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Since I no longer do offs from bars and confine myself to massage shops, I enjoy the uncertainties involved. I don’t haggle over what I hope the outcome will be. I guess you might say each massage is a new adventure. At my age, I find that I need that sort of experience more than I need the promise of sex.

We can debate whether or how any particular nation should respond to an attack like the one launched by terrorists against non-combatants a few weeks ago in Israel. We can try to reduce it to well-crafted academic arguments. But what we can’t do—unless we were among those actually subjected to that terror—is experience those emotions and losses first hand no more than we can appreciate what London citizens experienced during the blitz. Nor can we fully understand the motivation behind Air Marshal Sir Arthur Harris’ retaliation tactics. Why? Because war quickly becomes a gravely personal matter when it’s your countrymen who are dying. However, one thing we can appreciate is the need for the support of a loyal ally in the wake of those events.

50 years ago today one of the world's great iconic buildings opened. Its design and consturction had undergone huge problems, not least the firing of its designer Jørn Utzon, the near impossibility of constructing its 'sails', completion was 10 years late, the budget overran 14 times, and politicians interfering by insisting on a highly controversial rearrangement of its interior venues. Yet the Sydney Opera House has become Australia's most visited tourist attraction and is admired the world over. While the world has marvelled, I doubt if Utzon ever imagined that his baby would become a projection screen. Each Australian summer there is a Fesitval in Sydney when images are projected on to the structure. Many are stunning and I attach a selection. The most moving surely was a special projection to mark Anniversary Day of the end of WWI with a simple series of poppies.

There's an old saying that any time you see a newspaper headline phrased as a question, the answer is "no". 😄

I was alarmed by this article in the paper today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2023/10/19/university-lgbtq-centers-disappearing/71147364007/ It seems we are still in a "two steps forward, one step back" situation here in the USA. My firm opened a new office in Dallas, TX and offered me a leadership position - I turned them down cold and was very explicit about my reasons. Our CEO was taken aback by my strong feelings about the climate in that state. He clearly thought the usual platitudes would work "be a team player" "bring mature leadership". Instead I lobbied him for the firm to take a stronger position to support our LGBTQ staff and clients in specific states. My next stop is our regulatory relations office. These "small attacks" are easy to overlook when there are much bigger news events going on. Which is why I like reading the newspaper instead of just scanning the CNN website - that is what most of my friends do.

From CNN Cambodia’s newest and biggest airport opened to commercial operations in the province of Siem Reap in the country’s northwest this week. The China-funded Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport is now the main gateway to one of the country’s most popular tourist sites, the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Complex. On Monday morning, a flight operated by Thailand’s Bangkok Airways was the first to land at the new airport, which is located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) away from the protected area. Using the International Air Transport Association-designated code SAI, it replaces Siem Reap International Airport (REP), which first opened in 1932 and is only a few kilometers away from the Angkor complex. The new airport, funded by China as part of its Belt and Road Initiative at a cost of about $1.1 billion, was designed to initially handle 7 million passengers a year – 2 million more than REP – and has a 3,600-meter-long runway. According to the Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia, it’s the first overseas international airport to be constructed under a “Build-Operate-Transfer” model by Chinese enterprises and is operated and managed by the Yunnan Aviation Industry Investment Group. Designated a “4E airport,” it can accommodate larger commercial planes, including many of those used on global long-haul routes.

Hm... Just killing few Iranian scientists, high rank officers...

>> The US has done virtually nothing. << I don't consider sabotage, assassination and who knows what else we don't hear about, "nothing." If you don't know about these events, then you haven't been following the news on Iran for the last decade or so. Shooting missiles at Iran and dropping bombs on them are hardly the only responses the US has. The fact that you haven't heard about all the US actions doesn't mean they haven't happened. The Hamas attack may well give Israel the cover it needs to actually escalate attacks on Iran that to date have been mostly in the shadows. The US shies away from "regime change", but I doubt Israel has those same qualms. Yes, it can get a lot uglier for Iran. It can also get a lot uglier for Israel, Hamas and a host of others. As long as a lot of people are more invested in the conflict than in its resolution, the killings will continue on both sides.

