chuck kottke

Goulash! Yum!! I'll be over at 6.:laugh3: (my Grandma used to make this dish - her family lived in Hungary many years back.. & I always liked it, as we could make it from the garden harvest in the fall.) How is Helsinki? Is the weather warming up??

from what??:laugh3: vanilla in a steam kettle..:cool:

Dwarf Hamsters?? Is there such a thing?:laugh3: (oh well - maybe that's why their temperament is such as it is/was..) And how did you get rid of them? My dumbest purchase - was writing a check for two dark chocolate candy-bars, and having forgot to transfer money into the account. The mistake cost me $1.88 plus $25.00 NSF charge! (making each about $13.44 - that should cut down on my chocolate desires!!;))

I just hope they don't read the press - can you imagine what bad thoughts one could have if they actually believed the tabloids?:laugh3: All I can say is that I feel a bit sorry for them, being so scrutinized by the press, and having "moles" everywhere. Can anyone imagine living under those conditions? (..but maybe that provides great inspiration for better music and acting for them both??)

I sometimes wonder - we reject elected officials for their occasional misdeeds concerning sexual matters, but allow the real monsters to start wars on fake evidence, take huge sums of money form totally corrupt firms (AKA - ENRON) for their campaigns, and run roughshod over our cherished rights as individuals.. I agree, what Spitzer was involved in was wrong - but more so on a personal level, and more concerning his relationship with his family.. The prostitution ring is a bigger part of the problem, and needs to be dealt with. But it still makes no sense to destroy a career over something like this - as long as those elected serve the best interests of their constituents and respect the rights of all citizens, I think the matter deserves justice, but it's rather minor compared to their role as representatives. Let the voters decide.;)

I am very saddened to hear that news. I truly hope your classmates are doing well after all that trauma - what a shock! I can only say, that's happened here as well - less than a year ago, I know someone who had been stabbed in a little town near where I live, all because he had teased someone that he took their job (as a cook) in a restaurant. It was just nuts - over something like that?! Tom got lucky that the knife didn't hit any vital organs. This fellow who went berserk was from the "projects", and apparently grew up in gangs.. That's no excuse, but it does fit a pattern of behavior that sometimes arises when someone grows up in a rough setting, with the wrong influences. I have a friend who grew up there as well, but turned out just the opposite - nicest person you would want to meet. But he tells of some awful tales while growing up there. I hope your classmates are getting well after all that - that's some pretty rough trauma to be going through.:cry:

Jesus provided the wine. Ahem.. :rolleyes:If I'm not mistaken, wasn't it Jesus who "turned" water into wine for a wedding?? I'm sure this was to get everyone a little tipsy, and ease up on all the strict rules at least for that night.;)

Besides, it just wouldn't be English without some haunting lyrics!:P

Smells like dinner!:p Here it's burning oak bark..

Are these the neighbors from hell?;)

DST began as an idea cooked up Benjamin Franklin, and he couldn't get the US to switch, but the idea made it's way to Europe; eventually, someone in England thought it was brilliant - a way to make better use of productive working hours in the factories, I recall.. then Europe adopted it, and finally the Americas. So there - it's all Franklin's fault!:P (there's a website devoted to it - a good read on the history (which I have probably botched a bit..)) It's annoying for sure - the farmers and ranchers were against it, but the early industrialists loved it.. so there you go! The railroads gave us the time zones - I guess they're partly responsible as well..:thinking::) I think, since it won't go away, it's best to transition slowly into the new mode, so it's not like some sort of jet lag.. and I can do without it as well - it's annoying.:smug:

I was a lumberjack once..:earmuffs::cowboy:

PepperMint soap!!!!:hat::hat::hat:

I tend to eat mostly vegetarian dishes - but I like a little chicken, fish, or eggs every now and then.. Hey, we have those canines for something!:vampire:;) I think it's possible to treat animals humanely, and to kill then humanely - but it's better if you can't relate to them. I have never been able to relate to the mindset or emotions of either a chicken or a fish (or a lobster, which is good with either butter, or a little olive oil and salt:P). I do support humane farming practices, and I do drink milk and eat cheese (hey, it's Wisconsin - it's the law here!):laugh3:. But, keep up the good diet, Anna! Keep variety in it, though - good bean dishes are great, as are fava beans (if you're not allergic to them), brown rice with veggie stir-fry & soy sauce, whole-grain breads,... I had whole grain blend pasta the other night, with home-made sauce (tomato, paste, zucchini, olives, onions, bell pepper, olive oil, salt, onion powder, cumin, crushed red pepper) , and spinach on the side. I like to take the pumpernickel bread, and spread some olive oil, garlic powder, and sprinkle it with crushed salt -a nice addition!

It's a very tiny C - but a very stylish one, no doubt. What font do you think the artist used?:P (sorry - life's too short to fret over every tattoo.. even the one spotting the plane!):laugh3:

Hello Virginia! Hello Katie!! Hey, I used to live in Virginia - but quite a ways from Gainesville (nearer to Schuyler and Faber). My cousin Paul is in Arlington (along with a million other people!)..:laugh3: Glad you could join us!

