RITA's XLII: For the Turnstiles

[HomerJay]

Then the dog manages to squeeze his fat ass between us.
There's no way my monster dog would be able to fit in bed with us unless we had a king size.

[i_mmmchocolate]

According to MONEY magazine, these are the top ten places to live (2007):
1 Middleton, WI
2 Hanover, NH
3 Louisville, CO
4 Lake Mary, FL
5 Claremont, CA
6 Papillion, NE
7 Milton, MA
8 Chaska, MN
9 Nether Providence (Wallingford), PA
10 Suwanee, GA

They base their choices on "economic opportunity, good schools, safe streets, things to do and a sense of community."

I've never heard of any of these places.

[HomerJay]

I just drove through Middleton about a month ago. It's just outside of Madison and there's a ton of big corporate office buildings and a ridiculous amount of shopping & other business. There are few national chains there that haven't even come to Milwaukee yet.

I would guess it's up there for the business, lack of crime and proximity to the University of Wisconsin. It's also only about 90 minutes from Milwaukee.

[Paul McEnery]

...


Heh, about the tie...

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o1/CocaC0la99/ChrisandNicole.jpg

Your haloes have both slipped quite a bit.

[Paul McEnery]

According to MONEY magazine, these are the top ten places to live (2007):
1 Middleton, WI
2 Hanover, NH
3 Louisville, CO
4 Lake Mary, FL
5 Claremont, CA
6 Papillion, NE
7 Milton, MA
8 Chaska, MN
9 Nether Providence (Wallingford), PA
10 Suwanee, GA

They base their choices on "economic opportunity, good schools, safe streets, things to do and a sense of community."

I've never heard of any of these places.

Top 10 places to go out of your mind with boredom while your husband jetsets to London, Paris, and New York.

[Matt Algren]

According to MONEY magazine, these are the top ten places to live (2007):
1 Middleton, WI
2 Hanover, NH
3 Louisville, CO
4 Lake Mary, FL
5 Claremont, CA
6 Papillion, NE
7 Milton, MA
8 Chaska, MN
9 Nether Providence (Wallingford), PA
10 Suwanee, GA

They base their choices on "economic opportunity, good schools, safe streets, things to do and a sense of community."

I've never heard of any of these places.
I did a quick map search of the Nebraska one, and it's a suburb of Omaha. Middleton, WI is right next to Madison and a big lake. There are also five or six major country clubs within ten minutes.

I'm betting that all of those are sitting less than half an hour outside the 'nice' side of a major city.

That kind of skews the placement away from both major cities and rural areas, doesn't it?

[Lone Ranger]

They base their choices on "economic opportunity, good schools, safe streets, things to do and a sense of community."


Wow - can you feel the electricity in the air? They sound like cultural hotspots!

I'll bet some of the other considerations were:

"Good selection of stores selling Mom Jeans and Dockers, small and polite black/latino populations, chinese restaurant".

[i_mmmchocolate]

I'll bet some of the other considerations were:

"Good selection of stores selling Mom Jeans and Dockers, small and polite black/latino populations, chinese restaurant".
That's just CRAZY talk!

[Matt Algren]

Wow - can you feel the electricity in the air? They sound like cultural hotspots!

I'll bet some of the other considerations were:

"Good selection of stores selling Mom Jeans and Dockers, small and polite black/latino populations, chinese restaurant".
Our latino population has grown so much that we'll never make the list. :(

[Chris Nowlin]

I've been to Claremont, CA. Almost went to college there. Mainly seemed like a college town

[Guapo Méndez]

There's no way my monster dog would be able to fit in bed with us unless we had a king size.

You don't have a king size?

With your wife's assets, I thought it would be a requirement. Unless you're the "holding for dear life" type.


ah, you spoon. That works.

[darkhanamaru]

According to MONEY magazine, these are the top ten places to live (2007):
1 Middleton, WI
2 Hanover, NH
3 Louisville, CO
4 Lake Mary, FL
5 Claremont, CA
6 Papillion, NE
7 Milton, MA
8 Chaska, MN
9 Nether Providence (Wallingford), PA
10 Suwanee, GA

They base their choices on "economic opportunity, good schools, safe streets, things to do and a sense of community."

I've never heard of any of these places.

Claremont is nice because it is a college town and diverse and close to other cities. Hanover is great if you can deal with the cold. Just not diverse enough for me but would be a great place to own a bookstore. Very literate town. Wallingford is in a beautiful part of Pennsylvania where there are plenty of jobs and it is near Philadelphia. Great Homes.

If you really want to buy a house and good schools are important to you the Money list isn't a bad place to look at. I have used some economic development ideas from cities on their list too.

[Royal]

Wow - can you feel the electricity in the air? They sound like cultural hotspots!

I'll bet some of the other considerations were:

"Good selection of stores selling Mom Jeans and Dockers, small and polite black/latino populations, chinese restaurant".

You forgot earliest curfew and how well they hide their fetishes.

[i_mmmchocolate]

Their list for best places for singles is pretty obvious-- nearly all of the places are college towns, eg Storrs (CT) and Stanford (CA).

[darkhanamaru]

Their list for best places for singles is pretty obvious-- nearly all of the places are college towns, eg Storrs (CT) and Stanford (CA).

ha Stanford! yeah right. none of the women date...too busy with their careers. and anyway, stanford isn't a real city...it is palo alto.

[Guapo Méndez]

Claremont is nice because it is a college town and diverse and close to other cities.


Isn't Claremont a long-winded place?

[Agent Helix]

I visited Claremont once. Everyone talked too much, and new people kept showing up out of fucking nowhere.

[i_mmmchocolate]

ha Stanford! yeah right. none of the women date...too busy with their careers. and anyway, stanford isn't a real city...it is palo alto.
Deceiving list for folks who haven't visited these areas.

To be fair, though, they select their words carefully-- they write 'place' not 'city'.

[Ray R.]

jesse:

You never told us your girlfriend had talent.

http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=19890994

[Paul McEnery]

ha Stanford! yeah right. none of the women date...too busy with their careers. and anyway, stanford isn't a real city...it is palo alto.

And Palo Alto isn't a real city, it's a strip mall and a train station.

[Paul McEnery]

I visited Claremont once. Everyone talked too much, and new people kept showing up out of fucking nowhere.

Yeah, but there's a powerful amount of shagging going on.

Too many damn furners, though.

[jessecuster3]

Eat that one, Ed.

[Dreadstar]

Facebook has a chess application, too?

Dammit, I need to get some WORK done.

Matt Algren plays chess, does he not?

[Slam_Bradley]

Yeah, but there's a powerful amount of shagging going on.

Too many damn furners, though.


Wouldn't be so bad if they didn't sound so damn furrin'.

[Slam_Bradley]

Facebook has a chess application, too?

Dammit, I need to get some WORK done.

Matt Algren plays chess, does he not?


He plays with his chest.

Simple mistake.

[Agent Helix]

Yeah, but they don't even seem to know their own languages very well, those furr'n devils.

[Slam_Bradley]

Yeah, but they don't even seem to know their own languages very well, those furr'n devils.


Well most furriners are illiterate.

[Royal]

Anyone check out Miro (http://www.getmiro.com/)? It's freaking awesome.

[jessecuster3]

Facebook has a chess application, too?

Dammit, I need to get some WORK done.

Matt Algren plays chess, does he not?

I do NOT play chess. They do have an application with Poker and Gin and some word games and more. GameDesire it is called.

[Matt Algren]

Facebook has a chess application, too?

Dammit, I need to get some WORK done.

Matt Algren plays chess, does he not?Check tomorrow.

And our firewall will be hit and miss. I'm actually surprised it's letting me do the scrabble thing.

He plays with his chest.

Simple mistake.That's the best you could do? I should have done this ages ago.

[Ed Cunard]

Facebook has a chess application, too?

Dammit, I need to get some WORK done.

Matt Algren plays chess, does he not?

Watch out for his queen.

[Paul McEnery]

Wouldn't be so bad if they didn't sound so damn furrin'.

And they hog the baseball diamond.

[Paul McEnery]

Watch out for his queen.

I highly recommend a book called How To Cheat at Chess.

Genius strategies like pawn to king's rook four and three quarters. Never half. They'll adjust.

And piece of tomato skin from cheese sandwich to piece you don't want taken.

Which means I'd look out for the bishops, myself, if you know what I mean, and I think you do.

[Chris Nowlin]

Facebook has a chess application, too?

Dammit, I need to get some WORK done.

Matt Algren plays chess, does he not?

