TotallyOz

I have to say I am more impressed with the shows than I have been in the past and that is pretty much true for all the places. They seem to be doing more than a quick fuck show and candles. Jupiter 2002 had a great show with new stuff that I had never seen. A nice violin concerto with a guy in a outfit that blew up to reveal his hard cock also playing to the music. They also had a nice ladyboy scene where the lady was vaulted into the air for a song. Several other hot numbers and a big dick contest. Now, I personally do not like the sex shows. I had much rather participate than watch something. But, just about every single bar on the soi was having a show. I went into 10 bars just wanting to see the gogo boys and all had shows going on. I guess that is the thing that brings in the cash. For me, it takes away an hour of the boys chance to make money. But, apparently the bars are bringing in the dough. At Jupiter, the drinks are 250 each and I counted 215 people minimum. That is over 53k bath just at the time I was there. Most places were similarly packed on a Saturday night. I was a bit surprised at the high number of Thais at the places as well as women. At Jupiter, the Thai customers far outnumbered the Farang ones. The same at Boys Bangkok and Future Boys. I was unable to be seated in Classic boy as they were full as were most of the other places. If you want a set for the show, get there early. Dream boys is 270 entrance and that gets you one drink. The boys that were there was not Amazing as I had seen in the past. There were some hotties but not the large numbers I had seen before. Just for tonight, I thought the hottest boys were at Boys Bangkok. I took one from there. I had 2 over for drinks, one drink for myself and the off for one boy. The bin was 1170 baht. I am guessing that means the off was 400. I tipped each mamasan at each place I go to as they know what I want and make sure I get exactly what I want every time. I rarely have a disappointment. In return, the boys rarely have a disappointment. The mamasan tells the boy exactly what I want and that they will be paid well if they take care of me. I pay the boys 1500 for a short time or 2000 for a bit longer. Tonight, I had a boy that went to 3 other bars with me and that takes up his time and although we didn't have 4 hours of sex, it did take away from his time and I paid him accordingly. I don't think it fair to take a boy to the shows and think that is a tip. For the most part, they are bored with them and only smile when they think you want them to. They had much rather be in the hotel and home early if the tip is going to be the same. If you get a good reputation with a few boys, the rest will take care of you. The biggest change I noticed since my last trip is the number of hot boys on the street in front of the soi and at the bars just as you enter. Many of the bars have redecorated and refurbished themselves but they are mostly the same. There were a few guys I noticed that were from Pattaya and now working the street. They were all over 20 and not sure why they choose to work on the street as opposed to the bars but they were all smiling and happy to see me. There are some gogo bars on the same soi as the popular Tawan. Tawan is mostly a muscle guy bar. Does nothing for me but I go some time just to see the testosterone. Down the soi is a nice restaurant named Mango Tree. The food is excellent and the price is reasonable. The Tawan soi is one block down from the Tartawan Hotel, which is popular with many gay tourists. Next door to Tawan is a Karaoke bar with sexy boys. There are a few massage places in the same soi. Solid is usually a fun place. Tonight, it was 9 guys and 8 were ladyboys and just not happening. Super A boys, the one on top of Solid and just to the right back side of it, was the single most horrible bar I have been into in years. Not one cute boy in the place. An old farang getting sucked by a boy and a dog wandering around and barking. It was a little surreal. Drinks at Solid and Super A are 100 bath. I don't know the off fees. Tawan the drinks were the same as most bars 250 I think it was. However, If you are looking for the cutes boys in Bangkok, don't go to the gogo bars, go to the malls. They are there in droves and they are willing to go with you. Not all of them of course but many of them are. Take a look and walk slow and smile often and you will see eye candy galore and more hotties than you can handle. I have had luck every time I go there to pick up and it is usually a college student out from school for the day. They are sweet and speak English. Don't limit yourself only to the bars when in Thailand. More fun can be had than at the bars and massage parlors. Test and try the malls and parks. Your chance of success is not 100% like at the bars but you will do better than you think with the right smile and if you are not shy. The Massage places are nice. Hero and others are fun but the best IMHO is B and N. B and N has been one of my favorite afternoon delights for years. They have cute guys and good rates. The house brings out about 20 or so guys for you to chose from. The manager will be able to tell you which ones are gay and what they do. The house gets paid 500 baht for the room and time. The minimum tip is 500 bath. I normally tell the boys: 500 bath massage only 600 bath jack off 800 baht smoke me (oral) 1200 baht all the above and anal I let them decide what they want to do and for how much. I will tip above the rates I pay if the guy goes above and beyond. Those are also a bit higher than some pay and lower than others pay. I just like to be upfront with the guys and for them to know in advance what they are getting into and let them chart the course. Of course, if I really want sex that day, I tell the manager that and they make sure I get the right guy. Frankly, most of the time I just enjoy the massage and playing. I haven't met too many that don't make the full amount of money. But, there are some. This place is on Sukhumvit Road and is easily reached by train. Day time the traffic on the road is horrible and takes forever to go a few blocks in high traffic. I prefer to get there early afternoon and get a good start to the day. 4th Floor, Sukhumvit Plaza, 212/23 Sukhumvit Soi 12 Phone:+66 (0) 22 519 714 One place I love in Bangkok is Cutey and Beauty. They have all gay staff and cater to gay men. They are sweet, flirtatious and sexy. The hair cut is about 400 baht and the foot massage is 500 baht and the facials are 500 baht. They do have combination specials and a day of treatment. The boys there are really sweet and fun. They are in a shopping plaza that you will love if you are a golfer as the entire plaza is golf and hair. Not sure why the mix of the 2 but it is fun. Their prices are a bit higher than other places but I like the fact it is gay owned and operated and they advertise in gay magazines and the boys are gay (if a Thai boy is actually 100 percent gay). The place is located half way between the Silom 4 gay bars and the Papong hooker bars. If you want to spend some afternoon time at Cutey and then head for dinner on Silom 4 and then to the boy bars, this is an easy walk between them all and a fun way to start and end the day. Cutey and Beauty 3rd Floor Thaniya Plaza Silom Bangkok Tel: 02-2321-2315 www.cuteyandbeauty.com I would not have made it around the area without Gems and Phon Taxi, which I have used for many years. Not one disappointment. Not one missed appointment. They take good care of you and have very reasonable prices. They picked up the bf to bring to me and back to school on Sunday and even came and took us to airport and several other small trips. They are simply the best IMHO. email: gemsphone@loxinfo.co.th phone: (66) 0176164550 09-8332498 So, a week in the great city and I had a blast. I loved the shopping malls and found that the best boys are there during the day and night. I did not have luck at Lumpini Park as I did before but I didn’t have the chance to go on a weekend. The one thing I hate about Bangkok is the traffic. It is horrible. The bf and I went from Silom 4 to MBK and it took over 1-½ hours. It was crazy as we should have walked and if I had known exactly where we were going, I would have. The greatest deal I got was my hotel. I stayed at a nice hotel and I was able to book it for 5k points per night from my point collection. The normal rate is 30k points per night and I am not sure why this was on the website but it was. So, 8 nights in Bangkok at a very nice hotel for only 40k points. I had free breakfast, Internet and mini bar privileges. What a great deal this was for me. I checked out at the end and after ordering room service many times and my bill was less than 200 USD. It was great to be back in Bangkok and see some wonderful guys and spend time with the amazing Thai people.

