ChasUFarley

thanks cc -- I know... that's the problem... This is actually one of the times when I do like hanging out with my in-laws because I do all the cooking (they're the only Greeks I've ever met who cannot cook!) AND because I always make sure the food is a little delayed, which gives them a good excuse for an extra glass of Christmas cheer (read: they're better company once they're a little tipsy.) However, since they're getting older and all on Lipitor, etc., they're now going to be boring, stuffy, and noisey. And I will be serving boring, bland food unless someone comes to the rescue!

Didn't someone post a video of some monkeys from there?

We gots a little problem at Chez Chas.... Every Christmas we go all out with a succulent brunch for Hubby's family - saute'd portabello mushrooms in puff pastery, homemade strawberry danish, egg strata, lyonaisse potato, etc. - you get the picture... rich, filling, holiday food. Now, Hubby's family is all on low-sodium, low-fat, and low-sugar diets. (Probably thanks to us!) What can I serve that's just extra special but isn't just pure sin on a plate? I need help menu planning - please - and - don't forget - we got kids, too!

johniam - your brother won't understand where you are coming from. Plain and simple. There's a damn good reason why what's shared in the Adv. Class is saved for then and not shared with newbie believers. If you come at him with, "I think you're messing with devil sprits" he'll probably freak on you. It will make a not-so-great situation worse. If you want to keep in touch with him, I still say you should be gentle - but talk with him about it - try to understand what he's looking for - and maybe you can counter offer something far better - the Word.

Yeah... what she said! And... Yes, I'm thankful too for what we have here. I hate it when people come in here with an evil intent - even if it's just one of willful ignorance.

Dot, I am so sorry for your losses over the past few weeks. I am not at the point where this is happening in my life, but I do see it happening with some of my brothers' friends (my brothers are in their late 50's-mid 60's) and some of our uncle and other family members. I have noticed that it seems as though deaths happen in rashes - I had three funerals in one week not too long ago - just a horrible week. ...to everything there is a season... (((hug to you)))

Anyone beside me, notice there's no rules for cats?

I echo the advice of many here when it comes to your brother -- love him, try to understand what he is looking for, and let him be himself. Somehow, this is scratching an itch for him - he has a need for whatever it is that this is providing for him. Perhaps it's a "phase" - or perhaps it's more - but graciously allow him to pursue it. He will appreciate you for that. I can speak about Morrison's ideals when it came to Native American culture. I have studied his writings and his life. He was very well read and especially loved the classics and mythology. He dabbled in different aspects of spiritualizm, including Wiccan and the beliefs/practices of the Native Americans. Supposedly he wed Pamela Morrison (she assumed his name - there was not a civil ceremony or marriage license issued) via a Wiccan wedding. Morrison was heavily into drugs and alcohol. He was known to take peyote and go into the desert for a shaman experience. He'd mix it up with LSD, PCP, and about anything else you can imagine, but he did have a phobia of needles which kept him away from heroine in it's most popular form. He was a brilliant, tragic person - I highly suspect he was bipolar, by today's standards, and used the chemicals I mentioned to feed or manage his demons, as he felt fit. That being said - his death was accidental, by many accounts. I do not believe it tied in with his beliefs, in any way, with the Native American culture he embraced. If you read interviews just before he died - and I think one was done just a couple of days before - Morrison was in a good place, mentally. I think an autopsy would have revealed either an overdose or a heart that said "no more!" - he had abused himself too long, at just 27 years old - he looked like he was in his early 40's. Your brother sounds like a responsible, smart, and spiritually hungry person. He's still the same brother you had a beer with a few months ago, or played tag with 15 years ago - but he's decided to check out something new in life. Let him explore - talk with him about it - accept him (not IT - just him) and he'll figure it out for himself - it will work or it won't. I don't think you have much to worry about...

Yes, we've got Garage Band - that was part of the draw when we picked it. Hubby wanted something that would record. I wanted something that would do smoother presentations (I've been designing a lot of memorial presentations lately - like for funerals - it's actually very rewarding). Hubby is talking about writing music that I can use for the presentations so we won't have any copyright issues. I think it will be cool but I've been too busy to so much as have a cup of coffee with hubby lately, never mind hammer out those plans... I miss my bass - I haven't picked it up in ages - I'm working about 40 hours a week now from home but it will slow down soon. I just wish I could postpone the holiday until January when I can enjoy it! LOL! So, yes - Garage Band is part of iLife - a creative suite, if you will. Hubby's been working with it a bit - I haven't touched it but I have been into iMovie and iDVD and iWeb - all excellent little applications.

I thought uncle winkies made stains... shows what i know...

