TotallyOz

For me it is about one month. I love it in this great paradise but longer stays I tend to get in a rut. Maybe that is a good thing for until I can retire here, I think one month is about right for me.

The programmers got ahead of themselves. We are working to revert this and things will be back to normal soon. My apologies.

We left Pattaya around 7am to get to Bangkok. We had to get a van as we had our bicycle equipment to take as well as luggage. The van cost 2200 bath or approximately 60 USD for a 2 hour trip. Once in Bangkok we were to meet up with the group of bikers. As we had an hour to kill I had forgotten to get the guys bike shoes and so we took off to go to the Emporium Shopping Center. It is always a mistake to take a car in Bangkok. What would have been a 15 minute walk was even more in a taxi. We took a van to Nong Khai. The trip took about 10 hours or more and we chatted the whole way and listened to music and stopped and ate. We had a van and one truck that will support us on the ride so between the 2 there were plenty of people that needed pee breaks and I was always OK. The dinner at night was at an open air market with food stalls. I had some fried chicken and rice. The guys had noodles. We didn’t get to Nong Khai until almost midnight and I was exhausted. We stayed at the Pantawee Hotel. http://thailand.pantawee.com/ My favorite part of the hotel was the sign on the Men’s bathroom. It was so funny and soooo gay! A naked sailor. We slept the entire night as we were exhausted from the road trip. The next day we woke up and went to Laos for the day. In order to do this trip, you go to Friendship Bridge and then exit Thai Immigration and then take a bus to Laos (only a few minutes) and then go through Laos Immigration. The process take about an hour. Once in Laos, we hired a driver to show us the city. The first visit was to a great Laos’s temple and then we went to the Victory Gate. At the northwest end of LaneXang Ave. arises a huge structure resembling the Arc de Triomph. It is the Patuxay or Victory Gate of Vientiane, build in 1962 but never complete due to the turbulent history. From a distance, it appears impressive, like a monster of concrete. Nowadays this place is used as a leisure ground for the people of Vientiane and the Seventh floor is an excellent point of view of the entire city. We bought a cheap box of chocolates at the market there. Mistake. They were not real chocolate. Beware! We got some friends a 6 pack of Beer Laos as they asked for it and said it was good. Back at the hotel, we met for a river cruise with the group and then dinner. At night, we had to get the bikes ready in the rain. Yes, it is rainy season in Thailand and Isan does not escape this. We got drenched while we got things together. Day 1: Ride from Nong Khai to Pak Khat (63 Miles/101 KM) I was curious to see how the boyfriend would do on the ride as he is not trained and I was very worried he would hate it. Instead, so far quite the opposite. He really kicked ass today. He was one of the first 4 people into each water break and to lunch. He was fast and strong. I was impressed to say the least. I am not sure how much was him doing it to prove to me he could do it an dhow much was he wanted to prove to me he could do it. ☺ The ride was beautiful. We were joined to a group from Udon Thani bike club and it was nice to have 23-25 Thai riders with us. They loved my bike and all wanted pictures with it. We started out in the rain. It rained part of the day and was dry part of the afternoon. The clouds betrayed me as I thought the sun was away but it was just hiding and it came out and burned me red without my knowledge. I now know to put on sunscreen each leg of the journey no mater where rain or not. It was a pretty flat ride today and a short day for us. We finished about 5. Well, I finished around 5. Some got to the hotel at 3 or so. I was struggling as I can do comfortably about 16k a hour. The groups pace is double that. I can’t keep up with that pace and so I usually bike along directly in front of the support vehicle. That does not bother me although I guess I should try to pick up the pace. I had a talk with the boyfriend and his friend today and told them to be sure they didn’t go so fast they would hurt themselves. At the end of the day, the fell onto the bed and went into a coma. The hotel was the Khong Kham Khun. Phone: 042-404080 The owner was nice. The rooms were clean. No Internet that worked. Day 2: Ride from Pak Khat to Beung Khan (40 Miles/64 KM) The ride today was short but hard. We had a lot of rough roads and mud roads. It was the hardest I have toured. I had a hard time with the road today and I got so muddy that my face was not recognizable. I also encountered some of God’s creatures today. It wa an interesting day. The back roads along the Mekong are lovely. We pretty much have a nice visual of the river most days. There are rice fields all along the way with other crops. It Is not unusual to find a herd of cattle along the road grazing. It is not unusual to have every house have a dog that barks when you go by. It is not unusual to have a lot of “hello, hello” yelled from inside a home, business or school. The people in Isan are the friendliest I have met with the most beautiful smiles and everyone laughing and enjoying life. I stopped at one school to say hi to the kids and their teacher came out to talk. They all enjoyed sitting on my bike and some could speak a little English but not too much. The boyfriend and his friend did not listen to my advice today take it easy and they headed off 30 seconds in front of the group and they made a wrong turn. After about an hour, I asked about them and one of the support vehicles went back and found them on a big highway. They did not have to bike as far today but they missed the wonderful red sticky mud. I wondered if they had been told in advance about the shitty road and thought they would get out of it. I still have not come to any conclusion but they were only 2 without mud all over them today.

