bashful

I saw you wearing the face mask on your twitter. Thought about that. Perhaps a trip around the world. Come back home via Europe (if flights aren't restricted, but as I type this, thinking it might also happen). Will cost $$$$$ or points/miles, but gets you home. I'll tip an extra C note.

It didn’t work for me today using Netherlands, but I switched to Germany and it worked.

It never had a sign outside. You just had to learn about it's existence from someone else. http://www.marfrelesshouston.com/

I keep remembering things. In downtown is a very, very old bar. Can't remember if it's the oldest bar, or in the oldest building in Houston, or both. I remember it dark, and narrow. I think this is the place. http://www.owlnet.rice.edu/~hans320/projects/lacarafe/

Just remembered, for BBQ, Otto's. When I lived there, only ate there a few times. It was good , but I'm not a big fan of BBQ. IRC, back then, in the 80's, they didn't have fixed hours. They were only open until they sold out. Edit: https://ottosbbq.com/our-story/ (thanks for the reminder @azdr0710 )

Check with your hotel if Pappasito's is still good. They should be, based on their long history and following. Tex Mex. Several restaurants all over now. They were good, and just a few restaurants when I lived there in the 80's, and ate at the one on Richmond and Hillcroft many times. Was back in Houston a few years ago, and ate at the one on Richmond and Kirby. Very good.

I agree, in the United States, don't do that. Just part of our culture. However, it depends on where you live. When I've been to Sweden to visit family, everyone's income is public knowledge. So much so, back in the early 90's, everyone's incomes were published in the local papers. As far as other financial information, I think it's more transparent in the United States. In Illinois, property prices are public knowledge. There is a website where anyone can see what the buyer paid for my last house, and see what I paid for my current house.

It was a few years ago, but I had forgotten my passport when going on a cruise from LA to Vancouver. Surprisingly, the cruise line, let me board with all the other picture ID's I had. Coming off the ship, the Canadian guy only asked my citizenship. I said US, he said go ahead. But, since you pre-clear US customs/immigration in Vancouver, that's where I had the problem, with US authorities. I explained I forgot my passport, and didn't realize it. They separated me from my traveling companions, and told me to wait in another room. It was large, but I was the only one in there. I began to imagine, because it seemed like a slow day for them, I was going to be given a strip search, or cavity search. After a while, a guy came up to me, and asked to see my form and passport, but just had the form. I asked if that was all, and sternly, he said No. Wait here. After what seemed like a longer while, I as told to go through the double doors and see the person at the counter. I again explained, and of course apologized, I had forgot my passport. She was nice, and commented that my hands looked puffy. I said I had a lot to drink on that cruise. She then began to fire questions at me. Where was I born, where do I live, who are your senators (I could only remember the name of one), who was the 16th President (I remember responding as a question "Lincoln?". She smiled, stamped my form, and said NEVER FORGET YOUR PASSPORT. I was able to rejoin my friends, and make my flight, but had my doubts.

It was a few years ago, but I had forgotten my passport when going on a cruise from LA to Vancouver. Surprisingly, the cruise line, let me board with all the other picture ID's I had. Coming off the ship, the Canadian guy only asked my citizenship. I said US, he said go ahead. But, since you pre-clear US customs/immigration in Vancouver, that's where I had the problem, with US authorities. I explained I forgot my passport, and didn't realize it. They separated me from my traveling companions, and told me to wait in another room. It was large, but I was the only one in there. I began to imagine, because it seemed like a slow day for them, I was going to be given a strip search, or cavity search. After a while, a guy came up to me, and asked to see my form and passport, but just had the form. I asked if that was all, and sternly, he said No. Wait here. After what seemed like a longer while, I as told to go through the double doors and see the person at the counter. I again explained, and of course apologized, I had forgot my passport. She was nice, and commented that my hands looked puffy. I said I had a lot to drink on that cruise. She then began to fire questions at me. Where was I born, where do I live, who are your senators (I could only remember the name of one), who was the 16th President (I remember responding as a question "Lincoln?". She smiled, stamped my form, and said NEVER FORGET YOUR PASSPORT. I was able to rejoin my friends, and make my flight, but had my doubts.

You're not the only one.

Haven't traveled internationally in 5 years since I attended a "destination" wedding in Jamaica. The flight to Jamaica seemed to take less time than it did from the time we deplaned and got through customs and immigration (probably not true, but seemed that way). I have to say, once it was my turn to face the immigration rep, no problems. In my younger days, living in Detroit, and as late as the later 2000's, when I would take my father to the casino in Windsor, crossing over the border to/from Canada via the tunnel was easy peasy. A few pleasantries, no docs, a few questions, and on our way.

Tru dat.

Trust me. Not all women.

A few years ago, the local paper (northwest suburbs of Chicago) had a couple of articles about a guy who jogged in the middle of winter in only shorts, shoes, and socks. Haven’t seen any info about him lately.

When we were kids, our Mom used to say go out and play.... summer, fall, winter, and spring. The only thing that kept us indoors more in winter was less daylight, and the occasional sub zero days.

In early 2000’s easily used my Diners for work at hotels throughout the U.S., London, Narita (Japan), and Santiago, Chile. Seemed to go downhill while Citibank administered it. When dealing with a death, and funeral arrangements, I was three days late with the payment. Clearly no grace period was in their vocabulary. When I got the bill with the late charge, I called and explained what happened. Was put on hold, and when they came back, she said since I had never been late before (full amount due each bill), they would credit me only 1/2 the late charge. I cancelled the card.

American Express is the best.

Sorry you had to go through that. When I was 16 or 17, the restaurant I work at was robbed at gunpoint. We were told to lie on the floor, and the guy said something about wanting everything. I held up my wallet. Being so young, the driver’s license was all I had to replace, but it wasn’t easy. When I went to the facility, they wanted ID. I got mad and said I don’t have any because I was robbed. She helped me out, and got me a new license. Today, I keep cash hidden at home, and take cash when I travel that I lock in the room safe (easier than using safe deposit box at front desk). Have never had a loss. If credit cards are lost, can survive on cash, or room charges until replaced. I always bring a weeks worth of extra meds, but that’s if I decide to detour or have stay longer. I learned that when I had to go out of state when my father had a stroke. Thought I would only be there a week, but ended up being two weeks longer. It pays to have a long standing relationship with your doctor. Called the office, explained what happened, gave them the number of the local pharmacy, had meds next day. I don’t take car key fob when I fly (I cab to airport), but take extra key fob if I drive on a trip. I have couple of ways to get into my condo if house keys are lost. This thread reminded me I need to make a copy of drivers license and passport.

I've always tipped, but as a suggestion, keep tip money separate. A couple of years ago, I met someone new who charged $5 a minute for our 90 minutes. Thought it would be a great experience, so put $500 in an envelope before arrival. After, I thought the tip was too much based on the experience, but didn't want to take money out of the envelope in front of him.

I had to have an ultrasound done on a lump on my balls. As I was waiting, I noticed those who arrived later were being called. Then finally, I was called by a guy. I was glad it was a guy, and when we got in the room, he apologize for the wait. Said the techs had a deal to let him do such procedures on guys. He was young and nice. While he was doing the procedure, I commented it was the most attention I received below the waist in a while. He chuckled. I'm sure he's heard it before. When I had an echo cardiogram, the tech seemed to make it a point of move himself close to me so that his thigh was against my arm as I was lying there. Russian guy, short, good looking, late 30's, shaved head, nice physique. After I got the results, they wanted me to wear a heart monitor. On the day I came to be hooked up, he happened to walk through the waiting room, saw and remembered me, smiled and said Hi. After I got set up, he was outside the room so ran into him in the hall as I was leaving, he approached me, and we chatted a bit. He had good things to say about my cardiologist. Shook my hand and wished me luck. I should have asked if he wanted to get a coffee.

I get that, and now that I've had a few hires under my belt, I look forward to spending an extended time with someone compatible. I just don't want to be thought of in such a way for wanting a few one or two hour meetings to get acquainted before taking that next step.

Makes me wonder why hire someone for an extended period, if he has such disdain meeting for one hour.

I almost thought I broke mine once. I think because I was with a woman at the time, it kept it from actually happening. She was riding me, and I slipped out (yes, not the longest tool), and she came back down and it didn't go in. But, after an initial sharp pain, it slid along the front of her. We got going again, and no damage. But, it did hurt initially.

Have not been at a hotel with tablets, but when at a hotel outside Detroit, I pressed the TV channel for guest services (to check bill, etc.), the first and last name of someone else appeared (the previous guest I presume). Later, my first and last name was appearing. I don't want to be paranoid, and didn't really think about it till now, but having read @LaffingBear 's post, and my experience, something to consider, both as client and provider.

Watching TV/movies. In college, watching Saturday Night Live (the original cast). Then, didn't partake for many years after college. Several years ago, I took it up again for a little while. Again, I enjoyed it watching TV. Groundhog Day was a lot of fun to watch. Some have said the Wizard of OZ is good to watch stoned, but never have. Never really enjoyed sex and being stoned. Thought I would the first time I got high before, but didn't. Oh, I do like music more while high.