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Robert: "They do say there's a wild man inside all of us." Violet: "If only he would stay inside."

Isobel: "I think Cousin Robert is referring to Ethel's work as a prostitute." Violet: ". . . Well, of course these days servants are very hard to find."

...relevant? ...Unrelatedly, but spot on:

Hi Guys, Any info and/or recommendations on venues, places and guys in these two countries would be greatly appreciated. Anyone familiar with Cine Tropical in Panama City? Thanks

Forbes, no less. Obama Outperforms Reagan On Jobs, Growth And Investing By Adam Hartung | Forbes | 09/05/2014 The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) today issued America’s latest jobs report covering August. And it’s a disappointment. The economy created an additional 142,000 jobs last month. After six consecutive months over 200,000, most pundits expected the string to continue, including ADP which just yesterday said 204,000 jobs were created in August. One month variation does not change a trend Even though the plus-200,000 monthly string was broken (unless revised upward at a future date,) unemployment did continue to decline and is now reported at only 6.1%. Jobless claims were just over 300,000; lowest since 2007. Despite the lower than expected August jobs number, America will create about 2.5 million new jobs in 2014. And that is great news. Back in May, 2013 (15 months ago) the Dow was out of its recession doldrums and hitting new highs. I asked readers if Obama could, economically, be the best modern President? Through discussion of that question, the number one issue raised by readers was whether the stock market was a good economic barometer for judging “best.” Many complained that the measure they were watching was jobs – and that too many people were still looking for work. To put this week’s jobs report in economic perspective I reached out to Bob Deitrick, CEO of Polaris Financial Partners and author of Bulls, Bears and the Ballot Box (which I profiled in October, 2012 just before the election) for some explanation. Since then Polaris’ investor newsletters have consistently been the best predictor of economic performance. Better than all the major investment houses. This is the best private sector jobs creation performance in American history Bob Deitrick: ”President Reagan has long been considered the best modern economic President. So we compared his performance dealing with the oil-induced recession of the 1980s with that of President Obama and his performance during this ‘Great Recession.’ “As this unemployment chart shows, President Obama’s job creation kept unemployment from peaking at as high a level as President Reagan, and promoted people into the workforce faster than President Reagan. “President Obama has achieved a 6.1% unemployment rate in his sixth year, fully one year faster than President Reagan did. At this point in his presidency, President Reagan was still struggling with 7.1% unemployment, and he did not reach into the mid-low 6% range for another full year. So, despite today’s number, the Obama administration has still done considerably better at job creating and reducing unemployment than did the Reagan administration. “We forecast unemployment will fall to around 5.4% by summer, 2015. A rate President Reagan was unable to achieve during his two terms.” What about the Labor Participation Rate? Much has been made about the poor results of the labor participation rate, which has shown more stubborn recalcitrance as this rate remains higher even as jobs have grown. Deitrick: “The labor participation rate adds in jobless part time workers and those in marginal work situations with those seeking full time work. This is not a “hidden” unemployment. It is a measure tracked since 1900 and called ‘U6.’ today by the BLS. “As this chart shows, the difference between reported unemployment and all unemployment – including those on the fringe of the workforce – has remained pretty constant since 1994. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics – Databases, Tables and Calculators by Subject “Labor participation is affected much less by short-term job creation, and much more by long-term demographic trends. As this chart from the BLS shows, as the Baby Boomers entered the workforce and societal acceptance of women working changed, labor participation grew. “Now that ‘Boomers’ are retiring we are seeing the percentage of those seeking employment decline. This has nothing to do with job availability, and everything to do with a highly predictable aging demographic. “What’s now clear is that the Obama administration policies have outperformed the Reagan administration policies for job creation and unemployment reduction. Even though Reagan had the benefit of a growing Boomer class to ignite economic growth, while Obama has been forced to deal with a retiring workforce developing special needs. During the eight years preceding Obama there was a net reduction in jobs in America. We now are rapidly moving toward higher, sustainable jobs growth.” Economic growth, including manufacturing, is driving jobs When President Obama took office America was gripped in an offshoring boom, started years earlier, pushing jobs to the developing world. Manufacturing