Uh-oh. CNN reports that global warming is now killing 300,000 people per year. Apparently, as a people, we failed to be roused by the plight of the polar bear. So now we're talking about people. Interesting ...

You guys read this? Pretty scary stuff if you ask me... They're citing a pastor's (at home) bible study as violating public ordinances.

I'm quite happy, and there are really few things (if any) that I want.

But *this* would be cool!

Looks like Ole Miss is in the running to host an academic conference on this issue of U2 sometime this fall. Who knows, Greg? Maybe you'll come to see the light.

"Any soldier who goes into battle against the Taliban in pink boxers and flip-flops has a special kind of courage..."

The way Gates kept on reiterating the pink boxers, you know it was for effect. Shock and Awe. Poor kid will never get out of uniform, again. Ever.

Funny---I just sat in on a group conversation the other day when a divorcee was trash-talking her ex-husband. And I just found the whole thing funny. This is the man that you thought you loved and trusted; was intimate with; allowed him to father one of your two children (the first from a previous marriage). And now, you're badmouthing him about what a rotten low-life he is? About all the bad choices HE'S made?

Sorry, it had to come out somewhere. So it just happened to be here...

Ok--now I'm getting pissed. I have no damn idea if I'm from Caucasia. Not a single clue. And even if I were, wouldn't the proper terminology be Caucasian-American? But since my origination is unknown, "white" is fine.

Obama Says U.S. Long-Term Debt Load ‘Unsustainable’

I don't even know where to begin...

Tried the Mentos + Diet Coke trick for my girls. A good time was had by all (including the neighborhood kids). Video...

It probably shot-up a good 7 or 8 feet. And they have nozzles that reduce the diameter, thus forcing it a good 30 feet high. ...just might be worth the money :)

Cool stuff to do w/ the kids!

During today's commencement address, Bob Schieffer reported that James Meredith was "clean" and "well spoken." What an insult... Typical liberal statement...

Some goofy college kids decided to have a 10-minute "flash rave" at the library. Their efforts were lead by a guy in a penguin costume. Still makes me laugh every time I see it...

If we're looking at early / mid August, I have a few suggestions. Even at some elevation, it's going to be h-o-t. (Global warming, you know...)

This, to me, changes things quite a bit. Further, I'm sensing some trepidation on the whole "walk out in the middle of no where and spend a week not getting killed" approach. (It was a great way to meet a big cat in the panhandle of Florida in the middle of the night!)

I vote that we follow the river. (Which river? Any river...) Makes having a water-source a no brainer; and it's great for 'beating the heat.' Further, the valleys allow for cooler air and the tree-cover is protection from the sun. The sandy banks are also great for sleeping w/ bad backs; we are getting old you know. It's a win/win. (Can you tell I've done this a time or two?) West Virginia would be ideal (such as around the town of Beckley or somewhere that serves the New River, etc), as would a few places in NC and TN. (Of course, I'm only saying that because I'm already familiar w/ them; my vote still is for the most accessible place for all of us. Don't know much of the Va options, although I would suggest we seek elevation for the heat.)

And hiking (long distances) in that kind of heat may be a silly idea too. Not in August... (No, I'm not 20 anymore--and my butt is out-of-shape.) To be honest, *this* is the ideal time to really go out there; not too hot and the snakes aren't out in full force. If we wanted to do something rugged, the time to start training would be now...

Just throwing a few more ideas out there. Start giving me dates, and I can plug 'em in to my calendar.

And as an aside, there's a complete class-act in the WV area that might be of some help to us. I don't think they offer camp-sites, etc... but Court and I have used them in the past (as has my Mom) and we've been really impressed each and every time. They may be a good resource to point us in the right direction. (I used to go solo-camping out by the river when Court went white-water...)

Wow--sorry guys, I hadn't checked back in a while. The comments aren't in my RSS.

Matt's WV idea is a great one, I think. I've been there many times; loved each and every trip. A great part of the country. Either someplace centrally located or some place w/ an easy fly-in/out. And I think part of the spirit of this whole deal is to go man-cheap. (Note, man-cheap is significantly different relative to woman-cheap.)

I was thinking male/manly only. It's just not feasible to bring along kids (of the age that I've got). They require all of one's attention. The whole point (at least for me) is to get out in the middle of no-where, explore, and not-die. Find some adventure and some peace.

My job responsibilities starts on or around Aug 17--so I can very probably make my calendar free almost any time before then. So you guys start posting dates and work it out between yourselves; I should be pretty flexible w/ it all...