elwopo

Your friend is correct. He still has optimism because he believes in the concept of honor....but eventually that will be beaten down out of him as well. Society has a great way of doing that. Sport used to be about natural ability. Those who had it were honored....as well they should be. Then at some point came the money aspect. Money....greed....as some believe is still the root of evil. Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Joe Namath, Johnny Unitas, Pele, Arthur Ashe, Jesse Owens, Mark Spitz.....the list can go on and on and on...... They had natural ability enhanced by pure hard work and dedication. Drive....not drugs. But that's the hard way. No one likes that anymore. We're "advanced". We like easy quick and clean. The first people who started taking "enhancing" drugs were the people who would not commit to dedication. There was positive reinforcement in the form of money and fame. Why should they, or the problem, stop? No matter what country anyone lives in..... our police, teachers, firefighters, and caregivers are shamelessly underpaid for what they do and what we expect from them. But....we have no problem with an ignorant dolt having millions....that's MILLIONS of dollars for no other reason than they can do something with a ball. They don't even have to be good on a regular basis! Get the contract....set for years. Sure....it's hot topic now.....but that will pass soon...as all things do. These guys will get on tv and say that they are concerned about their records, hall of fame, reputation....blah blah.... And when it's over they will cut through the crowd...get into the Escalade....go to their huge home and live a lifestyle that real hard working people can only dream about while watching "MTV cribs". Sports stars are freaks...because we made them that way. So who is wrong? Them...for playing the "game" and eventually getting caught....or us....for creating an environment where their lack of honor is not only ignored.....but encouraged.

A great idea indeed!

Wow! 7 pages so far. What an interesting read this has been. What an even more interesting view into human nature. It appears that our little community contains some extremely intelligent and well educated people. I admire them for that. It would also seem that there are some very committed people as far as their beliefs are concerned. I admire that level of committment also. Please note that nothing above is said with any kind of sarcasm. I, on the other hand, am someone who could be (and often am) classified as a cynic. I am fond of this definition:

And now here is a massively unpopular viewpoint..... People are pigs. There is so much ranted on about cultures, history, and traditions. It's all an attempt, in an intellectual way, to make sense of situations that make no sense. No matter where anyone lives...no matter what their culture is....no matter what they believe....no matter what they find unacceptable..... one thing remains the same.... There seems no limit to man's inhumanity to man......and our worldwide indifference to it. It crosses all social, economic, and cultural boundries. We...as a world population....just don't give a [censored] when push comes to shove....as long as it doesn't directly affect us. Right this moment....as you read this....someone in this world is being abused. Rape....murder....robbery....beating...... but it's not 'real' until it hits too close to home. God (or higher power) forbid that it ever happens to one of 'us'. Human nature is a cesspool that has no regard for religion, country, origin, or history. We allocate our wealth so that we can pay millions to one individual who can control a ball. We marvel at how islands can be created out of nothing....to create new land forms that look like a palm tree from space. Yet we allow....daily....the abuse and destruction of humanity. We allow it by turning a blind eye to what goes on around us. So......despite all the negative nature of above......let's not forget why we are really here. It's important that we concentrate on rehauts, straps, date fonts, and the ultimately earth shatteringly important wrist checks. Show us what you're wearing....screw everythig (and everybody) else. Just a thought......

Does a metal bracelet exist that would fit this?

OMG! The Apple II and Commodore 64....now THAT brings back some memories! I remember "writing programs" on the trusty Radio Shack TRS-80. Saving your work to the attached cassette player (it was a "backup device" because it had the Radio Shack logo on it). And to be able to afford the first Motorola "brick" phone?!? That was hot stuff. Wear that monster on your belt in the club and the ladies would flock. 42....but feeling somewhat older right now. Maybe I'll have another beer and "streak" for old time's sake. Then again....that requires effort....probably sweating....hard on the feet.....potential legal ramifications..... I'm thinking beer....Laz-y-Boy.....boxers....and 65 inch widescreen.......BINGO! Maybe 42 ain't so bad afterall!

