TotallyOz

I hope the new banner at the top of the site is a bit easier on your eyes and a bit easier for you to navigate the forums. We listened to you in the forums with the larger banner and did our best to incorporate your suggestions. We also decreased the size of the Flirt area. We also changed the colors of the site (not an easy task after live) as many said they were too dark and dreary. I want to thank you for all your patience during this move. We still have a bit more work to do and open to any other suggestions you have. We will be sending out an email to all members in the next few days but wanted to let the site be tested for a few days before we did that. Thank you all for your help, guidance and patience. Oz

Thai’s love their temples and every city has at least one. Often, they are built upon the hills. I have been blessed with the opportunity to pray and meditate at over 100 of these temples over the years. I have been inside and knelt before monks and received blessings at many of them. One thing that every temple has is bells. These bells are often massive in size and heard from a great distance when you ring them. In Buddhism, this represents the ability to purify the temple and grounds. I have even heard it expressed that some think it pacifies the spirits that are in the temple. But, my boyfriend tells me it brings good luck. I hope this is the case, as I brought a 10-week lottery ticket before I left the USA and I was hoping to cash in from abroad.

Thai’s love their temples and every city has at least one. Often, they are built upon the hills. I have been blessed with the opportunity to pray and meditate at over 100 of these temples over the years. I have been inside and knelt before monks and received blessings at many of them. One thing that every temple has is bells. These bells are often massive in size and heard from a great distance when you ring them. In Buddhism, this represents the ability to purify the temple and grounds. I have even heard it expressed that some think it pacifies the spirits that are in the temple. But, my boyfriend tells me it brings good luck. I hope this is the case, as I brought a 10-week lottery ticket before I left the USA and I was hoping to cash in from abroad.

Jeeze, that was an easy one given the clue. He is afraid of Germans.

I have done 5 out of 10 on your list. I'll just let you figure out which ones.

I "retired" about 10 years ago and my plan was to spend a month in every country I wanted to visit. I did that for a bit and spent a month in France, Brazil, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Hong Kong and several others. But, when I got to Thailand, I knew that I had found a great place that I wanted to spend the majority of my time. It is not just about the boys for me as I can honestly find that anywhere. It is more about the people, the experience and the ease at which a foreigner can live here. I LOVE Brazil but I find it very hard to set up residence if you do not speak Portuguese. I found Amsterdam pretty damn easy as well but I didn't like the weather. I love heat and hot weather and love the Thailand climate. I also love the availability of foreigners that are gay and even spending time with many that are not gay. I find that Thailand really does allow for this support network and that is pretty important for me when I am living in a land and culture that I often times do not understand. I also love the cost of living in Thailand. It is really cheap to live here and enjoy life. I would easily live in Brazil as I do enjoy it as much if not more than Thailand, but the cost just keeps going up up up in Brazil and the cost for a decent apartment in the larger cities is near 3-5k USD per month. What keeps you in Thailand and helps you decide to move to Land of Smiles?

I had a great guy over today for the afternoon. But, I didn't get a current photo of him for you as I have been far too busy this last week and just didn't have the camera batter charged. But, I know know him for several years and he is a great guy. His name is New and he is in the middle of my 2 long term boyfriends in the attached photo. I still see him on a regular basis when I am in Thailand. The photo was taken in Phuket a few years back and the boyfriends both had long hair (which I love). We went down to Phuket for a holiday and toured around the islands and the jungle. The boys also want for a few day of rock climbing (I only lasted one day) and they also took some scuba lessons. I'll charge my camera this week as I'd love to have a few more pics of the beauties that live in Thailand for you to see!

Today I went to one of my favorite breakfast places on Pattaya; Papa David's in Jomtien. I normally really enjoy the food here and think the staff is great and the prices are reasonable. I don't like saying anything bad about a business but something has changed here and I can't quite put my finger on it. The food is still OK and the place is a very comfortable place to sit and relax and enjoy a meal. I got the English Breakfast for 175 baht and it had coffee and juice and ham, sausage, eggs, beans and toast. The toast is great from this place and I often pick up an extra loaf from my home. I enjoy this place but something is a bit different than before and perhaps they have changed owners or the owner was away for a bit. I did enjoy him and he added a personal touch when I would visit there. However, if you are in Jomtien, it is worth a visit to try their food. I give it 3.4 out of 5. 481/3 Moo 12, Thappraya Road, Jomtien, Bang Lamung, Jomtien, Chonburi, 20150

Day 5: Pattaya Thailand Pattaya is full of things for tourists to do. In fact, I would consider the city one big MF tourist trap. LOL at times at least. That said, one of the best things I ever did in Thailand was go to the Floating Market outside of Bangkok. It was a real web of activity with the ladies bringing in the fruit and veggies from the farms around. It was also very colorful. Well, Pattaya decided to build one that tourists can go to in order to get a bit of that experience. This market is even more commercial than the other one. But, I love the floating boats that ride around the lake and canals. I love seeing all the things that are for sale and walking across wooden bridges. It is something that is fun to do in the fair city by the sea.

