Rabble_Rouser

It could be very interesting to watch. I wonder if 60 Minutes will mention that most other G8 countries have allowed Gays and Lesbian's to openly serve for years with no problems experienced. Steve

I would answer that question but since you said there is less than 48 hours (well, 47 now) to the next chapter, I wouldn't want to offend your delicate sensibilities to the point where the chapter might be late! Steve

I've always driven a manual and they are a blast to drive when you have the right roads (and road conditions... ok, an isolated snow covered road or parking lot car be a blast too!). One of the big attractions used to be that manual transmissions not only allowed you to control the car more adeptly (you can control the gear\revs which in a traditional auto you can't) but they also gave you better mileage (at least marginally). Modern automatic transmissions have eliminated most of the fuel economy benefit. The only time I regret having a standard is in bumper-to-bumper traffic where your car is moving a couple of feet at a time or when I go to the office and have to stop on the very steep grade leaving the parking garage because someone always seems to stop behind me right on my bumper. My next car will probably be an auto just because I'm getting to a point where I don't get to enjoy driving a stick very often and many of the cars I'll be looking at don't even offer it! Steve

Yes, if you haven't read it, make the time as it's very worth while. I think it's probably his best work or second best to Custard & Key Lime Pie which he did as a collaboration project (depends on which day you ask me). Steve

Far be it for me to be contrary but... Vladimir better hope he's taken out LOTS of life insurance if he has any family he wants to take of. I'm thinking his life span will be measured in minutes once the bomb is completed unless a certain Russian security guy continues on his slow progession to liking the engineer. While I'm also a bit concerned that Eric & Jon have procured tequila (You think Helen would have a standing order with the hotel that no Tequila was to enter their floor of the hotel!) but I suspect that there's a method to the madness. I got the empression that Eric & Jon are up to something and that Brandon is trying to push the issue to see if his sexuality will become an issue. Could the Shadows end up dumping their lead singer before too long just like Instinct? Great Chapter CJ... I'm ready for the next chapter any minute now please. Steve

I don't know about this because of the size of the display as to how enjoyable it would be to read something on it... plus curling up by the fire (I've got 50km\h winds and 40cm of snow on the ground here) with a tablet and a beverage of choice just doesn't give me the same warm feeling as the same idea with a good old book. Steve

Our leader, Her Majesty, Queen Goat, Duchess of Cliffhanger, may be GA's most prolific lurker because at 10:23pm Eastern had 5006 posts and at this point (11:37pm Eastern) has 5023 posts... maybe I should become a lurker and get my posting numbers up! Congrats CJ on hitting the big number! Steve

Yes, definitely a good chapter where the romance was rekindled and they seem to be moving onto a deeper relationship than before. I'm wondering if this will have an effect on Dan when he returns from R&R and something will precipitate an acceleration of them moving into retirement or of asking the Baroness for a safer posting. Looking forward to the next chapter already! Steve

Felecitation a mon favourite petit chevre! Steve P.S. I can't spell in English so don't bother trying to correct my French!

A bit more on your question. The Miami White Party is one of a number of big circuit parties (the Montreal Black and Blue is the one "down the road" from where I live. I know the one in Montreal is large enough that they have used the Olympic Stadium (Stade Olympic) as a venue. Here is a link for the history of the Circuit parties (never been, always hated being about lots of drunk people since I worked as a bartender thru University) Wikipedia - Montreal Black and Blue Party Steve

Starbuck is the harbinger of death? More of an Albatross. BTW, how could anything go wrong when your XO is a junkie and your flight Captain is an alcoholic?

I will admit I haven't been posting much lately due to moving to a new division at work (hhmmm... I guess I should take it as a compliment that they moved me without asking because they said they were worried I start looking for a new job when I found out the funding for my job got cut) and then I got the SOS call from my parents asking if I could take a drive to their town and figure out why their computer was slow... after a few hours with a mop and a can of Lysol I managed to get rid of most of the viruses, reinstalled their AV and got their system running to a point where they can backup their data so I can wipe and rebuild their PC next weekend (bad computer owners, bad!) And yes, I provided Kleenex when I told them they couldn't hook up their internet connection until I rebuilt their computer. So obviously life got in the road and I'm just sitting down with a cup of coffee and getting ready to get caught up with a weeks worth of internet reading. Welcome back & sorry about the water heater (about the only thing I believe in renting for obvious reasons). Steve

My annual driving has changed alot... I used to average about 30 000km per year but since I was moved to a telecommuting job I'm only putting on about 10 000km a year. People always say "oh that's better for the environment" but it's harder on the car to be sitting so much, especially brakes and batteries. Hardly a hardship, but I try to follow my mechanic's recommendation of taking a good "spirited" drive in the country at least once a week. Steve

