Rogie

I fall blissfully unaware into the confused camp. It must be an interesting and probably well-paid job designing corporate logos. Ditto advertising of any description. In another topic, the lack of advertising on certain kinds of transport in Bangkok was mentioned. You would think the advertising agencies would pester the living daylights out of the transport authorities to make sure all available space was put to good use.

Neat, but. . . I'm keeping well out of your way. I reckon you might turn into a scary bully!

Thailand has some very wealthy people. Forbes' Rich List

I've already referred to an article in Britain's Guardian newspaper (that appeared yesterday, Sunday) in the Forget Bachmann! Where's Obama thread. Here, the author of that article extrapolates from political turmoil into the world of business and banking: Darling's memoir shows the danger of big-man politics http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/sep/04/dangers-big-man-politics-business It is a fair assumption the vast majority of these 'scary bullies' are male. This ties in with another theory recently the subject of a book: Male domination of City gives rise to 'risky and irrational' behaviour http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/testosterone-to-blame-for-banking-crash-say-tory-mps-2348912.html

I don't follow American politics closely but that aspect definitely comes across, the intra and inter-party bickering on a wholesale scale. Mind you, we have the same problem in Britain. Alistair Darling, the Chancellor in the last Labour government, has just published his memoirs. His relationship with the Prime Minister Gordon Brown (who took over from Tony Blair) was rather turbulent. Darling has some brutal things to say about his boss . . . http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/sep/04/dangers-big-man-politics-business I haven't been watching Obama much, so I was interested to read your analysis Fountainhall. I see Michael (an American citizen) in in agreement with what you wrote, albeit sadly. I am sure if I were an American I'd feel the same. Wasn't Reagan sometimes referred to as The Great Communicator? The ability to communicate is vital. Obama has that ability, but seems to have lost it, rather it's got submerged. I suspect the guy is in turmoil, he must be all keyed-up. If only he could relax and find his inner self (I am sure there are plenty of American self-help gurus who'd rush in to offer their services, given the chance) and find some way of boosting his confidence, he ought to be able to start recovering some lost ground. Once he gets his confidence, and authority back, he can only get stronger. Every nation love a strong leader, but he has yet to demonstrate what he is surely capable of.

That sounded interesting so I went to the Wikipedia entry and found this: Takarazuka's audience Takarazuka and homosexuality in Japanese society http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takarazuka_Revue Since I posted the above, Bob wrote; Ah, but now we know what Japanese women do find erotic! The heterosexual ones go for whatever passes for the Japanese equivalent of Chippendales and the gay-inclined ones go to Takarazuka.

I bet it got its name because you have to go down on bended knee and beg (or bribe!) the chef. The description is quite mouthwatering.

That's a great review. Nice to know Central World has recovered from last year's fire. Maybe Michael can comment on whether Shanghai dumplings are on the menu at Central. Now I have the low-down on this delicacy, I reckon I won't need to be Shanghaied . . . I'll go willingly!

That reminds me of Dustin Hoffman in Rainman. I have no idea whether it's still true.

Quite some gal, our Divine. I went with some friends in my student days to see Pink Flamingoes. It was pretty outrageous stuff back then. Taking this topic a little farther, using part of the topic's title, More Than Just A Feel Good Factor, I wonder what it is that makes a man dress up in drag. How does it make him feel? I assume there's a distinct 'feel good factor' going on here? But there must be more to it than that, surely. So I would argue that there is indeed 'more than just a feel good factor' behind it all.

I'd stick to the chocolate if I were you. Statistically speaking, the chances of gobbling down a divine chocolate are significantly higher than your 'off' exhibiting any divine status. . .

Traditionally a couple would consummate their marriage by the act of sexual intercourse. IMO, the use of the word consummation in this context is stupid! It's not as if there is any shortage of words or expressions already in use!

