Ira, Ira, Ira, who is Ira?
 

Sorry I should probably know who Ira is but since I am relatively new.......

Who is Ira?
Does he work for fodors?
Where does Ira live?
How old is Ira (if Ira doesn't mind)?
Where does Ira get all the knowledge?
Does Ira have a degree in school of travel?

Ira, I don't know who you are but you should publish Ira's travel guides. Thanks for all the postings, I learn so much....

Hi yoony,

Thank you for the kind words.

I am a wizard, of a certain age, currently residing in the Land of OZ (not Australia).

I have no finacial, commercial or fiduciary interests in Fodor's, or any other person, place, thing or idea that I might recommend at any place or time on this or any other forum.

((I))

((I))

That wasn't quite right.

I am a retired wizard.

wizard...will you be in the next harry potter movie?

Ira is a very helpful person on this forum, clearly a well traveled individual. He will never scold you for asking a question that you should have searched for.

He represents what this forum is all about: Travelers helping other Travelers. I do get the impression that he is rather modest, and may shy away from the attention on this thread.

Ira (and numerous others) helped me a great deal as I planned a trip to Rome and Positano in September.

My blushes, donnie.

>will you be in the next harry potter movie?<

I am not at liberty to say. However, you might want to look closely at the ghostly figures and/or the pictures on the wall.

I do regret that Mr Potter came along after I escaped from the professor business. He would have been interesting to know.

((I))

I think Ira lives in Indiana???

no, no, no!

He is a nice southern gentleman living in Georgia :-)

My dear TA,

Did you have to open the curtain? :)

HELLO IRA! Any great trips planned for 2005? Happy travels

well... I didn't say WHERE in Georgia :-)

I'll add one to yoonny's list of questions? Any plans to slow down the number of threads each day on which ira posts "something"? (sometimes just "topping"... and for reasons that I cannot always identify)...

On the two year anniversary of registration, I pointed out that it appeared hands down, ira posted on more threads than anyone, by a longshot - - over ten thousand in 2 years (i.e., 730 days, or about 15 times a day). Ira seemed to have been (surprised and?) depressed by this.

But not enough to slow down. Instead, in the first forty days since 1/29/05 - - the pace has picked up! to over 25 a day!

None of this is intended to be judgmental. But I wonder, will it be 100 times a day by the year 2015?

Best wishes,

Rex
(also WAAAYYY too prolific myself)

Thank you, Calamari.

We are visiting the South of France in Sept.

This is our first venture into France Profond, and I would not have ventured it without help from our fellow Fodorites.

Secret hint:

If you ever go to Fort Lauderdale. There is a very good gelato shop, called "Gelato Dream" at the corner of Las Olas Blvd and A1A North.

La Princepessa says that their vagnilia is first rate.

((I))

Not judgemental? HA!

When you posted that statistic I was impressed at how Ira blew it off (rather than seemed "depressed" by it). It was so gallant of you to bring it up again, Rex.

I think you're pretty jealous of this attention given to old Ira.

Only 1 hour, and 13 responses already! And well deserved.

"Not that I really care..." (ira's words)...

But ira's post on the two year anniversary post contains the word "depressing". I didn't say it.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34557767

Dear Mr A,

>I was impressed at how Ira blew it off ..<

Thank you for the kind words.

Also, thank you, Faina.

Rex and I were posting at about the same time, so that I did not see his message.

>..sometimes just "topping"... and for reasons that I cannot always identify...<

"There are more things in heaven and earth, Rex, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy". :)

I think that both of us provide more light than heat.

((I))

<<I think that both of us provide more light than heat.>>

Well, my hat is off to you on this scale. In fact, I can't remember you EVER generating any "heat". I can't say the same for myself. But I do think that my "light output" exceeds any (almost always inadvertent) "heat".

Illuminate on, mon ami...

Ira - You are a true gentleman! So helpful in many arenas!!

Rex, same for you too!!

Yoony, you will soon be able to weed out the less than useful posters!!
or trolls as there are called....
Anne

Here's one from someone who constantly disagree with ira's posts here. Nothing personal against ira, just differences in travel style and needs.

I must admit, though, ira does this forum good.