I play chess, but you're not my facebook friend

[Royal]

I do NOT play chess.

As in " I don't roll on Shabbos" or "I don't have the stones for such a game"?

[Paul McEnery]

Well most furriners are illiterate.

When they're not busy being eeeeevil.

[Jared_Humpherys]

Back from lunch, and ready to continue.

[Chris Nowlin]

Door to the balcony's stuck.

That balcony is our best feature! It's all we have!

Visitor: So what type of research do your students--
Us: Hey check out this view!
Visitor: Wow.

Now all we have is a door that won't open

[i_mmmchocolate]

Inc.com's Boomtowns '06: 'Hottest Midsize Cities' (2006):

1. Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida
2. McAllen-Edinburg, Texas
3. Fayetteville, Arkansas
4. Sarasota-Bredenton, Florida
5. Reno-Sparks, Nevada
6. Palm Bay-Melbourne, Florida
7. Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Florida
8. Lakeland, Florida
9. Provo-Orem, Utah
10. Bakersfield, California

[Puma]

Inc.com's Boomtowns '06: 'Hottest Midsize Cities' (2006):

1. Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida
2. McAllen-Edinburg, Texas
3. Fayetteville, Arkansas
4. Sarasota-Bredenton, Florida
5. Reno-Sparks, Nevada
6. Palm Bay-Melbourne, Florida
7. Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Florida
8. Lakeland, Florida
9. Provo-Orem, Utah
10. Bakersfield, California

Bakersfield?

[Ray R.]

Inc.com's Boomtowns '06: 'Hottest Midsize Cities' (2006):

1. Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida
2. McAllen-Edinburg, Texas
3. Fayetteville, Arkansas
4. Sarasota-Bredenton, Florida
5. Reno-Sparks, Nevada
6. Palm Bay-Melbourne, Florida
7. Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Florida
8. Lakeland, Florida
9. Provo-Orem, Utah
10. Bakersfield, California

Wow. 0 for 10 for me. No interest whatsoever. And I'm LOOKING to move.

Perhaps Florida, if a frontal lobotomy is performed. And after smashing my aesthetic compass on a rock.

Provo? Kill me first.

[Ray R.]

Bakersfield?

My word exactly.

Taco stand and a Circuit City.

[Chris Nowlin]

Bakersfield?

I have a few friends from Bakersfield. I've neverever heard of it spoken of positively before by anyone. Hell, I've never heard heard anyone speak positively of anything anywhere near there. Fresno etc.

My favourite joke recently (except that it wasn't) was an ad I got in email about flying. The airline was offering flights from SB as low as $120. I looked and nothing was even close to $120. Then I found it. The flight to Bakersfield was $120. The places a person in their right mind would fly to cost noticeably more.

[Chris Nowlin]

We got it open. Our department's ranking went back up

[i_mmmchocolate]

Here's another:

Outside.away.com's '10 Dream Towns' (2005):

In no particular order:

Salt Lake City, Utah
Littleton, New Hampshire
Fort Collins, Colorado
Charleston, South Carolina
Davis, California
Portland, Oregon
Chicago, Illinois
Madison, Wisconsin
Pasadena, California
Portland, Maine

[Jared_Humpherys]

Here's another:

Outside.away.com's '10 Dream Towns' (2005):

In no particular order:

Salt Lake City, Utah
Littleton, New Hampshire
Fort Collins, Colorado
Charleston, South Carolina
Davis, California
Portland, Oregon
Chicago, Illinois
Madison, Wisconsin
Pasadena, California
Portland, Maine


Salt Lake City?

Pfffft.

[Chris Nowlin]

Visiting Davis when looking at grad schools was all I cared to see of that place. It's hot and smells like cow dung.

Salt Lake City? Isn't that full of Mormons?

Pasadena's better than Davis, but it's essentially Los Angeles living there means dealing with smog, heat and traffic.

But as far as LA towns go, it seems like one of the nicer ones.

I'll stick with Santa Barbara, thank you

[i_mmmchocolate]

Fineliving.com's 10 Perfect Places (2005):

1. New York, New York
2. Grand Marais, Minnesota
3. Austin, Texas
4. Portland, Maine
5. Santa Barbara, California
6. Sedona, Arizona
7. Seattle, Washington
8. Saratoga Springs, Springs
9. Jupiter, Florida
10. Salida, Colorado

[Puma]

Davis, hot and smelly in the summer, tully fog and flat in the winter.

http://www.daviscalifornia.com/site-images/davis02.jpg

that's a 'dream town'?

[darkhanamaru]

Here's another:

Outside.away.com's '10 Dream Towns' (2005):

In no particular order:

Salt Lake City, Utah
Littleton, New Hampshire
Fort Collins, Colorado
Charleston, South Carolina
Davis, California
Portland, Oregon
Chicago, Illinois
Madison, Wisconsin
Pasadena, California
Portland, Maine

This list just shows you the importance of housing costs in most people's decision on where they are going to move.

Btw, salt lake city is only 50% mormon and the mayor is an iconoclast. not to say that it doesn't mean the mormon chuch doesn;t have a dominant influence.

[Ray R.]

Here's another:

Outside.away.com's '10 Dream Towns' (2005):

In no particular order:

Salt Lake City, Utah
Littleton, New Hampshire
Fort Collins, Colorado
Charleston, South Carolina
Davis, California
Portland, Oregon
Chicago, Illinois
Madison, Wisconsin
Pasadena, California
Portland, Maine

Better, I like three out of ten.

Salt Lake City? See Provo. Pass.

Ft. Collins - average low in January? -9 degrees. Pass.

Charleston. Been there, done it, golfed the back nine. Pass.

Davis. Too much granola and progressive hand-wringing. Pass.

Chicago? See Ft. Collins. If I'm picking a big city, it's New York over Chicago. Or D.C. over Chicago. Pass.

Pasadena. I fucking hate parades. Hate 'em. Pass.

Littleton is pretty, but too small and indistinguishable from about 11,000 other New England towns.

[Puma]

Fineliving.com's 10 Perfect Places (2005):

1. New York, New York
2. Grand Marais, Minnesota
3. Austin, Texas
4. Portland, Maine
5. Santa Barbara, California
6. Sedona, Arizona
7. Seattle, Washington
8. Saratoga Springs, Springs
9. Jupiter, Florida
10. Salida, Colorado

Come now, I lived in Seattle and I wouldn't call it perfect.

[Chris Nowlin]

Fineliving.com's 10 Perfect Places (2005):

1. New York, New York
2. Grand Marais, Minnesota
3. Austin, Texas
4. Portland, Maine
5. Santa Barbara, California
6. Sedona, Arizona
7. Seattle, Washington
8. Saratoga Springs, Springs
9. Jupiter, Florida
10. Salida, Colorado

I've heard wonderful things about Seattle.

I obviously love Santa Barbara, though I prefer bigger cities. But this is big enough that there's not nothing to do. It's just not San Francisco. But it's so pretty and the weather's so perfect.

New York has its issues (I'll never be able to drive there and it's expensive) but I could see rather liking it there.

[Dreadstar]

The facebook chess seems to be more trouble than it's worth. You have to reload the board often just to get the move to take.

[i_mmmchocolate]

I'm considering relocating after graduation, hence the endless lists.

[Ray R.]

Fineliving.com's 10 Perfect Places (2005):

1. New York, New York
2. Grand Marais, Minnesota
3. Austin, Texas
4. Portland, Maine
5. Santa Barbara, California
6. Sedona, Arizona
7. Seattle, Washington
8. Saratoga Springs, Springs
9. Jupiter, Florida
10. Salida, Colorado

NYC and Portland, Maine, are the only real places north of Florida and east of Texas? Saratoga Springs, NY is an overpriced tourist trap.

[Puma]

I've heard wonderful things about Seattle.

.

I love Seattle, in many ways it will always be home and I love going back but I wouldn't want to live in the city.

[i_mmmchocolate]

NYC and Portland, Maine, are the only real places north of Florida and east of Texas? Saratoga Springs, NY is an overpriced tourist trap.
I really like the look of Portland, too. I'm going to visit the area soon to see if I like it as much as the photos and what I've read about it so far.

Basically, I want to live somewhere that doesn't require me to have a car.

I visited Saratoga; cute town, but I never once thought, "I'd love to live here."

[Jack Zodiac]

Does anyone know if any place in Ohio, ever, not even recently, has made it into even a Top 50 Best Places to Live/Visit? Maybe someplace that's barely in Ohio, almost in Pennsylvania, but Cincinnati? Cleveland? Columbus? Xenia?! Not fuckin' likely.

