Rogie

As a part-time member of the bearded fraternity (don't panic, I only 'sport one' for a few weeks in deep mid-winter), I do heartily disagree. Check out the thread devoted to the fascinating Mars-Lander 'Curiosity'. Moon dust? Pah! wait and see what Curiosity can dig up! It was mankind's phenomenal success to land on the moon and we've built on those experiences to take it a stage farther. Moon dust then, Mars dust now. Except it's more than marsdust, Curiosity can choose a likely candidate rock and drill down into it, take a sample and analyse it in its own miniature laboratory. It's absolutely fabulous stuff, so Koko is right, success breeds success.

I'm no expert as only stayed overnight in Nong Khai once, many years ago and cannot remember the name of the guesthouse I stayed in, although I have done the overland journey into Laos as described by Z a few times. Nong Khai situated as it is on the Mekong might be expected to be more appealing than a large sprawling town like Udon (and let's face it - those large sprawling towns in the Isaan are not very first-time-tourist-friendly places). Here is a comment, taken from wikitravel: "Nong Khai is a sleepy Thai town with strong Lao influences, and is home to small Chinese, Vietnamese, and expat communities as well. Nong Khai is a charming city to wander around on foot or on a rented bicycle (30 baht/day) and meet the friendly and helpful locals. It's also a good place from which soak up the Isaan culture of the neighbouring towns, which can easily be reached by bus from the main BKS ("Bor-kor-sor") bus station in the city centre, on Prajak Rd. If you expect the usual tourist traps of Bangkok and Phuket, you will be disappointed. There are no superclubs, go-go bars and mega-malls. This is a place to chill by the Mekong River watching passenger and cargo boats transit between Thailand and Laos, or to finish that paperback that has been sitting in your luggage for weeks. You may also consider stocking up on travel necessities before trudging on to Laos. Many who have planned only an overnight stay have ended up staying for weeks. " Here's the wikitravel comments re the guesthouse mentioned by Z in post #9. "Mut Mee Guesthouse, by the Mekong River west of Thasadej market. Long-established and understandably popular. In a large tree filled garden overlooking the river, it has both simple and higher quality rooms surrounded by hammocks and a variety of seating. It has a boat called the Nagarina which cruises on the river at sunset. . . Yoga & meditation classes are also available. Large range of good food and drinks. " I'm also a fan of Travelfish, and their write-up on the Mut Mee can be read at the following link: http://www.travelfish.org/accommodation_profile/thailand/northeast_thailand/nong_khai/nong_khai/all/1722 I can also recommend the overnight sleeper train as a good way to get to Nong Khai from Bangkok (or vice versa) for those not in a hurry, which usually applies to me!

He sounds quite posh - Siam Country Club?

I have always enjoyed my road trips in Thailand, either in a friend's car or hirecar. I am lucky being a Brit in that we drive on the left too, so that's one less thing to watch out for. I find driving in the Isaan and the north mostly straightforward, but as you say Anonone, once you hit a town you really have to concentrate. That's great your little 'accident' passed off without mishap, I shudder to think what could happen . . . especially if the police become involved! I don't know Udon too well, I have stayed there 3 times but mostly just for the odd night. There are quite a few girly bars not far from the bus station - yes, Udon is quite large, so I'd guess there would be some boy bars too, but I haven't come across any in my short visits. If you have your own transport, I can recommend the Crystal Hill Garden Resort, owned by a good friend. It's situated about 40 km south-east of Udon. http://www.inspiring-isaan.blogspot.co.uk/

Good home-(s)pun advice TW.

I love some of the statistics: "More than 120,000 BTUs were delivered to the cabin of a DC-3 on a cold day. On a flight to NY from LA, 1,800,000 . BTUs were delivered during the 15 hours the plane was in the air. The boiler weighed 17 pounds and evaporated 15 gallons of water an hour. Approximately 225 gallons of water were evaporated from LA to NY. Only six quarts of water are carried in the heating system where it was continuously evaporated and condensed. A radiator capable of heating air from 4 degrees F. to 200 degrees F. was installed in every DC-3. The air passed through the radiator at a speed of 3,000 feet a minute and since the radiator was only a foot long it took only 1/50 of a second to heat the air from 4 to 200 degrees. The radiator weighed 36 pounds. Heating a DC-3 in the air was the equivalent of heating a building in a 200 mph wind at a 35 degree outside temperature." 35 degrees F I presume! And I'm so nostalgic for BTU's . . . British Thermal Units!

