Rocky

I haven't seen any pics of her (them, i.e. Ripkin's family) probably since he broke Gehrig's record, but it stands to reason... most rich guys DO have hot wives...

Congrats Ron, that's really great. I'm taking it a little slower, but I do some of the same things you do... ... like starting the day with a protein enhanced drink (mine's a little simpler, skim milk with WHEY supplement) I work out at the local community college... they have some great machines... my main aerobic exercise is on a UBE (upper body ergonomics) machine. That's essentially a bike that you row with your arms... and I do a weightlifting routine. Anyway, your accomplisment is impressive. I hope you're able to keep it up.

Conseco got SIX VOTES! But that's still shy of the 5 percent needed to stay on the ballot... needless to say, adios Buhner, Bonilla, Caminiti AND Conseco. With Caminiti and Conseco, we KNOW they were steriods users...

Is THIS subject really "about the Way?" Anyway, I did the internet dating thing once. It was fun. It was interesting. It was adventurous. But it wasn't something that could turn into anything long term. Because... as some said on this thread, you just really can't get to know people in this kind of setting -- well enough for it to be the basis for a genuine, emotionally intimate relationship. MAYBE, if the geographic distance is NOT significant, it MIGHT be reasonable to meet someone (indeed, in public first, and perhaps second and third also), then decide whether you can be friends who talk by phone and spend non-threatening time together... but that's about all it's good for... IMO. :)

I read something last night about one writer submitting a blank ballot because he did not want either Gwynn or Ripkin to be UNANIMOUS winners. No player in the Hall has ever been elected by receiving 100 percent of the vote. He felt that these two did not deserve to be the first or only ones to earn that distinction. Nothing more to it than that, I understand.

Google ads are UNOBTRUSIVE... so, by all means. Beats the heck out of popups.

THAT could be because he IS at home in Arizona. He LIVES here. Anyway, changing the subject just a little... MLB.com is now reporting that Cal Ripkin and Tony Gwynn HAVE BEEN elected to the HoF... in their first year of eligibility. I say they both deserve it.

Lots of good ideas already have been offered by folks on this thread... One thing I wanted to add... on the FOOD network, I saw a program the other day titled "10 days to a new you" or something close to that. The host has training/education/background as a nutritionist. I watched it and found that it was pretty much the same thing I'm learning in a class/support group I attend once/week for 10 weeks each calendar quarter at the local VA medical center. The primary reason for the group is to promote weight loss for a healthy and long life. It's been tremendously helpful to me. In just over the last two years, I've lost 65 pounds and no longer have the trouble getting around that used to hinder me. I haven't done this, but I'd bet that if you GOOGLE the name of the host of that tv show (Elie Kreager, I think), you'd probably find what she was saying... Of course, you can GOOGLE various specific topics related to nutrition/exercise/relaxation (and other related mental health issues)... to get a plethora of excellent information. And it certainly helps to filter out the extraneous when you ask folks (like this thread) what they know that has worked for them... it's sorta like having our own GSC support group for health topics. :)

When my brother died, about 15 years ago, I was the lead person in taking care of business, and settling his estate (very small estate). My brother was NOT a donor. And if he had been, his organs (even at age 36) would have been in no condition for use in a transplant. However, I have always felt that the funeral home was doing some unlawful harvesting and selling of body parts. We were not even allowed to watch them seal the casket with my brother in it. That has ALWAYS bothered me. Then, two months shy of 10 years ago, my dad died. I had little to do with the arrangements, other than to go to his home town (Rochester NY) to grieve with the rest of the family. He and we were treated with 100 percent greater respect by the funeral home there. They made sure we were there to witness them closing and sealing the casket. Both my dad and brother died from heart disease. Dad was 66, bro was 36. Anything that could be used from their bodies would have been in some undesignated "research." And while that is certainly a good thing, overall, I just couldn't see either of them being treated like "things" instead of people deserving of respect. I can see the value of a young person, who perishes from some sort of tragic cause other than disease processes, donating organs that can give life to another person. But overall, I believe there is just too little control over what happens and too little of the true facts of what happens to people who donate -- other than when it's obvious that certain organs would be suitable for transplanting in someone who could then live a long (hopefully) healthy life. Of course, the fact that the subject comes up from time to time on crime drama tv shows (i.e. CSI and Law & Order series), doesn't help me develop any confidence in the systems and processes.

