Rogie

Reminds me of the old trick hitchhikers used. The pretty young woman stands by the side of the road and waits for a vehicle to stop. Once it's stopped one or more men appear out of the 'bushes' and hop in. The driver, unless he is particularly belligerent, had to admit it's a fait accompli.

Yes, that's the beauty of slang or vernacular words and speech, great if you know what it means but perplexing or downright infuriating if you don't. TW is right it is a British expression 'prat' so I understood the meaning of pratador straightaway (but obviously the context within which a word is used often provides a clue). I am guilty of using some words others occasionally may not understand, but I don't do it intentionally (and I'm not saying Timmberty did either), I just enjoy using the English language, whether they be mildly archaic or old-fashioned words or those only found in an 'urban' dictionary.

I thought at first the writer meant to say "diffidence", although that probably carries a different meaning to what was intended, then I checked and what he really wrote was "indifference". That makes sense now.

Thinking about my earlier response, I may have been too hasty. I was referring to cheap 'amateurish' porn, the sort that ends up on websites ending in xx, or is it xxx? If any porn studios make really stylish, 'tasteful' films, that are aimed at general release where folks go to real cinemas to watch them, then I'd have a lot more sympathy - I'm not saying they'd be right, but at least they would be entitled to some respect that their views on the industry would be debated rationally. Does anyone know if there are any really good porn films aimed at general release these days?

How about drinks all round? This is the Beer Bar is it not, perhaps the equivalent of ringing the big bell in a bar and finding you're suddenly Mr Popular. TW, we'll graciously allow you to bring your Dom Perignon and see how long you can make it last. Abang, you're invited too as we'd like to see you dressed in all your fancy clobber. . .your CK boxers and swish rubber shoes. How about the Telephone Bar? Shall we say noon on 1/4/13 (British) or 4/1/13 (American)??

There's a nasty whiff of something strong blowing in the European Union wind. Some more daft goings-on from out lords and masters, aided and abetted by a cast of crooks and the fertile soils in China. Who, What, Why: Why do criminals smuggle garlic? "Sweden has issued international arrest warrants for two Britons suspected of illegally importing 10m euros (£8m) worth of garlic into the EU via Norway. Why would criminals do that? Swedish state prosecutors claim to have cracked one of Europe's more seemingly strange, if lucrative, smuggling rings. They say two British men are believed to have made millions of euros smuggling Chinese garlic from Norway into Sweden. The EU imposes a 9.6% duty on imported foreign garlic. The supplies are said to have been shipped to Norway - a non-EU state where no garlic import tax is applied - and then smuggled into neighbouring Sweden and the rest of the EU by lorry, thus avoiding EU import duties." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20976887

I don't really know for sure whether circumcision helps to prevent the transmission of the aids virus, but one advantage, cut or uncut, of wearing a condom is they'll all look the same. Maybe I will get a bit of flak for saying this, but as there was a topic a while back (see link below) on numbers of porn sites, surely one could argue enough's enough: there must be more than enough porn 'movies' already 'shot' to keep even the most ardent porn-watcher occupied for the next 50 years. Cradle to grave porn, that's what the world's come to. We (or at least 'I') couldn't care a rotten fig whether there's another porn studio boss tearing his hair out because his First Amendment 'rights' have been so horribly emasculated. http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/topic/8422-how-many-porn-sites-on-the-internet/?do=findComment&comment=61769

