Dechristo

Hell, I can handle that on my debit card.

I'd win that one easy. Wanna bet? Yeah, that'd be a fun bet...I'd still win. Of course, you may have more of your toes remaining than I to sport a narsty look.

Online shopping for your office supplies is quick and easy. Buy your copy paper, toner, pens and pencils and contribute to The Mountain Fund at the same time. The merchants below will donate to The Mountain Fund whenever you visit their site. All you need to do is click on the Shop I Give link at the bottom of the page to start donating to The Mountain Fund. Igive stores include; * Office Depot * Office Max * Staples * Epson Store * Apple Store * HP Store * Palm Store * Office Furniture.com * 123 Inkjets.com SHOP http://www.igive.com/html/intro.cfm

from a letter to Scott MacLennan of The Mountain Fund Hi, Scott I am in Kathmandu now, it’s warm and dry and calm. In fact, the weather is unusually good for this season, when in years past it has been cold and rainy at this time. It seems they have been having an unexpectedly warm and dry climate for the last 18 months or so. One could even characterize it as a drought. Is the old global warming beginning to make its mark? On the flight in yesterday, I saw a surprisingly clear view of Nepal's 8000 metre peaks, seen from east to west: Kangchenjunga (3rd highest mountain in the world), Makalu (5th highest), Lhotse (4th highest), Everest (1st highest), and Cho Oyu (6th highest). I think it was one of the best airplane views I have ever had of the Himalaya. We thought we could see Pumori (our current objective), but weren’t sure, as from our perspective flying up at 9000 metres above India and Nepal, Pumori is relatively dwarfed by the sea of peaks around it. Here in Kathmandu, it has just been Buddhist New Year and the famous Hindu Shivaratri festival all at the same time, so everyone looks relaxed and happy, and it appears not much work is getting done. It might be even more laid back than usual. On the drive in from the airport yesterday, we saw quite a few groups of people parading around, waving flags, holding banners, chanting, praying, and playing music. Nepal may be having political struggles, but it’s certainly not very apparent when you wander around the streets of Kathmandu. In one busy section of town where many people were out on the street, our driver and local agent, who is himself from one of Kathmandu's old established families, pointed out several foreign dignitaries wandering around in the streets, probably walking to have their lunch at a famous 5 star hotel restaurant in the embassy district. This small group of mainly white men in suits and ties looked a bit out of place next to the Nepalis wearing their Saris and Dotis and carrying handbags filled with vegetables, going about their business. The dignitaries were walking slowly, gesturing and laughing. Our driver, who seemed to know all of the dignitaries in the group, pointed out several top level embassy staff. We did not see anything that looked like a policeman, security, or bodyguard within a half kilometre of them. Either the embassy officials on their lunch break were walking with security agents who were extremely well camouflaged as being very relaxed, smiling and laughing and enjoying the day, or they were feeling quite relaxed about the Nepal security situation at the moment. That may seem a bit of an unexpected surprise, as these same embassies have been busy crafting frightening announcements to folks back at home warning them that Kathmandu is unsafe. Do you suppose that is their day job; to please the folks back at home hungry for bad news, and when they are on lunch break, they just relax and enjoy life? As ever, it seems that Nepal is a country of contrasts. Thank you very much. I look forward to hearing from you and working with you to help mountain people everywhere. Best Regards. Yours Sincerely, Dan Mazur

No, but I think there's already a few "Sausageholsters" here.

I'd win that one easy.

Tie-in aluminum ladders; very effective.

Thanks, Sam, for taking the time to give us a truly marvelous and inspiring account.

...yeah, like if a woman was impregnated by cc.commer. We don't want any mutants from those couplings runnin' 'here; little fuckers would be sprayin' all over everything...

gotta love the chortle.

wheat thins

somebody call Homeland Security.

I'd like the opportunity to step barefoot in a fresh pile of vanilla poo.

you givin' it? The closest I've been to paying for speach was riding to jail in the backseat of a cop car with an exotic dancer.

Discount shopper. The best sale is after thanksgiving.

you say "letter", I say "syllable", let's call the whole thing off.

Maybe it's just me, but "Contempt" is a strange name for your baby.

Dear Friends of Ice Climbing: The 11th annual Ouray Ice Festival was a huge success. From clinics to a field of international competitors, the weekend provided all who came with much to take home. Next year’s festival is already in the works, with many positive ideas being explored. We look forward to seeing you at that fest in January 2007 We are proud to announce that Bill Whitt will take over the reigns as president of the Ice Park and Ice Festival Board of Directors. Bill has been around since the park’s inception. He is the owner of the Victorian Inn, one of our yearly Ice Park sponsors. Bill will be working with a revamped board in the coming year. The board plans to make improvements to both the park and festival infrastructures. If you have an ideas or comments for the board, please let them know. Our e-mail is oipi@ouraynet.com Cold temperatures have kept our ice farmers Rob and Malcolm busy. The ice has been great through February and we have continued re-hydration. If cold weather patterns hold, we are looking at another 4 weeks of climbing. Please be sure to check conditions before making any major plans to ice climb at the park during March. From the ice side, (still love sticking my tongue to it) Erin Eddy Executive Director

So only Sahid's credit card bill being paid off in a lump sum for flight lessons in Florida should send up a red flag? Racial profilers. It's sure a fucked-up world we live in anymore.

Big wheel keeps on turnin', Proud Mary keeps on burnin'... trollin' trollin' trollin' 'cross the desert.

i gave up giving up for Lent for Lent

"you wouldn't let me call you 'Dad'" "yeah, but, I let you call me 'Stevezee'...that sounds better."

For Lent, I'm giving up dropping the F-bomb in my head when mentally conversing with my other identities... they're all fucking poseurs anyway.

watched that last night

what the fuck are you talkin' about?