TotallyOz

Not much can bring the life of the noisy, traffic-clogged heart of Bangkok to a halt. But on Wednesday the streets were hushed, the cars and buses banished. All you could hear were speakers playing the royal anthem, and thousands of flags fluttering in the breeze, held by people of all ages. Most were dressed in yellow and had waited for hours for a glimpse of a stiff and stern-faced old man passing in a motorcade, on his way to the gilded halls and temples of Bangkok's Grand Palace. And as it passed they shouted "Song Phra Charoen", "Long Live Your Majesty". Some had tears in their eyes. What explains this extraordinary bond between people and monarch? King Bhumibol Adulyadej is accorded an almost divine reverence, with titles like Phra Chao Yu Hua (Lord Upon our Heads) or Chao Chiwit (Lord of Life). People prostrate themselves on the ground in his presence. Yet there is genuine affection too, and it goes both ways. Thais talk of their love for him as though he were a cherished member of the family. In his speeches to the nation he likes to joke and tease them. Public relations Pink clothing sales rocketed when the king left hospital in a pink suit Earlier in his reign when he was younger and travelled a lot, he clearly enjoyed meeting and mixing with people from the poorest rural communities. People often refer to his long life of service to the nation, to his experiments with agriculture and irrigation, many of them carried out on the grounds of his palace in Bangkok. The formidable public relations machine which manages the monarchy's image makes much of these experiments, as it does of the king's other talents as a jazz musician and sailor. But the real measure of these achievements is impossible to know in a country where all criticism of the monarchy is curtailed by the draconian lese majeste law (offence against the dignity of the monarch), and only lavish praise for the royal family can be published. The reverence for the king seems rooted in something less worldly. Time after time when Thais are asked about the virtues of King Bhumibol they refer to his proper adherence to the principles of "Dhamma", Buddhist teachings and the Buddhist concept of righteousness. Our political system has been unstable all the time. So whenever there is a political crisis people expect the King to solve the problem It is not just his practical deeds they are looking at, but his manner; his modesty, his reserve, his gentleness, and his apparent detachment from the world - qualities he has worked hard to perfect and project. He is as much a spiritual leader as a worldly one. During his six decades on the throne Thailand has undergone changes as wrenching as in any other country. Per capita income has gone up 40-fold. An almost entirely agrarian society has become a substantially urban one. The economy has been swept along by the forces of globalisation. Political upheaval There have been other changes as well. The king's endorsement of the coup was essential to its success This king has reigned through 17 military coups and 26 prime ministers. The gap between rich and poor has widened, with conspicuous consumption and conspicuous corruption accepted as part of everyday life. There has been a corresponding decline in traditional community and family values. Amid this whirlwind, the king has remained a reassuring anchor, a man who embodies Thailand's history but who has also come to embody integrity and detachment from the squalid realities of day-to-day politics and business. He has lived the myth of the virtuous monarch so well that almost the entire population believes in it and takes comfort from it. And it gives him a unique moral authority. When he speaks, people listen. They may, and often do fail to act on his advice. But he has been able to use that authority to settle a number of political crises. I want to be making suits for him when he is 90 years old, when he is 100 - longer even." Sompop Louilarpprasert King Bhumibol's tailor "If the country were in good shape politically, then the role of the constitutional monarch is not very difficult," explains Suchit Bunbongkarn, professor of political science at Chulalongkorn University. "But in the case of Thailand it is not easy because our political system has been unstable all the time. So whenever there is a political crisis people expect the king to solve the problem." Former Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun describes King Bhumibol's authority as "reserve power" that, because it has been used judiciously and sparingly, has been decisive in maintaining the country's stability. This power, he says, has been accumulated through a life of dedication to his job. It cannot, he points out, be inherited or passed on. Fears and superstition There is quiet concern about the abilities of the heir to the throne That explains the acute anxiety now over the king's fragile health. Few imagine that any future monarch can match this one. There are many reservations about the capabilities of his presumed heir, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, although these cannot be expressed publicly because of the lese majeste laws. The succession itself is not completely clear, with the constitution leaving considerable powers to designate an heir to the 19-member Privy Council of senior advisors to the king. The opacity that has preserved the mystique of monarchy in Thailand makes it impossible to discuss, let alone plan for the succession. So Thais prefer not to think about it. When I saw his tailor, Sompop Louilarpprasert, and asked him about the king's recent spell in hospital, he brushed it aside. "I want to be making suits for him when he is 90 years old, when he is 100 - longer even." It was Sompop who made the dazzling pink blazer the king wore when he came out of hospital. Within hours, pink shirts were been sold in their thousands across the country, and there are days when some streets are a sea of pink. In this superstitious country they now associate pink with the king's recovery. It will bring him good fortune, they say. By wearing it they are literally willing him to stay alive for them. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7128935.stm

