Gaybutton

I don't think anyone is accusing you of attempting a scam, but the fact is that you were on this board posting messages looking for money a year ago. http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/Gay-Thailand-Forums-f1/Gay-Thailand-f3/Gay-Bar-sale-Thailand-t4555.html&p=28551#entry28551

I remember a similar thing happening to Clayton Moore, "The Lone Ranger." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDdRtT9rSCA

Nearly all of us use screen names rather than our real names. Often the reasons for the names are obvious and just as often not so obvious. Sometimes they can appear to be obvious, but in reality are not at all what we thought. I'm curious about everyone's screen names and maybe some of you are willing to share with us how and why your screen name came to be. I'll start: When I lived in the USA my life was essentially in the closet. Only once did I ever attend a gay parade. That was in New Orleans. As the parade passed by, there were guys pinning badges, stickies, and all kinds of tags on people's shirts. One of them placed a badge on my shirt, about six inches diameter, and in big bold letters simply said the word "Gay." I took it home with me and placed it on a shelf just above my computer. I never even needed a screen name until after my first trip to Thailand. Just to show how 'green' I was, even after my first trip, I had never even heard of Pattaya. Back then, newsgroups were quite popular. On one gay newsgroup I posted a grand total of two paragraphs about my experience in the gay bars of Bangkok. I made the mistake of giving out my Email address with a note saying to feel free to contact me with any questions. To my amazement, within a few hours there were literally dozens of messages pouring in asking for more details. I tried answering as many as I could, but the sheer number of Emails quickly became so overwhelming that it was just impossible. I realized there was no way to handle this. What had I gotten myself into? The only thing I could think of to do was to try my hand at creating a small web site that would contain answers to the most common questions I was receiving. I had never tried making a web site before, but I managed to come up with a small prototype of what eventually became my Gaybutton web site and message board. At first I didn't even have a message board. That came later. It was then that I first needed a screen name. I was sitting there in front of my computer, racking my brains for an appropriate screen name when I realized it already was right there, staring me in the face. That badge that said "Gay." I was going to call myself "Gaybadge," but that just didn't sound right. It didn't take long to realize that "button" is a synonym of "badge, and that's how my "Gaybutton" name was born. The Gaybutton name sounded right to me, so that's what I used and that's the screen name I've kept to this very day. That's my story. What's yours?

Country Music Legend, Sausage Pitchman Jimmy Dean Dies By Ed Payne, CNN June 14, 2010 (CNN) -- Country music artist and sausage entrepreneur Jimmy Dean died at his home in Varina, Virginia, Sunday evening, police said. He was 81. Dean, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, was with his wife Donna at the time of his death, which appears to be from natural causes, said R.J. Clark of the Henrico County Police department. Jimmy Dean dies

Relax. I'm speaking in generalities.

You might notice as you scroll further down, the first thing on the "similar topics" was a post by me. I titled the post, "BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) Opens in Bangkok ." There, now you see both the abbreviation and the words. You might notice I do all my posts that contain abbreviations that way, for the very reasons I've stated. I don't just assume that everyone knows what the abbreviation represents. I believe if I had left out the "translation," few people would have had any idea what I was talking about. That's all I'm asking. If people still don't want to "translate" the abbreviation or acronym, then don't belittle those who have to ask. "I've asked you a million times, don't leave little notes on my pillow. 'We're all out of corn flakes, FU.' It took me three hours to figure out that FU was Felix Unger." - Oscar to Felix, 'The Odd Couple'

I've never noticed. Even if I had, that doesn't mean I would have known what it meant or even would have asked. All I'm asking people to do is post the words instead abbreviations and acronyms, or at least along with them so that the incredibly, unbelievably ignorant, such as myself, will know what is being talked about. I don't think that's too much to ask and it's going to be a little hard to convince me that the only person who doesn't know each and every one of them is me.

The bottom line, I think - - - today is not a good beach day.

I happen to be a very regular traveler, but this is the first time in my life I have ever seen ABF. Again, people make assumptions that just because they happen to know these things, so does everybody else. Is it asking too much to just write the words when posting?

Why didn't you post a link to the article? It predicts a storm surge, not a tsunami, but storm surges can be quite dangerous as well. Storms do not cause tsunamis. Only earthquakes, landslides, and that sort of thing can do that. But storm surges are also very powerful and can cause a great deal of damage and even deaths when they're strong enough. Just ask anyone who has ever experienced a hurricane. Having lived in Florida most of my life, I've been through my share of tropical storms and hurricanes. Florida beaches are not noted for waves, but when these kinds of weather systems are on the way, now you get waves and invariably the crazies are out there on their surfboards and just as invariably, some are killed. Storm surges can also cause severe rip tides that can pull swimmers right out toward the sea. Many die trying to fight them. There's no way. No human has the strength to overcome them. If you're ever caught in one, don't try to fight it. Let it pull you out. You won't be pulled out more than 100 yards or so, probably not even that much. When the force subsides, you swim perpendicular to it for about 50 to 100 feet, and then it's a fairly easy swim back to shore. Storm surges are nothing to fool around with. Until this weather system passes, I wouldn't spend any time on the beach. Here's the link: Storm Surge Warning Issued After Pattaya Thunder Storm

I wish you folks would stop using acronyms and abbreviations under the assumption that everyone knows and is familiar with them. I almost never am and I'm not this time either. Is it that much of a problem to simply spell out the words? What is ABF?

If someone is lying about his age, how would you enforce such a rule?

That makes good sense for everybody. I'm talking about when you don't know he is under age until you actually meet and check his ID card. When I meet someone whose age is at all questionable, the first thing I ask for is his ID card. If it isn't his own, or you just can't tell whether it's really his or not, or if he doesn't even have an ID card with him, I go and he stays. That actually happened to me about a year or so ago. I had been chatting with a boy on Gay Romeo and I was interested in him. He looked too young, but he kept insisting his photos were a year or so old and that he is 18. When I went to meet him I asked to see his ID card. He was 16! I told him sorry, but forget it. He said, it's ok, "Police not know." I said, "I know! And you also lied to me. Have a nice life." By the time I got home and had a chance to look at Gay Romeo again, he had already removed his Gay Romeo profile and I haven't spotted him online ever since. That's something you have to be very careful about. Gay Romeo doesn't allow anyone to establish a profile unless they're at least 18 years old, so there are a number of boys out there who simply lie about their age.

It is commonly used in many Thai recipes. Many fresh vegetable markets and some grocery stores carry it. It is also sold canned.

I think you're being paranoid. Nobody has ever been arrested or otherwise bothered in any way for such "transactions." Also, written record or not, what would it prove? Nothing has happened and no money has exchanged hands. How would anyone know if you even meet the boy at all? Unless you're using your real name on Gay Romeo, then unless the police are hiding and waiting for the person who made the "transaction" to show up, how would they even know who you are? If you get arrested for having made a "transaction" through Gay Romeo, then as far as I know you would have the dubious distinction of being the first person ever arrested for it. You just said you go to the gay bars to meet the boy first. When you go to the bars and take a boy off, that's prostitution isn't it? How many people are ever arrested for taking a bar boy off? In the entire history of Thailand's gay bars, I am aware of a grand total of one arrest, ever, when a farang took a boy off, and that boy was under age. Other than that one time, they don't arrest farang for taking a bar boy off even when the boy is under age. The only time you need to be concerned is if the boy you actually have sex with is under 18 years old. Many boys advertising themselves are not even looking for money. Also, there are plenty of personals sites besides just Gay Romeo, although Gay Romeo seems to be the most popular. If it still bothers you, then don't mention money when you're making online arrangements. Now it's not prostitution and not every boy on Gay Romeo is a bar boy in the first place.

Killin does computer repair and sales. He does not do web sites. I call him whenever I need a computer repair. The computer I'm using at this very moment is a computer I had Killin build for me from scratch. His English is excellent. If I have a problem with my computer, I wouldn't even consider going to anyone else.

On a similar note, I recently read that eating red meat is also no longer considered unhealthy.

Sorry, it didn't work. Is it in PDF format? For some reason, you can't attach PDF files on this board. It won't work. I don't know why. I'm not so sure that's the form to file. I searched for it on the IRS web site. The form no longer exists on the IRS site.

No, not at all. We just ate there a couple of evenings ago and we like it as much as ever. We're usually there about once a week. I go to Chez Vickie for his Eggplant Parmesan. I really love that and as far as I've ever found, he's the only restaurant in Pattaya that makes it. If anyone knows of any other restaurants that also make it, I'd like to know. I also agree with you about the Marco Polo. That's the best Chinese restaurant this side of Singapore. It is really excellent and so is the service. If you're a Peking Duck fan, you definitely want to try the Marco Polo. The last time I was there it cost 1200 baht, but it's plenty for several people to share and it is always perfect. I am not familiar with Da Joe Pattaya, but it sounds like another great one to try. I'm not quite clear on how to get there. If I understand correctly, it is on the Bali Hai pier side of Walking Street and you would go up Walking Street to find it?