Day 5: Pattaya Thailand Pattaya is full of things for tourists to do. In fact, I would consider the city one big MF tourist trap. LOL at times at least. That said, one of the best things I ever did in Thailand was go to the Floating Market outside of Bangkok. It was a real web of activity with the ladies bringing in the fruit and veggies from the farms around. It was also very colorful. Well, Pattaya decided to build one that tourists can go to in order to get a bit of that experience. This market is even more commercial than the other one. But, I love the floating boats that ride around the lake and canals. I love seeing all the things that are for sale and walking across wooden bridges. It is something that is fun to do in the fair city by the sea.

80 USD for a ticket or 3,000 USD for front row VIP's! I am not sure who would pay that price.

We did loose a few photos that were uploaded in the last 2-3 days. The ones before that are restored and you should be able to perfectly upload again. Please test this and let me know if you see any issues. I am sorry but if you attached an image in last 2-3 days, it may be gone. My apologies.

I have contacted the programmers but waiting to hear and it is Sunday for them. So sorry.

One thing that is a bit more noticeable around town is the abundance of the outdoor bars that are parked up and down the areas. Normally, the bars are made from older Volkswagen Vans and hollowed out and a bar placed inside. Sometimes the vans are painted up with beautiful neon colors, has loud music and strobe lights at night to attract a disco feel. The first one I saw in Pattaya was a few years back and I thought it was cute. Over the last year or two, the number of these have increased drastically. Now, you can pretty much find them in the tourist areas every 5 minutes of walking. Got a vacant parking lot of night? Rent it out to the moving party vans! Pattaya, Thailand is a city that is full of great nightlife, tons of bars and clubs but the addition of these vans tells me that some patrons can't wait to get inside the bar and must have a drink to muster up the courage to go inside. Or, they just love sitting outside drinking watching the waves of people pass by.

One thing that is a bit more noticeable around town is the abundance of the outdoor bars that are parked up and down the areas. Normally, the bars are made from older Volkswagen Vans and hollowed out and a bar placed inside. Sometimes the vans are painted up with beautiful neon colors, has loud music and strobe lights at night to attract a disco feel. The first one I saw in Pattaya was a few years back and I thought it was cute. Over the last year or two, the number of these have increased drastically. Now, you can pretty much find them in the tourist areas every 5 minutes of walking. Got a vacant parking lot of night? Rent it out to the moving party vans! Pattaya, Thailand is a city that is full of great nightlife, tons of bars and clubs but the addition of these vans tells me that some patrons can't wait to get inside the bar and must have a drink to muster up the courage to go inside. Or, they just love sitting outside drinking watching the waves of people pass by.

Yes, should be cleared up now. There was path issue where photos are stored and it cause a few issues. Firecat sent me an email and I woke the programmers up and told them to fix it. thanks for your patience and please let me know if other issues arise!

Boys in the United States are starting puberty earlier than ever, according to a new study publishing in the November issue of the journal Pediatrics. In the study, lead author Marcia Herman-Giddens from the University of North Carolina's School of Public Health and her colleagues show that boys are starting to sexually develop six months to two years earlier than medical textbooks say is standard. This research has been a long time coming. Herman-Giddens first documented early puberty in girls in 1997, and several studies have since backed up those findings. One of the reasons it took so long to do a comprehensive study on early puberty in boys, Herman-Giddens said, is that the onset is more difficult to identify. For girls, breast development and the start of a menstrual cycle are obvious clues. For boys, the onset of puberty comes in the form of enlarged testes and the production of sperm. Researchers responded: " 'Yikes, we don't want to ask about that!' " Herman-Giddens said with a laugh. But ask they did -- 212 practitioners across the country examined more than 4,100 boys aged 6 to 16. The practitioners recorded information on the boys' genital size and pubic hair appearance. http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/20/health/boys-early-puberty/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

Stef Lacoste and Mike Stefano!

