Who will be the last person to post in THIS thread?

[Dreamscape]

Ah, it returns. Hey, on my birthday, G.I. Joe is released. I think that's just awesome and you should, too

[Dreamscape]

Well, when I started it, I could have swore there was another guy from Hawaii on the board, but you may have run him off.

[Hobbes]

No, we have to set this thread up without the poll this time. There is no reason to have that clutter at the top of every page yet again.

[Dreamscape]

But...but...but...it's tradition!

...or something?

[Hobbes]

I suggest we just set up a regular random thoughts thread like many other sites have. Everybody knows the purpose of such threads.

Besides, every last bit of humor in this this last person to post concept has already been extracted.

[Chris_Moderato]

Let's aim for 415 pages this time.

[Lauren T.]

Let's get there before the site really gets going. :D

Sounds good to me! :cool:

[Agent-X-]

Sounds good to me! :cool:

You better hurry. The site's new IP is already propagating around the globe! :D

[bravos4evr]

Ah, it returns. Hey, on my birthday, G.I. Joe is released. I think that's just awesome and you should, too

I would agree if the director wasn't Paul WS Anderson, the genius behind the Resident Evil movies, Alien V Predator and other similar crud....

I have hope it will be good tho. He nade Deep Rising and it was at least fun!

[Hobbes]

I would agree if the director wasn't Paul WS Anderson, the genius behind the Resident Evil movies
Well those movies had Milla Jovovich, so they weren't so bad at all in my eyes. ;)

[BigWorm]

Guess who's back, back again. BigWorm's back tell your friends.

[Dreamscape]

Well those movies had Milla Jovovich, so they weren't so bad at all in my eyes. ;)
Yeah, I didn't mind Resident Evil.

[Chris_Moderato]

Guess who's back, back again. BigWorm's back tell your friends.

Whoa, worm, I had no idea you were "from" Winder. That's awesome.

[KB 34]

I was hoping this thread wouldn't be created so quickly so I could kill the poll part of it. In protest I haven't voted.

[BigWorm]

Winder is where I live now. Farm land for days. I call the locals Winderonians. They are a rare breed. Imagine a town full of overweight mullets, it is indeed awesome.

[BigWorm]

I was kinda hoping to see the ole BravesBlue name with the Robot from Futurama....

[Chris_Moderato]

Yeah, my family goes way back in Winder. Generations, really. Grandparents used to own a farm out on Patrick Mill Road. You're right, though. I've only been back a few times in the past decade, and I'm struck by the increasing number of mullets and cowboy hats.

[ScooterBrave]

Ah, yes, good to be back in the thread of meaningless conversations.

[sdp]

Any "Three Stooges" fans around here? I discovered some DVDs of the old slapstick group and have been getting some chuckles out of them lately.

[FrankEC]

Any "Three Stooges" fans around here? I discovered some DVDs of the old slapstick group and have been getting some chuckles out of them lately.

Note the profile pic! Have been a stooges fan my whole life. Some of the greatest comedic minds of all time.

[Chris_Moderato]

I hear there's a movie in the works, but it's not a biopic. It's supposed to be a new Stooges (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Three_Stooges#cite_note-27) adventure.

[ScooterBrave]

I hear there's a movie in the works, but it's not a biopic. It's supposed to be a new Stooges (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Three_Stooges#cite_note-27) adventure.


"The greater the mind, the greater the need for simple play!" --Larry, Moe, and Curly

[FrankEC]

I hear there's a movie in the works, but it's not a biopic. It's supposed to be a new Stooges (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Three_Stooges#cite_note-27) adventure.

Hmmm, Benicio Del Toro, Sean Penn, and Jim Carrey as Moe, Larry, and Curly respectively? Interesting. I have a hard time envisioning that trio pulling off stooges type slapstick. But, with the Farrelly brothers at the helm, I'm not going to rule anything out yet.

[wordslayer©]

Randy B

I hope he shows up.

Maybe he is protesting message boards? Maybe he is on strick?

[KB 34]

Randy B

I hope he shows up.

Maybe he is protesting message boards? Maybe he is on strick?
langerhansgirl hasn't been around in ages. Is she locked up in your basement still? I feel we must interrogate you before clearing you to ask questions about the rest of the community not locked in your basement.

[wordslayer©]

langerhansgirl hasn't been around in ages. Is she locked up in your basement still? I feel we must interrogate you before clearing you to ask questions about the rest of the community not locked in your basement.

I heard from her about a month or so ago. I thought she would make the transition over here. Maybe she still will.

Freddy's here now, but where is wahoo?

[Dreamscape]

For the record, we were having issues with a question we added to the registration to try to keep automated spambots from joining so maybe with that fixed, others will be on their way.

[Lauren T.]

vailfiregirl will probably be around later as well -- I sent her the new link and she said she'd register.

[Dreamscape]

w00t. She can also give you a referrel...and I can understand if that does anything. :)

[wordslayer©]

Randy B

I hope he shows up.

Maybe he is protesting message boards? Maybe he is on strick?

Just saw it! On the front page!!!

Newest member..........

RaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaandyB

He completes me. He had me at "helo."

[KB 34]

I'm glad to see people have been successful in registering and making the transition to the new software. I don't miss having a million bugs every second making it an adventure to get back to a main forum. The moderator options are improved as well. This is pretty nice software.

[Hobbes]

This is pretty nice software.
Yes it is. Definitely nicer than the old stuff.

[bravos4evr]

Just saw it! On the front page!!!

Newest member..........

RaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaandyB

He completes me. He had me at "helo."


Dude if this wasn't so damn funny I would kick you in da nads.... but it is dat damn funny!!!!!!!!

[wordslayer©]

Read on the MSN homepage tonight where the oldest person in the world died today.

Read about three months ago on the MSN homepage that the oldest person in the world died that day.

Read about six months ago on the MSN homepage that the oldest person in the world died that day.

This is a story that just won't go away.

[bravos4evr]

Yeah it's like Highlander, there can only be one!!!!!!

[Lauren T.]

I'm going to a family reunion this afternoon -- the side of the family I never see. I am excited to talk to my great-uncle James, who's a HUGE Braves fan and made me a binder full of mint-condition baseball cards last summer. That was a total surprise, and it was very cool! He used to take my dad to Atlanta Crackers games when my dad was a kid. :)

[slowride]

Now let us pray...

[sdp]

It has been over 3.5 years since I've been on a date and I'm starting to get restless, annoyed, and depressed with my singularity.

My first and only experience dating was with a manipulative ________ who played games with me on and off for about a year. Of course, she's married now and doesn't have to worry about these things anymore.

My friends tell me that I have to "put myself out there" but they've got steady girlfriends of multiple years and from my observations, they sure as hell didn't "put themselves out there."

A lot of my problem has been physical attractiveness. It's hard to get a girl interested in a guy bigger than a bus. Since September 2008, I've lost exactly 60 pounds and that puts me at 83 pounds off my highest known weight. This morning, I weighed 251 pounds. I'm a shell of my former self and that has given me a big boost of confidence with regards to my physical attractiveness. I'm also a quiet, sometimes shy, guy and that doesn't help in meeting people.

So, I have someone on the radar, but after 3.5 years, but my confidence in "execution" is shot. I can't even picture myself actually on a date again. I'm afraid of falling flat on my face and clearing the radar for several more years.

Probably more info than you ever wanted to know about this guy, but oh well. Is there a Hitch who can help me up my game?

[JanShan12]

I don't know about anyone here being like Hitch, but I do know that you have to go into every meeting with someone with no expectations. Once you get to know them and start dating, then you can get a feel for how serious, if at all, things will become.

Honestly, I HATED being single. I dated for many years until I FINALLY found someone who had the same goals in life that I do. I had my heart broken a lot because I am a relationship kind of person and ran into too many who were looking for short term deals.

Does your "target" have any idea?

[Chris_Moderato]

It has been over 3.5 years since I've been on a date and I'm starting to get restless, annoyed, and depressed with my singularity.

My first and only experience dating was with a manipulative ________ who played games with me on and off for about a year. Of course, she's married now and doesn't have to worry about these things anymore.

My friends tell me that I have to "put myself out there" but they've got steady girlfriends of multiple years and from my observations, they sure as hell didn't "put themselves out there."