One of the musicians that helped make MTV and change the course of the music industry has died in LA. http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/...kson/index.html

I heard a rumor that the owner is converting this into nice apartments. I have not confirmed this but think the location is excellent and would be a great addition to Pattaya. I really like the old group that was at the hotel and if they decide to do apartments, I'm sure they would do it in a wonderful fashion.

For the price and consistency, Salt and Pepper Restaurant in Soi Day Night 2 is the best value in Pattaya. The menu is Thai and the owners are easy to deal with. The place is clean and easy to have conversations and watch the street traffic for those heading to Tut Com. The food is good and always prepared well. I normally have the steamed fish which is not on the menu but it is great. They also make a good cup of coffee. The restaurant is directly next to the old Flamingo Hotel and right across from the Mosaik apartments.

Things sure changes since my last visit to Sunee. Several bars closed and others have started. The gogo scene is not as thriving as it once was. The streets seem quiet. Many of the boys had to switch bars as theirs closed. From what I have seen: Most of the boys from Minou and Sundance are now at Villa Rouge. Most of the Jim Jimmy James boys are at Tom Yum. Most of the boys from Nice Boys have shuffled around to all the bars. I have heard that many went to Crazy Dragon but the 2 nights I was there this trip, I didn't see them. I am also an early bird so they may not have showed up yet.

By Joe DeCapua Washington D.C 22 June 2009 There's been a breakthrough in AIDS research. Scientists have found out where HIV, the AIDS virus, hides when it's under attack from anti-retroviral drugs. So far, the drugs have managed to keep HIV at very low levels in the body. But they are unable to get rid of the virus completely. Scientists have been searching for places where the virus could hide. Now, they believe they have found them. The discovery could eventually lead to better treatments and perhaps a cure. Professor Rafick-Pierre Sekaly, scientific director at the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute in Port St. Lucie, Florida, spoke to VOA about the difficulty in finding HIV's hiding places. "We had some clues, but nobody had been able to identify precisely the cells in which it was hiding," he says. Assumptions were wrong "Everybody went with the assumption that by using more and more potent drugs that target the virus that we were going to be able to get rid of it. And in fact what we found is that that will never work," he says. He says a different approach is needed to eliminate the virus. "You have to target not the virus, but the cells in which the virus is hiding. And that I think it is a very different concept than what everybody has been pushing for. That clearly is a major finding that we have got to the table," he says. So, where is HIV hiding? "HIV is hiding in a cell…that can remain in your body for the rest of your life. It's a very important cell in the immune system. This is the kind of cells that are called memory T-cells. They are the cells that carry the memory of seeing an infectious disease," he says. When a person is vaccinated against a particular disease, these memory T-cells remember how to respond if that pathogen is somehow introduced into the body. They then launch a very specific attack. But, they are also the perfect hiding place for HIV. "So, we honed down on these cells, identified precisely as the cells as the ones where the virus was hiding," he says. Like a chameleon "It's important to understand the virus evolves. It kills the cells that can mount the immune response… and it hides in those cells that remain in the body for the rest of your life…. And so it adapts like a chameleon," he says. Now that HIV's hiding places have been discovered, what's next? "I think what we need to do now, and that really is going to be…our major challenge, is really to find drugs that can kill the cells in which the virus is hiding without affecting the memory T-cells that are good for the body," he says. He says he's "quite optimistic" researchers will be able to develop such drugs "because we've already gone a long way in targeting specifically those cells." Sekaly says there's a "long way ahead," however, to find such medications, "but at least now we have a target." He says advances in science in recent years should help speed the search. http://www.voanews.com/english/Africa/2009-06-22-voa32.cfm