I have to agree with you. I have called Craig's List the Stellas Bar of the new century. Stellas was known for hot boys but hustler, flakes and liars. The same seemed to be true in NYC when I tried to hook up. Many no responses. Many responded with weird questions and many just flakes. I did find some cute guys on there but it as luck and not the majority of the guys I met.

One place I love in Bangkok is Cutey and Beauty. They have all gay staff and cater to gay men. They are sweet, flirtatious and sexy. The hair cut is about 400 baht and the foot massage is 500 baht and the facials are 500 baht. They do have combination specials and a day of treatment. The boys there are really sweet and fun. They are in a shopping plaza that you will love if you are a golfer as the entire plaza is golf and hair. Not sure why the mix of the 2 but it is fun. The place is located half way between the Silom 4 gay bars and the Papong hooker bars. If you want to spend some afternoon time at Cutey and then head for dinner on Silom 4 and then to the boy bars, this is an easy walk between them all and a fun way to start and end the day. Cutey and Beauty 3rd Floor Thaniya Plaza Silom Bangkok Tel: 02-2321-2315 www.cuteyandbeauty.com

If you are looking for the cutes boys in Bangkok, don't go to the gogo bars, go to the malls. They are there in droves and they are willing to go with you. Not all of them of course but many of them are. Take a look and walk slow and smile often and you will see eye candy galore and more hotties than you can handle. I have had luck every time I go there to pick up and it is usually a college student out from school for the day. They are sweet and speak english. Don't limit yourself only to the bars when in Thailand. More fun can be had than at the bars and massage parlors. Test and try the malls and parks. Your chance of success is not 100% like at the bars but you will do better than you think with the right smile and if you are not shy.

There are some gogo bars on the same soi and the popular Tawan. Tawan is mostly a muscle guy bar. Does nothing for me but I go some time just to see the testosterone. Down the soi is a nice restaurant named Mango Tree. The food is excellent and the price is reasonable. The Tawan soi is one block down from the Tartawan Hotel which is popular with many gay tourists. Next door to Tawan is a Karaoke bar with sexy boys. There are a few massage places in the same soi. Solid is usually a fun place. Tonight, it was 9 guys and 8 were ladyboys and just not happening. Super A boys, the one on top of Solid and just to the right back side of it, was the single most horrible bar I have been into in years. Not one cute boy in the place. An old farang getting sucked by a boy and a dog wandering around and barking. It was a little surreal. Drinks at Solid and Super A are 100 bath. I don't know the off fees. Tawan the drinks were the same as most bars 250 I think it was.

I was talking with a guy today from Australia and he was on holiday. We were talking about his work and he said no one knew he was gay at work and he does not date when he is home. He is in his 50's and travels often. I didn't come out till I was 27 and when I did, I was working in law firms in New York. Everyone at the firm knew I was gay and I never had any problems or issues with it. Although, New York is very open in most areas and easy to be gay. It got me to thinking about how far we have come and yet still there is a stereotype that many have against guys. Laws are currently being passed that are anti-gay in many states. Some states still have laws on the books that forbid homosexual sex. When I hung out at the Gaiety in NYC many years ago, many of my friends that were clients were not out to anyone. I am not sure how easy or hard things have become and the decision is very personal for everyone. I don't think anyone I know doesn't know I am gay. Perhaps it is my rainbow bracelet or my sparkling glasses. But, I don't have a typical work environment. I guess my workplace would be the hotels I stay at and I know for a fact that every cute bellman knows I am gay. Are you out at work?

I'd be terrified that the neighbors would have a heart attack if I were in the backyard naked reading Milton. Would that be cause enough for them to put me in the Loony Bin? Image the policeman responding to that call. "And, Mr. Oz, you are naked in the backyard why?" "Well sir, I was reading Milton and no better place than the backyard" PS I am from the South so we don't have back gardens, we have backyards. It normally contains a few hunting dogs, a old truck that needs repair and some Budwiser beer cans. Not sure if that would create the same ambiance as the Blake's back garden, but I think Milton would enjoy it just the same.

I'm older than moses Leo. LOL But, I went to your site and was very impressed. Great site and very sexy photos. I bet those 3-10 piece look as good on you as they do off of you. Thanks TY and Epigonos. I will try my best to have fun. Caeron: Growing up a military brat, I'm not much attached to my stuff. I think a laptop and the road and I'd be good. I tend to agree with you. I am not attached to many things. Perhaps that is why I can pack up and move so quickly. When I had a place in Thailand once, I just gave all I had bought to the boys I had living with me and they divided up the contents and took one truck load after another to somewhere. When in NYC last, my neighbors got some neat stuff as I much prefer to give to someone close by as opposed to dealing with Ebay or Craig's List. For me, the notebook, a few cameras and some gadgets are all I need and then off I go.

I am not sure what will happen on the day that many say will reveal the final nominees of each party. I am guessing that Clinton's team has prepared well for this event and she will take many of the states but I would not be shocked to see the Obama campaign pull out many surprises and do better than most expect. On the Republican side, I do think McCain has the momentum. Romney may pick up some states as well but I think Jonn McCain will be the victor in the majority of the states. I hated to see Edwards leave the race. The longer he was in, the more I liked him. I also wonder if Nader will once again join the race. He has said that since Edwards dropped out that there was no one left who wasn't bought by corporate money and he would join if he could raise 10 million and get volunteer attorneys in each state to work on getting him on the ballot. I don't think any race has been so much fun to watch in years as the one we have going on now.

