Lucky

BLOWN!!! And what a night of baseball. The Yankees had a 7-0 lead against Tampa, Boston was beating Baltimore and headed for the playoffs. But Tamp[a came from behind to tie the Yankees, ending up winning it all in the 12th with a walk-off home run. Meanwhile, Jonathon Papelbon, Boston's best closer, was shutting down Baltimore...that is, until he too blew it and Baltimore came from behind to beat Boston, giving the playoff spot to Tampa, who started September NINE games behind Boston! Oh, what a night!

When I signed off last night, I was the top poster for the day, so don't know what lurkerspeaks is talking about there. But I do agree that only a few seem to carry the message board, and the lack of reply to threads is discouraging. Beyond that, no offense to anyone, but some of the threads are simply not of interest to me. It seems there is a contest to see who can post the silliest stuff.

But SFGate.com (The Chronicle) puts it more optimistically, heading the article "Same-Sex Couples Jumped 80% In Decade" Same-sex households jumped 80 percent in decade Kevin Fagan, Chronicle Staff Writer Tuesday, September 27, 2011 (09-27) 15:43 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- Emboldened by advances in gay and lesbian legal protections and overall acceptance, the number of Americans reporting that they are living as same-sex couples skyrocketed by 80 percent over the past decade, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Census figures released Tuesday showed there were 646,464 same-sex households in the United States in 2010, compared with 358,390 in 2000. Twenty percent of couples living in same-sex households last year listed themselves as married, the Census Bureau said. In California, there were 98,153 same-sex households last year, of which 29 percent listed themselves as married. Same-sex marriage was legal in California from June to November 2008, but some couples may be listing themselves as spouses by personal interpretation under domestic partnerships, private ceremonies or other recognitions, census officials said. The same applies for the national figures. "The overall increase in same-sex couples is clearly a result of decreased stigma since 2000," said Gary Gates, a Census Bureau consultant and researcher at UCLA's Williams Institute, which conducts research into gay and lesbian demographics. However, this also was the first time the bureau made an aggressive effort to tally gay and lesbian couples, and Gates said that made a difference. "For the first time, they did specific outreach to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community to ask them to fill out forms, and they actually distributed materials urging it," Gates said. That was crucial in obtaining an accurate count of same-sex households, because gays and lesbians are still regarded with hostility in many communities, Gates said - so much so that he estimates about 10 percent of same-sex couples listed themselves as "roommates" rather than same-sex households out of fear. "This is still a difficult issue for many people and for many faiths," Gates said. In 2000, there were no states that allowed gays and lesbians to marry - the first was Massachusetts, in 2004. When the 2010 figures were compiled, five states and the District of Columbia were issuing marriage certificates to same-sex couples. Even with gay and lesbian marriage illegal in California since the passage of Proposition 8 in 2008, more than half of all same-sex couples in the country who report being in civil unions or domestic partnerships live in this state. Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/09/27/MNVJ1LABRU.DTL#ixzz1ZCX7MqyN

Hopefully the bf and I still count! Bye Bye Gays

I seriously doubt that is true. The Yankees are very competitive and want t win. If they were throwing it, why let Boston win Sunday night? More likely the umpire last night was on the take as he called some very dubious strikes on the Yankees, then went out of his way to start a fight with the Yankee catcher so he could toss him from the game.

Even the very hot Jacoby Ellsbury is getting worried!

$378 for one quadrant? That's very high. Our local dentist wants $105, but says that is a discount from the usual rate of $220. But he's getting a of of quadrants. What was the laser supposed to do after you had already been deep cleaned?

Despite beating the Yankees last night, Boston has succeeded in being one of the teams to have the worst collapse in baseball history. Earlier this month they had a nine game lead over Tampa for a wild card spot. Tonight they are tied with Tampa, having lost to lowly Baltimore yet again, while the Tampa team bet the mighty Yankees. Two games remain in the season. This is one reason I love baseball! It's exciting to the last.

EXPAT, telling others on the board how they must respond to a tv show is crass and dictatorial; it's an insult to your fellow posters. Beyond that it is just stupid. It isn't going to work. I don't support Chaz on this show. I can think of venues where I do support him- like courtrooms.