I took a taxi yesterday to get to Bangkok to go shopping. I got several quotes and finally just got a guy off the street. He charged 1k each way and was willing to wait for us as we went shopping. To me this seemed low. He paid for tolls each way and waited for us about 5 hours or so in Bangkok. I did tip him well. I am curious for those of you that drive, about how much of his expenses are in gas? How much profit would he make if I didn't tip?

If the economy sucks, you can't tell it at Siam Paragon. I went to Bangkok yesterday with the BF as we had to go to Probike to buy some bike shorts, gloves, helmets, etc. We then went to Siam Paragon to see The Transformers and I wanted to see it on the IMax screen. We got there 4 hours early and the movie was already sold out. We got tickets for the regular movie theatre as opposed to the IMAX. It was sold out as well but we found 3 seats available. This was a 5 PM showing. It was I think the largest capacity theatre I have seen anywhere and tickets were 220 baht each. There was not one seat left. We had tickets in the balcony which required us to take a elevator up once inside the theatre. The place was gianormous. The movies were packed going in and coming out. It was like wading through a sea of sardines. The food court was also packed and seats full to capacity. All the activity was 90 percent Thai. It seems that the economy is tough but there are still many that have money to spend.

Strike halts all SRT trains By: BangkokPost.com Published: 22/06/2009 at 10:21 AM The labour union of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) began a nationwide strike on Monday in protest against the state enterprise's restructuring plan. Labour union president Sawit Kaewwan said all SRT employees had stopped working, halting all rail services across the country. The employees oppose the SRT's plan to allow a private company to manage the operation, he said. The labour union had previously submitted a proposal to the SRT board on ways to improve organisation and solve debt problems. The board's privatisation plan would lead to higher fares, he said. Mr Sawit said the duration of the nationwide strike would depend on negotiations with the government and SRT governor Yutthana Thapcharoen. Mr Yutthana said he was informed of the strike plan on Sunday night. He thought some groups of employees might not understand the purpose of the restructuring plan. He would meet Mr Sawit for talks on Tuesday at 3pm. Negotiations were possible, but railway employees must not inconvenience the public, he said. The governor insisted the restructuring plan would not mean the privatision of the state enterprise, which would set up two companies to oversee its assets and the Airport Link rail project. Train travellers can call the SRT hotline at 1690 for assistance, he said. Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum said free public bus services were being provided at the stations where trains had come to a halt in various provinces. The minister said he had no problems with the labour union nakoing its feelings known, but the members must abide by the procedures of the SRT. He was willing to listen to the union's suggestions. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/transport/...rike-nationwide

In another thread it was suggested I rent a bicycle for my friend and ride around Pattaya. I asked my hotel for places that rented bikes and they did not find any place in Pattaya. Anyone know of shops that rent bicycles? The motorcycle rentals are on every corner but I have been unable to find a good bicycle shop.

