Lucky

Let's see, I went to Rio on a tour. They took us to Sugar Loaf and then the Christ statue. Afterward we did a walking tour of a favela. The next day we went downtown and saw the historic buildings and the gaudy new cathedral. At nightime we went to Ipanema for shopping. Finally, on the 3d day, I asked the guide why we didn't see any of the famous sauna boys, Oh, he said, tomcal is in town, they are all busy! Nice reports, tomcal. We can all envy your stamina and the strength of the dollar- well, at least your dollar!

hehe...they are reed thin oldsters who no doubt sit at the buffet and wonder how those Americans can put away so much food. We hear about Asian reticence, Asian manners, Asian respect for elders, but what we have are normal people who observe and judge like everyone else, but don't always express their opinions. In this case they did, even after I showed them a courtesy, but it was good natured and I really took no offense. Now, can we expect hitoallusa at the Palm Springs Weekend? Last year you said you would come but for a trip to Japan...

A sad state of affairs, huh, Simon? Since you seem to have self-appointed yourself the dragon of MER, why not give us examples of posting that you find constructive and inviting of other members participation? So far we have seen you trash others with some degree of skill, but not much else. Well, you do kiss up to management when it suits you...I mean, they have let you keep your "voice" here despite getting called on the carpet more than most other newbies do. We do agree that the website cannot thrive when the only ones responding to threads are the original poster and the guy who sees fit to criticize everyone else. But if all you can do is trash people, then your presence here contributes nothing over the long run. I'd rather post with Scott Adler.

Wow. Not a soul here interested in Chinese New Year? Or is the Expatriation of the forum moving threads down so fast that no one gets to see them? Ironically, it was EXPAT himself who posted on this last year.

Thanks for the encouraging comments. In my mind, I am working on two final posts for this thread, but damn I need some sleep first. I have been up for 32 hours straight now and endured 3 flights. LAX was an absolute nightmare as we went through customs and then had to re-go a security check. But the lines were enormous. Only for the grace of one kind soul who let me cut the line did I make my connecting flight home. 4 passengers did not.

Could it be that this hotel has made a special offer with the full knowledge that it might be a target of terrorists? The US Embassy recently issues a warning to Americans in Bangkok that there was clear and credible evidence that they could be subject to terrorist activity directed specifically against Americans, with the weekend of Friday the 13th being thought to be a possible target date. One of the 3 venues that worried the Embassy was on Sukhumvit Road. As is the Renaissance. Well, the Thai government was quite upset with the US warning. The Yankees had held off for weeks in an attempt to work with the Thais, who were afraid that any warning would deter tourism. They made statements to the effect that no terrorists would act in Thailand, because the government had such matters under firm control. This kind of head in the sand approach worried the Americans and the Israelis, who had developed the original intelligence. Once the Americans issued the warning, the Thais quickly arrested a subject and declared that no threats were now expected as the arrested man said that they had been canceled. Yes, we were to believe the terrorist here. But wait. Soon a raid on his business turned up tons of potential bomb making material. He claimed to be a mere hairdresser, and many believed him when he said that he was being set up. How does all of this relate to the Renaissance? Well, they must not believe that the threat is over. I ended my Bangkok visit by staying there, and ingress and egress were strictly limited. Anyone, guests included, entering had to go through a metal detector and have all of their bags inspected, even if checking in or returning from shopping. I got my room for $91 a night, without breakfast, but they did offer a 20% discount on same. The breakfast was very good, the bed very comfortable, the decor dated, and the terrorists very quiet.

That is true, but there was also less reader participation than for last year. Reader participation, of course, prompts more interest in writing the vignettes. Last year's stories were new, so that probably made for more interest as well. But I am now back in the USA, operating on adrenaline. I will write some more about the trip when I get recharged.

Chinese New Year is on Monday, January 23d, and decorations are everywhere in Bangkok, which has a large Chinese population. I plan to go to Chinatown today. Last weekend it was quite festive and will no doubt be more so today. The local mall, hardly your basic strip mall, but an extravagant ode to luxury, is having a show this afternoon featuring Chinese dancers, acrobats, and Chinese opera performances. So, Happy New Year to all. Give your local Chinese friend a hug and tell him Gung Hay Fat Choy.

