Egads ... are there REALLY five days left until the end of this?

May as well be a year!

Lol its yours to lose JT!

Spot on..........

Well Costas, I only have one thing to say. If you win, i hope you do a better job than your past few governments. Make hay while the sun shines and in the meantime the rest of Europe can pick up the tab.

I hope when JT is Poll Lord he cuts the election down to a week or less from 12 days. Ridiculous amount of time allowed for this IMO.

I suppose, it's a little like travelling.

Some folk just want to get from A -> B in the fastest possible time.

Some folk just want to enjoy getting from A -> B in other words, they enjoy the journey.

In years past, usually the POTY has been an enjoyable journey, mainly due to the good humour of it's participants and contributors.

Sadly, this year, that sense of fun is sadly missing and the Goal (the winner) is viewed (by some) asthe prize ... not the journey.

IMHO ... the Journey is much more important ... and Fun.

.

I hope when JT is Poll Lord he cuts the election down to a week or less from 12 days. Ridiculous amount of time allowed for this IMO.

I suppose, it's a little like travelling.

Some folk just want to get from A -> B in the fastest possible time.

Some folk just want to enjoy getting from A -> B in other words, they enjoy the journey.

In years past, usually the POTY has been an enjoyable journey, mainly due to the good humour of it's participants and contributors.

Sadly, this year, that sense of fun is sadly missing and the Goal (the winner) is viewed (by some) asthe prize ... not the journey.

IMHO ... the Journey is much more important ... and Fun.

.

Well said that man!

Thinking about the low vote, is it possible that 97.4% of members are on a ban?

Again, the contest is way too long and I'm sure most sensible people would agree with that.

In fact I would bet the house on that.

Good thing or bad thing, there is such a thing as TOO MUCH of a good thing (and certainly a bad thing).

Speaking of which, please vote for me: JINGTHING

Could someone please point me toward Costas's badger milking threads so I can get up to speed. His reputation hasn't spread as far as Chiang Mai. Apparently the critters don't live in the mountains.

Mancy,

Costas might like to let you play with his super sized TGAU.

Are you familiar with the product?

He he

No, I must admit that I'm not familiar with a TGAU. Can you enlighten me?

But, I'd bet that Costas has never been propositioned by Alan Hall to invest his life savings in some shady investment deal that promised 20% return in a Channel Island bank I'd never hear of. Oh and we could have immediate access to our money any time we wanted. True story. Alan tried that when we were fresh off the boat.

Since real banks in the rest of world were only paying about 6 - 7% (at most) we laughed him off. We figured everyone else did. Guess not. And now somehow it's my fault.

See, each candidate has their own "local" stories.

so youre there to give advice to expats but when you KNOW there is a shark cruising among your members you dont bother raising an alarm?? lol

Good question. Alan Hall propositioned us in 2006. I was little surprised because he did seem to offer health insurance and renters insurance products that checked out OK. In fact we still have our health insurance thru the same London-based company and it's paid claims. Quite a few of our friends do and it's also paid claims for them-- big time. So it was a puzzlement why he'd be flogging such a ludicrous investment opportunity. But we left it and didn't think much about it.

I didn't really get involved in the community service activities until 2010 and I wasn't aware that he was continuing to flog the investments. This isn't something you go around talking to people about. The clients we assist with Lanna Care Net aren't the sort who have a big baht to invest. They aren't the people who consider themselves to be victimized by Alan Hall.

handbag time again. My money is on Mrs Doubtfire

Indeed.

NancyL would be the betting favorite.

Until the final bell, I'm STILL the underdog.

Always the underdog.

Bummer.

Jingthing ... Just how can you be the underdog when you lead the Poll by a comfortable margin (10%) and have 50% more votes then the current 3rd and 4th place getters combined?

Lets deal in facts and not get carried away with the 'Woe is me' ... 'Vote for me'.

.

Thinking about the low vote, is it possible that 97.4% of members are on a ban?

Above my irony grade.

Again, the contest is way too long and I'm sure most sensible people would agree with that.

In fact I would bet the house on that.

Good thing or bad thing, there is such a thing as TOO MUCH of a good thing (and certainly a bad thing).

Speaking of which, please vote for me: JINGTHING

Midnight on 30th Dec....start writing your speech!

On a slight aside, but sort of on Topic as it's related to something Costas may know about.

I saw a news item on the TV the other night.

It was set in Greece.

The tradition of Flowers and Dancing.