>I must admit, though, ira does this forum good.<

No my friend, he does more than that. Above all, Ira keeps us honest, and faithful to what this forum is all about. He prods us to do our own reseach and then, and only then, informs us. If every poster had the credo exhibited by Ira, this forum would be an exaltation for the serious traveller to Europe. Gradyghost.

I'm always amazed that some of you check on how many times someone has posted, who cares. Some of us are retired and have more time or must be home for various reasons other than where we'd rather be. There's also too much guessing troll or stalker accusations. If you don't like a poster or the subject igmore it. This is a wonderful travel forum, not a personality contest, not a school, but a group of travelers who love their destinations and love sharing and receiving ideas and advice on other places.
Happy posting :)

I told you all in Oct. 2003 that Ira was THE MAN!!!!!

Ira's posts are helpful, written clearly and without rancor. I always look forward to reading them.

Sandy

Well said, Mimi. :)

Ira is great--very helpful, although I think I read somewhere he is both a Communist and a Nazi. (smile)

I for one appreciate the retirees and others who find the time to post often. I figure you all have much more travel experience than I do, and I want to read what you have to say. Thanks.

Hello Ira, I just saw your post that you are going to the south of France in September. How wonderful.

As I posted on another thread I am in the middle of reading a book written by a woman from London who purchased a very old monastary in the south of France.

I am mentioning it (although I do not know if you enjoy reading books)in case you might be interested.

The title is "Life in a Postcard". The author is Rosemary Bailey.

Bailey and her husband visited Corbiac, and the story is quite interesing with a lot of historical referrences. It tells a lot about the French Catalan's.

Ira, this is not a "chickbook". If you do enjoy reading I think you might truly enjoy this book.

Best regards

I thought you lived in Florida?

BRAVO< MIMI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I saw that ezlivin says he "constantly disagrees" with Ira, I decided to look up some of his posts. I stopped after finding this one.
The 17 mile drive is in NORTHERN California? And it is steeper than the road to Montserrat?
Glad he tends to disagree since the main difference is that Ira tends to know what he's talking about.

"Author: ezlivin
Date: 03/10/2005, 02:20 pm
Message: How about driving up?
We drove up to Montserrat and the roads are not as steep as, say, Scenic 17-mile Hwy. 1 along the Northern California Coast." Is that different than the 17 mile highway I know of in Pebble Beach?

Patrick:

I won't take sides <i>against</i> you - - and if ezlivin is set on taking positions against ira, then I know whose side I would favor in that one (but again I don;t seek to take sides).

But...

...saying that 17 Mile Drive is in &quot;Northern California&quot; would not be flat out wrong in a lot of people's books. Like, for example... &quot;Fodor's Northern California&quot;. You'll find it in there.

Big Sur? No.
Carmel? Yes.

Oh Patrick, we in Northern California will have to be advised that the 17 mile drive is in N.CA. I don't think so! Take care, and hope all is going alright for you.

I always read Ira's input to this board. His comments are informative, concise and precise.

He, along with others such as Patrick, Bookchick, StCirq and cigalechanta, provides valuable travel-related information.

Ira's wit and comments are a plus on this board.

Ginny (long-time fan of Ira)

Give it a rest rex. You're jealous you were't called out as the most prodigious poster.

Yes, travginny, StCirq is also one of my favorite contributors!

Rex, I could overlook the &quot;Northern California&quot; thing as sometimes California IS divided only into North and South, and they omit the idea of Central, but have you driven the 17 mile drive? Steeper than the road to Montserrat? I think not!

I am only 2 days old as a Fodorite,
and have seen so many incredibly interesting Ira-isms, I am impressed.
I have also gained so much info.

Keep on truckin' Ira. Thanks for all
of the great tips!

Who is Ira?

Ira is the guy you can depend on for reliable and knowledgable answers to your queries communicated in a generous and kindly manner, often punctuated with a welcome touch of wit.

Sun, I second that!! I love his humor too.

Last year, I booked a last minute trip to Paris and chose to stay at the Hotel Ira...I mean Bonaparte, sight unseen, simply because Ira recommended it. It didn't disappoint. You can get a sense of the type of person Ira is from the tenor of his posts. Thanks, Ira!

I, too, always read Ira's advice. And I have found that, particularly where Paris is the subject, we have much in common. So, thanks, Ira, and keep shedding light!