A lot of my problem has been physical attractiveness. It's hard to get a girl interested in a guy bigger than a bus. Since September 2008, I've lost exactly 60 pounds and that puts me at 83 pounds off my highest known weight. This morning, I weighed 251 pounds. I'm a shell of my former self and that has given me a big boost of confidence with regards to my physical attractiveness. I'm also a quiet, sometimes shy, guy and that doesn't help in meeting people.

So, I have someone on the radar, but after 3.5 years, but my confidence in "execution" is shot. I can't even picture myself actually on a date again. I'm afraid of falling flat on my face and clearing the radar for several more years.

Probably more info than you ever wanted to know about this guy, but oh well. Is there a Hitch who can help me up my game?

If you have a "target", then for crying out loud, make a move. Any move. If you've been single for 3 1/2 years or whatever, what's the harm in giving it a shot? The worst that can happen is you'll be exactly where you are now.

Besides, most girls who are worth your time are about as confused or mixed up as you are.

Or try eHarmony.

[sdp]

Does your "target" have any idea?

If you have a "target", then for crying out loud, make a move. Any move. If you've been single for 3 1/2 years or whatever, what's the harm in giving it a shot? The worst that can happen is you'll be exactly where you are now.We've been talking online a little over the past several months. However, she is studying abroad in China for the summer. My idea was just to ask for dinner when she got back to the US.

[Chris_Moderato]

Were I a single man these days, I'd probably give eHarmony or one of those sites a try. Just a suggestion.

[Andy G.]

It has been over 3.5 years since I've been on a date and I'm starting to get restless, annoyed, and depressed with my singularity.

My first and only experience dating was with a manipulative ________ who played games with me on and off for about a year. Of course, she's married now and doesn't have to worry about these things anymore.

My friends tell me that I have to "put myself out there" but they've got steady girlfriends of multiple years and from my observations, they sure as hell didn't "put themselves out there."

A lot of my problem has been physical attractiveness. It's hard to get a girl interested in a guy bigger than a bus. Since September 2008, I've lost exactly 60 pounds and that puts me at 83 pounds off my highest known weight. This morning, I weighed 251 pounds. I'm a shell of my former self and that has given me a big boost of confidence with regards to my physical attractiveness. I'm also a quiet, sometimes shy, guy and that doesn't help in meeting people.

So, I have someone on the radar, but after 3.5 years, but my confidence in "execution" is shot. I can't even picture myself actually on a date again. I'm afraid of falling flat on my face and clearing the radar for several more years.

Probably more info than you ever wanted to know about this guy, but oh well. Is there a Hitch who can help me up my game?
Big congrats on the weight loss. You deserve to feel good about it. Good work. Keep it up.

I can tell you from experience that the easiest way to mess things up for yourself is by taking things too seriously and being too shy.

Take Chris' advice. Just make your move and don't be shy about it. You've already lost a lot of weight and you know that you're a good guy. I'm assuming your not into the type of girl that likes a-holes. Also, if you really want to date and that girl is going to be away for a while, you could just take another girl out in the meantime. It might actually help to take a girl out that you're not crazy about. Then you can just have fun and not put too much pressure on yourself to make the date go well. There are tons of dude's out there with girls that are out of their league. There's no reason you can't be dating if you want to.

[Dreamscape]

Great and cheap date suggestion, btw..minor league baseball. Even girls who don't understand baseball get into the atmosphere. I wasn't exactly on a date tonight, but she already wants to go to more.

[bravos4evr]

I don't know how old you are, but it only gets harder as you get older. So go out there and just hang out and have fun! The girls will come if you make yourself a fun loving person in the public eye! I should know, I used to be really shy too and finally I just came to the conclusion that I was not going to sit and let life pass me by anymore!
Have as much fun as you possibly can, because it's better to regret something you did rather than something you didn't do!!!!

[Lauren T.]

From a single-woman-in-her-20s perspective, can I just tell you how nice it would be to meet a guy and hear him say, "You're cute. Want to go get some ice cream?" Too many guys are playing games of their own these days, and aren't willing to take a girl out unless he thinks he a) can get lucky, or b) wants to marry her. I don't think you need to become friends first -- then the transition from friends to dating is awkward, and you're worried about "ruining the friendship".

Dating is too complicated these days. If you meet a girl you like, and she seems to be enjoying your conversation, ask her out! If she says no, you haven't wasted your time pining after her. If she says yes, hey! You have a date! It doesn't have to be a big deal.

Places to meet girls: in class, at work, in the grocery store, volunteering, at church, etc. Girls are everywhere. The more you talk to, the more success you'll have. Good luck!

[Chris_Moderato]

Maybe some of y'all have seen this, but it makes me laugh every time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWRyj5cHIQA

[bravos4evr]

The grocery store is one of the biggest myths in the dating world! Who meets someone at the damn grocery store? I mean really!

[Lauren T.]

*raises hand* In college, I met a guy at the local market. We went on two dates. He told me he liked me, but he didn't think he could continue seeing me because I wasn't a Utah native. Utahns are weird, y'all.

[bravos4evr]

drummer in my band just moved back from there. He called them Utards!

[sdp]

I asked, and the girl said that dinner would be nice when she gets back from studying abroad. By the way, I'm 21-years-old for those of you who asked.

[JanShan12]

Congrats! Hope all goes well.

[Hobbes]

Nice going sdp. Hardest part is over.

[Wahoo]

I asked, and the girl said that dinner would be nice when she gets back from studying abroad. By the way, I'm 21-years-old for those of you who asked.


How long is she going to be abroad?

[Hobbes]

How long is she going to be abroad?
Her whole life!

:rimshot:

[Wahoo]

Her whole life!

:rimshot:

Nice. LMAO

[sdp]

lol... nice one, Hobbes.

She gets back at the end of this month.

[Wahoo]

lol... nice one, Hobbes.

She gets back at the end of this month.

Oh, that's awesome. Let us know how the date goes.

[luvdembravos]

From a single-woman-in-her-20s perspective, can I just tell you how nice it would be to meet a guy and hear him say, "You're cute. Want to go get some ice cream?" Too many guys are playing games of their own these days, and aren't willing to take a girl out unless he thinks he a) can get lucky, or b) wants to marry her. I don't think you need to become friends first -- then the transition from friends to dating is awkward, and you're worried about "ruining the friendship".

Dating is too complicated these days. If you meet a girl you like, and she seems to be enjoying your conversation, ask her out! If she says no, you haven't wasted your time pining after her. If she says yes, hey! You have a date! It doesn't have to be a big deal.

Places to meet girls: in class, at work, in the grocery store, volunteering, at church, etc. Girls are everywhere. The more you talk to, the more success you'll have. Good luck!

Good advice. Now, from a man's perspective, I recommend you only take advice from Chris-M, the World's Greatest Lover. How lucky you are to have direct access to this great source of knowledge.

BTW, congrats on the weight loss. That's a tough thing to do and you should be proud.

[Dreamscape]

Yikes, I passed 20,000 posts.

And there was much rejoicing.

http://www.egr.unlv.edu/images/c19-rejoicing.jpg

[argentina brave]

hey guys, today's my last day in the u.s....tomorrow, my fam and i board a plane for bulgaria, where we'll live for 3 yrs.

adios.....but they do have internet access, and i'll be watching some braves on mlb.com or armed forces network.

bye bye virginia, hello българия!

[luvdembravos]

Congrats on your noteworthy achievement.

All those posts defending KJ over the years really add up, don't they? ;)

[Hobbes]

Yikes, I passed 20,000 posts.

And there was much rejoicing.
Post-whore. :D

[luvdembravos]

hey guys, today's my last day in the u.s....tomorrow, my fam and i board a plane for bulgaria, where we'll live for 3 yrs.

Adios.....but they do have internet access, and i'll be watching some braves on mlb.com or armed forces network.

Bye bye virginia, hello българия!



До свидания … Удачи!

[argentina brave]

До свидания … Удачи!

Не знам че ти говориш руски!?

[Middle Man]

hey guys, today's my last day in the u.s....tomorrow, my fam and i board a plane for bulgaria, where we'll live for 3 yrs.

adios.....but they do have internet access, and i'll be watching some braves on mlb.com or armed forces network.

bye bye virginia, hello българия!

