Mr. Smooth

The airport I discovered is a much less expensive gateway to flying either to Asia or Europe, at least in my previous bookings. I did spend a weekend there over 20 years ago, in October, and already everyone had on heavy coats and parkas. It was mid to upper 50's and overcast. Reminded me of London weather. Went up to the top of the Space Needle, they have a revolving bar/restaurant at the top. One minute you are looking out west toward Puget Sound and the islands of pine trees dotting the water. A few minutes later, you see a majestic view of 14,000 foot Mt. Ranier. Just breathtaking whichever way you are looking out. We'll catch you and Yessongs at Hooters in Nana on Jan 17th. Maybe around 5 pm? Happy New Year!

A friend of mine just flew in from Toronto for a week. I'm going to meet him for breakfast at Paris, where he's staying on Monday, the 26th, a day before I fly to Seattle and then off to BKK. I'll see about checking it out. But TBH, I've had this upcoming trip back to LOS on my mind, so maybe not till I return. See ya next month at Nana! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Aside from the rainy season, why the construction has to be halted at night is a mystery to me. Pattaya is in a warm tropical climate and work going on at night should be mandatory to finish up these projects in a more timely and efficient manner. Maybe halting any of the major work needed with the heavy equipment machinery, due to any noise ordinances I can understand, but the work on improving the beach and sois, especially the side sois, should be going on through the night with a graveyard shift. Maybe in doing the tasks that can be done by hand or with tools to advance the projects along. Or is this already the case with some of the refurbishments going on around town? Just wondering, as much of this crap seems to have been going on for MONTHS and in much of the roadworks, you are only dealing with a single lane road and not some massive 5 or 6 lane superhighway. Work on these sections of roadworks should have been completed within WEEKS from what I can see through the photos being posted here. Am I wrong?

All the usual nightlife areas. Just a catch-all word to encapsulate the atmosphere.

I've sat many times at that corner bar on Buokow and Soi Honey and watched those LB's across the road flirt and chat with any guy walking past, dramatically over-emphasizing their feminine body language and such. Quite entertaining to see. Just part of the show that is Pattaya.

There are a few vloggers that pedal around Buokow, Tree Town, LK, and Made in Thailand beer bar areas with I guess a Go Pro attached to their helmet or a shoulder strap of some kind, to crank out content for their YT channels. As much as I enjoy watching their videos, I sometimes find them repetitive as it's always the same scene, same bars, same girls, or LB's, etc. and I can certainly imagine them being a bit of a nuisance with so much pedestrian traffic intermixed with motos and baht bus taxis, etc. I'm now less than 3 weeks out from being right smack dab in the middle of the madness. Can't wait! 😁

Couldn't have been 3 weeks ago that I saw him on "Everything Pattaya's", YT channel being interviewed with the latest updated immigration news. The guy was huge and just sitting in his chair at his desk you could tell he was having a hard time breathing. And of course on "Buzzin's" YT channel as well, as they seemed like mates and had known each other for quite some time. RIP to the big fella.

The USD has dropped 3 and a half baht per within the past couple of months, and I still won't be back for another 3 weeks. Oh well, it was fun to dream about a 39 or 40 exchange for the New Year.

Kirstie Alley....loved her character on Cheer after Shelley Long left the show. Kirstie Alley Dead: 'Cheers,' 'Look Who's Talking' Star Was 71 https://variety.com › obituaries-people-news › kirstie-all.

I've read stories of people like that. Maybe a father and son when the kid was out of school on summer break, and they would study the schedule to see how many ballparks they could visit by way of the homestands of each team in a different geographic region of the country. The last major league games I ever went to was with the SF Giants playing the Dodgers once and another when they played the SD Padres. Not being biased being from the Bay Area, but that ballpark, with it's sight lines, it's location right off the Bay, the aesthetic design, so that it gives a shout out to the past but with all the creature comforts of the present, there can't be a more beautiful professional sports complex to either play in as a player or attend as a fan. And on the other side of the Bay, unfortunately, there lies the absolute worst stadium in America for professional sports, the Oakland Coliseum, built in 1966 for under $25 million, which will get you a 1 year deal for an above average pitcher these days, that was state of the art nearly 60 years ago, but has fallen into disrepair, which I think will lead the A's to move to Las Vegas by 2026.

......and still a month to go.

