zhawk

Whew! Glad to hear that.

That sucks, I first found that magazine while I was stationed in Qatar and it was on of our favorites in our work section. Everyone loved the articles and writing style. It figures though, something that good couldn't be allowed to last.

I can definately understand where you are coming from. My wife got a call from our kids school district offering her more hours as a custodian. The poor woman on the other end of the phone was frantic to find extra help, including some permanent positions. Guess what, now I am listed as a substitute for them and may soon have a permanent 4 hour a day job. That goes along with my 8-9 hour days fixing airplanes and my Air Force Reserve commitment. I would start at the school at 6PM and work until 10, then drive to Tacoma to work on base from 11 to 9AM on most days (I have one 8 hour day every two weeks). After that come home and sleep. Weekends are going to be family time. And we'll have to see if I can continue going to martial arts (Tang Soo Do) with the wife and kids. I guess after working a lot of 12 hour shifts over my time I was activated last year, the shorter work days don't seem like much. And heck, I can deal with lots of long days as long as I get to come home, rather than back to a tent or a room in ANY deployed location.

My 2 cents and take it for what it is worth. You have to be very cautious about this. You've sent of your sample for a DNA test but I would definately want a second opinion if it comes back that you are the father. There are so many scams going on and you don't want to be another victim. I am sorry if this next statement sounds cruel. You say that the young woman is a nice girl but she did sleep with a man she did not know and did not really speak the same language as. You had a translation dictionary to use so you could converse and as you said, not everything was understood. She knew where to buy condoms and it seems did not have a problem helping you find them. Look at all of that objectively and this whole thing smells like a setup. You say she was never with a white man before but how can you know this is true? From the amount of time you had together you could not truly know her. Be very careful. If you are the father then you alone can make any decisions regarding the child. I agree that your offer should be to bring the child over and raise it but not take responsibility for the woman. Too many relationships fall apart even with people who have know each other a long time. Good luck with this.

As has been said many times before...welcome aboard. Don't let anything here get to you. We have a lot of diversity here, both in lifestyles and automotive choices. You'll wind up with lots of advice and information. Just be sure to base your decisions on what is best for you. Keep an open mind when looking into choices and you may find something you like that surprises you. Take care.

Hey, I found a wife...and I look pretty geeky. Trust me, there's lots of the not-so-beautiful people finding partners and I don't think that trend will ever stop. As for Stephen Hawking, in his current condition, I would think it would be very unlikely for him to ever father children but if conditions such as his could be caught and repaired in the womb then someone with his capabilities could very well pass on their genetics. Lots of brilliant and talented people have had children. So I am not sure if your argument works. Besides, your first argument wouldn't reverse improvement of the species, it would only not advance it.

Excellent, this is the type of news Pontiac and GM in general need. They've built the product and now the reviews are turning in favor of the general. Come on GM, let's keep the great cars coming and watch the revival gain speed!

I saw...Toyota Moving Slower... and had to laugh Dang Dyslexia Anyway, sounds like they are a big gunshy about getting more recalls and bad publicity. Only time will tell if they get their issues under control.

I'm not caring so much for this, although it could be that color that is turning me off. <---not a big fan of that green. BTW, has VW asked for permission to use Iroc from the International Race Of Champions? Or will they have to if they market this car under that name?

Without diving to deply into politics, I have this to say. Our government hasn't been receptive to the automobile industry for years. It doesn't matter which party or political figure. They've at best paid lip service to supporting our national industries as a whole. We, as the people, need to support these industries better by ensuring that our leaders know how important we find them. If they start hearing that we care, they will, if only to get our votes. Haypops has a valid point. Heck, if Bush (or Hillary on the other hand) said GM and Ford deserved our support, you can bet some people would refuse to buy their products. Partisan politics are insane that way. BTW, all of this is my own opinion and in no way represents anyone but me. Take it for what its worth.