What? It is time for another Palm Springs Weekend? Geez, now I really do have to kick the diet up a notch. On the elevator today I kindly allowed an elderly Asian couple to board first. The man was apparently trying to say he liked my shirt. When I took notice, he pointed at my belly, stroking his own as if to indicate pregnant. So I Politely laughed, whereupon he took the liberty of raising two fingers, suggesting I was having twins. So much for Asian reticence! At any rate, all of me is happy to hear that Oliver has the 8th Annual Palm Springs Weekend underway. It must sound especially appealing to those shoveling snow today.

Thankfully the show at Happy Boys in Pattaya included that old-fashioned Thai erotic dance that I used to like so much. And the 3 guys performing it did it naked with erections. Thus very erotic. A poster writing about his Columbia trip mentions the difficulty of writing any lengthy report on the IPad. Even though I am much better with it than I was two weeks ago, I will save my final report for my return. It is Chinese New Year weekend. There are festivities about town, and I plan to attend some, hoping to capture some in video, a first for me on the IPad, so wish me well. I will write more from the comfort of my PC.

That settles it, then! We need a Ricky Gervais thread! Recently several members made well-intentioned statements about posting a bit more, but, instead, we get posts wondering where everyone is. For me, the subjects that engage me are not represented as much as I would like. One answer, of course, is to post them myself, but that's hardly engaging. Another answer is to study up on the topics that are represented, but then, if they interested me enough to study up, well, then I would be studied up. Ultimately the conclusion seems to be what others have chosen, and that is to post hwhen something interests me and otherwise find other areas to express my interests. Go with the flow, let the message center reach its natural level of interest, and then either be engaged or not. Not well-spoken? Hey, I just woke up.

The shopping centers in the Siam area of Bangkok are enormous and impressive. You will never again think of Thailand as a third world country once you have seen them, and another and another. They are lined up along Sukhumvit Road, and there is simply no way I can convey to you the enormity of all of that luxury. And the crowds. The economy here has to be booming. But with each boom in the economy, there come several more motorbikes. These are truly a scourge, unless, of course, you are riding one. These same friendly people whom you encounter become horrors when driving a motorbike. It becomes very hard just to cross a street. And, I would not want to ride one, nor drive one, as it takes more fortitude than I think I have. But, for now, I am out of Bangkok, mixing it up with the Russians in. Pattaya. A Swiiss woman -yes, I asked- tonight thought I was Rus, but I assured her that I was Amee, as she calls it.. I guess I need not worry if I look Rus. Those terrorists will pass me by. But tonight I shared a baht bus with the cutest Russian guy. I was hoping that the twists and turns of the road would bring us close together, but no such luck for Lucky. The people watching here is quite intriguing. Today a hunky man, who appeared to be Arab, strolled into the mall, showing off his gym toned body by wearing a tight tank top. Yet the woman he was with was covered head to toe in a burka. At least, I think she is a woman. Can't make assumptions, can we? But I spend a great deal of time people watching. Maybe that's why the bars are so fascinating.

Actually, the excellent tutorial was by firecat69, who is very knowledgeable on all things Thailand, and one of those upon whom I rely for advice. My Thai experience, while it began 25 years ago, may not be as up to date as his. But I will say that there is something for everyone and that you will find tops if you so desire, but more likely bottoms. If you want to be a butterfly, and go for one man to the next, well, then, yes, stay in the heart of things. But you can meet people anywhere. The Thais are friendly and often outgoing. In the past, bars have often had a convenience room, such as it is. But I haven't seen one in years. They were most often pretty ratty. Massage parlors, of course, are more often on site than off. But I think you will prefer the comfort of your own room, should you choose a place that allows guests. Most gay places do. And, don't forget, there are many excellent tourist attractions. They became that way because they are truly interesting or offer something for the tourist to experience, such as a crocodile farm, that he will not see at home. You can spend all day touring wats, or temples. And if massage appeals to you, then you could spend all day getting massaged without ever taking your clothes off. Thai massage gets more enjoyable the more you experience it. Foot masseurs are everywhere. And, if you are a butterfly, then by all means visit a butterfly farm.