Having been to Carnival several times over the last few years, I found this New York Times article interesting. Brazil is known by many as the plastic surgery capital of the world. Perhaps this article tells why this is true. I know that many of my Brazilian friends who don't live in Brazil return there for this event and they really prepare hard for it by dieting, shopping, etc. It is an event that many want to show the world the best they have. RIO DE JANEIRO — It was the last rehearsal of the Vila Isabel samba school at the famed Sambadrome, and Natalia Guimarães, Miss Brazil 2007, wondered if she was truly ready for Carnival. She surveyed the high-energy samba dancers gliding down the avenue in five-inch high heels, sweat pouring off their bare stomachs as they gyrated their rear ends at dizzying speeds for an hour, with barely a minute’s rest. Had the 25 flights of stairs she climbed each day in her hotel and the countless hours training with a samba queen and lifting weights been enough to prepare her for her role as a drum corps queen? “They say Brazilians all have some samba in their feet,” Ms. Guimarães, a 23-year-old native of Minas Gerais, said. “I didn’t have much in mine. I know it has to improve, and I’m practicing hard.” She is hardly alone. More than ever, it is survival of the fittest at Rio’s renowned Carnival celebration — a full-tilt sport in high heels. Women, and some men, put themselves through intense training programs months in advance. Health clubs in trendy Ipanema and Leblon offer specialized pre-Carnival boot camps aimed at putting members in the best shape of the year, and perhaps their lives, for the five-day pre-Lent celebration. “For these women, Carnival is their Olympics,” said César Parcias, a personal trainer at Proforma gym in Leblon who teaches a pre-Carnival workout class. Women, especially, put heavy pressure on themselves to measure up on the samba stage and in the bacchanal block parties that began winding through this city of six million people on Saturday. Sun-worshiping and visible tan lines are mandatory. Some even turn to plastic surgery for pre-Carnival adjustments. But for most of Rio’s residents, known as Cariocas, more is never enough when it comes to Carnival. They feel that the eyes of the world are upon them, and they do not plan on disappointing. To that end, more flesh is on the agenda this year, too. “This year our costumes are tiny, and there are no feathers to cover our bums,” said Livia Candido, an 18-year-old dancer with the Vila Isabel samba school. “That means there’s a lot of pressure to get our bums in perfect shape.” Marcelo Misailidis, a choreographer for Vila Isabel, said the demands to be physically fit for Carnival are growing. As samba schools get bigger, to ensure that the several hundred people in the group finish the parade in time, the samba rhythms have become faster, he said. The competition in the Sambadrome features 12 schools, each with 80 minutes to parade its way down samba “avenue.” Schools are penalized if they exceed that time. Each parader, known as a componente, is on the avenue for up to an hour. Julio Cesar da Conceição, a fitness trainer and member of Vila Isabel’s samba troupe, estimated that during that hour, a componente dancing a frenetic samba could burn up to 1,200 calories and sweat up to a gallon of water in the humid, 90-plus-degree temperatures. Mr. Misailidis says he remembers a time not too long ago when people who paraded down the avenue were not as physically fit. “Some would pass out halfway through,” he said. “These days, people know better.” Just as physically demanding — especially for die-hard samba dancers — are the less formal, and often more brazen, Carnival parties and parades known as blocos. They continue for hours on end, often fueled by copious drinking. Costumes are common at these mobile parties, but they tend to be even more minimalist than the revealing sequined and feathered samba parade get-ups. To get the Carnival-ready body, many Cariocas swear off fried food weeks before and stock up on energy bars and energy drinks, an increasing number of which contain guaraná, a caffeine-rich plant native to the Amazon rain forest. Once the Carnival parties kick off, revelers drink huge amounts of coconut water, which is thought to have broad healing powers. Priscyla Vidal, a “muse” for the Bola Preto bloco, said a diet rich in black beans gave her the fuel to spend hours on the Stairmaster machine. “Carnival is all about vanity, but it has changed,” said Ms. Vidal, 27. “It used to exalt whoever could dance samba the best. Now it is more about who looks more glamorous.” Mr. Parcias, the personal trainer in Leblon, knows that only too well. Last week, some 40 people attended his one-hour class. They were of all ages, but were mostly young women in form-fitting bodysuits. They seemed utterly focused, staring ahead at the mirror and never uttering a complaint. The Carnival classes, held five days a week, begin five weeks before the event. “Some people get here before Carnival and they are desperate to start training after a full year where they’ve done almost no training,” he said. “Some people go overboard, but of course we discourage that.” Like triathletes recovering after a race, Mr. Parcias’s students will spend the six weeks after Carnival in less-intensive workouts, a “period of recuperation,” he said. When exercise is not enough, some Brazilians go under the knife to perfect their beauty. Angela Bismarchi had her 42nd plastic surgery on Monday. Already the Brazilian record holder for the most plastic surgeries, Ms. Bismarchi, 36, had nylon wires implanted in her eyes to give them an Asian slant, to help her look the part for this year’s theme of her samba group, Porto da Pedra: the centennial of Japanese immigration to Brazil. Ms. Bismarchi said in a telephone interview that she had timed the operation to “be much more beautiful during Carnival.” Once it is over, she said, she will have another operation to remove the wires. “I will return to being Angela,” she said. After Carnival, Ms. Guimarães, who has focused her months of Carnival training on having a “healthier, more muscular and curvaceous” body for samba dancing, will have to transform her body again to return to the modeling world. “I have to get skinny again,” she said. “Being in shape by New York standards, by fashion standards, means being skinny.” http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/03/world/am...nyt&emc=rss

