Wedding Rings » Mens Wedding Rings

Anyone planning a wedding in the UK?

admin — Sun, 18 Apr 2004 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Help! I was just wondering whether there was anyone in the UK planning a wedding right now, and wanted to discuss how to go about everything? I have no clue where to start! Jo

Response:

> Help! > I was just wondering whether there was anyone in the UK planning a wedding > right now, and wanted to discuss how to go about everything? > I have no clue where to start!

Hi, Jo. You know those lovely glossy wedding magazines that you can buy in the newsagents? The ones that try to get you to spend the price of a house on a wedding? Buy a few of those and read them. Do this for a couple of months and then you’ll have a much better idea of what you don’t want and will feel much freer to pick out your wedding. Seriously, though, start by working out what sort of wedding you want. Then work out what sort of wedding you and your partner want. Some people never get beyond this point Most people do, however. Then you set a date, normally a year in advance but lots of people do it before or after then. This will probably be governed by the venue you choose. You can’t have a wedding on 8th January if you can’t find anywhere to get married and you don’t want to get married on cup final day if you are certain your team is going to be in said cup final. In the glossy magazines you will find suggested timescales for things. These aren’t rigid but they generally have a good reason behind them. For example, they usually say to buy your wedding rings three months before your wedding day. That’s because it can take a couple of goes to find something you like and there is often a 28 day lead time on ordering rings. The couple who leave it until three weeks before the wedding might be lucky or they might have to comprimise. There are lots of resources to get suggestions from. Here, for example. http://www.confetti.co.uk/ and http://www.webweddings.co.uk are two good websites. Gather lots of brochures and magazines but don’t let them overwhelm you (I also suggest http://www.etiquettehell.com for how not to do things). Treat finding out what you want as a spiral, you get ever closer to what you want as you make decisions. Don’t get too bogged down in ‘etiquette’. Continue to appreciate that although you are allowed a certain amount of self-indulgence in ‘your’ day, it is also your partner’s day and the day of the people that will be spending it with you. Etiquette is all about not upsetting people or making them uncomfortable, not about rigid protocol that must be adhered to. Hosting a wedding is like hosting any other event, make sure your guests are comfortable. That’s a start for you. And if you read this and decide you don’t want to do it like that, don’t. Best wishes, Liz

Response:

> > Help! > I was just wondering whether there was anyone in the UK planning a wedding > right now, and wanted to discuss how to go about everything? > I have no clue where to start!

Hi, Jo. If you want to find all the services you need, the best Wedding Directory covering the UK is WedUK Wedding Services Directory at http://www.weduk.com Mal

Response:

OT: Marriage

admin — Thu, 07 Aug 2003 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

> Friend of mine retied the knot with his second wife after 8 years of dating. > Her new vows included the phrase "He can hunt and fish any time he wants."

I can honestly say I’m happily married… … she’s happy, and I’m married. BT68uk

Response:

> Friend of mine retied the knot with his second wife after 8 years of dating. > Her new vows included the phrase "He can hunt and fish any time he wants."

Blanket permission to buy bass gear wouldn’t be bad either! Benj — SPAM-Guard! Remove .users (if present) to email me!

Response:

>You have two choices in life: You can stay single and be miserable, or get >married and wish you were dead.

Something I related to a drummer the other day, re: wives and women in general… No matter how beautiful, intelligent, witty, or appealing a women is, somewhere, there is a man who is tired of her bullsh*t…

Response:

Friend of mine retied the knot with his second wife after 8 years of dating. Her new vows included the phrase "He can hunt and fish any time he wants."

Response:

You have two choices in life: You can stay single and be miserable, or get married and wish you were dead. At a cocktail party, one woman said to another, "Aren’t you wearing your wedding ring on the wrong finger?" The other women replied, "Yes, ;I married the wrong man." A lady inserted an ’ad’ in the classifieds: "Husband wanted". Next day she received hundreds of letters. ; They all said the same thing: "You can have mine. When a woman steals your husband, there is no better revenge than to let her keep him. Eighty percent of married men cheat in the USA. ; ;The rest cheat in Canada. A woman is incomplete until she is married. Then she is finished. A little boy asked his father, "Daddy, how much does it cost to get married?" Father ;replied, "I don’t know son, I’m still paying". Young son: Is it true Dad, that in some parts of Africa a man doesn’t know his wife until he marries her? Dad: That happens in every country, son. Marriage is the triumph of imagination over intelligence. First guy: "My wife’s an angel!" Second guy: "You’re lucky, mine’s still alive."

Response:

Gee – I have a wife who has bought me a Ken Lawrence Brase 5, a Lakland 55-94, and a F-Bass BN-5. And she has put up with me for 27 years now – I’ll certainly keep her! Dan K.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->You have two choices in life: You can stay single and be miserable, or get >married and wish you were dead. > Something I related to a drummer the other day, re: wives and women in > general… > No matter how beautiful, intelligent, witty, or appealing a women is, > somewhere, there is a man who is tired of her bullsh*t…

Response:

> Gee – I have a wife who has bought me a Ken Lawrence Brase 5, a Lakland > 55-94, and a F-Bass BN-5. And she has put up with me for 27 years now – > I’ll certainly keep her! > Dan K.

I told mine right up front I wasn’t sure about this marriage thing, but I’d give it 50 years, then re-evaluate. She better watch her behavior, ‘cuz we’re way past the halfway mark!

Response:

Outrageous Cruising Experiences

admin — Fri, 27 Dec 2002 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Mike: > I can safely say that it wasn’t my dog. : ) > However, as the human partner of a service dog team, I can tell you > that when I was paired with Heidi I signed an agreement with the > program that trained her. In the simplest terms, it states that I > agree to give her the proper care, food, etc. and to represent the > program in the most positive light possible. > There was a specific portion with regard to how the dog (and I) are to > "behave" in public. She is to wear her vest and leash, no > inappropriate sniffing, etc. If she has an accident, she is my dog, > I’m supposed to clean it up. This lead to much angst among the crew > on the first cruise we took her on. Most members of a cruise ship > crew cannot fathom a passenger willing to clean a carpet. > I find it hard to believe that any human partner would leave that > there. I guessing it was human.

i was wondering how you do clean up after her. i know you can teach a dog alot of neat tricks – but can you teach her to sit on a toilet? or is there a pan in the bathroom? —Mike Savad — <—> Mike’s Photosig Page –> http://www.photosig.com/userphotos.php?id=9050 Mike’s Canon Powershot Pro90 IS –> Photo Page – http://www.savad.0catch.com/ Mike’s Canon Powershot Pro90 IS –> Photo Page 2 – http://www.pbase.com/savad Mike’s Stained Glass –> http://www.geocities.com/Paris/1141/ <–Stained Glass Tips

Response:

…and my wife can’t understand why I am addicted to RTC! I just printed out your story to show her. Maybe now she will understand. – Steve B. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> You asked for it. So here goes.

Response:

I printed it out as well. lived in the Phila area most of my life. Thanks for a great story.

Response:

"When the elevator doors opened, I found myself face to face with this woman (or perhaps a man I thought). She was in her mid thirties, very tall, and butt ugly. She was dressed in a black leather miniskirt, a red halter made of ostrich feathers, and she donned long blue satin evening gloves on her arms". Quick! Sign her up for Shipmates!

Response:

Howard and Eileen, Living in Philadelphia all my life I became friendly with Ken and Elaine Garland. Ken was a radio personality who did wonderful things for our business before he died, and his wife, Elaine is best remembered for her role in the Rabbi Fred Neulander murder trial. In spite of that, they were our friends, and Fred Neulander was our rabbi for most of my child’s formulative life. Forget all of that. We want to cruise with you guys because we need people who can excuse any kind of $hit. — DG in Cherry Hill, NJ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> You asked for it. So here goes. > Let me begin by describing the typical passenger(s) on the Seabourn Sun. > Most passengers were married and a surprisingly large number of > married couples included a husband of about 75 to 85 years old and a > very well preserved (through plastic surgery, exercise, cosmetics, etc.) > 60 to 65 year old wife. Half of the 700 passengers were Brittish and > half of these literally spoke the "Queens English". > The general atmosphere on this ship was friendly but very reserved. Many > of the passengers had sailed numerous times on the ship and one couple > whom we befriended occupied the penthouse suite for four months every > year. This particular couple actually left their clothing on the ship > year round. The highlight of the day for most passengers was "team > trivia", played every day at noon. > Most of the crew were holdovers from the Royal Viking Sun. Some very > important priorities for this ship included order, politeness, and > CONSISTENCY. I have two examples: > 1. One night after dinner, a group of passengers stayed around the piano > that was played outside the dining room. When they began to sing along > with the pianist, they were quickly and politely silenced by the cruise > director. > 2. On the eveing that I discovered and reported the shit (about 8:00 > PM), the elevator involved was taken out of commission until after > midnight. This was not because it took them four hours to clean and > fumigate. Rather, it was because the shit was located on on a removable > piece of carpet in the middle of the elevator on which the day of the > week was embossed. It seems they only had enough daily maps for each > elevator. Thus, rather than confuse the guests for four hours with the > wrong day in this elevator, they decided to take it our of service for > four hours. > Back to the fantom shitter. > Two days afer I discovered the shit, I was again in the elevator alone > on my way to the dining room. (Eileen is an addicted gambler and when we > are not dining, dancing, sleeping or romancing, she can always be found > in the casino). When the elevator doors opened, I found myself face to > face with this woman (or perhaps a man I thought). She was in her mid > thirties, very tall, and butt ugly. She was dressed in a black leather > miniskirt, a red halter made of ostrich feathers, and she donned long > blue satin evening gloves on her arms. > When I described her to my tablemates, one of the couples who were > actually the bridge instructors on the ship, indicated that they knew > exactly who I was talking about. They stated that this woman was > married to a 100 year old man whom she had met one year earlier on the > ship. They went on to tell me how mean she was to this guy and how the > dealers in the casino had complained about her behavior. It seems that > every night, she would come to the casino and and sit at a blackjack > table with one leg thrown over the lap of her wheelchair bound, 100 year > old husband. The dealers reported that she never wore any underwear and > she cursed like a truck driver (sorry for the cliche but that’s how it > was stated) whenever she lost a hand. > That night, I witnessed the scene firsthad in the casino. I even got > Eileen to look away from her video poker machine for a few minutes. > Within days this woman had become the talk of the ship. And she was > obviously the fantom shitter, because she had both motive (she was > completely insane) and opportunity (she never wore underwear). By the > second week of the cruise, she was banned from entering the casino. > The story continues. > On day 13 or 14, we arrived in Casablanca. The 100 year old man got > very sick and was taken to the hospital. His devoted wife was quoted as > stating that there was "no fucking way she was staying in Morocco with > him". She got back on the ship by herself. That same evening, it was > reported that during dinner in the dining room, she removed a mirror > from her purse, ran three lines of cocaine on the mirror, and began to > snort the stuff. > She was immediately put under house arrest and locked in her cabin > (there is no brig on the Seabourn Sun). For the remaining five or six > days of this cruise, she spent hours on end, kicking her stateroom door > and cursing at the top of her lungs. This was very disturbing for the > guests who occupied nearby cabins but very amusing for the rest of us. > So that’s the true story.

Response:

Lordie! And, they call CARNIVAL the "party ships!" Yikes. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >His devoted wife was quoted as >stating that there was "no fucking way she was staying in Morocco with >him". She got back on the ship by herself. That same evening, it was >reported that during dinner in the dining room, she removed a mirror >from her purse, ran three lines of cocaine on the mirror, and began to >snort the stuff. >She was immediately put under house arrest and locked in her cabin >(there is no brig on the Seabourn Sun). For the remaining five or six >days of this cruise, she spent hours on end, kicking her stateroom door >and cursing at the top of her lungs. This was very disturbing for the >guests who occupied nearby cabins but very amusing for the rest of us. >So that’s the true story.

Response:

Wow Howard! So you actually got to meet Anne Nicole Smith? Jim > You asked for it. So here goes.

<> When the elevator doors opened, I found myself face to – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> face with this woman (or perhaps a man I thought). She was in her mid > thirties, very tall, and butt ugly. She was dressed in a black leather > miniskirt, a red halter made of ostrich feathers, and she donned long > blue satin evening gloves on her arms. > When I described her to my tablemates, one of the couples who were > actually the bridge instructors on the ship, indicated that they knew > exactly who I was talking about. They stated that this woman was > married to a 100 year old man whom she had met one year earlier on the > ship. They went on to tell me how mean she was to this guy and how the > dealers in the casino had complained about her behavior. It seems that > every night, she would come to the casino and and sit at a blackjack > table with one leg thrown over the lap of her wheelchair bound, 100 year > old husband. The dealers reported that she never wore any underwear and > she cursed like a truck driver (sorry for the cliche but that’s how it > was stated) whenever she lost a hand.