[Agent Helix]

No.

"Welcome to Ohio. Ha ha, now you are stuck in Ohio."

[i_mmmchocolate]

Does anyone know if any place in Ohio, ever, not even recently, has made it into even a Top 25 Best Places to Live/Visit?
Lemme see...

[Lone Ranger]

I wonder what would be the top 10 Cities for Comic Book fans?

NYC is pretty darned comic book friendly - lots of creators are there, corporate office, plenty of shops.

San Diego for at least one week of the year?

Where else?

[Agent Helix]

Toronto seems to be pretty comic-heavy, in terms of pros and whatnot. Atlanta maybe?

[Chris Nowlin]

The facebook chess seems to be more trouble than it's worth. You have to reload the board often just to get the move to take.

You're just sad you're losing.


Kidding. I'm having similar difficulties.

I'm considering relocating after graduation, hence the endless lists.

Somewhere in California.

Definitely don't need a car in San Francisco, and coming from New York, it won't seem as expensive as it does to those coming from elsewhere.

Around here everybody bikes everywhere

[i_mmmchocolate]

I wonder what would be the top 10 Cities for Comic Book fans?

NYC is pretty darned comic book friendly - lots of creators are there, corporate office, plenty of shops.

San Diego for at least one week of the year?

Where else?
Maybe San Francisco? There's the Comic Art Museum.

[Ray R.]

I really like the look of Portland, too. I'm going to visit the area soon to see if I like it as much as the photos and what I've read about it so far.

Basically, I want to live somewhere that doesn't require me to have a car.

I visited Saratoga; cute town, but I never once thought, "I'd love to live here."

I love Portland, Maine. Old Orchard Beach is a place my family and I went every summer. Kennebunk too. Not sure about the quality of public transportation, though.

NYC, Boston, San Fran, D.C., Chi-town and a couple of other big cities are places you don't need a car because the public transportation is great close in to the city. Not L.A. or Miami though.

[Chris Nowlin]

I wonder what would be the top 10 Cities for Comic Book fans?

NYC is pretty darned comic book friendly - lots of creators are there, corporate office, plenty of shops.

San Diego for at least one week of the year?

Where else?

I think San Francisco's a good place. 2 conventions, one good independent one. Lots of stores. A great one in Isotope that really makes itself the center of the comic scene. There's the comic art museum. Friend of mine teaches comics making to kids there

Plus the Bay Area is full of stores a quick Bart ride away.

[Lone Ranger]

Toronto seems to be pretty comic-heavy, in terms of pros and whatnot. Atlanta maybe?

Yeah - Toronto has a number of pros living here, some good shops, a decent indie scene but I don't know how well it stacks up to some US Cities. I imagine it's no NYC in terms of keeping a comic book fan entertained, but perhaps ahead of Chicago, Philly etc...

I'd imagine San Fran would be in the top 10 for Comic Book cities - home of underground comix, has that nifty Museum of Comic Art (or whatever it's called).

[Lone Ranger]

I was typing San Fran at the same time as Chris and Lena - I guess that's a sign that it's a top comic town

[Agent Helix]

Yeah - Toronto has a number of pros living here, some good shops, a decent indie scene but I don't know how well it stacks up to some US Cities. I imagine it's no NYC in terms of keeping a comic book fan entertained, but perhaps ahead of Chicago, Philly etc...



Dude, seriously? Comic fans are fairly easily entertained for the most part.

[Chris Nowlin]

Maybe San Francisco? There's the Comic Art Museum.

Plus you'll be closer to me.


Los Angeles is horrible if you don't want to drive. They refuse to acknowledge pedestrians exist. There's just no going anywhere without a car.

I spent 23 years happily in SF without one. Though I guess my parents drove me places when young.

But for going downtown, public transportation is easier than driving anyway usually

[Jared_Humpherys]

Dude, seriously? Comic fans are fairly easily entertained for the most part.

I resent that rem-

Ohh, shiny!

[Lone Ranger]

Dude, seriously? Comic fans are fairly easily entertained for the most part.

Not someone like me, who hates visiting a city to find out that it has way too few stores for a place of its size and that the back issues are horribly overpriced.

[Jared_Humpherys]

Btw, it's been 15 minutes since I've had any Scrabble love.

What gives?

[jessecuster3]

Chicago? See Ft. Collins. If I'm picking a big city, it's New York over Chicago. Or D.C. over Chicago. Pass.



They don't call us the City of Big Shoulders for nothing, buddy.


But god forbid you should want a cleaner, friendly version of either of those two.


Forgot to mention, I am testing with an annoying test and customer, Ill be back on scrabble soon.

[HomerJay]

You don't have a king size?
With your wife's assets, I thought it would be a requirement. Unless you're the "holding for dear life" type.
A king size would be a waste of space because we'd invariably end up in the middle. As for the "holding" part...yes I do.
Not someone like me, who hates visiting a city to find out that it has way too few stores for a place of its size and that the back issues are horribly overpriced.
So you've been to Milwaukee?

[Chris Nowlin]

Not someone like me, who hates visiting a city to find out that it has way too few stores for a place of its size and that the back issues are horribly overpriced.

Agreed.

Worst feature of Santa Barbara in my opinion. One comic shop in about 6 cities (most are small, but still...) Fine enough store overall and fine back issue selection. But nothing at prices I'm willing to pay.

It's just not a place for comics.

And comic stores are the one tourist destination I make sure to hit when I travel

[Ray R.]

I wonder what would be the top 10 Cities for Comic Book fans?

NYC is pretty darned comic book friendly - lots of creators are there, corporate office, plenty of shops.

San Diego for at least one week of the year?

Where else?

1. NYC
2. San Francisco (particularly for underground)
3. San Diego
4. Toronto
5. Los Angeles
6. Chicago
7. Orlando
8. Detroit
9. Pittsburgh
10. Baltimore

Based on the number of exhibits, museums, cons, artists, comic stores, etc., based on my experience.

[HomerJay]

I actually really liked living in Columbus. It struck me as being a cleaner, newer version of Milwaukee. It is definitely WASPier than Milwaukee, though.

[Lone Ranger]

1. NYC
2. San Francisco (particularly for underground)
3. San Diego
4. Toronto
5. Los Angeles
6. Chicago
7. Orlando
8. Detroit
9. Pittsburgh
10. Baltimore

Based on the number of exhibits, museums, cons, artists, comic stores, etc., based on my experience.

I was thinking of a break-out thread, but this seems to sum it all up.

Well done, Ray.

[Agent Helix]

Not someone like me, who hates visiting a city to find out that it has way too few stores for a place of its size and that the back issues are horribly overpriced.

I thought you meant entertained as in like, stuff to do in the actual city.

[Jared_Humpherys]

Sarah is now at the doctor's office, attempting to convince them to remove her thyroid entirely.

Here's hoping it works.

[Ray R.]

They don't call us the City of Big Shoulders for nothing, buddy.


But god forbid you should want a cleaner, friendly version of either of those two.



Chicago is cleaner than D.C.?

What the hell are you smoking? At least west of the Anacostia River, where noone outside of the poor bastards who live there go, the place is scrubbed daily with an army and a bunch of toothbrushes.

It's antiseptic around the Smithsonian and on the Mall.

[Dreadstar]

I actually really liked living in Columbus. It struck me as being a cleaner, newer version of Milwaukee. It is definitely WASPier than Milwaukee, though.

It's not a bad place, really. Except that the drivers suck moosecock.

They don't suck as much moosecock as Michigan drivers, but then, who does?

[Lone Ranger]

I thought you meant entertained as in like, stuff to do in the actual city.

No thanks - that would involved things like personal interaction and daylight.

[Jared_Humpherys]

It's not a bad place, really. Except that the drivers suck moosecock.

They don't suck as much moosecock as Michigan drivers, but then, who does?

...moosecock?

[Chris Nowlin]

I agree with Dread about this Chess thing being too darn slow

[jessecuster3]

Chicago is cleaner than D.C.?

What the hell are you smoking? At least west of the Anacostia River, where noone outside of the poor bastards who live there go, the place is scrubbed daily with an army and a bunch of toothbrushes.

It's antiseptic around the Smithsonian and on the Mall.

Thats like 5 blocks total, have you even been back to Chicago since Daley Jr took office?


Have you seen what's going on with LaSalle and all of the streets they are cleaning daily and putting flowers and shit up all over, right through the middle of the street? This city is getting prettier by the day. They even are putting in all new clean glass bus stops.

