TotallyOz

I hope to make it to Mexico to see this amazing exhibit. Has anyone gotten a chance to see it? Among the events celebrating Frida Kahlo is a retrospective at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City that continues through Aug. 19, and an exhibition at Museo Frida Kahlo in Coyoacán that runs to Sept. 30. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/07/arts/des...nyt&emc=rss

Having gone to law school many years ago, I have always kept an interest in Court decisions. I try to read them as often as I can. This term has produced some really bitting comments from the justices. CNN had a nice article to sum things up. WASHINGTON (CNN) -- One Supreme Court justice says his fellow conservatives are "too dismissive" of government efforts to ensure racial diversity in schools. Another more liberal member says those on the right did "serious violence" to a high school student's free speech rights. And one conservative slams another for "faux judicial restraint." These were some of the heated written exchanges contained in the final decisions handed down by the high court in the last, frantic days of the term. With justices rushing to finish business in time for summer recess, the luxury of polite, modest jurisprudence often gives way to bare-knuckle rhetoric, preserving for history the evidence of a divided court. With the liberal bloc narrowly losing a number of high-profile cases this term -- including late-term abortion, campaign finance reform, and public school desegregation -- the political and legal stakes produced sharper ideological lines. Justices John Paul Stevens, David Souter, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Stephen Breyer all wrote toughly worded dissents, punctuated by reading some of them from the bench. It is a rarely used privilege, reserved for only the biggest, most contentious cases. "There is very little that dissenters can do. If you don't have five votes you really don't have anything," said Thomas Goldstein, a Washington appellate attorney who has argued many cases before the Supreme Court. "The one symbolic step that they can take to show they are almost outraged and that they think something terrible has happened is to read these dissents from the bench. And so the fact that the more liberal members of the court have done it is really a sign that they are frustrated." Read the rest of the story: http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/07/06/cou...arsh/index.html

Well, having played with mine for a while now, I can honestly say that the gadget is incredible. I have really enjoyed it. First, you don't get your phone number or activate the phone at the ATT store. You only get a box and you hook the phone up to your ITunes and follow the directions to activate the phone, get your number, and choose a plan. I have always done this inside the store but now, with the Iphone it is all on line. The battery has lasted a long time and no issues there. So far I have not ran out of the battery power. I have used it many times and played on the internet with it and it never got low on me. I was in Best Buy with a friend and my phone rang and all the guys who work the electronics wanted to see the phone. It does draw attention where ever you go and people are amazed when they see what all it does. I had initially went to the store just to see one but they had none on display and said you can't see one unless you buy one so I did. The camera is good but not great. The photos I took were clear and sharp and as soon as I connected to my computer, they were upload to IPhoto. The Internet on it is better than I have seen on most networks but not as fast as ADSL or cable modem but it will get you there to each page on a OK speed. I was eating at Red Lobster yesterday and I was able to pull in google maps to the location we were at. It was quite amazing. It also includes UTube and you can watch videos on it. The e-mail is all syncned with your computer and I have played with the e-mail features and they are all easy to use and to keep track of. The keyboard is easy to understand and use. Responding to e-mail is a breeze and easier than on a blackberry. The sound quality is excellent. The screen is sharp and clear and easy to touch. So, my review of this device is that it is great if you really need to check e-mail often but not a replacement for a laptop. They are an eyecatcher! They do not have a replacement plan with ATT which I think is sad but I have heard Apple is supposed to start offering them this month. If so, I'll use Apple to insure the phone. They work great on WiFi networks and when I was in Best Buy, it connected to their network automatically and I was surfing the net fast. I know it is a first generation gadget but I have found it simply amazing and I love it.

