gravitational

I was down in NO a couple weeks ago. The projects are just a bit East of the French Quarter (actually, the FC ends, the projects begin) the superdome is a hike (Mapquest says just under 3.0 miles) from the projects but it is doable, even for a little out of shape people (the walk might do them good anyway). Those who chose not to make that walk I have no sympathy for. They chose to experience the wrath of mother nature and by all accounts, someone had pissed in her wheaties. By all accounts, staying in their gov't funded home they choose to ride out the storm instead of seeking 'higher ground'. (higher ground refers to getting out or a better designed structure other than their residence) ------ Michael

Trust me when I say that I'm releived by that. Another topic in our meeting on that Thursday was disaster recovery. I added it to my list of things to do for them. I would have only had a day to put it together and put it in place...Well, the one I did toss together worked pretty well on paper at least. ------ Michael

All 2005's Pontiac Matrix - I'm way too old for this thing Ford Escapes - pretty much all versions of it. Was looking at buying one, but just couldn't put my finger on why I didn't like it - so I kept getting another one. Chevy Trailblazer - The longer version. This one I liked the best out of all that I got, guess that's why I bought one. Toyota Highlander - This this is peppy...Very peppy. Oldsmobile Alero - fun one to drive Subaru Outback - Automatic. Ended up buying one of these too, albeit without the Automatic. The auto is a dog in the mountains, the stick is very peppy. How many hills can I climb out here and not be going 90 in 5th gear at the top? I had a few others in here too, but I'd have to look at all my expense reports to figure out what I had. ------ Michael

1st 1980 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Diesel Station Wagon $1000 - and it was still cramped with all my friends. 2nd 1973 Buick Century 350 4 barrel V8. Got this one from a little old lady in 1987. She bought it new in 1973 and had very carefully peeled off the window sticker and left it in the glove box. Original sticker was $2990, I bought 17 years later for $1000. It had just over 10k miles on it and had all of the records from oil changes etc. that were done religiously every 3 months (since she never put 3k miles on it). It was a fun car to beat the Iroc Z's at the time with. 3rd 1987 Chevrolet Spectrum $6000 - I needed to cool my jets after the Buick. Got this one when I was working at a Chevrolet dealership. 4th 1991 Buick Skylark - It was my Dad's company car that he was offered when it hit 40k miles. I was in need and it was a deal at $5k. 5th 2002 Chevrolet S-10 - didn't like this one, don't recall how much I paid either. only put 7k miles on it. 6th 2003 Ford Ranger XLT Supercab $18k Had fun with this one and added a fiberglass tonneau cover with a sport wing. Hey, it was a sportscar with a big trunk. 7th 2005 Subaru Outback 2.5i $25k - Best hill climbing vehicle I've ever driven in the mountain. Hands down. Wanna race? 8th 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer LT $29k - Just got this one and like it (when I'm not at the pump filling it up). Got it during the Chevrolet employee plan. Didn't think it was a bad deal since the sticker said $38k. Motorcycles 1985 Honda Shadow - Was nice to ride back and forth to work and get out in the mountains at times. 2005 Honda Shadow Spirit 750 - My play toy. Nice to get out on when I need a break from a stressful day. ------ Michael

Good luck to him. I got lucky when Katrina turned east. My client's office is still standing so I don't have to go in now. I was supposed to be there this week, got changed last Thursday, kinda glad, but I'm always up for an adventure. ------ Michael

Is it all the stuff that was in that drawing that was on the wall in manifest before I left. If it is that looked like a very cool hangar. That's just the hard candy shell. The good stuff is inside... ------ Michael

Ya think? We're just a whiney bunch... ------ Michael

Oh really? What all is planned? You'll just have to wait...It will be worth it... I was in a meeting last Thursday when Katrina was still just a small thought at a Cat1 and we were discussing being in Houma this week. I've been through a hurricane before (Cat3) but this would have been a bit more interesting. I'll stay at my 2 miles up for a few more days. ------ Michael

Yes, King Air, Otter and Cessna - all turbine. Except the Cessna. It's just a Turbo. ------ Michael

The last motorcycle I had I did manage to ride year round with exception to the snow days. Just had to be a bit more alert after those snow days from the sand that was put down on the road. It can be done. It's cold, but doable. Ditto. You can wear enough clothes to be warm with one exception, the hands, they're tricky. While it looked dorky, I got some of those hand protector things for a dirtbike and strapped them on. kept the wind mostly off my hands. ------ Michael

From my visits over there I'd have to say a better public transportation infrastructure. I was too easy to get on a bus, train, boat (whatever) to get where I wanted to go. Also, the more 50cc mopeds than I've ever seen. you think piling people on golf carts at the WFFC is bad...I saw a family of 4 on one of these things. ------ Michael

Corruption, but everyone involved will deny that as they hide their offshore accounts. ------ Michael

We've got a sleeper couch and wireless internet so bring your lappy so you can post whore. ------ Michael

The last motorcycle I had I did manage to ride year round with exception to the snow days. Just had to be a bit more alert after those snow days from the sand that was put down on the road. It can be done. It's cold, but doable. ------ Michael

Looks like it's not quite housebroken yet. Eule Performance anxiety... ------ Michael

Did Frank have it weighed yet? btw, I've got the first jump ticket certificate out of it still...I'm just hoping I'll be in town. ------ Michael

Just reverse 2 & 3 and you and I are on the same routine , but I get my daughter ready for school during step 2 so, I couldn't do it your way So, you've got the same rule in your employee handbook that says you're supposed to be wearing at least one article of clothing while talking to customers? (damn I've broken that rule a few times ) ------ Michael

You will now discover many detours on the way to work as it's much more fun to get there on two motorized wheels than 4... ------ Michael

Ahh, but my ride to the slopes will be much shorter than yours... ------ Michael

Just wait young grasshopper...there is more than just new hangers in your future... ------ Michael

My walk to work: 1. Roll out of bed 2. Biological stop and shower 3. Coffee (kick ass I might add) 4. Peer outside to see what everyone else has to go out in 5. walk to the office and plug in I need to get out a bit more during the day and walk up the hill. ------ Michael

We don't really believe you until you post pictures... ------ Michael

I just got a Chevy Trailblazer and knew it sucked gas before I bought it. So far, it's getting 17.5mpg. I also bought a motorcycle that's averaging 47.5mpg. I generally ride the motorcycle if I'm out running errands or just fooling around. The Trailblazer gets me back and forth from the airport (90 miles one way) and that's about all it goes right now. Went with a larger vehicle knowing the total cost of ownership would be higher, but wanted more metal around me when the (not to stereotype) California and Texas tourists start arriving for ski season. Unfortunately for them, they rent 4x4's on their vacations to the snow and believe they're invincible in their vehicles. As Riddler said, work from home - it's cheaper. I filled the Trailblazer up yesterday (only 1/2 tank though) but haven't for more than a month. ------ Michael

Ummm...You're 'other' home (the one you're not selling) is not a good example to use here. ------ Michael

Hey now, I drove down the hill and filled up the trailblazer and then dutifly put it back in the garage and pulled the cycle out. Besides, it's more fun to ride anyway. Just a bitch to go to the grocery store. ------ Michael