[Ray R.]

I was thinking of a break-out thread, but this seems to sum it all up.

Well done, Ray.

Well, there are smaller places like East Stroudsburg, PA, where the Frazetta museum is, as well as small quality comic shops scattered in small towns all over the place, but in terms of big cities, that's been my experience.

Boston and Philly have let me down show-wise, as have Dallas, Charlotte and Atlanta. But that's from a diversity of comics and quality of pros view, not the cons themselves.

[jessecuster3]

It's not a bad place, really. Except that the drivers suck moosecock.

They don't suck as much moosecock as Michigan drivers, but then, who does?

South Florida drivers and Canadians vacationing in South Florida, combine to be the worst driving in the country.

[Ray R.]

Thats like 5 blocks total, have you even been back to Chicago since Daley Jr took office?


Have you seen what's going on with LaSalle and all of the streets they are cleaning daily and putting flowers and shit up all over, right through the middle of the street? This city is getting prettier by the day. They even are putting in all new clean glass bus stops.

5 blocks = Washington, D.C.?

If that's your argument, I'll pass.

[Lone Ranger]

They don't suck as much moosecock as Michigan drivers, but then, who does?

Perhaps this guy?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/scottandkat/moose-hunt-015b.jpg

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

Perhaps Florida, if a frontal lobotomy is performed. And after smashing my aesthetic compass on a rock.

Werked fer me.... *drool*

[Gladiaria_Alata]

...moosecock?

I don't want to know.....

[Ray R.]

Werked fer me.... *drool*

I'm sorry. I just can't get over the cultural armageddon down there.

I've tried. Believe me, I've tried.

[Dreadstar]

...moosecock?

Can you think of a more degrading cock to suck?

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

South Florida drivers and Canadians vacationing in South Florida, combine to be the worst driving in the country.

Nah. Not even close. I mean, yes, the blue hairs drive at about 20 mph on the freeway, but Canadians aren't bad drivers so much as they are bad tippers.

Now, L.A., that is a town where you take your life into your own hands every time you get behind the wheel. And that's even when you're out of Glock Season.

[Jared_Humpherys]

Can you think of a more degrading cock to suck?

My mind has never pondered those possibilities.

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

I'm sorry. I just can't get over the cultural armageddon down there.

I've tried. Believe me, I've tried.

Are you trying to suggest that shuffleboard is somehow culturally insignificant?

Philistine!

[Paul McEnery]

1. NYC
2. San Francisco (particularly for underground)
3. San Diego
4. Toronto
5. Los Angeles
6. Chicago
7. Orlando
8. Detroit
9. Pittsburgh
10. Baltimore

Based on the number of exhibits, museums, cons, artists, comic stores, etc., based on my experience.

No love for Seattle or Portland?

[Ray R.]

Nah. Not even close. I mean, yes, the blue hairs drive at about 20 mph on the freeway, but Canadians aren't bad drivers so much as they are bad tippers.

Now, L.A., that is a town where you take your life into your own hands every time you get behind the wheel. And that's even when you're out of Glock Season.

Yup. Florida is a cakewalk compared to L.A. What a shocker that the insurance rates are so high.

I absolutely despise Massachusetts and New York drivers though. Driving in and around Boston or anybody with Massachusetts plates makes me want to smash in windshields with an aluminum softball bat.

[Paul McEnery]

Can you think of a more degrading cock to suck?
Your momma's.

[i_mmmchocolate]

I'd move to Miami in a heartbeat if it weren't for the weather.

Kiplinger.com's 50 Smart Places to live (2006):
1. Nashville, TN
2. Minneapolis-St Paul, MN
3. Albuquerque, NM
4. Atlanta, GA
5. Austin, TX
6. Kansas City, KS
7. Asheville, NC
8. Ithaca, NY
9. Pittsburgh, PA
10. Iowa City, IA

[Paul McEnery]

Yup. Florida is a cakewalk compared to L.A. What a shocker that the insurance rates are so high.

I absolutely despise Massachusetts and New York drivers though. Driving in and around Boston or anybody with Massachusetts plates makes me want to smash in windshields with an aluminum softball bat.

But, but...

That is the Boston driving style, isn't it?

[Ray R.]

No love for Seattle or Portland?

Never been to the Emerald City con. Not impressed with the Seattle comic stores either. Does Portland even have a major con?

[jessecuster3]

5 blocks = Washington, D.C.?

If that's your argument, I'll pass.

No I was referring to your argument that the Smithsonian and The Mall are antiseptic.

[Ray R.]

But, but...

That is the Boston driving style, isn't it?

Once the sun goes down.

[Paul McEnery]

Never been to the Emerald City con. Not impressed with the Seattle comic stores either. Does Portland even have a major con?

Doesn't need to. Everyone already lives there, don't they? Impression I got, anyway. Never been, myself.

But both of them actually have creator scenes, which is more important, I reckon. And Seattle has the new Fantagraphics store, doesn't it?

[Michael P]

Whose house? Run's house!

Whose house? Run's house!

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

I'd move to Miami in a heartbeat if it weren't for the weather.

Ah, but sweltering in the tropical humidity is part of its charm...

Kiplinger's 50 Smart Places to live (2006):
1. Nashville, TN
2. Minneapolis-St Paul, MN
3. Albuquerque, NM
4. Atlanta, GA
5. Austin, TX
6. Kansas City, KS
7. Asheville, NC
8. Ithaca, NY
9. Pittsburgh, PA
10. Iowa City, IA


Who comes up with these lists? I'm sorry, but has anyone ever been to Iowa City? I mean, and remembered it afterwards?

[Chris Nowlin]

I hate, hate, hate driving in Los Angeles, but I imagine other places could be worse.

NY seems safe enough because the cars don't actually seem to move ever.

LA drivers have the ability to drive fast even when there's no room to move thanks to congestion.

[jessecuster3]

Nah. Not even close. I mean, yes, the blue hairs drive at about 20 mph on the freeway, but Canadians aren't bad drivers so much as they are bad tippers.

Now, L.A., that is a town where you take your life into your own hands every time you get behind the wheel. And that's even when you're out of Glock Season.

I don't know have you been driving around the Boca Raton/DelRay Beach area?


Those same blue hairs also put on make-up, talk on their phones and drive at the same time.

[Ray R.]

No I was referring to your argument that the Smithsonian and The Mall are antiseptic.

It's called an "example", jesse. Not the only part. Chicago is bigger than Wrigleyville or Lincoln Park, right?

D.C. as a whole is much cleaner than New York or Chicago. We have no industry here, or around here, besides a bunch of blowhards pushing paper around and the military. You can't say that about either NYC or Chicago.

A quarter of D.C. is Rock Creek Park, where the National Zoo is, and there is no skyline or major highways in the city. And I'll take the Potomac River over the East River or Lake Michigan....

[Ray R.]

Doesn't need to. Everyone already lives there, don't they? Impression I got, anyway. Never been, myself.

But both of them actually have creator scenes, which is more important, I reckon. And Seattle has the new Fantagraphics store, doesn't it?

Well, I can only go off experience. And I do (or at least used to do) lots of conventions around the country and sometimes visit the stores in those cities for supplies, back issues, and other stuff. Your mileage may vary.

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

I hate, hate, hate driving in Los Angeles, but I imagine other places could be worse.

NY seems safe enough because the cars don't actually seem to move ever.

LA drivers have the ability to drive fast even when there's no room to move thanks to congestion.

My favorite thing about LA driving is that people are so used to being backed up in traffic that they mentally checked out of driving long ago. Thus, even when booking along at 80 mph on that rare occasion when such is possible on the freeway, it is common to see ladies putting on makeup, guys reading their newspaper, etc.

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

Well, I can only go off experience. And I do (or at least used to do) lots of conventions around the country and sometimes visit the stores in those cities for supplies, back issues, and other stuff. Your mileage may vary.

And made a boatload of money doing it.... at least, in theory.

[Ray R.]

Who comes up with these lists? I'm sorry, but has anyone ever been to Iowa City? I mean, and remembered it afterwards?

I actually did a document review for a merger at a rendering plant nearby Iowa City.

Ask your kids to inquire of Uncle Ray how gummi bears get made and what goes into them. I got an intimate look.

[Michael P]

NY seems safe enough because the cars don't actually seem to move ever.


Heh. Funny.

[jessecuster3]

It's called an "example", jesse. Not the only part. Chicago is bigger than Wrigleyville or Lincoln Park, right?

