MikeL

Yep, it's Tiger Woods...Jupiter, Florida, $60 million. This picture is a better clue: Read all about it here.

Who lives here? Please respond with your best guess.

Don't know how many tracks I have. It's 22.5 GB of mp3 files...a pretty eclectic mix.

Happy Birthday, Cammy!

Ah, another trip down memory lane. I grew up with 78rpm records... I can remember when they were made from shellac, before vinyl...very fragile. No one has mentioned other record media such as cassette tapes and the venerable, but short-lived, 8-track cassettes.

Too much energy for me.

I had braces in my late twenties. They actually show up in our wedding pictures and I kid my wife about robbing the cradle.

NO!

Rustle, tell us about "hot as the hinges".

In the sixty years I knew the man, I never heard my father say "thank you" to anyone. He wasn't an ingrate or boor. He had a more heartfelt way of expressing thanks. He always said "much obliged". It really implies a sense of obligation for a kindness done by another. Perhaps Dad overused the expression, but I was always impressed. Several years ago, I asked a British friend if he ever heard the term there. He had heard it, but it was rare these days. Have you ever heard "much obliged"? Does it seem quaint or excessive to you?

Are fillies also called "dude"?

Welcome to GA, Jimmy. All the best to you too.

Growing up in Memphis TN, I've heard "fair to middlin" all my life with exactly the same meaning. I suppose it came from Yorkshire. The only other use of "middling" that I've heard is a reference to a medium grade of some commodity, a grain or cotton for example.

Sorry to hear you are in the position that you feel you need to change jobs, but I do know that happens. Caring for the welfare of others is not a liberal or conservative trait. It's what good people do and there's no way politics can possibly improve that. There are actually a few politicians who care for people. Best wishes to you.

Welcome to GA, Alcarose. Go ahead and read all of C James' finished stories before you start Circumnavigation. You certainly have plenty of time.

"Never Stop Relaxing" LOL

File for unemployment immediately after the current job ends. The state will gladly cut it off when you land another job. If you don't, you are just leaving money on the table.

Drat!

For the record, Vic used to be into running. Now he runs to the bakery for cupcakes and other treats...

I've been a member of GA for 6½ years and a frequent participant in chat, though less so recently. I've seen a lot of good-natured kidding, but rarely anything that should make a participant uncomfortable. I can't say that never happens, but it is surely a rare exception to the usual decorum. No, decorum is the wrong word. Any time 10 or more participants are in chat, it will certainly be frantic. I am probably one of the oldest members ever in chat, and I can't recall anyone ever making fun of my age. Maybe the fact that I am straight makes me less "sensitive". (How's that for stereotyping?) Ashi's comment made me realize something I had not before. A number of us, myself included, have had several occasions to comment in various forums on what we like about GA. I never mentioned the fact that an association with a group of people who are much younger than I on average makes me feel younger. It does just that. And it's not just when I am in chat...that feeling stays with me when I am away from GA. So, make fun of my age...even my sexual orientation...but do it in a good-natured way and I will eat it up. The_Round_One, give chat another chance. Hang back if it gets a little intense, but try to enjoy yourself and others will enjoy your company. See you there.

WB!

The other side of this is the fact that a well-written story will garner many more "likes" than any forum post. Good authors have an advantage here and that is as it should be.