FlyingJ

Is Site59 still around with the last minute travel deals? I think they might be part of Travelocity now. If so, check that out. It's not real great for trying to plan a trip way in advance, but if you saw something great maybe you could surprise her with a trip prior to her birthday? When I lived in NYC I always tried to get my friends to check out the Site59 deals because they usually came with airfare and a hotel for cheaper than the normal cost of airfare, and it meant that they got to stay in a hotel instead of laying sleeping bags end to end in my guest room (aka hallway). I'm travelling paying for internet access at the moment so I can't write a big list of things to do, but I certainly second taking the staten island ferry to see liberty rather than taking the actual liberty ferry. Hopefully I'll get some time a bit later to make some more suggestions. jason Killing threads since 2004.

I have an insane case of swimmer's ear right now too. That's what I get for spending hours a day for the last week in my parent's new pool while visiting them! There is no way I could go up in a plane right now, especially in an unpressurized cabin. My brother blew an ear drum when he ignored ear pain and kept going (in his case cliff diving). I know it's a different story being under the water, but is the chance of messing up your ear worth it? Killing threads since 2004.

Exactly right. The next thing you know you are having dizzy spells and before too long...down you go. This happened to me once in Hawaii. I have since had to learn that Gatorade (as much as I dislike it) is my friend. Yup, and then people start feeding you more liquids... It only took it happening to me once on a fire to make me pretty much obsessed with letting other people know about it. Killing threads since 2004.

A few people mentioned lack of salt, etc. That can be as big or bigger a problem than typical dehydration because people often don't realize the problem and in turn drink more water and make themselves worse. You can be drinking liter after liter of water, but if you don't maintain the salt/potassium levels you will present with the same smyptoms as dehydration but additional water will actually hurt you. The actual name is hyponatremia, though it is often refered to as water intoxication. I suffer from this if I don't keep my my electrolyte levels up because I sweat so damn much! I work outside fulltime in the Florida heat, often made even worse working on a wild or prescribed fire, and have become ultra-aware of the symptoms. Now when I'm working outdoors I always carry a few of the mini-size V-8 cans with me and drink one sometime mid-morning, at lunch, and mid-afternoon. It is overkill for most, but just right for me. Also, snacking on some salty foods can do a wonder of good in keeping the salt levels high. The main key for someone suffering from hyponatremia is that additional liquids will generally make them worse, and what they need is salt/potassium, ingested in solids if possible. Anytime you come across someone that seems to show signs of dehydration, it is a good idea to ask them what their intake of liquids has been like. If they say they have been drinking regularly, or that they are peeing clear, etc., chances are pretty good that they need to get some salt/potassium into them in the form of solids. At this point liquids won't do them any good, and if it is far enough along can actually do more damage. I work as a wilderness first responder on firelines and have started to keep a bag of peanuts, some pretzels and a few of the little V-8s in my med kit because of how often this happens. They also make small packets of "Oral Rehydration Salts" that really help to keep the levels up if they are given before the symptoms deteriorate too badly. The rehydration salts are actually very neat, because to someone that is dehydrated they taste very sweet, and almost good, but as your hydrate up the taste covers a range from sweet to more sour to "I'd rather be drinking the sweat from my sock." One packet dissolves in one liter and is consumed over the course of an hour. Be careful everyone! Don't tell yourself that you are in good shape just because you are peeing a bunch, or because your pee is clear. Make sure you are keeping up with the salt and potassium too! Edited: for clarity Killing threads since 2004.

It depends. I always tip pretty well in a typical server situation, and sometimes I'll tip in less conventional settings. Even if my only contact is a cashier, if they are upbeat and actually seem to be happy to have me there as a guest and not just going through the steps I might go ahead and tip if I have an extra buck. I would never tip just because there is a jar there though, there has to be a reason. Killing threads since 2004.

I think it's the same concept. It was amazing wondering (and learning) how they pulled all the various pieces apart. One of the most amazing things to me was looking at the partial and full bodies consisting of nothing but the circulatory system. Everything else was gone. Apparently they replace blood with a polymer that hardens and then chemically wash the rest of the body away, leaving a full skeleton of nothing but the arteries, veins, ets. Just unreal!!! I look forward to going again down the road sometime when I can take more time to really explore everything in depth while not totally overwhelmed with seeing it for the first time. I think the best thing about the trip was seeing how many kids were so excited about seeing the exhibits. Killing threads since 2004.

hehe...ironically, yes, did see some familiar faces, thankfully none of them on display! It is very easy to step away from the fact that they were all once living and look at it as lifesize models of your anatomy textbook. The only times it hits you that they actually lived were when it points out someone with blackened lungs from smoking, etc. It was really neat to see the effect different diseases have on our bodies. Killing threads since 2004.