Best wishes! Check-in when you get the chance and tell us how things are going. I don't know much about Bulgaria (aren't there lots of vampires around there?) but I would imagine the living conditions will be a bit more comfortable than your previous stop.

[Hobbes]

Best wishes! Check-in when you get the chance and tell us how things are going. I don't know much about Bulgaria (aren't there lots of vampires around there?) but I would imagine the living conditions will be a bit more comfortable than your previous stop.
I seem to recall AB saying the women in Bulgaria are gorgeous. :)

Good look to you AB. :thumbsup:


...or should that be BB?

[luvdembravos]

Не знам че ти говориш руски!?



Я говорю не могут по-русски но читаю некоторые

[argentina brave]

I seem to recall AB saying the women in Bulgaria are gorgeous. :)

Good look to you AB. :thumbsup:


...or should that be BB?

http://www.maxim.co.uk/girls/international/4040/miss_maxim_bulgaria.html

[JanShan12]

Take care! Hope you and your family have a safe trip. I'm looking forward to hearing from you once you arrive and hearing how things are in your new country.

[KB 34]

Good luck AB and have fun over there.



Having a blast in Alabama as you can probably tell from the lack of posting. 40 hour work weeks are amazing and leave so much time for fun. Even with haivng to make up hours from my 4 failed attempts to see a Shuttle launch it isn't that bad. 3.5 more weeks and then I have a month to entertain myself before starting school again. Note to self: should start studying for GRE and look at grad schools then.

[sdp]

Does anyone here have eye floaters? My optometrist says they're common in most of the population but most people's brains learn to tune them out. I've become supra-aware of mine and they're driving me crazy!

[wordslayer©]

Does anyone here have eye floaters? My optometrist says they're common in most of the population but most people's brains learn to tune them out. I've become supra-aware of mine and they're driving me crazy!

Pretty much of a b1tch, aren't they?

I have them, too. Noticed them when I was a kid, but didn't really think much of it. I think they are related to the residual amount of protein that is in your eye. Not sure, though.

I wouldn't say they are common in most of the population, but there are a significant amount of people who do have them.

I don't believe the brain actually tunes them out, because they never go away or get better. You always know they are there. You do learn to ignore them in most of your daily activities. However, when I read, am in a light colored room, or when I look at a computer screen that has a lighter background, there they are...darting back and forth in front of my visual field.

To me, these are like tinnitus. It's there. It's going to always be there. if you start focusing on a cure or trying to fix them, then you will end up driving yourself wacky over it. I remember studying one time how things of this nature will bother you as related to your natural neurosis that you have. If you tend to get anxious a little easier than others, then it can be more bothersome to you.

What works for me is........embrace them. They are going to be there. Expect them to irritate you some, but just take solace that they won't make you go blind or rot your eyeball out.

Seriously, they will drive you as crazy as you let it.

[bravos4evr]

I like to pretend that they are worm armies battling for control of my brain!!!!


.........yeah, these are the thoughts that kept me out of the really good schools!

[argentina brave]

bulgaria is a hoot. the women are hot, don't leave much to the imagination. i'm happily married, but can't help but notice. :thumbsup:

as for the country, so far, so good. lots of contrast...gray, crumbling, communist-era infrastructure and ads for iphones and hip hop.

it'll be better when i move in my house next week, i'll have internet which = braves baseball on mlb.com!! woo-hoo! although, the braves tend to fare better when i don't watch them and/or i'm not on the same continent, let alone the same stadium. take care all.....

[Hobbes]

Glad you made it safely AB. Have fun getting to know your new home.

[JanShan12]

bulgaria is a hoot. the women are hot, don't leave much to the imagination. i'm happily married, but can't help but notice. :thumbsup:

as for the country, so far, so good. lots of contrast...gray, crumbling, communist-era infrastructure and ads for iphones and hip hop.

it'll be better when i move in my house next week, i'll have internet which = braves baseball on mlb.com!! woo-hoo! although, the braves tend to fare better when i don't watch them and/or i'm not on the same continent, let alone the same stadium. take care all.....

Glad you had a safe trip and it's great to hear from you! Keep us updated... on the women and the country! ;)

[Devil Wears Prado]

I am turning 17 today. What a boring, useless age lol.

[-Dr. Brave-]

Does anyone here have eye floaters? My optometrist says they're common in most of the population but most people's brains learn to tune them out. I've become supra-aware of mine and they're driving me crazy!

I notice my floater (I just have one) mainly when I'm looking into an empty styrofoam cup.

OK, I guess I get bored sometimes...

[Hobbes]

Happy Birthday Libid21.

[JanShan12]

Did you do anything to celebrate, Libid21? Hope you had a great birthday and hopefully the Braves will get you a win!

[KB 34]

I am turning 17 today. What a boring, useless age lol.
Happy birthday. I remember turning 17 as it was a good birthday. Spending over $1,000 on a 4-wheeler and new computer tends to make it a good day. Personally 17 was better than 16, which is a trend that's continued to this day. Enjoy being 17 and make it better than last year, that's my advice.

[Lauren T.]

17 was the best year of my teens. I hope it's the same for you!

[ScooterBrave]

Happy Belated, Libid21!

17!!

Gee, for me that was........too long ago.

Here's the gauge, many of today's styles were in style then, went out of style, and came back in. It was the middle of the disco era, which sucked, but I pacified myself with Lynrd Skynrd and Molly Hatchet.

[Middle Man]

17 - ahhhh! The coolest shows were MASH, Taxi, and SNL; listened to Pink Floyd and Toto and played Chicago tunes in a garage band. The Shah of Iran was overthrown in Iran and Saddam took over in Iraq. Jimmy Carter and Margaret Thatcher ran the show for the good guys. Gas was probably 90 cents/gal. Those were busy times.

[Chris_Moderato]

Ha ha. You guys are old.

I turned 17 about a month or so after the Braves last won the World Series. God...that feels like a long time ago.

[luvdembravos]

The week I turned 17, Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's HR record.

[Lauren T.]

The year I was 17, these were the Braves top 5 salaries:

John Smoltz $7,000,000
Greg Maddux $6,775,000
Fred McGriff $5,500,000
Tom Glavine $5,050,000
Kenny Lofton $4,825,000

Oh, and Andruw Jones earned $152,500. :)

[Lauren T.]

Random funny of the day: a friend and I were bored a couple of months ago, and decided we'd try an online dating service; she's doing Match.com and I filled out the eHarmony profile. She paid for her subscription but I didn't -- I'm a little more wary of these things than she is. Anyway, I still get matches in my email from eHarmony, and overnight I was matched with someone named Roid (http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff172/RIBscans/roid.jpg). It amuses me to no end. :D

[luvdembravos]

Random funny of the day: a friend and I were bored a couple of months ago, and decided we'd try an online dating service; she's doing Match.com and I filled out the eHarmony profile. She paid for her subscription but I didn't -- I'm a little more wary of these things than she is. Anyway, I still get matches in my email from eHarmony, and overnight I was matched with someone named Roid (http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff172/RIBscans/roid.jpg). It amuses me to no end. :D

LOL. Forget him...I hear he's a pain in the ass.

[bravos4evr]

The year i turned seventeen the team was horrible and finished in last place ( yes behond the Expos) the year I turned 18 (1991) they kicked some caboose!

[sdp]

Just gave away $721.92 for textbooks for the fall semester.

Shoot me.

[Lauren T.]

Granted, I finished college six years ago... but I used to go to the bookstore, write down the ISBN, then buy the books online. I used bigwords.com and half.com most often and usually saved 50% (incl. shipping). Of course, it took a little more time, but since I was paying for everything on my own it was worth it.

[Hobbes]

When I was in college there was no internet. If you were lucky you could find a book or two in the used section of the bookstore, but mostly you had to pay full price. As I also paid my own way it was quite a hit to the wallet.

[sdp]

Yeah, I rarely use my school's bookstore. Their prices for used books are the same prices of Amazon's new books. So I just buy the books from Amazon and will use the bookstore in rare cases that the prices are better or if the book is written by a professor and not for sale elsewhere.

[Middle Man]

I just bought my daughter's books - she's a freshman this fall. Buying new from the bookstore would have run about $550. I bought everything off of half.com for about $350. All new books.