was declining in America, and plants were closing across the nation. This week the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) released its manufacturing report, and it surprised nearly everyone. The latest Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) scored 59, two points higher than July and about that much higher than prognosticators expected. This represents 63 straight months of economic expansion, and 25 consecutive months of manufacturing expansion. New orders were up 3.3 points to 66.7, with 15 consecutive months of improvement and reaching the highest level since April, 2004 – five years prior to Obama becoming President. Not surprisingly, this economic growth provided for 14 consecutive months of improvement in the employment index. Meaning that the “grass roots” economy made its turn for the better just as the DJIA was reaching those highs back in 2013 – demonstrating that index is still the leading indicator for jobs that it has famously always been. As the last 15 months have proven, jobs and economy are improving, and investors are benefiting The stock market has converted the long-term growth in jobs and GDP into additional gains for investors. Recently the S&P has crested 2,000 – reaching new all time highs. Gains made by investors earlier in the Obama administration have further grown, helping businesses raise capital and improving the nest eggs of almost all Americans. And laying the foundation for recent, and prolonged job growth. Deitrick: ”While most Americans think they are not involved with the stock market, truthfully they are. Via their 401K, pension plan and employer savings accounts 2/3 of Americans have a clear vested interest in stock performance. “As this chart shows, over the first 67 months of their presidencies there is a clear “winner” from an investor’s viewpoint. A dollar invested when Reagan assumed the presidency would have yielded a staggering 190% return. Such returns were unheard of prior to his leadership. “However, it is undeniable that President Obama has surpassed the previous president. Investors have gained a remarkable 220% over the last 5.5 years! This level of investor growth is unprecedented by any administration, and has proven quite beneficial for everyone. “In 2009, with pension funds underfunded and most private retirement accounts savaged by the financial meltdown and Wall Street losses, Boomers and Seniors were resigned to never retiring. The nest egg appeared gone, leaving the ‘chickens’ to keep working. But now that the coffers have been reloaded increasingly people age 55 – 70 are happily discovering they can quit their old jobs and spend time with family, relax, enjoy hobbies or start new at-home businesses from their laptops or tablets. It is due to a skyrocketing stock market that people can now pursue these dreams and reduce the labor participation rates for ‘better pastures.” Where myth meets reality There is another election in just eight weeks. Statistics will be bandied about. Monthly data points will be hotly contested. There will be a lot of rhetoric by candidates on all sides. But, understanding the prevailing trends is critical. Recognizing that first the economy, then the stock market and now jobs are all trending upward is important – even as all 3 measures will have short-term disappointments. There are a lot of reasons voters elect a candidate. Jobs and the economy are just one category of factors. But, for those who place a high priority on jobs, economic performance and the markets the data clearly demonstrates which presidential administration has performed best. And shows a very clear trend one can expect to continue into 2015. Economically, President Obama’s administration has outperformed President Reagan’s in all commonly watched categories. Simultaneously the current administration has reduced the deficit, which skyrocketed under Reagan. Additionally, Obama has reduced federal employment, which grew under Reagan (especially when including military personnel,) and truly delivered a “smaller government.” Additionally, the current administration has kept inflation low, even during extreme international upheaval, failure of foreign economies (Greece) and a dramatic slowdown in the European economy. [Update 10/4/14 - August jobs report revised upward to 180,000 as September jobs creation returns to 248,000 lowering unemployment rate to 5.9% - lowest unemployment number in 6 years. [update 10/16/14 - Initial claims for unemployment drop to the lowest level in 14 years - all the way back to 2000 - indicating an improved economy, additional jobs and fewer people looking for work.] [Update 11/7/14 - Jobs created in August was revised upward to 203,000 - almost exactly where ADP had the number in August. September was also revised upward to 256,000. Unemployment falls to 5.8% as October is initially reported at 214,000, making 9 consecutive months above 200,000. ] [Update 12/7/14 - Jobs growth continues in November, with over 300,000 new jobs in America it is the largest monthly employment increase in 3 years; while simultaneously wages rise as well.] http://www.forbes.com/sites/adamhartung/2014/09/05/obama-outperforms-reagan-on-jobs-growth-and-investing/

I think washing one's hands after peeing is very middle-class.

Apparently all daughters of viscounts (& lower ranking peers) are the honorables rather than ladies, at least according to "today's most skilful writer of intelligent historical romance." And what better authority could one ask? And I suspect that you are correct that the lonely bit relates relates to Lord Useless's lack of make heirs. ==== Ahhhhh... my balls feel so much better now. Thanks Adam. I would never have thought to look under romance novels.

Well, thank goodness for this thread. I was watching Downton Abbey tonight and Lord Useless So&So, a penniless gentleman bird dogging Lady Grantham's wealthy & widowed mother, referred to his title as "a lonely barony (or possibly baronetcy)" meaning that while he was a Lord, his daughter's honorific was only the Honorable, not Lady. I tried googling "lonely barony" and "lonely baronetcy" but nought of interest appeared. So Adam, it immediately occurred to me that you are the only person I've met in a long time whose brain was packed with as many odd tidbits of information as mine and that you might be able to help me scratch my itch. Life Baron doesn't really fit the context. I'm guessing that the phrase is English slang for a certain type of title but for the life of me I can't figure it out. Of course, picky I am not, so join in the scratching others may.

"Vulgarity is no substitute for wit"

- That is a good question. The searching of garotos is a “control” idea/decision from a relatively new manager. The manager is attempting to cut down on garotos smoking marijuana or using drugs in the sauna. Supposedly, the searching is also to find possible weapons. Considering that a new law prohibits smoking of any kind in indoor places, including saunas, it seems silly to search for marijuana when smoking it in the sauna would be immediately detected. As to possible other drugs or weapons, searching garotos is not going to solve that issue. As I said previously, a client can carry in things for a garoto, assuming the client and garoto are familiar with each other. Clearly, the searching of garotos has a negative effect on Fragata because it drives away a lot of garotos and consequently, because there are fewer garotos, fewer clients visit the sauna. This equates to less income for the sauna owners.

You are correct on both points. The body searching is aggravating to some of the garotos and Friday is not usually a good night at Fragata. Tuesday and Sunday are the best nights at Fragata. Some of the garotos told me they don't like being searched. Some told me that being searched is a big influence in their avoiding Fragata and, instead, going to Lagoa to meet clients. If you visit Lagoa you will see that it is much busier than it was prior to when the Fragata garoto searches began. Also, at Lagoa, you will see many of the garotos that were formerly seen at Fragata. I previously commented on the searches after I noticed two garotos (that entered just before me one night), were not searched. At that time, I was told the searches were discontinued. However, for some foolish reason, the searches resumed. If a garoto wants to conceal a prohibited item, the garoto can ask a client to bring the item into the sauna for the garoto. Also, depending on what the item is, the garoto can conceal the prohibited item. Searching garotos is unproductive and creates bad will. I recall three other popular rent-boy saunas in Sao Paulo that began searching garotos a few years back (Alterosas, Bois Clube and Bon Vivon). Those three saunas went out of business not long after the searching began. Many garotos quit going to those saunas. Fewer garotos caused clients to choose other saunas. As a result, each sauna had too few garotos and clients and then closed its doors and now those saunas are mere history.