I just got back from seeing "Bodies...The Exhibition" at the Atlanta Civic Center. http://www.bodiestheexhibition.com/intro.html All I can say is WOW! It was truly amazing. I really didn't know what to think going in, but I loved it, and so did everyone in my family from my 13yr old cousin to aprox. 80yr old grandparents. If you are in a town where it is being exhibited I suggest making the visit no questions asked, and wouldn't hesitate suggesting someone make a road trip to see it either. WOW! Killing threads since 2004.

I've done a fair amount of diving in the springs in the Crystal River and central Florida area. That would be a great option for some very relaxed diving. Most of them are great places to go with people that aren't divers also - other things to do like mountain biking, kayaking, etc. PM me if you think you might go that route and want some advice on specific places or dive shops that cater to that area. Killing threads since 2004.

Last year I lived in a state park on the beach in the panhandle of Florida. Fireworks were a major no no on the state property, but I lived right at the edge of the park where it joins up with county beach that goes pretty much uncontrolled. I got a full fireworks show every night for at least a week on either side of the 4th, if not longer. It was great for a few days, and for a few hours each day, but after midnight...1am...2am... I picked up a large quantity of regular blackcats or whatever they are, just noisemakers, and have had a lot of fun at my family reunion the last few days lighting them off in the vicinity of unsuspecting family members. No heart attacks yet! I've gained a whole new respect for fireworks and the the places where they should and shouldn't be set off since I've been fighting wildfires this past year. Three small ones lately were all fireworks related. Killing threads since 2004.

Cashew butter anyone? Same story, different nut. Very tasty. Killing threads since 2004.

Anyone have a freeware batch file naming program that is VERY simple and straight forward to use? I'm hoping to find something my mom can use. I've downloaded a couple but there are way too many options for tagging this and that and prefixes and suffixes and blah blah blah... All she needs is to select a group of files, type in the general name she wants for them and have it number them from 01 to whatever. Thanks! jason Killing threads since 2004.

The rafting trip wasn't quite the intense rush I expected, but it was an absolutely amazing time, and certainly not the last time I'll be doing that. We did end up using NOC and did the Combo trip of the Upper (including the Olympic course) and Middle sections of the Ocoee. A couple pics attached. Of course we had to geek the camera at least once! If anyone uses NOC, Isaac was a fantastic guide - highly recommended. Killing threads since 2004.

Woo hoo! On the way out the door now to go hit the water! Killing threads since 2004.

Just saw the news clip again on the 6pm news today (Saturday). Guess it will probably be on the late news too. Very nice! Killing threads since 2004.

I actually looked closer and saw my travel trailer in transit to where it is currently parked, so in the end I actually know the exact day of the photo. My parents are anxiously awaiting their new pool to show up in the pic of their house. Killing threads since 2004.

The bowling ones or the tossing ones? I like this general idea. That's what all go with from now on. I can't wait for someone to ask me now! Killing threads since 2004.

Using Google Earth, is there any way to determine the date of a picture? Just looked up where I live, and know it isn't current w/in the last 6 months, just wondering if there is a way to tell aprox. when it was taken. Killing threads since 2004.

Indoor AND OUTDOOR showers, sat TV, wireless internet, AC, and the list goes on and on. I think I love Greg and Hans. Damn! I'm gonna' need a tour. So do people watch tv and stuff on bad weather days? Used to be they just wrestled in KY and stuff. Killing threads since 2004.

Diver here too. Anyone enjoy cold water/dry suit diving? I've only made a handful of dry suit dives but I loved them. So long as you had enough insulation overall, I found it very refreshing. The squeeze certainly takes some time getting used to though. I have low dive numbers, and originally moved to Florida with the idea being that I would get to dive a bunch. Hmmm...not a single dive since. I did start skydiving though. Killing threads since 2004.

Just drove from Florida up to Atlanta today. Driving past semi-struck after semi-truck I kept wondering what the little door on the back of the trailer is for. Just the little hatch, usually a foot square or so. Are those refridgerated trucks w/ the door open when they are empty? Always wondered, finally just occurred to ask! Killing threads since 2004.

Great, nothing ever happened before, so it should be just the same (only now with bathrooms!). Killing threads since 2004.

Sounds like this is going to be a good weekend to stop by and get caught up with what's been happening at the Farm over the last year! Hopefully I'll be able to stop by Saturday. Killing threads since 2004.

Turn your computer around and show them all the current "show your ass" thread. That will probably liven up the conversation for a little while. Killing threads since 2004.

I saw that this morning. I can't wait! Killing threads since 2004.