And we won't be able to hear them over the engines and screeching tires. Let them complain, they don't understand automotive performance and never will. As their Prius struggles to merge onto the freeway and get out of the way of that semi, we've already merged, changed lanes and are cruising.

If you get that Chevelle wagon, come on out to Washington on a road trip and we'll have to find my brother in his 71 Chevelle Convertible. Those two plus the 72 Skylark on a road trip should cause a few doubletakes going down the highway. Take care!

This is a great advancement. It works around a lot of the tricky moral issues and will allow real research to move forward. With the arguments and ambiguity of when an embyo becomes a person, it is no wonder that this is a hot topic. Maybe this technique will cool some of the fires. As for evolution and survival of the fittest...our culture has moved well beyond the basic survival needs. Now, our species has needs that were not existant in the far past. Yes, we need the physically strong to survive but intelligence is needed no matter what problems the body may have. Look at Stephen Hawking. His example and mind show that no matter what condition the body is in, the mind can be very active and useful.

engine (as in a fighter, IE F16)

Good luck, Panther. Both with the job and with working through things with Marcia. And whatever happens, never give up. Always remember Sofia, our kids are our immortality.

Camino, I definately have to echo the thoughts of many others. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Stay strong, brother, and spend what time you can as a family. Positive thoughts go a long way to helping cope with things like this. That comes from experience, my friend. Good luck and God be with you.

sand

Wecome to the insanity.... Glad you like Buicks. It took my wife finding our 72 Skylark to show me how good Buick has been. Discussions here do get lively. One of the best things about this place is the openness that people here have. Although, I may have learned a few things about a couple of people I may not have wanted to know. Enjoy!

drag strip

1. To answer your first question. Yes, when I first entered the Air Force I got rid of just about everything I owned. I just kept my clothes and a few other things. Since I was only 21 at the time and relatively poor, there wasn't much to get rid of. Since then, I haven't had the need to do that again but if I had to I would. As I told Tammy a couple of times, possessions are things that can be replaced if needed. It might be hard to get rid of a couple of the cars I have put so much time into but if my family needed me to, I would. 2. As for have I ever had a complete change of direction in my life, yes, a couple of times. The first was when I joined the miltary. I wound up leaving college (which I would have had to do because of financial reasons anyway) and entering a line of work that I had never considered. I have never regretted my decision to go active duty. Then a few years after leaving active duty I was working a crap job, driving a transit bus and getting treated like garbage by both my bosses and by certain passengers. I took a chance and took a temporary job for the Air Force as a civilian, moved my wife and son down near Tacoma, and then wound up getting a permanent job doing what I do today. Both times, my life completely changed and I am a better man for taking the chances and doing what I needed to do to improve myself and the opportunities for my family. Hope this helps you Camino with whatever you have on your mind. Please, remember, whatever our situations are or where, they are not exactly yours. I hope the best for you and when you are ready, please let us know what prompted both questions. Take care.

Nope, its not that we can't move out of the way... Its that we don't want to. As for the Rabbit. Hmmm, another car with a roadkill name from VW.

Is that like me being part of PETA (People Eating Tasty Animals)? Its disgusting that over the top wackos have turned an organization with a good idea (taking care of the environment) into such a waste of time. People really into cars take better care of their rides than the average Joe. These groups should be hailing our dedication to maintaining our cars in shape not reviling us.

For straight up drinking I prefer a good whiskey. JD is good especially the Gentleman Jack. I really like the good Irish whiskeys like Bushmills though. Rum is good for mixed drinks as are the most whiskeys. Tequila is not my drink of choice but when TDY...

Sorry to hear about this, Josh. Make sure you take it easy for a while until you know for sure there is no soft tissue damage. Good luck with the insurance company.

Congrats Satty, to both you and your GF. Take good care of the little guy and make sure you raise him to enjoy cars, Seriously, though, get your rest when you can and be prepared for just about anything. Good luck, this parenting thing is tough but also the best thing you will ever do. You'll be great at it.