Sounds good to me. I have yet to try either of those, but based on what you two are saying I'm going to get there. Last night a group of seven of us went to the Bordeaux restaurant. We all loved that one too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jQOAY9DcBk

Yes, they are directly across from each other: Maylaysia: 800 baht per night - Ibis: 1050 baht per night Maylasia: Aging hotel, rooms show signs of age - Ibis: Brand new, less than 1 year old Maylasia: Smoking allowed in rooms - Ibis: No smoking in the rooms or anywhere on the property. Malaysia: Very gay friendly. No problem about bringing a 'guest' to your room. 'Guests' required to leave ID cards at the front desk - Ibis: I have no idea whether they are gay friendly or not. I also have no idea about their policy about bringing a 'guest' to your room. Both hotels have 24 hour restaurants Malaysia: Lobby safes, but no room safes - Ibis: I don't know. I haven't been in any of their rooms. Both hotels: Good English spoken at both hotels. 7-Eleven directly across the street. Internet cafe directly across the street. Several ATMs directly across the street. Plenty of taxi and motorcycle taxi availability. Several good restaurants within easy walking distance. Babylon Sauna within easy walking distance. MRT subway within easy walking distance. Major bank branches within easy walking distance (great for travel check exchange). 10 minute taxi ride to US and British embassies. 10 minute taxi ride to Silom-Surawong-Soi Twilight-Patpong bars. http://www.ibishotel.com/gb/hotel-6537-ibis-bangkok-sathorn/index.shtml http://www.malaysiahotelbkk.com

Surgery no longer a requirement for changing gender on passport By the CNN Wire Staff June 10, 2010 Washington (CNN) -- The U.S. State Department announced Wednesday a new policy that no longer requires passport applicants seeking a gender change to have undergone sexual reassignment surgery. The policy, which goes into effect Thursday, allows a gender change with a certification from an attending physician. Surgery no longer a requirement for changing gender on passport - CNN.com

I think so too, but I can't help but bear in mind that luck also has a way of eventually running out.

Among the points made in that article, one that had not occurred to me but makes plenty of sense, is that other Asian countries might start taking serious advantage of Thailand's situation to try to make themselves the new prime tourist destinations. That can only make things even worse for Thailand's tourist industry. Despite "official" optimistic reports about tourism bouncing back and glowing predictions for the future, if you are in Thailand it doesn't take long to see for yourself what the true situation is, at least as it stands right now. In Pattaya, the 'boom town' aspect has dramatically tapered off. What I see is many of the construction projects being put on hold or simply abandoned. Where there has been new construction, many of the shophouses and apartments have been sitting vacant or only partially occupied ever since they were opened, and for many it has been months. Well known venues and restaurants have been closing, and a lot more have closed than opened. I see businesses that used to have customers every time I pass by now not having any customers at all when I pass by and the employees sitting there looking bored and forlorn. I don't know how long stores, restaurants, and businesses can survive when the only time they get customers is every once in awhile. Of course, many of the boys are also complaining. Just a few days ago I was talking with one boy who told me it was unusual for him to go more than one or two days without being taken off. Now, he said, it has been 24 days since he was last taken off - and that was several days ago. Even where I live, on "The Dark Side," a few favorite restaurants have closed, and "The Dark Side" is not heavily dependent on tourists at all. However, many people who live out here have jobs and businesses directly related to the tourist industry. Many who could previously afford luxuries are now struggling to survive. I see more 'For Sale' signs on homes and vehicles than I've ever noticed before. I've heard talk before that Cambodia might be the next up-and-coming major Asian gay destination. I'm beginning to wonder if at some point we might be hearing less and less about Pattayland and start hearing about "PhnomPenhLand." If Cambodia plays its cards right and starts launching major tourism campaigns, Thailand's tourist industry could end up in a lot more trouble than it's already in. When we start seeing Gay Cambodia message boards popping up out of nowhere, that's when we'll know gay Thailand is deep in the doo-doo.

There are none. However, several boys from there advertise themselves on Gay Romeo. It's a more laid back place, but even without Gay Romeo it's not very difficult to find willing guys.