If you have a script by which you expect things to happen, be prepared for things to go off script. Sometimes for the better, sometimes not. But the adventure of wondering what might happen rather than knowing for sure can add to the fun.

The Tebow HATRED? Are we going to let that pass without comment? Michael Medved wants to say that those who think Tebow is a showboat are HATING him? That's discourse? Can we not point out hypocrisy without being accused of hatred? It's not like he lost a game because of this.

Say, did anyone here about that cruise ship sinking in Italy? Or didn't that merit a breaking news lead into the Golden Globes? The way I hear it, the ship is like totally destroyed and some people had to cancel their plans. Didn't it make the news in the states? It 's like, what I hear is that the captain was showboating and went off course. And the cruise was only 3 hours underway! Bummer. I'd ask for my money back. My point, of course, is that there are 5 or so threads on the Golden Globes, but the news doesn't merit any discussion anymore. Would more news equal more threads, or is it all in your definition of news? I mean, people died, the country's reputation takes a hit, the Communists are rioting because they are not getting capitalist material goods, children are forced into slave labor so we can get them, and none of it is interesting enough to discuss here? It's enough to make me go on vacation! BTW, I am not saying that the Golden Globes don't merit discussion. It's the lack of discussion on other subjects that makes me curious.

I see the Fries. I see the guy. But I don't see the site making millions

Granted that the Golden Globes are of some interest - I remember when they were created by Pia Zadora's husband as an excuse to give her an award- there is other news, and even those away from the daily papers are noticing. Steve Jobs was lionized after his death, but now apple is revealing ways in which it mistreated it's foreign workers. Yet their phones are so in demand, thousands lined up at the opening of the Beijing store, only to be turned away when it was announced that the store wouldn't open that day after all. Apparently they didn't have enough phones and were afraid of rioting, which they got anyway. The Chinese still love their apples. 4 Marines pissed on Taliban corpses, and not a word here? No indignation? No leering over the idea that 4 Marines had their dicks out in front of each other? No jokes about a pissing contest? On the other hand, the USS Abraham Lincoln is in Pattaya, with 6000 personnel on shore leave, and I didn't see a one in the gay bar district, not to mention having his dick out. Oh, where have I gone wrong? There were 4 potential Posts here, and I only used up one!

Goldwater, who was seen as such a conservative and out of the mainstream, would probably be considered a moderate today. I doubt that he would have the time of day for the Tea Party. And yes, I was old enough to follow that race.

What was a big story last night seems downgraded today, with not much to be fiound. Oh, well.

The NY Times is reporting Friday that the American embassy in Bangkok has, since the new year, been investigating threats of terrorism against Americans in Bangkok. One arrest has been made, but only on immigration violations, as there was not sufficient evidence of the terrorism involvement by the arrested person. "Foreigners" are allegedly involved in the terrorism threat, presumably as opposed to Thai involvement. Americans are particularly at risk in areas of high tourism. One American reached by MER News stated that he is lucky to have avoided planned attacks against United Airlines planes in 1993, but does not wish to push his luck. The American, who requested that his name be withheld, remains in Bangkok. CNN is also reporting the threat.

The Nation, the Bangkok newspaper that has been at my door these last few days, has two articles on gay subjects today in its entertainment section. One is about gay marriage, and is titled Brave Hearts in Trang, the other is about a gay movie being shown in Vietnam, an apparently historic event. My guess is that many here would be interested in both articles, but it is the one about Vietnam I found most interesting as their attitudes on gay subjects seem quite behind the times. One viewer of the film says that he cannot be openly gay as it would do "unimaginable damage" to his family. So, being still a learner on the Ipad, I can't make a link for you. But the website is nationmultimedia.com. The first article is titled "Brave Hearts in Trang" and the second is titled "Paradise Lost and found." I was unable to find the second article online, so maybe someone else could do so. The article was picked up from Agency France-Press, if that helps.

eeyore, I am glad the you liked the novel. We seem to have similar tastes, so let me know what recommendations you might have.

If Simon says it was not a move, well, then it mustn't have been a move. Please forgive me for being so familiar with you as I feel certain that we have met before.

Not very interesting pictures, in my opinion.