Boy, am I beat. And it's not like I have some crazy life where I'm working three jobs and going to night school. No, I just have one job and a small apartment. I don't even have a pet to look after. Even so, it seems that no matter what I do, there's always more. If they put another eight hours in the day, I might be able to catch up on the laundry list of chores I have, or even just my laundry, if I were lucky. But you know who really gets it done? Homosexuals. I know what you're saying: Brandon, you're just perpetuating the stereotype that homosexuals are superhuman. That is totally not true. All I'm saying is, with their boundless energy and talents, they make us straight guys look bad. Just look at the way they dress. They must get up bright and early just to figure out how to match their homosexual outfits. They do this, plus take the time to have a nice, hot morning bath. And they eat, too. Homosexuals know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. By 8 a.m., they are out the door, fully rested and raring to go. For me, just shopping for a new pair of shoes is exhausting. I try on maybe one or two new pairs, and I'm ready to call it a day. But a homosexual can sit for hours in Barney's tirelessly trying on dozens of pairs, and when he finds the one he wants, why, he's ready to wear those shoes out to a homosexual club and dance all night. What vim! And that's another thing: Even after partying all night, homosexuals must have to work a lot in order to earn enough money for their active lifestyles. After all, meals at the trendiest restaurants in town don't grow on trees. So they go to their jobs as designers and lawyers and architects and work hard to afford all these things. Their busy minds are always whirring, whirring, whirring. They're no slouches at home, either—they always have to be fixing something. Homosexuals are the first ones to go into a bad neighborhood, buy a beautiful old building, restore it to its former grandeur, and then wait until a coffee shop opens on the block. Or they open one themselves! Do you understand? They don't even have a coffee shop when they move into the neighborhood. I can't get anything done without a cup of good coffee. And do you know what they do after restoring a building? To the gym! They pump iron and play racquetball like they were tying their shoes. It's nothing to them. Or they go jogging in an urban riverside park and take their dogs with them. And as they do these things, they effortlessly carry on the most sparkling conversations filled with witty bon mots and juicy innuendo. That physical activity frees up their minds and gives them ideas for their next play or painting. Imagine being able to run six miles a day and make indelible contributions to the arts and letters of our country. Phew! I get tired just thinking about it! And don't remind me about those gallery openings. After a hard day of work, I was barely able to drag my ass down to the last one. I told myself, I'm not doing this again anytime soon! But it would never occur to homosexuals to think those things. The moment I walked in, there they were, dressed impeccably and criticizing the choice of wine. They'd even prepared these fantastic hors d'oeuvres trays. Ever heard of jicama? Well, if you're homosexual, you have. It's a very tasty vegetable and, though exotic, an ideal choice for a light appetizer. Naturally! So I ask, where do they get all their energy? Is it from all that meth? I've heard it's an epidemic in the homosexual community, and it may explain how they can charge through their day. But that doesn't seem like the whole explanation. Perhaps it's the centuries of persecution that's kept them on their toes. Or maybe homosexual sex is simply more invigorating and satisfying. Or could it be that their quest to be perfect is a way to compensate for their families' shame? It's a mystery to me! But whatever it is, it sure seems to be working. http://www.theonion.com/content/opinion/wh...urce=EMTF_Onion

Well, having played with mine for a while now, I can honestly say that the gadget is incredible. I have really enjoyed it. First, you don't get your phone number or activate the phone at the ATT store. You only get a box and you hook the phone up to your ITunes and follow the directions to activate the phone, get your number, and choose a plan. I have always done this inside the store but now, with the Iphone it is all on line. The battery has lasted a long time and no issues there. The camera is good but not great. The Internet on it is better than I have seen on most networks but not as fast as ADSL or cable modem but it will get you there to each page on a OK speed. The e-mail is all syncned with your computer and I have played with the e-mail features and they are all easy to use and to keep track of. The keyboard is easy to understand and use. The sound quality is excellent. The screen is sharp and clear and easy to touch. So, my review of this device is that it is great if you really need to check e-mail often but not a replacement for a laptop. I am sure they will start appearing in Tut Com soon. Stop by and check them out. They are an eyecatcher!

I have used many kinds of connections in Thailand. I had a dedicated line through ToT which was around 19k baht per month. It was never down and the service was excellent. I used the Satellite system there for a while and the speed was much better than a shared ToT or TTT line but since it was satellite, it was not possible to do VOIP which I use often. There were also some issues when I had to access https sites that were secure. I also had a shared line at one point and it really was up and down most of the time. I tried a cell phone card and the speed was horrible. I also tried a few other services. There are options there if you seek them out. The guy at Central Plaza who owns the Internet cafe is VERY knowlledgeable and helpful and willing to give advice.

I have not been in Thailand for many months and if does not look probable in the coming few months, but I do dread the value of the dollar when I get there. The same thing has happened in Brazil which has made my last 3 trips there less enjoyable than before. My Thai boyfriend that I still support takes a certain amount out of the bank every day and it has added up to more deposits each week by me. I can really see the difference here. I can't imagine those of you that live there and what a pain this has been for you. My question, does this appear long term? Do you think this trend will really keep going this way? Is there hope for the dollar for the near future?

I would have been equally pissed but I really doubt that the bar made him pay 220 for the drink. That sounds like BS to me and I don't believe it. I have know of many bars who charge an extra 100 baht for boys that you off that you did not buy them a drink. I don't think that is exclusive to ABomb. I have had the same thing happen many times as I have offed numbers of boys in one setting. My way around this was to order a whiskey and then let them all drink from it. They don't care how many drink this drink. They really make their cash off the drinks and the offs but if you are known you should also not be required to pay the extra fee. I have known farangs to wait until closing to take off a boy so they don't have to pay the fee or buy a drink. I much prefer to go in early and get the boy or boys I want for the evening. I also make it clear if one doesn't drink, I'm not paying an extra fee for that. Your experience at Future Boys reminded me of a trip I took with one of their boys years ago. I had offed him for 20 days to go around Thailand with me. It was like my 2nd trip to Thailand. I was willing to pay the fee for each day but they tried to add on more cash for long term off. I told them to fuck off and they would take the regular fee price or I would just keep the boy and he would not work there again. They took the fee and the manager apologized for the mamasan's request. Aparently, she was trying to get some extra for herself.