It's useful I tink to distinguish between expulsion and making a voluntary exit. Here is the relevant wiki entry for both of these scenarios: Firstly, withdrawal from the EU: "The Treaty of Lisbon introduced an exit clause for members who wish to withdraw from the Union. Under TEU Article 50, a Member State would notify the European Council of its intention to secede from the Union and a withdrawal agreement would be negotiated between the Union and that State. The Treaties would cease to be applicable to that State from the date of the agreement or, failing that, within two years of the notification unless the State and the Council both agree to extend this period. The agreement is concluded on behalf of the Union by the Council and shall set out the arrangements for withdrawal, including a framework for the State's future relationship with the Union. The agreement is to be approved by the Council, acting by qualified majority, after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament. A former Member State seeking to rejoin the European Union would be subject to the same conditions as any other applicant country. This system gives a negotiated withdrawal, due to the complexities of leaving the EU (particularly concerning the euro). However it does include in it a strong implication of a unilateral right to withdraw. This is through the fact the state would decide "in accordance with its own constitutional requirements" and that the end of the treaties' application in said state is not dependent on any agreement being reached (it would occur after two years regardless)" And for suspension / expulsion: "While a state can leave, there is no provision for it to be excluded. But TEU Article 7 provides for the suspension of certain rights of a member state if a member persistently breaches the EU's founding principles (liberty, democracy, human rights and so forth, outlined in TEU Article 2). The European Council can vote to suspend any rights of membership, such as voting and representation as outlined above. Identifying the breach requires unanimity (excluding the state concerned), but sanctions require only a qualified majority. The state in question would still be bound by the obligations treaties and the Council acting by majority may alter or lift such sanctions. The Treaty of Nice included a preventative mechanism whereby the Council, acting by majority, may identify a potential breach and make recommendations to the state to rectify it before action is taken against it as outlined above. The closest this provision came to being used was in early 2000 due to Austria forming a government which included the far right Freedom Party. Other member states threatened to cut off diplomatic contacts in response and some feared Article 7 might be invoked. However the treaties do not provide any mechanism to expel a member state outright. The idea appeared in the drafting of the European Constitution and the Lisbon Treaty but failed to be included. There are a number of considerations which make such a provision impractical. Firstly, a member state leaving would require amendments to the treaties, and amendments require unanimity. Unanimity would be impossible to achieve if the state did not want to leave of its own free will. Secondly it is legally complicated, particularly with all the rights and privileges being withdrawn for both sides that would not be resolved by an orderly and voluntary withdrawal. Third, the concept of expulsion goes against the spirit of the treaties. Most available sanctions are conciliatory, not punitive; they do not punish a state for failing to live up to fellow states' demands, but encourage a state to fulfill its treaty obligations - expulsion would certainly not achieve that." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Withdrawal_from_the_European_Union _______________________________________________________________________ As to whether a country like Britain should leave the EU, any event that paints the EU in a bad light supplies more ammunition to those in favour of doing so. If the EU was seen to be a rip-roaring success with all its citizens happy and enjoying a good standard of living, with no problems re immigration between member countries, or any petty arguments, and (for those countries signed up) harmonious use of the Euro currency, then calls for Britain to withdraw would be minimal. Conversely, now things are pretty bad EU-wise, strident calls for withdrawal find many an eager ear cocked in their direction. Note above the quotes re the EU have been left as copied from the wiki page. Dry words such as these are best left thus - anyone not interestd in the EU (and let's face it that's probably the majority of readers here!) can just skip it. My own comments have been broken down into paragraphs. I don't always do it but I agree it does make for easier reading, although some may still wish to skip what I've written also!

Here's the entry for Singapore: "As one of the world’s richest nations and a capital of global finance, Singapore has been awash in green for decades. But lately the densely populated city-state is burnishing its credentials as another type of green center — the ecological kind. A study released in 2011 by The Economist magazine’s Intelligence Unit and Siemens ranked Singapore as the greenest city in Asia, and this year the metropolis of glass and steel inaugurates two vast nature projects guaranteed to boost the green quotient further and to enhance the city’s image as a destination for environmental tourism. Gardens by the Bay, an ambitious 250-acre nature reserve, won the building-of-the-year prize at the World Architecture Festival for its glassy, hill-like main building, which houses attractions like the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. Not to be outdone, the new Marine Life Park is already touting itself as “the world’s largest oceanarium.” It features a huge water park with rides and an aquarium showcasing some 800 species of underwater life. " — Seth Sherwood 800 species of underwater life! any sharks I wonder?

I wrote the following on 9/11/11 in The Next Global Financial Crisis thread: "British TV aired an interesting programme earlier this week and i didn't know whether to laugh or cry. A reporter pretended to be a Greek financial adviser and approached 3 British individuals with tempting proposals. Number one was a beautician/hairdresser in her mid-50's who was advised that in Greece her occupation would be regarded as hazardous and she could retire on 90% of her salary straightaway - she accepted. Number two was a bus-driver who accepted similar retirement terms, based again on the Greek system, well before he would have been eligible in Britan. Number 3 was a doctor earning about GBP 200,000 a year privately and a much smaller amount working for the National Health Service. He was told that in Greece he could wangle it so he 'took home' an extra GBP 1,000 a week. How so? Easy, he just virtually eliminated his tax bill by under-reporting his salary. So when a patient comes to pay his bill the lion's share is paid in cash. It's the black economy given quasi-respectability. All the Brits expressed incredulity that any country in Europe could function in that way, let alone a country within the supposed safety of the Eurozone. "

Well thought out list with lots of tantalising places that makes you realise that, despite evidence to the contrary (globalisation etc), there are still plenty of genuinely unique places in the world. Good mix of the obvious and not so obvious. Abang will be pleased to see Singapore on the list. Interesting one of the places in Thailand is Koh Phangan - it must remain a wonderful place if you've got money to spend on getting away from it all. Here's the entry for Koh Phangan: "For years, the island of Koh Phangan, in the Gulf of Thailand off Koh Samui, has been the site of Thailand’s most notorious party, when thousands of hedonists let loose under a full moon. But with its first airport and direct flights from Bangkok slated for 2013, along with an increasing number of luxury- and family-friendly accommodations popping up, Koh Phangan’s extended hangover is finally relenting. New hotels like the simple, stylish beachfront Buri Rasa; the all-villa tropical-chic hideaway Kupu Kupu; and the mod-Asian Anantara Rasananda are introducing more subdued travelers to Phangan’s emerald-green rolling hills and aquamarine waters, which are teeming with marine life. There are Buddhist temples and hidden waterfalls to check out, along with feel-good options like the Canadian-run Yoga Studio and its vegan cafe. Try a seafood curry with your toes in the sand at the family-run Beachlounge, and have some homemade coconut ice cream." — Naomi Lindt Here's the entry for Bangkok: "Forget red light district bars and half-a-star hostels. This Southeast Asian capital is experiencing a renaissance with a sophisticated vibe embodied in spots like the Siam Hotel, a fashionable 39-room property on the river opened by the pop star Krissada Sukosol Clapp, which offers kickboxing and cooking classes along with restaurants like Smith from one of the country’s most celebrated chefs, Ian Kittichai, the latest to take on nose-to-tail dining. Drinking spots like Sky bar, 63 floors high, has a spectacular view of the city while the Bed Supperclub has international D.J.’s and a sexy crowd. Two Sofitel properties just opened; a W is planned for February." — Ondine Cohane

4.30 on a Friday afternoon is asking for trouble! Workers coming home early from work, people dashing (!) off to their villa for the weekend . . . just getting into top gear (!!) whaddya expect? Know the feeling. The mini bus carrying me and our tour group were scheduled for a final morning's sightseeing in Bangkok, but the canny tour guide read the runes and declared we ain't gonna make it if we don't leave now so we got to the airport in time. That was '95 before the Skytrain.

Yes I can believe that. I bet many Frenchies had as their second a car much loved and cherished, the deux cheveau - sadly long out of production but a wonderful car to drive around town - shooting out of the side roads as was their want many a tourist had to slam on the brakes.

untitled.bmp 131.72K 5 downloads what's that? Whatever it is isn't visible on my screen and obviously I'm logged in. Is it one of Carter's tricks? Have I been tricked?

I reckon it's a year or two old that article TW. Papandreou resigned in Nov '11. Maybe websites do that to disguise how old these pages are. I wouldn't advocate deleteing old pages as they may serve a useful purpose for historians, fiscal commentatores etc, but they should at least ensure the date of original publication is correct.

The poster commonly known as LMTU has bragged about himself using other screen names before. I can't remember when or where but I distinctly recall him daring others to find out what other name(s) he was posting under. It may have been bluff of course, but most likely he has done it and will do so again.

I tried to check out the blog referred to but didn't make any headway. Quite natually, it looks like it's in Korean. There are plenty of people out to get you in Thailand, but a bit of savvie-ness (reading message boards such as this one can help!) will allow you to avoid the worst Thailand can throw at you. Greece is also a safe country for visitors, and despite this sort of cautionary tale, I'm sure it remains so. However, basing any sort of identity checks solely on appearance is fraught with danger. Many years ago a black teenager was murdered in south London. There was a major cock-up by the Metropolitan police and they were branded by a judge as being 'institutionally racist'. Just recently the deceased boy's brother (in his 30's) has complained he's been stopped over 20 times by the police, the majority of occasions for no real reason. The inference being he was pulled up by the police solely because of his colour.

Greece is going through a pretty hellish time right now, and unfortunately is shooting itself in the foot with a few heavy-handed tactics. The tourists held by Greek police as illegal migrants http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20958353

I await with bated breath the post when you get to drink it. I haven't touched a drop of the stuff since 1976; take pity on a poor wretch such as I. Dom Perignon should be available on tap (**) in any good wine bar - what I mean is it'd be nice to just sip a small glass when you find yourself on your own and feel in the need of a bit of cheering up. ** not sure if you can do that with sparking wines or not - it's a good way to serve still wines though, at least those with a high demand. I'm always leery of bottled wines in bars that've already been opened as there's no way of knowing how many days ago that bottle was opened, especially when you are poured the last glass-worth.

I agree he is talented, and he's Dutch I believe, usually pretty level-headed, rational people the Dutch, although I expect there's the odd psycho out and about. He calls his board the Gay Thailand Forum, and I'm writing on the Gay Thailand Message Board, so he's being a bit cheeky I reckon. Seems having two of everything is rather in vogue, not long ago we had BahtStop and Baht-Stop. Siamese twins? . . . like Chang and Eng . . . no, not really, they just sound similar but as different as chalk and cheese. I have a suggestion: the two 'Gay Thailand' forums / message boards to join forces The one I'm writing on gets some fresh talent and t'other one gets some credibility.

I think I am learning to love them too, although that's more because they have had a bad press, often unwarranted as Jovianmoon says, and not only that many populations of sharks are in real danger from over-fishing and mal-fishing (a word I made up to include you-know-what), i've read a few accounts lately saying sharks have rarely if ever been properly assessed. When a shark is landed at port it ought to be identified and logged. This tends not to happen. Here is an example of one such initiative in the UK. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-20896816

I visit Australia every 18 months to stay with family in Newcastle. As a BeachLover I enjoy roaming around the miles of wonderful beaches in New South Wales and peering into rock pools. Thanks for the tip, I'd never heard of the blue-ringed octupus, so now I'll make sure I look really carefully before dipping my hand in.

That raises an interesting point. Presumably the well educated, well-to-do males will be able to afford to enter the marriage-ring, almost like an auction where they can bid high and secure the woman of their dreams. The poor peasant living in a rural part of the country will be unable to afford to travel abroad I would have thought, at least for the time being. That leaves those men in the middle, those unable to afford the standard of living required by many women, a house, car etc, but able to afford foreign travel. That brings us back to the problem in India, women are being trafficked from poor areas to the wealthy areas that have an imbalance of sexes. Might something similar happen in China I wonder?

I am certainly not against such raids, but surely the reason given is spurious. I say 'surely' because the kinds of people who commit a crime against any tourist, not just Russians, are unlikely to be those in employment. Yes, I know some are freelancers but I cannot imagine them preferring to commit a crime (with the high risk they will be caught and given a stiff fine or sent to jail) over the chance to mingle with falung in the relative safety of Sunee.

The human brain is the most wonderful creation in the known universe, I read recently, maybe even on this forum. By brain I mean the mind - consciousness. Maybe that explains our fascination with robots, artifical intelligence, alien civilisations; it's almost as if Hawking's disembodied voice comes from another planet. I mean that nicely, not in the derogatory sense. Even in patients deemed to be in a vegetative state and reckoned by doctors to be 'brain dead', it has been shown in some cases their brains are not dead at all and remain capable of intelligent thought. Medical science is struggling to fathom the intricate organ that is the human brain. It's making progress but there's so much more in the 'in tray' - dementia such as Alzeimer's, and many psychiatric problems come to mind. Just as a balanced mind is a work of art, an unbalanced one is potentially dangerous. But even our balanced minds cannot make sense of everything. Some say the brain has been designed to have limits beyond which it cannot understand. That's how I as a Christian would put it. Others may substitute the word evolved for designed, which holds out the prospect for mankind that future generations will be more 'intelligent'. Hawking's is probably at or near the upper limits of human understanding. History records people with flashes of insight, those Eureka moments, but nobody can be unremittingly brilliant in every mode of thought and action all the time. That makes sense because as we know only too well if you over tax those little gray cells beyond a certain point it can be very exhausting. I sometimes have to mutter to myself "brain power" absentmindedly knocking my head with my knuckle, but those lucid moments are few and far between for me nowadays! Now I shall turn my attention to the many-worlds theory. I wonder if that is the same as parallel universes. I hope to find out . . .