<>>

Response:

>She was immediately put under house arrest and locked in her cabin >(there is no brig on the Seabourn Sun). For the remaining five or six >days of this cruise, she spent hours on end, kicking her stateroom door >and cursing at the top of her lungs. This was very disturbing for the >guests who occupied nearby cabins but very amusing for the rest of us.

Damn and I thought Baby could be bad.

Response:

Oh, c’mon . . . you can’t keep us hanging like this! Do tell? Karen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I would like to hear about the most outrageous or bizarre experiences >that rtc readers have had on cruises. Here is one of mine: >Eileen and I were on a 19 day Atlantic crossing of the Seabourn Sun. >On day 4 of this cruise, I stepped into one of the rear elevators on my >way to dinner. When the doors closed I was overcome with a disgusting >odor. I looked down and found that someone had left a pile of feces in >the center of the elevator. I was alone in the elevator and my first >thought was "what if the doors open and someone thinks that I did this." > When the elevator stopped, I was relieved to find that no one was >waiting there to board. I rushed to dinner and quickly told my >tablemates what I had encountered. After some laughing, they convinced >me to report this to purser’s desk. I left the table and went to the >purser’s desk. >I stated: "Someone has had an accident in one of the rear elevators." >Reply: "Have they fallen? Are they hurt?" >I stated: "No, not that kind of accident." >Reply: "Are they sick?" >I stated: "There is a pile of shit in the elevator." >The expression of horror on the desk clerks face was indescribable. >The next evening, one of the women at our table reported that while >walking in the corridor outside her stateroom, she also encountered a >pile of shit. She went on to tell us that when she reported this to the >purser’s desk, her conversation went pretty much like mine had. >Before the first week of this cruise was over, we had discovered the >identity of this fantom shitter; but that is a whole other story. >Howard

__ /7__/7__/7__ ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::… http://www.cupcaked.com (…and leave off the "potatoes" to e-mail)

Response:

I have heard it all now What a story. — Gordon Join us on Arline’s MGC-2003 http://www.mgc2003.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> You asked for it. So here goes. > Let me begin by describing the typical passenger(s) on the Seabourn Sun. > Most passengers were married and a surprisingly large number of > married couples included a husband of about 75 to 85 years old and a > very well preserved (through plastic surgery, exercise, cosmetics, etc.) > 60 to 65 year old wife. Half of the 700 passengers were Brittish and > half of these literally spoke the "Queens English". > The general atmosphere on this ship was friendly but very reserved. Many > of the passengers had sailed numerous times on the ship and one couple > whom we befriended occupied the penthouse suite for four months every > year. This particular couple actually left their clothing on the ship > year round. The highlight of the day for most passengers was "team > trivia", played every day at noon. > Most of the crew were holdovers from the Royal Viking Sun. Some very > important priorities for this ship included order, politeness, and > CONSISTENCY. I have two examples: > 1. One night after dinner, a group of passengers stayed around the piano > that was played outside the dining room. When they began to sing along > with the pianist, they were quickly and politely silenced by the cruise > director. > 2. On the eveing that I discovered and reported the shit (about 8:00 > PM), the elevator involved was taken out of commission until after > midnight. This was not because it took them four hours to clean and > fumigate. Rather, it was because the shit was located on on a removable > piece of carpet in the middle of the elevator on which the day of the > week was embossed. It seems they only had enough daily maps for each > elevator. Thus, rather than confuse the guests for four hours with the > wrong day in this elevator, they decided to take it our of service for > four hours. > Back to the fantom shitter. > Two days afer I discovered the shit, I was again in the elevator alone > on my way to the dining room. (Eileen is an addicted gambler and when we > are not dining, dancing, sleeping or romancing, she can always be found > in the casino). When the elevator doors opened, I found myself face to > face with this woman (or perhaps a man I thought). She was in her mid > thirties, very tall, and butt ugly. She was dressed in a black leather > miniskirt, a red halter made of ostrich feathers, and she donned long > blue satin evening gloves on her arms. > When I described her to my tablemates, one of the couples who were > actually the bridge instructors on the ship, indicated that they knew > exactly who I was talking about. They stated that this woman was > married to a 100 year old man whom she had met one year earlier on the > ship. They went on to tell me how mean she was to this guy and how the > dealers in the casino had complained about her behavior. It seems that > every night, she would come to the casino and and sit at a blackjack > table with one leg thrown over the lap of her wheelchair bound, 100 year > old husband. The dealers reported that she never wore any underwear and > she cursed like a truck driver (sorry for the cliche but that’s how it > was stated) whenever she lost a hand. > That night, I witnessed the scene firsthad in the casino. I even got > Eileen to look away from her video poker machine for a few minutes. > Within days this woman had become the talk of the ship. And she was > obviously the fantom shitter, because she had both motive (she was > completely insane) and opportunity (she never wore underwear). By the > second week of the cruise, she was banned from entering the casino. > The story continues. > On day 13 or 14, we arrived in Casablanca. The 100 year old man got > very sick and was taken to the hospital. His devoted wife was quoted as > stating that there was "no fucking way she was staying in Morocco with > him". She got back on the ship by herself. That same evening, it was > reported that during dinner in the dining room, she removed a mirror > from her purse, ran three lines of cocaine on the mirror, and began to > snort the stuff. > She was immediately put under house arrest and locked in her cabin > (there is no brig on the Seabourn Sun). For the remaining five or six > days of this cruise, she spent hours on end, kicking her stateroom door > and cursing at the top of her lungs. This was very disturbing for the > guests who occupied nearby cabins but very amusing for the rest of us. > So that’s the true story.

Response:

I am abolutely not kidding. They closed the damn elevator until they could change the mat to the correct day of the week. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > You have absolutely got to be kidding! This is the most outrageous behavior > I have ever heard of! (Of course I mean the closing of the elevator, not > the "woman":) > My inlaws would be very proud of the crew not disturbing the consistency of > routine, in order to open the elevator. > Shauna

Response:

Love your stories and would love to hear more. Howard – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I would like to hear about the most outrageous or bizarre experiences >that rtc readers have had on cruises. > Oh, I got a few–here’s two about the same fellow (names withheld): > While playing music in the orchestra on the Sensy, there was a magician who > had the regular formal night gig in the auditorium. He was pretty good, but > after seeing the show a few times I’d figured out how he did his magic. It > wasn’t obvious, he was pretty good, but you notice little details here and > there. Well, I remarked on this in the crew bar one night to my fellow > musicians (never would I comment on a show in front of the passengers). > Someone must have overheard and reported me, because the next week he was > on, he told the CD to compel all the performers who had any contact with his > show (stage crew, musicians, dancers, etc.) to sign a confidentiality > statement; forbidding us from ever discussing his show in any manner shape > or form. I figure, o-kay, it’s not legally binding and he ought to trust > us, but what the hey. Like someone’s cruise would be ruined by them > figuring out that the girl didn’t actually turn into a bowl of fruit or > whatever. > The other story happened toward the end of my contract on the ship. Same > magician got a chance to audition for an Atlantic City stage show and needed > to send them a video of him on the job. The MD (Musical Director) called us > in and explained the deal, which included us leading the audience in a > standing ovation at the conclusion of his biggest illusion. We laughed, > saying, "He should earn an SO like the rest of us," but again, what the hey. > So the show goes well and at the very end, a dancer is supposed to jump out > of a trick box, with a flourish. The dancer was a guy in drag and if it had > worked would have been kind of funny I suppose, but what happened was as he > was jumping out, his long sequined evening gown got caught on a nail in the > box, so a graceful leap was out of the question–he’s lucky he didn’t bang > his head on the lid tripping over the caught gown! He tried to jerk it > loose, but it just snagged itself tighter. The audience and the video > cameras are recording all this, remember. Finally, the magician comes over > with a big smile and tries to rip the thing loose in a manly show of > strength. Unfortunately, and I think the women who wear sequined outfits > know this already, those suckers don’t rip easily and definitely not across > a seam. So you got two or three people tugging on this bright blue sequined > dress worn by a guy, under the lights and camera’s eye, the band playing on, > and faces are getting red and not just from the exertion if you know what I > mean. Finally, with one big tug they rip a hole in the dress and free the > poor fellow, then they all raise their hands and show dental work to the > audience while the band jumps up and starts applauding. The audience is > going, what the hell was that? > Don’t know if he got the gig in Atlantic City, but I haven’t seen or heard > of him since. > I got plenty stories. Like the lounge pianist who couldn’t keep his hands > off the passengers’ daughters but almost never got caught (he’d'a gotten > beached), the single females wanting a Love Boat experience with the > musicians (my wedding ring was no more a deterrent than spreading honey > around a picnic spot keeps away ants), the new MD forgetting to play walk-on > music (even though he’d played the gig as a sideman for weeks), the fake dog > thrown overboard but no one knew it was a fake pooch, the occasional > passengers venting their bigotry of other passengers or crew not knowing I > was crew myself. Oh yah, I got a few stories.

Response:

>You asked for it. So here goes.

I don’t think anyone can beat that story, Howard!

Response:

>When the elevator doors opened, I found myself face to >face with this woman (or perhaps a man I thought). She was in her mid >thirties, very tall, and butt ugly. She was dressed in a black leather >miniskirt, a red halter made of ostrich feathers, and she donned long >blue satin evening gloves on her arms.

Yikes! What a story that is. I think the ship you were on was the consummate clincher. Your description of the ‘typical" Royal Viking Sun/ Seabourn cruiser was important. Karen __ /7__/7__/7__ ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::… http://www.cupcaked.com (…and leave off the "potatoes" to e-mail)

Response:

You have absolutely got to be kidding! This is the most outrageous behavior I have ever heard of! (Of course I mean the closing of the elevator, not the "woman":) My inlaws would be very proud of the crew not disturbing the consistency of routine, in order to open the elevator. Shauna

Response:

You asked for it. So here goes. Let me begin by describing the typical passenger(s) on the Seabourn Sun. Most passengers were married and a surprisingly large number of married couples included a husband of about 75 to 85 years old and a very well preserved (through plastic surgery, exercise, cosmetics, etc.) 60 to 65 year old wife. Half of the 700 passengers were Brittish and half of these literally spoke the "Queens English". The general atmosphere on this ship was friendly but very reserved. Many of the passengers had sailed numerous times on the ship and one couple whom we befriended occupied the penthouse suite for four months every year. This particular couple actually left their clothing on the ship year round. The highlight of the day for most passengers was "team trivia", played every day at noon. Most of the crew were holdovers from the Royal Viking Sun. Some very important priorities for this ship included order, politeness, and CONSISTENCY. I have two examples: 1. One night after dinner, a group of passengers stayed around the piano that was played outside the dining room. When they began to sing along with the pianist, they were quickly and politely silenced by the cruise director. 2. On the eveing that I discovered and reported the shit (about 8:00 PM), the elevator involved was taken out of commission until after midnight. This was not because it took them four hours to clean and fumigate. Rather, it was because the shit was located on on a removable piece of carpet in the middle of the elevator on which the day of the week was embossed. It seems they only had enough daily maps for each elevator. Thus, rather than confuse the guests for four hours with the wrong day in this elevator, they decided to take it our of service for four hours. Back to the fantom shitter. Two days afer I discovered the shit, I was again in the elevator alone on my way to the dining room. (Eileen is an addicted gambler and when we are not dining, dancing, sleeping or romancing, she can always be found in the casino). When the elevator doors opened, I found myself face to face with this woman (or perhaps a man I thought). She was in her mid thirties, very tall, and butt ugly. She was dressed in a black leather miniskirt, a red halter made of ostrich feathers, and she donned long blue satin evening gloves on her arms. When I described her to my tablemates, one of the couples who were actually the bridge instructors on the ship, indicated that they knew exactly who I was talking about. They stated that this woman was married to a 100 year old man whom she had met one year earlier on the ship. They went on to tell me how mean she was to this guy and how the dealers in the casino had complained about her behavior. It seems that every night, she would come to the casino and and sit at a blackjack table with one leg thrown over the lap of her wheelchair bound, 100 year old husband. The dealers reported that she never wore any underwear and she cursed like a truck driver (sorry for the cliche but that’s how it was stated) whenever she lost a hand. That night, I witnessed the scene firsthad in the casino. I even got Eileen to look away from her video poker machine for a few minutes. Within days this woman had become the talk of the ship. And she was obviously the fantom shitter, because she had both motive (she was completely insane) and opportunity (she never wore underwear). By the second week of the cruise, she was banned from entering the casino. The story continues. On day 13 or 14, we arrived in Casablanca. The 100 year old man got very sick and was taken to the hospital. His devoted wife was quoted as stating that there was "no fucking way she was staying in Morocco with him". She got back on the ship by herself. That same evening, it was reported that during dinner in the dining room, she removed a mirror from her purse, ran three lines of cocaine on the mirror, and began to snort the stuff. She was immediately put under house arrest and locked in her cabin (there is no brig on the Seabourn Sun). For the remaining five or six days of this cruise, she spent hours on end, kicking her stateroom door and cursing at the top of her lungs. This was very disturbing for the guests who occupied nearby cabins but very amusing for the rest of us. So that’s the true story.