[ScooterBrave]

When I was in college there was no internet. If you were lucky you could find a book or two in the used section of the bookstore, but mostly you had to pay full price. As I also paid my own way it was quite a hit to the wallet.

And you walked to school.....25 miles......uphill.....both ways! :D

Actually, when I went to college there was just the campus bookstore and like you, you tried to find used books because they were cheaper. But then the profs had a racket where they required the book they wrote as a textbook and revised it every year so you had to buy new. And a class on personal computers involved programming an Apple IIe with 5.25 inch floppy disks.

[sdp]

It's worth noting that I'm in a technical field. The science and mathematics textbooks that I need are always so much more expensive than say a Literature or Economics book.

[Wahoo]

When I was in college there was no internet. If you were lucky you could find a book or two in the used section of the bookstore, but mostly you had to pay full price. As I also paid my own way it was quite a hit to the wallet.

God, I bet registering for classes was a pain in the ass. Having to physically wait in line each semester to get the classes you want. What an incredible waste of day I bet that was.

[Lauren T.]

It's worth noting that I'm in a technical field. The science and mathematics textbooks that I need are always so much more expensive than say a Literature or Economics book.
Just out of curiosity, how much was your most expensive book? My most expensive was in 2002, a $129 marketing research book. (Adjusted for inflation, that's $154.67 in today's money.) :(

[Hobbes]

God, I bet registering for classes was a pain in the ass. Having to physically wait in line each semester to get the classes you want. What an incredible waste of day I bet that was.
It was a bitch. We all had to go down to the registration hall and spend all day there registering. You would look through these printouts of courses and fill in those type of forms where you needed to fill in ovals with a number 2 pencil. You would submit those forms and wait around for up to an hour (or more) until the computer (a big mainframe) printed out a report telling you which classes you were successful in getting. They would call your name and you'd pick up your report. If you were lucky you would get most of the courses you picked on your first go.

If you were unlucky and didn't get many of your first choices, you had to scour the lists and try to find options that would work with your schedule that you wanted to take. They would bring out updated printouts throughout the day showing how many spots were left in each class and which were full. By the end of the day if you needed one more class you were stuck picking some total garbage (bad course, bad time, bad professor) just to fill your schedule. Often the only class you needed to take that was available would conflict with a course you already got and you'd have to remove it and find something else. This shuffling could go on many times.

If you were really lucky and got all your first choices (rare) you could get out of there in 2-3 hours.

[Wahoo]

It was a bitch. We all had to go down to the registration hall and spend all day there registering. You would look through these printouts of courses and fill in those type of forms where you needed to fill in ovals with a number 2 pencil. You would submit those forms and wait around for up to an hour (or more) until the computer (a big mainframe) printed out a report telling you which classes you were successful in getting. They would call your name and you'd pick up your report. If you were lucky you would get most of the courses you picked on your first go.

If you were unlucky and didn't get many of your first choices, you had to scour the lists and try to find options that would work with your schedule that you wanted to take. They would bring out updated printouts throughout the day showing how many spots were left in each class and which were full. By the end of the day if you needed one more class you were stuck picking some total garbage (bad course, bad time, bad professor) just to fill your schedule. Often the only class you needed to take that was available would conflict with a course you already got and you'd have to remove it and find something else. This shuffling could go on many times.

If you were really lucky and got all your first choices (rare) you could get out of there in 2-3 hours.

Poor guy. My first year, UVA had just implemented the new online course registration. It was always a pain because the system would always be overloaded, so you would end up at 3am, scouring the directory for classes to match your schedule. But, clearly that was more desirable than what you had to endure. At least we got to do it in our dorm room with a cold beer in hand and a game on in the background. Your way: just brutal.

[sdp]

Just out of curiosity, how much was your most expensive book? My most expensive was in 2002, a $129 marketing research book. (Adjusted for inflation, that's $154.67 in today's money.) :(

This time, it was an engineering statistics book for $125 smackeroos. However, that's not bad compared to recent years. I paid ~$230 for an organic chemistry textbook two years ago and then another $40 for a 600-page solution manual.

Yikes, Hobbes. Thanks for the story--I appreciate online registration much more now. I tweak my schedule almost on a weekly basis.

[KB 34]

I've saved hundreds of dollars using half.com and Amazon to purchase textbooks. It's a joke how much of a ripoff textbooks are. I've also purchased old editions of non-required texts before as they're about 10% the price of the new editions.

[sdp]

I asked, and the girl said that dinner would be nice when she gets back from studying abroad. By the way, I'm 21-years-old for those of you who asked.

So this happens tomorrow night (Sunday). I hope it goes well! Wish me luck.

[JanShan12]

Lots of luck, but you won't need it. Just be yourself and relaxed.

[sdp]

Things went well, guys. It was my first date as an adult and she said she had a good time. However, if I'm interpreting certain signals the right way, the dinner, walk, and coffee was pretty much a "just friends" kind of thing.

[IkeWagner]

I feel sorry for you people. Where I spent my last three years in school (University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse), there was textbook rental.

[wordslayer©]

Things went well, guys. It was my first date as an adult and she said she had a good time. However, if I'm interpreting certain signals the right way, the dinner, walk, and coffee was pretty much a "just friends" kind of thing.

Need more information, SDP.

She didn't talk about any other guys in her life, right?

Did she send you any kind of signals that gave you an impression that it was a "just friends" kind of deal, or is this your anxieties talking?

If she got dressed up, went with you, and didn't send out any "barrier" types of signals, it's hard to believe it was just a friends date.

She may have been unsure if you were looking at this as a date or not. Maybe she was trying to follow your lead.

[sdp]

Need more information, SDP.

She didn't talk about any other guys in her life, right?

Did she send you any kind of signals that gave you an impression that it was a "just friends" kind of deal, or is this your anxieties talking?

If she got dressed up, went with you, and didn't send out any "barrier" types of signals, it's hard to believe it was just a friends date.

She may have been unsure if you were looking at this as a date or not. Maybe she was trying to follow your lead.Let's see.

She looked awesome, IMO, but she didn't really "dress up." She was dressed very casual (pink top, khaki capris) while I was more "dressy" casual (Ralph Lauren button-down shirt, dressy jeans, casual dress shoes)

At first, she really insisted that the dinner check be split in half. However, I insisted that I pay the entire check, which ended up being upwards of $50 and she said she wasn't going to argue if I insisted. This was the first thing I took as a signal that she wasn't viewing this as a date--I believe most girls would expect the guy to pay on a date. She paid for the coffee afterwards.

There wasn't any real mention of other guys in her life. She mentioned a guy a couple times that I believe there was some interest on her part but was never anything more. She is a very independent girl and doesn't seem to be really concerned with or needing any validation by dating someone.

It is worth keeping in mind that this was a person I merely went to high school with. I hadn't even seen this person in a little over three years. We weren't friends then--merely acquaintances--so this was the first time we had done anything more than exchange a "Hi" or "Have a good day."

Furthermore, the last time she saw me in high school, I weighed (sadly) ~320-325 pounds. She's a girl with a healthy weight, so understandably, I sensed some initial hesitation at arranging this "date" on her part which I believed to be due to her recollection of what I looked like. At any rate, I weighed 243 pounds (I'm 6''2', by the way) on Sunday morning so I knew I had something of a card to play. I asked if I appeared different than high school because I wanted to know if someone who knew me then could notice and she confirmed how much of a difference she noticed--she said didn't want to say anything because she didn't know if she should.

~80-85% of the conversation was about her experiences abroad this summer which highly fascinated and interested me while the other ~15-20% didn't really go much beyond career interests, mutual friends, school, and a little family talk. There was some laughter and funny moments shared together as well.

There was zero physical contact which was fine with me. I wasn't looking for it and I wasn't planning on making any sort of move in such an immediate manner.

This seemed most telling to me: at the end when I pulled up at her car to where we had met, her exit was very quick and clean. I put my car in park trying to get a few more minutes of conversation before saying goodnight, but she removed the seatbelt, half-opened the door and said, "I had a good time. I'm sure I'll talk with you later on Facebook," I reciprocated my enjoyment of the evening and told her to have a good night, she said, "You too," and bam--she was gone. Really, I didn't have a chance to say much. All of 30 seconds. My head was spinning.

And now my eyes hurt.

[Lauren T.]

