seekfun

Were you in 29 Palms? "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

rocketfeuille, You should go ahead and get the rental car. Your insurance company should be willing to help you with the communication with her insurance company. In fact, if your insurance company is worth its salt, they'll handle your claim for you and then seek reimbursement from her insurance provider. Also, insurance claims reps are paid to try and minimize the amount of a claim. They do this by making communication with victims difficult, outright denying services they know they owe, and hoping you won't ask again. So, be firm with them. Tell them, quite simply, that they can help you get a rental car through their preferred provider - where they get a discount - or you'll go rent a F*&^$&G Ferrari on their dime. Note - don't go and actually rent a Ferrari. You'll never get reimbursed. Unless, of course, your own car is a Ferrari. You're entitled to rent something that's commensurate with your personal auto. Finally, each state has an insurance oversight entity. The name of said entity differs by state. But, you can call and submit a complaint if they don't give you some keys to some temporary wheels. Good Luck, topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

"this thread's for bonfire" only has 5 syllables. The contraction is only one syllable. But, you're right about the other... topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

weefegirl, You're definitely not the only one. On just about every trip I make, I forget something. And you when you remember when you've forgotten something? Yup, you always remember that you've forgotten it just when you reach that point in your trip where there's a serious conflict between turning back and just buying a new one. I hate that. Have fun this weekend, topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

Are you still a Cheesehead? And, you see, when I was holding the big ol' 12 Guage Pump we called 'Sam', people didn't need to respect me for the jersey. "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

I'm senior photo editor for Playboy Magazine. But, no one seems to believe me when I tell them that, so the story I usually go with is: When I started jumping, I was a medic in the US Navy. Now I'm a computer geek at large. See how this second story is a little more plausible? Still, I don't know why people can't just accept the truth and be happy for me. Good luck, topher PS - Bachelor of Science in Business Admin "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

SublimeBreeze, Keep an eye on the covers of newspapers lately. Last night, I saw a picture of a young lady covered in blood on the hood of a HMMWV in Iraq with 3 guys covering her while the area was secured. Brother, women are dying in situations where they traditionally haven't before, and they're bravely laying downing their lives to defend men in these same situations. Equality, in the sense you were describing in the Titanic example, is arriving. Good fuel for the fire, though... Thanks for the responses, everyone. topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

You've got to see "Bronx Tale". Or is it, "A Bronx Tale"? Either way, you've got to see it...It'll explain the "The Car Door Test". the goofball, topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

Katzeye, Is this book worth reading for those already categorizing ourselves as 'chivalrous', or is it simply full of stuff our Dad's should have demonstrated to us? I'm curious. I read a lot. And, in about 25 more pages, it'll be time for another book. TTFN, topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

Another Wednesday Funny... This is, of course, satire. It's from THE ONION, America's Finest News Source Blue skies this coming weekend everyone, topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

Thanatos340, I wasn't really trying to make a connection between his disapproval of my glance and his chivalry. I wouldn't expect a significant correlation there. I guess I was trying to say, "if he's not going to respect the young lady, what right does he have to get upset about someone else noticing her?" You're probably right about: TTFN, topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

This one got me giggling... "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

The other day, I got caught checking out some guy's girlfriend. He caught me red handed. Then, he gave me a stare as if he was wishing me a fate worse than death. It was a terrifying stare. Then, 30 seconds later, I watch him and his girlfriend leave the parking lot we were standing in, and he didn't even open up the car door for her. How can he stare me down like that and then not even open the door for her? I sensed a contradiction in his behavior, and it's got me observing. What are your thoughts? topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

No one commented on my Hooters metaphor. But, the point is: Many people today expect others to pay for their failures, laziness, lack of motivation, etc. KATO33, you lost any credibility you may have had when you posted the above. Now you simply sound like someone else expecting others to pay for the fact that you can't get off your ass and get a job. That may not be your situation, but you make yourself sound as such when you say things like the above. I would let it go. You're looking for a 'system', and there isn't one. We're all just piles of atoms arranged by some hair-brained designer called DNA. You can't solve the woes of such piles with a 'system'. You simply can't. Good luck to you, topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

Please hold the stoning until I can don my armor and shield. Afirmative Action has been carried off and ruined by the attorneys, I'm afraid. It no longer serves the spirit of law under which it was created. Has anyone been to a Hooters recently? Have you noticed wait staff that are not...how shall I say this...Hooterific? Have you noticed male waitstaff? I'm not trying to say anything about Hooters. But, I will say that Hooters' corporate image is built around hiring a certain type of person - evil as that may be, it's part of the product they are selling. It pisses me off that some people can't accept the fact that they're not Hooters material. No, they have to sue someone and start swinging the 'equal rights' flag. We're guaranteed equal protection under the law, folks. We're not guaranteed a life of wealthy bliss and splendor without any effort or associated opportunity costs. Bad things are not always someone else's fault. In fact, they rarely are. I've got grey hairs coming in too soon; Hollywood never calls me; I've got my Grandfather's nose; my legs are bowed and I still bear a Pop-Tart scar from when I was 14. Am I sitting around waiting for The Chippendales to call with a job offer? No. Take responsibility for yourself people. If you expect your elected representatives to legislate you the American Dream, don't hold your breath. Or, go ahead and hold your breath. The gene pool could use a little thinning. I'll put my battle dress on now... topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