Go back read what I said about Israel making good on its vow to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. It’s understood that if Iran persists in developing one, that would constitute a grave miscalculation of the consequences. If you’re curious what the US might do, this is as clear a statement as you’re going to get: ”While I’m not going to forecast any potential response to these attacks, I will say that we will take all necessary actions to defend US and coalition forces against any threat,” he said. “Any response, should one occur, will come at a time and a manner of our choosing.” Couldn’t have—and won’t—make it any clearer than that. If British assets were attacked, I’m confident we’d see a very similar statement out of Downing Street. Patience is a virtue, Peter, and the Buddha tells us that the future is inexplicable.

I chose not to pre-empt the Defense Department announcement today of military actions by US ground and naval forces against attacks from terrorist organizations. It is likely we will see more of this activity going forward. It should come as no surprise since the US is Israel’s staunchest alley in the region. i doubt that you—or any observer—needed me to tell you that the US wouldn’t sit on its hands in the face of aggression against its assets or its ally. From CNN A US Navy warship operating in the Middle East intercepted multiple projectiles near the coast of Yemen on Thursday, two US officials told CNN. One of the officials said the missiles were fired by Iranian-backed Houthi militants, who are engaged in an ongoing conflict in Yemen. Approximately 2-3 missiles were intercepted, according to the second official. Later Thursday Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed that the USS Carney shot down three land attack missiles as well as several drones that were launched by Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen. The incident was one of a series in recent days with US bases being targeted by drones in Syria and Iraq amid increasing tensions in the region as the war between Israel and Hamas continues. The drone attacks targeting the base in Syria resulted in “minor injuries,” Ryder said. On Wednesday, two drones targeted the al-Tanf garrison in Syria, where US and anti-ISIS coalition forces are based, Ryder said. One drone was engaged and destroyed, and another drone impacted the base resulting in minor injuries to coalition forces, Ryder said. That same morning, in Iraq, early warning systems indicated a possible threat approaching the al-Asad airbase where US personnel are stationed. No attack occurred, but personnel sheltered in place and an American civilian contractor suffered a cardiac episode and died shortly thereafter, Ryder said. On Tuesday, US forces defended against three drones near US and coalition forces in Iraq, Ryder said. Two of the drones targeted the al-Asad airbase, which resulted in minor injuries to coalition forces. And in northern Iraq near Bashur airbase, US forces engaged and destroyed a drone, resulting in no injuries or damage, Ryder said. “While I’m not going to forecast any potential response to these attacks, I will say that we will take all necessary actions to defend US and coalition forces against any threat,” he said. “Any response, should one occur, will come at a time and a manner of our choosing.”

Amen. My husband, daughters and I are currently safe and calm. We are also very sad and somewhat frightened. Hopefully the next months will allow the return for some more positive feelings.

Odd that Singapore which has been officially anti-LGBT wth its section 377A on the statute books, has taken the opposite route. That wily statesman Lee Kwan Yew realised near the end of his term as PM that Singapore needed muti-national companies to locate their Asian head offices in the island state. There was intense competition with Hong Kong which had till then won the race hands down. Lee accepted that the executives whom they brought and attracted would seek a lifestyle somewhat similar to what they enjoyed in the west. So the government not only offered tax advantages, they first opened the door to major entertainment companies, particularly those headed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and producer Cameron Mackintosh. Then came the Universal Studios Theme Park and a host of other attractions on Sentosa. The restaurant scene soon expanded with some of the finest eateries in Asia. By the early 2000s the tiny gay nightlife scene soon enlarged with more bars, more saunas, more spas and a gradual relaxation of harrassment against the LGBT community. Now that Section 377A is finally a thing of the past, there are no legal restictions on gay men other than the usual issues of age, rape, and so on. Many in SIngapore society are still wary of the new LGBT freedoms, but as in Hong Kong it is likely these concerns will eventually wither away.

