Well it finally bloomed.

[DweamGoiL]

Breathtaking!

[Skycat]

Wow, that white one looks like a bird!

[james mickelso]

Working for the US Gov means making sacrifices (gov shutdowns, sequesters, civil service contractions, ect). I'm retiring in a couple years and might go live in Chile. So I want to make a few trips there to see if that would be cool. I was looking at Thailand or Bali so I could surf warm water, but the temps and humidity would kill me quickly enough so Chile came to mind. Also I can have lots of catts, laelias and their cousins. Chile has the same temps as here at the beach in Oceanside, Ca, empty beaches to walk, one of the largest, driest deserts in the world, lots of history, and is very metropolitan. Living here in the US after too many women taking me for what "I" earned is too expensive. I can live much more cheaply in Chile which would mean I could indulge my other passions such as large format film photography, printing in a darkroom, collecting and growing orchids, traveling, and chasing more women. I've had lots of orchid collections through the years. I sold a big one last year. Now I have close to 100 with little effort. And change is good. I can live for free where I work. Yes I will still be around. Giving advice whether you want it or not.

[kindrag23]

@^ nice....

[nikkik]

I LOVE the first orchid! Good luck with your move and I look forward to continue reading your posts.

[james mickelso]

Thank you all.

[Priya_H]

I wish I could go and live in Chile or Bali, man.

[No-Pro-mwa]

[QUOTE=james mickelso;612568]Working for the US Gov means making sacrifices (gov shutdowns, sequesters, civil service contractions, ect). I'm retiring in a couple years and might go live in Chile. So I want to make a few trips there to see if that would be cool. I was looking at Thailand or Bali so I could surf warm water, but the temps and humidity would kill me quickly enough so Chile came to mind. Also I can have lots of catts, laelias and their cousins. Chile has the same temps as here at the beach in Oceanside, Ca, empty beaches to walk, one of the largest, driest deserts in the world, lots of history, and is very metropolitan. Living here in the US after too many women taking me for what "I" earned is too expensive. I can live much more cheaply in Chile which would mean I could indulge my other passions such as large format film photography, printing in a darkroom, collecting and growing orchids, traveling, and chasing more women. I've had lots of orchid collections through the years. I sold a big one last year. Now I have close to 100 with little effort. And change is good. I can live for free where I work. Yes I will still be around. Giving advice whether you want it or not.[/Q
Sounds like heaven, hope it will be. I sometimes think it sounds fun to live in another country as much as I am mad about our politicians screwing up ours. I guess nothing is perfect. Good luck and glad you will be around still.

[james mickelso]

I negotiated with my folks for a small place in their back yard for my collection of orchids. So I will still keep my hands on their pulse.