I think you're right, sdp, it does sound like she wasn't romantically interested in you. I've offered to pay my share and gotten out of a car quickly more than once. (Actually, once, I hopped out of a Suburban that was still moving -- that's how anxious I was for the date to be over.)

The good thing is, you're taking it in stride and your first "adult" date is over. Now it's time to move forward, and ask another girl out soon! Practice makes perfect. :)

[wordslayer©]

Yeah SDP...I agree with Lauren. I was giving her the benefit of the doubt until she hurridly got out of the car. IF she really liked you, then I could see her lingering some, but I think you were pretty much correct in your assumptions.

Don't let this deter you. And you did well by letting her tell you about her trip and keeping the conversation centered on her. It will be her loss.

[bmitm76]

Things went well, guys. It was my first date as an adult and she said she had a good time. However, if I'm interpreting certain signals the right way, the dinner, walk, and coffee was pretty much a "just friends" kind of thing.

One thing that I that women have appreciated in the past when I've gone out ( and Lauren please speak up if you disagree) is to make intentions clear of whether or not your going out just as friends or if this is something that could lead to romance.

I think everyone has questions in their head about whether or not a date is a date or just friends stuff and it's best to man up and let the girl know what your thinking. If she only wants it to be a friend thing she normally will just tell you that ahead of time. Clarity and clear communication is never a bad thing. If you really did start dating clear communication on stuff would be a big thing anyway.

BTW, I'm only 22 and single for the first time in a couple years so I don't think our circumstances are all that different.

[Lauren T.]

Excellent suggestion, bmitm. As I said before, what's wrong with saying to a girl, "You're cute / pretty / really fun to be with. Would you like to go to dinner on Saturday with me?" That's pretty clear that you think it's a date and you expect her to think it's a date too. But as you guys can tell, I'm not one for talking around a subject. I like people to be very open in their communications with me. :)

[Wahoo]

Or if that doesn't work, you can always open with this gem: Nice shoes, wanna f**k? LOL.

[Chris_Moderato]

Or if that doesn't work, you can always open with this gem: Nice shoes, wanna f**k? LOL.

I heartily endorse this suggestion.

[Chris_Moderato]

Look at my car, about three hours ago. Crazy ass downtown Norfolk flash floods.

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v5203/200/40/1053875497/n1053875497_575369_687506.jpg

[Hobbes]

Ugh, that sucks.

[Wahoo]

Damn that's crazy Chris. All that just from a line of thunderstorms?

[Chris_Moderato]

Yep. It receded to nothing about an hour or two later.

[Lauren T.]

That's crazy! Is everything working OK in the car now? Did the water seep into the interior at all?

[wordslayer©]

That's crazy! Is everything working OK in the car now? Did the water seep into the interior at all?

OR into the motor at all, via the hoses or anything? I've seen cars totaled out in less water than that.

[Dreamscape]

God, I miss new episodes of Mystery Science Theatre 3000. There is a whole new generation of sarcastic fans to covet. Bring the show back!

[Lauren T.]

Subscription to ESPN The Mag (http://www.1saleaday.com/) for only $2.99 per year, up to three years! I've already signed up -- it looks like it's only good for today, so hop on it if you're interested! :)

[ScooterBrave]

Subscription to ESPN The Mag (http://www.1saleaday.com/) for only $2.99 per year, up to three years! I've already signed up -- it looks like it's only good for today, so hop on it if you're interested! :)

It's $3 too much!

[Wahoo]

It's $3 too much!


LOL. Though, I think you do get a free ESPNInsider subscription with that, which is the only place you can find quality reporting on that website.

[Andy G.]

If you see a teaser for an article you want to read on ESPNInsider, just google the title and the authors name and you'll usually find that somebody posted the entire article on a forum or something.

[crazzycat]

Interesting:eek:

[luvdembravos]

If you see a teaser for an article you want to read on ESPNInsider, just google the title and the authors name and you'll usually find that somebody posted the entire article on a forum or something.

Thanks for the tip, Andy G.

There's been several instances when I wanted to continue reading beyond ESPNInsider's teaser paragraph but as a matter of principle, I refuse to pay $ for on-line content.

[ScooterBrave]

Okay, I have had enough of Philadelphia. I am ready to go home to Florida. Seeing red everywhere I turn. If I see one more poster of Victorino, I am going to barf.

[Hobbes]

Oh, you're up here in my neck of the woods? They got you visiting the local Lockheed Martin offices?

[ScooterBrave]

Oh, you're up here in my neck of the woods? They got you visiting the local Lockheed Martin offices?

More or less. Gathering of media geeks like me.

[Freddy_Ballgame]

Breathe deep, the gathering gloom....
Watch lights fade from every room...
Go quietly with the policeman, y'all....
he was summoned on a "peeper" call...

(With all due apologies to John Lodge and Justin Hayward)

[sdp]

So, I've mentioned it on here several times that I've lost a lot of weight. Here are some visual comparisons.

June 2007: ~305 pounds
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2113/169/23/1300313014/n1300313014_274023_2140.jpg

It is almost painful and disgusting to look at. Now, keep in mind--this was AFTER my first year in college in which I LOST thirty pounds. I went to college weighing 335 pounds.

My main motivation was my health. Since early adolescence, I had struggled with weight and was seemingly "constantly" on a weight loss kick. However, I could never follow through and obtain the desired result--be it complacency, laziness, whatever. I mean, I had friends, people liked me, and I was generally happy. Why lose it?

After years of doctors warnings and encouragements for me to get healthier, unfortunately, it took a serious health scare to force me to do this. Eventually, due to my extremeness in being overweight, I had a major health event arise and most of you on here know what it was or can probably guess. So, I started this venture on August 27th, 2008 with more pressing urgency than ever before. When I started, I weighed 311 pounds.

One year and 73 pounds later....

September 2009: 238 pounds
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs225.snc1/7219_1213865675455_1493190027_30580845_2826833_n.jpg

That health issue that arose is all but gone. My doctor's observations lead him to believe that I have essentially "cured" myself and that my work has added at least 20 years to my life expectancy. I would not have chose this route, but at this point, it was one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I feel better than ever, my confidence is brimming, and I've got more drive for life than I have ever had before.

A lot of people don't really recognize me anymore and I'm still headed downwards. I want to get to ~215 pounds.

Hopefully I can be an encouragement to you if you have similar struggles and are trying to become healthier.

[Hobbes]

Congrats sdp! That's fantastic and a testament to your efforts.

[Freddy_Ballgame]

Way to go, sdp! I know exactly how hard it is to achieve what you have achieved. I hope for your continued success and maybe I'll make an even stronger conviction to losing weight myself. I've been losing weight since I went back to work last October. It's incremental this time so I hope I can maintain it better. I dropped 100 pounds the last time I worked at it but when the diet stopped working much of it returned. Now, with my odd schedule, I find it much easier to forego meals. I've taken to eating prepared items like Lean Cuisine at work instead of sandwiches, etc. That and being more active have helped. I'm proud of you and for you!

[Lauren T.]

Good job, sdp!

[ScooterBrave]

That's terrific, sdp! I know how it feels! Keep it going and don't let anything take your eyes off the prize.

[KB 34]

Classes start in 9 hours for what will be my last year as an undergrad. It feels weird as I'm excited about getting through this year and moving onto the next stage of my life and the challenges and opportunities it will bring.

[Freddy_Ballgame]

Enjoy it KB......savor it! Trust me, after school, time goes by so quickly. Best of luck this year!

[sdp]

Thanks to you all!

[Freddy_Ballgame]

Just out of curiosity, are any of you cats pen pals with our old Aubie pal Wryn?

[JanShan12]

Wow, sdp! That's amazing! Very proud of you!!!

Good luck in your last year, KB! FB is right... it goes way too fast. Enjoy every minute of college.

[Middle Man]

HAPPY CONSTITUTION DAY! (http://www.montpelier.org/explore/james_madison/making_constitution.php)

[Hobbes]

HAPPY CONSTITUTION DAY! (http://www.montpelier.org/explore/james_madison/making_constitution.php)

My calendar says this is Citizenship day.

[Middle Man]

My calendar says this is Citizenship day.

You need to stop buying those communist calandars. ;)

http://www.constitutionday.com/

[Middle Man]

http://www.constitutioncenter.org/naturalization-test/

Can ChopNationers pass the citizenship test? I hope so.

[Lauren T.]

I only missed the Constitution question, then when I saw the correct answer actually said "Duh!" out loud at my desk. The secretary looked at me funny. :D

ETA: I sent this to a few friends and we all got different tests. My question was on what the date the Constitution was signed.

[Hobbes]

http://www.constitutioncenter.org/naturalization-test/

Can ChopNationers pass the citizenship test? I hope so.
I got them all.

One of my questions asked which war wasn't fought by the U.S. in the 1900's, and one of the selections was the war of 1812. I say that anybody who misses that question should be denied citizenship even if they get all other questions right. We don't need any more idiots in this country.

[Middle Man]

I got them all.

One of my questions asked which war wasn't fought by the U.S. in the 1900's, and one of the selections was the war of 1812. I say that anybody who misses that question should be denied citizenship even if they get all other questions right. We don't need any more idiots in this country.

Ha. Yeah, Mr. Madison's war doesn't get much respect, but you don't need to be a history nut to figure out that one.

[ScooterBrave]

Other notable days in September:

14th National Cream Filled Donut Day
3rd Week National Farm Animals Awareness Week
19th Talk Like a Pirate Day!
30th National Self-promotion Day

[JanShan12]

Went to the ER yesterday to find out I have shingles and will be off work for the whole week. To put it lightly, I'm completely miserable. They are on my side and hurt so bad 24/7. I just can't seem to do anything that gives the pain any relief. If anyone has any suggestions or have heard of any, please let me know.

[Hobbes]

You have my sympathies Jan. I've had shingles before and I know the misery you're going through. It sucks. Unfortunately, this was many years ago and I can't recall what steps I took for relief, so I can't give you any tips.

[Lauren T.]

Jan, that's horrible. My roommate had shingles about 2.5 years ago, just as she moved in, and hers were mostly on her face and hairline. She took her prescriptions but nothing helped her pain. I hope you don't have much scarring -- hers are very deep. :(

[JanShan12]

Thanks, Hobbes and Lauren. Luckily, they are on my side and a little on my stomach, so they are out of sight.

I have been seeing a fertility doctor because we are trying to have a baby and had our first insemination a couple weeks ago. As we wait for the results, I'm not supposed to have any pain killers other than Tylenol (which doesn't do much).

Needless to say, this is a bad time not to be able to have pain killers. I've taken some Tylenol, but it doesn't do much of anything. I've found a cool wash cloth makes the pain more tolerable, but that only lasts for so long. I just hope this pain doesn't last too much longer.

[Hobbes]

Yeah, mine were on my side and stomach. Luckily I wasn't trying to have a baby at the time. :D

[Wahoo]

Well, this is my last week as a single man.

[Chris_Moderato]

Well, this is my last week as a single man.

:thumbsup:

[Hobbes]

Well, this is my last week as a single man.

Congrats Wahoo!

Where are you going on your honeymoon?

[Wahoo]

Congrats Wahoo!

Where are you going on your honeymoon?

Cancun. We found a nice all-inclusive resort down there. We decided to spend our money on the honeymoon instead of the wedding.

[Hobbes]

We decided to spend our money on the honeymoon instead of the wedding.
Great plan (we did the same).

[bravos4evr]

Yeah, I never understood why people drop $25,000 on the wedding and then only can afoord a cruise for their honeymoon. I'd rather drop $1,500 on the wedding and spend three weeks on Italy!

[Chris_Moderato]

Yeah, I never understood why people drop $25,000 on the wedding and then only can afoord a cruise for their honeymoon. I'd rather drop $1,500 on the wedding and spend three weeks on Italy!

See, you're operating under the delightfully naive concept that you'll have any say in the whole thing.

[luvdembravos]

Well, this is my last week as a single man.

That's great ... congratulations Wahoo!

[Hobbes]

See, you're operating under the delightfully naive concept that you'll have any say in the whole thing.

Yeah, if your wife-to-be is the type who has been dreaming about her wedding day since she was a girl, you're not getting away with the low-cost route.

[Wahoo]

We did go to the simple route and it still created an insane amount of stress. Planning weddings is a total bitch. A ton of unnecessary drama and tension.

[JanShan12]

Congrats, Wahoo!

[Middle Man]

We did go to the simple route and it still created an insane amount of stress. Planning weddings is a total bitch. A ton of unnecessary drama and tension.

Amen to that. We told our daughter that she should just have a casual cookout in the backyard and invite anyone who might want to come, including little kids and the crazy uncle who drinks too much. In return we'd send them on the honeymoon of their choice. Fortunately, we're still a long way off from all this - hopefully.

[ScooterBrave]

Yeah, I never understood why people drop $25,000 on the wedding and then only can afoord a cruise for their honeymoon.

Because the wedding is for the Bride and the honeymoon is for the....well, no, that's for the bride too! I think the important thing to remember here, Wahoo, is that you are just an accessory for this until the wedding is over. Enjoy it and just stay along for the ride.

Congratulations!

[Lauren T.]

Congrats Wahoo!

I didn't make wedding plans as a little girl in the same way other girls did. I want a pink skirt and a softball game and barbeque. I don't want $1800 of flowers or $200 shoes that kill my feet. I'd rather have a private ceremony and then a big huge party for anyone who wants to come -- I don't want a sit-down chicken-or-fish Lawrence-Welk-orchestra deal. I know there will still be stress, but taking out things like a first dance and a bouquet/garter toss and throwing rice will help my peace of mind a lot. :)

[sdp]

I know a family who spent $35,000 on their daughter's wedding--she married a scumbag and the marriage ended 14 months later.
:)

[Wahoo]

Amen to that. We told our daughter that she should just have a casual cookout in the backyard and invite anyone who might want to come, including little kids and the crazy uncle who drinks too much. In return we'd send them on the honeymoon of their choice. Fortunately, we're still a long way off from all this - hopefully.


That's the way to go.

[bravos4evr]

See, you're operating under the delightfully naive concept that you'll have any say in the whole thing.

Oh I totally gotcha there! I'm just stating what I'd PREFER to do! Not what will ACTUALLY HAPPEN!!!!! lmao!

[Chris_Moderato]

Oh I totally gotcha there! I'm just stating what I'd PREFER to do! Not what will ACTUALLY HAPPEN!!!!! lmao!

:thumbsup:

[Lauren T.]

Not to change the subject -- I really enjoy watching men discuss wedding stuff -- but my firm has me currently assigned to a major soft drink corporation that has its worldwide headquarters in Atlanta (if you're still not following, fireworks shoot out of it at Braves games). They sent out a mass voice mail saying Tim Hudson and Dale Murphy will be here today for a "United Way rally" (whatever that is). I'm totally going to go! I told another Braves fan co-worker that it's going to be my lunch hour, haha. :p

I'm sure Huddy won't talk about his contract status, but if there's any way we get to meet them, I'm going to tell him I think the media (and the stupid bloggers who think speculation = fact) are being super jerks about his option and that I'd like to see him back in a Braves uni, if at all possible.

[Hobbes]

Sounds cool Lauren.

[Lauren T.]

The event was super-boring. Huddy & Murph's segment was with a former Falcon I didn't recognize (he was older) and it was pretty short. They each talked about giving back to the community in their own way. Sadly, my camera phone pictures came out horribly (http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd105/Braves_Love/Picture0193_edit.jpg). Then some American Idol contestant sang a set and they did a raffle for Atlanta sports tix. There wasn't a meet & greet / autograph opportunity, as far as I could tell, but I didn't try to go down there, either.

Anyway, both the guys looked great. Huddy was in pleated dress pants that looked two sizes too big. Boys: pleated pants are NOT flattering. They just aren't. You don't have to wear European cut pants, but ones like that looked straight out of 1993 (and it's not Halloween yet).

[Hillbilly]

My Hometown (http://arkansasmatters.com/content/fulltext/?cid=266941) yesterday afternoon. Everybody's ok, that I know of, but we've got some major flooding coming in the next couple of days.

[bmitm76]

The event was super-boring. Huddy & Murph's segment was with a former Falcon I didn't recognize (he was older) and it was pretty short. They each talked about giving back to the community in their own way. Sadly, my camera phone pictures came out horribly (http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd105/Braves_Love/Picture0193_edit.jpg). Then some American Idol contestant sang a set and they did a raffle for Atlanta sports tix. There wasn't a meet & greet / autograph opportunity, as far as I could tell, but I didn't try to go down there, either.