I recently got an apartment in NYC and used Amazon.com to pretty much stock the entire apartment from sheets to towels to knives and microwave oven. I ordered my desk and chair from them as well as snack drinks and cereal. It is an amazing selection of goods and services. How they have started renting movies online. This is great for those of you that live in Thailand and want to rent a movie. They use the Unbox Video Player v2.0 which can be downloaded for free. You can then rent movies and tv shows. I am sure their collection will increase as the days continue. I have always used Itunes for everything. Now, there is a nice alternative. But, for those of you interested in USA TV shows, most of them are now on the company website and are available for free download as well. I have friends that live upstairs in my building and don't get cable TV. They love Heroes. Also one of my favorite TV shows. They have watched all the episodes on the network website. It is pretty amazing what is offered now to the public and all of this makes those that live overseas but want to keep in touch with TV shows and movies easily.

Early and unofficial results show the Palang Prachachon (People Power) party loyal to Thaksin Shinawatra has won an outright parliamentary majority in Sunday's election. The PPP has taken 220 of the 400 seats in constituency voting, and has won 35 of the 80 party-list seats. If those results are confirmed in official vote-counting Sunday night and Monday, the People Power party would easily capture more than the 241 seats needed to form a government itself - with no need of a coalition. Observers cautioned there are several roadblocks ahead, even after final vote-counting is confirmed. For one thing, there are dozens of challenges alleging vote fraud, many against PPP candidates. It must be stressed the results are unofficial, and based on a combination of exit polls and early vote results trickling in as reported by news media at polling stations. http://bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=124658

An Orgy? My that sounds exciting. I vaguely remember what they are. It has been so long. I hope it is like riding a bicycle.

I found this. A little history from the owner: john and "puff the magic dragon said... my pics seem to have become detached from my write up. this will answer a lot of the questions asked. 1st July 2, 2006. I am John Bevan; I live in South Wales, U.K. I am 62yrs, 5ft 9ins, and; sorry girls; gay and in a stable relationship. Having got the basics out of the way let me give you a very brief outline of my tattoo. It was 6 yrs in the planning, started in June 2000 the genital area being finished February 2002, and the complete ‘shorts’ finished 2003. It was my FIRST tattoo, and the tattoo acquired the name of ‘PUFF the MAGIC DRAGON’’ I have read with interest the feedback on various sites that have ‘acquired’ a picture of my tattoo, and in reply to many questions read on: - It is a real tattoo, and pain was negligible as I used a skin anesthetic, AMETROPE. The genital and pubic area took 50 hours of work whilst the rest of the shorts took another 35 hours. It has not been ‘re-touched’ at all, and the colors get brighter when erect. I think this is due to the extra blood supply during erections. It was very difficult to tattoo due to the ‘mobile’ nature of the skin and its very variable nature/texture. (go on have a look!). The scrotum skin was stretched out over a wooden spoon. The head is totally covered, it DOES have eyes nose and mouth. The apadravia piercing is a 5mm by 34mm long bar. I was not erect while it was being done, we were both too busy getting the wriggly little thing in the right position to ink him. Erections while so called healing was taking place were never a problem, and did not inhibit self abuse! Or wanking!! I have won several first prizes for this tattoo in Britain and France, and god knows how many ‘personal appearances’ at non tattoo places! I hope this clears up a few points, contact e-mail is below. I have pics before and after each tattooing session, a complete history of the dragon. john and Puff. brynorpheus@aol.com People ask ‘why get a tattoo there’? I think it does to a certain extent reflect my character. I like to be different and do the best job possible. I am also a bit of an exhibitionist, although when I went for the first tattoo session I did think that I would have to keep it ‘under wraps’ and not be able to go naturist as I have been doing most of my life. Oh boy was I wrong! The dragon has acquired quite a reputation from all walks of life, and is looked upon as a work of art rather than a set of male genitalia. It started life as a water transfer and felt tip pen drawing applied to the area and over time evolved; with Dave’s help; from a snake into the design you see today. The name “Puff the Magic Dragon” came about from an early showing at a friend’s birthday party when I was asked to show off my tattoo. I was a little apprehensive but after the gasps had died down, a young lady exclaimed “Puff the Magic Dragon” and the name has stuck. The artist, Dave Fleet, said that in his experience colours and particularly detail could run together and become blurred in this area; the cock and balls. So, undaunted we ‘tested’ a two inch section of the shaft and a one inch circle on the head. I am circumcised by the way, had it done 26 yrs ago. I went back to have the second sitting 2 months later to be inspected to see if the tattoo was stable color wise etc. and I do remember the artist being surprised and delighted that it was exactly as day one. YIPPEE! I will say at this point that we had contingency plans if the colors had bled or run. This was how convinced the artist was that the detail would ‘run’. Do remember this was my first tattoo so I had no personal experience of the healing or other troubles some people get. We decided to leave the cock and do some work on the pubic area with the wings, and a test on the scrotum for the same reasons as the shaft. The shaft was finished some 18 months after the first session, and the colors/details are the same! Take a. close look at the shaft. It has only ever had a slight ‘thickening’ of the skin, never any scabbing of any sort. The whole tattoo is original and has never been re-worked or ‘touched up’ (innuendos intended, but it is meant in the re-tattooing sense!) I am convinced that the spectacular results are due to the artists abilities and his development of a new tattoo machine ‘THE EQUALIZER’ (patented). Why am I so convinced? The results show the artists skill, and on one occasion he had to use a traditional tattoo machine, more discomfort, slight scabbing and a lot longer to settle down. When I went back two weeks later for another session Dave had to go over some of the work done with the standard tattoo gun. This is when I found out about the new machine, he had kept me in the dark until then. Not that I had worried about what machine the artist was going to use when I booked with him. Subsequently I asked him to only use the ‘EQUALIZER’ on me. The difference is amazing. The artist is DAVE FLEET of ABRACADABRA in Blackwood, South Wales, and Britain. 01443 837410 He also markets the ‘Equalizer’. http://comejoinin.blogspot.com/2006/06/puf...ted-beware.html

