trinacriabob

egg foo yung (sp?)

overdrive

Architecture is a weird field, with people running the gamut from artsy-fartsy design types who aren't technically proficient to people who should have been engineers or construction managers. I don't back down very easily and, because you are constantly challenged and confronted, this field has given me a stronger personality....you can't let a contractor walk on you, or they will. But I think I had a strong personality to begin with. I have become a little bitter from being in this field and don't plan to stay in it for the long haul. I had a previous occupation and am planning to return to it. It suits my extroverted side better. Architecture is better suited for introverts with a lot of patience for painstakingly long hours and detailed work. I was an introvert as a teenager and, by the time I left college, I was an extrovert. In fact, when I was in H.S. and took an assessment test for career aptitude, my highest score was for architecture. Then, 10 years later (after college), my aptitude for architecture, according to the numbers on aptitude tests was very low, probably because my personality was no longer suited for it. But I still went back to grad school and went into it anyway.

OK....and Flybry can correct me as necessary.... the 100 series (small hump, 3 windows) took the skies for the first time in 1969 and went into commercial service with Pan Am being the lauch customer. the 200 series (small hump, continuous windows upstairs) came out a few years later, with the bulk of the orders coming in between 1976 and 1982, I think. They sold 2 to 3 times as many of these than they did the 100-series. the 300 series (extended upper deck, no winglets) came out a few years later. Not as long lived because the 400 series eclipsed it the 400 series (extended upper deck, winglets) took to the skies on its test flight in February 1989 with Northwest Airlines being the launch customer. This has been the most prevalent and the best of the lot. Fuel economy is up, as is power...200 series engines put out 41,000 lbs. of thrust whereas the 400 series engines put out 56,000 to 58,000 lbs. of thrust. The number of controls has been drastically reduced from the 100 and 200 series. It's also the best looking of the 747 family. They are planning slightly bigger -500 and -600 models in response to the A380, thus using their investment in the development of this plane rather than a from-scratch effort like the A380. God, I love this plane. And, I agree, I think the A380 is interesting but it is TOO big, TOO heavy and TOO ugly.

shootout

I go to one of those brushless type car washes...yes, with a COUPON. I just don't have the time to do the washes myself anymore. However, when it comes to the biennial wax job and chrome polish, etc., I do that myself.

The first one is funny....hysterically funny. I remember that, just in idle mode, the engines were blowing the grass next to the runway flat while we were taxing in Munich for the 12 hour trip to San Francisco aboard Lufthansa. The ones of the Alitalia 747 at Los Angeles and the United 747 at San Francisco are...well....orgasms! I could sit at the airport all day watching '47s take off...and, on a few occasions, I have.

hit man

Seattle

How fast does it run or how long do Acela trips take?They have been contemplating LA-SD or Portland-Seattle with high speed trains, but they are not there yet. Currently, the fastest Portland-Seattle is 3:30 minutes which is about 40 minutes longer than driving with no traffic and 1 urination pit stop. Not fast enough. Also, I just priced it at $ 44 whereas United was $ 89 for the airborne hop.

dismal

I prefer to fly. Jaunts over 4 hours in a car (knowing that you will have to drive back, too) can wear on you. Plus, flying allows me to collect frequent flyer points.

Edsel

Yeah...driving through it on 99..."Island City by Nature"....I was in Vancouver just this last weekend. Richmond has 2 ethnic groups, from what I can see....and that's it!

frightening

"X"

throw-away car

You and WPBHarry...6 degrees of separation.

If I don't go to the gym and see other people achieving results, I almost know for sure I wouldn't do it at home. The only thing I can think of that would be cool to have at home is either an elliptical or a NordicTrak to use for 30 minutes while watching morning TV before going to work.

GAWD, the Mall is not the reason to move to Edmonton...or any city for that matter. It was big, but not that special....there were most of the run of the mill stores whose names you are familiar with in there.One thing, Polish Kris, is that the West is not very ethnic. This holds true for the US, as well. Leaving Philadelphia, NYC or Boston and going to Denver or even SF and LA means you lose a lot of ethnic flavor. Every Italian, Greek or Jew that moves from the East Coast to California comments on this. I think the same is true in Canada. Toronto and Montreal are ultra-ethnic while I did not pick up on this in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. Again, the East to West difference. Yeah, the political correctness ... you have to accept and tolerate everybody and all their BS...only to a point. As one friend says: "God loves you, doesn't mean I have to." Good luck with your decision.

The Albertans need to answer this for you but I have spent 3 days in both Calgary and Edmonton on vacation....I have been to Vancouver at least 50 times. I think I would pick Calgary...Edmonton's inner core seems a little bleak compared to Calgary's and Calgary is closer to the Rockies which I think you can sometimes see from the city. Calgary seems to be a little bit more scenic and more modern. The people seemed to be very nice in both places. I know both are cold (colder than Toronto) but that Edmonton would be REALLY cold since it's further north. Then again, make the trip and decide for yourself. Don't even think about Vancouver. It has gotten so expensive and it is NOT multi-cultural like a Toronto where everyone is well-represented. Why do you want to leave T.O. anyway? I like Toronto. If I had to live in Canada, I think I would take Montreal.

dental floss

Victoria

Cadillac

I belong to a chain called 24 Hour Fitness - very big on the West Coast, more so than Bally's. Some of them are skanky which makes me less than enthusiastic about going...I like a more low-key, well-maintained health club, but the price is right. My ideal schedule is (2 days/wk lower body +30 minutes elliptical) and (2 days/wk upper body + 30 minutes elliptical). I might also add another day or two of elliptical only. When I stick to it, I feel great and am at my ideal weight. Right now, with all the OT and a couple of night classes, I'm doing about half of what I should in this regard.