Response:

Now, that’s funny! Howard – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I also encountered a sample of the same substance when I worked for > Royal Viking Line, but it wasn’t a "phantom" who left it, it was just > a poor man who got incredibly sick. Fortunately for him, he was in a > very uncrowded part of the ship during the dinner hour when it > happened, but I don’t know why he headed for this room instead of back > to his cabin. > While I worked on the same ship I was walking outside the dining room > when I saw a female passenger who had obviously just left the > restroom. Her formal gown was caught in her pantyhose waistline in the > back. I "ahemed" loudly and when she turned around I pointed > discretely to my back. She just started at me quizzically for a long > time until I did a little "your ass is showing" dance for her. Then > she reached behind her and discovered her em-BARE-ASS-ment and > proceded to fix it. > Paul Motter > www.cruisemates.com

Response:

> I would like to hear about the most outrageous or bizarre experiences > that rtc readers have had on cruises.

Oh, I got a few–here’s two about the same fellow (names withheld): While playing music in the orchestra on the Sensy, there was a magician who had the regular formal night gig in the auditorium. He was pretty good, but after seeing the show a few times I’d figured out how he did his magic. It wasn’t obvious, he was pretty good, but you notice little details here and there. Well, I remarked on this in the crew bar one night to my fellow musicians (never would I comment on a show in front of the passengers). Someone must have overheard and reported me, because the next week he was on, he told the CD to compel all the performers who had any contact with his show (stage crew, musicians, dancers, etc.) to sign a confidentiality statement; forbidding us from ever discussing his show in any manner shape or form. I figure, o-kay, it’s not legally binding and he ought to trust us, but what the hey. Like someone’s cruise would be ruined by them figuring out that the girl didn’t actually turn into a bowl of fruit or whatever. The other story happened toward the end of my contract on the ship. Same magician got a chance to audition for an Atlantic City stage show and needed to send them a video of him on the job. The MD (Musical Director) called us in and explained the deal, which included us leading the audience in a standing ovation at the conclusion of his biggest illusion. We laughed, saying, "He should earn an SO like the rest of us," but again, what the hey. So the show goes well and at the very end, a dancer is supposed to jump out of a trick box, with a flourish. The dancer was a guy in drag and if it had worked would have been kind of funny I suppose, but what happened was as he was jumping out, his long sequined evening gown got caught on a nail in the box, so a graceful leap was out of the question–he’s lucky he didn’t bang his head on the lid tripping over the caught gown! He tried to jerk it loose, but it just snagged itself tighter. The audience and the video cameras are recording all this, remember. Finally, the magician comes over with a big smile and tries to rip the thing loose in a manly show of strength. Unfortunately, and I think the women who wear sequined outfits know this already, those suckers don’t rip easily and definitely not across a seam. So you got two or three people tugging on this bright blue sequined dress worn by a guy, under the lights and camera’s eye, the band playing on, and faces are getting red and not just from the exertion if you know what I mean. Finally, with one big tug they rip a hole in the dress and free the poor fellow, then they all raise their hands and show dental work to the audience while the band jumps up and starts applauding. The audience is going, what the hell was that? Don’t know if he got the gig in Atlantic City, but I haven’t seen or heard of him since. I got plenty stories. Like the lounge pianist who couldn’t keep his hands off the passengers’ daughters but almost never got caught (he’d'a gotten beached), the single females wanting a Love Boat experience with the musicians (my wedding ring was no more a deterrent than spreading honey around a picnic spot keeps away ants), the new MD forgetting to play walk-on music (even though he’d played the gig as a sideman for weeks), the fake dog thrown overboard but no one knew it was a fake pooch, the occasional passengers venting their bigotry of other passengers or crew not knowing I was crew myself. Oh yah, I got a few stories.

Response:

>Before the first week of this cruise was over, we had discovered the >identity of this fantom shitter; but that is a whole other story.

Well dont leave us in hanging, tell it

Response:

I also encountered a sample of the same substance when I worked for Royal Viking Line, but it wasn’t a "phantom" who left it, it was just a poor man who got incredibly sick. Fortunately for him, he was in a very uncrowded part of the ship during the dinner hour when it happened, but I don’t know why he headed for this room instead of back to his cabin. While I worked on the same ship I was walking outside the dining room when I saw a female passenger who had obviously just left the restroom. Her formal gown was caught in her pantyhose waistline in the back. I "ahemed" loudly and when she turned around I pointed discretely to my back. She just started at me quizzically for a long time until I did a little "your ass is showing" dance for her. Then she reached behind her and discovered her em-BARE-ASS-ment and proceded to fix it. Paul Motter www.cruisemates.com

Response:

Mike: I can safely say that it wasn’t my dog. : ) However, as the human partner of a service dog team, I can tell you that when I was paired with Heidi I signed an agreement with the program that trained her. In the simplest terms, it states that I agree to give her the proper care, food, etc. and to represent the program in the most positive light possible. There was a specific portion with regard to how the dog (and I) are to "behave" in public. She is to wear her vest and leash, no inappropriate sniffing, etc. If she has an accident, she is my dog, I’m supposed to clean it up. This lead to much angst among the crew on the first cruise we took her on. Most members of a cruise ship crew cannot fathom a passenger willing to clean a carpet. I find it hard to believe that any human partner would leave that there. I guessing it was human.

Response:

Was this the ship that no longer provided bathrooms in the staterooms? (hilarious typo from a review some weeks back) What a story! And on Seabourn no less. This one’s going to be hard to top, Howard. Ben S. (thinks the Sun’s shops ran out of Depends) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I would like to hear about the most outrageous or bizarre experiences > that rtc readers have had on cruises. Here is one of mine: > Eileen and I were on a 19 day Atlantic crossing of the Seabourn Sun. > On day 4 of this cruise, I stepped into one of the rear elevators on my > way to dinner. When the doors closed I was overcome with a disgusting > odor. I looked down and found that someone had left a pile of feces in > the center of the elevator. I was alone in the elevator and my first > thought was "what if the doors open and someone thinks that I did this." > When the elevator stopped, I was relieved to find that no one was > waiting there to board. I rushed to dinner and quickly told my > tablemates what I had encountered. After some laughing, they convinced > me to report this to purser’s desk. I left the table and went to the > purser’s desk. > I stated: "Someone has had an accident in one of the rear elevators." > Reply: "Have they fallen? Are they hurt?" > I stated: "No, not that kind of accident." > Reply: "Are they sick?" > I stated: "There is a pile of shit in the elevator." > The expression of horror on the desk clerks face was indescribable. > The next evening, one of the women at our table reported that while > walking in the corridor outside her stateroom, she also encountered a > pile of shit. She went on to tell us that when she reported this to the > purser’s desk, her conversation went pretty much like mine had. > Before the first week of this cruise was over, we had discovered the > identity of this fantom shitter; but that is a whole other story. > Howard

Response:

Okay, Howard. Who was phantom shitter??? Babette

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I would like to hear about the most outrageous or bizarre experiences > that rtc readers have had on cruises. Here is one of mine: > Eileen and I were on a 19 day Atlantic crossing of the Seabourn Sun. > On day 4 of this cruise, I stepped into one of the rear elevators on my > way to dinner. When the doors closed I was overcome with a disgusting > odor. I looked down and found that someone had left a pile of feces in > the center of the elevator. I was alone in the elevator and my first > thought was "what if the doors open and someone thinks that I did this." > When the elevator stopped, I was relieved to find that no one was > waiting there to board. I rushed to dinner and quickly told my > tablemates what I had encountered. After some laughing, they convinced > me to report this to purser’s desk. I left the table and went to the > purser’s desk. > I stated: "Someone has had an accident in one of the rear elevators." > Reply: "Have they fallen? Are they hurt?" > I stated: "No, not that kind of accident." > Reply: "Are they sick?" > I stated: "There is a pile of shit in the elevator." > The expression of horror on the desk clerks face was indescribable. > The next evening, one of the women at our table reported that while > walking in the corridor outside her stateroom, she also encountered a > pile of shit. She went on to tell us that when she reported this to the > purser’s desk, her conversation went pretty much like mine had. > Before the first week of this cruise was over, we had discovered the > identity of this fantom shitter; but that is a whole other story. > Howard

i can only assume it was a seeing eye dog or some other related helping animal. —Mike Savad — <—> Mike’s Photosig Page –> http://www.photosig.com/userphotos.php?id=9050 Mike’s Canon Powershot Pro90 IS –> Photo Page – http://www.savad.0catch.com/ Mike’s Canon Powershot Pro90 IS –> Photo Page 2 – http://www.pbase.com/savad Mike’s Stained Glass –> http://www.geocities.com/Paris/1141/ <–Stained Glass Tips

Response:

I would like to hear about the most outrageous or bizarre experiences that rtc readers have had on cruises. Here is one of mine: Eileen and I were on a 19 day Atlantic crossing of the Seabourn Sun. On day 4 of this cruise, I stepped into one of the rear elevators on my way to dinner. When the doors closed I was overcome with a disgusting odor. I looked down and found that someone had left a pile of feces in the center of the elevator. I was alone in the elevator and my first thought was "what if the doors open and someone thinks that I did this." When the elevator stopped, I was relieved to find that no one was waiting there to board. I rushed to dinner and quickly told my tablemates what I had encountered. After some laughing, they convinced me to report this to purser’s desk. I left the table and went to the purser’s desk. I stated: "Someone has had an accident in one of the rear elevators." Reply: "Have they fallen? Are they hurt?" I stated: "No, not that kind of accident." Reply: "Are they sick?" I stated: "There is a pile of shit in the elevator." The expression of horror on the desk clerks face was indescribable. The next evening, one of the women at our table reported that while walking in the corridor outside her stateroom, she also encountered a pile of shit. She went on to tell us that when she reported this to the purser’s desk, her conversation went pretty much like mine had. Before the first week of this cruise was over, we had discovered the identity of this fantom shitter; but that is a whole other story. Howard

Response:

Okay, Howard. Who was phantom shitter??? Babette

Response:

>Before the first week of this cruise was over, we had discovered the >identity of this fantom shitter; but that is a whole other story.

Well dont leave us in hanging, tell it

Response:

__ /7__/7__/7__ ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::… http://www.cupcaked.com (…and leave off the "potatoes" to e-mail)

Response:

> I would like to hear about the most outrageous or bizarre experiences > that rtc readers have had on cruises.

Response:

>You asked for it. So here goes.

I don’t think anyone can beat that story, Howard!

Response:

Damn and I thought Baby could be bad.

Response:

Wow Howard! So you actually got to meet Anne Nicole Smith? Jim > You asked for it. So here goes.

<>>

Response:

I printed it out as well. lived in the Phila area most of my life. Thanks for a great story.

Response:

Peter, you self-righteous PRICK!

admin — Thu, 14 Nov 2002 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

>Really? Day 7 and 8 were the first time I’d been that long without a smoke >since I was 17. Intellectually, yes, I know it’s tough. Viscerally, ain’t >been there in a while, and am surprised at how it feels.

Hi DG, you are doing fine. You are making a lot of experience right now. Try to learn from that experience. Make something different. You have the right to learn from your experience. Your efforts weren’t for nothing. And YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO SUCCEED. Make yourself clear that you are in no way different than other quitters, who seem to be more successful. You just didn’t find the right way yet. Please read the post of ddsteve i reposted about fear of discomfort "Reposts about inner dialogs …). Could be of help to you. Learn from your experience and you will make a huge step forward. Good Luck Karl

Response:

> >Sandie, you are absolutely right! I did take Peter’s comments personally, >and perhaps I shouldn’t have. If he was using reverse psychology, it >certainly was effective. >I ought to thank him. >*waves to Peter* Thanks, Buddy!! >DG >face completely straight > You’ll be fine. > wb. > — > Lemming > Curiosity *may* have killed Schr

I have to apologise to you all, and gloat at the same time

admin — Mon, 09 Sep 2002 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

> Played the Stingray 5 for the first time tonight. WHAT A F***IN > REVELATION!!!! > You may say that this is sad but I can now play Crossroads in 4 different > places instead of the usual 2. And Mary Had A Little Lamb by SRV.