A party? Am I invited?

I am working on trying to get there for the event. I usually go to the Internext-Expo. Will try to make this one. Anyone else going?

You are worthy dear! I hope not too much of the luster is gone. You can still view the first 2 images of each profile. We will also be upping the number of photos that escorts can upload. We have some great ideas on the future of the site to keep the luster glowing for all.

For those of you that use Skype to contact your BF overseas, Skype is always a good alternative to land lines. It has good rates, although they have increased since Paypal bought the service. They have a new WiFi phone that is out. You can use it anyplace that has WiFi to connect to your skype account. It is also 110-220 for those that travel you can use it in most places. I bought one last week and have used it many times and the quality is nice. It is easy to use and quite enjoyable. If you travel and have family in USA, you can get a one year unlimited calls to USA for reasonable price and talk for free. I have put the link for this below. Also, I have Vonage and they offer now an International Plan which includes free calls to Thailand. As I travel a bit, this make it cheap for me as well. I don't think Brazil calls to mobile are included but would have to check again. These are just 2 choices and I know there are more out there but I have used the above services for a few years and always gotten good reception while in Thailand and abroad. http://accessories.skype.com:80/servlet/Co...ductID=80816800 I am always open to more options. Anyone used other services and had great results?

For those of you that use Skype to contact your BF or BoySpecial, Skype is always a good alternative to land lines. It has good rates, although they have increased since Paypal bought the service. They have a new WiFi phone that is out. You can use it anyplace that has WiFi to connect to your skype account. It is also 110-220 for those that travel you can use it in most places. I bought one last week and have used it many times and the quality is nice. It is easy to use and quite enjoyable. If you live in Thailand and have family in USA, you can get a one year unlimited calls to USA for reasonable price and talk for free. I have put the link for this below. Also, I have Vonage and they offer now an International Plan which includes free calls to Thailand. As I travel a bit, this make it cheap for me as well. These are just 2 choices and I know there are more out there but I have used the above services for a few years and always gotten good reception while in Thailand and abroad. http://accessories.skype.com:80/servlet/Co...ductID=80816800

Needless to say, this post turn my dreams into something more frightening.

Thanks Firecat. It was great to see you and Kevin as well. I want all to take note, for ONLY the 2nd time on 3 continents, Firecat liked the restaurant I picked! It is Xmas and miracles do happen.

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2008 , but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere. Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishes. (Not original, sent via e-mail to me. I don't know source)

When I first came to NYC, I needed the internet fast. I was in the ATT store and the lady suggested I try the USB wireless. I did and it was great. It is fast and works well. I have used it many times and it works across the country where you have good ATT reception. It can be used in airports and on all travel trips. The plan is unlimited access for 59.95 a month. The speed is very nice for wireless and it is very easy to use. If you travel a great deal, take a look at this plan. You have a month to try it and if not happy return it. At least that is what they told me.

