Dondo's recent activity

  1. Comment on Rock climbing thread in ~hobbies

    Dondo
    Link
    I really enjoy rock climbing at the absolute beginner level. I have a mild fear of heights and get frustrated if I cannot make the climb without breaks. My only true experience is with the walls...

    I really enjoy rock climbing at the absolute beginner level. I have a mild fear of heights and get frustrated if I cannot make the climb without breaks. My only true experience is with the walls in Railay, Thailand. I hope to go deep water soloing this October! I was fortunate enough to climb once at the REI in Seattle, I think it was the tallest indoor wall at the time. Used to work a portable rock wall too. There is an indoor gym near my home but I haven't gone to look at it or ask about joining. If I remember it is a bit pricey.

    1 vote
  2. Comment on Burmese School Girls ~2012 in ~creative

    Dondo
    Link Parent
    Thanks so much. I appreciate the help.

    Thanks so much. I appreciate the help.

    1 vote
  3. Comment on China's social credit system is controlling foreign companies in ~news

    Dondo
    Link Parent
    I agree with both of you and I think the problem boils down to market, which equals money. Since China is a booming market with millions of new middle class citizens traveling, no company wants to...

    I agree with both of you and I think the problem boils down to market, which equals money. Since China is a booming market with millions of new middle class citizens traveling, no company wants to take a moral stand and lose on the monetary rewards business in and with China brings. From manufacturing in China, because it is cheap, to operating within its borders, because of the billion+ people it opens you up to, I don't think many multinational companies will 'fight' these measures.

    2 votes
  4. Burmese School Girls ~2012

    This is a photo I took in rural Myanmar October of 2012. We were on a group trek from the city of Kalaw to Inle Lake. We stopped at a school in one of the rural towns to meet the kids and donate...

    This is a photo I took in rural Myanmar October of 2012. We were on a group trek from the city of Kalaw to Inle Lake. We stopped at a school in one of the rural towns to meet the kids and donate supplies. We arrived during their school day but their teacher allowed us 30 minutes to an hour (can't remember) to play with and talk to the kids. It was an absolute blast, the kids were full of energy and opened up to the group quickly.

    The school was a single room school house where all ages study together. The teacher for this school was young and from another city/town/village. We were told that the community provided her food and shelter in trade for her teaching the kids. If money was required for something, maybe transportation back home, they would come together to help. I do not know the ethnicity of the community or kids, other than Burmese.

    Please critique the above write up, both grammatically and content wise, and help me with suggestions of titles. I severely lack in title creativity/ability.

    11 votes
  5. Comment on Scheduled ~Creative weekly discussions for art and/or photos in ~creative

    Dondo
    Link
    I like the ideas. It is great that this is ~creative instead of ~(something specific). This will allow me to participate in the topics I know and learn/see new things in other topics. For...

    I like the ideas. It is great that this is ~creative instead of ~(something specific). This will allow me to participate in the topics I know and learn/see new things in other topics.

    For photography are you thinking more discussion and learning based? I don't know much about the rules, I am reading (slowly), but would participate.

    Might I suggest, like your past post, a photo competition or theme for a month with a submission day/week?

    Thank you.

    5 votes
  6. Comment on My Photos in ~creative

    Dondo
    Link Parent
    Thank you. Yes, my favorite pictures to take are scenic. I am apprehensive talking pictures of people as well as posting those pictures.

    Thank you. Yes, my favorite pictures to take are scenic. I am apprehensive talking pictures of people as well as posting those pictures.

  7. Comment on Photo Challenge Jun 17th to 23rd Pastimes! in ~creative

    Dondo
    Link Parent
    Groovy!!!! If I can help in anyway, outside of participating in the threads, let me know!

    Groovy!!!! If I can help in anyway, outside of participating in the threads, let me know!

  8. Comment on Can Andy Byford save the subways? in ~transport

    Dondo
    (edited )
    Link
    This was a great read. I'm not in New York and have only been there as a tourist, but I would love for someone with that passion and drive to come to Bangkok and work on our, much smaller...

    This was a great read. I'm not in New York and have only been there as a tourist, but I would love for someone with that passion and drive to come to Bangkok and work on our, much smaller operation, transit issues. I believe he will be successful since he seems to be targeting his colleagues and the customers. I firmly believe that if you have a good superior, that leads instead of instructs, the pride in ones job grows and therefore services improve. I look forward to a follow up.

    FWIW the transit here is one of the most expensive in the region, subway/skytrain/airport rail, and the busses, while cheap, face old age issues and traffic congestion issues. The management of transit seem to think repair of trains can be prolonged until there is public uproar and that the solution to over crowding is not more cars or trains, but instead removing seats.

    3 votes
  9. Comment on Daily Tildes discussion - how can we help people "acclimate" in a friendlier way? in ~tildes.official

    Dondo
    Link Parent
    I like the idea of a distilled version of guidelines. In my opinion the biggest thing, I believe, is the meaningful discussion aspect. I understood this as text posts and news posts almost...

    I like the idea of a distilled version of guidelines. In my opinion the biggest thing, I believe, is the meaningful discussion aspect. I understood this as text posts and news posts almost exclusively. I made a post to gauge other users thoughts on photo posts. This introduced me to ~creative.

    I have not been met in a hostile way and hope it doesn't happen. The criticism I have been given is constructive. Everyone is open to trying new things on this platform and they have given me ideas and thoughts on how to make an image post fit this criteria. Biggest piece of advice was to add a photo in a text post that creates some way that can foster discussion. That was my take away.

    9 votes
  10. Comment on What is your favorite beer, does it differ by season or by what you're eating? in ~food

    Dondo
    Link
    Budweiser is my favorite beer. It is because it reminds me of BBQs and trips with friends. Like @captain_cardinal mentioned, floating the Guadalupe on a hot summer day with a cooler full of beer...

    Budweiser is my favorite beer. It is because it reminds me of BBQs and trips with friends. Like @captain_cardinal mentioned, floating the Guadalupe on a hot summer day with a cooler full of beer can't be beat.

    I am not a big fan of the flavor of IPAs and I don't know enough about different types of beer. There are a couple of Thai craft beers that have become reasonably priced but they still run USD 5-6 per bottle. Many imported beers cost USD 7-10+. When I am in the mood for something different it's Guinness. Day to day I drink the regular Thai beers. Leo first, Chang second, Singha third.

    6 votes
  11. Comment on My Photos in ~creative

    Dondo
    Link Parent
    There is a ton of hiking/trekking available. It is still pretty fresh off of military rule and there are still some areas that are off-limits to tourists. I am not brave or knowledgable enough to...

    There is a ton of hiking/trekking available. It is still pretty fresh off of military rule and there are still some areas that are off-limits to tourists. I am not brave or knowledgable enough to trek on my own, so we went with guides. However, the bus system gets better every year and the local taxi infrastructure is there. China has a big presence in Mandalay and is moving into the country to provide assistance/loans, I hear. I have not had the chance to go back to Mandalay yet. I may try to get up there this Fall, depending on where I visit. Bagan is an enchanting place.

    1 vote
  12. Comment on My experience, becoming a contributor, and other thoughts/questions. in ~talk

    Dondo
    Link Parent
    Thank you. This makes sense and I appreciate the feedback. I will do this on my next photograph post.

    Thank you. This makes sense and I appreciate the feedback. I will do this on my next photograph post.

  13. Comment on My Photos in ~creative

    Dondo
    Link Parent
    Thank you for the advice.

    Thank you for the advice.

    1 vote
  14. Comment on Twelve boys and their coach found alive after ten days in cave in ~news

    Dondo
    Link Parent
    I do not believe that anything official has been given out as of yet but, what I am hearing from my Thai friends is that it could take up to 4 months. They are going to have to teach/train them on...

    I do not believe that anything official has been given out as of yet but, what I am hearing from my Thai friends is that it could take up to 4 months. They are going to have to teach/train them on how to dive and then cave dive. They may have to wait until the cave dries out. The rescuers are getting a phone line to the kids and probably electricity as well. They have been given a gel food that provides the proper minerals and nutrients for them, especially coming off 10 days without.

    2 votes
  15. Comment on My Photos in ~creative

    Dondo
    Link Parent
    Most memorable was the Chiang Mai trip because it is when I got engaged. I didn't add any of the pictures but Myanmar is the country I recommend the most. It is by far the country that is easiest...

    Most memorable was the Chiang Mai trip because it is when I got engaged. I didn't add any of the pictures but Myanmar is the country I recommend the most. It is by far the country that is easiest to find 'off the beaten path' areas and places to visit.

    2 votes
  16. Comment on My Photos in ~creative

    Dondo
    Link Parent
    Thank you. Shot it with an Olympus Tough waterproof camera. No touch ups, only the underwater camera setting was used.

    Thank you. Shot it with an Olympus Tough waterproof camera. No touch ups, only the underwater camera setting was used.

    2 votes
  17. Comment on My Photos in ~creative

  18. Comment on Coffee drinkers are more likely to live longer. Decaf may do the trick, too in ~food

    Dondo
    Link Parent
    I thought it was an interesting tidbit, the smoking and coffee relationship.

    I thought it was an interesting tidbit, the smoking and coffee relationship.

    3 votes
  19. Comment on My experience, becoming a contributor, and other thoughts/questions. in ~talk

    Dondo
    Link Parent
    Thank you for the advice.

    Thank you for the advice.

    1 vote
  20. Comment on My Photos in ~creative