Babylon features in one of my experiences too. It happened at the old Babylon, during my third visit to Thailand. My first trip had been as part of an organised tour of Thailand and Laos so I was never in one place long enough to get up to any mischief. The second visit a couple of years later was just a short stop-over on the way to Australia, part of my first-ever Round-the-World (RTW) trip, but despite my best endeavours, again nothing happened. On this, my third visit, again as part of a RTW trip, I was scheduled to be in Bangkok just a few days before my flight to Sydney. I'd heard so much about Babylon and was really overwhelmed by it. I was most impressed. Nothing of note happened in the sauna, I was very shy and didn't know the ropes! As I was on the verge of leaving to go I got chatting to a Thai guy, in his late twenties and nothing to write home about in the looks department. He was leaving too - he suggested going for a drink at the coffee shop attached to the Malaysia Hotel. While there he introduced me to a young man, real eye-candy. Very slim and cute, dressed in very short shorts. It didn't take me long to start harbouring fantasies! Somebody suggested it was time to move on to a disco. This was to be my first acquaintance with DJ Station. By then I was having second thoughts about the young cute guy, he was just flirting with me and I could tell had no intention of doing anything more than just that. Even so, I was enjoying the disco, it was a new experience for me. In addition, my expectations regarding anything else happening were low. I was also rather self-conscious. Not knowing anything about the dress code of these places, I suddenly realised soon after arrival I stood out like a sore thumb in my shorts. However, that turned out to be a blessing. It was then that our eyes met across a crowded room (I'm allowed to use cliches sometimes, and it was true!), the most beautiful boy was smiling at me. . . Me! I looked away but he didn't. When I sneaked another look I was delighted to realise I really was the object of his gaze. In that lovely sexy voice that Thai boys often adopt he breathed in my ear "You look so niiice". Did I? Could it be true? How could I look nice dressed like that? I can't remember what I said, but before too long we'd gone off to find a dark corner. He was absolutely gorgeous. I couldn't take my eyes off him. And, he was a great kisser. I soon forgot all about the guy I'd met in Babylon, as me and this beauty just clicked. That was just the 'starter' course. We left the disco and we stayed together the rest of the evening/early morning. The 'main course' was just as good. Sadly I never saw him again, but I often think of him. The world is my oyster, I love travelling and, but for him, could easily have omitted Thailand from future foreign trips. He was one of the main reasons why I have contined to visit Thailand ever since.

Having now read the article on the BBC website I agree the jury is out on that. It reminds me of the merits or otherwise of wine drinking and whether one sort is better than another. Ditto beer; is beer good for you? Well, I have my own theories on that and they happen to coincide with my intake - conveniently for me! Then there's the tea versus coffee debate. Also what sort of tea is best - black, green or herbal? One of my favourite theories is the one that factors in tea as one explanation for the successful expansion of cities such as Manchester during the Industrial Revolution. It a beautifully simple one - the benefits of tea-drinking kept the workers healthy! (Other nationalities drink tea too, of course, such as the Japanese, so there were other reasons why the Industrial Revolution took root in the UK). I like the symmetry here. In both the Windy City and the City of Angels (the oriental one) one is encouraged to take refuge in the malls and indulge in the delights therein. Outside of the malls in real life, one place too cold and the other too hot!

I think that hits the nail on the head. Chocolate has a pronounced calming effect, simply because it's, as Fountainhall says, so delicious. Much satisfaction is gained by the activity of eating it! It is a well-known fact most people prefer chunky chocolate rather than thin, but aside from that all bets are off. Each to his own. That's why there is such a bewildering choice. Like those shops with many different varieties sold loose behind the chilled counter, but I've never dared buy any - I'd just be too indecisive, I'd take far too long choosing. So as I'm lazy, maybe better to tuck into a branded box, but then I hit another snag, I don't actually like about 25% of them! Maybe choosing my own is the way forward after all. Now, sorry to be another spoilsport, but I think I am right in saying it is only dark chocolate that has these beneficial properties. And we know what snobs dark chocolate-eaters are, don't we? I admit to scrutinising the labels of bars of chocolate on sale to check their level of cocoa solids, opting for the one with the most, only to find it is so bitter I wished I hadn't bothered. I was rummaging around in my dad's freezer recently where he usually keeps a box of choc ices. I spotted two boxes, both from the same brand and both made with dark chocolate. "What's the difference? " to which he pointed out one of them was made with Belgian chocolate. "I'll have that one then!" And very enjoyable it was too. So we can kiss the milk chocolate assortment goodbye, the ones with sugary fillings like caramel or strawberry cream, or my favourite when I was a youngster, the chocolate lime barrel - right yummy that was. In fact, just the ones that actually are delicious. They're bad for you!

Trust me to overlook the obvious! Yes, I agree money talks. Britain's ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair received a £4.6 million ($7.4 million) advance on his book A Journey. It sold extremely well, probably owing to an agreement that that all proceeds from the book (including any advance) will be given to the Royal British Legion, the armed forces charity. The money would be used to help injured troops returning from the front line. However, Blair is a wealthy man. http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/article-1693540/How-rich-is-Tony-Blair.html#ixzz1WXUNbADh ______________________________________________________ Having just re-read what I wrote I am struck by that reference to the Philippines. Blair earned £400,000 ($640,000) for one hour's work. If you haven't already seen the Manila and its Slums topic in the Gay Asia forum, check this out: http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/topic/7291-manila-and-its-slums/page__pid__52077#entry52077