I have always refused to spend money on a group that refuses admittance to gays or transexuals based on that alone. If the hotel in question really does make a public apology and they absolutly change the policy and that is seen by others, then I am game for another chance. However, I prefer to spend my money where I wish to spend it. I have not eaten at Cracker Barrel in many years because of their admittted anit-gay hiring policy. I love their food but I have not eaten there in so many years I cannot even remember.

I have had enough of her. But, I have not had enough of Paris. I love that city. It is also often expensive and nasty. Much like her.

Some of these suprised me. http://internet-filter-review.toptenreview...s.html#anchor12

I love NWA for World Business Class and sleep very well there. Singapore Airline is better. The NYC to Amsterdam NWA Business is excellent. My service with NWA in Business has always been great. But, you are listening to somone who gets on the plane, eats dinner, takes a valium and muscle relaxer and sleeps the rest of the trip till time to get up for the next meal. So, I don't really know much about what happens in between. I have rarely had complaints about NWA and I fly them about 200,000 miles a year. The slowdown I am told is on front page of their website and has to do with executives getting raises and no one else getting them and thus massive call ins for sick. I had friends stuck in Memphis and Detroit yesterday and no planes leaving. Hotels booked. A real pain in the ass.

Is it only on this site or all sites? It could be that your need to clean out your cookies and all history and restart the computer. You may also need your graphics program updated.

They are having a slowdown with employees. Too many flights cancelled and all hotels booked in their major hubs. Their site gives some details of this week but it is much worse than that. Give them time to fix this mess before you board any of their flights.

Thanks for the links to the article. I had read it this AM and was laughing a bit. They still don't want us to marry but they want us to fight in the military. But, you are right. Progress of a sort.

Thanks a lot. I do appreciate it. It is really the organizers of this and many other charity events that need the thanks. They did a great job with this event and I was amazed every day at how well they were organized. I had originally posted about this event months ago but no one took me up on the offer. I would hope that in coming years, some escorts and clients will ride together as a team. Imagine how much fun having someone like Scott Adler or Trey Thurston on the ride. The first day, this really cute guy was waiting at the top of the hill shirtless and with 12 pack stomach. If I had know he was there, I would have pushed faster to get to the top.

Lines have already started forming for this in NYC. I have been told that the store closest to me expects to sell out the first hour or less. It will be very interesting to see what the sale goes like on Friday. I have already decided to get there early.

I love my Calvin's. I found a style that I like that keeps me dry and are the most comfortable thing on earth. When I am in Thailand and it is hot and sweaty all day long these things stay dry and comfortable. I don't think the brand is fading at all. I think they have just moved into different areas. Give these a try. http://www.freshpair.com/Calvin-Klein-XT-G...-Jam-U5507.html

I am sure that many feel superior in both choices. I have never been able to do the monogomy thing. I tried in past years with long term boyfriends in NYC but it usually turned into a relationship that was mostly monogomous. I much prefer freedom to do what I want when I want. I also always prefer a relationship built on honesty. That to me is more important than anything. I have never felt one decision is superior to the other as both can be great for the right person or couple.

That is good advice. Thanks. If the house is also in his name that will help with a visa to USA or EU correct? Would it matter that a pre-paid rental contract is there? Is there a way the embassies check this?

Jomptien, Of course you look capable of having sex with 15 guys. All at the same time? That may be hard. But, one after the other? Yes. I have no doubt you are capable. Willing? That is another story. Perhaps I'll come to one of those famous pool parties and see with my own eyes what goes on. Seriously, if you are with the same one every night, and I do believe that you are, it is admirable. Unfortunatly, no recent pool parties for me, unless you count a recent trip to Brazil and a jacuzzi in my hotel room as a swimming pool. It would not fit 15. Is 3 still a party?

Did you ever have any doubt that the cams were there? I bet they are more places than we can imagine.

Thanks for the pic links. Looks like a good hard time was had by all.

I have a friend who is overseas and stuck there. He needs a ticket back to USA. However, he is not reliable and VERY flakey. I don't mind spending the money for a ticket but how can I do this and get my money back if he does not show? Is there a way to do this that no one looses?

I have been researching different charity rides in various countries just for the fun of it. I ran across one in Thailand that I liked. It is called the Tour de Thailand. http://www.tourdethailand.com/ They are not a gay group but the money does go to charity. Has anyone heard of this group or ride? The charities listed are the Max Foundation and The Foundation for the Blind in Thailand. I have not heard of either but hope that others have and can give some information. Is the Foundation for the Bline part of the group that does the Blind Massage in Jomptien? Here is what I found out about the 2 groups. The Max Foundation is a U.S. Based 501 ©(3) Registered charity that helps people who suffer from Leukemia and other blood related cancers in over 72 countries worldwide. The donations are tax-deductible in the U.S. and the money raised through the Tour de Thailand benefits their branch here in Thailand. The Foundation for the Blind in Thailand under the Royal Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen is a registered charity here in Thailand that has centers around Thailand that teach the blind that are entering adulthood to take care of themselves and become productive members of society. They are taught skills to earn money and be completely self-sufficient in the future. They also have schools for the blind for the general education of children. Any information on the above is greatly appreciated. Thanks!