We all know that Chaz is not on the show because of his dancing ability. He brings with him a whole media circus based upon who he is, and what he was. I wish him well, but do wonder why he took this on. The reason I don't think he will last is partly due to his mediocre skill at dancing, but more due to the right-wing vote coming in for Nancy Grace, a *** if there ever was one. (See- I can self-censor!) Having said all of that, I wonder why a lot of folks take that show on.

Tristan, so hot and such a good dancer. Val, the same. Derek too. Was anyone else on the show? OH, Nancy grace, who will easily get the right wing vote. If Chaz lasts a week, I will be dumbfounded. What a circus he is. And that Carson guy. Is this what America sees as a gay man? What bugs me is that either Tristan, Val, or Derek could be gay and America will never know it until one of the closet guys has the guts to come out. Until then, Carson represents the gay community.

LOL. How intense does it have to be? And this was a gang rape, even if they didn't show each guy. Rape as entertainment is only entertaining until it's you or your family or friend getting raped. Then it's not funny at all. What kind of society are we, really, where this becomes mainstream entertainment?

Known for their history of slumping late in the season, the Boston Red Sox are at it again. They had lost 11 of their 14 last games, and today are only ahead of the Tampa Bay team by 1 1/2 games. It was nine just awhile ago. It's going to be an interesting week. Boston plays the weak Baltimore Orioles, then the Yankees, and then the Orioles again. Whereas the Rays play the Yankees, Toronto, and then the Yankees again. So Tampa has a harder road to go, plus starting behind. But Boston seems to love to collapse at the end of a great season. They lost to the Orioles this morning, and are winning the night game of a double header. Team W L PCT GB NY Yankees 92 60 .605 - Boston 87 66 .569 5.5 Tampa Bay 85 67 .559 7.0 From mlb.com: BOSTON -- "Playing significant games in September" has been a mantra among Rays players and management the past several years. Well, they don't get as significant as the 10 remaining on the team's 2011 slate. After Sunday's 8-5 win over Boston, the Rays find themselves two games behind the Red Sox for the American League Wild Card spot. Tampa Bay (85-67) won for the 11th time in its past 15 games since Boston (87-65) held a nine-game lead on Sept. 2. The Rays have now won eight of their past nine games from the Red Sox, and they claimed a 12-6 advantage during the season series. Should the Rays manage to earn a spot in the playoffs, they will make history. No team in Major League history has overcome as high as a nine-game deficit through Sept. 2 to earn a spot in the postseason.

Well, I for one do not wear sandals. And I totally oppose the idea of showing your toes in public, especially restaurants, where they tend to slip the sandal off and go barefoot. Not appetizing for me!

Well, thank you tomcal! I enjoyed reading it, and also looking at the photo. Nice to know that Prague is coming into its own as a gay mecca. I was there in 1995 and it was dull, boywise.

He didn't age so well.

I completely agree, Lookin.

Yes, it is a nice report, and I thank you for it. having said that, I would appreciate a little more white space for my older eyes. Indentations between paragraphs, and shorter paragraphs! That's enough from an old English teacher!

towleroad has a video of LMAO's new video: I'm Sexy and I Know It. It did two things- made me laugh, and reminded me that I've always wished I had rhythm! Until EXPAT posts the video here, use this link to enjoy a funny and sexy 3 minute show: I'm Sexy and I Know It

Speaking of ways to lose weight: (My thread may be toasted too!)

Oz, thanks for taking the time to give us such an in depth look at both cities, and the differences between them. I don't think one can easily tire of Bangkok, unless big cities like that are not your thing. For me, Pattaya gets old quickly. But then, I'd have to qualify that to say when I was there at the same time you were, I had a pretty good time.

"Check Your Pulse Before you get out of bed in the morning, press your index and middle fingers against the inside of your wrist below your thumb and count the beats for 30 seconds." Haha. If I get up in the morning, I know I have a pulse.

I thought marijuana was supposed to give you the munchies, and make you lethargic? Not good diet methods. However, I have to say that I do not know any obese potheads!

CTGuy, I have no problem with you seeing this differently than I do, but what is so funny then? The boy has to act effeminate so he will be taken as gay- that's a stereotype, why do some think it is funny to perpetuate that? Why do we find effeminate gay men funny in the first place- at least funny enough to laugh at them? Beyond that, the kid did not do a very good job!