Anyway, both the guys looked great. Huddy was in pleated dress pants that looked two sizes too big. Boys: pleated pants are NOT flattering. They just aren't. You don't have to wear European cut pants, but ones like that looked straight out of 1993 (and it's not Halloween yet).

Eh, my guess would be that Tim doesn't really care if he appears flattering.

[Chris_Moderato]

Hey, look at this mess out in front of my building this morning.

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs063.snc3/13058_1249317427083_1053875497_761415_6129015_n.jpg

This is not my car.

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs063.snc3/13058_1249316587062_1053875497_761414_236049_n.jpg

This is all three hours after high tide this morning.

[luvdembravos]

You've certainly seen your share of rain this year. Are you a good swimmer? ;)

[Middle Man]

Here's a Norfolk shot from the Richmond paper. The car belongs to a cousin of a woman in my office.

http://media.timesdispatch.com/timesdispatch/images/uploads/305254_weather_20091112b.jpg

[Chris_Moderato]

Here's a shot I took an hour or so ago of the same car from a different angle. Poor bastard.

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs063.snc3/13058_1249612354456_1053875497_762158_409806_n.jpg

And for the record, kids, it's not safe to walk around during flash floods. Leave that to the professionals, and the idiots, like me...because this is like a mile and a half from my house.

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs043.snc3/13058_1249608034348_1053875497_762148_7838401_n.jpg

[Middle Man]

Hey, are you an AP photographer or something? :D GO HOME where it's warm and dry, man! There doesn't seem to be anything too crazy going on in Richmond, just tons of rain and a few closed roads and small trees down. I put an empty bucket on the deck Tues before it started raining. It looks like about 7 or 8 inches right now.

[bravos4evr]

I can't believe we had a tropical storm here in November! wtf is going on? It was just a windy rain storm though, no power losses here, I think parts of the upper south and east coast got it worse cuz it just sat there and rained and rained on them. Hope errybody out there is oky doky!

[-Dr. Brave-]

We only got about 6 inches here. Damn drizzle.

[Chris_Moderato]

Well, we got our asses handed to us here in Norfolk, but it's mostly receded now. The sun is supposed to come out tomorrow, and this whole region has a lot of clean up to get to work on. Good news is, I have a valid excuse to use a chainsaw, so...there's that.

[ScooterBrave]

Sorry to break up the gloom, but I had to share that I am officially past the halfway point in my body makeover. Only about 36 pounds to go to reach my ideal weight! All my trousers feel like clown pants!

[bravos4evr]

hey congrats scooter! I just recently lost around 30 lbs myself! I joined a gym and put about 6 back on, but they are good lbs! Keep up the hard work!

[JanShan12]

Very impressive, guys! Congrats!

[KB 34]

I found out last week I'm down about 10 pounds from last year, yay for lifestyle changes I can hopefully preserve and build upon. That makes me the same weight as when I was 15. Now if school only wouldn't start sucking every bit of energy out of me AGAIN after a week of relative ease.

[Lauren T.]

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone, and happy birthday Chris!

[Chris_Moderato]

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone, and happy birthday Chris!

Yay! Thanks.

[Freddy_Ballgame]

Did I mention I love my Miche bag?
It's time for a sexy party!

[JanShan12]

Yay! Thanks.

Sorry I'm late, Chris... Hope you had a wonderful birthday!!! :)

[Wahoo]

so yeah...at 5pm it started snowing here, and hasnt stopped. We already have 4-6 inches. snow isn't supposed to stop until tomorrow NIGHT. Total accumulations could approach 18 inches. Holy crap. For Virginia that is an absurd amount of snow.

[Dreamscape]

Yeah...I'm supposed to be at work in, oh, five and a half hours. Methinks I can't get out. It was tough enough just getting home.

[Dreamscape]

Ah, snowed in. How very fun.

[Hobbes]

We're up to about 14 inches here in South Jersey.

[ScooterBrave]

It rained here yesterday. Temperature is dropping, getting out the jacket.

Gee, it might get down to 60 tomorrow!

:D

[KB 34]

1 inch last night. It was heavy snow so it covered up the ice on my driveway and made it much nicer. No 4 wheel drive to turn around easily today.

[Chris_Moderato]

Woke up this morning to tidal flooding in the street out front...AGAIN! Tonight, a light dusting of snow. Anyone who likes rapid shifts in weather, consider a move to the Norfolk/Virginia Beach region.

[Hobbes]

Well we ended up with about 22"-24" here in NJ. It's the second-biggest snow storm ever in this area. What a pain in the ass.

[Lauren T.]

I spent three winters in Utah and the snow is one of the only things I miss. I didn't even mind the shoveling and scraping - it was a fun version of exercise!

Good luck to all of you snowed in. Time to break out the decks of cards and pop popcorn, huh? :)

[Dreamscape]

I spent three winters in Utah and the snow is one of the only things I miss. I didn't even mind the shoveling and scraping - it was a fun version of exercise!
Well, you're welcome to have fun shoveling in front of my house. I know I must have done it wrong because I wasn't having fun.

[Chris_Moderato]

Well, you're welcome to have fun shoveling in front of my house. I know I must have done it wrong because I wasn't having fun.

That's just because you don't like honest work.

[Dreamscape]

That's just because you don't like honest work.
...well, there is that.

[bravos4evr]

dishonest work really gets a bad rap...

[Hobbes]

http://12.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kubtk8AF9q1qzxzwwo1_500.jpg

[bravos4evr]

I havn't been paid in 4 weeks because of alleged check mixups( my bosses $$$ gets mailed to him from the front office in Michigan....) so I hadn't done any x-mas shopping! Got a tiny bit of my money today( still owed like over a grand easily) so i decided to avoid the crowds by hitting the stores at 2 am! Hey, it worked, there wasn't anyone in there and I was 75% done in less than an hr!!

[KB 34]

slayer was concerned about identity theft and couldn't afford lifelock without shutting down his basement. Welcome to the new identiity protected slayer.

[wordslayer©]

Much obliged, KB.

I just wanted this so that I could flex some online muscles. It's the internet version of a kicka$$ tattoo.

[sdp]

Anyone here have problems with adult acne?

I'm 21 and was pretty much acne free save a few random outbreaks until losing ~90 pounds. Lately, my face is very prone to outbreaks. The doctor thinks there could be late hormonal changes now that my body is radically different, but it was just a supposition. (So you exchange problems for problems, eh?).

This recent mess somewhat correlates with starting heavy workout routines at the gym. Most of my exercise has been fairly light thus far with the focus heavy on dietary aspects and now I'm sweating more than I have in years. Perhaps I'm not keeping my face clean?

I purchased a four-step cleansing system from the pharmacy Saturday but three days in, the chemicals have burned my face. Too harsh. I'm no fan of frivolous usage of antibiotics, either.

Any ideas from experience?

[Andy G.]

Proactiv worked pretty well for me when I was using it. I didn't have the slightest discomfort from it. If you miss a day or two, the acne pops back up just like that. But if you use it regularly, it works. It's also not that cheap, but if you've already bought something from the pharmacy, I don't know that it'd be any more expensive than that.

[Lauren T.]

My cousin started using AcneFree (http://www.acnefree.com/af) right before Thanksgiving and by Christmas his skin was like new. He has sensitive skin too and said it's not as harsh as Proactiv, which he tried.

Next time you go to the doctor, if s/he didn't do a blood test to check your hormone levels before, you may want to have them checked by a lab. If they are off-balance, that can definitely cause trouble and it's an easy fix.

ETA: He picked it up at the drugstore - it's not a special-order thing.

[sdp]

My cousin started using AcneFree (http://www.acnefree.com/af) right before Thanksgiving and by Christmas his skin was like new. He has sensitive skin too and said it's not as harsh as Proactiv, which he tried.

Next time you go to the doctor, if s/he didn't do a blood test to check your hormone levels before, you may want to have them checked by a lab. If they are off-balance, that can definitely cause trouble and it's an easy fix.