What do you think we’ve been telling you all this time! > I am in heaven. > This is the best thing that I have ever purchased!

You bet! Welcome to the world of those of us who play *real* basses! (all real basses have 5 or more strings!) Benj (Who is also green, even though my 6 string Modulus is pretty damn nice!) — SPAM-Guard! Remove .users (if present) to email me!

Response:

Thanks fellas I have only been playing bass for 3 years, 2 years and 6 months in a band. I was a bedroom rhythm guitarist but was absolutely shite. Yes the theory about bassists being failed guitarists is true in my case! I could just about hold Roadrunner by Bo Diddley together. Anyways, back to what I was going to say, I had a Fender USA Jazz that had been heavily customised with LED’s, the works. Thought that bright lights would distract the audience fom my lack of ability. The jazz is a 4 string. Played the Stingray 5 for the first time tonight. WHAT A F***IN REVELATION!!!! You may say that this is sad but I can now play Crossroads in 4 different places instead of the usual 2. And Mary Had A Little Lamb by SRV. I am in heaven. This is the best thing that I have ever purchased! Matthew

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Congrats on your purchase – a very nice bass. Many professionals would > commend you on your wise decision (Tony Levin, Pino Palladino, etc.) > I use a ‘Ray 5 as well, it replaced my Modulus Quantum and I’ve never been > happier. > Whoo-hoo! Color me green. Dem’s nice basses.

Response:

Congrats on your purchase – a very nice bass. Many professionals would commend you on your wise decision (Tony Levin, Pino Palladino, etc.) I use a ‘Ray 5 as well, it replaced my Modulus Quantum and I’ve never been happier.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Guys, > Yesterday I purchased the best bass in the world ever > I am sorry for beating you all to it but it is mine and I’m keeping it! > It is a VERY lightly used Stingray 5, sunburst, rosewood on maple neck. > It is an awesome guitar to play. > I am a very average player in a gigging pub blues band, but this thing just > sucks technique out of me. > It is so very comfortable to play. > Because a) I have small hands and b) I am a traditionalist, I have been a > staunch Fender Jazz player for all of my 3 years of playing live. > However, I picked this baby up expecting a plank for a neck, but it is just > sensational. > Therefore I have to apologise to all of you for not giving you a fair chance > to buy it. > I am so sorry. (gloat gloat) > Just need to get the hang of the eq now, it is going through an Eden Metro > with an additional 2×10 XLT > Any suggestions on settings of guitar and amp for a nice rounded bassy blues > sound? > Matthew

Response:

> Congrats on your purchase – a very nice bass. Many professionals would > commend you on your wise decision (Tony Levin, Pino Palladino, etc.) > I use a ‘Ray 5 as well, it replaced my Modulus Quantum and I’ve never been > happier.

Whoo-hoo! Color me green. Dem’s nice basses.

Response:

Guys, Yesterday I purchased the best bass in the world ever I am sorry for beating you all to it but it is mine and I’m keeping it! It is a VERY lightly used Stingray 5, sunburst, rosewood on maple neck. It is an awesome guitar to play. I am a very average player in a gigging pub blues band, but this thing just sucks technique out of me. It is so very comfortable to play. Because a) I have small hands and b) I am a traditionalist, I have been a staunch Fender Jazz player for all of my 3 years of playing live. However, I picked this baby up expecting a plank for a neck, but it is just sensational. Therefore I have to apologise to all of you for not giving you a fair chance to buy it. I am so sorry. (gloat gloat) Just need to get the hang of the eq now, it is going through an Eden Metro with an additional 2×10 XLT Any suggestions on settings of guitar and amp for a nice rounded bassy blues sound? Matthew

Response:

Thank-you…and tux fittings?

admin — Mon, 13 May 2002 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

–

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> First I want to thank all of you for responding to the wedding ring incident > that I posted about. It’s good to know that I’m not the only one that > thinks my fiance and I got cheated. We didn’t end up bringing the rings > back. I was tired of dealing with those people. But I won’t be buying > anything from that store from now on and I’ll make sure to warn my friends > about them as well. > Anyway, on to the subject of this post…tux fitting. Here’s the deal: I > live in St. John’s, Newfoundland (Canada), but the wedding is on the other > coast of the Island (10 hours away). My fiance and one groomsman live here > in St. John’s, two groomsmen and the two ringbearers live about an hour from > here, one groomsman lives half-way between the two locations, and another > one lives in Ontario. The only time they’ll all be together is just before > the wedding. We decided to go with a tuxedo shop close to the wedding > location, just in case we needed last minutes alterations on hems and such. > This, however, meant that almost everyone must get their measurements done > where they live. The tuxedo shop gave us a list of measurements for each > man to get done. > Anyways, some of them have had no trouble going to the different stores with > the salespeople happy to help them. But when my fiance and his two of his > groomsmen went to a bridal store this past weekend to get their measurements > done, the salesperson told them that they have different measurements from > those listed by our tuxedo store, and she said that they wouldn’t do the > other measurements, even though he was willing to pay the five dollar charge > for getting the measurements done. She said that her measurements were the > ‘proper’ measurements, the ones they do on the mainland (give me a break!) > and she was really offended that she was even being asked to do the other > measurements. My fiance, who is in sales himself, was very calm and > rational and tried to assure her that he thought they were a very good store > (after all, his family has used them for several other weddings), but even > after agreeing to do the groomsmen’s fittings, she flat-out refused to do > his!!! Even as a paying customer! I could see her refusing maybe if we > were getting the tuxes at the store across the street or something, but > that’s really not the case at all. We don’t have the time or the money to > fly him across the province just to get his measurements done! > So, I’m just wondering, is this normal for someone to refuse to do these > fittings? Even when the person is willing to pay a fee to have it done? > And how should we go about getting his measurements done now? There are > plenty of men’s stores around where we can get the measurements done, but I > just don’t want to run into the same trouble. If there is anyone here from > Newfoundland or Atlantic Canada, I’d especially like to hear from you, as > certain things are done differently here. Thanks again, everyone. > Sanda > Any tailor ought to be able to measure your groom for his tux fitting. > It’s routinely done when you have one of the wedding party members at > a different location than the tux rental place. It doesn’t have > to be any special "bridal" place, either. AFAIK, there is no special > "bridal tape measure" that must be used.

Some tux shops do take different measurements for their tuxes. I’ve been to three or four different places, and they’ve all given me a different list that they need. It’s just that this shop that my fiance went to refused to do the measurements that the other shop (where we’re actually getting the tuxes) needs. > If nothing else, anyplace he gets his suits from should be able to > do the measurements. They usually have tailors who do alterations, > and those guys know how to measure.

Yeah, I figured as much. I’m going to take him over to Tip Top Tailors (sp??) tomorrow. Thanks. Sanda

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > First I want to thank all of you for responding to the wedding ring incident > that I posted about. It’s good to know that I’m not the only one that > thinks my fiance and I got cheated. We didn’t end up bringing the rings > back. I was tired of dealing with those people. But I won’t be buying > anything from that store from now on and I’ll make sure to warn my friends > about them as well. > Anyway, on to the subject of this post…tux fitting. Here’s the deal: I > live in St. John’s, Newfoundland (Canada), but the wedding is on the other > coast of the Island (10 hours away). My fiance and one groomsman live here > in St. John’s, two groomsmen and the two ringbearers live about an hour from > here, one groomsman lives half-way between the two locations, and another > one lives in Ontario. The only time they’ll all be together is just before > the wedding. We decided to go with a tuxedo shop close to the wedding > location, just in case we needed last minutes alterations on hems and such. > This, however, meant that almost everyone must get their measurements done > where they live. The tuxedo shop gave us a list of measurements for each > man to get done. > Anyways, some of them have had no trouble going to the different stores with > the salespeople happy to help them. But when my fiance and his two of his > groomsmen went to a bridal store this past weekend to get their measurements > done, the salesperson told them that they have different measurements from > those listed by our tuxedo store, and she said that they wouldn’t do the > other measurements, even though he was willing to pay the five dollar charge > for getting the measurements done. She said that her measurements were the > ‘proper’ measurements, the ones they do on the mainland (give me a break!) > and she was really offended that she was even being asked to do the other > measurements. My fiance, who is in sales himself, was very calm and > rational and tried to assure her that he thought they were a very good store > (after all, his family has used them for several other weddings), but even > after agreeing to do the groomsmen’s fittings, she flat-out refused to do > his!!! Even as a paying customer! I could see her refusing maybe if we > were getting the tuxes at the store across the street or something, but > that’s really not the case at all. We don’t have the time or the money to > fly him across the province just to get his measurements done! > So, I’m just wondering, is this normal for someone to refuse to do these > fittings? Even when the person is willing to pay a fee to have it done? > And how should we go about getting his measurements done now? There are > plenty of men’s stores around where we can get the measurements done, but I > just don’t want to run into the same trouble. If there is anyone here from > Newfoundland or Atlantic Canada, I’d especially like to hear from you, as > certain things are done differently here. Thanks again, everyone. > Sanda

Any tailor ought to be able to measure your groom for his tux fitting. It’s routinely done when you have one of the wedding party members at a different location than the tux rental place. It doesn’t have to be any special "bridal" place, either. AFAIK, there is no special "bridal tape measure" that must be used. If nothing else, anyplace he gets his suits from should be able to do the measurements. They usually have tailors who do alterations, and those guys know how to measure. — aMAZon "It’s never too late to have a happy childhood."

Response:

First I want to thank all of you for responding to the wedding ring incident that I posted about. It’s good to know that I’m not the only one that thinks my fiance and I got cheated. We didn’t end up bringing the rings back. I was tired of dealing with those people. But I won’t be buying anything from that store from now on and I’ll make sure to warn my friends about them as well. Anyway, on to the subject of this post…tux fitting. Here’s the deal: I live in St. John’s, Newfoundland (Canada), but the wedding is on the other coast of the Island (10 hours away). My fiance and one groomsman live here in St. John’s, two groomsmen and the two ringbearers live about an hour from here, one groomsman lives half-way between the two locations, and another one lives in Ontario. The only time they’ll all be together is just before the wedding. We decided to go with a tuxedo shop close to the wedding location, just in case we needed last minutes alterations on hems and such. This, however, meant that almost everyone must get their measurements done where they live. The tuxedo shop gave us a list of measurements for each man to get done. Anyways, some of them have had no trouble going to the different stores with the salespeople happy to help them. But when my fiance and his two of his groomsmen went to a bridal store this past weekend to get their measurements done, the salesperson told them that they have different measurements from those listed by our tuxedo store, and she said that they wouldn’t do the other measurements, even though he was willing to pay the five dollar charge for getting the measurements done. She said that her measurements were the ‘proper’ measurements, the ones they do on the mainland (give me a break!) and she was really offended that she was even being asked to do the other measurements. My fiance, who is in sales himself, was very calm and rational and tried to assure her that he thought they were a very good store (after all, his family has used them for several other weddings), but even after agreeing to do the groomsmen’s fittings, she flat-out refused to do his!!! Even as a paying customer! I could see her refusing maybe if we were getting the tuxes at the store across the street or something, but that’s really not the case at all. We don’t have the time or the money to fly him across the province just to get his measurements done! So, I’m just wondering, is this normal for someone to refuse to do these fittings? Even when the person is willing to pay a fee to have it done? And how should we go about getting his measurements done now? There are plenty of men’s stores around where we can get the measurements done, but I just don’t want to run into the same trouble. If there is anyone here from Newfoundland or Atlantic Canada, I’d especially like to hear from you, as certain things are done differently here. Thanks again, everyone. Sanda —

Response:

Having home repairs done? Hide your tools.

admin — Sun, 12 May 2002 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

I recently discovered two of my tools missing from out of my basement. The only people who have been down there except for me in recent months were air conditioning subcontractors for a well-known chain store, and employees of a heavily-advertised home-improvement company. I hope I’m wrong in my suspicions, but you might take precautions in case I’m right. — bruce The dignified don’t even enter in the game. –The Jam

Response:

> I recently discovered two of my tools missing from out of my >basement. The only people who have been down there except for me in >recent months were air conditioning subcontractors for a well-known >chain store, and employees of a heavily-advertised home-improvement >company. I hope I’m wrong in my suspicions, but you might take >precautions in case I’m right.