If you don't care what people think of your opinion, why bother to share it? Personally, I find talking to myself quicker and easier than posting to myself.

you right , it's like never ending squabble about hunks vs. twinks or bars vs. apps. My comment about splitting narrative reflected what I heard from readers of my trips reports

Just some quick notes on Bali..... I'm not sure why it's not more visited from board members. Generally less expensive than some other places and not so transactional like Thailand. The gay life is pretty active, even if it's only a couple of gay bars, but Mixwell is fun all nights, weekends are packed. It seems like Grindr blows up the first day or 2, because WE are fresh meat. Since there isn't such an influx of gay visitors like in Thailand, the guys can be looking to hang out or meet for more than one day. Eating local food is stupid cheap, western food= western prices. I had a NY style pizza that would rival any NY pizzeria, I was shocked. Indonesians are usually cut and have BIG asses, a nice change from other Asian countries I visit. A lot of the guys know how to do massage, like Thailand, but cheaper. I went on this trip with my bf from Mexico, used miles for Business class, stayed at the Conrad Bali (used points) and got upgraded to an amazing suite with a private pool and direct ocean access. I was in the hotel business and the GM put me on the VIP guest list.... every worker knew me from sight, I wanted to adopt/marry one of the 21 yr old waiters in the Diamond lounge....I felt like a rock star. I also visited the Hard Rock Cafe, where I knew the manager from Jakarta, also made us feel like rock stars. Was a most memorable amazing trip, plus between Thai and Singapore in Business class, my BF is NEVER leaving me, lol I'm in Pattaya now, will post something later.....

The Indonesian providers you meet in Bali are almost universally not Balinese. The majority are Javanese and Sundanese; some are from Sumatra or Lombok. All are cut because they are typically Muslim or Muslim-adjacent. 😃 The VAST majority of native Balinese men are uncut, whether they are Hindu or Christian.

There is always a choice. Terrorists always argue to have none. Lies.

No, just not the answer you desire.🙂

The reason for this is that Hamas is intentionally launching missiles from densely-populated areas, knowing full-well that the Israelis have no choice but to target the areas of the missile launches. Essentially all of the civilian deaths on the Palestinian side are due to Hamas. Hamas is responsible for both Israeli and Palestinian civilian deaths. And when Palestinians die, they point their fingers at the Israelis. Hamas kills Palestinians for their own benefit.

Amsterdam is actually a very small city. You can easily walk from one side of the city center to the other. Bangkok is far, far bigger, with many more districts. It's 'red light' district isn't really near the primary tourist traps and they're a lot less inclined to tell others how their lives should be lived.

That is not the question I have asked in response to your earlier statement. You were very clear in stating "no autocratic regime has more to lose than Iran if it miscalculates the consequence of future actions." All I have asked is very simple given the simplicity of your statement. What will Iran lose? Lose from which nation? Or of it is easier, what in your own view will Iran lose? The USA declared Iran a state sponsor of terrorism way back in 1984 - nearly 40 years ago. In the Department of State 2021 Country Reports on Terrorism there is a very long list of Iran's terrorist actions. Even in the section dealing with Programs and initiatives, there is absolutely nothing about what specifically the USA has done to mitigate or even stop Iran during that time! Arguably that's because it has done very little. I have been clear in stating there is likely to be virtually no come back on Iran that it is not presently suffering - providing of course it does not directly strike America or American targets. I wish there was, but I can see nothing barring a nuclear strike. And the Lord only knows how that would escalate worldwide! Sanctions? They have been very tight for years. Military action? From which nation? I accept that ten years ago wiping out part of Iran might not have been too difficult. Now the whole scenario is very, very different. For years Iran has operated virtually with impunity as a bad actor in several Middle Eastern countries. The US has done virtually nothing. The EU has done virtually nothing. Israel has done virtually nothing. Russia and China are now its allies. No western government is going to take on Iran, least of all the USA with all its other military commitments and possible future commitments around the world. Iranian missiles and drones can be shot down day after day, but that does virtually zero harm to Iran. I would still appreciate an answer to your very specific question made in response to my earlier post.

From what I understand from others, joiners not a problem.