We all occasionally get angry or worked up and sometimes feel the need to vent steam. Better to howl at the moon (sorry Jovian!) or bang your head against the wall than say or write something you may later regret. But if you do succumb, better to do it with humour and, . . . well, be creative! Not many things are worse than slagging others off when they can't answer back or defend themselves. The BB is, quite rightly, much-maligned IMO because of this. I wonder why so many aim their strongest vitriol against those of their own kind? I seldom see a post on a gay message board attacking women or straight men.

No I wouldn't say it was depressing, quite funny actually. I just got bored with the characters (also, see my comment below). Coronation Street is based in Salford, so I suppose that was a separate area at one time but is now part of 'greater Manchester'. I loved it when I was a kid. Such strong characters. And one guy has been in it since day one (December 1960), although he's a bit of a bore off screen, boasting how many women he's been to bed with blah blah blah. On the other hand he is a good supporter of deaf charities (being 'hard of hearing' himself, as am I).

Love that line, the DC-2 and a half. Why was it known as a Gooney Bird? That's a great photo, that planes's Soooo small.

I suppose some are indeed pathetic, but others deserve some credit. As you said 'self-created' . . . sounds a lot like self-expression to me and that's usually worth something, if only to its creator. But there are countless millions of these empires and no doubt something for everyone, whether as consumer or little empire-builder. If I had to choose between attempting to self-create an 'empire' and having a good ol' slagging I hope I'd hold my tongue (or maybe type away furiously, then delete what I'd written . . .is there such a thing as creative slagging?).

Timmberty! You need a rocket up you. I've got just the thing. Ever heard of John Cage? His famous 4'33" wouldn't tax you unduly. Got to start somewhere. We'll have you sat entranced throughout the whole Ring Cycle before we've finished with you.

I watched the first few episodes then lost interest. It's a kind of latter-day slice-of-life, set in good ol' Manchester - but nowhere near me thank goodness! Shameless was where I first came across James McAvoy - Last King of Scotland, Atonement . . .

Taken from the article quoted in post # 19 "Because of court rulings, filming adult movies is legal in California, Florida and New Hampshire. Nevada, where prostitution is legal, tolerates it. " Why just those places? I can understand California and Nevada and Florida, but why New Hampshire? Why not any other state? Only 4 out of 50! (or is it 51?). I know New Hampshire fancies itself as a bastion of personal 'freedom', hence I believe seat belts in cars are optional, but their inclusion as a place to film porn seems way out on a limb to me. What is it that allows the four places mentioned to involve themselves in porn in this way? I see it says "because of court rulings". Does that mean other states aren't interested or if they were, didn't get the approval from the relevant court(s)? I'm crossing my fingers I haven't triggered another FALLACY ALERT!!

I don't follow aviation trends and have little awareness of aviation history, but I do enjoy seeing the old planes that've survived that are trundled out for special occasions. We have one Lancaster bomber still flying in Britain and a group of enthusiasts have one in a hanger which is fit to taxi along the runway, and is hoped to be airworthy at some stage. I know these and other planes from the war are not passenger planes, but one would hope there are examples of all the classic planes such as Comets and DC3's and others that are still airworthy.

Do you have a beard Timmberty? Do you mumble into it? Other times you seem quite excitable - in type - are you the sort of person flinging his hands and arms up in the air and waving them around? Hawking communicates via a machine to convert his thoughts into speech, maybe you could consider a . . . well you get my drift . . .

If I was a bar owner and knew Fred Smith was likely to 'off' three boys - that's three sets of 'off' fees - together with forking out for their drinks, you'd be lucky to even get a nod in your direction; I'd be all over Fred, fussing and bowing to his every whim. I was being frivolous, forgive me: Yes I think I'd ask myself "what's his game?" So I would be wary. I'd wonder if - assuming I went with one of his lads - whatever happened would be whispered in Fred Smith's ear next time he popped in. Of course, the only way th eowner is going to know anything at all about your sexual preferences, apart from what you mention to him in his bar, is going to come from the boy. So just as some owners and mamasans are the epitome of discretion, and some aren't, so some boys will hardly be able to help themselves spilling the beans and some will keep it to themselves (or the other boys, but not the owner).

