Thinker

I did. It was when one of the performers was about 5 minutes into the C-U-N-T chant that I felt compelled to take a breather. Thank goodness I got back for the last hurrah when another performer simulated about 30 different kinds of orgasms. I'm still undecided about whether I got any net enjoyment out experience or not.

Hey, at least when the strays are around you prolly don't need to clean the cat's litter box! Most strays LOVE to munch on that stuff.

I think a real friend would buy you a new (or comparable used) tent and take the old one for himself.

Yeah, the bachman knot if fine. I wouldn't use it for glacier travel, though, because it's bulky, heavy, and the carabiner would tend to knock your teeth out in the event of a fall.

The FRS work fine for me. I use them pretty regularly.

I feel your pain, brother. I barely made it thru the Vagina Monologues awhile back, myself. I had to go out to the lobby a couple of times to deal with it all.

Oh man, did I just say all that? What I meant to say is, Here's one for the boys! Search and destroy!

Haulin' Trash

I've actually not had much luck with that when I've been wearing a tux....well, at least since high school.

I'm all over it. I suspect we may have difficulty getting funding for it, though. We may be better off hosting an tasting invitational where we supply the glassware, ice, water, and a bottle or 2 and invite folks to join us as long as they bring a bottle too. This could be FUN! Matt, Minx, r u in? <edit> Doc?

Dude, The first time I broke out the brandy on the glacier my partners went ape sh*t over it. I was just some cheap old E&J, but it tasted heavenly for some reason. I've had less than average response with really good red wine, vodka, and tequilla on the snow, too. However, the day I broke out a bottle of Hussongs Reposado (tequilla) at Smith they were all over it. Not sure what all the cause and effect relationships are....could be an interesting study.

An interesting report from here Glassware is always a hot topic at tastings that I conduct. The reason is simple, I use one type of glass for spirits and fortified wines. A narrow-bowled wine glass or a Spanish copita, the traditional fino sherry glass used in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. I have been urging readers and tasting participants to get away from using snifters for their brandies and whiskies because, aside from the fact that they're bloody ugly, they do nothing to enhance the aroma of spirits. In fact, the shape of a fat snifter actually forces the smell of any spirit to dissipate too quickly, thereby robbing the drinker of one of the most important stages of enjoyment. A glass with a narrow, cylindrical bowl funnels the aroma straight up into the nasal cavity. Think narrow and cylindrical, not broad and open. Also in the same vein and against custom, do not warm your brandies and whiskies with your hands or, worse, over a candle flame. Heat forces the aromatic properties to break up and vaporize too rapidly. There must have been a think tank of imbeciles decades ago which existed to create these outlandish and totally wrong serving rituals, like warming spirits and serving them in balloon glasses. Give me strength. Perhaps these numbskulls imbibed too much to think clearly. Call me a creature of habit, but I likewise find the Spanish copita to be the glass of choice for all fortified wines, not just sherry. Since I put such highly valued stock on my ability to smell, this type of glass, which accentuates the aroma of any libation, suits me best. If you are a fan of snifters, then so be it. Just stay out of the city in which I'm living. For liqueurs and superpremium tequilas and vodkas taken neat, I recommend very small one or two ounce cordial or shot glasses to concentrate the aromas and flavors. Small compartments heighten the intensity of liqueurs, tequilas, and vodkas. And, since only minute amounts of liqueurs and top grade tequilas and vodkas should be served, cordial and shot glasses are perfect. Serving temperatures for whiskies and brandies should be slightly warmer than cellar temperature. I suggest that fine whiskies and brandies be served at between 55 - 62 degrees Fahrenheit. Ports, oloroso and cream cherry, and madeiras should be served at cellar temperature, which is 48 - 55 degress Fahrenheit. Fino and manzanilla sherry should be served ice cold at 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Amontillado sherry at slightly below cellar temperature. Vodkas, rums, gins, and tequilas served be served ice cold, except for when they are meant to be enjoyed neat. As a shot, tequila and vodka should be served at cellar temperature. Another myth is that vodka should be served ice cold. I don't hold to that because severe cold takes away the aroma. Liqueurs are at their best anywhere from 55 - 62 degrees Fahrenheit, except for cream-based liqueurs which should be served chilled (50 - 55 degrees) but not ice cold. Fruit brandies and eaux-de-vie should be served at cellar temperature.

