choddo

Yeah foreign students keep the system afloat basically. All my son’s friends at Uni from other countries are of course minted and generally really talented. One guy from the US though, thought he could get away with doing bugger all at Oxford because he was paying so much. Got kicked out after the first year 😆

Koyote

Just understand that those prices are not at all typical of US higher education costs...and from Jughed 's followup post, it's not clear that he/she is actually paying that much or whether financial aid covers part of it.

tomato coupe

College tuition rates are a little bit like hospital bills -- the numbers look outrageous, but they often get "repriced".

Fredo76

All three are nice places to live. Perhaps an anecdote would illuminate.

At my last visit to my dentist in Santa Fe, I was explaining to the receptionist that I don't usually wear my dentures. I said that I didn't know how that would go here in Santa Fe, but in Española, nobody looks twice. She laughed out loud, then covered her mouth and apologized. I assured her that I was not offended, with a smile.

tomato coupe

You're right, Santa Fe is clearly full of ego-maniacs.

Fredo76

Nah, it just has more than it's share, like I said. Get it right.

tomato coupe

Your anecdote makes so much more sense with that distinction.

Maelochs

Well, since Buddha was Indian, and the language of all the early writings (500 years after his passing) was Sanskrit ....) Buddhism had already lived and died in India before it got to China in what, 200 BC -- 200 CE? And Bodhidharma didn't start his Zen stuff until 500-600 CE?

Desire is the cause of suffering, is where I think it started.

I don't remember. That was a long time ago.

jonathanf2

I see many parallels between cycling and photography. Both have a large number of dentists involved with each activity. It's a good idea to make friends with them for the dental care and the ability to buy well cared hand-me-downs for heavily discounted prices!

SoSmellyAir

Yes, but I don't read Sanskrit, and so cannot follow any debate about the first translation from Sanskrit to Chinese. The Chinese character at issue may be better translated as "attachment" or even "distraction" rather than "desire". Regardless, what is attachment if not a desire held for a duration?

The few dentists I know are more into golf than either cycling or photography.

Maelochs

"Attachment" is a popular translation .... any thing to which you are emotionally or mentally attached .... of course ... "No Dharma is definitive," so the precision of the translation is moot ...

baj32161

Well, I didn't think I'd need to clarify my point but.....

​​​.....

I have learned over the years to gauge my purchases by need and to temper my "wants"

None of this means that I am anti new tech or a luddite.

I have been cycling for many years and never raced...really never did any serious training. I just ride for fun and exercise.

As such, I have learned to be happy with a quality aluminum frame and mid level co oinents like Shimano Tiagra or 105. For my riding I need no more than this

I don't need disc brakes but, I am also not so naive and to refuse that that is where the future is.

Now, do I WANT a shiny new bike with a carbon frame, electronic shifting, hydraulic disc brakes, etc.?
Yes

​​​​​​Will I buy one? Probably not. I'd prefer to use the extra cash to travel

I do not have a lot of discretionary income and, at age 63, I'm quite happy with the level of bike I have

I hope that clears up any issues.

I intended no flame wat
​​​​​​r

tomato coupe

That’s what they all say.

baj32161

Sorry ..fixed the typos (didn't have my glasses on&#128513

jonathanf2

I've bought/sold a bunch of gear to dentists. The good thing about them is when selling, their equipment is well kept. They price low to sell and generally don't haggle price when buying. They're my favorite career occupation to deal with!

tomato coupe

Dear Abby,

My dentist is into cycling, but his bike doesn't cost as much as mine. Should I say something to him, or should I just find another dentist with a better bike?

Signed,
Bewildered in Brussels

Koyote

After all the money I've spent on these teeth, my dentist had damn well better have a great bike.

indyfabz

I knew a dentist who had a Serrota ti with Campy back in the ‘90s. Talk about cliche.

Chandne

Money helps but learning to be or being happy as hell, is priceless.

rsbob 

I appreciate your candidness. Don’t find a lot of people speaking from the soul and found it very refreshing. All the best.

axelwik

Once the basics are taken care of with a little extra for travel and fun, any more money has diminishing returns on happiness. At this point in my life (60+) time is much more important than more money.

tomato coupe

But, a lot of extra money can mean a lot of travel and a lot of fun.

axelwik

I have friends who have a LOT of money. I travel just as much as them, but instead of staying in the fancy hotels and hiring people to do everything I do most of the research and planning myself, stay where the locals stay, do more of what I really want to do, and camp when it's appropriate.

When they come home and talk about their experiences it's all about fancy this and fancy that, western ammenities etc., but almost nothing about the culture, local customs (unless they're making fun of it), local street food, or everyday people.

If I wanted to stay in a fancy hotel, eat fancy food, and be insulated from the "unwashed masses" there's plenty of that just a few miles away from home without having to pay airfare.

When I talk about my trips - learning some of the language before leaving, being invited into people's homes, getting to know average people, hitching rides in trucks, buses etc., discovering really cool places on my own, etc. they just can't fathom it.

I've been to more than 50 countries and my way is better, and costs a fraction of what they pay. One does not have to be loaded to have rich travel experiences. Money can't buy everything and tends to insulate one from real experiences; putting a little bit of work into it results in a much "richer" experience.

tomato coupe

One doesn't have to spend the extra money on fancier hotels. One can spend the extra money traveling more often, to more destinations.

axelwik

Most millionaires haven't been to as many places as I have. They're too busy "earning" more and more money.