Chasing Caligula – Madame Ovary's Fabulous Guide To Rome And The Vatican Welcome back my little divas, drag queens, twink and bears – it's time for us to have a Roman orgy! That's right my darlings, today Madame Ovary is going to tell you about the most fagtabulous city in Europe – where you can wander past statues of naked men and fulfill all of your glorious gladiator fantasies – Rome! As I'm sure you know, Rome was one of the first cities to embrace gays and lesbians. More than 2,000 years ago the emperors, senators and aristocracy of Rome were fucking and sucking each other like no tomorrow – regardless of age or gender! In fact, it was from the large orgy rooms, called Venereal Temples, where we get the modern word venereal disease! Back in the days of the Caesars, there was no stigma attached to getting your dick on with anyone you wanted to - as long as you could find a hot and horny hole. Emperor Caligula himself was known for having a stable of teenage boys to bang, and the battlefield Roman soldiers were actually encouraged to become romantically involved – so they would fight harder to save their blowjob buddies. Today, while not quite as out in the open, gay sex is still a huge part of Roman culture and happy homos are fully integrated into city life. No matter where you go, you'll find hot Italian men and beautiful boys ready to fuck and suck the night away – and you can do so with pride, knowing that you are simply fulfilling an ancient tradition. As they say, when in Rome, do as the Romans do – and that means getting it on, orgy style! That said, you should take one fagtastically important piece of advice – never visit Rome in August. They call the city “The Oven” because it is so hot you can barely move in August. Plus most of the shops, clubs and bars will be closed for the month. You're much better off cumming to the city in May or June, when you can chill out and not be surrounded by terrible tourists and their screaming offspring! It will just be you and the boys! So get ready, my pretties, for a tour of Rome – just let Madame Ovary guide you to the bacchanal – to anal and back!! Cruising The Colosseum! While there are no gayborhoods in Rome, one of the main hobbies of Italian gays is cruising. In fact, while technically illegal, it's been years since anyone has been busted and the cops simply look the other way! You'll find hot men all over the city, but there are three main cruising spots where you can search for Mr. Right Now. If you are looking for action during the day, head over to Via di Montecaprino - where you'll find a nice selection of awesomely anonymous men looking for love in all the wrong places! At night, the action is harder and heavier in the Parco Bar Palombini Piazzale and the Valle Giulia, where you'll find a nice selection of ravenous Romans for your cockaholic needs! Classico Village If you like to keep your cock cruising mostly indoors, Classico Village is a fagtabulous hot spot. It was once an abandoned factory, but has now been turned into an indoor/outdoor cruising area with different themes everywhere you go. It's literally a mini gay village that is only open at night. You can chill in the courtyard, hang out in the loft and hit any of the various dancing areas until you find the man of your wet dreams! The penis party goes all night long and the men have cum to find delightful divas and sexy studs just like you! Coming Out If you are in the market for a tasty twink, head over to the Colosseum and look for the sign that reads “Coming Out.” What you'll find is not only a trendy gay bar, but also an open-air market for man meat. Most of the guys don't actually hang out inside; instead they cruise the streets in front of and around Coming Out, turning the area into all-night gay block party! You won't find many bears or leather boys – this crowd is young, dumb and full of cum! It's twink heaven and you might actually believe that some of these boys really are coming out for the first time when they meet you! Vatican City Catholic Boys Gone Wild! For any and all of us who have ever had a priest fantasy – and really, who hasn't – the Vatican is like manna from heaven! We all know the Catholic boys are the biggest pigs in the pond, and the Vatican is where they all go to play with themselves. While the Catholic Church claims to be anti gay, they have a long tradition of hating the sin and loving the sinner. Which is why you'll see tons of gay boys lining up in the Vatican to purchase the annual calendar of sexy priests. When I got my copy, the hot men with their white collars certainly made me want to get down on my knees – to pray, of course. Once inside the Vatican, you'll want to head