I was just listening to a Moody Blues song about just that subject.. It's an age-old question - how much should we give? Should we enjoy the moment and our biscuit, or worry about those who don't have the luxury? To me, there is a balance to be struck - take some time to enjoy life, but also walk in the shoes of others & given when you can, or when it's appropriate. If you feel called to a certain duty, then by all means, pursue it! And a good thing is to reflect - talk about it over a cup of tea. Tea is nice, and helps us recover after the bruises life dishes out. But seeing deeper into the why things are the way they are can help us make better decisions, and be smarter about the choices we make to help solve those problems. One has to also recognize that things may not be as bad as perceived, as the news highlights and exacerbates the worst, in order to get our attention, and sell more ads. Still, there are many in unfortunate circumstances, and as long as the eyes of the world are fixed on the problems, and we keep standing up for justice and those less fortunate, the matter does get addressed. It's all a gamble out there, but we can gamble smarter, and have better outcomes on the average.:)

$20,000. 1/2 for the Grand, 1/2 for the room!:) (yes, that's a bit extravagant - but then again, people spend money for all sorts of things, like swimming pools, and the like - the piano room would certainly see some use!!;)) Back when I was your age, we had an upright "grand" - which really does sound nice - and I had gotten lessons from a nice neighbor lady - Carrie Markus. I did learn a lot, but I got lazy in summer, and didn't keep up the practicing.. :embarassed::) It really is like playing a giant harp - very beautiful resonating sound throughout the whole house.. Anyhow, there are some bargains on the online auction houses (Ebay is the one I'm familiar with). You can get a Grand for a lot less than 10,000!

Where's the drums and accompaniment? I can do better.:P

I, um - do you think it's necessary to get a tattoo just to prove to someone and to the press that you love them? On you thigh??:laugh3: I suppose it's a choice - still, I wonder.. now she can only fool around with guys that have a C for the first letter in their first name!;):P

Hmmm.. now I know where all the bullies went from High School - they became Republicans! This explains a lot..

Gunsnbutter! A right-wing spoof source, no doubt trying to smear and divide their opposition! I should have guessed as much - locker-room humor, with about the same intellectual level one can only expect from the rabid right-wing..

When Young was young.. "I'm just a miner searchin' for a heart of gold..., and I'm gettin' old.. du du du du.. <then a harmonica solo somewhat like Bob Dylan's>" Does this ring a bell? I think old Neil's just fine by me - by he gets his signals crossed every now and then. Another reference - a little more modern - If you've heard the song "Sweet Home Alabama" by Leonard Skynnard, Lore, he makes a reference to Neil Young in the song - "Now Neil Young will remember - a Southern Man don't need him around, anyhow..." Young was an activist during the 60's, and at the time Alabama had some terrible policies against minorities - the old racist south. So, I think well of Neil Young, when he stood for human rights back then..(and his anti-war stance now). But Coldplay got their start somewhat relevant to Young - didn't Chris Martin say "We were trying to sound like Neil Young, and what came out was "Yellow""??:laugh3: At one time, it was Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young during the 60's youth revolution.. Anyhow, just another famous old singer - he really was top of his form in the day, and very hip with the anti-war movement.

Harpo plays the harp.:) Chico's pretty cool on piano as well..

Ranges Well, I took a look - prices vary greatly. Good used ones can be gotten for $200.00, but you'll have to go to Dorothy's house in Kansas..;) There's no place like home, there's no place like home..:) The General trends: Steinway Grand - 14 Grand Yamaha Grand - 6 Grand Any Baby Grand - 2-3-4 Grand Miniature Grand - $250:) Aunt Nellie's Upright - $200 - $800;)best value I think.. Newer Uprights - $1000 - $5000good, if you've got the bucks! Steinway Upright - 6 Grand Shipping to the outback - ?????:P (by wallaby-powered wagon, over dusty roads, past strange and exotic plants and animals..):laugh3: I would opt for Aunt Nellie's Upright - check it out for good soundboard, mechanical action, general shape, sound quality, etc. - there are some sources for tips on the net - easy enough to search for, if you've got the time.;) With some tuning, and a little polish, you could be in business! One thing - the dry climates tend to be a challenge on the old glues used in the wooden linkages. Not a big deal - you might have to take out the hammers and links every now and then, and carefully re-glue the loose parts - it's just something I've had to do. Also, sometimes the wood boards get loose on the inside and rattle. This can be remedied with wedges; or, if you get a good used one from Aunt Nellie, just have it gone over by a piano repair person. Otherwise, Rachel, if you've got funds available in the $1000 - $6000 range, you could get something newer (with less quirks)?? It all depends on how much someone wants to spend, how much space is available in the house, etc.. OOoo, wouldn't it be nice to have a grand piano though.. Oh well, we can all dream!;) Happy Searches!!