ETA: He picked it up at the drugstore - it's not a special-order thing.
That's the exact product I bought--I got too much sun yesterday and it burned me. Given that report from your cousin, I guess I'll let the sunburn heal and restart the program.

[Lauren T.]

Oh yeah, anytime you're using acne products you have to stay out of the sun! At least you're not female and on Accutane or they'd force you to be on birth control as well. That stuff causes serious birth defects. One of my closest friends took it, and the pamphlet was hilarious.

[FrankEC]

Just got back from the doctor's office where my wife and I found out we will be having another baby girl in May. We were really hoping for a boy this time, but are ecstatic all same as she appears to be perfectly healthy and active :D. This will make offspring #4 and our 3rd girl. Can't wait to see her.

[Hobbes]

Congrats Frank!

[FrankEC]

Congrats Frank!

Thanks Hobbes!

[Lauren T.]

Congrats, Frank! As a girl born in May I can tell you what you're in for, astrologically -- a well-grounded, loyal, stubborn daughter who is very generous and quick to make a decision. Taureans aren't usually wishy-washy, and our first instincts are almost always right. Oh, and we think we're always right. ;)

[bravos4evr]

Congrats, Frank! As a girl born in May I can tell you what you're in for, astrologically -- a well-grounded, loyal, stubborn daughter who is very generous and quick to make a decision. Taureans aren't usually wishy-washy, and our first instincts are almost always right. Oh, and we think we're always right. ;)

Well.... I AM always right! ( b-day May 15th here!)

[bravos4evr]

On a bright note, most of yall know I got laid off right before the holidays and we all know how crummy and hard it is to find a job right now. But, I take the test tomorrow to be a census worker. It's only a temp job, but man, anything I can find right now will work.

[JanShan12]

Congrats, Frank! Another Braves fan on the way is always a good thing!

[luvdembravos]

Congratulations Frank. That's super!

[FrankEC]

Thanks everyone! We were talking about names last night, and I thought Murphy would be a cute girl's name... My wife didn't agree. Oh well. I'll try Maddux tonight and see what she says.

[Hobbes]

Dale is a gender-neutral name.

[Middle Man]

How about Erin? You know, like Aaron - except more feminine. :D

[KB 34]

Kali? Nevermind, I don't want to scar a child for life.

[sdp]

I think Murphy would be a beautiful name for a girl.

[Lauren T.]

Snow at Turner Field! (http://markbowman.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/01/snowy_day_in_atlanta.html) I've been iced in all day - can't get out of the apartment complex. Good thing I still have heat and electricity and water!

[Chris_Moderato]

I think Murphy would be a beautiful name for a girl.

http://mms.tvland.com/asset_upload/assets/murphybrown.jpg
"I concur."

[Chris_Moderato]

My great-aunt died (http://www.legacy.com/BarrowCountyNews/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=138238875) on Tuesday at age 95. 95! That's amazing. She was a cool lady back in the day. Frankly, I think it was probably her time to go, though. Her husband died about seven years ago and her son died in 2004. Anyway, thought I'd share.

95!

[JanShan12]

Does anyone else watch The Tutors?

We recently got Netflix and watched the first season last week and began the second season this weekend. It has been great!

[Andy G.]

I haven't watched that one Jan. There's too many good television series out right now!

How about Criminal Minds? I started watching last year and I've been recording every repeat aired on A&E recently to see the older episodes. I can't get enough of it. Reid might be my favorite character on t.v.

[Hillbilly]

I haven't watched that one Jan. There's too many good television series out right now!

How about Criminal Minds? I started watching last year and I've been recording every repeat aired on A&E recently to see the older episodes. I can't get enough of it. Reid might be my favorite character on t.v.


I can't get CBS on DirecTV where I'm at, so I started watching the repeats about 3 or 4 weeks ago, and like you, I can't get enough. They're also showing it 4 nights a week on ION channel. Some nights, I can catch 3 or 4 episodes in a row, and it's usually hard for me to sit down an watch TV for that long. So far, I've heard two Drive-By Truckers songs (favorite band) used on Criminal Minds episodes and this one (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWEemisJG3A) from the lead singer's solo album.

[Andy G.]

Nice. I never noticed the DBT songs. I've only listend to them a few times, really. I did notice a song by Band of Horses once. I can't remember other specific examples but I hear cool songs on that show pretty often.

[bravos4evr]

I'm listening to the rough mix of my bands first cd.... it's okay, still a lot of stuff to fiddle with though, if you goto http://www.myspace.com/thecowboykillers I think you can listen to it without becoming our friend.. There's some really rough stuff on there that needs fixing, and a couple of old live recordings that are kinda sketchy too.... It's a good overview though. Hope y'all enjoy! ( oh and I'm the guitar player so anything that's gone askew in that manner is my fault! :-) )

[sdp]

My great-aunt died (http://www.legacy.com/BarrowCountyNews/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=138238875) on Tuesday at age 95. 95! That's amazing. She was a cool lady back in the day. Frankly, I think it was probably her time to go, though. Her husband died about seven years ago and her son died in 2004. Anyway, thought I'd share.

95!

Wow. My great-grandmother lived to be nearly 101 years old. Long lives run in our family. Unfortunately, so do alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse. :)

[bravos4evr]

I have had knee problems since I was an almost Jr in HS, it cost me any semblance of a pitching career I may have had, but it's pretty much just been a nuisance thing (like 3 or 4 times a year it swells up like a basketball and needs draining, which I usually just put up with til it goes away).

Well, I think it finally gave up da ghost..... I have never EVER experienced this much pain in my life ( and I watched 2 episodes of Cop Rock!!)I didn't sleep last night at all... maybe 30 minutes or so..... Maybe Obama will hurry up and give me some insurance so I can get it rebuilt for free!!!!

[Middle Man]

I have had knee problems since I was an almost Jr in HS, it cost me any semblance of a pitching career I may have had, but it's pretty much just been a nuisance thing (like 3 or 4 times a year it swells up like a basketball and needs draining, which I usually just put up with til it goes away).

Well, I think it finally gave up da ghost..... I have never EVER experienced this much pain in my life ( and I watched 2 episodes of Cop Rock!!)I didn't sleep last night at all... maybe 30 minutes or so..... Maybe Obama will hurry up and give me some insurance so I can get it rebuilt for free!!!!

Have you had it diagnosed at some point? Do you know exactly what's wrong?

[bravos4evr]

well originally it was frayed cartilage and a severe "strain" was told it wasn't torn anywhere... but that was like 18 years ago.

[Chris_Moderato]

So that frayed cartilage is now no cartilage.

Cartilage issues are a bitch. I missed senior year wrestling in high school for torn cartilage.

[bravos4evr]

I'm hoping(gonna hit the free clinic up on Friday as it's a M/W/F type of place) that it's not that.... I'm HOPING that I just somehow sprained it (though I have no memory of a recent injury or even a twist) and that this combined with the seasonal swelling is causing the pain...... if it's a ligament or my cartilage is gone.....mucho dinero.

[Lauren T.]

So, I had a CT scan today to see if anything structural is causing this three month long headache I've had. While I don't have a tumor (yay!), I do have a cyst in one of my sinus cavities that the ENT says I shouldn't worry about. ("Have it checked again in about 10 years.") Now he wants me to go to a neurologist "very soon". I am so, so tired of having a headache, y'all!

[Hobbes]

So, I had a CT scan today to see if anything structural is causing this three month long headache I've had. While I don't have a tumor (yay!), I do have a cyst in one of my sinus cavities that the ENT says I shouldn't worry about. ("Have it checked again in about 10 years.") Now he wants me to go to a neurologist "very soon". I am so, so tired of having a headache, y'all!
That sucks...

...I assume. Actually, I've never had a headache in my life, so I can only assume they are bothersome.

[Lauren T.]

It's not been fun. How have you never had a headache, ever?? Wow! Lucky!

[Hobbes]

It's not been fun. How have you never had a headache, ever?? Wow! Lucky!
Can't explain it, but I've never had one - not even back in my college drinking days. Similarly, I've never had a hangover either, beyond dehydration.

[Dreamscape]

Can't explain it, but I've never had one - not even back in my college drinking days. Similarly, I've never had a hangover either, beyond dehydration.
Do you also abide by Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics?

[Hobbes]

Do you also abide by Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics?
Nope, I happily flout all three.