Merkin

When I was a child I lived on a family farm with an outhouse, and we engaged in a primitive form of recycling by using old Sears catalogs and other salvaged paper for our wipe, as well as fresh corn husks (not corncobs, despite the stereotype, but just as nasty). I believe I've paid forward enough to have earned the privilege of buying quilted, fluffy, multi-thickness toilet paper which I can now even flush with the push of a lever, imagine that. James

If you're going to share your home with other organisms you're going to have to expect them to have their own agendas.

Too late for hints, Bruin. You'll just have to suck it up and write a nice 'Thank You' for the boxed set of Susan Boyle I got you. And for Camy (Amazon ships free for quantity purchases).

If I had to have a brother I'd want one like that.

Prepare to be gobsmacked by the prices.

I've only just finished the first chapter, but I'd like to say how much it has impressed me. First of all, this writer appears to have come up with a new angle, a fresh look at a situation that could well have been presented as more predictable and ordinary. Although I suspect the storyline may well become more predictable, at this point of my initial encounter with the story I am excited to be offered new angles to view it. The firm and even narrative tone of voice, the choice of detail, and the measured pace all show me how much this writer is in control of his material. Reading this chapter has sold me on reading the rest. James

I plan to sleep through the second one.

I'm notifying my broker to invest everything in Windex futures.

Eh? You say Colin either wears shorts or no clothes?

Three Luds is hardly a coven, but we'll take all the succour we can get.

I'm with you, Cole. Better the devil I know than the devil I don't. Of course I was among the last to give up on my Beta video recorder and my Laserdisc player. James

Bruin has a knack for making you feel as though you are sitting before a cosy fire listening to a dear friend explain why you haven't seen much of him lately, and as his tale unfolds you hang on his every word, realizing as you do that here is a master storyteller as well as a thoroughly decent human being. A most wonderful experience for any reader. James

No more love bites.

It was getting late and the cab driver picked up his last fare for the evening, a nun in full black regalia. The cabbie glanced repeatedly in his rear view mirror and finally spoke. “Do you mind if I ask you something rather personal, Sister?” “No, ask me anything, young man.” “I’ve always wanted to kiss a nun. Is that a sin?” The nun looked up and studied his eyes in the rear view mirror. “Are you a good Catholic? Are you married?” “I’m Catholic, Sister, and I’m still single.” The nun carefully considered his answer, then said, “Pull into the next alley and come into the back seat.” The cabbie swerved into a dark opening in the middle of the next block. His hands were moist and he swallowed nervously as he climbed into the back seat of the cab. The nun embraced him tightly and gave him the most passionate kiss he had ever experienced, tongue and all. Flustered and breathing hard, the cabbie returned to the driver’s seat and backed the cab out onto Fifth Avenue and continued driving. After a lengthy silence he said. “I feel awful, Sister. I lied to you. I’m married and I’m Jewish.” The nun smiled. “I’ve deceived you, too. My name is Kevin and I’m going to a Halloween party.”

Why, oh why, is it necessary to pursue followup always after the fact? Why isn't someone preventing these things from happening? Why isn't there automatic prosecution when they do happen? Why must this kid suffer a concussion and bear the memory of this happpening to him in a classroom?

To start a new paragraph, Tracy, hold down 'Shift' and hit 'Enter' twice. Like this. James

It won't be the first time.

Sorry, Steven, I don't have room on my plate just now to help out, but I do admire your delivery. James

Blue demonstrates his mastery of the double entendre with his posting style?

It's fun to watch this one unwind.

Mike Arram is a world-class historian and although he has constructed the history of Rothenia from scratch it dovetails completely with the actual history and politics of Europe during those periods covered by his series. James

One feature of our federal form of government is that every state has the opportunity to make its own stupid damnfool mistakes. It's just too bad to be stuck as a resident of one of those political sinkholes.

It's one of the reasons they call it Merrie Olde England.

All the pills do is let you see better in the dark.

Cool beans: a flash made up of mini flashes, plus a reprise to the tease at the beginning. A brilliant technique. Must go experiment, since imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Lovely. James