Yes, basic and clean, great location. I walked into Tarntawan first and wasn’t thrilled with the price, they told me it’s cheaper booking with agoda. The boss walked in and gave a better price so I told them I’d let them know in an hour. But decided to stay at 56 Suriwong because they’re nice here and I’m tired. Only booked one night so maybe I’ll stay at Tarntawan tomorrow for a few days. I asked the girl about joiners here at 56, and she wasn’t sure, seemed confused. Anyone know the policy here?

I got a word somebody may try this airport very soon so I will try to extract some information

Polish, Re Peter's rcmndtion: if u do get info via a PM, please post it here. I too plan to visit btw dec and feb, and was planning to post a request for updated info.

+1

yes , he is talkative in best sense of the word

My routine is the same like yours. I like surprises so any specifics I discuss is really time frame, short time or long time and my question is standardized " do you stay with me till breakfast ?" . Only other service question I ask is about kiss but only after deal is sealed so they don't need to lie - that is when sometimes upping fee is into play if they all of the sudden decide to be kissy and from experience I know they did not before. I like to reward such bravery. Once it happened that in the room guy wanted more for said kiss. I remember who it was but don't recall how much he wanted but it was modest . as for changing course unfortunately at times is not me buy buys who do and usually it's cutting time, all those " I parked my motorsai in wrong place" and perennial ' my friend lost key". then usually I cut their tip, next time they want to go with me I say NO and explain clearly why not.

That hankering after long lost glories may be dangerous indeed as it may be sold to big chunk of population as we can see in certain belligerent country not far from Iran's illustrious shores. You not only member here who visited country and while I agree that it's people are highly cultured, sophisticated and well behaved , in short you can sense that that are supported by thousands years of history, I found pockets of fanaticism surprisingly spacious and reaching intellectually higher levels of society as well. Unsolicited lecture about sunni-shia schism in 8th century I was given by very polished university professor while visiting poet's Hafez mausoleum in Shiraz was so intense that it bordered on outright scary. Think about witnessing Dr. Jelkyll / Mr. Hyde transformation yourself. We tend to forget that even most heinous regimes are staying in power not only by sheer terror but also by being supported by , at least part of population, who buys and believes their narratives on free will or have material interest in pretending it is. To put it brutally , for every person hanged from the crane there will be somebody who will gladly take her/ his house and / or job. I put may likes in this thread not because I agree with all it's said is saying but I like elegance of arguments, that's generally the case in other discussions as well

that's included in price or you pay for that separately?

I am due there in January, will be interesting to see how things work, or don't!

This question is purely a request for more information - absolutely nothing more. The government of Iran (which I will always divorce from the people of that country) is a pariah state. Part of its actions in recent decades seem to be a hankering after some of its long lost glories. It was after all for a time the largest Empire the world had ever known. It was home to the world's first monotheastic religion, Zoroastrianism. It welcomed other religions a long time before they ventured westwards, in particular Judaism and Christianity. All three are protected state religions whose adherents have the right to practice their religions and which have dedicated seats in the Iranian parliament. Indeed there are references to Persia in no less than five books in the Old Testament. That aside, what consequences do you see or refer to if it "miscalculates the consequences of future actions"? Do you see the US taking action against it? Many might love to see that, but I consider it so unlikely it will not happen. The US is inextricably bound up with Israel/Palestine, with Ukraine and all but obligated to stand by to aid Taiwan if China were to invade. It is surely unlikely Congress and the US public will accept another war front. Israel with a thumbs up from the USA bombed a suspected nuclear facility in Iran in 2007 and kept the raid secret from the world for seven months. Iran is now a much more militant adversary and one with the ability to manufacture different and sophisticated weaponry as the Ukrainians have found out. With Russia and China in its corner, what does it stand to lose?

More likely that she offered her services, and the tourist involved decided to offer up transphobic insults instead of smiling and saying "no thank you". Tourist found out that insulting Thai's to their face results in an impromptu Muay Thai match.

You are correct. I passed by again this afternoon and took a second look. Green Massage is still operating in original location. I now think it was Olivia’s that moved (from second shop now run by Avarin) and into larger space further up Surawong.