A friend sent me a list of things to do in Chiang Mai as he is from there. He said that some things might be for my 80 year old Grandmother and not my 27 Year Old Boyfriend. I can find the bars and massage places on my own. All I need to do is walk out the door and follow the cute boys. LOL Anyone has other things to add? (Also have a look at Chiang Mai Life magazine on-line) Ping River boat tour Galae Restaurant Night Safari Khun Cheun restaurant Mrs. Pa's smoothie stall at the Chiang Mai Gate Night Market after 4:30. Zoo Flight of the Gibbon Muu Grata - cook at your table buffet Palad Tawanron restaurant Massage - Woman's jail Doi Suthep Monk Chat at Wat Suan Dok Chiang Mai Sky Adventure Balloon Adventure Thailand Huay Tung Tao Hwy 121 - lunch at a lake Mae Sa valley - paintball, bungie jump, off road buggies etc Patera Elephants Warawrot Market Suan Buak Hat (tai chi etc) at 6 am sharp Wat Umong Museum of World Insects Ratchaphruek Flower Gardens Wiang Kum Kam - Old ruins Ganesh Himal Museum - A short way off Highway 108 a little south of San Pa Tong, just into Doilo, an interesting break. Bo Sang - Umbrella Town Baan Tawai - furniture town iBerry - strange and amusing ice cream spot Akha Ama coffee Sunday Night Walking Street - Tha Pae Gate Some on-line resources : http://www.gotpassport.org/2011/01/30/the-other-famous-question-what-to-do-in-chiang-mai-thailand/ http://thai-travel-info.blogspot.com/2007/10/40-things-to-do-in-chiangmai-north-of.html

A friend sent me a list of things to do in Chiang Mai as he is from there. He said that some things might be for my 80 year old Grandmother and not my 27 Year Old Boyfriend. I can find the bars and massage places on my own. All I need to do is walk out the door and follow the cute boys. LOL Anyone has other things to add? Here's a list of a few things that you can use as a starting point for web searches as to what to do in Chiang Mai… (Also have a look at Chiang Mai Life magazine on-line) Ping River boat tour Galae Restaurant Night Safari Khun Cheun restaurant Mrs. Pa's smoothie stall at the Chiang Mai Gate Night Market after 4:30. Zoo Flight of the Gibbon Muu Grata - cook at your table buffet Palad Tawanron restaurant Massage - Woman's jail Doi Suthep Monk Chat at Wat Suan Dok Chiang Mai Sky Adventure Balloon Adventure Thailand Huay Tung Tao Hwy 121 - lunch at a lake Mae Sa valley - paintball, bungie jump, off road buggies etc Patera Elephants Warawrot Market Suan Buak Hat (tai chi etc) at 6 am sharp Wat Umong Museum of World Insects Ratchaphruek Flower Gardens Wiang Kum Kam - Old ruins Ganesh Himal Museum - A short way off Highway 108 a little south of San Pa Tong, just into Doilo, an interesting break. Bo Sang - Umbrella Town Baan Tawai - furniture town iBerry - strange and amusing ice cream spot Akha Ama coffee Sunday Night Walking Street - Tha Pae Gate Some on-line resources : http://www.gotpassport.org/2011/01/30/the-other-famous-question-what-to-do-in-chiang-mai-thailand/ http://thai-travel-info.blogspot.com/2007/10/40-things-to-do-in-chiangmai-north-of.html

I got this information from a friend and am seriously considering going for the night. It is the last of November. Has anyone been to this event? http://yeepenglanna.net/index.html

I am curious if anyone has used World Nomads? It gets decent reviews for Travel Insurance and for emergencies. I don't think it is a policy for a full time person but they do have plans for up to 12 months.

I have been logged in all day and no issues but I didn't close my browser. I am an Internet junkie and keep it open all the time. I did ask the programmers about this but I know I tested this without the browser closing and it works for me on a Mac.

Day 3 Like I said, at night Pattaya turns from the boring shades of grey to a multitude of colors. From the neon signs that plaster the city to the colorful characters that roam the streets to the many colors that from the vendors that sell their wares, the city comes to life at night. Pattaya is a night city. It is a place where many stores do not even open until after 11AM. Some shops even after that. I often find myself riding a motorbike for breakfast and encountering very few others that are out except a few that are wandering home after a night of partying. This photo was taken near my condo. I am sure over the next few weeks, I'll have a few more colorful photos of the nightlife but this one pretty much sums up where my boyfriends go each night to shop for food.

Day 3 Like I said, at night Pattaya turns from the boring shades of grey to a multitude of colors. From the neon signs that plaster the city to the colorful characters that roam the streets to the many colors that from the vendors that sell their wares, the city comes to life at night. Pattaya is a night city. It is a place where many stores do not even open until after 11AM. Some shops even after that. I often find myself riding a motorbike for breakfast and encountering very few others that are out except a few that are wandering home after a night of partying. This photo was taken near my condo. I am sure over the next few weeks, I'll have a few more colorful photos of the nightlife but this one pretty much sums up where my boyfriends go each night to shop for food.