The Puea Thai Party has ridden to a major victory in the Sakon Nakhon by-election on the back of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The rival Bhumjaithai Party was humbled before the popularity of the former prime minister in the northeastern province yesterday. Just 90 minutes after counting began at 4pm, with Puea Thai candidate Anurak Boonson ahead with a healthy lead over rival Pitak Chansri, Bhumjaithai Party leader Chavarat Charnvirakul called a press conference to concede defeat. The unofficial results released last night after all votes were counted showed Mrs Anurak sweeping all five districts in Constituency 3, winning 103,277 votes to 47,300 votes for Mr Pitak. "I accept that Thaksin's phone-in addresses to those kamnans, village heads and community leaders played a crucial role in helping Puea Thai win today's election," Mr Chavarat was quoted by Thai News Agency as saying well before all votes were counted. Thaksin addressed supporters in Sakon Nakhon's Ban Muang, Charoen Sin, Kham Ta Kla, Sawang Daen Din and Song Dao districts by telephone during the campaign. "Thaksin fever is what we cannot do anything about," Bhumjaithai spokesman Supachai Jaisamut said. "They've tried to convince the voters Thaksin is the real leader of Puea Thai." TNA said Bhumjaithai had lodged a complaint against Thaksin's involvement in Puea Thai's campaign. A defiant Bhumjaithai deputy leader Boonjong Wongtrairat was quoted as saying the results of this by-election did not guarantee victories for Puea Thai over Bhumjaithai. Anurak Boonson of the Puea Thai Party celebrates her victory. CHANAT KATANYU "This election is neither a benchmark for the result of every election to come in Isan [Northeast provinces] or a gauge of any party's popularity in this region," Mr Boonjong said. "This is just the beginning and we have to work harder [to win]." Chalerm Yubamrung, a key Puea Thai figure, was quick to claim yesterday's victory over Bhumjaithai. He announced his party had won just 30 minutes after the counting had begun. But he conceded the by-election was a tougher fight than in past elections. Mr Chalerm, who led the Puea Thai campaign in the by-election, said his party had won because northeasterners still love Thaksin and his efforts to resolve poverty in the region when he was prime minister. The Bangkok MP expected Puea Thai to win any poll it contests pushing the Thaksin issue. "Yes, of course ... I've always said the people still love Thaksin. This is a victory of the people and it will show the world that the people still love Thaksin," he said when asked about the implications of the outcome yesterday. Puea Thai will come up against the Chart Thai Pattana Party next, in a Si Sa Ket by-election being held this coming weekend. Mrs Anurak said Thaksin had called to congratulate her since before the vote count began. Election Commission chairman Apichart Sukhagganond said the Sakon Nakhon by-election was satisfactory. He said the estimated turnout was between 60% and 70% and his office had received only seven complaints. Most of the complaints concerned the illegal transportation of voters to the polling booths in the advance vote last weekend and the EC expects to conclude its investigations within a month. The EC should be able to endorse the Sakon Nakhon by-election within a week. Meanwhile, about 11,100 voters turned out yesterday in Si Sa Ket to cast their vote in the advance vote before the by-election in Constituency 1 this coming Sunday. Leaflets containing messages attacking Bhumjaithai's de facto leader, Newin Chidchob, as betraying Thaksin were reported to have been disseminated in areas of the constituency. A similar tactic was used in Sakon Nakhon before the lead-up to that by-election. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/1890...-by-a-landslide

We are going to be working on upgrading the Forum Software this week. There should be no disruption in the forums but just in case, I wanted to let everyone know the process. First we make a backup of the forums. Then we will install the new software and put in all the old posts and make sure everything is transferred over. It all sounds pretty easy to me but having dealt with programmers for years, I never know what to expect and will apologize in advance for any inconvenience.

I had asked about the bowling next to the cinema in the new shopping mall. No one had been so I went with the BF today. Some good news to report. They didn't have the obnoxiously loud music that Blu has. The lanes are nice and the place is well lit. The cost is lower than Blu as well. The games are 80 baht a game up until 2 PM each day. On weekdays they stay 80 baht until 5PM. At 2PM on weekends and 5PM on weekdays, the games go to 100 baht per game. They have a great special that I'll be taking advantage of. You can go at 11PM and bowl until 2AM for 200 baht per person. I think this is a great deal and will be doing this soon. They do have food and they have a place for smokers outside to sit and look at a nice view of Pattaya Beach and the ocean. This is a very nice addition to Pattaya and I'm glad they added it.