I stumbled across a funny news article and thought some might get a kick out of it, too. World Leaders Look at ol' George Sr. promoting the sport and helping us get some new blood. Good show. Rock on Milwaukee, topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

RevJim, Have you ever heard of shrinkage? It's a bit nippy at the summit of Everest. I just thought I'd point that out... "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

Oh, the non-sexual bachelor party stories I could tell. This one's kind of cute, though: The mortgage-spending cousin (see post above) came up with the idea of putting several foam boobs in a large yard waste bucket full of water. The idea was "bobbing for boobies". It was one of the bachelor party games planned for the evening. During this event, the mortgage-spending cousin fell into the yard waste can and was stuck upside down, in the water. As it was his brother stuck in the can, the bachelor tackled the brother/can over to free him from his boob-inundated drowning (which isn't a bad way to go). The back yard turned to mud almost instantly, which was eventually tracked into the house - for which there was no longer a mortgage payment. Blue skies and cute, wholesome women... topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

I've been to a few bachelor parties where I thought the behavior got a little carried away (between the stripper(s) and the bachelor). But, I'd have to say that the only times I've seen any fallout were: 1. My cousin spent his month's mortgage payment when he drunkenly hired extra strippers for his brother's bachelor party. My cousin's wife was measurably irate about that. 2. When the aforementioned brother and I doctored a bachelor party photo of our buddy in Photoshop and almost ended the wedding before it began. Ooops. We got yelled at sternly by our significant others for that. And in both of these cases, there was no inappropriate contact between the entertainment and the well-behaved, angelic young men. Bad decisions around strippers do not always involve bad decisions with strippers. TTFN, topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

Dr. Kallend, My thanks to your son for his service...I hope he's the one using the hill for cover. Make sure he's not doing that Rambo stuff. And, thank you for the wonderful (read amazing) lecture on wind drift / exit order during SDCs Spring Expo. Hope to see you out this weekend for the Memorial Day Boogie. TTFN, topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

Life is not complete until... ...all the brussel sprouts have been eradicated. Damn those little cabbages, topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

billvon, I agree with you, on all comments. I guess that deep down inside, what I'm really feeling is: please don't ever send me into combat with the guys my little sister dates. Please. That would...like...suck. Support Our Troops, topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

I don't see this generation as worthless, though many are lazy. And, I don't define hard assess as people who don't play video games. It's simply my opinion that too many people these days consider playing video games as experiencing life. They mistake being good at HALO as being ready to take on the terrorists. And, you're right, every generation has its opinions - often negative - about the next generation. But, each generation also blames the previous one for its woes. It goes round and round. The larger point is - our military today comprises a smaller percentage of our total population, both because our military is smaller and because our population is greater. Today, most people know someone who is serving in the middle east or Afghanistan right now. During World War II, nearly every family had someone serving in Europe, the Pacific, Africa, etc. The quality people we have in the military today are due to increasing standards and the fact that they're volunteers who want to be there. But, they are a small percentage of society. If we institute a draft, we're going to get shit. Why? Because across the population, there's more shit than there was back in the 40s. Don't get me wrong, many people of superior moral and physical fiber never serve. Cool and the gang. But, the draft does not distinguish who those people are. And, it's not fair to only take the cream of the crop. When you go fishing, sometimes you have to throw things back. I'm simply saying that a lot of kids walking the block today, pants half way down their asses, talking tough shit in front of their friends, would be the first babies to start crying when the bullets start flying. Have fun storming the castle... topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

There's nearly a contradiction in what I said. But, I didn't say 'worthless', I said 'weak pieces of shit'. And, I said many, not all. Most kids today are weak pieces of shit. There is no way you can say that today's youth are as mentally and physically strong as yesterday's youth. We have an entire generation of kids on psychological medications and weight-loss programs. Society is more complex, I understand. It doesn't change the fact that many are not suited for the battlefield or supporting roles. Now, I'm only 29 years old, so it's easier for me to lump myself into the 'weak pieces of shit' category than the 'heroes of yesteryear' category. And, I admit, I have my frailties that I don't see in my Dad and my Grandfathers. And, I will concede that we do accomplish many wonderful things today, on the battlefield and otherwise. But, you still can not draw parallels between the youth of the 1940s and the youth of today. Those hard asses didn't even have PacMan. TTFN, topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

You have to be careful with comparing today's youth to the youth of WWII. I don't want non-volunteers covering my back today, but I would have gladly served alongside most of WWII's draftees. Here's why: 50+ years ago, kids did not sit inside with their pants half way down their asses playing video games and thinking they were actually living their lives. 50+ years ago, kids did play outside, roughly I might add. They also hunted to put food on the family table, chopped wood for the fireplace, walked back and forth to school (up hill both ways), and were generally better suited to military service. Many kids today are mentally and physically weak pieces of shit in my humble opinion. That being said, I was quite humbled by the level of performance I saw in Kuwait during the beginning of the war. I was impressed on a daily basis with the level of dedication and competence our 18 and 19 year-old troops had. Of course, they were all volunteers. Damn kids need to put down their video game controllers and get some scabs on their knees these days. That's my rant, topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins