allison

Erik, wasn't actually talking about myself in particular, and really don't wanna throw down with anyone.....just warning the girl.

Nicely stated, Mr. White! I haven't heard about the KC libraries closing, but the Seattle libraries were closed for two, one-week stretches in 2002. Foes like to say that this is just political strongarming, but I do know firsthand that my wages when I work for the City have been negotiated to a rate of less than CPI (like 80% I think) every contract year since I 695, and that a number of programs the City used to bankroll (like ArtsEdge at Seattle Center) have been either eliminated or seriously scaled back. Metro bus service is now so sporadic and unreliable that I can never use it to get to work, therefore driving every day. The nature of my work makes carpooling sometimes not possible. Most of what I've seen reduced has diminished the quality of life in Seattle. At least for the poor people and middle-class Janes like me. Yes, Tim Eyman sucks, and the voters are stupid for buying his line of BS.

Mike's would be a great choice sometime....though vegetarians beware.

Walmart and Sam's Club are pure evil.....if you do not believe me read In Sam We Trust , which give insights on everything from anti-unionism to sweatshop stuff, to driving small businesses into bankruptcy with brutal tactics. On the other hand, both Costco and FedEx are non-union and treat their employees so well that I have no problem spending my money with them. Thx FW, that is what I thought re Fred meyer's union employees.

Dave, forgive me if I'm getting fuzzy and senile in my old age, but I seem to recall YOU picked Teddy's last week. Not surprised the crowd didn't care for the Blue Star, as convenient as it is to my house, I find it an annoying wanker yuppie fuck fuck fern bar, and instead enjoyed a nice glass of single barrel whiskey at mi casa. The New Orleans is probably dirtbaggier than you think, I think we'll fit in just fine there. I'd also like to throw the Ballard Brew alehouse thingy place on Leary out there for consideration in the coming weeks. Lots of room for big winter season PC, cheap food, lotsa parking. Let's revisit this PC classic soon!

I was expecting to get flamed for using a machine to check out my groceries. I also pump my own gas. So sue me. Nearly all grocery stores in this area are unionized, and I think Freddy is, so the auto-checkout would have been for sure a negotiated item. If I am mistaken about Fred Meyer being a union grocery store, someone speak up, as it's not exactly hard to go to one that is. FYI Whole Foods is definitely NOT a union store, and I don't know about Trader Joe but would doubt it.

Minx, I admire your tenacity, but I am warning you that righteousness and/or being right will get ya nowhere with this crowd. You are not the first person to try, and by acknowledging your affiliation with the female gender, well, let's just say you're in for a hazing treat extraordinaire. Put on your Nomex suit, 'cuz you' a-gonna get flamed!!

I have been using the U-Scan checkout a lot because the checkers at the big new Freelard Freddy are soooo sloooww, but I think the U-Scan has its own problems with speed. Anyone done their own studies or have insights regarding the U-Scan?

My apologies for the grammar ranting. I am working a sort of writing project right now, and it seems to be making me a little tiny bit loopy. I may be working a little bit too hard. As far as Trask's ranting, well, it's personal, inaccurate, and should probably just be ignored. This too shall pass.

and speaking of posessive pronoun's, Professor, as exceptionally handsome as you are, and as literate, even a lowly website deserves more on thi's front. Do it for the Jewtheran's if for no one else.

So Bill then why are there also no black backpackers? Certainly the temperature in August is no deterrant for anyone of any color....

Mattp, you have AT LEAST seven years of college and you cant get the poss'sessive pronoun's right? Come ON MAN! Never ever inclined to dis MattP for any reason, but just this one time I am seeing the big bullseye, sorry mate.

To be glib and potentially offensive or controversial.....money. Ever wonder why there aren't more black skiers? Flame suit on.

One of the deals with the better fitting jackets and other garments is yardage. Materials are by far the most expensive part of most gear, esp if it is made in sweatshops, and by cutting clothes more boxy and simple, it keeps the waste down on the fabric end. With some of the fabrics out there being stratospherically expensive (the softshells come to mind), fabric waste is a huge consideration. We all love the cut of Arc'teryx stuff, but one of the reasons the stuff is so freaking expensive is that they are wasting a lot of fabric making those cool styles. They are also harder to make, in terms of the actual sewing, as anyone who has ever tried to make a gusset will attest to. Not sure if the stuff is still made in Canada, but that too would affect the price.

A chance meeting of a couple of cc.commers occurred today. I would like to say that Scott is a nice fellow. Flame suit on.

I'd like a good answer to how to toughen the immune system. Every time my sweetie returns from Asia one, or both of us, gets sick. Flame suit on, any real suggestions?

No way, I wish! Looks like Dale's wife Kristi to me.

I am afraid the Goat is a real person. I know it to be true. Holy carp you people all need to get real jobs 'cuz this stuff is time consuming!

There is a book on this subject. How to Rent a Fire Lookout in the Pacific Northwest Tom Foley and Tish Steinfeld, Wilderness Press There are some cabins in there as well, including the ONF cabin called Interorrem where Timm@y and his wife once stayed, and where I have made bunches of art, and the Louella Cabin outside of Sequim that my family and I have enjoyed the last two Christmases.

Nope, drinking slow is not the problem! it's the people who forget to bring their own money, and I wish it was only one time.

The thinness of the crystal seems to somehow improve the experience as well. It's not because the glasses were expensive, 'cuz they weren't. That is interesting about the shape and the smell though, I went with the very traditional balloon form even though it's not the sexiest shape there is, it is the most functional.

I thought that Teddy's was a perfectly fine place to have Pub Club except for the fact that it is a place that has no food. I think I might have eaten too much teriyaki in college, and in the early stages of my career, because it does not taste good to me anymore. Same as mac and cheese in a box and ramen. Having said that, I will be in an agonizingly slow rehearsal at the "temporary" Opera House, replete with concrete dust tomorrow night. Next week hopefully it will be in Seattle, cuz it has been forever and a day since I've been able to make it to a Pub Club. Do you still have to buy three times more beer than you actually drink, or is everyone bringing their own money these days?

That Charles Shaw is hands down the best $2 bottle of red on the market! It's not wonderful, but if you've already had some other wine, it is not too shabby. For everyday consumption, the Paul Thomas Cab, which is almost always on sale for $7, it emininently drinkable. For a couple more bucks, at $12, the Preston Cab tastes like a much more expensive wine. I am also partial to all of the Canoe Ridge wines, having enjoyed the Merlot, the Cab, and especially the Syrah. They are all three widely available in WA at about $20 a bottle. For all of you oenophiles out there, I recently splurged on some crystal wine glasses, and why I can't explain why, any wine tastes a whole lot better in a good crystal glass. Get some. Mine were pretty inexpensive at the Dansk Factory outlet at North Bend. Greg, you seriously drink reisling? Blech!

I have to agree that others absolutely have the right to post about cutting in the Icicle besides Rat. K, I don't want to get into a battle with you, but I have to respectfully disagree with your contention. It is elitist and off the mark. Sure Rat lives in the Icicle, but heck, the land belongs to all of us. We are all entitled to our opinions on this matter. I do not want to go to war about rights to comment, excessive dogmatism, personal attacks, whose cred is the biggest, or who has the biggest, well, truck. Sorry, just had to get that off my chest, as this thread sounds just like the overinflated dudes I just spent the last fifteen hours at work with. A little thoughtful discourse, good, this thread, a bunch of bs!