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Yay. I loved that show, but with the intention of not spending a penny, I walked out $4000 poorer. That decides it. I know me. I'm canceling my plans for the show this year. Money will best spent towards the bike rather than something else I'm sure to buy.

I'm waiting for the ginger avenger to show up for dinner.

We had some rights taken away after 911. We do not live in the world we once did. As Nate stated, it was once your right to own slaves. It was once your right to beat your Wife and children. It was also once your right to smoke cigarettes in the presence of others, who did not like breathing the second hand smoke. Times change, and the world changes with them.

I'm very saddened to see a tragedy like this and maybe more saddened to see the press frenzy afterwards. While I am extremely pre gun control I don't want to jump sown the rabbit hole of that debate. The sad thing is the sensational press tends to get reactions like HPA's who react to singular events as if they were a clear and present danger in their lives. Arming teachers will not solve mental illness. So rather than arming each other to the teeth or take every ones guns away why not address the root issue, getting crazy fuckers the help they need before they blow some ones head off. Read Culture of Fear by BArry Glassner when you get a moment , it's an eye opener.

I don't consider removal of a basic right a positive response to a tragedy. I call it using a tragedy as an excuse to accomplish a political goal. They could have banned donuts after the port macarthur tragedy and in all likelihood had a similar result.

You're in, Jacob. Jeff and I know the admissions person, and seconded your recos. Let one of us know if they blow you off. We don't like prople not honoring contracts. Seriously, however, you should be a lock. Academics love sharp knives (you DID mention sharpening skills?). Oh, also, they mortally fear dark, dank basements full of bones and shit, so you've got that card to play as well, if you want to play hardball.

Here's a brief overview of one counter argument: CT is already hugely antigun, is surrounded by anti-gun states. Gun control doesn't stop things like this unless you go door to door collecting every gun in the country. And I guarantee that wouldn't go well. But the argument now is just crass. On both sides. If you're against guns just because of tragedies, then fine, but outlawing something because 100 people in 300 million have gone crazy and shot up crowds is like banning gay marriage because some gay people are promiscuous, or banning cars because sometimes people ram buildings with them in order to steal ipads.

It is clear this upset you and I don't think people here would fault you for showing emotion. The idea of arming teachers, however, is repugnant. My wife is a teacher. My parents were both teachers. I have many other family members who are teachers and professors. Thinking of them carrying weapons to do their jobs is just too ludicrous to imagine.

Thanks for the well wishes everyone. Even more thanks to Mike Sr. for picking me up, taking me to brunch and then a quick tour of downtown Chicago! You're are good man and a truly good friend! I will miss hanging around here but I will try my best to log in whenever I can. Off to board in a few minutes for my 16 hour flight from O'Hare to Hong Kong

I forgot to mention, I also sent him this Zulu 4-ring watch band - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0046X06TM/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00 I'm waiting till after Xmas to buy myself a watch, but this one I've been eyeing for 8 weeks and the price hasn't changed, while a few others went down 10% 2 weeks ago and then went back up last week.