I have been with the boyfriend for 5 years. I adore him and think he is the most amazing person to step into my life in decades (or at least 5 years and in the LOS). We get along well but have little in common (other than we both he is adorable). I love going to bars and hanging out. He loves playing video games and riding fast motorcycles. I am a computer geek and like taking things slow while he always feels the need for speed. I wanted us to do more things together that were special and I envisioned this trip with him on a bicycle for 2 weeks. I asked him about him many months ago and he said he wasn’t interested. We talked about it for a while and he wasn’t sure he would be able to do it. It finally came down to he just said that he didn’t want to do a bicycle trip that maintains about 90 or so kilometers per day. I understood that and finally gave up. Then, sitting in America missing his smile and his devilish demeanor, I knew I just have to have him with me when I did this bicycle trip. I sent him a text message and said, “Please go on bicycle trip with me.” He responded, “OK.” I was ecstatic. I thought I had won the lottery. I was almost jumping up and down for joy. Then my sister said to me, “You are fucking nuts. He didn’t want to do the trip and you are going to have the most miserable 2 weeks of your life.” I dismissed this and decided that the trip would be good for him and he would be able to tough this out for 2 weeks. I then started my victory dance again. A few weeks later I was in San Francisco and was doing the Annual Aids Lifecycle Bicycle Ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles for the 3rd year. The event rasised money for the SF Aids Crisis Center and the LA Gay and Lesbian Community Center. Since the state of California is having a terrible time this year financially, the cut backs to services provided by these organizations have been drastically cut. I had raised the 3k dollars needed for the event thanks to friends and family and I spent 2 months in Los Angeles preparing for the ride. On day 1 of the ride, we had a consistent uphill that seemed to last forever. I think the upward sloop went for about 50 or more miles. At least that is what my body was telling me. As I made it up the last incline of the day I thought back a great deal to the boyfriend and how much of a struggle he would have on a trip like this. I was absolutely miserable and thoughts of vanishing into an airport and flying to an exotic location were in my mind. The only thing that stopped me from checking into some hotel for a week and getting a daily massage was the fact that so many friends had donated money to make this event possible for me. It was on this first day that I knew I could not ask the boyfriend to do a bicycle ride with me and how totally unfair it was to ask him to attempt something like this. I called my sister and told her she was right. As usual, she said she knew that, as she was always right. So for the next 7 days I keep trekking on my bike and I kept cursing. As always, when the event was over, I was thrilled I did it. But the 7 days and 550 miles that it took really did take a toll on my body and my mind. That was less than 2 weeks ago. Now, I am in LOS and the boyfriend said he would do the ride with me. The ride starts this weekend. It is a charity event that benefits the Thailand Blind Institute, which is a great organization. I told him I wanted it to be “up to him” and he should not go for me. He has thought about this for the week I have been here already and decided he wants to do the ride. I don’t want him to hate me or to have a miserable experience. He is a street fighter and I am sure he would be fine in a 4-minute brawl. But I am not sure if I am setting him up for defeat. I have told him how hard the journey would be and how I would love to have him with me but I also made clear that he should not go in order to make me happy. I try to sound convincing when I say this. He still says he wants to go and give it a try. He is not prepared for this physically. He smokes a pack of cigarettes a day. I don’t want him to hate the adventure or me. What should I do? Should I try to talk him out of going? Should I let him attempt this? If there are days he can’t make the full ride there are support vehicles that will take him but he will be on a journey with a group of farangs and none of his friends. This really is a dilemma for me as I adore him and only want great things for him but I am not sure if I have made a mistake in not telling him just to stay home and I’ll be back in 2 weeks. Any advice?

I am headed over to the Boyztown area this weekend and will try to do a few reviews. Any places of interest to anyone? Any bars I don't want to miss? Should avoid?

While not gay or related to Thailand, I did find this article about Ray Bradbuy very interesting. Having read his books when I was young, I have always been a great admirer. I love his tip on the success of life and it works well for everyone. “I tell them do what you love and love what you do. That’s the story on my life.” Read the full article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/20/us/20ven...rss&emc=rss

(CNN) -- Myanmar pro-democracy figure Aung San Suu Kyi turned 64 in prison Friday, while a judge considers when to hear her appeal to allow more witnesses at her subversion trial. Suu Kyi, under house arrest for 13 of the past 19 years, had been expected to be freed by the military junta last month, until the new subversion charge was filed. Thousands of supporters left birthday messages of 64 words or less for the Nobel Peace Prize laureate on a Web site created for the occasion. This message, posted late Thursday, was signed by a woman in the United Kingdom: "This message isn't going to be remarkable. 64 words are not enough for this injustice, not that 64 million would be; but I hope you find them heartening. I am just one of many wishing the world fairer, and you are one of so few self-sacrificing for just that outcome. You are an inspiration, a fighting soul and an aspiration; a hero. Stay strong." Another supporter in Norway wrote: "People around the world have followed your fight for freedom and democracy for the people of Burma. God bless you!" Suu Kyi is accused of violating her house arrest by offering temporary shelter to American John William Yettaw, who swam to her lakeside home on May 3. She said she doesn't know Yettaw, didn't know of his plans and didn't do anything wrong. The trial is taking place near Yangon at Insean Prison, where Suu Kyi has been held since last month. For entire article go to: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/...ref=mpstoryview