Wifi went out in hotel in the afternoon yesterday, didn't come back until noon today Made up an excuse on Friday to skip the dinner with friend so I can hit sauna, feeling guilty. Arrived Fragata around 5:45. It's already in full swing, but not many boys, more customers. Sat down close to entrance checking things out. Not any new faces today Ricardo from last year was here, bad haircut though, maybe. The gorgeous Greek looking boy Igor was in, but lousy in bed, no repeat. Fragata became my favorite last year for the number of twinks on offering, but not that much this year. The boy parade didn't happen, until 7pm, only 3 more boys checked in, one is an ok white twink, not very good looking, still got grabbed quickly by two daddies. I am debating maybe I should head to Lagoa now. 7:15, still nothing happens. Perhaps the body check is driving away some boys, or Friday is just not a good night. I checked out heading to Lagoa. Metro line 4 is a short 5 minutes walk, as long as you don't get lost. Remember you are taking the street starting with "p", the cross road has the name of the metro stop. From the station, look both ways, on one side you see a gas station and a lot more highrises in the distance, go the OTHER direction. São Paulo metro is fantastic, clean and reliable. Many eye candies too checked in Lagoa at 8:10. Busy, not as busy as last time though. I am hoping to catch the dark boy singing karaoke the other night. Or Jesse for a 3peat, but that would be a little silly, I do like him a lot the dark boy was not around tonight. Not many new faces, noticed a few I saw in previous years but not during last visit. Then Jesse walked by with an Asian customer he is trying to hookup with. He saw me and gave me a smile and thumb up. Later he stopped by to say a quick hello while checking something on his phone. I ask him if he has facebook, he does and added me as a friend. Then he excused himself to reconnect with the other Asian client he was talking too, left me with his phone to check out his photos! I already like the boy a lot especially when he smiles, seeing his everyday photos makes me fall in love Jesse came back to say he needs a moment, he made the deal with the client, he asks me to wait for him with that gorgeous smile. It's almost 9, I think it's too late for the night, and I want him fresh. As he went away, I already start to plan getting him in my hotel the next day. Walked around for another 30 minutes or so, a couple more boys checked in even at 9pm! But no one really triggers my fancy. almost drooling over Jesse's facebook photos probably plays a factor too as I check out, Jesse just came down after his session with the client, he raised his hands over his head as he saw me leaving. I told him, amaha Once I got back in the hotel and showered, comfortable in bed, I msged Jesse on facebook to ask him for a hotel visit before he goes to sauna Saturday. He quickly responded and we hammered out the details. My hotel is right at republica park, a gay bar is cross the street. Tons of people just stand outside on the street until 2 or 3am chatting. I went for a walk around mid night just to see. The bar crowd is mostly older folks, not many young guys. The park is well lit, shame the homeless people sleeping there day and night is ruining it. Still I can see a couple rent boys hanging around, one is quite cute. I am not going to tempt anything here with my poor portuguese of course. A happy night of sleep knowing Jesse will be here tomorrow Just before the time we agreed upon (3pm), wifi went out in hotel. Fuck! This means we won't be able to communicate much. And I haven't told Jesse my room number. I went down to reception to tell the lady there I am expecting a friend, please send him up. She is very nice and understanding. But she has no clue how to fix the wifi, I pick up the word amanh, so it's not getting fixed anytime soon Jesse arrived at 3:30, on time for brazil boys he is wearing penguin from head to toe, light blue shirt, white shorts, blue shoes. I loved the shirt when I saw him in it on facebook, this is so much hotter than just a towel! He is as sweet as before, and language barrier doesn't really hurt too much as we had a great time! He let me fuck him in two different positions this time, but still can't take me to the end. He smiles apologetically asking me to come on his chest again. I pushed him a little further asking if I can come in his mouth. He doesn't like the idea, but I am paying him a lot more than in sauna, so he said he will do it for 50 more as long as he doesn't have to swallow. It is so freaking hot looking at him opening his mouth waiting, and it's both hilarious and super hot watching him jumping out the bed once he tasted it and ran into the bathroom with some gagging noises being a nice boy, he didn't spit it on the carpet, but in his hands on the way. I was laughing hard standing behind him while he rinse his mouth frantically with hot water and helped squirting out some tooth paste on his palm which he spread on his tongue. Adorable After we cleaned up, he insisited I put on his cloth as I said I love them. He helped me pull the sleeves up as the shirt is too big for me like a nice salesman. Such a sweet boy. He loves taking selfies, and asked me to take a few photos for him on the balconyn his iphone. Lovely photos, I took a few on my ipod as well. As we went downstairs together to send him out and saying goodbye in front of the hotel, a homeless person walked by and I assume asking for money. I told him I don't understand portuguese. He wouldn't give up and keep mumbling, to my surprise, Jesse helped me explain to the guy with a smile that I don't speak portuguese and pulled out a 10R bill giving it to the homeless guy to shut him up! What a nice boy, I am very surprised and more in love with him now. It amazes me how open minded on sex brazilian boys are. Like Maikon from 2 years ago, they are both straight, but ok with having sex with men for money. Jesse doesn't even look like he really needs the money wearing brand name clothes and using an iPhone5. He is from a suburb neighborhood of São Paulo and in college, I guess he is cool making through college in style this way. And I feel lucky he feels that way I still have two nights left, and I am already a happy man even if I leave today