I've never been there either. Being able to take a tour of that old ballpark would be a real kick. Back in 2010, I did take a 90 minute tour of Lambeau Field where the Green Bay Packers play, and it was fabulous. Hearing the history of the stadium, the various expansions from the 32,000 it seated in the late 50's till today, checking out a 30 seat private suite, looking inside the broadcast booth where the likes of Summerall and Madden called games for both CBS and FOX, walking down the tunnel where the players coming out of the locker room walk toward the opening out on to the field. They have audio of the fan noise when you walk past each red sensor on the wall that trips the increased volume inside the tunnel as you get closer to the field. There is a camera inside facing back toward the locker room, so fans can see it on the big scoreboard in anticipation of the players emerging, and by the time we got to the entrance, the sound was like a fighter jet landing on an aircraft carrier. Well worth it as I'm sure Fenway, and Wrigley Field in Chicago would be as well.

Saw him pitch once, when either with the Cleveland Indians or Seattle Mariners, when they played the Oakland A's, back in the early 80's toward the end of his career. In between pitches, he had all these gyrations, his pitching hand touching his head, the back of his ballcap, the bill of his cap, his sideburns, his belt....just constant movement out on the mound, I guess all in trying to gain a psychological advantage over the hitter in getting him out of rhythm when up to bat. The year he won his first Cy Young award, in 1972, his record was 24-16, an incredible 40 decisions out of 41 starts. Back then, teams went with a 4 man rotation, and starters not only routinely made 35-38 starts a season, but went deep into games, with many complete games, unlike in the last 30 years or so with these hideous pitch counts that have just ruined the game and slowed it down to the point where baseball has diminished in popularity, that a World Series game might not even get 15 million viewers. The likes of Gaylord Perry, and others of his generation of pitchers, won't be seen again in the Major Leagues.

About 20 years ago while riding my Harley cross country, I stopped for the night at a small town in Wisconsin. Durand was only about an hour east of the Twin Cities and was a great small town, as it had 10 bars along the main street for a town of barely 2,000 people. I was there on a mid-week night and wandered down, stopping in about 6 of them that were open that night. At one, I sat about midway between a group of 5-6 people at each end, as the bar was an oval shape and ordered a draft. I noticed the sports paraphernalia on the walls and when the bartender had a moment, I called him over with one question...."Is this a Packer bar or a Viking bar?" He gave me a big grin, took a step back and loudly asked, "Hey guys.....this guy wants to know if this is a Packer bar or Viking bar? Which is it?" And you would have thought by asking that question, I had just started WWIII! For the next several minutes the yelling and screaming went back and forth, the name calling and insults, as the bartender gave me a serious glance before breaking out in a big smile. Those passions run deep among the fans of both teams in the upper mid-west. That they still do in the Southwest shouldn't be a surprise.

Just moved to Vegas 2 weeks ago and.....whaddya know......the Raiders have won consecutive road games, both in OT! Coincidence? Josh Jacobs was just unreal against the Seahawks and that OT TD run for 86 yards was a thing of beauty. Now 4-7, and next week is at home to the Chargers. Could the Silver and Black make it 3 in a row? I should have moved down here before Labor Day! 😆

We have those type of models too, particularly those within the last 10 years. Mine is a 1982 model, but with some nice upgrades. What I am happy about is pretty much an end to yardwork for me with living here. At worst, maybe buy a container of weed killer and spray around the outside once a month or so. That should do it.

I've actually always liked the dark brown wall paneling, thinking about doing that to the living room one day. But yeah, the curtains were already there from the previous owner and it does help, especially come the warm weather months, to keep out some of that intense summer heat. It's also the only room with carpeting, which I am satisfied with. The rest of the place is tile and hardwood floors, so I just bought a lightweight Dirt Devil vacuum, which should be enough to keep clean.

...and the most comfortable bed I've ever bought. That Serta Perfect Sleeper mattress is just spectacular!

The drive down last Sunday was fantastic as there was minimal traffic for the nearly 600 mile distance, and clear weather the whole way. Got mostly unpacked save for a couple boxes with photos and books, etc. Did get my tv, bed and living room set delivered, so after a couple nights sleeping on the floor in my old sleeping bag, which left my back, hips and shoulders stiff as a board, being able to sleep on that new bed felt like Heaven. Just like sinking into a soft cloud. Anyway, with still some errands to run, as well as a few things still to buy, it's coming along. The 2nd bedroom I'll get to in early December after settling my cc debts on what I bought so far. Here's a few pics of my new estate. Simple yet comfy. No regrets.

