podga

Thank you, kind reader!

Happy birthday, TJ!!

And thank you for commenting!

Thanks, Percy! I appreciate your comment.

Thank you, Lisa. And yeah, about that limitless possibilities thing... you're so right *sigh*

Thanks, Joann, although I'm terribly sorry to have added to your reading burden!

Thank you, Tim! I hope so too, but I've already told you my deep, dark secret, so you never know.

Over the last two or three years I've had this recurring dream, where I’m placed in a witness relocation program. The causes and details vary. Sometimes it’s because I’m a mobster flipping on my boss, and sometimes it’s because I possess knowledge that will expose a corrupt but powerful congressman. Sometimes I end up in town somewhere in middle America, living in a house with a small yard and a picket fence. Others I’m in a large metropolis, anonymous in the crowd and working as a bike messenge

Carl Norwood lives a settled life. Until things change.

What exactly are you implying

As my sister said, THIS is why navigation systems were invented and are now installed in every car and on every mobile phone. Because we don't ask for directions and we generally can't concentrate enough to read a map. I've tried explaining that this is insurmountable instinct. After all, back when we were hunters we needed to keep on scanning the horizon for mammoths to feed the women and children (it's also why we can't ever find anything in the refrigerator, btw: too small), and you couldn't ask for directions because the other hunters would sooner kill you than let you know where the choice herds roamed, but she only scoffs.

Too bad you missed the cake, zombie. It was green, like you

Happy, happy, happy Birthday!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nia0BVVMnCw

So long, :vic2: I'll miss you. And just so you know, if we end up in the same place, I'm totally holding you to baking for me.

Microfinance all the way!!

I have no hard and fast rules about what I like to read. There are fine examples in all 3 genres. The one thing I consider extremely hard to pull off, and, therefore, tend to avoid reading, is alternating first person. Either the characters sound exactly the same, because the writer is not adept enough to give them all different 'voices' or, even worse, the writer resorts to writing an accent or dialect for one, which can turn old very fast. I tend to write first person or close third person. First person keeps me a little more honest about not jumping into the other character's head, and in a certain genre it's easier to keep body parts straight (so to speak ), but I also have to be careful not to sound like my character is on psychologist's couch. One thing you do lose in first person (especially if you write present tense, which I also do) is that you can't explain why a character reacts a certain way. You have to hope that you've done a good enough job that the readers will understand, even if they don't agree.

I never saw this!! Many thanks, Tim

Hi Finn Have you taken a look at this? http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/do-you-want-to-be-an-architect/ There might be some information you can use there. Also, depending on where you live, might there be an association of licensed architects or something equivalent? Generally speaking, professional associations and their members are willing to share a lot of information & experiences with people that might be interested, either one-on-one or in breakfasts, etc. I don't see why architects would be any different! Other than that, I have no real advice. I went into college as pre-med, then switched to psychology, then philosophy and ended up graduating with a BA in political sciences, which - naturally enough - led to a first job as a Customer Service Representative in a bank and a subsequent MBA with an Accounting concentration. And today I'm finding I like Quality and Organizational Excellence. So based on personal experience I'd say a. be prepared for your interests to continue changing as you take classes or are exposed to working life and b. don't worry if you don't know the final destination, because most people don't Finally, maybe you'd college on a part-time basis while working is an option? Perhaps that would allow you to explore a wider range of educational options and see what grabs you, while still maintaining a financial cushion for yourself. And then, when you find what you like, you can switch to full-time.

1. Watch favorite comedies while lying on the couch (Young Frankenstein, This is Spinal Tap, Life of Brian, etc) and/or 2. Eat chocolate

No more of this, then: Stupid IOC.

Of course we can have all three! Given the circumstances here, the SO and I tend to have our romantic dinners at home. Is it overly commercialized? Probably. But what better reason for a holiday than celebrating romance?

Excellent news on the health front, Trebs!

For what it's worth, I always thought William Petersen did a good job as Juror #12 in the 1997 remake. It's been years since I was in New York, but I've worked with and mentored several young MBAs from 'good' schools like Tuck and Thunderbird in recent years, and I'd say his portrayal would be accurate even today, both in terms of behavior and how he presents himself. I can't remember if Juror #12 is on the creative or the account management side - if the latter (which I think he is) he's likely to be more conservative, or at least try to look that way. So I doubt shorts. If he's casual it would be shirt (or even polo shirt) and Dockers-type pants. Otherwise suit, but probably no tie.

He's brave. Braver than I ever was or will be. But I resent the fact that we still live in a world that he felt he had to disclose something that is really nobody's business to judge in any way, whether positively or negatively.

I loved Cluedo - It was Mrs. White in the Conservatory with a Spanner. I also loved Monopoly, especially once I figured out that if I had enough properties and never switched from houses to hotels, I could block everybody else from building.