I have to say I am more impressed with the shows than I have been in the past and that is pretty much true for all the places. They seem to be doing more than a quick fuck show and candles. Jupiter 2002 had a great show with new stuff that I had never seen. A nice violin concerto with a guy in a outfit that blew up to reveal his hard cock also playing to the music. They also had a nice ladyboy scene where the lady was vaulted into the air for a song. Several other hot numbers and a big dick contest. Now, I personally do not like the sex shows. I had much rather participate than watch something. But, just about every single bar on the soi was having a show. I went into 10 bars just wanting to see the gogo boys and all had shows going on. I guess that is the thing that brings in the cash. For me, it takes away an hour of the boys chance to make money. But, apparently the bars are bringing in the dough. At Jupiter, the drinks are 250 each and I counted 215 people minimum. That is over 53k bath just at the time I was there. Most places were similarly packed on a Saturday night. I was a bit surprised at the high number of Thais at the places as well as women. At Jupiter, the Thai customers far outnumbered the Farang ones. The same at Boys Bangkok and Future Boys. I was unable to be seated in Classic boy as they were full as were most of the other places. If you want a set for the show, get there early. Dream boys is 270 entrance and that gets you one drink. Just for tonight, I thought the hottest boys were are Boys Bangkok. I took one from there. I had 2 over for drinks, one drink for myself and the off for one boy. The bin was 1170 baht. I am guessing that means the off was 400. I tipped each mamasan at each place I go to as they know what I want and make sure I get exactly what I want every time. I rarely have a disappointment. In return, the boys rarely have a disappointment. The mamasan tells the boy exactly what I want and that they will be paid well if they take care of me. I pay the boys 1500 for a short time or 2000 for a bit longer. Tonight, I had a boy that went to 3 other bars with me and that takes up his time and although we didn't have 4 hours of sex, it did take away from his time and I paid him accordingly. I don't think it fair to take a boy to the shows and think that is a tip. For the most part, they are bored with them and only smile when they think you want them to. They had much rather be in the hotel and home early if the tip is going to be the same. If you get a good reputation with a few boys, the rest will take care of you. The biggest change I noticed since my last trip is the number of hot boys on the street in front of the soi and at the bars just as you enter. Many of the bars have redecorated and refurbished themselves but they are mostly the same.

B and N has been one of my favorite afternoon delights for years. They have cute guys and good rates. The house brings out about 20 or so guys for you to chose from. The manager will be able to tell you which ones are gay and what they do. The house gets paid 500 baht for the room and time. The minimum tip is 500 bath. I normally tell the boys: 500 bath massage only 600 bath jack off 800 baht smoke me (oral) 1200 baht all the above and anal I let them decide what they want to do and for how much. I will tip above the rates I pay if the guy goes above and beyond. Those are also a bit higher than some pay and lower than others pay. I just like to be upfront with the guys and for them to know in advance what they are getting into and let them chart the course. Of course, if I really want sex that day, I tell the manager that and they make sure I get the right guy. Frankly, most of the time I just enjoy the massage and playing. I haven't met too many that don't make the full amount of money. But, there are some. This place is on Sukhumvit Road and is easily reached by train. Day time the traffic on the road is horrible and takes forever to go a few blocks in high traffic. I prefer to get there early afternoon and get a good start to the day. 4th Floor, Sukhumvit Plaza, 212/23 Sukhumvit Soi 12 Phone:+66 (0) 22 519 714

Gems and Phon Taxi I have used used for many years. Not one disappointment. Not one missed appointment. They take good care of you and have very reasonable prices. email: gemsphone@loxinfo.co.th phone: (66) 0176164550 09-8332498

For years, I have taken to the sky and to the trains for adventure and enjoyment. Last year, I decided I would try to settle down in NYC. It was a lovely idea but one that was not well thought out or planned. I had forgotten how much I hated cold weather and walking outside and my eyes tearing up from the cold. I took an amazing apartment, which I loved. The place was 10 times the size of the last place I had in NYC. I had a balcony that was about 1200 square feet big on the back and another large one on the front. There were 2 huge bedrooms and 2 nice bathrooms. It was everything I wanted in a place. I set out to furnish it and I had fun with that. I picked my furniture, appliances and fabrics just the way I wanted them. I had a nice purple Nicole Miller bedspread with matching drapes, a gay welcome mat, a set of Henkle knives cook food with and more things I never dream I would be purchasing to furnish an apartment. But, just as quick as I furnished it, I knew that it would not be my home. I don’t think I’ll ever have a home. I have lived in hotels for a few years and from one place to the next like a gypsy or a nomad. I seem to enjoy the ebb and flow of not knowing what the next day will be like or where I will end up. Being bogged down by a place was just not what I thought it was be. I had dreams of settling down and finding the harmony I had longed for. An apartment will never give me that. I think it will only come with growing old and accepting the past as the past and looking toward the future and making each day a true adventure. I will say that I have lived a very happy life although it has been filled with jumping from one country to the next and one affair to another. At some point, one wonders what it will take for him to settle down. Most of you may know that answer but I do not. I don’t know when or where or even if. I do know that NYC was not the place for me. So, once again, I am off. Off on another adventure. I had all my paintings and antiques I had collected over the years put into storage. The rest of my apartment I gave to friends and neighbors, as I know that I’ll not need it in the USA for many years. I booked a last minute flight and rushed to the airport. I sit here on a plane filled with bodies that I don’t know and headed to a place that I do know will bring me adventure and excitement. Perhaps I am the original Peter Pan and never want to grow up. I certainly want to keep playing and traveling and exploring. A great astrologer friend of mine told me many years ago that I was born on a date that the stars had destined me to be a wanderer with no home and no place to put my head at night for a long period of time. I think maybe she was right. She also told me what I had a great capacity to change and adapt much like a chameleon. That, I don’t think she was right on. I am an obvious tourist and not a native of anywhere. Even in NYC, which I counted as home for many years before and after law school, it does not seem like home for me. It hasn’t since the day I took to the air and met Hooboy in Brazil for my first adventure. I now travel without him and without someone that can just jump on a plane and meet me at some hotel on another continent. That saddens me. But, the thought of just waking up and watching the sunrise and saying, humm, I think I need to fly away today, exhilarates me. Finally, I think my home has been given to me. It is not one place but a multitude of places and people. Adventures are to be had. Lessons to be learned. Dreams to be shared. Guys to review. Hearts to be broken. Love to be shared. Fortunes to be wasted. Drinks that call my name. If the old adage is true, your home is where your heart is, well I am there. My heart belongs to so many places and so many people. We shall see if the next place is going to allow me to call it home or not but I guarantee you, it will be an adventure! And, for those willing to listen to my boring stories, there will be many to be shared here on the forums. I know many have complained about my boring writings and how pompous I sound. Haha You don’t really know me if you think I am pompous. Flamboyant maybe. Pompous no. I am down to earth, humble and gentle. I just come without a leash attached to me and with shoes that don't know where they want to go. I ate my last bagel this morning at my favorite bagel shop. The guys there have seen me daily for months. I walk in and they know what I want. Whole Wheat bagel, toasted, low fat cream cheese and a piece of grilled chicken. I said my goodbyes to my best friends in the city. Unlike last time I left, I just jumped on a place and called them from Sao Paulo, this time, I gave them a few hours notice. I was able to have a last meal with my best friend on earth at my favorite dive. No place anyone would have heard of or visited but it felt like the place to eat my last supper. Saying goodbye to the apartment was easier than I thought. It didn’t speak back. I thought I heard an echo from a voice of years gone by saying, “Carpe Diem.” But, that is a voice not heard in a few years. Still, I could swear it was there. For now, while I recover from the plane and the drama of paying for 4 extra pieces of luggage, Oz out. I’m sure I’ll reporting again soon from a tropical location where there are cute guys galore and life is sweet and the weather is warm. Bon Voyage USA!

