TotallyOz

Grand Gourmet Set Menu December 01~15 House Champagne *** Amuse Bouche *** White Wine Cackle Berry Chardonnay, Australia, 2007 Ripen Avocado and fresh Seafood on a zesty St. Louise Dressing *** Cream of Beetroot with slices of smoked Duck Breast *** Cognac flamed Veal Liver on Winter Salad with Walnut Dressing or Roasted Chicken Fillet on Winter Salad with Walnut Dressing *** Orange Champagne Sherbet *** Red Wine Cackle Berry Shiraz, Australia, 2006 Roasted Pigeon and Pan-fried Goose Liver on braised Red Cabbage glazed Shallots and caramelized Chest Nuts, potted William Pear or Duo of Salmon & Dory Fillet in Chive Cream Sauce *** Tira mi su or Selection of fine international Cheese *** Coffee or Tea Calvados, Grappa, Remy Martin, Williams Food only 1,550 Baht, Menu with Unlimited Beverages 3,350 Baht *************************************************** Gourmet Set Menu December 01~15 Amuse Bouche *** White Wine Mont Clair, Chardonnay Colombard, South Africa Pan seared Tuna & Sea Bass on Winter Salad with Orange Zest Dressing *** Ginger scented Carrot Cream Soup *** Red Wine Mont Clair, Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon, South Africa Tender Roasted Duck Breast with Pomegranate Sauce Served with Polenta and Vegetable or Carbonade de boeuf, Belgium Beef stewed in Onion & Dark Beer Sauce on braised White Cabbage served with mashed Potatoes and seasonal Vegetables *** Flamed mixed Berries with Vanilla Ice Cream Food only 3-Course @ 890 B + 4-Course @ 940 B + Food & unlimited Wine @ 1,290 B + *** All prices are subject to 7% VAT. Service tip is at your own discretion *** For your reservation ; Please call Restaurant Casa Pascal at (038) 723-660 http://www.restaurant-pattaya.com www.condo-pattaya.com

There is an application for the IPhone and other mobile devices I saw in use for the first time last night. It is called Grindr. It logs you on and shows the closest distance to other Grindr users. It was accurate within about 15 feet. Pretty impressive IMHO. But, there are few that were on last night.

The June 24 Democratic group, an ally of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), has called on all five members of the Election Commission to resign, reports said. The group

BANGKOK, Nov 27 -- A high-speed train project, a planned joint investment project between Thailand and China, which will link between the Thai capital and Nong Khai province bordering Laos is expected to be completed in late 2015, said Supoj Saplom, permanent secretary for Thai Transport Ministry. Mr Supoj said after a meeting of the working committee on Friday that the meeting had discussed on preparing a draft of memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the joint venture project. The draft is expected to be ready in early January next year and forward to the cabinet for its consideration later the same month before it is submitted to the parliament for its consideration and approval in February. The parliamentary process is expected to be completed in March while construction could start in 2011 and furnished in late 2015, Mr Supoj said. Initially, the Beijing investment on the project between the two countries will be on a 50-50 per cent basis while the Thai finance ministry is responsible on investment details of the project. Two more senior Thai officials

I have seen Lucky Plate numbers in the Middle East go for over 20 Million USD. The idea seems to be catching on. Here in Thailand, 9 is always a lucky number. In a recent auction of numbers in Chon Buri, here is an interesting article about the sale of numbers. 301 lucky number plates were auctioned at the weekend in Bangsaen. The numbers, containing mainly the digits 8 and 9, generated an income of more than 30 million baht, the highest bid being 1,100,000 baht for the number กษ (Kor Sor) 9999. Sriracha, 28 November 2010 (PDN): On the 27th and 28th November the auction of lucky number plates for seven seated vehicles took place at the Tide Resort Hotel, Bangsaen, Chon Buri. The 8th lucky registration auction was chaired by Chonburi governor Mr. Wichit Chatphaisan and Mr. Thianchai Jongphien from the Department of Land Transport along with his team. Attending the auction were many local people, businessmen and local politicians. http://www.pattayadailynews.com/en/2010/11/28/bangsaen%E2%80%99s-8th-lucky-vehicle-registration-number-auction/

I was searching for a weekend trip to Bangkok and found a new entry I had not seen before. It is a new Crown Plaza in Bangkok. It is replacing the old Pan Pacific Hotel. It is supposed to close to Siam Paragon. Here is the info I have found. Anyone else heard about this new IHG property. http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hotel/bkkcp

I had a friend tell me that they had a nice staff and I went by last night to check it out for myself. Sure enough, they had a very sexy group of guys and from the looks of it I'll be headed back there tonight to see if the one that caught my eye last night is still there. I was going to take him last night but decided that I needed one more day or rest and recovery before I dive back into bringing anyone to my apartment.

Yaya Bar in Sunee Plaza has started to get ready for the holiday season with a Xmas tree and some lights. It was quite cute and Ya says that Christmas is his favorite holiday. I can't wait to see what the month of December has in store for Yaya bar!

I was in Sunee last night when one of the mamasans told me they had new boys at Nice Boys. I went in and had drinks and there were 5 brand new boys that were from the North that were in the bar looking for customers. The additions were nice and very cute looking. I am not sure if this means that the buses are going to start coming and filling up the bars or not. But, I know of at least one happy customer last night.

Michael had his birthday party last night at the Corner Bar and they provided a full buffet, balloons and entertainment. It was a packed house with great hosts and great fun. Thanks to the Corner Bar for a great event and happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary to the Corner Bar!

I would have no problem putting money into France. I would also trust Brazil and Columbia. I am not sure about some others.

LOL

I basically believe the medical insurance industry should be nonprofit, not profit-making. There is no way a health reform plan will work when it is implemented by an industry that seeks to return money to shareholders instead of using that money to provide health care. Diane Feinstein

I left my humble abode last night for the first time in weeks. I am slowly building up more strength. Thanks for all the kind words of encouragement.

LOPBURI, Thailand -- Thousands of monkeys in Thailand were treated to a feast Sunday as the town of Lopburi celebrated its annual monkey festival. The long-tailed monkeys feasted on three tons of boiled eggs, fresh fruit, vegetables and traditional Thai desserts. Tables were set up for the feast at two of the town's most sacred sites, and monkeys roamed the buffet tables freely as they enjoyed their meal. "It's very interesting, I've never seen so many monkeys. I've never seen anything like this," U.S. tourist Hannah Aosenfeld said. The town is known for its monkeys, who roam about freely. People who live in the town think the monkeys bring good fortune and prosperity. Hundreds of tourists came to the town to watch the monkeys enjoy their fancy buffet. http://www2.nbc17.com/news/2010/nov/29/thailand-celebrates-annual-monkey-festival-ar-575934/

I had Dengue Fever for a bit and boy, did it take the life out of me. I wasn't sure I was even in Paradise sometimes. For over 10 days, the fever persisted and my body just had zero energy. High Fever, followed by chills and body aches were constant. Once the Fever broke it took several days just to get my body to feel up to walking down the stairs. Last night I went out for the first time in a long time. I was exhausted after only an hour of walking around. Bangkok Pattaya Hospital was great but they mis diagnosed me the first time I went and said it was food poisoning. After a return visit when the Fever had not subsided, it was correctly diagnosed as Dengue Fever. There is not much they can do other than liquids and tylenol so I stayed at my place and tried to recover. I went back to Bangkok Pattaya a few times for IV of liquid and some anti inflammatory. For those that don't know, Dengue is a mosquito born virus that is very easy to get in the tropical areas. This was my first bout with this and hopefully my last. I have stocked up on mosquito spray and will be much much more careful in the future. I missed Songkran and Thanksgiving and ordered more Door2Door delivery than I care to mention. I was very lucky that I didn't have the worst kind of the Fever and that mine broke after 10 days.