over to the Sistine Chapel – where Michelangelo's masterpiece is painted on the ceiling. Seeing the painting of God touching Adam's fingers will simply take your breath away. Then you'll want to cruise over to St. Peter's Basilica - which is the heart of the Catholic Church. While we may not agree with the Pope on many things, we can agree that this gorgeous building designed by Ramante, Raphael and Michelangelo is enough to make any boy happy to confess his sins! Finally, check out the Vatican Museums, where you will find a collection of the greatest artwork collected by the Church over the past 2,000 years. There are relics from ancient Alexandria, Egyptian artifacts and some of the greatest paintings and sculptures in the world. You'll find yourself immersed in beauty, while surrounded by nuns – how kinky is that! Colosseum The largest and most beautiful ancient structure in Rome is the Colosseum. This is where bare-chested gladiators fought it out with each other in hot homoerotic battles that sent hearts racing during the height of the Roman Empire. Across the street from this fagtabulous structure is the barracks where the gladiators used to train and show off their muscles and moves to the crowds who were waiting to get inside and see the action! You can wander around the barracks and the Colosseum and imagine Russel Crowe – or the gladiator of your choice – getting ready to get sweaty and penetrate his opponent with his long sword. There are even handsome men standing outside in full gladiator costumes, waiting to have their photo taken with you! Think of it as foreplay before your nighttime cock cruising! The Pantheon The Pantheon is the most beautiful of the ancient Roman buildings and an awe-inspiring feat of engineering. Built in 125 A.D., the Pantheon is meant as a house of worship for all gods – including the ancient Roman deities and the modern Judeo-Christian God. Personally, I go there simply to thank all of the gods for the beautiful Italian boys that Rome has to offer! Best of all, it's free to visit the Pantheon! Trevi Fountain For those of you who like to live La Dolce Vita, the Trevi Fountain will make you cream your jeans! The largest baroque fountain in the world is so well known mostly because it is shown in almost every movie ever set in Rome. It is 26 meters high and sits on the site of an ancient Roman aqueduct. The highlight of the fountain is a statue of Neptune struggling to tame an unruly seahorse. The main attraction is throwing small coins into the fountain – which is supposed to guarantee the visitor good luck and encourage fate to make you cum back to Rome for fun! Spanish Steps If you want to be fagtabulously fashionable, you'll want to check out the Spanish Steps – a gigantic staircase leading up to the Trinita dei Monti church. The steps connect the church to the world famous Barcaccia Fountain. What makes the steps fabulous is that they play host once a year to one of the most famous and watched fashion shows in the world – and serves as the catwalk to the most glamorous models on earth. The steps are also surrounded by a ton of fagtastic designer boutiques including Prada, Valentino and Gucci. It's enough to completely destroy your credit card – but damn honey, will you look good! (The Intercontinental Hotel is a skip, hop and jump away and my fav in Rome) The National Museum Of Pasta When you go to Rome, you cum for the men but stay for the cuisine! Of course the architecture and ancient ruins are beautiful – but Rome is the home of pasta. So, when you get tired of looking at ancient paintings and sculptures, why not go to a museum dedicated to the real masterpieces of Rome – fresh pasta! The National Museum of Pasta on Palazzo Scanderbe will teach you everything you've ever wanted to know about the history of pasta but were afraid to ask. You'll discover how different types of pasta have been made throughout the ages, what makes one pasta taste better than others, and even get to sample pastas from around the world! It's so delightful, you'll need to head to the gym afterwards! Run Off To Roma – And Meet Your Favorite Michaels And Angelos! Whether you want to shop at high fashion shops, cruise for uncut cuties or just immerse yourself in ancient history, Rome has everything a sexy stud or delightful diva could want from his next gaycation! When in Rome, do as the Romans do – and then let the Vatican bring your to your knees! And, if you are scoping out the sexy priests, don't be surprised if you see Madame Ovary ogling right along beside you. There's nothing like a stiff collar to get me all hot and bothered! Ta Ta For Now! Madame Ovary, AKA TotallyOz Your Fagulous Travel Guide cc drag.com