That's not what I was trying to say (size doesn't matter.... at least in engines ). Most modern engines are close to their competitors in efficiency by type... it's weight that makes the biggest difference. The bigger the car, the heavier it is (unless you've got the bucks for mostly aluminum cars like Jag XJ or the Audi A8) You could put the smallest, most efficient engine in a Yukon but it's still not going to give it anywhere near the mpg (or litres/100 KM for the metric fans) than someone in a Civic. You're right that there are a number of factors in determining mileage like tires, driving habits, transmission, weight and engine type. I drive an Acura RSX and it gets great fuel efficiency on the highway but if I'm driving like an idiot in town, I'm sure my brother's GMC 3/4 ton pickup gets better mileage. While we're talking about pet peeves, mine is Hybrid cars... sure people may feel good about their driving choice but what about the batteries when they're done with them... and ask any VW Rabbit/Jetta diesel driver who gets the better mileage (and they have more fun DRIVING to boot!) I get annoyed when people say that they should force the automakers not to make big SUV's or performance cars because they're bad for the environment. They both have satisfy a need (or the manufacturers wouldn't build them) and if the person is willing to pay the bucks for the vehicle and the gas, more power to them. BTW, gas is like taxes, no one likes to pay (for) them and the $amount is never low enough Steve

Congratulations Graeme! I hope you enjoy many more years together!!! Steve

Canada also has large oil reserves (second only to Saudi Arabia). Here's a little bit of trivia (or ammo) for you... when people in the U.S talk their dependence on imported oil, most are thinking of the middle east but the bulk of the U.S. oil imports are from Canada. And yes, we pay world prices too. I filled up today in central Canada for 1.047 Cdn$ per litre. With the Cdn$ being only slight more (never thought I'd live to see the day ) than the U.S. Greenback that means we pay about $4.00 a U.S Gallon... the bulk of the price is government taxes (about 58%). Even though all our federal and provincial governments are running big budget surpluses they are considering raising taxes on fuels again and using the money to provide funding for efficiency improvements. Someone earlier asked how you do it, well look at the top selling cars in Canada... Civic, Corolla, Focus & Cobalt and I bet I see 2-3 SMART cars a day now on the way to work and they've only been available for 2 years. BTW, all the fights about what the fuel efficiency standards should be in the US... they should follow the approach that Canada & the EU happened upon... the more you raise fuel taxes, the more fuel efficient cars people will drive. Steve

Good to hear from CJ! It'll be interesting to hear what he has to say when he gets back. Somehow I don't think that Bosnia was on his "places to visit before I die" list. (I'm saying the Bosnia comment since I know that Canada still has peace-keepers stationed in Bosnia-Herzegovina so it's probably not the safest place to be for the moment.) Steve

There are two further bits of the plot in the last few chapters that I figure will play a prominent role in the confrontation with either the Uncle or the demons and they are a 3rd Adapt level mage and Worthington's dealings with the Dwarves. I'm thinking that the Dwarves will put a stop to the use of the portals. Steve

Interesting article. Neither person comes out of the story looking very good. When will politicians learn that if they oppose something because they purport it as being immoral, they better make sure that they are sqeeky clean. Steve

An excellent couple of Chapters!!! It was good to see the Light Mages start to recognize Worthington's and Jamie's contribution to protecting the community. I'm eager to see what Rob can do since he's being trained by Worthington to be a bodyguard\solder Mage. Steve

I'll do my part and remind people that CJ is a lurker! Steve

Hhhmmmm... since CJ has declared that he is a lurker, I don't know if we really have to make any postings to make up for his absence.

It was a dark couple of chapters but it certainly moved the plot forward. It was interesting to see the reaction of the Light Mages to the presence of Worthington et al. I especially liked how he put Roger in his place when questioned the strength of Worthington's abilities! Two characters that I think will play a big part in the future chapters will be Rob(?) the mage bodyguard whom Worthington is teaching magical combat and the Dwarf King (refered to in name only). I somehow think that the dwarf community will play a big part in bringing down the evil uncle. Can't wait for more (but know I will have to)! Steve

I think it's interesting that she had to "out" Albus because the script for the next movie made reference to him having a romantic interest of the opposite sex... given the length of her books, you'd think that they wouldn't be looking to add anything to the plot line! I also got a chuckle at the description of her saying that it would give the Christian Right another reason to hate her books. Steve

I'm eagerly waiting for the Pheonix concert as I figure CJ has a good opportunity to create some conflict but adding a warmup band with a member who knows about Brandon and already has it in for him only adds to the mix. Another reason I say "poor Brandon". Steve