As I wrote you and I will agree to disagree. Nothing excuses not only the Holocaust but the ghastly inhumane treatment of Jewish people in Germany throughout most of the Nazi regime. I have never denied that and would never consider doing so. And I agree that in most people's minds had it not occurred the present Israeli/Palestinian conflicts would not be happening and Iran might - although I happen to doubt this - be sitting on the sidelines wondering where next to hit US interests. But the fact cannot be denied that many Jews pre-Holocaust had emigrated from Germany to other countries including Palestine. Folllowing WWII, quite a number of Jews not just from Germany but also other parts of devastated Europe made their way to Palestine because their own pre-war homes no longer existed. The number was at least 600,000. It was more than just a matter of shame that the post-WWII British administration in Palestine denied access to the country to most Holocaust survivors. And it was before most arrived that Ben Gurion made his pledge I referred to in my earlier post. The Arab-Jewish/Israeli conflict pre-dates the Holocaust. I merely say again that the main thrust of my OP were faults of the US (seen in hindsight) through not having Middle East specialists in its post war state department. It got it policies re Iran totally wrong - just as it did in Vietnam. The result is that a country which was once a staunch ally of the US is now arguably its most stanuch foe. And that is incontrovertible.

Lol, yeah, performative masculinity is how I think of it.

that's very good news indeed ! As Boy69 remarked they had reputation of being visitors unfriendly and this is reason I never stay in that hotel. Time to try I guess as location is superb indeed

Sure. And that solution should be based on UN's decision from 1948: Palestinians have rights to have own state. Current situation became possible just because of it ignorance. And Zionists played great role in it.

+1 Gold , good that you made immediate decision to return as day or two later it could be problematic if not outright impossible. Hope all that bloodbath will cease soon and your husband returns home safe. Thank you for taking time to write report, if only to remind us that best time may turn to very bad one in split of second.

This is their early bird fare. I also booked an ITA business class from Paris CDG-FCO-GRU for $2600(return), for my upcoming December trip. The downside with ITA is you can not accrue miles to most other Skyteam airlines such as Delta or KLM/AF, even though ITA claim to be part of skyteam. The real cheap(basic) business class from Paris(Orly airport) to GRU is AirEuropa via BCN for $2000, without lounge access and no mileage accrual. But service from AE has a nasty reputation.

A Chromebook is a laptop form factor, but instead of running Windows or MacOS it runs ChromeOS. Most of what you do is in the Chrome web browser but you can also install Android apps and use those. I use mine mostly for basic web surfing, email and some YouTube viewing. There is a wide range of prices and hardware specs. My current Chromebook is from Asus but it was more of a high end choice. As noted HP, Acer, Lenovo, and Samsung are all in the Chromebook game.

I'd also recommend a Chromebook, especially for travelling, depending on your needs. I've been using them for several years (though still use a standard laptop for work purposes). I find Chromebooks more than sufficient for general use (web browsing, e-mail, watching videos etc). I find they tend to be lighter / less bulky / more durable than standard laptops, while still giving the laptop-feel that tablets don't. A big advantage also is that, like a smart phone, you open it and it's ready to go, much less time rebooting / resuming sessions than a laptop. They're generally much cheaper too, but may be more limited if you need specific software / apps and probably much less internal storage. Previously I've bought HP's which have been good, currently using a Lenovo, which has also proved fine for my purposes.

And I wonder what Anutin plans to do about the 10.3 million guns which were held mostly in private hands, legally and illegally, as reported a year ago? Will there be a government buy-back programme as in Australia? Or is this just one issue which has been conveniently put on the back burner?

I think that's my biggest question as well

Why does a 14 year old live alone?

What a load of utter trash! Troubled personalities a result of their governments? Absolute nonsense! Which planet do you live on?

2 bad experience with 2 nation and you start bashing the whole country? Racist much?

Sounds like all hat no cattle.

Why the hell they didnt make a proper gogobar for women where all of the guys are straight? There is a big market in japan specifically for that, i am pretty sure bangkok can live up to that too. It makes life easier for both gay and women alike. Id be frustrated too if the boy i want to off at a gay bar says he cant be with me because he only go with women.