Mules, in our case. Birth control, you know.

Dem bones, dem bones gonna rise... Turkey's Oldest Stone Tool Pinpoints Human Migration to Europe http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/turkeys-oldest-stone-tool-pinpoints-human-migration-europe

Hi, Gotti, I have been hitting São Paulo 3 years in a row. Talking about Sauna, it's my favorite destination by a mile. The boys here are more "normal" look, tight abs vs six packs, flat chests vs pumped ones, I much prefer this type. Of course, there is not much else to see here, especially if one doesn't speak portuguese. I went to a few museums here, none is of much interest to me. Rio, on the hand, have plenty places to kill time during the day. I do like the beaches here better, much more suitable for a day out, swim, snack and nap, but you can't get to them without a car, about 2 hours from the city. I have never seen a woman in Fragata. But I have only been there 5 or 6 times in total. I do agree they should care more about the boys than shows. And body search, come on. I never visited a sauna here on Christmas Eve, so I was rather curious to give it a try. While Lagoa closes on 24th and 31st, Fragata opens on both days with reduced hours (till 8?). But friend msged me, insists on showing me Japanese town here for lunch. He has been such a fantastic host, I can't say no. Happy to foot the bill for lunch, but coming from Toronto, I have no good words for the chinese food in São Paulo. Friend is not eager to go home helping for Christmas dinner, so we walk around for another hour as he points out all the decayed buildings and complains about the homeless and how the city has become a more and more dangerous place to live. I have to agree with him, Rio feels much cleaner and safer. But Rio has all the pretty beaches, so it's not a fair competition. Full and tired getting back to the hotel, it was already 3:45. Debating whether to head out again, the clouds are rather menacing. It rains a lot, everyday this week. Decided to skip it, I also never tried on Christmas Day, so I will go tomorrow. Long story short, I didn't go today either as it was raining heavily between 4-6, didn't stop until 7. Worst timing. I did try heading to the bus stop for fragata, still some drizzle and streets were very empty for holidays. So is the bus stop. I felt rather silly going, so I turned back. As i walked through the park, which is well lit, a guy was running away from The park with two guys yelling and chasing after him. There are decent and very cheap Hotels in republica park area, also only steps to the metro, so I like this area. But I do feel like there are more homeless people around over the years. What a pity. Friend is having another party tomorrow. I really haven't hit sauna too often this time. Maybe it's that I am getting older, after two nights in a row with Jesse in Lagoa, I am not really feeling that horny. Will report again when I hit sauna the next time.

Onde thing I forgot to add about the tale of 2 saunas (in SP). The other and most iportant onde ,LAGOA, trancends the sauna concept it is more like a demi-monde situation. By that I mean, The extraordinary looking guys that you see over there on occasion don' really go up with customers, They are there fully clothed, shirtless at best, are looking for a steady situation, if they don't make eye contact with you (they probably won't), all it means is that they don't think you are sugar daddy material.The bulk of fashion industry in Brasil is located in SP, agencies, magazines, designers,models etc. Demi-monde is no only accepted, but expected.