If those are specs for one day of trading....that's a pretty volatile commodity right now. If you don't know a lot about investing in stocks....something like this could be a real gamble. What's the symbol and where is it traded? If you just want to know how to buy....open an account with one of the many online brokers. E trade...Schwab....there's lots of them....just look for the lowest fees. If you're looking to invest...forget individual stocks. No load mutual funds is what you want. A good mix of stocks in growth companies and bonds. Depending on your age.....invest at least 10% of anything you make (you won't even know it's gone unless you're living beyond your means) and before you realize it.....you'll be quite well off.

Sorry....you are completely correct. I meant case tube....just posted too quickly. Was thinking the "stem" of the case... Heat shrink tubing....pure genius. Thanks!

Hey all. OK...get the "protection" ideas out out of your head......at least in the first way you thought.... Last time (the first time) I tried to mod CGs....I said never again! Let's just say it did not go according to plan. Well.....here I go again I suppose. I've got a pretty nice starting piece and I can't resist the temptation to make it a little better. When you do this....what do you use to keep the shavings out of the stem? I used "blue" tape to protect the case and crystal...and it seemed to work ok (except when the sandpaper went off and tore it up....LOL). With the stem being so small...the tape just did not want to stick at all. I switched to regular masking tape but found that it left a residue. Tried to clean the residue with denatured alcohol....and it ate part of the O ring. So......before I go through this fun again.....I thought I'd ask this time.

That actually makes sense. It would certainly explain the experiences, stories, and background(s)

It's easy for emotions and immaturity (jsmith, corgi) to help us go off on a tangent.....but let's not lose sight of something very important (IMHO). Andreww NEVER called anyone out. He made a point that obviously others were thinking as well. The VERY NEXT post was our dear miss V (victim?) jumping right into the mix. No reason to cut and paste what she said.....just go have a look at page one yourself. I believe she could have handled it much better than she did. Her responses show her character (or lack thereof). That's my opinion. As for the comment regarding money (I can't remember which whiner brought it up...and don't care to go look) I've put in more in one donation than you and the other sycophant (or is it psychophant ) have combined. If you want to say that money matters.....how much would I have to put in to minimize the drivel spouting like a fountain from south Florida? I agree with andreww and could not put it any better than TTK and some others. We should all take note.....tread carefully at this point because we have apparently been put on notice from our dear victimized associate.... "This type of cyber-gang ups will be responded to in due course." Being such an afficianado of film.....the next thing we may hear is.... "Say hello to my little friend!" (It's a south Florida thing...)

Hmmm......is it just me...or is this just ripe with potential? C'mon....you know you got the same lump in your throat and tightness in the stomach when you read this. So new....so innocent....so blissfully unaware of the potential danger lurking about.... a mere baby bird caught in the midst of the freeway. Now all that remains to be seen is whether we see the "kindler gentler" TTK scoop up the tiny bird (noobus exposedus) and take it safely to a place where it has the chance to learn......or the old TTK who downshifts the 18 wheeler, picks up speed, and aims for....and crushes the little bird. That's part of the fun of this place. You never know what's going to happen......

Hello all. We've talked digital cameras before....but this is a new twist. My digital Canon died WAY before it's time.... so I'm in a spot. Holiday coming up and no camera to catch the antics of another family get-together complete with my crazy nephews and the spectacle of the annual fried turkey With all the options out there....and the different media they record to....does anyone have opinions or suggestions as to what has worked for them and why? Your input is greatly appreciated.

Absolutely fantastic!! A pure genius post that will, no doubt, go down in forum history....and be talked about for quite some time to come. You hooked, marked, and tagged every "fish" in the forum. Good thing that you're only kidding though. To enter into the strap world would mean direct interaction / competition with "Mademoiselle Strap". I'm not sure that even you are prepared to have old "sausage fingers" clawing away at you. You remain a true classic.

And why is that? You see "our" Nanuq as enjoying a "rundown-looking" domicile with his family in the wilds of Alaska? So much I could say.....so much I won't. No point in doing so.