You probably misplaced them…. BUT, a warning for you guys/gals. I KNOW where every tool is. I expect my friends to be sleeping soundly next to me. Do not mess with them. I WILL know. I should put a sign up on this one, Sanity. No, EVERYONE should put a sign up in their garage proclaiming this fact. "These are my friends. Do NOT touch them w/out consent!" BTW: We expect to know which company it was if you find them the culprit, or find enough to convince you to post them here as "likely untrustworthy." TheNIGHTCRAWLER (Don’t touch my tools

Response:

Sounds like you hired the cheapest contractors you could find and are getting exactly what you paid for. You might want to look for professional, recommended, liscensed, bonded, insured real companies next time. Nothings free and if you want the best you gotta pay for it. Bubba – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I recently discovered two of my tools missing from out of my >basement. The only people who have been down there except for me in >recent months were air conditioning subcontractors for a well-known >chain store, and employees of a heavily-advertised home-improvement >company. I hope I’m wrong in my suspicions, but you might take >precautions in case I’m right.

Response:

> Sounds like you hired the cheapest contractors you could find and are > getting exactly what you paid for. You might want to look for > professional, recommended, liscensed, bonded, insured real companies > next time. Nothings free and if you want the best you gotta pay for > it. > Bubba

Look at the bottom for the reply stupid. > I recently discovered two of my tools missing from out of my >basement. The only people who have been down there except for me in >recent months were air conditioning subcontractors for a well-known >chain store, and employees of a heavily-advertised home-improvement >company. I hope I’m wrong in my suspicions, but you might take >precautions in case I’m right.

How in the hell did you surmise all of that from his post? Reminding us that nothing’s free… How original a thought.

Response:

> I recently discovered two of my tools missing from out of my > basement. The only people who have been down there except for me in > recent months were air conditioning subcontractors for a well-known > chain store, and employees of a heavily-advertised home-improvement > company.

The obvious and most honest thing to do is to go to the nearest Sears and shoplift the same tools.

Response:

Due to time problems, I am having a crew come to my house and build my new shed. I am going to tell the foreman, as well as show him, that I will be out every day with my video camera to take pictures of everything in my back yard. That way I will be able to tell the time period that anything disappears. When I am working in someone’s house, attic, basement, crawl, or living space, I don’t touch a thing. Period. I don’t even like using my customer’s tools, ladders, etc. I think it works out better that way. HeatMan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I recently discovered two of my tools missing from out of my > basement. The only people who have been down there except for me in > recent months were air conditioning subcontractors for a well-known > chain store, and employees of a heavily-advertised home-improvement > company. I hope I’m wrong in my suspicions, but you might take > precautions in case I’m right. > — > bruce > The dignified don’t even enter in the game. > –The Jam

Response:

And he will probably tell you to shove your camera and your job up your distrustful ass. How would you feel if a customer of your’s told you they were going to take pictures of all their personal belongings prior to -you- coming into their house to do the job? > When I am working in someone’s house, attic, basement, crawl, or living > space, I don’t touch a thing. Period. I don’t even like using my > customer’s tools, ladders, etc. I think it works out better that way.

You’re a real prince… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> HeatMan

Response:

> > Sounds like you hired the cheapest contractors you could find and are > getting exactly what you paid for. You might want to look for > professional, recommended, liscensed, bonded, insured real companies > next time. Nothings free and if you want the best you gotta pay for > it. > Bubba > Look at the bottom for the reply stupid.

Stupid? Far from it dog poop boy..:) Actually, that was not meant as a flame..:) > > I recently discovered two of my tools missing from out of my > >basement. The only people who have been down there except for me in > >recent months were air conditioning subcontractors for a well-known > >chain store, and employees of a heavily-advertised home-improvement > >company. I hope I’m wrong in my suspicions, but you might take > >precautions in case I’m right. > How in the hell did you surmise all of that from his post? Reminding us > that nothing’s free… How original a thought.

Well…actually, Bubba was using some thoughts from Jabarco…who does remind us that when you go with the cheapest bidder, you sometimes get more than you barganed for. I find it hard to believe however, that any tech would steal a homeowners tools, since most homeowners do no invest in the better items, and while this isnt slamming the poster for his tool selection, since I have no way of knowing what he has, its a fact that MOST people do not own what techs would. He didnt say what tools where gone, but most techs use things like Rothchild, Ridgid, Bacharach, Klein, and other brands that are known in the trades, but not so much to the general public. I would be easier to believe that the homeowner in this case DID invest in good tools, perhaps the same brands as the contractors in question, and perhaps the tools got mixed up…however, I am sure thats not the case, and the original poster needs to contact the company that was out there and explain. That is why the owner of the company keeps insurance, and if worse comes to worse, after the brand and description of the tools is made, the owner of the company can, and should, check the service trucks for the tools in question. IF they are located on the vans/trucks, action on behalf of the owner of the company is in order…. None of us have any way of knowing what really happened. IT could be that the OP forgot where the tools are, and when he went down to check, he noticed he could no longer find them. Makes sense to put the blame on the other guys. I had that happen one time, were someone said that my helper or I must have stolen a tool of his that he knew was sitting on the furnace…well….it wasnt….it was hanging on a hook beside the furnace, and before anyone could point that out, this guy was demanding that we empty the van to find it. Another good reason for digital cameras and vid equipment on some jobs..:) It could be the tools in question are sitting still where they were before, with something covering them…none of us have any idea what tools he is talking about, how large they are, or anything else about them. IT could be the techs used where the cheapest son of a bitch in the book, and they took them. IF that is the case, no matter the brand name on them, he needs to take action, but he needs to be dead on when he calls to complain. I am assuming that from the original post, he had Home Depot come out for something, and also had one of the local Trane dealers out that is being subbed by Home Depot….and if that is the case, I find it hard to believe for one second that he really had anything that they needed…anything is possible..and there are some real stupid idiots out there…but again…anything is possible.

Response:

> You probably misplaced them…. BUT, a warning for you guys/gals. I > KNOW where every tool is. I expect my friends to be sleeping soundly > next to me. Do not mess with them. I WILL know. > I’m sure you would miss the DeWalt brand anal intruder…

Tee hee! You gotta know he favors the Porter-Cable string-o-pearls!

Response:

>> You probably misplaced them…. BUT, a warning for you guys/gals. I > KNOW where every tool is. I expect my friends to be sleeping soundly > next to me. Do not mess with them. I WILL know. >I’m sure you would miss the DeWalt brand anal intruder.

MY favorite :-) 650V turbocharged model 10,000 RPM. Put your hand on it, I’ll break it. Thaz all I’m sayin. TheNIGHTCRAWLER

Response:

>Due to time problems, I am having a crew come to my house and build my new >shed. I am going to tell the foreman, as well as show him, that I will be >out every day with my video camera to take pictures of everything in my back >yard. That way I will be able to tell the time period that anything >disappears. >When I am working in someone’s house, attic, basement, crawl, or living >space, I don’t touch a thing. Period. I don’t even like using my >customer’s tools, ladders, etc. I think it works out better that way. >HeatMan

Kind of overboard, but mentioning a "dead eye" cam as a live one is NOT a bad idea. Particularly if you are giving ANYONE free access to your home. Don’t do this EVER. At the apartments I was at, an alarm repair crew refused everything. Refused to touch anything, even when I tried to hand it to them. This is who you want, if you have to be in that situation. It was freaky to me, but I understand. They went overboard the other direction and Thaz cool as well. TheNIGHTCRAWLER – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I recently discovered two of my tools missing from out of my > basement. The only people who have been down there except for me in > recent months were air conditioning subcontractors for a well-known > chain store, and employees of a heavily-advertised home-improvement > company. I hope I’m wrong in my suspicions, but you might take > precautions in case I’m right. > — > bruce > The dignified don’t even enter in the game. > –The Jam

Response:

> I recently discovered two of my tools missing from out of my > basement. The only people who have been down there except for me in > recent months were air conditioning subcontractors for a well-known > chain store, and employees of a heavily-advertised home-improvement > company. I hope I’m wrong in my suspicions, but you might take > precautions in case I’m right.

Hopefully, your tools are misplaced, did you ever locate them? Thieves really suck. The people who tend to steal are white, I have had many people have their house worked on, including mine, largely with Mexican labor and those guys, in my opinion, have been the most honest. A wealthy relative of mine had white contractors fixing water damage steal her house blind: they took her wedding ring worth 10K and a video camera.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I recently discovered two of my tools missing from out of my > basement. The only people who have been down there except for me in > recent months were air conditioning subcontractors for a well-known > chain store, and employees of a heavily-advertised home-improvement > company. I hope I’m wrong in my suspicions, but you might take > precautions in case I’m right. > Hopefully, your tools are misplaced, did you ever locate them? > Thieves really suck. > The people who tend to steal are white, I have had many people have > their house worked on, including mine, largely with Mexican labor and > those guys, in my opinion, have been the most honest. A wealthy > relative of mine had white contractors fixing water damage steal her > house blind: they took her wedding ring worth 10K and a video camera.

*If* you have an ounce of sense in that mound of bone and dead flesh on top your neck read this you lops: http://www.jeffsarchive.com/race/Race,%20Crime,%20and%20Violence.html If you can’t read (which I suspect) at least look at the graphs.

Response:

Art, You’re a real piece of work. You need to get back on your Lithium because you are making a spectacle of yourself. As to your question of: How did I surmise my answer from the posters comments? Simple. Its called years of experience and a little bit of common sense. There. You Happy now? Ive spoken. Dont worry though. I wont respond again. It seems the little bit of reading Ive seen of your posts is true. You are quite the a$$. Have a nice life. Bubba – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Well…actually, Bubba was using some thoughts from Jabarco…:) >Well actually I wasn’t talking to you lamebrain but since you butted in here >you can take your 75 lines of bullshit that nobody cares to read and your >stupid fucking smiley faces and go "impress" the masses elsewhere. Let >Bubba speak for himself.

Response:

: The people who tend to steal are white, I have had many people have : their house worked on, including mine, largely with Mexican labor and : those guys, in my opinion, have been the most honest. A wealthy : relative of mine had white contractors fixing water damage steal her : house blind: they took her wedding ring worth 10K and a video camera. Interesting…and what did they do, knock her out and take the ring off her finger? chip

Response:

A "few" years ago, I left my wallet in the open while taking a shower. A buddy asked me if I was going to lock it up, to which I answered" Why, I trust everyone." His response: "Locks are to keep honest people honest." Sounded good to me, and I try to keep concept in mind today. If not locked up, perhaps out of sight and/or not readily accessible?? Ace – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I recently discovered two of my tools missing from out of my > basement. The only people who have been down there except for me in > recent months were air conditioning subcontractors for a well-known > chain store, and employees of a heavily-advertised home-improvement > company. I hope I’m wrong in my suspicions, but you might take > precautions in case I’m right. > — > bruce > The dignified don’t even enter in the game. > –The Jam

Response:

:> I recently discovered two of my tools missing from out of my :> basement. The only people who have been down there except for me in :> recent months were air conditioning subcontractors for a well-known :> chain store, and employees of a heavily-advertised home-improvement :> company. : :The obvious and most honest thing to do is to go to the nearest Sears :and shoplift the same tools. Yeah, "2 wrongs don’t make a right, but 3 do."

Response:

>A "few" years ago, I left my wallet in the open while taking a shower. >A buddy asked me if I was going to lock it up, to which I answered" Why, >I trust everyone." >His response: "Locks are to keep honest people honest." Sounded good to >me, and I try to keep concept in mind today. If not locked up, perhaps >out of sight and/or not readily accessible?? >Ace

Someone had to say it. It’s one of the first things you learn in the military… Right after the right way to brush your teeth. I’m not laughing.. NC – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I recently discovered two of my tools missing from out of my > basement. The only people who have been down there except for me in > recent months were air conditioning subcontractors for a well-known > chain store, and employees of a heavily-advertised home-improvement > company. I hope I’m wrong in my suspicions, but you might take > precautions in case I’m right. > — > bruce > The dignified don’t even enter in the game. > –The Jam

Response:

>Damn…and I was starting to like you…. >Now, you can take your attitude and go lay some tile… >Wanna talk about what no one cares about? How about your shitty attitude, >and smartassed comments?? There are times you hit the nail on the head, >really… >And then there are times you show what a prick you are…in here and in real >life.

No, no, no…don’t call him a prick. That is a part of a man and that wasted fuck does not qualify.

Response:

usenet this thought: >Hopefully, your tools are misplaced, did you ever locate them?