D.C. as a whole is much cleaner than New York or Chicago. We have no industry here, or around here, besides a bunch of blowhards pushing paper around and the military. You can't say that about either NYC or Chicago.

A quarter of D.C. is Rock Creek Park, where the National Zoo is, and there is no skyline or major highways in the city. And I'll take the Potomac River over the East River or Lake Michigan....

I similarly was referring to a much bigger area than you described as Wrigleyville and Lincoln park, as well. Its is more impressive how clean they keep the city, simply because we do have that skyline and much bigger infrastructure than DC does.

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

I actually did a document review for a merger at a rendering plant nearby Iowa City.

Ask your kids to inquire of Uncle Ray how gummi bears get made and what goes into them. I got an intimate look.

I'll pass, thanks. I'm pretty sure I don't want to know and I'm doubly sure I don't want them to know.

Hell, they still like hot dogs...

[Ray R.]

And made a boatload of money doing it.... at least, in theory.

Theoretically.

Theoretically, I also went to lots of cities, barely made table costs, and did like most dealers do, which is to show off their high end collections on the wall, while only making money selling new comics, mid-grade books, and 50 centers.

Tough gig. Particularly since eBay made dealers into greedy villains who charge too much.

[Dreadstar]

The errors you get from facebook chess are great:

"There are still a few kinks Facebook and the makers of Chess are trying to iron out. We appreciate your patience as we try to fix these issues. Your problem has been logged - if it persists, please come back in a few days. Thanks!"




Come back in a few days, hehehehehe.

[Michael P]

Theoretically.

Theoretically, I also went to lots of cities, barely made table costs, and did like most dealers do, which is to show off their high end collections on the wall, while only making money selling new comics, mid-grade books, and 50 centers.

Tough gig. Particularly since eBay made dealers into greedy villains who charge too much.

Oh, eBay didn't have anything to do with that.

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

I similarly was referring to a much bigger area than you described as Wrigleyville and Lincoln park, as well. Its is more impressive how clean they keep the city, simply because we do have that skyline and much bigger infrastructure than DC does.

jesse, I've got to call bullshit on this one. I'd rather live on a garbage scow than Chicago. L.A. is cleaner by far and I consider most of L.A. to be the functional equivalent of walking through an ashtray.

[Chris Nowlin]

The errors you get from facebook chess are great:

"There are still a few kinks Facebook and the makers of Chess are trying to iron out. We appreciate your patience as we try to fix these issues. Your problem has been logged - if it persists, please come back in a few days. Thanks!"




Come back in a few days, hehehehehe.

I'm having the exact same troubles.

Nice idea in theory.

I'm sure it will be great when they get the kinks out.

Wanna say I won?

[Ray R.]

I similarly was referring to a much bigger area than you described as Wrigleyville and Lincoln park, as well. Its is more impressive how clean they keep the city, simply because we do have that skyline and much bigger infrastructure than DC does.

That's my point! Are you deliberately being obtuse?

I'll make it even simpler for you. Chicago = big city. Washington, D.C. = provincial national capital. One is much easier to keep cleaner than the other one, especially without air pollution, cattleyards, and the like. Doesn't make D.C. any better than Chicago, just cleaner. It's a governmental mecca and the home of the Pentagon. Would you expect dirtiness?

[Ray R.]

Oh, eBay didn't have anything to do with that.

Ouch.

Point taken.

[jessecuster3]

I actually did a document review for a merger at a rendering plant nearby Iowa City.

Ask your kids to inquire of Uncle Ray how gummi bears get made and what goes into them. I got an intimate look.

Do you watch How Its Made on the Discovery Channel? I am in love with that show there is such a Zen about watching the factories make whatever they are featuring. I watched one recently about how they make gummi worms, it was so effing cool.

[Ray R.]

Do you watch How Its Made on the Discovery Channel? I am in love with that show there is such a Zen about watching the factories make whatever they are featuring. I watched one recently about how they make gummi worms, it was so effing cool.

They actually showed them grinding the skin, eyes, bones, and cartilage of cows, sheep and pigs into dust? The place I was at was considering horses and dogs as well.

It's fucking abhorrent. And the smell is unlike any smell I have ever smelt in my life. The people who worked there kept scented candles on their desks lit all day, probably so they wouldn't puke up their lunch on a daily basis.

[Merey]

Bakersfield?

My reaction as well.

Here's another:

Outside.away.com's '10 Dream Towns' (2005):

In no particular order:

Salt Lake City, Utah
Littleton, New Hampshire
Fort Collins, Colorado
Charleston, South Carolina
Davis, California
Portland, Oregon
Chicago, Illinois
Madison, Wisconsin
Pasadena, California
Portland, Maine

I grew up right outside of Davis. It's cool little hippy college town in the middle of nothingness. Yup, it's pretty damn hot in the summer, but being that I lived in also hot identity-free retail land, Davis was my sanctuary.

[Michael P]

Ouch.

Point taken.

Heh. Nothing personal, but I was being ripped off at cons back in the mid-90s. eBay just made it easier to reach a higher proportion of suckers.

[HomerJay]

It's not a bad place, really. Except that the drivers suck moosecock.
Thus, even when booking along at 80 mph on that rare occasion when such is possible on the freeway, it is common to see ladies putting on makeup, guys reading their newspaper, etc.
The worst driving displays I've ever seen have come from Ohioans when I lived there. I once came upon somebody driving down a relatively busy street (Kenny Rd., Dread) reading a magazine. Not glancing either. Looking STRAIGHT DOWN at it while "driving".
Illinois drivers drive like reckless assholes, Ohio drivers drive like retards.
jesse, I've got to call bullshit on this one. I'd rather live on a garbage scow than Chicago. L.A. is cleaner by far...
I've never been to L.A., but I don't think you're making that profound of a statement.

[Jared_Humpherys]

Damn, Dreadstar is good at Scrabble. The rest of you I can keep a modicum of competition with, but this is the second time he's hosing me now.

[i_mmmchocolate]

Here's an interesting one:

NationalGeographic.com's Top Waterfront Towns (in no particular order):
Waimea, Hawaii
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Newport, Rhode Island
Rockland, Maine
Mystic, Connecticut
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Annapolis, Maryland
Beaufort, South Carolina
Lewiston, Idaho

[DarkBlade]

Hey, is anybody here interested in perfume oils? I'm doing decants (selling sample vials that hold about 1mL) of a bunch of limited release holiday ones. Stuff like Egg Nog, Gingerbread Poppet, The Snow Storm, Diwali, Chanukkiyah (weirdest spelling EVER), Archangel Winter, Jolasveinar, Krampus, Lick It, Midwinter's Eve, Snow White, Rose Red, a few others. I'll also be doing some of the Neil Gaiman scents (ones related to Good Omens, American Gods, and Anansi Boys) when the new ones come out in a week or two. If you're interested, shoot me a PM?

[Puma]

http://blog.esaba.com/projects/catphotos/catimages2/13602348.jpg

[jessecuster3]

jesse, I've got to call bullshit on this one. I'd rather live on a garbage scow than Chicago. L.A. is cleaner by far and I consider most of L.A. to be the functional equivalent of walking through an ashtray.

I don't know dude, I work at the ass end of the loop and it is pretty damn clean over here. I can't even put my butts out without a guy sweeping it up and dumping in the trash.

That's my point! Are you deliberately being obtuse?

I'll make it even simpler for you. Chicago = big city. Washington, D.C. = provincial national capital. One is much easier to keep cleaner than the other one, especially without air pollution, cattleyards, and the like. Doesn't make D.C. any better than Chicago, just cleaner. It's a governmental mecca and the home of the Pentagon. Would you expect dirtiness?

I am trying to tell you that we are every bit as clean here, and we have much much more to clean.

[jessecuster3]

They actually showed them grinding the skin, eyes, bones, and cartilage of cows, sheep and pigs into dust? The place I was at was considering horses and dogs as well.

It's fucking abhorrent. And the smell is unlike any smell I have ever smelt in my life. The people who worked there kept scented candles on their desks lit all day, probably so they wouldn't puke up their lunch on a daily basis.

Oh no they started after that, in the factory with the flour molds and stuff.

[Ray R.]

Oh no they started after that, in the factory with the flour molds and stuff.

Oh, the Disneyfied version.

Willy Wonka instead of Edgar Allen Poe. Gotcha.

