MikeL

Working with your hands is one of the most satisfying past times there is. Creating something beautiful that you can stand back from and admire is exhilarating. Even the most intellectual of people understand that once they've gotten their hands dirty.

Robert, I trust the Stanford trip turned out as anticipated. I also trust you will soon return to the best of health. Mike

Most excellent chapter, CJ. Most satisfactory ending for a very rotten criminal. One of my favorite lines (and one of the few humorous ones in a tense chapter): I dare say his self-confidence was not the only thing to desert him. It appears the goat may resolve all the cliffhangers by the end of the story, escape with his skin intact, and possibly be recognized for his feat.

These communists and socialists think the best way to end poverty is to impoverish everyone. When we all have nothing, we will all be happy that there is no one to envy. The real problem is that a few will not be satisfied with their lot and will seek to dominate the masses. That way, they have more. One good thing...Obama will be taxing George Soros at 100% of his earnings over $250,000.

Cancer is a difficult thing, even when it's an elderly relative who is dying. Our next door neighbors lost their seven year old son to brain cancer some years ago. It was devastating, but the burden was shared by friends and neighbors and their church family. There were a number of people providing the care and services mentioned here by others. If a support group has formed around the family, join it. Doing something is the best way to express your concern...much better than words. If no such group exists, why not start one?

Some years ago, we hired a guy in his forties to come work for us. We checked his references and transcript and everything we should have checked. At his request, we did not check his current employer because they didn't know he was looking. He was the perfect fit for us. He was smart, experienced, and a hard worker. Over the next two years, word filtered down to us that he had done some serious bridge burning on his way out of the other job (one of their executives talked with one of ours). We didn't worry about that; he was still doing a great job. Then he got burned. His former employer bought out our company. His situation was so bad at that point that he left us for an inferior position elsewhere to avoid any confrontation with his new/old masters. If your bridge burning blows back on you in your twenties, no big deal. If it strikes in your forties or fifties, it is a big deal. Best approach to leaving an employer is to do so on the best possible terms. You can curse them in private to vent your anger.

Is it perverse of me to break into a smile when a 19 year old recognizes the effects of aging? Nah! The aging process begins the day we are born. Disease, gravity and the sun all take their toll over the years. Some sedentary types live past the century mark while some very active weightlifters or cross country runners die of a heart attack at 39. Don't sweat aging, Chase. That's the easy part. And those are the wise words; the degree is all up to you.

Thanks, Tim. I needed that.

I agree. If you need a special diet while in the hospital or under a doctor's care, that's one thing. It's quite another for this stuff to be sold in restaurants and coffee shops...probably at premium prices too.

Horrible stuff! It's hard to believe anyone could think up such unhealthy recipes. It almost defies logic that you could get that much bad stuff in one cup. Water is the best thing you can drink, assuming you can get clean water. I used to drink iced tea all the time. Tea without sugar or any other sweetener is the most refreshing. It needs to be fresh and made with filtered water to really be enjoyable. I suppose it is an acquired taste, but once you have acquired the taste you won't want sugar in it ever again. Alas, I can no longer drink tea due to the tannin content. Cheers.

Good to hear about your improving health, Robert. Hang in there. Brighter days are ahead.

I see you started a poll. It's good to be able to state our preferences. I wonder if it will have any influence on the goat.

I expect a happy ending for everyone except the Scar. I've never tasted roasted goat.

No cliffhangers? No cliffhangers?! That last paragraph merely serves to suggest that there may be an acceptable resolution to the precarious situation Eric and Brandon are in. Nothing has been resolved at this point. Survov might slit Felicia's throat. Scar might blow Eric's head off. It's not what has happened but what hasn't happened that makes this chapter a cliffhanger. You've just described the biggest cliffhanger of all. If the story ends with everything literally up in the air... Let me put it this way. If, and only if, the story (including the epilogue) ends with no cliffhanger - with no unresolved catastrophe or cataclysm remaining - I will gladly issue the appropriate certification to that effect. One provision: If Brian and Keith do not "find" each other, there will be a codicil to the certificate. Goats should not disappoint.

Chase, I see a story line here. Of course, you may not want all your stories to be autobiographical. I'd say, go for friendship. You will figure out soon enough if an apology is required to move that along. Don't worry about getting played while you were trying to play him. If his agenda fulfills your agenda, good for both of you. I guess you realize you just insulted all of us with Irish ancestry. (And Lacey needs to wipe that grin off his face.)

Thanks to all my GA friends for the birthday greetings. I was really surprised by a BIG surprise party tonight. It was a good day and it's been a good year.

John, Both of your parents had a difficult childhood. It's obvious your dad has made the most of what he had. I trust you will take him as the model for where you are headed. Love your mom, forgive her faults, make your own way. I wish you peace and love. Mike

My wife is a natural blond and drives a Lexus RX350. She has a hands free system for her cell phone in the car and uses it only to answer incoming calls. Hair color and vehicle preference have no bearing on intelligence. I can't imagine why you followed her for five miles. As for the left turn signal, when you see that where I live, you can be sure it came that way from the factory.

See post.

Now, this is my kind of cliffhanger...one with a resolution in sight. My favorite line in this chapter: He'll be shrugging again in chapter 49.

It would probably be even harder for an only child.

Cliff James has released Desperate Measures, chapter 48 of Changing Lanes.

Happy Birthday, Carrion! #18

Happy Birthday, Josh! #19

What you say is true, Lacey. Ever wonder where old fogeys come from? They start out as young fogeys.