I have no intention of buying this book and doubt I'd read it even if it landed in my lap gift-wrapped. However, my impression (as a neutral Brit), is that Cheney is disliked by many of his kinsmen. So I shall try and be Mr Nice to attempt to counter the various Messrs Nasty, although I am not holding my breath I'll convert anyone! First of all, why do politicians when out of office, feel this urge to write a book? Well, in some cases there is justification for doing that, for example Winston Churchill (following quotes taken from the entry in Wikipedia): Actually Churchill started writing this before he was returned to office for one last time in 1951, although there was of course no guarantee he would win the 1951 general election, he just hoped he would. I suspect there is a category of politician who, out of office and suffering severe withdrawal symptoms, looks back fondly on his glory days and jumps at the chance of writing (and re-living in his own mind?) a book. In general this is a harmless enough activity, the book appears like a supernova in booksellers windows, only to end up in remainder bins shortly thereafter, the author retiring to a well-deserved obscurity. Then there are those like Cheney. Out to 'put the record straight'. These men, who tasted real power, are also suffering from their eclipse out of the limelight and will do anything to get the spotlight back on them. I went into Amazon just now to see if any readers have reviewed In My Time, but it's too early for that. Then I checked to see what other books had been written about Cheney. Vice: Dick Cheney and the Hijacking of the American Presidency, was published in 2006. Here is the publisher's blurb: Source: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vice-Cheney-Hijacking-American-Presidency/dp/1845951115/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1314709035&sr=1- I haven't read this book and I do not intend to. But even allowing for publisher's hyperbole, this still comes across as nasty stuff. No wonder poor Dick couldn't wait to get his own back! The following quote comes from In My Time: Source: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44290381/ns/today-books/t/cheney-we-were-living-fog-war/ So, what's my reason for quoting that? Simply that, in times of great upheaval, whether it be war or a terrible 'Act of God', every country needs strong leaders. Cheney was Vice-President of the US: in the absence of the President, he had some hard decisions to make - quickly. Decisions I for one wouldn't want to make. That doesn't make him a hero or anything sentimental like that, but world history is full of leaders who were found wanting, who failed the ultimate test. Assuming Cheney's account of what happened is true, in my opinion he showed good leadership on that occasion.

Moses, I presume you mean the area where taxis drop passengers off at departures. As Ceejay has explained by going to the official taxi rank you are logged into the system so can complain if need be. I've never had to do this and I am sure it's seldom necessary to do that, but even though I am paying an extra 50 baht and sometimes waiting a bit longer I shall continue to use the official rank. It ought to deter cheating taxi drivers too, as per Fountainhall's experience, but it would seem that's not always the case.

That's a pity. The last time I was there the O-Ho had only just closed, with signs of refurbishment going on inside, so I never got to see The Full. I wonder if it is owned and run by a farang. Not that it matters to me, but a place which is so handy for visitors and ex-pats ought to try and be more customer-friendly - closing without any obvious reason doesn't make any business sense to me. One thing I would comment on is the near impossibility (I would imagine, I don't drive in Bangkok!) of parking. That soi is just so busy. Pedestrians, motor cyclists, taxis (thousands of 'em), all jostling for space!

Useful discussion. This place is new I gather. Only fair to make a few allowances. Different time, different day of the week, different waiters, different cook, different wants and expectations on the part of its customers. Different different but not same I just checked out khun Topper's link. He is suggesting the 100 gram burger selling for 199 baht be available in the larger 160 gram size for only 50 baht more, so 249 baht rather than the 295 baht it sells for. Good try Topper! However, As the bigger one is 60% larger, on a pro rata basis that'd be 320 baht. To expect the restaurant to sell it to you for 245 baht is unrealistic. Ah, just realised the prices quoted come with a drink, and either salad or fries, so my maths isn't quite so straightforward. But IMO my comments still hold water.

Thanks for the warning Fountainhall. I hadn't been aware of that. It would be interesting to know if these 'rogue' taxis have meters which are rigged all the time or whether they can 'throw a switch' when they think a mug punter's on board. Assuming the latter, they wouldn't dare do that when an obviously local Thai person is the fare, I wouldn't have thought. Is the distance, in kilometers, indicated on the taxi meter? I assume it must be if you have records. I've always just focused on the amount of the fare.

I chose Isaan because that's where various friends, old and new, hail from. Rather like Ceejay and Z I like to move around though. My preferred method is by car. Touring in Thailand, whether it be in Isarn, or up north, is a real pleasure. Pattaya used to always get a look in, but less so these days. I'd book a hirecar and drive into Isaan. I haven't given up on Bangkok! Now I have mellowed a bit I don't restrict myself to the fleshpots and intend to get to know the city better.

When I used to stay at the Malaysia I was always grateful for its proximity to Babylon. If you take the road that tales you to Babylon there is a small restaurant on your right hand side called The Mali. I've been there a couple of times. It is nothing special but nice enough if you are in the area and stuck for somewhere. The O-Ho restaurant on the soi next to the Malaysia, more or less opposite the Ibis closed some time ago, towards the end of last year I think. That was a decent place run by the same management as the Om Yim guest house I believe.