[Michael P]

Hey, is anybody here interested in perfume oils? I'm doing decants (selling sample vials that hold about 1mL) of a bunch of limited release holiday ones. Stuff like Egg Nog, Gingerbread Poppet, The Snow Storm, Diwali, Chanukkiyah (weirdest spelling EVER), Archangel Winter, Jolasveinar, Krampus, Lick It, Midwinter's Eve, Snow White, Rose Red, a few others. I'll also be doing some of the Neil Gaiman scents (ones related to Good Omens, American Gods, and Anansi Boys) when the new ones come out in a week or two. If you're interested, shoot me a PM?

Sorry, I still have my penis.

[jessecuster3]

Damn, Dreadstar is good at Scrabble. The rest of you I can keep a modicum of competition with, but this is the second time he's hosing me now.

I have to agree, he is playing me the toughest of all of you. I beat Ed twice and am on the cusp of beating Jared. Dread just made a huge mistake though, it may cost him the game.

[Merey]

Here's an interesting one:

NationalGeographic.com's Top Waterfront Towns (in no particular order):
Waimea, Hawaii
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Newport, Rhode Island
Rockland, Maine
Mystic, Connecticut
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Annapolis, Maryland
Beaufort, South Carolina
Lewiston, Idaho

I'd like to retire to a waterfront town. Of those on the list, I'd consider Newport, Rockland, Mystic (in a couple of weeks we're going up there for the weekend), Annapolis and Beaufort.

Not in the list, but is my dream retirement town is Rockport, MA.

[i_mmmchocolate]

Menshealth.com's Best Cities for Dogs:

1. Colorado Springs, CO
2. Portland, OR
3. Albuquerque, NM
4. Tucson, AZ
5. Seattle, WA
6. Denver, CO
7. Austin, TX
8. San Francisco, CA
9. Tampa, FL
10. Sacramento, CA

Full list. (http://www.menshealth.com/cda/article.do?site=MensHealth&channel=health&category=metrogrades&conitem=16d03453117f2110VgnVCM20000012281eac____&page=2)

[HomerJay]

Sorry, I still have my penis.
Send this to Cunard's attention, then.

[Ray R.]

I am trying to tell you that we are every bit as clean here, and we have much much more to clean.

I've spent lots of time in Chicago (my girlfriend went to Northwestern Law School and my best friend lived there) and seventeen years in D.C. and I think you're really, really high.

[i_mmmchocolate]

I like the look of Annapolis, too. It's on my list of places to visit.

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

I've never been to L.A., but I don't think you're making that profound of a statement.

Like that's a surprise. The next time I make a profound statement will be the first time.

[Dreadstar]

I'm having the exact same troubles.

Nice idea in theory.

I'm sure it will be great when they get the kinks out.

Wanna say I won?

If you want it, sure, it's just not worth it.

[darkhanamaru]

I actually did a document review for a merger at a rendering plant nearby Iowa City.

Ask your kids to inquire of Uncle Ray how gummi bears get made and what goes into them. I got an intimate look.

uncle ray, how are gummi bears made?

[darkhanamaru]

Well, there are smaller places like East Stroudsburg, PA, where the Frazetta museum is, as well as small quality comic shops scattered in small towns all over the place, but in terms of big cities, that's been my experience.

Boston and Philly have let me down show-wise, as have Dallas, Charlotte and Atlanta. But that's from a diversity of comics and quality of pros view, not the cons themselves.

I went to catholic school in East Stroudsburg, PA from 4th to 8th grade and I never heard of the Frazetta musuem. that's sad.

[jessecuster3]

I've spent lots of time in Chicago (my girlfriend went to Northwestern Law School and my best friend lived there) and seventeen years in D.C. and I think you're really, really high.

What I am asking once again, have you been here in the last 8 years, specifically the last 4 while Daley has been mayor? There is an enormous change in the city. I agree Washington ruined this city and it has taken a shit load of time to right that ship but Daley has been doing it, and now we may even get an Olympics. I think you all have been spoiled on the city by what that asshole did it to it, but its totally different now.

[Ray R.]

I like the look of Annapolis, too. It's on my list of places to visit.

Not too far from D.C. Nice little city, good seafood. Expensive to live there, though. And the U.S. Naval Academy pretty much has its run of the place, which you might find a good thing depending on your perspective and singleness.

[Dreadstar]

I have to agree, he is playing me the toughest of all of you. I beat Ed twice and am on the cusp of beating Jared. Dread just made a huge mistake though, it may cost him the game.

It wasn't so much a mistake as a gamble. I knew we were down to the last tiles and I gambled you didn't have an s. I had a d and the gs and ks were gone.

[Jared_Humpherys]

I am on the cusp of beating Jared.

We'll just see about that.

[darkhanamaru]

this just got sent to me at work

"How CondeNet Got Teenage Girls to Interact With Advertising on User-Generated Content Sites"


I feel really dirty now.

[Ray R.]

uncle ray, how are gummi bears made?

They actually showed them grinding the skin, eyes, bones, and cartilage of cows, sheep and pigs into dust? The place I was at was considering horses and dogs as well.

It's fucking abhorrent. And the smell is unlike any smell I have ever smelt in my life. The people who worked there kept scented candles on their desks lit all day, probably so they wouldn't puke up their lunch on a daily basis.

Sweet dreams, little dark....

[i_mmmchocolate]

Not too far from D.C. Nice little city, good seafood. Expensive to live there, though.
Damn, I didn't realize it was expensive.

And the U.S. Naval Academy pretty much has its run of the place, which you might find a good thing depending on your perspective and singleness.
That's exactly what my co-worker said.

[Slam_Bradley]

NationalGeographic.com's Top Waterfront Towns (in no particular order):
Waimea, Hawaii
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Newport, Rhode Island
Rockland, Maine
Mystic, Connecticut
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Annapolis, Maryland
Beaufort, South Carolina
Lewiston, Idaho


As an Idahoan, I have to call bullshit on this one.

[Paul McEnery]

I actually did a document review for a merger at a rendering plant nearby Iowa City.

Ask your kids to inquire of Uncle Ray how gummi bears get made and what goes into them. I got an intimate look.

Finally got rid of the wife, then?

[Ray R.]

What I am asking once again, have you been here in the last 8 years, specifically the last 4 while Daley has been mayor? There is an enormous change in the city. I agree Washington ruined this city and it has taken a shit load of time to right that ship but Daley has been doing it, and now we may even get an Olympics. I think you all have been spoiled on the city by what that asshole did it to it, but its totally different now.

Crap with a fresh coat of paint, and a daisy stuck in it is still crap.

I like Chicago. I like it a lot. But aesthetically, it's closer to Minneapolis or Milwaukee than Austin, Portland, OR or D.C. I know that's hard to comprehend, but I promise I'm not lying to you.

[Chris Nowlin]

I'm surprised Hawaii hasn't come up in more of these lists. Seems like a nice enough place to me.

[Chris Nowlin]

If you want it, sure, it's just not worth it.

Whatever works. I'm bored enough to keep making moves if you do, but this interface really, really, really, sucks.

[Ray R.]

Finally got rid of the wife, then?

Oh how I wish. I'd still have money in the bank.

And one hell of a sweet Jello to eat slowly and methodically.

[K'Nort]

I wonder what would be the top 10 Cities for Comic Book fans?

NYC is pretty darned comic book friendly - lots of creators are there, corporate office, plenty of shops.

San Diego for at least one week of the year?

Where else?

Portland is really growing for that sort of thing. But, to answer Ray's follow-up question, no cons. There's a small indy show that's about three years old. I think Brandon went this last year. Stumptown something. Dark Horse, Top Shelf, and Oni are all there. Bendis and Rucka live there and Busiek's pretty nearby. There's a growing outfit whose name escapes me but they're inkers and colorists and such. Like a co-op maybe. And it's just a very pro-creatives kind of place in general.

[Paul McEnery]

It wasn't so much a mistake as a gamble. I knew we were down to the last tiles and I gambled you didn't have an s. I had a d and the gs and ks were gone.

And we're down to play by play on a game of Scrabble.

Would anyone like to know the colour of my boogers?

[Paul McEnery]

Oh how I wish. I'd still have money in the bank.

And one hell of a sweet Jello to eat slowly and methodically.

"If only you'd been as sweet in life, my dear."

[Ray R.]

Damn, I didn't realize it was expensive.

For D.C., it's like Westchester County is for New York. Affluent suburb. Very affluent, except for some very small dicey parts.


That's exactly what my co-worker said.

Pretty happening night life, too. Lots of meat-market bars and cozy restaurants.

[K'Nort]

Ben Franklin quote that somehow made me think of Rita's.

