dapitt

Happy to see this. I'll certainly stop in a time or two during my next visit to Chiang Mai.

Well, it seems to be no more. Checking 'Spartacus' and the excellent GayParis site, I find no mention of the 'Continental'. But, alas, there are many others!

Soi10Tom, I'm in your and alaan's camp on this....decidely so! With a nod to your having known GB for a long time, I'll simply add that his "stern" views on things are views that I can most certainly do without. Therefore, when I read this board, as I often do, I read for the excellent postings of its other members. And, I simply 'read around' and ignore GB. There. I've said it, and I "don't apologize"!

So, I take it that the Continental is no more? If so, too bad. It sounds(ed) like a wonderful place...and in Paris! What's not to like! Thanks for your excellent post.

I'll be quite interested to read your reports. I'll look forward to them! And not only about the 'gay/venues/activities' but other parts of your 'travelogue' as well. Fascinating country! Thanks!

Fountainhall, you are so right! I share your pet-peevishness on this point. I've always been just amazed at the lack of common courtesy of those dolt travelers. Hell...it's not only a lack of common courtesy, it's also their lack of awareness and 'smarts'. They could actually maneuver better down the aisle, not only our being safer while they do so. But, they seem to fall into one of two categories (in my humble view): 1) those for whom walking queue-file down the plane's aisle is a task of bewilderment for them --- witness their wide-eyed "golly-ee" stare (yes, I know that's a bit unkind...) and, 2) those who don't give a damn and will take-up whatever space they jolly-well will. I've never gone the route of actually offering a constructive complaint to the airline (I've preferred to stew in silence, lol !), but I commend you for your efforts.

Weellll... some people might be attracted to those healthy hunka hunks. Not me in the least, though! lol

Relaxing Sauna and Spa has a listing in Thai online 'yellow pages' as: Address: 163/1 Soi Phromrat 1 Phromrat Tumbol Naimueang Amphoe Mueang Ubon Ratchathani Ubon Ratchathani 34000 Tel : 0452, 045253 They have a website listed as www.relaxingsauna.com But it seems to be offline. So, perhaps this info is 'dated'.

Goodness, GT. You have a fairly "energetic" tone here. My statements, to which you've replied, were not ones of disapproval. I merely pointed out that a contest of quite similar design had been run here, and deduced that there might well be a connection between the two sites...a fact now confirmed by you. Mine were merely statements of observation.

I'd like to 'second' the "thanks for sharing". This is quite useful information.

Oh, I dunno either....maybe because the same guy owns both?.....maybe?

Sounds like a contest that was run on this board a while back. Color me "mmmmmmm", also.

This is absolutely hilarious! Ole Newt is such a dickhead. Well....actually he's worse! ....much worse

Well... clearly, the confusion is that the 'new' name is so very similar to the 'older' name. One might wonder if the intent and hope is that they will garner visits and build a 'presence' from folks casually thinking they're clicking onto the more established site.

Terrific, zzrichard! Congratulations!! The walking is wonderful in and of itself, but I think going to almost 100% Thai diet is quite important to. It's just much much better for you, I feel.

Oh sorry, I forgot to answer this. Nope.... no ipod. I just listen to the birdies as I walk along. That or, as I said in the previous answer, I let my mind wander to visions of the stunning and frisky puchai waiting in LOS. Occasionally, I happen along a Western puchai that gets a second glance from me! 555

I have several different routes that I take. Plus there's an exercise park with walking trails here in my town. ------------------------ When I first started, in addition to it being extremely difficult stamina-wise, I also thought that it would be boring. But, I've found just the contrary. I really look forward to that time...separated from all other concerns. And whenever the scenery isn't holding any fascination for me...I let my mind wander to Thailand, and all the puchai I'm trying to stay in shape for! 555! ---------------------- Yes, I've heard that green tea is good for you...as is the red wine. Hence, I try to have some each day. -------------------- I agree completely. It was only a few years ago that I was a bit over weight, had high blood pressure, not good cholesterol, and my knees ached constantly. Now all that is better. I see my GP and cardiologist twice a year, and both are quite pleased with my progress. I feel better now than any point in the last number of decades! And, all I've done is cut way back on what I eat and I walk a lot.

I'm soon to be 61. I walk 3 miles on each occasion of about 4/5 times a week, depending upon my schedule. Additionally, I've altered my eating habits considerably...both from the standpoint of how much I eat and what. I've diminished the consumption quite a bit and primarily now eat fruit, vegetables, nuts (yes, I hear the snickering!) and I try to drink a glass of red wine and a cup of green tea daily. So, the legs get pretty good exercise. I'd like to do something for upper body, but I've a bad lower back (as most of us, perhaps!)and find most of those type of exercises debilitating. So, I'm happy with the walking routine and the diet alteration.

Ah, I see. Thanks, fountainhall! That explains it. It just seems so odd --- with so many, many other things at a much lower cost than what you'd fine in farangland, those very high wine costs can sneak up on you. Often after a glass, out with friends, I say, "oh, yes I'll have another, and..." Then, the check-bin can be a bit surprising. Thanks for the info.

And likewise, I wonder about the very high tax on wine. Is it considered a luxury? Surely not! For me it's a necessity....a glass (or two) of red every night --- for my heart, you know. B)

This is quite nice to hear! I remember when the news of the troupe's initial formation was greeted with unkind skepticism from some. Good to know that they are prospering.

Oh, absolutely! We are all "a work in progress"! I accept the spirit, and I have no hard feelings as well. Just a thought about those outrageous 'intellectuals': They are often the ones who save us from ourselves.

"Dispassionate" is precisely a characteristic of an 'intellectual' position! ----------- No, you do not "amuse" me. Reactionary conversation dismays me. ----------- Entitled to your "gut feelings", as we all are. But we should just be more circumspect in using them to bolster thoughtful and serious positions. ----------- "May not be much in your eyes..." I was not, and am not, judging you or your persona. Rather I am commenting on your flippant dismissal of some substantive points raised on a serious topic. ----------- Sorry for all the 'cut-up' quotes and replies, but damn I've forgotten how to use this 'multi-quote' feature. Gotta work on it some more!

Well, if you need my reassertion, I'll oblige you. My earlier comment to you was addressing your reactionary, visceral response to the original poster, a quality I've noticed in some other of your writings. He had thought-out and communicated an intellectual position; you responded viscerally. But yet, you called into doubt the quality of all of his posts. Sorry, I most always will respect the more 'thought-out' position and reject reactionary lightness.

First, I assumed he meant his statistic sentence as sardonic humor. Secondly, I'm not a believer either [and I'm with you on the non-capitalization of 'bible'], but use of a fantasy book as confirmation of an intellectual opinion weakens your position, in my view. Oh yes, I know: this will get some folks stirred-up. And that's sad, indeed.