The BF always wants to go to Blu Bowling at Major Cinemas in the Avenue. I think he likes the colors and the music. When I was in Central the other day, we saw a bowling area. I did not have time to look inside. Anyone been there? Prices similar to Blu? Is it as packed as Blu often is?

If you have never read TOQ's blog, it is a must visit. It is: http://toqs.wordpress.com/ Anymore Blogs that we need to keep an eye on?

I have spent time in LOS quite a bit and have many friends who have a "boyfriend" here that is going on longer than 10 years. That is a good length of time and I am always impressed when I hear someone that stays together that long. I have been with Current BF for 5 years and don't think it will end anytime soon. But, you never know. I work hard to make it work and I am sure he works even harder. Most of my "flings" here last a few months to a year but not any longer than the current guy.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Obama will sign a memorandum Wednesday granting health care and other benefits to the same-sex partners of federal employees, two senior administration officials said. The signing will take place in the Oval Office and follows sharp criticism of the president over a Justice Department motion filed last week in support of the Defense of Marriage Act -- which opposes same-sex marriage -- that used the government's interest in opposing incestuous marriages to support its position against same-sex marriage. Gay and lesbian advocates have also faulted the Obama administration for not moving to repeal the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy that bars officials from asking about a service member's sexual orientation but also bars the service member from revealing it. The president rankled gay advocates before his inauguration when he named megachurch pastor the Rev. Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at his swearing-in. Warren, in an interview with Belief.net, likened homosexuality to bestiality and incest. He also supported California's Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in that state. During the Warren controversy, Obama -- who frequently spoke in favor of gay and lesbian rights during the campaign but has said he opposes same-sex marriage -- declared himself "a fierce advocate for gay and lesbian Americans." http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/06/16...fits/index.html

I went to Krazy Dragon the other night for a while. They had many dancers on the tables that were moving around. Since there were few customers when I was there, I had the attention of quite a few boys. I found one boy in the place I thought was really cute and bought him a drink. 99 baht for a drink is a very reasonable price. I didn't see a charge higher than that for his drink as compared to mine. Krazy has a very laid back atmosphere. The music was no so loud and I was able to have a conversation with the guy I was talking to. The mixture of boys was everything from older guys to a few twinks. All seemed to be over 18. Most were showing off their goods beneath the shorts. Some were very impressive. I always get asked more from the boys in this bar to buy then a drink than in any other bar. I wonder why this is and my thought is that they are so close to the customers and able to bend over and chat with them. Or, do they get a percentage of the drinks? I always bring in 20 baht bills to tip the boys here and do that until I have no 20's left. I already had a "date" for later in the night so I didn't off a guy from here. I did enjoy my time at the bar and wish the continued success in Sunee as they seem to be one of the consistent strongholds in the area.

I had heard many complain on this trip about new immigration polices and the new laws related to home ownership and the way the Thai government changes it laws and does not grandfather in those that were abiding by the laws when they bought but now are in a state of limbo. I have also heard about those that are actively looking at Cambodia and Laos for their new place to travel and live. Are the laws in these places as stable (even though I don't think Thailand is all that stable). Are home ownership rules different? Is the gay scene there as open? Are people really considering a move to one of these places or is it just frustration? For me, the new 150 baht per ATM transaction is the one thing that really bothers me. It is a little thing but I give all my BF's an ATM when I leave that is US based and for them to take small amounts out is now not possible. The fee here is higher than anywhere I travel. The ability to buy a place here is harder than anywhere I know. It seems that the government keeps making things harder and not easier and I just don't get it.