World Wildlife Fund calls on Thailand to ban ivory trade to save African elephants. BANGKOK — An international conservation group on Tuesday urged Thailand to ban all ivory trading, warning that rising demand for tusks is fueling an unprecedented slaughter of elephants in Africa. The World Wildlife Fund said “massive quantities” of African ivory are being imported illegally into Thailand, where they are carved into Buddhist statues, bangles and jewelry that are then sold to tourists or smuggled elsewhere. Although it is against the law to sell African tusks in Thailand, ivory from domesticated elephants can be traded legally. “Many foreign tourists would be horrified to learn that ivory trinkets on display next to silks in Thai shops may come from elephants massacred in Africa,” said Elisabeth McLellan, manager of WWF’s Global Species Program. “It is illegal to bring ivory back home and it should no longer be on sale in Thailand.” The U.N. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, or CITES, banned all international ivory trade in 1989. But Thai traders and smugglers have thrived because the ban never addressed the domestic markets, and without DNA testing, it is difficult to tell where ivory originated. Criminal networks have exploited that loophole to flood Thai shops with “blood ivory from Africa,” the World Wildlife Fund said. “The only way to prevent Thailand from contributing to elephant poaching is to ban all ivory sales,” said Janpai Ongsiriwittaya, campaign leader for WWF in Thailand. “Today the biggest victims are African elephants, but Thailand’s elephants could be next.” http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/world-wildlife-fund-calls-on-thailand-to-ban-ivory-trade-to-save-african-elephants/2013/01/15/2a2ddb62-5ed7-11e2-9dc9-bca76dd777b8_story.html

Time to circle again . . . Ah, the circle game. Time to build that new airport. Time and Space . . . Yesterday, a child came out to wander Caught a dragonfly inside a jar Fearful when the sky was full of thunder And tearful at the falling of a star And the seasons they go 'round and 'round And the painted ponies go up and down We're captive on the carousel of time We can't return we can only look behind From where we came And go round and round and round In the circle game Then, the child moved ten times 'round the seasons Skated over ten clear frozen streams Words like, "When you're older", must appease him And promises of someday make his dreams And the seasons they go 'round and 'round And the painted ponies go up and down We're captive on the carousel of time We can't return we can only look behind From where we came, And go round and round and round In the circle game Sixteen springs and sixteen summers gone now Cartwheels turn to car wheels through the town And they tell him, "Take your time. It won't be long now. 'Til your drag your feet to slow the circles down" And the seasons they go 'round and 'round And the painted ponies go up and down We're captive on the carousel of time We can't return we can only look behind From where we came And go round and round and round In the circle game So the years spin by and now the boy is twenty Though his dreams have lost some grandeur coming true There'll be new dreams, maybe better dreams and plenty Before the last revolving year is through. And the seasons they go 'round and 'round And the painted ponies go up and down We're captive on the carousel of time We can't return, we can only look behind From where we came And go round and 'round and 'round In the circle game And go 'round and 'round and 'round in the circle game. THE CIRCLE GAME: Lyrics by Joni Mitchell. Ladies of the Canyon - 1970

Yes fair point Timmberty! Obviously he can hear another person's voice and presumably the computer controling his 'voice-box' can convert whatever dials he tweaks into sound every time he replies to a question. Perhaps in an earlier computer age words would need to be 'put into his machine' rather like using a punch card was needed to feed the computer with its instructions.

I don't like them either.

Thanks for clarifying that Koko. As Hawking is the subject of this thread, it's seems quite reasonable to hear what he has to say. Far be it for me to argue with him, after all . . . he could be right!

What is the Reality on the Rocks TV series, Koko? Is it another sitcom or is it a 'proper' science series. I cannot comment on that 'more serious' Hawking quote without knowing if he really said that or if it was just some scriptwriter putting words into his mouth.

Consent Rule May Proceed for a Circumcision Ritual "New York City health officials may proceed temporarily with a plan to require parental consent before an infant may undergo a particular Jewish circumcision ritual, a federal judge ruled Thursday. City officials say 12 cases of herpes simplex virus have likely resulted from the procedure, known as metzitzah b’peh, since 2000, including one Brooklyn case reported this week. Two infants died, and two suffered permanent brain damage. Most Jews no longer practice metzitzah b’peh, in which the circumciser uses his mouth to suck blood from the wound, but it remains common among some ultra-Orthodox communities. Citing the risk of infection, health officials in September introduced a regulation that would require parents to provide written consent stating that they were aware of the health risks. " http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/11/nyregion/parental-consent-rule-may-proceed-for-a-circumcision-ritual-a-judge-says.html?src=recg

That seems a bit unfair on the Irish, they love their beer same as us Brits, but perhaps they have a worse memory . . . which after getting well and truly bladdered may, just may, mean they 'run off' without paying. But that could just as easily happen to me I guess. In britain it's the custom to pay for drinks as you go along, unlike some European countries and the Thai 'check bin' system. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bladdered

Taken from the Comment is Free site referred to in OP. "Jerry Hayes, an exuberant Conservative backbencher, bounds into a Commons bar in 1986. The Department of Health has decided that the only way to deal with the new threat of Aids is to speak to the public in the most sexually explicit fashion. Being frank with the voters also means that some luckless wretch has to be frank with Mrs Thatcher. He finds Willie Whitelaw, looking haggard and downing neat whisky. "What's wrong?" he asks. "I have had to explain to Margaret about anal sex," comes the reply." Priceless!