Liota

Another military one... About three years ago I was involved in a major renovation project that involved the upgrade of a "freight" elevator to a "passenger/freight" elevator. With the renovation came an upgrade to the control panel and all associated stuff. It included a lighted number panel. I asked why the lighted number panel since the buttons lit up and only turned off when the elevator car reached the correct floor. I was told, "It's for blind passengers." Consider this. 1. The building was for miltary training. How many blind military members are there going through technical training? 2. Passengers are not authorized on the elevator unless they are accompanying freight or have a profile prohibiting the climbing of stairs. You figure it out. Liota

I hope... -for all of the people who've died at that man's hand or because of him in any way that his soul heard the cheering as he died. -that the people who have suffered, or have loved ones who have suffered or died due to his reign, have some peace knowing he will never again come to power. If it's inappropriate, delete it. Liota P.S. Larry, you're a sick, sick, sick little boy.

I'm happy for all of the people in Iraq who get an opportunity to rebuild their country without the fear that he might come back to power.

You guys are making me miss drawing mine. Haven't drawn it in awhile. Loooooonnnnnnnngggggg while. Great looking bows, both of you! Liota

Steve, Unless I got it completely wrong, he doesn't have to drive that far to work, unless he goes to the store downtown.* He and Kay live right there. I'm so green with envy. *I use the term "downtown" very loosely. The store is great, but not exactly in town.

+1 to Jerry not fanning the hammer. Yes, he is just that fast. His reloading technique is awesome. He showed a bunch of bottom feeder shooting girls how to reload a couple of years ago. It was the coolest thing to bounce the full moon clip off the frame and watch it drop neatly into the cylinder. He is also definitely one of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet. His concentration is incredible, too. He goes from easy-going chat session to full ON concentration with the drop of a hat. It's very impressive. He makes me want to shoot revolver very badly. Maybe one day... Liota

I found this one on Snopes.com when I was fishing around in there this morning. http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/humor/grinch.asp Merry Christmas, Everyone! Liota

Funny, but long. L

Sean, Get home soon! I never thought I'd say that to someone only a few miles from home. Merry Christmas! Liota

Probably not off of mine. Very minimal. Paranoid? Me? Nope. Just lazy.

Gumby, If you want actual hard numbers regarding chemical energy, someone else will have to answer. I'm military, but they don't let me play with the neat stuff. As to size of primers, 9mm & .40 generally use small primers, either rifle or pistol. .45 uses large primers. As for the damage a primer can do when it goes bang inappropriately? Anecdotal evidence, and some first-hand on here, says that if the primer is in the press's primer tube, the whole tube will go up. One friend of mine embedded his primer tube in the ceiling of his house. In a chamber, when there is no flash hole, it ruins the case and may get parts of the brass in tight quarters. You might want to do a search on the forum for other information. v/r, Liota

Bill, PM Sent. Liota

Yeah, the mountains are very pretty right now. The snow covers the dreariness of all the brown. The sun came out full and strong today. The air was like a crystal, very clear, sparkly, crisp and clean. I was bundled up fairly well. It only got to about 24 today. You have to enjoy how blue the sky is now. It won't be that way in about three and a half months. Liota

I'm only guessing, but the 2007 will be harder to hit than 2006 or 2000? 2001 was a bear. That was my last year there. Liota

Here are the pictures, as promised. They are taken from the doorstep of my dormitory. Enjoy. Snow 1 Snow 2 Snow 3 Sun is coming out now, but it should last until tomorrow. Edited for quick update: Stuff's pulling a Wicked Witch of The West routine...I'm melting!!!! Liota

Rich, Take care of yourself and your squadmates over there. Come back safe, all of you. Liota

We are currently getting our first measurable snow for the year. It is beautiful. The snow plow has been by at least twice. The stuff is falling fairly heavily. People were having snowball fights around midnight as they came back on base to go to bed. Their child-like laughter was much better than the usual drunken noise. The weather is late coming. Last year it snowed throughout November and December, but only about three times after that. It's been unseasonably warm. Low temperatures at night are just now getting ready to dip to the high teens. I only wish I could go up to the DMZ today and see all the open fields covered in snow. It's a beautiful area on a warm day and must be absolutely gorgeous with snow on it. The great thing about the DMZ is that no one has stepped foot on that ground for fifty years, save some roe bucks and other local fauna. I'll post pictures as soon as there's enough light for the camera. Liota

One of my unit mates has had a tragic event in his family. His mother's house burned down, total loss, earlier this week. The family owned the house outright, but had no fire insurance. Currently, his mother, two sisters and his niece are homeless. The unit has set up an account for them to help defray expenses. What I am looking for are local agencies to whom they can turn for help. Our ability to help from the other side of the marble is somewhat limited. Liota

Around 92, the Air Force used to launch Titan IV's out of Vandenberg AFB, CA, a couple of times a year. Those of us who got to see them launch felt lucky. Those of us who woke thinking it was an earthquake changed our sheets. Those of us who got used to the Titans slept through lots of earthquakes. Liota

I was just wondering that.

I have a cynical answer for how folks in those cities would do, but will refrain.

I don't have one yet. Maybe after I retire. Right now, I just want the "Orders to home." L

9/10 Minimum wage is $5.15???? Wow! I remember it being $3.25 and me not getting it.

Guys, As an alternative to Dremel, you might consider Foredom. It is a flex shaft drill generally used in jewelrymaking. The motor hangs on a hook or stand. The flex shaft and handpiece hang off the motor. You control motor speed via foot pedal. It's quite good. http://www.foredom.com Liota

Rocket and Chris, I think it's funny the sheer number of red gripped STI/SVI types there are around now. The red makes them look good. I love mine. It wasn't a Christmas gift, but the turnaround time from Benny was awesome! All I really want is that sheet of paper with orders to go home. Liota