around I experience another 'Kodak Moment." You can too... In
> Thailand
>
> #If you travel to Chiang Mai, Thailand, be sure to take advantage of Steve's
> photography courses. You can see more of his *work on his website,
> PhotoEnvisions. He features Professional Freelance Photography, freelance
> photography covering travel, photojournalism, nature, people, culture,
> gardens, flowers, etc., from SE Asia, Asia, Europe, Thailand, Travel,
> Micronesia, Japan, and the European Alps. Photographs for magazines,
> calendar, greeting cards, and gifts. People From All Over the Globe
>
> **There we have it. Steve 'Kombat' Kramer - "award winning" photographer,
> newsgroup personality, Man of Adventure, Kung-Fu master, expert swordsman,
> expert deep sea diver, expert cook, ex-volunteer Tourist Police Konstable,
> ex-smoker, Martial Arts expert, Fencing Master, bull**** artiste, successful
> jungle safari photography tour operator, decorated Vietnam War veteran, and
> undercover agent for the FBI, Scotland Yard, The Thai police, The Australian
> Federal police, the New Zealand police and Interpol. And Ex-Pat
> Extraordinaire. * )

***the Kraven wrote...

"...and we live at the last RailRoad stop in N.CM...beyond that lie
Dragons..."

HeartofDragons aka Kraven
(Tried to pass off the "FartofDragons" as "Kadek" in Rec dot Knives)

On Jan 12, 5:00*pm, "Takin & Kanoknuan" <takin&kanokn...@stuck-in-a-
wheelchair.org> wrote:

Yeah but...can you make a decent sloppy joe???

On Sat, 16 Jan 2010 14:37:19 -0800 (PST), rod
<[email protected]> wrote:

Attention all Kombat Kramer haters. The topic is DEAD. Hear me?
DEAD. Get a life.

--
I love cooking with wine.
Sometimes I even put it in the food.

On Jan 17, 6:37*pm, sf <s...@geemail.com> wrote:

> Attention all Kombat Kramer haters. *The topic is DEAD. *Hear me?
> DEAD. *Get a life.


****** NOBODY hates Kombat. We just love to laugh at him and his
antics.

Are you a policeman?????

;-)

On Sun, 17 Jan 2010 01:48:21 -0800 (PST), LarbGai <[email protected]>
wrote:

>On Jan 17, 6:37*pm, sf <s...@geemail.com> wrote:
>
>> Attention all Kombat Kramer haters. *The topic is DEAD. *Hear me?
>> DEAD. *Get a life.
>
>
>****** NOBODY hates Kombat. We just love to laugh at him and his
>antics.
>
>Are you a policeman?????
>
>;-)

FYI: everyone is laughing at you.

--
I love cooking with wine.
Sometimes I even put it in the food.

sf wrote:
> On Sun, 17 Jan 2010 01:48:21 -0800 (PST), LarbGai <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>> On Jan 17, 6:37 pm, sf <s...@geemail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Attention all Kombat Kramer haters. The topic is DEAD. Hear me?
>>> DEAD. Get a life.
>>
>> ****** NOBODY hates Kombat. We just love to laugh at him and his
>> antics.
>>
>> Are you a policeman?????
>>
>> ;-)
>
> FYI: everyone is laughing at you.
>
Only you people who don't have him killfiled. The rest of us don't need
to laugh at these clowns quite that much!

Do us all a favour and add this clown to your killfilter.

Krypsis

"sf" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:
> On Sun, 17 Jan 2010 01:48:21 -0800 (PST), LarbGai <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>>On Jan 17, 6:37 pm, sf <s...@geemail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Attention all Kombat Kramer haters. The topic is DEAD. Hear me?
>>> DEAD. Get a life.
>>
>>
>>****** NOBODY hates Kombat. We just love to laugh at him and his
>>antics.
>>
>>Are you a policeman?????
>>
>>;-)
>
> FYI: everyone is laughing at you.


**FYI: I'm laughing at Kombat Kramer. And I'm laughing at you. *grin*




>
> --
> I love cooking with wine.
> Sometimes I even put it in the food.

"Chemo the Clown" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:
> On Jan 12, 5:00 pm, "Takin & Kanoknuan" <takin&kanokn...@stuck-in-a-
> wheelchair.org> wrote:
>
> Yeah but...can you make a decent sloppy joe???
>


**I can make an indecent one. :-)

"Krypsis" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:
> sf wrote:
>> On Sun, 17 Jan 2010 01:48:21 -0800 (PST), LarbGai <[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> On Jan 17, 6:37 pm, sf <s...@geemail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Attention all Kombat Kramer haters. The topic is DEAD. Hear me?
>>>> DEAD. Get a life.
>>>
>>> ****** NOBODY hates Kombat. We just love to laugh at him and his
>>> antics.
>>>
>>> Are you a policeman?????
>>>
>>> ;-)
>>
>> FYI: everyone is laughing at you.
>>
> Only you people who don't have him killfiled. The rest of us don't need
> to laugh at these clowns quite that much!


**But you DO need to keep poking your snout in, right??? LOL!!! :-)


>
> Do us all a favour and add this clown to your killfilter.
>
> Krypsis
>

On Sun, 17 Jan 2010 14:53:14 -0000, "Takin & Kanoknuan"
<takin&[email protected]> wrote:

>
>
>"sf" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:
>> On Sun, 17 Jan 2010 01:48:21 -0800 (PST), LarbGai <[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>On Jan 17, 6:37 pm, sf <s...@geemail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Attention all Kombat Kramer haters. The topic is DEAD. Hear me?
>>>> DEAD. Get a life.
>>>
>>>
>>>****** NOBODY hates Kombat. We just love to laugh at him and his
>>>antics.
>>>
>>>Are you a policeman?????
>>>
>>>;-)
>>
>> FYI: everyone is laughing at you.
>
>
>**FYI: I'm laughing at Kombat Kramer. And I'm laughing at you. *grin*
>
>
What a pathetic old man.


--
I love cooking with wine.
Sometimes I even put it in the food.

On Jan 18, 1:19*am, Krypsis <kryp...@optusnet.com.au> wrote:

> Only you people who don't have him killfiled. The rest of us don't need
> to laugh at these clowns quite that much!
>
> Do us all a favour and add this clown to your killfilter.
>
> Krypsis-

****** Oh dear. Without us you would have no purpose in life would you
Krypto???

It is part of our mission to help poor sad old fools like you to get
some recognition.

Looks like it worked again, you poked your snout in.

Our pleasure. ;-)

On Jan 17, 12:15*pm, LarbGai <larb...@lycos.com> wrote:
> On Jan 18, 1:19*am, Krypsis <kryp...@optusnet.com.au> wrote:
>
> > Only you people who don't have him killfiled. The rest of us don't need
> > to laugh at these clowns quite that much!
>
> > Do us all a favour and add this clown to your killfilter.
>
> > Krypsis-
>
> ****** Oh dear. Without us you would have no purpose in life would you
> Krypto???
>
> It is part of our mission to help poor sad old fools like you to get
> some recognition.
>
> Looks like it worked again, you poked your snout in.
>
> Our pleasure. *;-)

***T'was the night before Christmas
As I sat on my "throne"
I was "pinching" a Krypto
Just me all alone
When he blew out my bowels
With such a big splatter
I jumped off the crapper to see "What's the matter"
Was big and so brown
And Oh, did it reak
Reminded me much
Of our SCT freak!

Krap-Tow, are you related to the Kraven?
So much alike :-)

Rockin' Rod Shaftenauer
Yeeeeeeee Hawwwwww