trinacriabob

You don't know the half of it (because people won't go into diatribes). Some people are not that good at parenting, so there is no real reason to "lighten up."

There's an incredible canyon between me and my father...and between me and my mother, as well. In short, we had: - a generation gap (and a half) (they had me late in life and I am the last-born) - a culture gap (they came here and failed to assimilate, with 90+% of their friends being immigrants from the same country who also hung onto their ways) - an education gap (they had little...not their fault, I probably went ahead and got too much, but they still think they know more than I do, even as an adult) I think that my Dad had a lot of rigid thoughts that were based on where he came from that he brought with him. I would say I spent the last dozen years purging myself of ways they taught me to handle situations that were supposed to be good for me... but weren't. The one thing I did hang onto (from my Dad) is not to put up with people's crap. I agree with that. My mother, on the other hand, routinely lets too many things "roll off" not to make waves. I can't do that. Someone told me that "I raised myself." I guess that's a compliment to me and a put-down to my parents.

Rosie O'Donnell

iguana

lion

I'll make my W-body observation...since that's "my" model. LaCrosse sales are down and Grand Prix sales are down even more. However, Impala sales are up and Monte Carlo sales tripled in August while the year to date total looks about the same. What's with that?

peaks

brothers

This a very tough thing to answer because you have to "pick your battles." No state income tax in the following: Washington Nevada Texas Florida New Hampshire one more, there are 6 No sales tax in: Oregon there are others, someone help me out Death penalty is on the books in the West, the liberal Northeast does not have it, for the most part If free means being able to pump your own gas, then you can't do that in: Oregon New Jersey If free means space, the states of the Intermountain West have very low density but the "sophistication" level is also low and the feeling of isolation is high. I refer to: Montana Wyoming Nevada Idaho Camino, it's a balancing act. Those that have no state income tax have to get it another way. I think the most important thing is "fit" with the people. A weird but funny co-worker from Long Island comes into my office to complain about anything on a regular basis and he was saying that, out West, loyalties run thin but, in his mind, in the Northeast, people are more forward and abrasive but also more loyal. "Fit" is everything in my mind. I love the beauty of the Northwest but my "in your face-ness" definitely scrapes with the arms-length and aloof Scandinavian sensibilities of the area. So far, I would have to say there's a fit for me in CA, the Northeast and the more urbanized areas of the Southeast (ATL, MIA, etc).

Agreed. It is a very basic human need. Just because we are highly developed and intelligent animals does not undo the fact that we are ANIMALS. Right on.

This would be our main receptionist. No, she doesn't smoke. She is just FAT. A while back, she had an interview for a job with the City of Seattle. I don't think she got it. I wish she had so she would just move her ass away. With the nature of her 2 brief marriages and her low-life kids, you'd think she'd smoke. Either way, she is a turd.

Why be normal?

It's blu... my answer: Yankovic

Good call. Sex has a spot on Maslow's hiearchy of needs. Smoking and drinking alcohol do not. Word, Reg!

I, too, talk to the smokers. Most of them are pretty cool and entertaining. I just don't want the smell of their smoke neither on my clothes, in my office nor in my car.

Mr. Ed

envoy

"Stupid people shouldn't breed." (like the bumper sticker)

Jimmy Carter

Fine just the way it is. They can see the car and general auto news/tech forums. Admittance restricted to The Lounge and other areas. If I didn't get to see what it was all about, I would have never joined. Now you're stuck with me! LOL.

crackle

rotors

Every place I've ever worked (and college/univ., too, for that matter) had those cliques that went out and took their smoke breaks together. It's a weird cult of sorts, in my mind. I've also noticed that, working for architectural firms, most of the "smoking circles" were the less productive employees (in the firms I've been employed by)...and they seem to have more Jerry Springer type drama in their lives. Yeah, I know, I'm a stereotyping jerk, but now having worked for a handful of architectural firms, this pattern seems to hold up. Any observations about smoking cliques?

Brooklyn

Right now, we ought to be making anti-Canadian comments. LOL. Our dollar is so weak against yours. I'll be vacationing in your country in mid-October (leaf color change). I love the place...I just couldn't live there because of the cold weather.