Mate, not a piss-take. They showed a night club scene, where people would but baskets of flowers (no stems) and throw them at the Dancers on Stage.

And we are talking like 40 Euro a basket.

Any clues to the origins of that tradition?

In 1969, the military dictatorship of Georgios Papadopoulos that had suspended democracy and ruled Greece autocratically from 1967-1974, banned plate smashing to the great disappointment of Greeks and foreign tourists alike. While it is no longer officially allowed at Greek nightclubs but still happens occasionally. For private celebrations such as weddings, modern Greeks may purchase specially-produced plaster plates, which are less expensive and dangerous, while being more easily broken. Another modern variation on the custom is for diners at small Greek restaurants or tavernas to buy trays of flowers that they can throw at singers and each other.

Do keep it civil. We have some good candidates. I actually had to look a little at the posting history before deciding, BUT all have made contributions that are extraordinary. Some with volume and numbers, some with sheer information, some with colorful and thoughtful insight.

Politics is dirty, but try to stay above the fray and may the best Man...or Woman....win.

Deciding on Miss Congeniality will be a real challenge, from reading this thread.

Sorry, I have been withdrawn chummy............. .................

Costas ... that was sort of it.

Thanks ...

Just quietly ... lovely Lassie ...

MFG ... just some Cultural Awareness ... nothing more ...

.

handbag time again. My money is on Mrs Doubtfire

Indeed.

NancyL would be the betting favorite.

Until the final bell, I'm STILL the underdog.

Always the underdog.

Bummer.

Jingthing ... Just how can you be the underdog when you lead the Poll by a comfortable margin (10%) and have 50% more votes then the current 3rd and 4th place getters combined?

Lets deal in facts and not get carried away with the 'Woe is me' ... 'Vote for me'.

.

Any rational person who has watched the huge voter swings in previous days knows for sure I do not have a comfortable lead. I have never won before though a number of years well in the running but always disappointed.

You have won. Good for you.

It would be IDIOTIC for me to be comfortable with this lead. So please do not mock my rational response of facing reality of not feeling secure with such a lead. Of course, at this stage, it appears to be between NancyL and myself (just last night WE WERE TIED) ... but that too has PLENTY of time to swing and SWING BIG.

Anyway:

Do the right thing with Jingthing!

Again, the contest is way too long and I'm sure most sensible people would agree with that.

In fact I would bet the house on that.

Good thing or bad thing, there is such a thing as TOO MUCH of a good thing (and certainly a bad thing).

Speaking of which, please vote for me: JINGTHING

Midnight on 30th Dec....start writing your speech!

Wait, it's 30 Dec or 31 Dec?

Never mind ... I see from the OP that it's 30 Dec.

Was that intentional to not end it on New Year's Eve but the night before?

I hope when JT is Poll Lord he cuts the election down to a week or less from 12 days. Ridiculous amount of time allowed for this IMO.

I suppose, it's a little like travelling.

Some folk just want to get from A -> B in the fastest possible time.

Some folk just want to enjoy getting from A -> B in other words, they enjoy the journey.

In years past, usually the POTY has been an enjoyable journey, mainly due to the good humour of it's participants and contributors.

Sadly, this year, that sense of fun is sadly missing and the Goal (the winner) is viewed (by some) asthe prize ... not the journey.

IMHO ... the Journey is much more important ... and Fun.

.

Be that as it may, it's still way to long.

Do keep it civil. We have some good candidates. I actually had to look a little at the posting history before deciding, BUT all have made contributions that are extraordinary. Some with volume and numbers, some with sheer information, some with colorful and thoughtful insight.

Politics is dirty, but try to stay above the fray and may the best Man...or Woman....win.

Deciding on Miss Congeniality will be a real challenge, from reading this thread.

"We have some good candidates"

Really? ... That's great news... Are they joining in later?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You know it makes sense: Vote None of the Above¹.

^1. A real alternative to: Mrs Doubtfire; Rainbowdash the prancing pony; Costas (aka Tom Conti) the Greek gigolo; and "Saint" David

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cheers Fletch

I hope when JT is Poll Lord he cuts the election down to a week or less from 12 days. Ridiculous amount of time allowed for this IMO.

I suppose, it's a little like travelling.

Some folk just want to get from A -> B in the fastest possible time.

Some folk just want to enjoy getting from A -> B in other words, they enjoy the journey.

In years past, usually the POTY has been an enjoyable journey, mainly due to the good humour of it's participants and contributors.

