TotallyOz

From Wiki: Mor lam is a traditional Lao form of song in Laos and Isan. Mor lam means expert song, or expert singer, referring to the music or artist respectively. Other romanisations used include mo lam, maw lam, maw lum, moh lam and mhor lum. In Laos, the music is known simply as lam (ລຳ); mor lam (ໝໍລຳ) refers to the singer. The characteristic feature of lam singing is the use of a flexible melody which is tailored to the tones of the words in the text. Traditionally, the tune was developed by the singer as an interpretation of glawn poems and accompanied primarily by the khene, a free reed mouth organ, but the modern form is most often composed and uses electrified instruments. Contemporary forms of the music are also characterised by quick tempi and rapid delivery, while tempi tend to be slower in traditional forms and in some Lao genres. Some consistent characteristics include strong rhythmic accompaniment, vocal leaps, and a conversational style of singing that can be compared to American rap. Typically featuring a theme of unrequited love, mor lam also reflects the difficulties of life in rural Isan and Laos, leavened with wry humour. In its heartland, performances are an essential part of festivals and ceremonies, while the music has gained a profile outside its native regions thanks to the spread of migrant workers, for whom it remains an important cultural link with home. Morlam had its birth in the Lao heartlands of Laos and Isan, where it remains a popular art form. Although its precursors probably lie in the musical traditions of the historical Tai tribes that migrated south from China and northern Vietnam, much cross-pollination with indigenous music of the region as well as importation of Chinese, Mon-Khmer, Indian and Malay influences has also had a pronounced affect on the dances, instrumentation and melodies of morlam. In his Traditional Music of the Lao, Terry Miller identifies five factors which helped to produce the various genres of lam in Isan: animism, Buddhism, story telling, ritual courtship and male-female competitive folksongs; these are exemplified by lam phi fa, an nangsue, lam phuen and lam gon (for the last two factors) respectively. Of these, lam phi fa and lam phuen are probably the oldest, while it was mor lam gon which was the main ancestor of the commercial mor lam performed today.

Barney Frank is retiring from office this year. I first became aware of him when the scandal broke out with the prostitute he was assisting. I didn't think he would survive that but he did. Thank goodness he did. He has been active on many issues that I believe in and he has been a true champion of gay rights. I saw his interview with Bill Maher a few weeks back and loved it. Frank was so engaging and funny in every interview I saw him give. I really enjoyed him a great deal. Great piece in the Washington Post today about him and the impact he made on other openly gay lawmakers! http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/barney-frank-charted-path-for-other-openly-gay-lawmakers/2012/12/03/eb812af6-3d69-11e2-bca3-aadc9b7e29c5_story.html?hpid=z3

I think he is adorable and sexy and I'd love to cover him in a thousand sweet kisses. But, today Telly Leung released his new album and it is great. His voice is fabulous and I love his rendition of I'll Cover You from RENT. Telly is going places and I am thrilled for him. I also wish him great luck. I hope you all go to ITunes and buy his new album. I love it and love his voice!

I love it when pimps and madams step up and take more of a spotlight. Recently in Nevada, the owner of a big brothel was elected to public office. Now, in Greece, a madam has become the primary sponsor of a local soccer team. I find the entire controversy fascinating. Take a look at this NYT article: LARISSA, Greece — Her soccer club looked ragged. Strikers jumped up for headers only to miss the ball entirely. Players tumbled over one another, shouting out accusations that they had been fouled. But in the bleachers, Soula Alevridou, or “Madam Soula,” as she is known in these parts, watched intently, a petite woman in a man’s tie smoking ultra thin cigarettes. “Keep in mind that the home team is very good,” she said, explaining the difficulties that her team, Voukefalas, was having. Madam Soula, a former prostitute and now, at the age of 67, the owner of two luxury brothels here in Larissa, stepped in this fall to sponsor Voukefalas, a small amateur soccer team that like many others in Greece was having trouble coming up with the cash for uniforms, equipment and playing field fees. She considers her support a natural thing to do, maybe even a patriotic gesture, because her debt-mired country is in so much trouble that many of life’s extras, like amateur sports, are becoming out of reach. Read the full story here: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/04/world/europe/greek-brothel-owner-rescues-larissa-soccer-club.html?ref=world

Thailand’s competitive edge, currently ranked 11th worldwide, will drop to 15th place in the next five years and be overtaken by Vietnam, according to a industrial specialist. Nuanjai Kittisriboonkul, manufacturing industry leader of Deloitte Southeast Asia, said Vietnam-- which now ranks 18th-- will jump to 10th place in five years. Growth prospects for the Southeast Asian region are positive, with China commanding the first place among Asia economies, followed by India, she said, indicating that the phenomenon will compel the United States, Germany and Japan to seriously review their strategies. Countries in Southeast Asia including Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam will surge up in unison to occupy the top 20 ranks worldwide, she said. Ms Nuanjai added that Indonesia, currently ranking 17th, will move to 11th place in the next five years. China will retain its No. 1 rank in the next five years whereas India which now ranks fourth will become No. 2, she said. For the entire story: http://www.mcot.net/site/content?id=50bd783e150ba062530002d3#.UL2LxYV8VD0

My dear, if you are destined to have the next Honey Boo Boo, we simply must get together! I too love dressing them up and I know that we would have a beauty queen superstar!

