Mr Info

In VA, anything over 50 cc requires a motorcycle license. Other states are different just like with helmet laws. My wife will definitely be taking the 2-3 day course. In VA, they supply the bike and helmet for the course and try to match you with an appropriately sized bike for your body size. She will have more info than she needs as the automatic scooters are a bit simpler than a cycle. But the new, better-built 200-250 cc scooters can hit 65-70 fairly quickly and easily without screaming. But they should not be operated for a long distance at a speed like that.

We are apending about $3k. I see your point but my wife is 5' and 105 lbs. That baby is way too big for her (btw this is primarily for her and she is in tune with the idea.). Even the 200-250 cc is a challenge for her and she is in shape.

My wife and will be picking up a 200-250 cc cycle/scooter - something on the low end but not a moped. Kind of the transition between the two. We will use it for around town and anything that does not require travel on an interstate. My wife is too small for a large bike. We can even use it to go to work when we wish since we can get there without the interstate. Plus, there are some bikes in that range which can seat two people (of average size) relatively comfortably. My wife does not have her cycle license but she will take the course. The bikes we are considering get 70-90 mpg. We did some calculations based on the # of trips/miles we would use it and it will take about 20 months (~$3k) at the current gas prices to pay it. Less time for ROI when the price rises. Plus, though not Harley fun, it still is fun. We are keeping our current cars and using them when necessary or appropriate. Using this as an alternative due to the increasing $ we are spending on gasoline. We are looking at the SYM or Kymco brands in this line. Rip away.

Lost Theory Interesting theory but plausible when episodes/events are lined up. Note that if you read all the way through the Main Theory, you will encounter a spoiler (who's in the coffin).

Supposedly, much of the dialogue was improvised by the cast. Tom Waits = Dr. Heller Invisible Boy: So, this is basically a huge electromagnet. Dr. Heller: Well, actually, it's an electro-nuclear-magnet. It's the next inevitable phase. Heller: "No, no. I don't live here. I'm just here for the ladies." (at a nursing home) Heller: "That's a high-temperature fabric adhesive liquid projector, based on simple dry-cleaning technology. You aim that at a guy, and I'll tell you something: his clothes get so tight he can't even breathe." Heller: "I can trick that out with a clam-shell holster. It comes with a leather carrying case. It's got a wadcutter and a full warranty." Shoveler: Doctor, you are a genius. Dr. Heller: That's what the card says.

Another good Sawyer nickname: Miles = 'Genghis'

Were they including flying as part of their assessment on travel plans? I see flight prices have increased substantially. Besides higher fuel prices, I expect some of it is also due to dwindling competition (Skybus, etc.) and less routes. Typically, I fly to the games I can attend as a season ticket holder and the price increase I see for flights for 2008 game dates over 2007 is significant. It will impact which/how many games I will attend.

Perhaps whatever transport device Ben is using works regardless of where the island is located. And maybe the people from the freighter (commandos) are killed. After all, Ben travels from the island in flashforwards (re: Dean Moriarty) so the commandos don't appear to have much of an impact on Ben's movement in the future.

I could not stop myself any longer....once an editor....

Highest and lowest global gas prices In some cases, the lowest (i.e., Venezuela) are subsidized.

Good choices. A few that I use at the gym or outside that may meet your criteria: Runnin' Down a Dream - Petty Surf Medley & Highway Patrol - Junior Brown Roadhouse Blues - Doors Slave - Stones Up Around the Bend - CCR Jump Into the Fire - Nilsson Rockin' at Midnight - Honeydrippers Unchain My Heart - Ray Charles Mannish Boy (from Hard Again) - Muddy Waters O Mary Don't You Weep - Springsteen Oh Atlanta - Little Feat Bang The Drum All Day - Rundgren

If opposite of Tunisia, the island location could be on top of the international date line. Might not mean sh-- but who knows.

As I mentioned previously, I have a Sony/Ericsson W580i and it also functions as my ipod. I transfer lots of tunes to it through USB. The camera is adequate if I need one in a pinch. A quick connection to my PC to transfer that stuff is easy and I have no problem with either device when I do it.

Sony/Ericsson W580i - mostly for personal use. Use it for texting, small amt of web browsing...rarely for e-mail. It doubles as an ipod and it fits fine in a front pants' pocket.

You didn't read your sig.