In past years, this has coincided with the Internext Adult Expo. Is it the same this year?

LOL Thanks. That kept me laughing.

Let me also welcome you! It is a big step for many. When I first posted on Hooboy it was a big step for me as well. I enjoyed it and participated often and even got into some heated exchanges. The one I remember the most was over tips to sauna boys in Brazil. I was seen as a devil to many posters in the South America forum and was even shunned when I showed up at a local restaurant in Rio. LOL I learned that many don't agree with me on the issue and no need to discuss my tips with anyone. My business and no one else's. I always give suggestions but not everyone will agree. I learned a lot from Marc Anthony about how to deal with twinks. I learned a lot about integrity from TY. I learned a lot about fair play and rules from Barry. I learned a great deal about the boys in Brazil from Trilingual. I learned a great deal about Thailand from Axiom and a few others. And, I learned a lot about how to enjoy life from Hooboy. Those are just some of the guys I learned from. Welcome. I hope you are able to get information of value from the site and I hope that you are willing to provide us with your experiences as we will learn from them.

When we first started this site, one thing was agreed upon. That is that we would monitor the forums and make sure it stayed a gentleman's forum. We rarely remove any posts. We try to keep the forums a free flowing area where posters can post anything they want within the guidelines and still keep the interest flowing in the site. TY and Barry are amazing at this. They both have a firm grasp of the site and the posters on the forum. I have always thought that free speech is important and believed this on every board I have been a member. But, there are lines that need to be drawn and when those are crossed we do step in. Take a look at the Forum Guidelines. It was written as an example of what can and cannot be posted. When people still to the topic and don't get personal attacks involved, we keep our distance. I must say that the forums provide me great job and I love all the different points of view. I don't always agree with them, but I do enjoy a good conversation. Thanks to all who participate.

It is suppose to be there. We are taking many comments into account to bring in other revenue streams. TY has worked hard to be sure we have many options for Silver and Gold and something that most will be comfortable with. With a free registered membership, one will still see full profiles, full reviews, access to forum and chat room. None of this will change. We will try to provide a few other enhancements that will be announced later during this transition.

Here are just a few of the full featured movies sections you get with the Gold. They each have 4 different full movies each month in each category. There are also more bi and straight videos for those interested but I didn't put them in here as I know some are offended by pussy.

One of the things I have worked hard on this year is getting into shape. It is a constant struggle. I find when I travel that I have the hardest time keeping with my regime. Living in a hotel for a period of time always throws off the body and of course you eat differently than you do at home. It is a hard adjustment for me. I saw this list which is great and also found a new website for traveling. Both links are below. 1. Houstonian (Houston) 2. Renaissance ClubSport (Walnut Creek, CA)* 3. Park Hyatt at Bellevue (Philadelphia) 4. Four Seasons (San Francisco) 5. Embassy Suites Lakefront (Chicago) 6. Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine (La Jolla, CA)* 7. Westin Atlanta Perimeter North (Atlanta)* 8. Grand Hotel (Minneapolis) 9. Broadmoor (Colorado Springs)* 10. Venetian (Las Vegas) http://www.gaywired.com/article.cfm?section=70&id=17546 http://www.athleticmindedtraveler.com/

For gay books, 2007 was the best of times and the worst of times. Setbacks in the gay publishing industry did not keep good gay books from being published or good gay writers from doing what they do best, but several gay publishers and one gay book club went, or are going, out of business. Here are the literary highs and lows of the year along with our choices for the author of the year, the top five books of the year and other assorted honors passed out with bright, shiny holiday bows. For the full article: http://www.afterelton.com/print/2007/12/theyearingaybooks The Top Five Books of the Year 1. All: A James Broughton Reader (White Crane Press). 2. Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman (Farrar, Straus & Giroux). 3. The Child by Sarah Schulman (Carroll & Graf). 4. Gay Artists In Modern American Culture: An Imagined Conspiracy by Michael Sherry (University of North Carolina Press). 5. Man to Man: A History of Gay Photography by Pierre Borhan (Vendome Press).

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/showbiz/2...foster.king.cnn Way to go Jody!

BOCA RATON, Fla., Dec. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Penthouse Media Group Inc., parent to Penthouse Magazine, one of the world's leading men's lifestyle publications and producers of online, licensed and broadcast content and materials, announced today that it has acquired internet social networking giant Various, Inc. and its subsidiaries for $500 million in cash and securities. With $340 million in projected combined 2007 revenues, this acquisition makes Penthouse the largest adult entertainment company in the world. Various has an extensive affiliate network, as well as a rapidly growing member base of more than 260 million consumers and a total paid subscriber list in excess of 1.2 million. Various operates more than 25 online communities including adultfriendfinder.com, which is a top 50 Web site nationwide. Adultfriendfinder.com is one of the most highly trafficked Web sites in the world with more than 18 million members. "We are very excited to welcome Various and its employees as a part of the Penthouse family," said Penthouse Media Group CEO Marc H. Bell. "Various is an attractive addition to our already strong print platform, and one that puts Penthouse in a very robust position in the ever-growing online social networking arena. We like where the business combination puts us and that this transaction will enhance PMGI's current and future licensing, print and interactive ventures." http://sev.prnewswire.com/publishing-infor...12122007-1.html