If an Indian injures me,...does it follow that I may revenge that Injury on all Indians? It is well known that Indians are of different Tribes, Nations and Languages, as well as the White People. In Europe, if the French, who are White People, should injure the Dutch, are they to revenge it on the English, because they too are white People? The only crime of these poor Wretches seems to have been, that they had a reddish-brown Skin, and black Hair; and some People of that Sort, it seems, had murdered some of our Relations. If it be right to kill Men for such a Reason, then, should any Man, with a freckled Face and red Hair, kill a Wife or Child of mine, it would be right for me to revenge it, by killing all the freckled red Haired Men, Women and Children?

[i_mmmchocolate]

I'm surprised Hawaii hasn't come up in more of these lists. Seems like a nice enough place to me.
It has come up a few times-- just not in the top 10 in any of the ones I found.

[Paul McEnery]

Menshealth.com's Best Cities for Dogs:

1. Colorado Springs, CO
2. Portland, OR
3. Albuquerque, NM
4. Tucson, AZ
5. Seattle, WA
6. Denver, CO
7. Austin, TX
8. San Francisco, CA
9. Tampa, FL
10. Sacramento, CA

Full list. (http://www.menshealth.com/cda/article.do?site=MensHealth&channel=health&category=metrogrades&conitem=16d03453117f2110VgnVCM20000012281eac____&page=2)

"Honey, I'm bored."
"Take the goddamn dog out for another walk, then."

I am, however, delighted to see that owning a dog is insufficient reason for prefering Sacramento.

[K'Nort]

I'm kind of sad I'm horrible at Scrabble. And don't have a Facebook account.

Gus has recently gotten into playing chess at Red Hot Pawn. It doesn't seem to have technical issues. A coworker of mine sucked him in.

I'm pretty good at Othello but that's about it.

[Paul McEnery]

If it be right to kill Men for such a Reason, then, should any Man, with a freckled Face and red Hair, kill a Wife or Child of mine, it would be right for me to revenge it, by killing all the freckled red Haired Men, Women and Children? [/I]

Don't ask Joe.

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

I'm surprised Hawaii hasn't come up in more of these lists. Seems like a nice enough place to me.

Great place. Problem: You've got to sell a lot of weed to afford to live there.

[Ray R.]

Ben Franklin quote that somehow made me think of Rita's.

If an Indian injures me,...does it follow that I may revenge that Injury on all Indians? It is well known that Indians are of different Tribes, Nations and Languages, as well as the White People. In Europe, if the French, who are White People, should injure the Dutch, are they to revenge it on the English, because they too are white People? The only crime of these poor Wretches seems to have been, that they had a reddish-brown Skin, and black Hair; and some People of that Sort, it seems, had murdered some of our Relations. If it be right to kill Men for such a Reason, then, should any Man, with a freckled Face and red Hair, kill a Wife or Child of mine, it would be right for me to revenge it, by killing all the freckled red Haired Men, Women and Children?

Franklin hates gingers too. Pity.

[Jared_Humpherys]

I'm still used to playing "Upwards" instead of Scrabble.

Pity there isn't an app for that as well.

[howyadoin]

So I have this question about music. I'm not entirely sure how to word it, but the closest I can get is, do people with ADD constitute a lucrative market niche now?

[darkhanamaru]

oh my god. my head just exploded.

i had no idea kathy griffin and steve wozniak were an item.


i guess it is true he takes his jokes seriously

[i_mmmchocolate]

I've been meaning to ask, why are there so many folks addicted to runescape? I work at a library, so I see folks-- mostly teenagers-- come in and play it non-stop for an hour.

[Chris Nowlin]

I have trouble seeing SF as the best city for dogs. There's constant fighting with the city between pet organisations and leash laws (maybe this is true everywhere, but it affects my dad's business in SF).

Lots and lots of places that don't have backyards. Condos, etc.

Some neighborhoods in SF, sure.

And SF does have a great dog park or two (and at least one great dog walking/sitting service!), but I can't imagine there aren't well over 10 cities more conducive to dog ownership.

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

"Honey, I'm bored."
"Take the goddamn dog out for another walk, then."

I am, however, delighted to see that owning a dog is insufficient reason for prefering Sacramento.

Perhaps it is that, aesthetically, Sacramento is a perfect place for those who don't wish to bother cleaning up after Fido makes messy.

[Puma]

this just got sent to me at work

"How CondeNet Got Teenage Girls to Interact With Advertising on User-Generated Content Sites"


I feel really dirty now.

so you didn't get to go and see Bill G. today?

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

So I have this question about music. I'm not entirely sure how to word it, but the closest I can get is, do people with ADD constitute a lucrative market niche now?

Can you rephrase the question? It was too long to read to the end.

[Chris Nowlin]

Great place. Problem: You've got to sell a lot of weed to afford to live there.

It's no more expensive than Santa Barbara. And my understanding is that cost of living is less than say, San Francisco, Portland or New York.

[howyadoin]

Can you rephrase the question? It was too long to read to the end.Let's ride bikes!

[Chris Nowlin]

You're not even playing now, are you Dread?

[Jared_Humpherys]

You're not even playing now, are you Dread?

No, he still is to my knowledge.

Edit: Oh, you mean Chess. Duh.

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

Let's ride bikes!

With all the monotonous peddling?

[darkhanamaru]

so you didn't get to go and see Bill G. today?

no, i am in advertising. unless it involves msn directly i wouldn't be there.

[Chris Nowlin]

No, he still is to my knowledge.

Pretty cavalier sacrificing of pieces just to check me seems like the work of a man bored with the game

EDIT: Oh, you mean Scrabble. Duh.

[Michael P]

So I have this question about music. I'm not entirely sure how to word it, but the closest I can get is, do people with ADD constitute a lucrative market niche now?

Where the hell have you been?

[howyadoin]

With all the monotonous peddling?We could ride them in a post-modern way.

[Jared_Humpherys]

Daisy...Daisy...

[Chris Nowlin]

I'm really glad they found an abbreviation for attention defecit disorder. It must suck to have a condition you've never listened to somebody name all the way though.

[howyadoin]

Where the hell have you been?Sadly, at work. Listening to some DJ-centric techno that's full of chicks hiccuping and random noises that sound like farts.

Apparently it's huge in England.

[Dreadstar]

You're not even playing now, are you Dread?


Yes. Yes I am. Keep going, please.

[Ray R.]

So I have this question about music. I'm not entirely sure how to word it, but the closest I can get is, do people with ADD constitute a lucrative market niche now?

They ARE the market, aren't they?

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

It's no more expensive than Santa Barbara. And my understanding is that cost of living is less than say, San Francisco, Portland or New York.

That would surprise me. Admittedly, I haven't been back to Hawaii in years, but considering the cost of real estate and that almost everything you need has to be shipped in, I can't imagine it's equivalent to Santa Barbara or less than Portland. Maybe equivalent to NYC or SF.

[Dreadstar]

Pretty cavalier sacrificing of pieces just to check me seems like the work of a man bored with the game

EDIT: Oh, you mean Scrabble. Duh.

Or crazy. Or something.

[Michael P]

It's no more expensive than Santa Barbara. And my understanding is that cost of living is less than say, San Francisco, Portland or New York.

Much less to do than those places, though.

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

We could ride them in a post-modern way.

Evolutions in revolutions?

I'm really glad they found an abbreviation for attention defecit disorder. It must suck to have a condition you've never listened to somebody name all the way though.

Brilliant.

Sadly, at work. Listening to some DJ-centric techno that's full of chicks hiccuping and random noises that sound like farts.

Apparently it's huge in England.

Man, got to gets me some of that. Nothing better than farts and hiccups.

[Ray R.]

That would surprise me. Admittedly, I haven't been back to Hawaii in years, but considering the cost of real estate and that almost everything you need has to be shipped in, I can't imagine it's equivalent to Santa Barbara or less than Portland. Maybe equivalent to NYC or SF.

That's pretty much the gist I have as well.

A colleague told me about Hawaii, that if you were lucky enough to have bought land in the sixties and early seventies, great, otherwise, you're not going to ever own any unless you're very, very rich.

[Royal]

It's not a bad place, really. Except that the drivers suck moosecock.

They don't suck as much moosecock as Michigan drivers, but then, who does?

Hey now.


We enjoy driving with our alcohol thankyouverymuch.

[Ray R.]

Man, got to gets me some of that. Nothing better than farts and hiccups.

Gastrocore.

[Jared_Humpherys]

Gastrocore.

Brilliant.

