MeGoDanceNow

Not a good development if true. Fortunately, TIT, so probably false.

I love Pearls Before Swine. Putting the cartoonist into the story is pretty funny. Too many puns though. A few months ago Stephan Pastis was honored with a guest strip drawn by Bill Watterson, creator of Calvin and Hobbes: http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2014/06/06/exclusive-calvin-and-hobbes-creator-bill-watterson-returns-to-the-comics-page-to-offer-a-few-pearls-gems

I agree with you and Wac on this issue.

Nice!

The term "stinking pigs" seems a bit harsh. Could we use "differently fragrant ungulates" instead?

Every sperm is sacred!

I did better than that, as you can see above. But thanks.

Had lunch at this joint yesterday. The seating is aggressively uncomfortable, so it really is more of a takeaway place, but the food is delicious. Sausage is zesty and lean and the Warsteiner beer is delicious. Priced reasonably. They should get some brisk trade at night.

I for one will be glad to see a shakeout. More bars need to close so that a few more clubs have lineups like Baccara has. Even before the number of bars declines, a decline in the number of investors wanting to "live the dream" would help us punters out. Until recently the owner of any property could be assured that if the current tenant left another one would be sure to come in, and pay even higher key money. If that changes, key money rates may go down -- and hopefully that means lower prices for drinks and barfines. I'm not plugged in enough to know if this trend has started yet, or will soon.

I wonder what kinds of German beer they have? And at what prices?

I'm gladder and gladder I stayed in last night. What a madhouse.

Thanks for the great report. Just caught this now thanks to Chang Paarp's heads-up. Great pictures and I understand the place is even cheaper now.

Yes, the knock-on effects will be immense, and worldwide. Germany is suffering too, as energy deals fail to go through. Sudden economic reversal means social instability, and God knows what could happen then, in plenty of countries worldwide. In a global economy where just about everything is overpriced, this is the breeze that could knock over the whole house of cards.

Just flew in from Narita and the free WiFi works great. This is a new thing. They used to have a sign that said "free WiFi," but you had to sign up with a credit card to use it. "Free but have to pay." Now you just give them your email address, hit Agree and you're in.

In between mentioning the soiled diapers and the studded wrist cuffs, did the cop exclaim, "and that's not all!" ?

I'm with BigD on this one. Businesses need the money. I don't have a problem with the Russians generally. They bring their fine-ass women with them, so there's plenty of scenery to scope round the poolside

Like Shilo says, the engineered collapse in Russia is going to affect the whole world. This is much more serious than the Mexican Tequila Crisis or the Asian currency meltdown. Closer to home, we can expect a lot of condos to go on sale -- with their Russian owners very glad indeed they bought into a hard-currency market We are in for interesting times

I kept waiting for the chick's bikini top to slip off. (The cute one, not the fat babushka)

That Sunday roast sure looks like the deal. Will check it out Sunday afternoon, hopefully.

Yes, Henry Cabot Lodge, an appointment more or less forced on Kennedy, pretty much ran his own show in Saigon, ignoring Kennedy's numerous telegrams. Great photo essay, well done.

I agree Robin's Nest is good value, and they have free WiFi too. The indoor lounge is air-conditioned.

Too late for me anyway. We celebrated on October 13.

Tell that to the paisans in my old neighborhood in Toronto.

Chang Parp, thanks for that. Most enlightening.

This thread raises some interesting business opportunities. A lot of the ingredients for Italian cuisine needs to be imported from Italy, but why is that? Tomatoes, peppers and olives grow just fine in Thailand. Cheese can surely be made here. Maybe some enterprising soul could start producing these things locally, for the local market?