Red-Handed Jill

Yes, but keep in mind that most of the "idiots", as you call them weren't actually native San Franciscans - folks from the East Coast, particularly New York, moved out here in droves during the seventies. And even if they were native San Franciscans, it's just not on to call someone from another part of the country an idiot, just like we don't mock folks who move here from other parts of the country and get freaked out during earthquakes. Or non-Californians who insist on climbing up Half Dome when it looks like a storm is brewing, disregarding the large sign that says DON'T CLIMB IF YOU CAN SEE CLOUDS IN THE SKY.

Umm... Most Californians know what snow is... And most folks in California aren't from California - many of them are from New York, actually. So ya might want to be a bit less free with that "idiot" moniker...

Aye - here's hoping for a speedy recovery!

Ooh - a new toy! I've been spending more quality time with my uke lately but most of the songs I've been practicing on it have been of the "blue" variety, except for a couple of instrumentals.

You mean on the inside of the fin? I was thinking of using twinwall or some thin plastic with a foam cover.

Damn - I had no idea. Does rum help??

I've lost twenty-five pounds using that site - eight more to go. It really is handy!

Heh. I'm working on a mermaid outfit as well, but it's going to be more of a tattered thing that got caught in someone's net rather than the more glamorous usual type. Think "fiji mermaid"...

I'm glad to see that other folks have been able to meet you as well. How many people would be willing to helm a sailboat on their very first sail, dress up as a pirate and entertain a bunch of kids and then discuss Nash's Game Theory over margaritas?

MY EYES!!!!!!

Worried. Jack's been experiencing symptoms that seem to indicate angina. He goes to the doctor on Friday and I'm crossing my fingers it's not too serious. I've been bugging him to go to the doctor for three years now - he's finally realising that as you get older stuff starts happening. And heart problems run in his family - I would rather not be a young widow, thank you very much.

Patt - Jack and I met on the Internet. And we celebrated our six year anniversary last month. Claire and Bob met on the Internet as well. So it is possible. And yeah - I've met lots of folks here I'm happy to call friends and it's been wonderful to meet them in person. And there are several folks here that I'm hoping to come face to face with someday. Speaking of which - Ransom, I've got a bottle of Pyrat Pistol with your name on it for the next time you come down thisaway.

Speak for yourself - some things that are attached (so to speak...) can get dipped. Heh.

Heh - immortalized in a comix!

Go to Beverages and More - near the check out area they usually have a revolving round shelf thingy with wee bottles of spirits. Usually one of the layers is full of rum - it tends toward the low to mid-grade stuff. To sample the good stuff you'll need to go to one of your better bars. I recommend the Pyrat rums, although I am particular to Cruzan's Black Strap rum.

Jack and I co-own a 30" sailboat with another couple. Her name is La Sirena. She was previously La Pescada Azul, a name given to her by someone who must've gone to a Mexican restaurant and saw Pescado on the menu - and thought "fish", not realising that pescado is fish that has been prepared and is now on their plate rather than swimming around somewhere. And of course, since sailboats are referred to in the feminine, "pescado" was changed to "pescada", making it a non-word. So the name had to go (although we still refer to her fondly as the "blue fish boat".) We also have a 15'4" Whitehall named The Nutmeg of Consolation (fans of the Aubrey-Maturin books by PatrickO'Brien will get that reference.)

Hope you're having the best of birthdays!

Good thing I wasn't drinking anything when I saw that...

Ransom, Aaah... I can see it now.... Red-Handed Jill, Ransom, and Rogue Mermaid at a Pyrate Barbie Doll Convention planning how to rescue Candie (or what was left of her after the Cannibals cut out her heart....) Too bad this isn't a Steampunk comix, then they could get Candi a mechanical heart..... Oh well................ Hmmm...well, my colourful past did include a gig as a marine pathologist and hydraulic equipment repair. Ransom and Rogue Mermaid could wreak havoc among the barbies while I created some mechanism to fill the hole in Candi's chest...

Told ya!

Annoyed. Dealing yet again with a petulant, overly-dramatic co-worker who is unfortunately a VP. GRRRRRR! I keep hoping he'll just have one tantrum too many and leave the company.

Patt - I'd suggest featuring Ransom in a comic as a peace-offering. But NOT eaten by cannibals or some other such fate!

And a smile on her face. What a cutie!

I sent Callenish's book out today. Since I'm the one person who mails the books across the country, it costs about twice as much for me to mail one as it does the rest of y'all. So when possible, I've tried to mail mine out earlier to avoid Priority Mail costs. However, this book is so light there was only a fifty-cent difference between regular and priority so Sophia, you'll be getting the book in a couple of days.

Quite a few people have learned to equate "family members" with "mortal enemies". Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone was given the family they deserved?... I'm so sorry to hear that your father was subject to such cruelty. This is just a guess but since he raised such a wonderful and caring son, he must be quite a decent man. I'm willing to bet that the other members of his family are bitter because they've never been able to measure up to such decency - and for that sort of person, it's easier to be cruel to the good people in their lives rather than take a closer look at their own faults and remedy them.