No. A couple of other lost household items make me suspect I’ve got a poltergeist on my hands, as well. >:^ Understand that I’m not formally accusing anyone of theft. But it 85% looks that way. >Thieves really suck. >The people who tend to steal are white, I have had many people have >their house worked on, including mine, largely with Mexican labor and >those guys, in my opinion, have been the most honest. A wealthy >relative of mine had white contractors fixing water damage steal her >house blind: they took her wedding ring worth 10K and a video camera.

– bruce The dignified don’t even enter in the game. –The Jam

Response:

Like I said..you need it… You really have a hangup on life in general…why dont you just go ahead and lodge a 9mm between your ears and save the rest of your family the pain of living with you.. :> As far as pissing me off…you are not that good..:) Still…a troll in training…when ya stop shitting yellow, let us know. Till then, enjoy talking to yourself… BTW…you missed the GNN account, the MSN account and several others..you and Bill Platt of Florida, are like peas in a pod…both idiots. Have a great life Arty…if you lay tile like you post, I feel real sorry for your customers..

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Damn…and I was starting to like you…. > Now, you can take your attitude and go lay some tile… > Wanna talk about what no one cares about? How about your shitty attitude, > and smartassed comments?? There are times you hit the nail on the head, > really… > And then there are times you show what a prick you are…in here and in real > life. > Best of luck to you….at this rate, you are gonna need it.. > > > Well…actually, Bubba was using some thoughts from Jabarco…:) > > Well actually I wasn’t talking to you lamebrain but since you butted in > here > > you can take your 75 lines of bullshit that nobody cares to read and your > > stupid fucking smiley faces and go "impress" the masses elsewhere. Let > > Bubba speak for himself. > You don’t know me in real life. Just in this cartoon you call home retard.. > And I don’t want you to like me. I want no part of yours and Bubba’s N.C. > Fudge Tunnel Bandit Brigade Stephen.. > Here’s a classic. Be sure and copy/paste the whole url now…

http://groups.google.com/groups?q=carolina+breeze+hvac&hl=en&selm=SSv… 1%24X4.843747%40newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net&rnum=10 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Startin to like me again? Fuck off.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Damn…and I was starting to like you…. > Now, you can take your attitude and go lay some tile… > Wanna talk about what no one cares about? How about your shitty attitude, > and smartassed comments?? There are times you hit the nail on the head, > really… > And then there are times you show what a prick you are…in here and in real > life. > Best of luck to you….at this rate, you are gonna need it.. > > Well…actually, Bubba was using some thoughts from Jabarco…:) > Well actually I wasn’t talking to you lamebrain but since you butted in > here > you can take your 75 lines of bullshit that nobody cares to read and your > stupid fucking smiley faces and go "impress" the masses elsewhere. Let > Bubba speak for himself.

You don’t know me in real life. Just in this cartoon you call home retard.. And I don’t want you to like me. I want no part of yours and Bubba’s N.C. Fudge Tunnel Bandit Brigade Stephen.. Here’s a classic. Be sure and copy/paste the whole url now… http://groups.google.com/groups?q=carolina+breeze+hvac&hl=en&selm=SSv… Startin to like me again? Fuck off.

Response:

> You probably misplaced them…. BUT, a warning for you guys/gals. I > KNOW where every tool is. I expect my friends to be sleeping soundly > next to me. Do not mess with them. I WILL know.

I’m sure you would miss the DeWalt brand anal intruder.

Response:

> Well…actually, Bubba was using some thoughts from Jabarco…:)

Well actually I wasn’t talking to you lamebrain but since you butted in here you can take your 75 lines of bullshit that nobody cares to read and your stupid fucking smiley faces and go "impress" the masses elsewhere. Let Bubba speak for himself.

Response:

Damn…and I was starting to like you…. Now, you can take your attitude and go lay some tile… Wanna talk about what no one cares about? How about your shitty attitude, and smartassed comments?? There are times you hit the nail on the head, really… And then there are times you show what a prick you are…in here and in real life. Best of luck to you….at this rate, you are gonna need it..

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Well…actually, Bubba was using some thoughts from Jabarco…:) > Well actually I wasn’t talking to you lamebrain but since you butted in here > you can take your 75 lines of bullshit that nobody cares to read and your > stupid fucking smiley faces and go "impress" the masses elsewhere. Let > Bubba speak for himself.

Response:

What to give as a gift?

admin — Mon, 25 Feb 2002 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Actually, Mike and Annette do have the bounced check. SHe has it in the back of her wedding album behind a card or something. The card would have to be taken out for someone to find the check. I should add that my cousin had a big 25th wedding party the day after my son’s wedding and I gave her a answering machine because she had never returned my calls when I was trying to find out if they were coming to Mike’s wedding. (she said her machine didn’t work well) But I kept the silver and crystal hurricane lamp that I was going to give them as a second gift when Mike and Annette opened the card with the $20 check in it! >;-) Glo – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Do you still have the check that bounced? > This is a gift grab, pure and simple. They’re married. It’s not a > "significant" anniversary (25, 50, 75 years). I don’t know that I’d > bother much. > Hope you figure out something; I trust your judgement.

Response:

>This whole wedding is going to be a showy scam to get gifts. But I >really need to put in an appearance as it’s a family thing and I’ll get >to see some relatives I enjoy seeing. (snip) >So – what do I bring for a gift?

The rule here is do not feed the Bridezilla. We do not encourage sham weddings. Gift-giving, attending showers, attending the fake ceremony, etc all encourages sham weddings. Your participation is your assent that you think it’s just peachy. Then others will take note and learn and do likewise. While you may not be able to get out of attending the sham ceremony, you can certainly limit your participation by skipping the fake ceremony and showing up only for the sham reception since you want to see relatives. You would of course, have to extend a courtesy to the hosts and say something nice. "Isn’t it a lovely day!" is always a good, non-commital comment. The better course of action would be for you to host a small party inviting those persons you want to see who will be in town for the shamness and skip the fake party altogether. But you do not have to give a gift for any sham event and we do not recommend you do. If you feel you absolutely must send a gift, e-mail me privately for my recommendation. Hope this helps, Noe

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> This whole wedding is going to be a showy scam to get gifts. But I > really need to put in an appearance as it’s a family thing and I’ll get > to see some relatives I enjoy seeing. > My cousin’s daughter was married 1/1/01. At home with a JP and just > her parents and the husband’s parents and his daughter. > At a family gathering "The bride" of one year announced to me that she > was planning on having a big wedding this summer. No specific date as > of that day – she was still in the planning stages and figuring out > exactly what she wanted. She is planning on all her sisters and cousins > for bridesmaids – she thinks there will be about 6 bridesmaids and > three flower girls. She has seen several gowns she liked. > I was a bit stunned and spoke out of turn, but I just sort of blurted, > "Becca, wouldn’t it make more sense to put that money toward your > house?" (they are also saving to one day buy a house) Her response > was,"I don’t want to miss out on all those yummy gifts!" > Knowing this and the fact that they will have been married over a year > and a half, already set up housekeeping, etc., I’m not too enthused > about going out and spending much on a gift. > Ok, I admit, I’m also still ripped that her parents came to my son’s > wedding with their whole family of 9 when we were expecting only the 4 > of them living at home – not the married ones and their spouses and > kid! AND! They took trays of food home and the $20.00 (Yes, that is > twenty dollars) that they gave my son and his wife for a wedding gift > bounced! > So – what do I bring for a gift? Ron, I especially can’t wait for > *your* comments on this one! > Glo

That’s easy – give her $20, check or cash, I’m sure you’re good for a check, and leave it at that. -Pea

Response:

I think a lovely letter congratulating them on their marriage (not wedding since this really isn’t one) and a small token would be appropriate. — Melissa (03/18/01) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> This whole wedding is going to be a showy scam to get gifts. But I > really need to put in an appearance as it’s a family thing and I’ll get > to see some relatives I enjoy seeing. > My cousin’s daughter was married 1/1/01. At home with a JP and just > her parents and the husband’s parents and his daughter. > At a family gathering "The bride" of one year announced to me that she > was planning on having a big wedding this summer. No specific date as > of that day – she was still in the planning stages and figuring out > exactly what she wanted. She is planning on all her sisters and cousins > for bridesmaids – she thinks there will be about 6 bridesmaids and > three flower girls. She has seen several gowns she liked. > I was a bit stunned and spoke out of turn, but I just sort of blurted, > "Becca, wouldn’t it make more sense to put that money toward your > house?" (they are also saving to one day buy a house) Her response > was,"I don’t want to miss out on all those yummy gifts!" > Knowing this and the fact that they will have been married over a year > and a half, already set up housekeeping, etc., I’m not too enthused > about going out and spending much on a gift. > Ok, I admit, I’m also still ripped that her parents came to my son’s > wedding with their whole family of 9 when we were expecting only the 4 > of them living at home – not the married ones and their spouses and > kid! AND! They took trays of food home and the $20.00 (Yes, that is > twenty dollars) that they gave my son and his wife for a wedding gift > bounced! > So – what do I bring for a gift? Ron, I especially can’t wait for > *your* comments on this one! > Glo

Response:

>So – what do I bring for a gift?

A roll of paper towels and a plastic bucket? Maybe one of those new Clorox mops. Ron Ng Knows!

Response:

>So – what do I bring for a gift? > A roll of paper towels and a plastic bucket? > Maybe one of those new Clorox mops.

lol. I like it!!

Response:

> >So – what do I bring for a gift? > A roll of paper towels and a plastic bucket?

Great idea! A yummy gift for the bride. > Maybe one of those new Clorox mops.

Those are at least $25, she should buy one and keep it for herself. They are good mops. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Ron Ng Knows!

Response:

> Knowing this and the fact that they will have been married over a year > and a half, already set up housekeeping, etc., I’m not too enthused > about going out and spending much on a gift. > Ok, I admit, I’m also still ripped that her parents came to my son’s > wedding with their whole family of 9 when we were expecting only the 4 > of them living at home – not the married ones and their spouses and > kid! AND! They took trays of food home and the $20.00 (Yes, that is > twenty dollars) that they gave my son and his wife for a wedding gift > bounced! > So – what do I bring for a gift?

I can tell you what I’d be tempted to do I would be tempted to figure out a gift that doesn’t have a lot of monetary value but that would have a great deal of sentimental value to anyone with a heart. They’ll be frustrated to not get something pricey off their registry, but will feel compelled to make much of the gift (and if they don’t, it will reflect badly on them). Plus, your thoughtfulness will reflect well on you. The trick is finding something that is really sentimental that doesn’t take a ton of time (handmade quilt) and isn’t too dear to part with (Great-Grandma’s wedding ring). For example, friends who got married recently had a story in which after they’d been dating many years and had many discussions about perhaps getting engaged, she stopped in a field of clover and told him if he could find a four leaf clover, she’d marry him. He looked down, and right at the tip of her toe was a four leaf clover. That’s how they got engaged. That’s a situation ripe for some sort of adorable clover-related gift (the sappier the better, in this instance Surely there’s *something* in your cousin’s daughter’s story that lends itself to this sort of thing. You might have to do some digging to find it, but it’ll be worth the satisfaction. Good luck, Ericka

Response:

This whole wedding is going to be a showy scam to get gifts. But I really need to put in an appearance as it’s a family thing and I’ll get to see some relatives I enjoy seeing. My cousin’s daughter was married 1/1/01. At home with a JP and just her parents and the husband’s parents and his daughter. At a family gathering "The bride" of one year announced to me that she was planning on having a big wedding this summer. No specific date as of that day – she was still in the planning stages and figuring out exactly what she wanted. She is planning on all her sisters and cousins for bridesmaids – she thinks there will be about 6 bridesmaids and three flower girls. She has seen several gowns she liked. I was a bit stunned and spoke out of turn, but I just sort of blurted, "Becca, wouldn’t it make more sense to put that money toward your house?" (they are also saving to one day buy a house) Her response was,"I don’t want to miss out on all those yummy gifts!" Knowing this and the fact that they will have been married over a year and a half, already set up housekeeping, etc., I’m not too enthused about going out and spending much on a gift. Ok, I admit, I’m also still ripped that her parents came to my son’s wedding with their whole family of 9 when we were expecting only the 4 of them living at home – not the married ones and their spouses and kid! AND! They took trays of food home and the $20.00 (Yes, that is twenty dollars) that they gave my son and his wife for a wedding gift bounced! So – what do I bring for a gift? Ron, I especially can’t wait for *your* comments on this one! Glo

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > This whole wedding is going to be a showy scam to get gifts. But I > really need to put in an appearance as it’s a family thing and I’ll get > to see some relatives I enjoy seeing. > My cousin’s daughter was married 1/1/01. At home with a JP and just > her parents and the husband’s parents and his daughter. > At a family gathering "The bride" of one year announced to me that she > was planning on having a big wedding this summer. No specific date as > of that day – she was still in the planning stages and figuring out > exactly what she wanted. She is planning on all her sisters and cousins > for bridesmaids – she thinks there will be about 6 bridesmaids and > three flower girls. She has seen several gowns she liked. > I was a bit stunned and spoke out of turn, but I just sort of blurted, > "Becca, wouldn’t it make more sense to put that money toward your > house?" (they are also saving to one day buy a house) Her response > was,"I don’t want to miss out on all those yummy gifts!" > Knowing this and the fact that they will have been married over a year > and a half, already set up housekeeping, etc., I’m not too enthused > about going out and spending much on a gift. > Ok, I admit, I’m also still ripped that her parents came to my son’s > wedding with their whole family of 9 when we were expecting only the 4 > of them living at home – not the married ones and their spouses and > kid! AND! They took trays of food home and the $20.00 (Yes, that is > twenty dollars) that they gave my son and his wife for a wedding gift > bounced! > So – what do I bring for a gift? Ron, I especially can’t wait for > *your* comments on this one! > Glo

Do you still have the check that bounced? This is a gift grab, pure and simple. They’re married. It’s not a "significant" anniversary (25, 50, 75 years). I don’t know that I’d bother much. Hope you figure out something; I trust your judgement. — aMAZon "It’s never too late to have a happy childhood."