Ditto. I have no previous expenses to compare for ROI but my average monthly gas bill is $25. But that also includes our cooktop which we use quite frequently. But even if it took 5 years or so to recoup the initial investment, the fact that we do not have to be ration hot water for showers/laundry/dishwashing/etc. is well worth the expense. Before I get slammed by the environmentalists, we are cognizant about our water consumption.

We have had a Rinnai (gas) for 3 years with no problems - absolutely a great product. We installed it outside of the house but built it into an unobtrusive edge and painted it to match the house - it looks like a power panel. We vented it there rather than putting in underneath the house. We have a crawlspace so that seemed the best option but another placement may be a better option for you. (edit after eball's reply): We have not had a problem with load: one unit, family of 4, frequent guests, 3 showers, front-load washer, dishwasher, etc. Never have experienced any issues or received any complaints about water pressure when units were running simultaneously. Only one tankless system. Could water pressure issues pertain to that delivered to the house rather than from the tankless hot water system? If so, I recall seeing something about a water pressure boost that could be added to a tankless system.

Spot on...we had 2 seats in the first & second rows until halftime and then we gave the front 2 to a couple of friends I saw at the show and the 4 of us went to the second row when 2 other people left. It was a great show and he played a number of songs from his last 2 CDs ('Blue Country Heart' with Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Bela Fleck and Byron House & 'Stars in My Crown' - with another fabulous backing band) that I really enjoy. Mitterhof is an amazing musician as his sideman on stage. The last time I saw him in Richmond was about 15 years ago at 'The Flood Zone'. That time he performed and electric and acoustic set. The suites are nice - congrats on that. Are you going to the B-52s? I am not but my wife and her friends will be there.

Yep, and my wife (she likes Jorma) and the kids (they have only heard the last 2-3 CDs and some of Quah, which they like) will be along. Will catch the other shows if the schedule permits but I am coaching baseball and playing in a basketball league. Weeknights are crammed.

Thanks all - enjoyed the humor, too. DCTom - correct, I do not want to rebuild the roof - I'll search 'hot roof' or DYI - good suggestions.

Thanks. Roof-line vents have been installed and the plywood floor does not extend to the walls so air flow should go over the insulation. I have a heat-activated power vent in my house attic but that is to vent the heat so that my second floor stays cool. I guess it is added flow for the garage but I was hoping the roof-line vents, insulation, and air flow would be adequate.

I have a non-attached garage that is not conditioned. There is a large pull-down to a basic attic above it with a plywood floor on the trusses. I have heard two schools of thought: 1.) Since it is non-conditioned, insulating the attic (batt or inside the roof) will not make a difference; or 2.) Insulating the garage attic will significantly lower the the average temperature in the summer even if the garage is not conditioned. The garage door faces east (and is insulated) and the garage will be in sunlight most of the day. There are roof vents on the garage for heat release. If insulation will work in lowering the temperature a fair amount, I may store some additional items up there. Anyone with real-life experience on this? Thanks

Hmmm.... Well here are a bunch of young, accomplished musicians and not a one mentioned a metal band. HBO - Music in Me Perhaps these kids are not considered prodigies (though they all are damn good), perhaps they all constitute that 1 out of 5 in the other survey. Just saying that there may be some question on how the data was presented. I have seen some recent published clinical results on the positive effects of Sage on Alzheimer's disease. But there were no controls in the study. So, the derivation of results from an uncontrolled study in a small sampling means that potentially anything could have contributed to the positive results. Heck, the few people who were part of the study may have been taking Namenda or an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. OK, I went off a little bit but my point is that presenting data to justify your means without independent, objective review is easy.

BTW Pinto Kenny aka Pinto Ron

Sept. 9 DENVER BRONCOS W Sept. 16 @ Pittsburgh Steelers L Sept. 23 @ New England Patriots L Sept. 30 NEW YORK JETS W Oct. 8 DALLAS COWBOYS W Oct. 21 BALTIMORE RAVENS W Oct. 28 @ New York Jets L Nov. 4 CINCINNATI BENGALS W Nov. 11 @ Miami Dolphins W Nov. 18 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS W Nov. 25 @ Jacksonville Jaguars L Dec. 2 @ Washington Redskins W Dec. 9 MIAMI DOLPHINS W Dec. 16 @ Cleveland Browns L Dec. 23 NEW YORK GIANTS W Dec. 30 @ Philadelphia Eagles L The kool-aid tastes good: 10-6