A Higher Standard

King Bhumbol Adulydej is gone but will never be forgotten. In the past few days a never-ending stream of well wishers have sent their condolences to me. Rest in peace, He was a great man, I am sure Thailand is in great pain. Message after message all showing respect for a man from people who only knew him from afar.

It is a muted time here in Thailand and I admit, I was more affected by the King's passing than I expected. A constant in Thailand for more than 70 years, he has been a constant in my own life here as well. Now, as a sign of respect, Thais and foreigners alike are dressed in black and white. Red and yellow replaced by black and white, a somber period in which people mourn and attempt to heal from their loss. Modern Thailand  has only known King Bhumibol Adulydej. 

Those foreign to Thailand, whether living in the country or outside of it, can never know how much he was loved.

We may think we know.
We do not.
We can only think we know. 

Now I am beginning to get the inevitable questions:

"Should I still come to Thailand for my holiday? I paid for everything already."
"Am I going to be able to hang out in the bars and drink?"
"What's going to happen?"

Snowden (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD)

Most of these questions, like many of the questions I receive, are available to those who are willing to look for themselves. Yes, I am the eyes and ears for people who follow my channel and this site, but all of the answers are available. If they're not, there is a reason why. Read between the lines chuckleheads.

One of my YouTube viewers asked, "Am I going to be able to party at the bar? Is it going to affect my mongering?" 

Really? Have you no respect for anything or anyone? 

Despite living in Thailand for 21 years, I am an American, and as anyone who doesn't live under a rock knows, the US Presidential race is a joke. The presidential candidates have set a new standard in US politics, far lower than what is expected even from the worst of candidates. At their best, they are lousy politicians and at their worst they are nothing more than reality TV. Is this what America has become? A nation in which reality TV is worshipped and followed and all ethics and morals are cast aside?

The King was the complete opposite of Clinton and Trump., holding himself to the highest standard. 

Attention: All those asking, "Now what is going to happen?"

What are you having for dinner tomorrow night? Are you sure of what you will eat?
Is your entire future planned out and if so, will it turn out exactly as expected or will there be a few glitches and unexpected bumps and bruises along the way?
What's going to happen once Clinton or Trump becomes president? Will the US and the world be better or worse?

Allow me to think for you; nobody knows. All we can do is guess. Get over it.

Human beings have a tendency to want answers for every question. The truth is not all questions can be answered. Get over it. Budweiser once ran the ad campaign asking the question, "Why ask why?" It was a brilliant campaign that tapped into mankind's desire to know everything about everything. WHY? Why do you have to know?! Is it so imperative to know the answer to every question that pops into your brain?

How about you live in the moment and allow the chips to fall where they may. Life is better this way. Please don't ask me why.

Hillary's America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party