Sadly, this year, that sense of fun is sadly missing and the Goal (the winner) is viewed (by some) asthe prize ... not the journey.

IMHO ... the Journey is much more important ... and Fun.

.

Be that as it may, it's still way to long.

Chinese water torture comes to mind.

Whoever is Poll Lord next year, time for a redo!

Surprised that no one has mentioned it yet........you know the inevitable and classical, often reposted Thai Visa line.......

with all the work that the candidates are putting forth.....

" DO THEY HAVE A WORK PERMIT "

Do keep it civil. We have some good candidates. I actually had to look a little at the posting history before deciding, BUT all have made contributions that are extraordinary. Some with volume and numbers, some with sheer information, some with colorful and thoughtful insight.

Politics is dirty, but try to stay above the fray and may the best Man...or Woman....win.

Deciding on Miss Congeniality will be a real challenge, from reading this thread.

"We have some good candidates"

Really? ... That's great news... Are they joining in later?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You know it makes sense: Vote None of the Above¹.

^1. A real alternative to: Mrs Doubtfire; Rainbowdash the prancing pony; Costas (aka Tom Conti) the Greek gigolo; and "Saint" David

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cheers Fletch

............Post of the day................

Surprised that no one has mentioned it yet........you know the inevitable and classical, often reposted Thai Visa line.......

with all the work that the candidates are putting forth.....

" DO THEY HAVE A WORK PERMIT "

Unpaid for all, unrewarding for most.

Again, the contest is way too long and I'm sure most sensible people would agree with that.

In fact I would bet the house on that.

Good thing or bad thing, there is such a thing as TOO MUCH of a good thing (and certainly a bad thing).

Speaking of which, please vote for me: JINGTHING

Midnight on 30th Dec....start writing your speech!

Wait, it's 30 Dec or 31 Dec?

Never mind ... I see from the OP that it's 30 Dec.

Was that intentional to not end it on New Year's Eve but the night before?

I've heard that, due to the popularity of the thread, the Gods have decided that it should be extended till January the 2^nd.

Give more time for the Journey.

Sort of like 'Slow Cooking' rather then 'Fast Food'.

Then again, while the source is creditiable, I can't confirm the facts ... so better to work towards Midnight (Thai time) Dec 31^st.

Whoever is Poll Lord next year <snip>

Ummm ... that would be Lord Smokie.

Arise Lord Smokie ... Lord of the Poles*

* I didn't know you had European roots.

Surprised that no one has mentioned it yet........you know the inevitable and classical, often reposted Thai Visa line.......

with all the work that the candidates are putting forth.....

" DO THEY HAVE A WORK PERMIT "

Unpaid for all, unrewarding for most.

To my Team ... you know you are due to be paid in Beer and TESCO Lunches!

.

Beer is good! No Tesco lunches, I'm driving!!!

Do keep it civil. We have some good candidates. I actually had to look a little at the posting history before deciding, BUT all have made contributions that are extraordinary. Some with volume and numbers, some with sheer information, some with colorful and thoughtful insight.

Politics is dirty, but try to stay above the fray and may the best Man...or Woman....win.

Deciding on Miss Congeniality will be a real challenge, from reading this thread.

Thank you for your kind words of encouragement, Mr. Scott. I'm sure it must be difficult to be a Mod for such a challenging thread as this. I'm glad to see severals Mods are taking turns because it has to be fatiguing. I know it is for us candidates with such a marathon campaign.

I hope that the mods consider looking at a candidate's entire posting history throughout her Thai Visa career, not just her sordid performance in this sorry thread in deciding whom to award the title of Miss Congeniality.

Again, the contest is way too long and I'm sure most sensible people would agree with that.

In fact I would bet the house on that.

Good thing or bad thing, there is such a thing as TOO MUCH of a good thing (and certainly a bad thing).

Speaking of which, please vote for me: JINGTHING

Midnight on 30th Dec....start writing your speech!

Wait, it's 30 Dec or 31 Dec?

Never mind ... I see from the OP that it's 30 Dec.

Was that intentional to not end it on New Year's Eve but the night before?

Yes as I will be in an executive lounge on Hogmanay partaking of copious free drinks.

Its a hard life.

JT will be flying high in his Lear when the results are officially announced. Mile high club!

David has written a book titled "Helping others while having to endure constant character assassination attempts"

David has written a book titled "Helping others while having to endure constant character assassination attempts"

I wonder who helped in that...................