NO. Why? Do you think I should be? IF so, can you address my concerns with the system(s)?

Nah... but given your screen name... and that I used to get that comment a lot from my daughter's teachers (that she talked quite a bit in class... for her, the school work was generally too easy)... it just seemed to fit!

Indeed. I figure if he wins 12 games in 2007, that's more than any one pitcher for the Dbacks in 2006, except for the reigning Cy Young winner, Brandon Webb. And the fans will likely be more supportive than they were for him in the Big Apple.

Okay, so it's NOW 38 days. And apparently it's now official (pending a physical examination), the Unit will take his Spring Training in Tucson rather than in Florida.

39 days!

Yeah... one of these days. I have tivo now, so when it comes on, I can record it to watch at my convenience. And geez, Belle... you make me feel ... hmmm... OLD!? No, just kidding. When I turned 50 I considered it a significant accomplishment. Not everyone makes it this far... obvious, I hope you do... and figure you will. And I'm past grieving for them, but as the oldest sibling, I've already lost my younger brother and sister to heart disease. But don't worry, I've got lots of life left in me... and I work out 4-6 times a week. No problem... you were probably talking in class!

Oh, and I forgot earlier... CSI is regularly on the SPIKE network. CSI Miami is regularly on A&E... In fact, I didn't start watching CSI at all until about 2003 and then I watched on SPIKE until it seemed like I knew all the episodes already...

Sno Cones all around! It's time to celebrate!

***Hey all *** Today is Tom Strange's Birthday!!!!!!!! HAPPY 53! OH Strange One!!! :dance:

The guy you described from CSI Miami is probably Horatio Caine, also known as "H" and played by David Caruso. The blonde chick is Emily Procter, who plays Calleigh Duquesne and in WW her character's name was Ainsley Hayes. She's definitely a fox... for a youngster (age 38). And I really liked Leo McGarry too... and did some grieving myself when he died. I'm not familiar with the folks in CSI NY (since I don't watch it and haven't watched Forrest Gump)... but looking it up, that was probably Gary Sinise... Oh, and I like various kinds of muffins... blueberry is a favorite. ;)

THAT is WHY you would be well advised to look into resources for gifted kids. THEY (the professionals and parents who deal with gifted kids) understand the SOCIAL and emotional issues you have been describing.... IF you want effective insight, at least look into it. You don't need to have your son tested for giftedness in order for you to get insight on those social and emotional developmental issues.

Abi, I don't know if anyone has mentioned this, but it sounds like you have a potentially gifted child. And even if not gifted, clearly you describe social issues MANY gifted children have to deal with. I can tell you that there ARE a good number of resources regarding this type of situation. My stepson had similar experiences when he was about that age. He did outgrow the social awkwardness, but stayed very bright. He graduated from the University of Arizona last May with a degree in Optical Engineering and is now working for a major defense contractor in Tucson as an optical engineer. I'm incredibly proud of him... but his primary grades in elementary school were quite an ordeal... So, in checking with special ed teachers, they probably have some insight on how some kids who may seem like they need special ed alternatively may in fact be very bright and talented students... I hope you find some good insight.

You must be pretty young then... he's only a year older than me. btw, I don't eat crackers in bed... but I like to eat muffins!!!

And from one eagle fan to another, my wishes for the best of days for you and yours. :wub:

Besides being the "main man," Billy Peterson is one of the executive producers... my hunch is they anticipated a lot of angst (and rumors of firings or other misfortune) if he were to be missing for several episodes without warning. I've also noticed that some of the writing in the Miami version sometimes has holes in it... it's hard for me to think of an example at the moment, but I know it's mildly bugged me a couple of times. And of course, all of the versions (as well as the Law & Order series(es)) get their DNA results almost instantaneously, which is not how it really works. Oh, AND CSI Miami is really nice in HD. They seem to have more outdoor photography and it's spectacular in HD.

NO. Gil Grissom is NOT leaving CSI. When I first started seeing the commercials that tried to get people to believe he was leaving, I looked for news about it. I found something last week that said it was only temporary. Then, last night when Warrick hugged him, he (Grissom) expressed his surprise and clarified that (in TV years anyway) he would be back in four weeks. And Kathy, I (pretty much always) watch (new episodes of) CSI Miami, but for some reason can't get excited about CSI NY.