Since we've been discussing nut extenders, then widgets should be on the menu... Hubby got a new g5 iMac - it's a sweet ride - and he's been playing with the dashboard function on it. He found a widget for guitar chords - very cool: http://www.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/m...itarchords.html It looks cool and plays the notes and chords for you. My only complaint is that I wish the neck was horizontal, but oh, well - it's still cool... You can pick your own widget.... :)

That is cool - I wish it was a widget I could use on my desktop... very cool

George -- I looked up some info about your software. Here's the requirements: MakeMusic! Finale 2005 Hybrid Specifications: * Finale 2005 for Windows Windows 98/2000/ME/XP. Import and export of EPS files supported under Windows 98, and ME only. * CD-ROM drive. * 800x600 minimum monitor resolution. * 256MB RAM recommended (128 MB may be sufficient in older operating systems). * 200MB hard drive space required for software * and user manual. Finale 2005 for Macintosh G4 or higher recommended. OS 10.2 and higher. * CD-ROM drive * 800x600 minimum monitor resolution * 256MB RAM recommended. * 200MB hard drive space required for software * and user manual Optional MIDI interface * MIDI input and/or playback device * Printer * Scanner * Microphone required for use of Finale Performance Assessment (except when using MIDI keyboard) and MicNotator. I found a review on Amazon where a user had a similar problem with the registry. He reported that he had to reinstall it several times and the customer service sucked. :blink: Deja vu?

Eagle - can you email it? :-)

Waysider - you'd get along great with my hubby - He likes a Bass Ale with his Guinness every now and then - aka - black & tan!

So no more Paris Hilton? WHOO HOOO!

Anyone into homebrewing? Do tell....

Okay, since we're on the subject of parts... How about SCRAPPLE? I'd never heard of it until I went to PA with our LC, W@lter R0we^, when he visited his mum after the ROA. It was so PA country, it wasn't funny. I remember having scrapple for breakfast - it's sorta a loaf made of ground up scrap meat, grains, and sorta looks like suet. It was quite good fried. And down South, there was some sorta lunch meat my ex just loved that was made of parts - and for the life of me I can't remember it right now - had a strange name and you bought it in a big chunk... SOUSE MEAT! Anyone into souse? (I did try it - didn't think it was anything special....)

Linda - I can't believe they didn't know to peel the tongue first - you have to scald it and then the skin comes off. It's gross, yes. I grew up with it in sandwiches. And horseradishes - my dad grew them in the garden and my brother talks about how he had to help his mom grind them (he's my half-brother - same dad) - I guess it sucked to be the oldest boy on the farm! I love horseradish - it's gotta be on a roast beef sandwich - and it's tough finding one that isn't watered down or cut with something else. Pickled pigs feet - still eat em. Love em. Craved pickled hot sausage when I was preggers with Andreas - gawd I went thru jars of that stuff. It's especially good on a hot day - as all pickled things are!

Your words could be the voice of any 6 year old who just lost a parent and is trying to understand what has happened. I don't think your post should be moved to the memorial forum because it wouldn't be read as much as it is here. I am very sorry for your loss and for what December now means to you. But I'm not sorry that you shared your post with us. It was powerful to read - it gets in your heart. It hurts and heals all at once because it's easy to connect to... Hugs to you.

I hate headcheese. My oldest brother had the job of cleaning the hog's head - it's scraped, boiled, chopped, diced, and boiled some more. Then there's some spices, etc., added. It's then pressed into a mold - like a big sieve. It sets up by itself. No thanks.

Danny - you might want to consider new pickups - those are always a nice little gift to a guitar... Japanese craftsmenship is usually pretty good - I like the current machine heads - they fit the guitar. It has mojo, ya know. New strings are the most inexpensive change you can make - well worth the money. Also, cleaners made especially for guitars can help - check Fender's site for some of those, or check with your local luthier shop. Beautiful guitar - reminds me of a Gretch - nice burst and nice binding - sweet.

Jim - you sound as bad as us - I have 3 PCs, 2 iMacs, and 1 Apple Pismo. (2 PCs and 1 iMac are finding new homes this month - this is getting nuts!) What do you do with a DOS notebook?

I went to school with a girl named Clearwater, and her brother's name was Ocean. Her parents were artists/hippies in Ogunquit, ME.

Linda - This isn't a rotten tomato - honest - but where were the "gems" 24-hours ago? I mean, really? Be honest. I usually don't bother to respond to posts I disagree with - I just add counter points and go along my merry way. I prefer to keep the peace than to stir up trouble and try to be quick to apologize when I have stepped in it. But pond/mj has yet to apologize for some of her comments or take any ownership of them. She makes a 180 turn-around and starts "getting it" the next day, but that's only after many have spoken up. I won't get into the other threads where she tells a poster to get council for anger management or she'll turn into a child abuser. (based on WHAT?) And we're supposed to embrace this? Sorry, but I don't think so. I respectfully disagree. No rotten tomatos. Promise.