I don't like posting threads linking to other threads but this one really moved me. Please take a moment and read it. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discu...dress=221x63803

BANGKOK — With the selection of Samak Sundaravej as prime minister on Monday, Thailand has completed a transition from military rule back to democracy. But analysts predict that the bumpy ride is not over for Thai politics: Mr. Samak’s tenure is likely to be tempestuous and his government fragile. A highly divisive and outspoken political veteran who is prone to profanity, Mr. Samak is disliked by the Thai press and intelligentsia and is deeply resented by civil rights groups for his support of deadly crackdowns on peaceful protesters in the 1970s and 1990s. He is a self-described proxy of Thaksin Shinawatra, the prime minister who was ousted in the Sept. 2006 coup. As the leader of the People Power Party, or P.P.P., which won a plurality of votes in elections on Dec. 23, Mr. Samak will lead a coalition of parties that together control about 65 percent of the seats in the House of Representatives. In the vote for prime minister in Thailand’s Parliament on Monday, Mr. Samak beat the candidate from the rival Democrat Party, Abhisit Vejjejava, by 310 votes to 163. Despite his victory, there is already talk that Mr. Samak could soon be replaced by someone more conciliatory. The Thai media has been running daily speculation on who might emerge as a compromise candidate for prime minister. “I think the Thaksin group will try to find a way to get rid of him over the next few months,” said Jon Ungpakorn, a former senator and democracy activist, referring to Mr. Samak. “He was an asset in the election. He will be a liability as prime minister.” The coalition came to power on a populist platform that was anti-elite, anti-military and geared toward a continuation of Mr. Thaksin’s programs targeting poverty reduction in rural areas. This platform fits with Mr. Samak’s earthy, irreverent, man-of-the-people image. But it is at odds with much of his political experience and background. Although Mr. Samak criticized the military and stuck up for democracy during the campaign, throughout his early years in politics he was best known for his extreme right-wing stands against Communists and his support for deadly crackdowns in 1976 and 1992 on students and pro-democracy campaigners who were demanding greater civil liberties. Despite his street-fighter style, Mr. Samak is a blue-blooded member of the Thai elite, a law graduate from one of the country’s most prestigious universities. The 2006 coup and its aftermath have sometimes been described as a battle between Mr. Thaksin and the Thai elite, including the Thai royal family. Mr. Samak, 72, has a foot in both camps. He has been allied to Mr. Thaksin since the former telecommunications tycoon came to power in 2001 but remained a stalwart royalist. His family has long-standing ties to members of the royal family. Mr. Samak’s uncle was a physician to King Vajiravudh, who reigned from 1910 to 1925. The king bestowed the family with its last name, Sundaravej. During his three decades in politics Mr. Samak has been deputy prime minister three times, minister of transportation twice, interior minister and deputy agriculture minister. Before entering politics in the 1970s he held a wide variety of jobs including tour guide in Bangkok, a salesman of John Deere tractors and two years as a public relations officer for the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok. He is under investigation for alleged corruption in the procurement of fire trucks while he was governor of Bangkok from 2000 to 2004, a case that may complicate his premiership. If convicted, he would be barred from office. After the vote in Parliament, Mr. Samak played down the significance of his victory, calling for reporters to respect his privacy, The Associated Press reported. “Nothing will change in my life,” Mr. Samak said. “There will be no celebration over my appointment.” Mr. Abhisit was conciliatory in defeat, saying it was now time to move forward with a new government in which his party would serve in the opposition. “It is time to start governing and to restore confidence,” The A.P. quoted Mr. Abhisit as saying. “It is also time to install honest people who can work within the system so that we don’t get back into the past.” http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/29/world/as...nyt&emc=rss Also the Nation article: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/01/28...cs_30063660.php Parliament elect Samak as new prime minister People Power Party's leader Samak Sundaravej is elected as the 25 th prime minister of Thailand on Monday. Samak beat Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, nominated to be the candidate for the premiership by his party's former leader Banyat Bantatthan, with 310 to 163 in the voting in the Parliament. PPP's Secretary General Surapong Suebwonglee nominated Samak as the candidate.. The result of the voting showed that three MPs abstained including Samak and Abhisit and one was absent. The roll call voting was held after MPs disputed for 2 hours and 40 minutes as to whether each candidate for the prime minister, should be allowed to address their policies. After this, House Speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat will propose Samak for Royal endorsement. Samak then will form the his government.

