MikeL

Tim, flying cars were all over Popular Science and Popular Mechanics magazines in the 1950s. I've yet to see one.

Diving alone is very dangerous. When you learn to swim, one of the first things they tell you about is the buddy system. I'm beginning to think that Dirk (and probably his wife who is likely still alive) have done something illegal...some kind of insurance fraud, faking a death,etc., crimes which would have a statute of limitations. Perhaps time's up around Christmas, the time Dirk wanted Trevor to go to Australia to meet his mother's family...the time, I contend, when he will be reunited with his mother. We shall see. Goats are devious.

We used to make snow ice cream...not a good idea any more.

Another source: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/hiatus A hiatus in the sense we are discussing is a break in work (or a break in participation), such as a vacation. To my mind, it always implies that the person going on hiatus will return to resume his writing, participation, or whatever activity he is setting aside.

No activity with a kiss and cry area can be classified as a sport. Sorry figure skating, this means you.

Also unsanitary.

Food is all some people think about.

Lacey looks better without the hardware.

The world will be a much simpler place indeed when the frogs take charge.

Good one, C J.

Where have I been? I missed the nominating process altogether. Now, I find we are voting already. Man, was I ever in for a surprise. Thanks, C J.

The game is insane. So are the participants.

I've never understood why so many people fall for the whole life insurance scam - or scheme if you insist. My apologies to those who earn their living selling life insurance. There is nothing illegal in it, but there is a lot left to be desired. The way I see it, term life insurance is not only the only form of life insurance you should buy, it is the only form of life insurance you can buy. Whole life insurance is nothing more than term life with a low-earning savings account attached. Anyone at any age is always better off buying term life and investing the savings in premiums elsewhere. Also, be careful of buying more life insurance of any type than you actually need. As for prepaid legal plans, the average person has very little need for an attorney. I have used attorneys only twice - once to review an employment contract and once to draw up my will. Total fees for the two attorneys? About $300.

That looked like a rather puny tornado until it struck his "pivot"...whatever that is.

Mine too. I still remember their Bolero. My favorite part of pairs figure skating is trying to figure out which one is the dude.

Those nattering nabobs of negativism are with us still. Surrounding yourself with positive, supportive people is the best cure for the blahs. Could you have let the other participants in that bitch fest know that you were there to celebrate something? Were you in a position to walk out if you couldn't steer them away from complaining?

Congratulations, Jon!

You have permission permission to be flustered.

I think that's a good bet. This was a good chapter, especially when you consider it was primarily about a shopping trip. There's a lot of mystery here and we don't have enough clues to figure anything out. If Dirk is suspected of killing his wife, it would be a tough case for the police without a body. I have to think she's still alive and really expect Trevor to find her in Australia.

I admire how you gathered your courage and were honest with your friend and with yourself.

Perhaps chat needs but one rule: Let's all be civil to one another.

Rob, thanks for taking the initiative in outlining rules for chat. Everything you have seems reasonable to me. I do think there is one word you might consider changing: 1: Please try to keep any personal disputes with new/established members personal private, not public.

I understand that a U S Senate committee had a hearing scheduled today on global warming, but had to postpone it on account of inclement weather.

Personally, I'm sort of disappointed that global warming seems to have fizzled out...sure could use some today.