A friend of mine who is about 25 is in a hospital in Thailand and his doctors have given him zero chance of recovery. I still have hope but that is my dreams and wants and perhaps not reality. He has a virus in his brain and it is advanced and there are so many issues that operation will not be successful. They are waiting for his parents which no one can find. They have him tied to his bed with hands and legs strapped. It is perhaps the saddest thing I have ever seen in my life. I saw him 2 days ago and have had nightmares every night since. I can't get the picture of this beautiful lad in diapers with no one taking care of him. It made me do a great deal of soul searching this week. If there was anything I could do for this guy, I would but my hands are also tied. I hope that I am allowed to die in peace and go out easy. I have made clear to my family that I am never to be kept alive like that or if I can't take care of myself. Who knows if they will abide by my wishes are not. I hope so.

The baht is likely to strengthen to 26 to 27 to the US dollar next year, University of Thai Chamber of Commerce economic and business forecasting centre director Thanawat Polvichai said on Thursday. Mr Thanawat said the baht could appreciate further because the US and European economies remain fragile. The export sector in 2011 might expand only eight per cent year-on-year, down from the previous projection of 10 to 13 per cent. Crude oil prices could reach US$100 a barrel next year, he said. "I expect next year's GDP growth to be around four per cent, as domestic consumption and tourism will be the main driving force instead of exports. "The Bank of Thailand must intervene to curb the baht's appreciation and use tax measures to prevent speculation, while the government must continue encouraging Thai businesses to invest overseas and helping SMEs that have been affected by the strong baht," Mr Thanawat said. He called on SMEs to quickly adapt to the economic changes by assessing different business risk factors. They needed to use technology to gain access to more information and to understand the market, which is expanding to the regional level. SME operators had to compare their operating costs with their competitors to determine their competitiveness, he said. http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/208124/utcc-stronger-baht-likely-in-2011

Sorry, I have not been around much this week. I thought I had food poisoning and have been to hospital a few times and then today, they finally gave me a diagnosis. I have Dengue Fever and it will take a bit more to recover from this. So, if there are threads that mentioned my name and you think I have you on ignore, I assure you that is not the case. I'll be back to more active as soon as I break the fever and divorce my new best friend, (the bidet).

At a meeting between the Pattaya City administration and entertainment business owners, plans were discussed to apply to the Royal Thai Police for a 24 hour entertainment zone during the coming high season. http://www.pattayadailynews.com/en/2010/11/25/pattaya-city-to-bid-for-24-hour-entertainment-licence/

A friend just got out of the hospital in Thailand and he had BUPA. He has paid for years. But, they covered less than 50 percent of his expenses. He ended up paying over 150,000 out of pocket. This makes me wonder if it is actually even worth it. Aren't there better alternatives?

The new OS for IPads allows for multi tasking and other fun things. It is a major update for those with an IPad in Thailand. The prices for the IPads in Thailand have also come down quite a bit since the beginning and there are ample supplies at Tuk Com and at MBK.

Fantastic report Tomcal. Thank you! You do get around. Damm, I wish I had as much energy as you do!

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (CNN) -- Bare brick houses stacked one on top of another cling to the hills of Rio de Janeiro. Raw sewage trickles down the winding paths of these shanty towns, known as favelas, and in many, shootouts between drug dealing gangs and police are a daily ritual. The shanty towns are resented and feared by the rest of the city. But residents in the Santa Marta slum have transformed their community into a living, breathing canvas. With the help of two Dutch artists and a pioneering paint firm, the main square is now a kaleidoscope of color. "It gives the community life!" said Edimar Marcelinho Franco, who helped paint the 34 buildings and walked away with a professional painting title. "People who come to the favela today say, 'Wow, how pretty.' It doesn't have that image of an ugly favela," he said. The project is the brainchild of Dutch artists Dre Urhahn and Jeroen Koolhaas, who visited Rio's favelas for the first time in 2005 to shoot hip hop videos. http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/11/17/brazil.beautiful.favela/index.html