So how much are you being paid to live in Whitehorse? 🤣

I'll be looking forward to that! And thanks to everyone with their supportive and kind words. The biggest thing now is just to maintain good health to live and enjoy life to a standard that pleases you. And to keep the vices to a minimal amount. This place has a pool (though closed for the winter, re-opens April 1st) gym with one of those older weight machines that reminds me of what I had back in high school, cardio that include exercise bikes and a road that runs around the perimeter of the park that is roughly a mile in length, so a serious goal is to work the body, plenty of 2-3 mile brisk walks, get the kinks out and re-awaken those muscle groups that have been dormant for far too long. That should keep me busy enough as well as once getting a lay of the land, might be looking into volunteering some time at the local Veterans Hospital 2-3 days a week if there is a need. And of course, look toward returning to a few of my favorite spots around the globe without too much regard for time. Have a bunch of classic road trip songs I'll be jamming to for the trip down..."Radar Love", "Running Down a Dream", "Take it East", "Against the Wind", "Highway to Hell", "Running on Empty", "I Can't Drive 55", and many more. See ya soon.

Well, I searched back into the archives to dust this thread off and was pleasantly entertained from what some of the members had to say, all very kind words. As this was 2 years ago, and things were much different, both the world in general and mine personally, I'm now about to put into gear the next big move I had been thinking about when I pulled the plug on work, and in changing up life a little bit. I'm moving this weekend from California next door to Nevada, Las Vegas specifically. After spending all my life in California, save for a 3 year enlistment in the US Army stationed in Germany, I'm joining the exodus of people leaving California behind and settling just over the border in Sin City. Trading in the Golden State for the Silver State. Seems the glitter is a little more shiny on that side of the border. And as I've joked with a few close friends, I'll now be able to watch my football team, The Las Vegas Raiders, blow another big lead and lose the game from only about 15 miles away instead of 600 miles away! I sold my home to one of those home buying outfits that have become quite popular in the last 10-15 years. I was presented an offer that while I know was under market value, it also allowed me to avoid all the headaches that home sellers have placed in front of them when wanting to sell. No showings on weekends, no keeping the place spotless, no spending thousands of dollars to fix this, repair that or refurbish something else. Just an "as is" deal, no inspection, no closing costs, no nada. They take care of it all. And even better, I could leave anything in the house I don't want to take with me, and they will come in and clear it all out. Which means no moving van and loading and unloading furniture. My beds, living room furnishings, even the pool table in my garage....all of it....will be staying behind. A very easy, worry-free and convenient sales process. And my new bank account is about to get a little plump, so thats worth a few bell ringings when I return to Pattaya in time to celebrate New Years Eve. I bought a 2 bd 2 ba singlewide mobile home in a very clean, well maintained park, close to all necessary conveniences, and a short drive from the Fremont Street Experience, for those of you who have been to Vegas and know about the old downtown. It will finally afford me the opportunity I've wanted for many years to live in a stateside base comfortably, though less expensive in California, and have the chance to basically take off when I want and for a much longer time. No more 2-3 week trips like before. Now, a month or 6 weeks at least. And when that brutal summer heat arrives in Vegas, you can be sure I'll be outta Dodge for at least 2 months, maybe longer. Starting in 2023, I'm going to try doing 6 months stateside and 6 overseas, or some close variation. I'll see how things go. And if any of you find yourself in Vegas for a few days in the future, drop a pm to give me a heads up. If I'm not overseas myself at the time, I'll be happy to meet you for a beer and bite to eat. Sunday morning I pull out of the driveway from the house I've called home for 30 years for the last time and I'm hitting the highway, full speed ahead into the next chapter. Wish me luck!

Beautiful unit, I'm sure it won't be available for too long. Love how the owner designed the interior, very nice.

I remember my dad taking me to a few Oakland Raider games in the 70's and I would see Ray Guy punt the ball so high that the ball would reach it's apex well above the 3rd deck rim of the stadium before cascading down into the arms of the punt returner some 60-65 yards down field. He kicked with such force and the ball would be so high, that for the first time since the beginning of the NFL, the term, "hang time" was coined, and it is now a regular stat with scouting punters in today's game. He was the one punter whose ability to either pin the opposing team back near their own goal line or push them back so far down field from one of his legendary booming kicks, that the game plan for the other team would literally have to change because of the poor field position they would start out with due to a Guy punt. A true great of the game. And another of my boyhood sports heroes has passed on. RIP.

Was that the one who usually hung around the Beach Rd opposite the Starbucks, around Soi 13 or very close by there? Forgot her name if the one I'm thinking about, but skin dark enough to be mistaken for African. There was a thread about her on the old Secrets board that ran for a bit. I was tempted once but at the time she had some blotches on her face and I wasn't sure if she was totally healthy or not. I passed. Maybe her name was "Na"?