agile_one

Glad cast is off, and feeling good, Vicki. Nice present for you.

cj ... there is precious little that won't set you back at least $400-500, if not 2-3x that.. Minolta CLE, Konica Hexar, and the Voigtlander/Cosina Bessa series come to mind, but all are spendy because they can use the M lenses. Of course, you could bite the bullet, pick one up (or even a Leics M3), then sell for what you paid after the class. Alternatively, you could check fleabay for a M to Nikon F adapter, then pickup a Nikon slr body (FM, FE, FG) for cheap.

Mike, Sr and raffy ... two of our best, and this thread shows why. Safe journey, raffy, and see you soon, brother Mike.

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.

A horrible, horrible tragedy. My sister used to live in Newtown, and I visited her there. An idyllic, peaceful, picture postcard new england town. An unimaginable setting for such horror, As was Aurora, as was the Wisconsin Sikh church, as was Virginia Tech, as was Columbine, etc, etc. I like guns. I am an expert shot. In my house, though, I have zero guns. Any gun I ever shot was owned by Uncle Sam, or kept at a range. I was ready to call HPA out for the original "arm teachers" post, but now see he grieves like the rest of us. He may be an ass, but he's our ass. Gun control may not be THE answer, but it is a big part of the answer, as is dealing way better with mental health issues than we do presently. It won't be easy, but I sense, finally, some political will to tackle the gun control part, at least. Finally, and most importantly, I join all of you in grieving for the families, teachers, and citizens of Newtown CT tonight,l

Santa a chick magnet? Who knew? Vicki - purple is nice - also color of one of my alma maters, Bourne, MA High School. Don't overdo the weights, as tempting is it may be. We don't want any setbacks.

Yes, Tom. Enjoyed seeing all the old farts (Stones, Who) trying to relive glory days. Stones bailed early, shame on them, but The Who made up with a longer set. Liked the incorporation of Keith Moon via old clips. Clapton, Springsteen, and maybe Billy Joel the only still relevant performers of the bunch. Not the best concert, but watchable because of the cause.

Thanks, Mikey. Pittston is right near Shamokin, where my grandfather worked the mines before landing a job with the Reading RR. The picture of the mountain of coal with the breaker (inclined structure where large pieces of coal were broken up) looked just like the old mine there.

Mike Sr FTW. Post pics, boys.

Mikey ... do you know the origin or location of those old mining pics? Look vaguely familiar to place I was born in anthracite region of PA.

RIP, Ravi.

cj ... 'grats on scholarship. Wayne ... don't fuck with Santa, indeed. Do let us know the outcome of this standoff.

Happy Birthday, Todd. Sending sunshine your way.

... and saffron's mad about me ... back to topic - Nate, I throw a 15" MBP in the outside pocket of my Sky Train all the time - just need to be mindful that external padding is nil. Very comfy as a carry or as back pack. As to missing pockets, I usually have the Gator along with me, and that sucke up all the bits and pieces that accumulate along the way.

Wow, just wow. Dave made jazz accessible to the mainstream without loosing his cool. I could, and have, listened to his music forever. Saw him early on in his career at Newport Jazz fest and Storyville in Boston way back, then late when he was 80 + yo. All were memorable. RIP, Dave.

Happy Birthday, Tom. Have a terrific day, and even better year to come.

Vicki ... so sorry about the ankle flare up, but that cast is bitchin'. Hope hurting subsides long before the two week cooling off period.

Sweet watch, Dano. Now we know where one of those winning powerball tix was.

Thank you all for the well wishes, and it's great to be back. Special thanks to Al for the lovely Brokeback pic, Grahame for the black helo (can't have too many, eh, naaman?), Jim for the precious little Bihn bag, and Ric for the dancing machine vid. Had a nice lunch at favorite Thai spot with wife and daughter, and am looking forward to a quiet evening at home with a spot of this lovely stuff, courtesy of the Florida posse (AL, Mike, Vicki, JP, and Raffy) - thank you friends.

Happy Birthday Jackie boy.

Great night, Grahame, Jo, Al, & Claire.. Isaac keeps turning West, Miguel, so you should be fine in Miami.

What color, Dinny?

Super job, Tyll. How cool to have Red Oxx circle around and bite you in the butt like that. My go to travel duo is the Sky Train and Gator. The Gator is a do all, sometimes doubling as camera bag with a Tenba insert. For boating, I load up a Sun Chaser duffel which stows in very little space. Yes, I am a Red Oxx fanboi. Here's something I found today for all you with school kids: Red Oxx K12 backpack. Looks pretty cool.

Nice fern, Ari. Ricoh has been under the radar for years with some really capable and innovative small cameras. Glad you like.

Happy Birthday, Archos. Have a great one.