I am not sure why Americans don't take more notice of this. When I first saw the reports on NYT and other papers, I thought, Ahh Ha, things will really heat up now in America. Nope. It didn't happen. Why not? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_L4jkHzWJE&list=UL

LOL Well, sometimes I feel like I have 2 but they are in their late 20's. Last night, they tackled me, held me down and tickled me for 5 minutes so I would let them watch soccer as opposed to the latest Revenge episode.

And, one more that I think is perfect for the holiday season! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPr7933-0YE

Why is it that those from Clinton's White House are so good at explaining things? LOL It is more than just "arithmetic." Acclaimed author, Berkeley professor, and Clinton-era Secretary of Labor Robert Reich lays out the what, why and how of the Fiscal "Cliff", the showdown in Congress that Republicans created to demand painful cuts in vital domestic programs in exchange for raising taxes on the top 2%. Learn the facts, and the best way out of this forced showdown.

Perennial loser Donald Trump is still a loser. This time, though, it’s not a media company or a non-announcement announcement that makes him look bad. Instead, it is a small-town, 60-year-old Scottish farmer, Michael Forbes, who has quietly shown up the Donald. Forbes gained fame after appearing in “You’ve Been Trumped,” a documentary that chronicled Trump’s attempt to steamroll a Scottish community in order to build a golf course. Forbes emerged as one of the movie’s unlikely heroes when he refused to sell his farm or succumb to Trump’s bullying. Of course, this incited the always-incited Trump, who resorted to calling Forbes’ farm “disgusting.” The New York Times reports that last week Forbes earned the “Top Scot” award, honoring him as Scotsman of the year in a poll sponsored by whiskey maker Glenfiddich and the newspaper the Scotsman. The award’s previous recipients include the likes of “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling and viral singing sensation Susan Boyle. Forbes, who was “a real people’s choice,” beat out contenders like tennis star Andy Murray and cyclist Sir Chris Hoy. Of Trump, Forbes told the Scotsman, “I took an instant dislike to him. He called me a village idiot and accused me of living in a pigsty, but I think everyone knows by now that he’s the clown of New York.” And all of Scotland, it seems, agrees. http://www.salon.com/2012/12/03/scottish_farmer_trumps_trump/

I show a Tie between MsGuy, Expat and Eeyore. Congrats to all 3!

There are a lot of videos out there each year as we live in a digital video and cam world. What are some of your favorites? Here is one of mine! I think it is just adorable.

What are your favorite videos of 2012? I have a few but this one is just amazing!

Yeah, the good thing is that they raised over 250,000 baht for the AIDS group here in Pattaya Heart2000 and they are the group that totally supports that work here. I had a blast and it was fun to see all the dresses and dance numbers. I prefer gogo boys myself but the organizers don't go that route.

I put a few up for you in my thread already. I was only putting the ones up that I think look good. You don't want to see the rest.

I took these for a friend for another website but wanted to share them here.

The first few minutes were taken when we were in the seats and caught off guard and didn't have time to stand up. Sorry, but I love the song so I included it. This was a charity event with tons of shows and songs in order to raise money for AIDS charities in Pattaya.

The first few minutes were taken when we were in the seats and caught off guard and didn't have time to stand up. Sorry, but I love the song so I included it. Hope you like the rest.

Yaya, and you don't turn around and double that amount to keep him at his home?

Not sure what you mean here. We didn't have an appetizer but we did have the Apple Pie. Yummy!

I have not eaten at the hotel in a very long time. Normally, when I go to the area I eat at Le Cafe Royale. I am not sure why. But, today I booked a table for the street fair with the Ambiance as they had a nice table with a fan over it to keep cool and I ordered their food. I will be honest, I was not expecting it to be great but to my surprise, it was fantastic. I will have to say that I ordered the grilled chicken with mushroom sauce and onion rings. The entire meal was absolutely fabulous. One of the boys ordered some chicken nuggets and a cheeseburger. He enjoyed it. The other one ordered kabobs and they were were very good. I didn't taste the boys food but they were both happy and that is hard to find. LOL The one thing they did not like was the french fries. They said they were too soft. But, with so many people ordering tonight and it was so busy, I'll forgive that. My chicken was fantastic. It tasted great. It look beautiful and well presented. The waiters were quick and efficient and friendly. Management was very professional (and handsome). All in all, I have to say that this was the best meal I have ever had in any restaurant in Boyztown and one of the best I have had in Pattaya! I wish these fine men who are running this place great luck as they really seem to have turned the place around!

The Boyztown Street Party was a great deal of fun. There were some great shows and the hostess Ms. Jim was funny and colorful. They had a wide variety of show performers from ladyboys to drag stars to trannies to sexy show boys. The atmosphere was lively and fun.My favorite was the Thai ladyboy with big tits who performs on Chanel 3. She sang live and was fabulous! I really would pay to see just her in a show.The event entrance fee was 100 baht and went to charity. There was a lucky draw which raised 150,000 baht for the Pattaya Pride group. Over 570 tickets were sold. Donations were also collected. All in all, I guess they raised over 220,000 baht but I didn't hear the final number announced. There was a drawing for several prices and many generous donors from local businesses. The boys and I went and had a fabulous time. Here are a few photos for those of you that missed the show!

My last group of photos or videos for this event in Pattaya. I hope you enjoyed the photos and videos!