Response:

OT: Work it out.

admin — Tue, 19 Feb 2002 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

LOL, good one Jackie .

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Little Johnny was sitting in class doing math problems when his teacher > picked him to answer a question. "Johnny, if there were five birds sitting > on a fence and you shot one with your gun how many would be left." "None" > replied Johnny, "cause the rest would fly away."

Response:

Little Johnny was sitting in class doing math problems when his teacher picked him to answer a question. "Johnny, if there were five birds sitting on a fence and you shot one with your gun how many would be left." "None" replied Johnny, "cause the rest would fly away." "Well the answer is four said the teacher, but I like the way you are thinking." Little Johnny says, "I have a question for you now. If there were three women eating ice cream cones in a shop, one was licking her cone, the second was biting the cone and the third was sucking the cone, which one is married." Well" said the teacher nervously, "I guess the one sucking the cone?" "No," said Little Johnny, the one with the wedding ring on her finger, but I like the way you are thinking." — Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Response:

LOL, good one Jackie .

Response:

airport security report

admin — Fri, 28 Dec 2001 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

I flew Jan 4 MAD – JFK: Iberia JFK – SFO: AA I usually like to reconfirm my reservation a day before and so when I called Iberia in Madrid Jan 3, they told that I should be at the airport 4 hours before the flight. That’s right 4 hours! I thought that was a bit much so I decided to get there about 3.5 hours before. However, due to my packing taking longer than expected and the Mar de Cristal to Barajas metro line being closed for repairs without my knowledge, I arrived at Barajas about 3 hours before the flight. This was more than enough time, in spite of all the security checks. There were the usual picture ID checks as you passed the security scanners and before you boarded the plane. One thing about Iberia is that THEY DO NOT BOARD BY ROW NUMBER. Rather, about half hour before boarding time, people just start queueing to get onto the plane. Sounds like a pretty inefficient system to me. I surmise people want to get on the plane first so as to get overhead bin space. Upon arrival at JFK to catch the AA flight to SF, I still had to go through the security checks, which surprised me because I thought I would not have to do this on a connecting flight. At the security scanner station, I noticed that you had to have a boarding pass. Some passengers got irate because all they had was a printed copy of etickets and they wanted to get the boarding pass at the gate and they were NOT allowed to pass. When boarding commenced, AA was doing random checks. As you boarded the plane you had to show your boarding pass and a picture ID. The attendant then put your ticket through the machine and the machine would RANDOMLY flash some lights indicating that a random check would be performed on the passenger. This random check consisted of inspecting any carryon luggage and inspecting shoes. It’s funny because as I started boarding the plane, all of a sudden the machine seems to have gone bonkers because it started flagging everyone for random checks, which meant they had to go to another line to be searched, etc. The inspectors themselves got pretty irritated and told some of the flagged customers to have the ticket scanned again and this time they went thru without a hitch. They’re trying but as you would expect, there are a lot of glitches and inconsistencies right now. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > My husband and I have just returned to Italy from a visit to the US. I > know many have asked about airport delays and security, so I thought I > would report. > On our outbound trip, everything went very smoothly. Our flight from > Ancona to Rome was a little late, and an Alitalia attendant met us with > a mini-train to take us to our departure gate. The security was a bit > more thorough and the metal detectors seemed to have been turned to > "super-sensitive". I had to return to remove my watch and a small chain > that have never made alarms go off before. Then I had to return again to > remove my wedding ring! I saw people who had zippers that made the alarm > ring. Of course, while you are stripping yourself of metal, your bags > are sitting on the conveyor belt where someone might be able to pick > them up and make off with them. On my return trip, I stripped myself of > all metal before arriving at security and put it all in a little bag > inside my purse. That way I got through on the first try. This will > certainly help you avoid delays for yourself and those behind you. > Immigration and customs at Kennedy were a breeze. For once my Italian > husband finished immigration before me and had to wait for me! Never > happened before! > After we arrived, the "shoe bomb" guy was nabbed and things tightened up > even more. My daughter, who flew from Detroit to Newark on the 19th met > people who had missed flights the day before because two hours for a > domestic flight turned out not to be sufficient. On our way back, we got > to the airport three and half hours before our flight and that turned > out to be fine, even a bit too much. It’s hard to gauge the time > necessary but better too early than too late. We saw a number of people > who were asked to remove their shoes, but no one asked us. There were > very careful passport checks at least three times before boarding. > We put all metal objects in our checked baggage and our carryon bags > were not hand checked. My husband’s laptop was carefully checked on > departure although not on the outbound trip. He said they put some sort > of substance on the case and then put it in a machine. He thinks this > was to check for traces of plastic explosives. > I saw a guy check in for the flight from New York to Milan who had no > checked baggage and only a small, half-empty gym bag as carryon luggage. > Since this was said to be one of the things that should have alerted the > AA staff in Paris for the shoe-bomb guy, I was a bit worried. Later, I > looked around the gate area to see if he had made it to our flight. I > saw him, asleep in his seat. I decided that a suicide bomber would > hardly fall sleep before his flight, so I stopped worrying. Maybe I’m > wrong, but it worked for me. Coincidentally, at the gate for the flight > to NY I couldn’t help feeling a little alarmed when I saw a number of > apparently Arab passengers seated at the gate area. I felt ashamed of my > prejudice, but I couldn’t resist the fear. Then I thought that suicide > bombers would hardly travel with wives and mothers. Finally, I noticed > that there was a flight for Kuwait leaving from the same gate an hour > after ours, and realized they were probably not on our flight at all. > At least all of the extra security is reassuring. > Barbara

Response:

> Some airport security checkpoints have been asking passengers to drink

We took a trip to Paris on Sept. 18th and were thoroughly checked here (US) including verifying if our water bottles were "Sealed", if not they were to be confiscated – we had just refilled them at the tap so they looked filled and we kept them. As to Paris, we were not checked at all and walked right through customs without anyone around to stop us – maybe it was our decision to follow the military guy who was holding a sub machine gun – in any case Paris was (and is) the greatest city on earth..

Response:

>Regardless of 9/11, the image of this woman trembling in fear upon seeing >Arab passengers at an airport, and then breathing a sigh of relief when >realizing they’re not on her plane is a little sickening. >Well, at least she seems to be (semi-) aware that she’s racist….

That is a completely unfair statement. I think you need to look up the meaning of racism in your dictionary. Barbara’s concerns were based upon factual threats to western travelers. Paul

Response:

> Regardless of 9/11, the image of this woman trembling in fear upon seeing > Arab passengers at an airport, and then breathing a sigh of relief when > realizing they’re not on her plane is a little sickening. > Well, at least she seems to be (semi-) aware that she’s racist….

…And of course, you are not? It’s a sad fact of human nature that, however "unprejudiced" we may consider ourselves, we are all at least AWARE of racial/ethnic/cultural differences, when they are visible. We may refuse to let them influence our thinking about a particular category of difference, but it is a conscious act (as was Barbara’s in forcing herself to accept her misgivings about her presumed fellow passengers, without protest.) We can control what we DO, we cannot always control what we FEEL. And momentary uneasiness is hardly the same as refusing to fly with Arab-American passengers (as happened with that Northwest flight, shortly after the 9/11 incident), or detaining an Arab-American secret-service agent (an American Airlines faux pas that hit the news here last week).

Response:

> We took a trip to Paris on Sept. 18th and were thoroughly checked here (US) > including verifying if our water bottles were "Sealed", if not they were to > be confiscated – we had just refilled them at the tap so they looked filled > and we kept them. As to Paris, we were not checked at all and walked right > through customs without anyone around to stop us – maybe it was our decision > to follow the military guy who was holding a sub machine gun – in any case > Paris was (and is) the greatest city on earth..

Why would they run careful checks when you were LEAVING a flight? The possible threat lies with boarding, not departing, passengers.

Response:

Hey Evelyn: Timely article in the "Washington Post Magazine" today (12/30) about the Al Qaeda cell in Manila that had been plotting to blow up eleven airliners over the Pacific in 1995. Long story of course, but essentially they had a dry run of their scheme by planting a bomb "that ripped through a Boeing 747 Philippine airliner, killing a Japanese passenger and forcing the plane to make an emergency landing" (page 27). What’s interesting here is further along in the story: "Yousef (one of the terrorists) had indeed been responsible for the blast aboard the Philippine airliner, which was actually a dry run to test the terrorists’ new generation of nitroglycerin explosive. Yousef had deposited his device-lethal liquid concealed in a CONTACT LENS SOLUTION BOTTLE with cotton ball stabilizing agents and a harmless looking wristwatch wrapped around it-under seat 27F on the Manila to Cebu leg of the flight to Tokyo".(page 27) The whole story can probably be found at washingtonpost.com. An interesting read. Doug Burke – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Regarding the new security standards, I’ve often wondered why they have not > banned carry on containers carring some type of liquid. This first occurred > to me five years ago as we are sitting in the Rome airport and across from > me is a guy with a bottle of Evian water. He looked, acted, and appeared > perfectly normal of course and nothing he did gave me cause for concern but > as I looked at the bottle I just caught myself wondering why a carry on like > that had not been banned as no one knows WHAT is in the bottle. It may now > be of course along with box cutters, but if not, I hope it comes to pass. > ALL liquids? If there’s any doubt, most – like Evian water > – can be easily enough verified. What purpose would > "banning" them serve? Out of curiosity, what threatening > substance did you think might be carried on in a water > bottle? Petrol or kerosene? Some kind of acid? If there > were any suspicion of its being a toxic substance, simply > asking the owner to drink some of it would quickly reveal > that, one way or another! (Either he’d drink it with > immediate and obvious ill effects, or run.)(;-D} "Plastic" > explosive is not a liquid, is it? The term suggests > something pliable, like modeling clay. > Some of us carry liquid medications in our pockets and/or > carry-on baggage – things upon which we depend, and dare not > trust to the vagaries of baggage checking (especially when > some airlines have a reputation for losing passengers’ > luggage). Even something so simple and basic as > (non-prescription) saline solution for contact lenses might > be difficult to replace at a moment’s notice when we reached > our destination, and what if it were required enroute? (If > you’ve ever worn them, you know that an eyelash or piece of > lint in your eye can cause major distress, if you cannot > immediately remove and clean the lens – which requires some > sort of sterile saline solution.)

Response:

> > Regarding the new security standards, I’ve often wondered why they have not > banned carry on containers carring some type of liquid. This first occurred > to me five years ago as we are sitting in the Rome airport and across from > me is a guy with a bottle of Evian water. He looked, acted, and appeared > perfectly normal of course and nothing he did gave me cause for concern but > as I looked at the bottle I just caught myself wondering why a carry on like > that had not been banned as no one knows WHAT is in the bottle. It may now > be of course along with box cutters, but if not, I hope it comes to pass. > ALL liquids? If there’s any doubt, most – like Evian water > – can be easily enough verified.