.

[i_mmmchocolate]

The BowFlex Home Gym commercial is hilarious.

"I'm not embarassed to take my shirt off."

"I gave all my fat clothes to my fat friends."

[Chris Nowlin]

The BowFlex Home Gym commercial is hilarious.

"I'm not embarassed to take my shirt off."


More girls should try this program

[Jared_Humpherys]

..........................

[howyadoin]

Evolutions in revolutions?

Man, got to gets me some of that. Nothing better than farts and hiccups.Beats the fuck outta me. I think it's for people who don't actually like music, and only like to dance ironically.

"No, no. I'm not a spastic white man; I'm just dancing like one to make a statement about the white man's diminishing role in 21-st century pop culture."

[Dreadstar]

More girls should try this program

I can't get to the chess page yet, but I think that's mate coming up.

[Chris Nowlin]

There are still a few kinks Facebook and the makers of Chess are trying to iron out. We appreciate your patience as we try to fix these issues. Your problem has been logged - if it persists, please come back in a few days. Thanks!

[jessecuster3]

I'm surprised Hawaii hasn't come up in more of these lists. Seems like a nice enough place to me.

I think Kauai is the single most beautiful place on the planet. They have beaches, mountains, and jungles. Filmed everything there from Raiders(screw you Algren) to Platoon.


I'm still used to playing "Upwards" instead of Scrabble.

Pity there isn't an app for that as well.

Check out this GameDesire app, they had a bunch of other multi-player word games, plus board and card ones.



Yes. Yes I am. Keep going, please.

Its gonna be awful close!

[Chris Nowlin]

Good game, Dread!

You kicked my butt good.

[Chris Nowlin]

I think Kauai is the single most beautiful place on the planet. They have beaches, mountains, and jungles. Filmed everything there from Raiders(screw you Algren) to Platoon.

I also absolutely love Kauai.

Wouldn't want to live there.

But my was it beautiful

[Dreadstar]

Its gonna be awful close!

Good game, jesse. Shouldn't have taken the gamble.

[jessecuster3]

I also absolutely love Kauai.

Wouldn't want to live there.

But my was it beautiful

Yeah I agree. Unless I was an avid surfer.

My second most beautiful spot is the top of Vail Mountain. If I could I would move to Denver in a minute.

[jessecuster3]

Good game, jesse. Shouldn't have taken the gamble.

It would have been close either way, I got hammered by awful, awful letters and had to pass a turn to swap out, which totally let you in the door.

[Tadhg]

That's pretty much the gist I have as well.

A colleague told me about Hawaii, that if you were lucky enough to have bought land in the sixties and early seventies, great, otherwise, you're not going to ever own any unless you're very, very rich.

Housing is about 15% more expensive in Honolulu compared to San Francisco. Of course, finding a place to live is about 300% harder.

[Jared_Humpherys]

It would have been close either way, I got hammered by awful, awful letters and had to pass a turn to swap out, which totally let you in the door.

How does one swap out?

Edit: I mean, I can hit the button, but I don't know where to place the tiles to make the swap.

[Dreadstar]

How does one swap out?

You put the tiles you want to swap on the board without playing them (they'll stay grey) then click the swap button.

EDIT: You have to place the tiles on the board FIRST.

[jessecuster3]

I should also make mention that I remain undefeated among you nerds.

[Dreadstar]

I should also make mention that I remain undefeated among you nerds.

Enh, I'll take a rematch, tomorrow. I'll go first and all that.

[Tadhg]

I don't even know how to play Scrabble or Chess.

[jessecuster3]

Enh, I'll take a rematch, tomorrow. I'll go first and all that.

Fine with me, fanboy.





Isn't my trash talking great?

[Jared_Humpherys]

You've won this round.

Care for another?

[Dreadstar]

Fine with me, fanboy.





Isn't my trash talking great?

I prefer to let my Scrabble tiles speak for me.

[jessecuster3]

You've won this round.

Care for another?

Sure, but I don't know that we will finish tonight.

[Jared_Humpherys]

Sure, but I don't know that we will finish tonight.

No problem.

[jessecuster3]

I prefer to let my Scrabble tiles speak for me.

I think you are all pissed that you thought I was dumb and am kicking your asses.

[jessecuster3]

No problem.

Sorry, btw.

[Tadhg]

Fanfiction I've never understood. I mean, I understand it on the level of what it is, but I've never understood the mindset that goes into making it, or even purposefully seeking it out.

Reading synopses of fanfiction can be hilarious especially when you share it with other people, like "Mulder decides to go to a well-reviewed club, the Masque, where the owner offers him more than just dinner and some piano-playing -- which Mazikeen strongly objects to"

[Chris Nowlin]

Secret confession:

I wrote a fanfiction once. But nobody ever read it or ever will. Probably for the best.

[Dreadstar]

I think you are all pissed that you thought I was dumb and am kicking your asses.

Don't make me explain the joke.

[jessecuster3]

Secret confession:

I wrote a fanfiction once. But nobody ever read it or ever will. Probably for the best.

Just the characters involved please.

[Chris Nowlin]

Just the characters involved please.

Silver Surfer and Galactus

[jessecuster3]

Don't make me explain the joke.

Oh, I got it. I was merely following up with an opinion, because I know it is pissing off Ed.

[jessecuster3]

Silver Surfer and Galactus

Ewww, gross!

[Tadhg]

Secret confession:

I wrote a fanfiction once. But nobody ever read it or ever will. Probably for the best.

Did it have Hannibal Lector teaching Jean Valjean not to steal bread when starving but to eat Javert's liver instead?

[Paul McEnery]

Sadly, at work. Listening to some DJ-centric techno that's full of chicks hiccuping and random noises that sound like farts.

Apparently it's huge in England.

Ooh! What is it?

[DarkBlade]

Sorry, I still have my penis.

Multi sample packs aren't a bad idea if you have a girlfriend who likes to smell pretty. ^_^

I didn't used to bother with perfume but I really like these.

[Dreadstar]

BTW, Deeb, how's your sister doing?

[Tadhg]

* Mallets & Maledictions: The Musical!

Skuld tricks her good buddy John Constantine into assuming the aspect of the Norse God of Thunder, while Thor is off partying with Trillian, Ford Prefect and Arthur Dent -- all set to music.

[DarkBlade]

Crap with a fresh coat of paint, and a daisy stuck in it is still crap.

I like Chicago. I like it a lot. But aesthetically, it's closer to Minneapolis or Milwaukee than Austin, Portland, OR or D.C. I know that's hard to comprehend, but I promise I'm not lying to you.

I'm wondering if you aren't talking about different parts of the city & surrounding areas..

[Chris Nowlin]

Though Gingold had suggested Human Fly and Human Target and the possibilities have been going through my head.

[jessecuster3]

Hey Dread, do you play any of the stuff on Yahoo? Also, do you play Gin or Euchre or any of those?

[Dreadstar]

Hey Dread, do you play any of the stuff on Yahoo? Also, do you play Gin or Euchre or any of those?

I don't like gin. Euchre I like, but never played it online. It's the social aspect of euchre that does it, y'know? Like Pitch, which I guess is big in Indiana.

[Tadhg]

I don't like gin. Euchre I like, but never played it online. It's the social aspect of euchre that does it, y'know? Like Pitch, which I guess is big in Indiana.

Depends on what college you go to. Euchre is big at Ball State and Purdue, Pitch at IU, and Go Fish at Notre Dame.

[Michael P]

Multi sample packs aren't a bad idea if you have a girlfriend who likes to smell pretty. ^_^


Well, I just got pwned.

[DarkBlade]

BTW, Deeb, how's your sister doing?

Honestly? No idea. I haven't heard from her since I saw her for a very short bit of time at Dragon*Con. (Labor Day weekend.) Mom might know better than me. Last I -heard-, she was getting an apartment with a friend and at least had a line on a job. Mom might know more.

[Dreadstar]

Depends on what college you go to. Euchre is big at Ball State and Purdue, Pitch at IU, and Go Fish at Notre Dame.

I'd never even heard of pitch until a friend in Cincinnati dragged me to a game in Indiana. Rural farmers, playing a blind draw tourney for decent cash to bide the time in winter. Canny bastards, they are.

[Dreadstar]

Honestly? No idea. I haven't heard from her since I saw her for a very short bit of time at Dragon*Con. (Labor Day weekend.) Mom might know better than me. Last I -heard-, she was getting an apartment with a friend and at least had a line on a job. Mom might know more.


Just asking because of the husband and all.