tom baross's Writings
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Short Story
May.24.2011
My first root canal I was early. I had 15 minutes until my scheduled appointment. I sat down on the couch. A thai soap opera was playing on the tv. The nurses were huddled behind the front desk giggling and telling stories about their boyfriends. I remembered two weeks ago. Same scene. Two minutes to 2 and she walked in. I thought she had to be somebody's sister...
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Short Story
Mar.09.2011
none
Just realised what a touch meant.
Someone gave you permission to be you.
Help her to be her.
4am just a start of a thought.
Happy Birthday, ex.
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Article
Mar.09.2011
Nothing like getting legitimately pissed off
SpinelA remote stone in the GIA category of stones hard enough to set in jewelry.The classic cheap ruby substitute.A footnote without any commercial value.Hardly commercially traded.Or so it was in 1988.Until I went to the Burma border, Mee Sout, Thailand.Hunched up in the mountains, I didn't want ruby; I didn't want sapphire;I didn't want zircon; I didn't want...
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Short Story
Mar.09.2011
Just now
GIA 44th Gemstone Gathering - Spinel "The Great Impostor"...
GIA 44th Gemstone Gathering - Spinel "The Great Impostor"...
SpinelA remote stone in the GIA category of stones hard enough to set in jewelry.The classic cheap ruby substitute.A footnote without any commercial value.Hardly commercially traded.Or so it was in 1988.Until I went...
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Short Story
Mar.02.2011
not that lucky
In the late 80's one of the guys I helped get started in the business from the states brought this guy into my office like he had just acquired a trophy of sorts. This guy had written the ultimate guide on burning gemstones and GIA (Gemological Institute of America) was going to use his book as a course of study. I told him I had read his book and really liked it...
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Short Story
Mar.02.2011
not yet
The fact that Buddhism teaches reincarnation is the one reason I don't like it, but for a different reason than you might think. Since most Thais are Buddhists, they don't see the value of life; when they have a problem they want to end it all and try to come back as something better. I keep telling them that is a contradiction in terms because if you kill...
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Short Story
Mar.02.2011
none yet
1995.It was tucked in a sandy book under my bed.It's where I keep all my old books.Letters to myself.Those first years out of rehab I spent a lot of time at the beach.I didn't want to listen to music, I wanted to hear my higher power.Well, dogs and ticks I was cleaning out the house.Nothing in the house was safe.Guess I'd overturned most everything..Just leaned...
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Article
Mar.02.2011
Just me
First time I went to England..."TJ, I want a taxi. TJ, how come you not get me a taxi?"
"Mom, aren't they supposed to be yellow?"
"TJ, that taxi," she almost pushed me in front of the cab to make it stop.
An old Thai lady bundled up in more sweaters than I could count. Me just from New Hampshire.
"Tell him Harrod's."
"...
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About tom
I'v been living in Thailand near half my life. I followed my Thai sweetheart home from college one day and didn't look back. We have 2 kids Kevin & Estee; they are both in university now. I spent my first years here being a professional student before my...
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