Obama won a very decisive victory last night over Clinton and Edwards. Do you think this is the beginning of a major change for the election? Does he have what it takes to pull off more wins on Feb. 5th? I think the Clintons have the infrastructure for the Feb 5th debate but I wonder who big a victory this was for Obama and how that can carry over into the other elections. I wonder if the Democratic side will go down to the wire at the Convention. For the Republicans, I wonder the same. I also think the media is controlling this election. Wrong?

Well Townie, if you want, I'll happily take that trip to Europe for you and you can go to the party. It is a sacrifice, but what are friends for if they can't help out in bad situations?

Adam, I always find the kink Informative.

Movies and popcorn to boot. http://www.amctheatres.com/promos/showcase/

This is just not my type of movie and I have no intention to see it. I didn't see Blair Witch and I don't intend to see this. When there are high quality films out there like Rambo to see, who would want to see this crap?

Montel weights in on the Heath Ledger coverage.

By Maria Cramer Globe Staff / January 26, 2008 Tall and reed thin, Mark Snyder speaks in a soft, delicate voice and uses mannerisms he describes as effeminate. Snyder said he always felt comfortable being himself and walking hand in hand with his boyfriend around Boston, a city he described as much more tolerant of gays and lesbians than his hometown in rural Pennsylvania. But the stabbing death of his friend, 20-year-old Daniel Yakovleff, a gay hairstylist from Roxbury, has caused Snyder to question how safe he is. Police say Yakovleff's Jan. 17 death is under investigation, and they have released no information about motive or suspects. But his death has sent a chill through the city's gay community. Many gays say that in recent years they have felt more vulnerable to harassment, name calling, and assaults, particularly since the same-sex marriage amendment debate in 2004 that put a spotlight on the community and unleashed anger from gay marriage opponents. "We don't know what caused his death," said Snyder, who is founder of QueerToday, a Boston nonprofit that combats discrimination. "I know that for me and my friends, it was a huge wake-up call that we're a small community and we're brothers and sisters and we need to look out for each other. You never know which one of us may be a victim." The night Yakovleff was killed, he went to the Eagle bar on Tremont Street in the South End, then to a Dorchester apartment, police and friends said. The third-floor flat belonged to Steven Odegard, who had met Yakovleff that night, and later found him dead in his apartment, said Odegard's lawyer, John Swomley. Odegard told police he was asleep and woke to find Yakovleff dead in a back bedroom, police said. For full article: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachus...kes_citys_gays/

I just saw the new movie Rambo in the States and it was filed mostly in Thailand. I saw a few places I had seen before and the snake farm outside of Chiang Mai is there as well. The movie really did show the violence against the Burmese people and was VERY graphic. I am not sure an American audience will get the point behind the filming (other than to make money). But, I did see a few interviews with Stallone and he was hoping the film will raise awareness of the plight of the Burmese people. The first opening scene was of the monks marching and deaths last year. The credits are mostly Thai as well.

The last paragraph: This doesn’t mean gay voters should pull the lever for any of the Republicans now in the running. Rather, gay voters, donors and campaign staffers need to learn the art of the barter system: you give something, you get something. How on earth is this possible in the gay community. We seem so divided on our own which only goes to our own downfall. How is it possible to get this group organized and rally together?