Greg, do you need a research assistant?

Matt, my take on this is that a cold drink has less flavor because it numbs your taste sensation. Try sprinkling a little black pepper on a spoonfull of icecream; it'a amazing how much you can put on there without tasting it....try it! Same thing applies to distilled spirits and beer. I prefer my scotch (and most other beverages) room temp. When turning a newbie onto scotch I'll start them off with a tablespoon or 2 of water in the scotch to take the edge off it rather than putting ice in it.

Minx, I'm still with you on the single malt, though. Last time thru the border up north I picked up some Dahlwinie and some Aberlour. gotta love those duty free shops!

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Saying they feared government snooping against ordinary Americans, U.S. senators voted on Thursday to block funding for a Pentagon computer project that would scour databases for terrorist threats. By a voice vote, the Senate voted to ban funding for the Total Information Awareness program, under former national security adviser John Poindexter, until the Pentagon explains the program and assesses its impact on civil liberties. full story

Allison, I'll assume for the moment that your comment was directed to society in general, and not to me specifically. If so, I applaud your observation, again.

So Muffy, I've not followed the threads very well lately....are you still working? looks like you've figured out how to post on the sly like the rest of us if you still are. congrats!

Here's their offical response to my smartass email to them: -----Original Message----- Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2003 3:19 PM Subject: Feedback from Parks & Recreation Web site You've got to be out of your minds if you think the throngs of soccor moms going to Marymoor Park will pay your proposed parking fee without protest! Not to mention the peace loving dog walkers, bicyclers, climbers, and average citizens. It's CRAZY! Dear XXX, We appreciate the time you took to contact us and offer your thoughts on the proposed parking fees at Marymoor Park. The input from you and other park users was very helpful to us. We have prepared this letter to answer many of the questions raised. If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact us at parks.feedback@metrokc.gov. As you are likely aware, King County and its Parks and Recreation Division face an unprecedented budget crisis. Reduced sales tax revenues and voter-approved initiatives contributed to a County budget shortfall of $52 million for 2003. As a result, the County's parks budget was reduced from $25.5 million in 2002 to $16.4 million in 2003. In 2002, the parks division had 283 FTEs (full-time equivalent employees). For 2003, that number has been reduced to 153. Further cuts are expected to be necessary in 2004 and beyond. Given current limitations on general tax revenues, we must find new non-tax revenues, such as parking fees, to support the maintenance and operation of King County Parks. Maintenance costs at Marymoor Park are approximately $800,000 per year, and fees will cover only a portion of those costs. In addition to fees, we are aggressively seeking revenue from sponsorships and other public-private ventures. In response to input received on Marymoor parking fees, we will not be offering an annual pass at this time. Instead, we will give visitors the option of paying a daily fee of $1 or purchasing a six-month pass for $50. Parking fees at Marymoor will be implemented in the first part of 2003. The current proposal is for an honor-box system for the first six months, followed by an electronic system. We plan to provide drop-off areas so that people can use the park without incurring parking charges. We appreciate your continued interest in and support of parks, and encourage you to stay involved. If you would like to subscribe to receive e-mail updates about the King County Parks Transition Plan, send an e-mail message to listman@metrokc.gov with the words "Subscribe KCParks" in the subject line of the message. The complete list of 2003 user fees is posted on the King County Parks web page. The link is www.metrokc.gov/parks. Even with the new fees, recreation costs at King County parks compare favorably to alternate recreation opportunities available from the private sector. Our success in continuing to manage quality parks, trails and resource and ecological lands depends on the support we get from you. Thank you again for your interest.

Holy Hellions, Batman, Muffy is onto something here.

And this from a guy who hacks websites on his PDA from a table a the Latona..... Get a life, Al! btw, anything going on this weekend big guy?

For what it's worth, I'll vote for a non-smoking pub every time for health reasons, the fact that I like to wear my clothes more than once before having to wash them, and because I really hate going to bed with all that crap in my hippie hair. But, I'll go to the pub clubs from time to time where ever they are...probably more often at the non-smoking venues than the others.

Hey, Allison, have you ever checked out their upstairs area? It's the perfect set-up for a group like ours. It seats at least 20 or more. Btw, I was able to pry our mutual friend hop-along out last minute for a pub club the week before last.