chuck kottke

Well Tracie, there is a restaurant off of .. (wait while I get the Atlas..) I90 in Montana or Idaho - a biker establishment. Anyhow, they did have bull-balls on the menu, I kid you not! (and there was some type of festival held there on an annual basis regarding the mountain-oysters) They even had a miss-mountain oyster contest! (I saw the photos in the scrapbook) Anyhow, U-asked!:laugh3: (maybe this is too much for this audience??)

Teutonic!:laugh3: 9.17 Pi=3.1415926535

Rome fell because of greed. Michigan's main problem is that it's always cloudy over there in winter - no wonder they're in a depression!:P What really befelled Michigan was the unfair trade agreements, and trying to make the high-end auto lines. That, and the well-heeled live on investments; which, in a free-for-all type economy, helps them preferentially; thus the manufacturing sector goes whereever on the planet it can find the best deal (cheapest labor, socialized medicine, etc.). Maybe I'm a bit jaded, but from the upper midwest, that's how it looks to me.. So, honest gov't needs to be there representing the best interests of all the citizens, and acting as the referee in the economic game; making sure trade deals are fair for everyone, and the income disparities don't grow so out of proportion, as the average citizen has little control over real wages. The founders of our Republic recognized the necessity of a strong, growing middle class to maintain the democratic institutions of government we have come to cherish. Wage stagnation for the middle does not bode well for a healthy Republic. The way I see it, is that the tax breaks to the very wealthy (pioneered by the Republicans in the US congress & the white house via their clever kick-back schemes) helps the well-to-do at the expense of the working classes everywhere. Of course, Wall Street hedges their bets too - they contribute to the Democratic candidates as well; but to a lesser degree. Thus, I would recommend to all - investigate the money trail, and make well-informed decisions based on where it's coming from, and how it affects the economy. We may never have a pure & honest government, but there's better and there's worse!

Shovels ahoy! One good way to get a work-out! I would do the same, but since I have a 1/4 mile+ to do, I'll save the shovel for the walks. (be careful though - my neighbor just broke his arm in his driveway! snow+ice+gravity=big ouch!) That, and worse, but I'll save you the ugly details..

I've got you all beat! I'm 287 years-old in dog years. So there!:P

Gee thanks! Now I don't feel so awful.:) Well, I've got to plow snow and haul firewood tomorrow, amongst the thousands of other things. Good Night!

Good one, Briggins!:laugh3: Yea, tomorrow I'm going to plow snow with the Iron Horse (Allis-Chalmers WD45)- it snorts like a tractor should. Lots of power to spare, and it's geared for bull-work. (Now if I can just find that seat cushion for the metal seat! I don't want to freeze my butt to the damn thing again!):lol: What's your favorite tractor??

Since U2 had the Joshua Tree, then Coldplay will have the Cactus album?:laugh3:

Why am I reminded of the spiders and other arachnids that moved in ASAP right after Mt St. Helens blew it's top, and the ash cooled a bit..:laugh3: It's like: as soon as a whiff of profit can be smelled, the opportunists are right there, well ahead of all the rest, just waiting for the first grasshopper to be blown in by the wind.. Of course, they may be guessing as well! Not every arachnid will get a meal.. But these are smart spiders, so maybe they know something??:P

I'll have to give the monkeys a listen! Right now, it's John Denver's Country Roads!:)

Sweet deams, Anna!:sleeping2::sleeping::sunny:

Confused about labels.. :laugh3:Pardon me, but I think this picture is a little askew. How can I be one, and not be categorically labeled as immature!? Thanks though - I know what you mean.;)

I think - some of it is due to slower emotional maturity; some is just a lack of empathy (depends on how they're raised..). Part is the times we're in - commitment is a bit frightening, so that can be part of it. But maybe instead of looking for the fireflies, go for the shy, quiet types! Usually it takes time to build friendships; that's a better start than picking a date off the date palm! Or just be free for a while - it's good to spread your wings, and just not worry about it - planned things often fail, where more organic relationships usually fare much better.. I know - I'm probably not much help - but I do listen!;)

1. Do I want to work with a passive/agressive type who's into control? 2. Did people really lose their homes just because they forgot to pay a bill under $10.00 for a magazine!? 3. If only the firewood could come to me.. alas, like rover, I fetch. 4. I did not know wood ash could get hot enough in a woodstove to turn to glass! 5. Who puts together the beautifully artistic videos for Coldplay? & Emilie?

Hey, comeon now! We're not all like that! I'm sensitive and understanding!!:)

I did look at his biography some time ago in Wikipedia (the intergalactic encyclopedia of everything..) And I can't recall much! I need a refresh.:P

Rock around the clock (tonight) - Bill Hailey and the Comets. :-}

Addicted to mindless pop music! AAAIIIEEEE! What will become of humanity?!!:laugh3:

I'm trying to mesh the two images in me noggin'. OK - I guess that would work! Funny, how some music goes without title, and winds up in places one never expected to hear it! Say, speaking of which, who performs the Globetrekker music?? I missed out on purchasing it a while back - I'll check Youhoo Tube...

You got me there!:computer::joker: I exist only in two realms.. PBS and Internet!

Well, ya! In a moment of youthful mindless bliss, it's a fun song.. I still like ABBA better though - they had more hits, tho men without hats:hat: is good too.. Guilty listening pleasures - I do listen to AC/DC on occasion..:bandana:

OK Miss Snicket! Your turn!!:)

Is your birthday really November 5th??:rolleyes: (cause' it tis' the same as mine, then!)

So let's see, hmm.. by that theory..- I just need a haircut like a Marine then??:P I have to say it is less clumsy to have short hair (used to have longer hair in my youth - it was a fussy thing to keep out of the eyes, etc.) - you could be right!!

Gweetings, Tracie!! YEAA!!, you're famous now!! (quick, you've only got 15 minutes of fame, according to Andy! (but when do they start counting??:laugh3:))