Exactly my point. No check whatsoever. Zero. From personal experience carry on bottles were being allowed with no verification as to what was inside as late as Sept. 18 when we carried on two bottles of water on a flight from Zurich to Washington. Oh, and Evelyn, the drink test would have been great, but my point is no one asked me to take a swig. > What purpose would > "banning" them serve? Out of curiosity, what threatening > substance did you think might be carried on in a water > bottle? Petrol or kerosene? Some kind of acid?

Maybe I missed something here, but didn’t you just answer your own question? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> If there > were any suspicion of its being a toxic substance, simply > asking the owner to drink some of it would quickly reveal > that, one way or another! (Either he’d drink it with > immediate and obvious ill effects, or run.)(;-D} "Plastic" > explosive is not a liquid, is it? The term suggests > something pliable, like modeling clay. > Some of us carry liquid medications in our pockets and/or > carry-on baggage – things upon which we depend, and dare not > trust to the vagaries of baggage checking (especially when > some airlines have a reputation for losing passengers’ > luggage). Even something so simple and basic as > (non-prescription) saline solution for contact lenses might > be difficult to replace at a moment’s notice when we reached > our destination, and what if it were required enroute? (If > you’ve ever worn them, you know that an eyelash or piece of > lint in your eye can cause major distress, if you cannot > immediately remove and clean the lens – which requires some > sort of sterile saline solution.).

Who would have thought this time a week ago we’d be taking off our shoes for inspection. It’s a crazy world we live in.Doug Burke

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > >Coincidentally, at the gate for the flight > to NY I couldn’t help feeling a little alarmed when I saw a number of > apparently Arab passengers seated at the gate area. I felt ashamed of my > prejudice, but I couldn’t resist the fear. Then I thought that suicide > bombers would hardly travel with wives and mothers. Finally, I noticed > that there was a flight for Kuwait leaving from the same gate an hour > after ours, and realized they were probably not on our flight at all. > > Regardless of 9/11, the image of this woman trembling in fear upon seeing > Arab passengers at an airport, and then breathing a sigh of relief when > realizing they’re not on her plane is a little sickening. > Well, at least she seems to be (semi-) aware that she’s racist….

I wouldn’t say I was trembling with fear, just somewhat anxious, and I was surprised at my anxiety. Fear is a very powerful emotion. I have rarely in my life had such suspicions based on a person’s appearance. I lived for many years in urban neighborhoods in the US, including Harlem, and sometimes in neighborhoods (in North Philadelphia) where I was the only white person. I walked around these neighborhoods freely by day and by night without any qualms. Do you think you are totally without prejudices? My former husband was black and my two daughters are of mixed race, so I have known prejudice close up, when my own children were the victims. I have met any number of well-meaning but prejudiced people and have learned to give them credit for their efforts and hope that their good intentions will win out in the end. I have never met in my life anyone who was entirely pure in this respect, and I think you delude yourself if you think you are the exception. The best thing you can do is to honestly examine yourself in all your dealings with other human beings and try to make your actions conform to your better instincts. This is what I tried to do at the airport. Some of the most racist people I have ever known were those who insisted they had no prejudices. Barbara

Response:

> Regarding the new security standards, I’ve often wondered why they have not > banned carry on containers carring some type of liquid. This first occurred > to me five years ago as we are sitting in the Rome airport and across from > me is a guy with a bottle of Evian water. He looked, acted, and appeared > perfectly normal of course and nothing he did gave me cause for concern but > as I looked at the bottle I just caught myself wondering why a carry on like > that had not been banned as no one knows WHAT is in the bottle. It may now > be of course along with box cutters, but if not, I hope it comes to pass.

ALL liquids? If there’s any doubt, most – like Evian water – can be easily enough verified. What purpose would "banning" them serve? Out of curiosity, what threatening substance did you think might be carried on in a water bottle? Petrol or kerosene? Some kind of acid? If there were any suspicion of its being a toxic substance, simply asking the owner to drink some of it would quickly reveal that, one way or another! (Either he’d drink it with immediate and obvious ill effects, or run.)(;-D} "Plastic" explosive is not a liquid, is it? The term suggests something pliable, like modeling clay. Some of us carry liquid medications in our pockets and/or carry-on baggage – things upon which we depend, and dare not trust to the vagaries of baggage checking (especially when some airlines have a reputation for losing passengers’ luggage). Even something so simple and basic as (non-prescription) saline solution for contact lenses might be difficult to replace at a moment’s notice when we reached our destination, and what if it were required enroute? (If you’ve ever worn them, you know that an eyelash or piece of lint in your eye can cause major distress, if you cannot immediately remove and clean the lens – which requires some sort of sterile saline solution.)

Response:

>Coincidentally, at the gate for the flight > to NY I couldn’t help feeling a little alarmed when I saw a number of > apparently Arab passengers seated at the gate area. I felt ashamed of my > prejudice, but I couldn’t resist the fear. Then I thought that suicide > bombers would hardly travel with wives and mothers. Finally, I noticed > that there was a flight for Kuwait leaving from the same gate an hour > after ours, and realized they were probably not on our flight at all.

Regardless of 9/11, the image of this woman trembling in fear upon seeing Arab passengers at an airport, and then breathing a sigh of relief when realizing they’re not on her plane is a little sickening. Well, at least she seems to be (semi-) aware that she’s racist….

Response:

Some airport security checkpoints have been asking passengers to drink from bottles they are trying to carry on board. Apparently some chemicals used for chem weapons are odorless and clear…like water. And this has been the case since October/ early November– not just the result of the latest shoe-bomb scare. Good question about medications–this is just a guess, but I bet the best thing is to bring them in original containers with pharmacy labels, even for travel within the US. And for stuff like saline solution and OTC stuff, it’s probably safest/quickest if you carried sealed, unopened boxes and containers whenever possible.

Response:

>We put all metal objects in our checked baggage and our carryon bags >were not hand checked. My husband’s laptop was carefully checked on >departure although not on the outbound trip. He said they put some sort >of substance on the case and then put it in a machine. He thinks this >was to check for traces of plastic explosives. >At least all of the extra security is reassuring.

I was checked at LaGuardia last night and had my shoes and carryon bag swiped for chemical testing. I think that this is the single greatest inmprovement in airport secuity in 20 years as I have been very vocal in the past about the inability of security to catch platic explosives. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Barbara

Response:

Thanks for the fine update Barbara. Like yourself I think it’s better to show up what may turn out to be too early than end up running frantically toward the gate. Better to go get a cup of coffee and read a book. Regarding the new security standards, I’ve often wondered why they have not banned carry on containers carring some type of liquid. This first occurred to me five years ago as we are sitting in the Rome airport and across from me is a guy with a bottle of Evian water. He looked, acted, and appeared perfectly normal of course and nothing he did gave me cause for concern but as I looked at the bottle I just caught myself wondering why a carry on like that had not been banned as no one knows WHAT is in the bottle. It may now be of course along with box cutters, but if not, I hope it comes to pass. Doug Burke – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > My husband and I have just returned to Italy from a visit to the US. I > know many have asked about airport delays and security, so I thought I > would report. > On our outbound trip, everything went very smoothly. Our flight from > Ancona to Rome was a little late, and an Alitalia attendant met us with > a mini-train to take us to our departure gate. The security was a bit > more thorough and the metal detectors seemed to have been turned to > "super-sensitive". I had to return to remove my watch and a small chain > that have never made alarms go off before. Then I had to return again to > remove my wedding ring! I saw people who had zippers that made the alarm > ring. Of course, while you are stripping yourself of metal, your bags > are sitting on the conveyor belt where someone might be able to pick > them up and make off with them. On my return trip, I stripped myself of > all metal before arriving at security and put it all in a little bag > inside my purse. That way I got through on the first try. This will > certainly help you avoid delays for yourself and those behind you. > Immigration and customs at Kennedy were a breeze. For once my Italian > husband finished immigration before me and had to wait for me! Never > happened before! > After we arrived, the "shoe bomb" guy was nabbed and things tightened up > even more. My daughter, who flew from Detroit to Newark on the 19th met > people who had missed flights the day before because two hours for a > domestic flight turned out not to be sufficient. On our way back, we got > to the airport three and half hours before our flight and that turned > out to be fine, even a bit too much. It’s hard to gauge the time > necessary but better too early than too late. We saw a number of people > who were asked to remove their shoes, but no one asked us. There were > very careful passport checks at least three times before boarding. > We put all metal objects in our checked baggage and our carryon bags > were not hand checked. My husband’s laptop was carefully checked on > departure although not on the outbound trip. He said they put some sort > of substance on the case and then put it in a machine. He thinks this > was to check for traces of plastic explosives. > I saw a guy check in for the flight from New York to Milan who had no > checked baggage and only a small, half-empty gym bag as carryon luggage. > Since this was said to be one of the things that should have alerted the > AA staff in Paris for the shoe-bomb guy, I was a bit worried. Later, I > looked around the gate area to see if he had made it to our flight. I > saw him, asleep in his seat. I decided that a suicide bomber would > hardly fall sleep before his flight, so I stopped worrying. Maybe I’m > wrong, but it worked for me. Coincidentally, at the gate for the flight > to NY I couldn’t help feeling a little alarmed when I saw a number of > apparently Arab passengers seated at the gate area. I felt ashamed of my > prejudice, but I couldn’t resist the fear. Then I thought that suicide > bombers would hardly travel with wives and mothers. Finally, I noticed > that there was a flight for Kuwait leaving from the same gate an hour > after ours, and realized they were probably not on our flight at all. > At least all of the extra security is reassuring. > Barbara

Response:

My husband and I have just returned to Italy from a visit to the US. I know many have asked about airport delays and security, so I thought I would report. On our outbound trip, everything went very smoothly. Our flight from Ancona to Rome was a little late, and an Alitalia attendant met us with a mini-train to take us to our departure gate. The security was a bit more thorough and the metal detectors seemed to have been turned to "super-sensitive". I had to return to remove my watch and a small chain that have never made alarms go off before. Then I had to return again to remove my wedding ring! I saw people who had zippers that made the alarm ring. Of course, while you are stripping yourself of metal, your bags are sitting on the conveyor belt where someone might be able to pick them up and make off with them. On my return trip, I stripped myself of all metal before arriving at security and put it all in a little bag inside my purse. That way I got through on the first try. This will certainly help you avoid delays for yourself and those behind you. Immigration and customs at Kennedy were a breeze. For once my Italian husband finished immigration before me and had to wait for me! Never happened before! After we arrived, the "shoe bomb" guy was nabbed and things tightened up even more. My daughter, who flew from Detroit to Newark on the 19th met people who had missed flights the day before because two hours for a domestic flight turned out not to be sufficient. On our way back, we got to the airport three and half hours before our flight and that turned out to be fine, even a bit too much. It’s hard to gauge the time necessary but better too early than too late. We saw a number of people who were asked to remove their shoes, but no one asked us. There were very careful passport checks at least three times before boarding. We put all metal objects in our checked baggage and our carryon bags were not hand checked. My husband’s laptop was carefully checked on departure although not on the outbound trip. He said they put some sort of substance on the case and then put it in a machine. He thinks this was to check for traces of plastic explosives. I saw a guy check in for the flight from New York to Milan who had no checked baggage and only a small, half-empty gym bag as carryon luggage. Since this was said to be one of the things that should have alerted the AA staff in Paris for the shoe-bomb guy, I was a bit worried. Later, I looked around the gate area to see if he had made it to our flight. I saw him, asleep in his seat. I decided that a suicide bomber would hardly fall sleep before his flight, so I stopped worrying. Maybe I’m wrong, but it worked for me. Coincidentally, at the gate for the flight to NY I couldn’t help feeling a little alarmed when I saw a number of apparently Arab passengers seated at the gate area. I felt ashamed of my prejudice, but I couldn’t resist the fear. Then I thought that suicide bombers would hardly travel with wives and mothers. Finally, I noticed that there was a flight for Kuwait leaving from the same gate an hour after ours, and realized they were probably not on our flight at all. At least all of the extra security is reassuring. Barbara

Response:

Who would have thought this time a week ago we’d be taking off our shoes for inspection. It’s a crazy world we live in.Doug Burke

Response:

> Some airport security checkpoints have been asking passengers to drink

Response:

That is a completely unfair statement. I think you need to look up the meaning of racism in your dictionary. Barbara’s concerns were based upon factual threats to western travelers. Paul

Response:

> Regardless of 9/11, the image of this woman trembling in fear upon seeing > Arab passengers at an airport, and then breathing a sigh of relief when > realizing they’re not on her plane is a little sickening. > Well, at least she seems to be (semi-) aware that she’s racist….

Response:

Why would they run careful checks when you were LEAVING a flight? The possible threat lies with boarding, not departing, passengers.