marcandalysse

We have these kids coming around all the time. We live around alot of retirees, so to them the kids must remind them of their grandchildren. We have gotten rude language from the 'kids' we've sent away. In addition to selling magazines, kids have said their sales of small items or candy allows them to go to Universal Studios or summer camp. I don't trust any of them. I'll buy girl scout cookies or the like from the neighbor kids that I recognize. And yeah, "no soliciting"...what kid knows what that word means, let alone know how to pronounce it? marc "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton

You obviously haven't been paying attention to that aspect of many female skydivers at the DZs.....if women there with breast augmentation didn't jump or do tandems, business would be significantly less..... "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton

In Orlando, Cirque do Soliel at Downtown Disney, Blue Man at Universal CityWalk if you haven't seen them. The Skyventure WindTunnel at I-4 exit 75A, if you got lots of $$ to burn quickly. ZHills is 40 minutes away. Beaches are great everywhere. Forget the Panhandle and head to Sebastian. Swim and Skydive "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton

I have WMP10 on XP. Also have WinDVD. They both play all types of mpeg, avi, and dvds. But I bought some used DVDs from Blockbuster and none play correctly on my laptop. I get the audio but not the video (visual portion). Since that is happening for both dvd players I wonder what is going on. Any guesses? "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton

The Internet is the New Sweatshop N’Gai Croal NEWSWEEK Updated: 4:40 PM ET Jun 28, 2008 When an executive wants to sound humane during a public address to the staff, he or she will trot out the well-worn phrase, "Our most valuable assets leave the building at the end of the day." Clichés are generally true, but this one may not be, thanks to the growth of user-generated content on the Internet. Whether they're creating content for sites like YouTube and Wikipedia, viewer-submitted news services like CNN's iReport or videogames like Spore and LittleBigPlanet, today's most valuable employees will most likely never set foot inside the building—or collect a paycheck. They may be teenagers posting videos of themselves dancing like Soulja Boy, programmers messing around with Twitter's tools to create cool new applications or aspiring game developers who want to create the next big thing. But what they all have in common is a somewhat surprising willingness to work for little more than peer recognition and a long shot at 15 seconds of fame. Yet is it really a sweatshop if none of the workers is complaining? They're certainly not complaining about Spore—unless it's about how long it's taken videogame creator Will Wright and his team to complete the universe-simulation game, which finally ships in September. Two weeks ago, Wright's employers at Electronic Arts released Spore's Creature Creator as a prelaunch promotion; seven days later, more than 1 million creatures had been created by users and uploaded to the "Sporepedia" for others to enjoy. "We wanted to give the players high diversity, as well as a huge universe to explore," Wright says. "The only way we could possibly achieve this was to, in essence, 'outsource' the majority of our content production to the players." Similarly, Sony's struggling Playstation 3 console is expected to get a boost later this year with the release of LittleBigPlanet, which lets users create their own games using a powerful but playful set of tools. "YouTube doesn't help you to make a video—it just provides a means of distribution," says LittleBigPlanet technical director Alex Evans. "Our particular take on user-generated content focuses on making the act of creation fun." Whether these 21st-century worker bees can be said to be having fun (is it really entertaining to update a Wikipedia entry?), there's no question that their moonlighting has value even if they're not being compensated. A YouTube spokesperson informed us that 10 hours of video are uploaded to the service every minute, which she says is the equivalent of 57,000 full-length movies every week. The comedy site FunnyOrDie may have broken into the national consciousness with Will Ferrell's hilarious video "The Landlord," but it's the cumulative efforts of all the John Q. Comics that will determine the start-up's future prospects. We asked FunnyOrDie CEO Dick Glover to calculate what his site's estimated 10,000 hours of video would cost if professionally produced; at the "inexpensive" industry rate of $400,000 per half hour, it comes out to $8 billion. Glover quickly points out that this number is somewhat meaningless because of the vast difference in production values between an Internet short and a low-end Hollywood shoot. Still, it shows the kind of scale he and his colleagues have been able to achieve in a little more than a year. Now, there are some enterprises built around user-generated content that do provide compensation to those whose work is published, like the $100 and yearlong subscriptions offered by the magazines JPG (photography) and Everywhere (travel). But as long as so many of you are willing to work for free, the proprietors of these virtual sweatshops will happily accept. "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton

A book came out in the early 1970s, translated from Spanish (written in Chile) called "How to read Donald Duck" It was amazing. Written by leftists, it was banned in South America and Disney unsuccessfully tried to sue and stop the American version. Showed how Disney perpetuated Capitalism and stereotypes.... The authors reminded us that Goofy is a dog who wears clothes and drives a car. But Pluto is a dog too! And Goofy bosses Pluto around! What is that all about? My favorite part though, was about Sex as portrayed in the Disney comics. Mickey and Minnie have been dating for 60 years. Same with Donald and Daisy. You never see their brothers and sisters....Yet they both have nephews....where did they come from? Maybe Huey, Dewie, and Louie were actually their 'love children'?? And when they show parents, like Bambi's mother, baby Lion King's dad, they get killed off early in the game! (although Dumbo's mother was only put in chains and separated from her son).....No sex in Disney..... And of course, neither Don or Daisy wear pants! "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton

You meant to type '70th Bday' didn't you? see ya there! marc "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton

not sure which of the regulars live down that way. maybe calling manifest (closed on tues and wed) someone might know... marc "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton

In bad economy, life is good for the repo man By TAMARA LUSH Associated Press Writer FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - In a bad economy, fun is often the first casualty. For James Hedrick, that means it's a busy time in his line of work. He's one of those dreaded repo men. He spends his days scanning megayachts, sailboats and fishing skiffs as he steers his dinghy through a marina west of the city's skyscrapers, looking for a piece of the American dream. This particular piece is a gleaming white, 65-foot Hatteras with two master bedrooms, two full bathrooms and a full galley kitchen with glossy teak cabinets. The owner is $35,000 past due on his $1.5 million boat loan. Hedrick is an agent with National Liquidators, considered by industry experts to be the world's largest marine repo company. The Fort Lauderdale-based company has tripled its business in the past three years, and now takes possession of about 200 boats a month in Florida, Ohio and California. The company's competitors also say they've seen similar increases in business. "They're going to hang on to the car, they're going to hang on to the house. But they're going to give up on the boat," said Hedrick, whose employer has doubled its staff in two years to 85 repo agents so they can meet demand from the banks and lenders. It's not just boats: Repo agents say banks and lenders have been asking them to reclaim all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, small planes, snowmobiles, semi-trucks and, of, course, cars. Vehicle repossessions were up 10 percent in 2007 over the previous year, said Tom Webb, an analyst for Atlanta-based Manheim, the largest car auction company in the nation. One boat dealer, whose company also does recovery for banks and lenders, says those facing boat repossession were typically involved in the housing boom either as a real estate agent, construction worker or mortgage broker. "A lot of this is self-inflicted. It's somebody who three years ago made $50-$60,000 and didn't save a penny," said Ray Jones, the owner of Long Beach Yacht Sales in California. "They thought the income would never end. But the income stopped and the toys went away." Rising gas prices have also made it harder for owners to make room in their budgets for boat trips. Marine diesel fuel is over $5 a gallon in some places, which means a five-hour jaunt on the water can easily cost $250 for some gas-guzzling yachts. Last year's marine diesel cost about $3.40 a gallon. "For about a year now, it's been good for the repo guy," says Don Mashak, the owner of First National Repossession in Minneapolis. Overall, the marine industry is hurting. Bankers say new boat loans are declining. MarineMax, the nation's largest boat retailer based in Clearwater, reported in April that sales fell 28 percent for its second quarter. Because prices for used boats are falling, buyers can buy repossessed boats under 60 feet for as low as 40 percent of what the boat would cost new, said Robert Toney, National Liquidators' president. Boats larger than that are less likely to be repossessed because their wealthy owners are in a better position to weather a slowing economy, Toney said. Sometimes, owners turn the boats in to the repo agencies when they realize they can no longer pay. But other times, they hide or vandalize the boats before they can be seized, said Megan McQuaide, the owner of Repo Yacht Sales in San Diego. She's boarded boats with oil splashed around the cabin, engines intentionally overheated and feces on the deck. "Sometimes it's really malicious stuff," she said. On a recent June afternoon, Hedrick finds no such surprises aboard the 65-foot Hatteras. He and his assistant board the yacht to take photos and catalog any personal items. There aren't many aboard, and the boat is unusually clean, save for a six-pack of Diet Coke and a children's video in one of the VCRs. Occasionally, he finds the remnants of parties: bikinis, champagne bottles and even drugs. He calls police if he comes across anything illegal. Most of all, he tries to avoid confrontations. He carries a sharp knife on his belt to swiftly cut dock lines and a company credit card in his wallet in case he needs to pay past-due dock fees. If the owner shows up, Hedrick will politely leave and let lawyers, lenders and the boat owner sort it out. "I'm not 'Dog the Bounty Hunter,'" says Hedrick. "We get paid not to have trouble. But does it bother me sometimes? You bet." "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton

Dont forget the costs for getting your jumps video'd. Its a great tool to show you both problems and successes in each level and coach jump. And don't forget beer, and tshirts, and bumper stickers and sunscreen and a new tatoo and new Vans shoes and.....oh yeah.....DON'T FORGET TO TIP YOUR PACKERS! this is NOT a low priced sport! you're gonna want gear and a cool jumpsuit and alti and it goes on and on.....many people managed to get to their A license then stop cause the cash is gone or when they realize what they will now spend on gear.....even if still interested in the sport. good luck! marc "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton

Hmm...I follow that tradition, Ray! "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton

heheh, that's a good one HThoughts! "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton

What a beautiful animal! Was he a Great Pyrenees or a newfounland? "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton

actually, a lot of people on dz.com know each other across the globe and we can often figure out pretty quickly correct details about the poster assuming they have given name and dz for example. Anyway, if you want to try a safer raft jump, look for the muff brothers like Mr HappyThoughts' at one of the boogies they go to. As you can tell from his post, there's lots of experience there. PS Happythoughts....nice raft jump photos, but wheres the nudity?? "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton

depends on what neighborhood you are in! Clark between belmont and addison (south of wrigley field) has lots of ethnic choices....ethiopian, mexican, jamaican, japanese, thai....on a weekend I'd have lunch at one, wander around till dinner and choose another for dinner! I really like Veracruz Mexico style seafood. There's a few related places like Costa Azul on Ashland just north of chicago ave, Playa Azul on south 18th near ashland in pilsen mexican village etc. Greek town on Halsted near madison has LOTS of great places! Greek Islands, Costas, many others The SouthEast Asian area around Argyle exit on the El has dozens of places- viet, laos, thai, cambodian etc all very good. Shaws Crab House near Marina City is always nice as someone mentioned. "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton

you mean 'jozu ja nai' or simply 'betsu ni, amari....ma ma des' Beer = BIRU Saki + SAKEH anyway, you'll have a great time! o daijini, marc "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton

Vinnie, you need to spend an evening at Janine's with us! She has quite the collection. On her birthday many of us buy her expensive bottles of single malts. For my tastes...Depends on the mood and if I am snacking or eating with the scotch. Some are peppery, others smokier etc. A smooth one is Cardhu. I like Laphroig, and sometimes pour myself a Talisker. I buy a couple bottles of different brands to try everytime I go through a duty free shop. I spent a few weeks working at the Glasgow offices of Diogeo (formerly Guiness/UDV) distillery some years back. On Friday afternoon they opened up a small bar where you could buy shots of any of their products for a pound. Plus very cheap prices for bottles. My coworkers gave me a quick education on single malts that day! Johnny Blue had just been released that month (2000) and they had very good prices for it. Blue was created specifically to make a $100+/bottle of booze to sell to the Japanese, who liked paying a lot for cognacs etc for gift giving. "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton

I dont recognize that van as one of the regulars... "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton

Looks like I'll be working in Chicago area this summer, but way up in North Chicago....a little far to be able to play in the big city.... marc "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton

I'd like to run my car using the spent cooking oil from the chinese restaurant across the street....or the fast food joint next to it.... "Hey I smell eggrolls....must be marc coming down the street...." "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton

useless to society? tell that to the 4 guys working on my landscaping today, the 3 different crews who replaced my roof last week, the cook and the dishwasher in the restaurant I went to tonite, the hospital workers who cleaned my room a few weeks ago.....must I list any more? I also remember a Miami friend bitching about how only bilingual folks were getting jobs....that was in 1972! And those roofers and landscapers love when I croak out a few sentences in their language and respect me a lot for it.... welcome to the global economy pal....I sure don't feel your gringo pain.... PS yeah....time to learn chinese! hasta la vista baby! marc "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton

I use google a lot! everyday had a new graphic this week.... "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton

not quite sure what that means....but for your NEPHEW??? mp "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton

thanks for the grab bag prizes...but what was that ointment in those little aerodyne tubes? after seeing that queen video I am starting to wonder.... "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton

For starters, I can't imagine someone depp's size surviving the prison beatings described in that chapter. You'd need lots of beef on your bones! "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton