12:15 PM Party Snag

I bet you're wondering where Part 3 of my series on finding a pet for the Holidays is aren't you?  Well, Part 3 is the section on Buying a pet and I'm really having trouble putting that one together.  It's really taking a lot of thought due to my personal feelings on the matter and I have a lot on my plate right now.  I'm crossing my fingers I can have it ready next week.

In the meantime, this is my latest drama.

I'm going to this fabulous Victorian Christmas Ball in Waxahachie, TX on Saturday.  I'm pretty excited about it.  Several of us from the DFW Costumers Guild have been dying to attend a proper ball.  So this is just the ticket for us historical costuming geeks.  And I already made an appropriate dress, so all was good.  There would be no fighting to make something new.  I could focus on the mini-garb for my niece and nephew.  Well, that's what I thought.  Until I tried the dress on last night.

Oh dear.  I was aware I had gained weight back from what I had lost over the last year, but didn't realize how much that weight would affect my red victorian dress.  It was bad.  Since these types of dresses are made to fit really well in the first place, gaining weight is not a good thing.  I barely was able to hook the bodice closed and there were gaps at the closures.  NO BUENO!!!  Just about the only way I can wear that dress now is to make a front piece to hide the closure.  Ok, no problem, that's a relatively cheap and realistic plan to pull off in the little amount of time that I have.  Then I looked at it again and noticed the Huge rip in the off the shoulder strap on one side.  And I also noticed many other parts that need to be replaced or covered due to damage from wear.  So in short, the whole bodice really needs to be replaced.  And I don't have the funds for new red silk right now.

In my panic, I started hatching a plan for just getting a lot of heavy lace to sew to the neckline and shoulders and then figure out something to cover the closure area.  But the more I thought about it, the more I really just wasn't buying that look with the natural form fan skirt that went with it, which is also a little plain.  I mean, I'd have to do a lot of work to make it look like it wasn't a hasty addition.  At this point, the plan ended up turning into a major expense and a bit of a handsewing project.

BAH!!!!

The party is Saturday, remember?  Three Days!  Actually, less than that since I work a full time job and have little time after work to sew.

But even as I was lamenting my problem, true insanity took over and the Holy Fabric Stash came to the rescue.  It's funny how these little devils start speaking into your ear about what you might be able to accomplish if only you listened to their cracked-out plan.  At that moment I remembered a nice piece of royal blue taffeta-like material that was handed down to me from someone else's stash purge.  Yes, those little devils won and I was energized with a new crazy plan.  The tag on the fabric said there was about 2 1/2 yds.  Hmmmm, what could I do with that?  I knew it was enough for a Truly Victorian August Overskirt even though the pattern calls for 2 3/4 yds.  But what else?  Was there any hope that I could also fit a bodice into the remaining fabric?  Let me tell you, folks, I was so determined it would work at that moment that I went for it.  I found my Truly Victorian Ballgown Basque Bodice pattern and I started puzzling.  By the grace of the Holy Fabric Stash, and those crazy little devils, I was able to just barely eek out that bodice.  It's gonna be sleeveless and I'm going to have to patch a small amount of fabric on the back tails, but nobody's going to be paying attention to them since they'll be overpowered by the bustle just underneath.  And later I can use some trim to cover it if I want.


Now I'm sitting at my desk waiting for lunch time to come around so I can go across the street to Joann's Fabric to buy something for an underskirt.  I'm using my Truly Victorian 1870s Underskirt pattern.  It's the exact underskirt I used with the August Overskirt years ago when I made my Mina Blue dress.  I also need some tulle for a trick I just learned to stiffen the bustle part of the overskirt for a little more poof.  And I'm looking for some lace for the neckline.  And buttons.  I don't think I have the time to wait for Saturday morning to visit the Button Man on Perth Street.  I guess that will just really depend on how cheaply I can get everything.  I may just be making a trip to Perth at 9am if the buttons I want are expensive at Joann's


Will I finish in time for the Ball on Saturday night?  Who knows.  I can always go back to the old reliable pink polonaise if I don't finish.  It's not formal, but it will work in a real pinch. 


Am I crazy to think I can knock this dress out in such a short time when I've never been able to do it previously?  Absolutely, but I'll never know if I don't try and I know I'll be sitting at the Ball disappointed that I didn't at least try.  I'd rather show up in something lesser because I failed than show up in something lesser because I gave up and didn't even try.

11:44 AM Being honest about Life and Soul

Over the last several weeks I have watched the drama over the "Ground Zero Mosque" grow to a ferver that is quite scary.  One could argue that the issue is solely about respect for those who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks, but when you put the facts together about the location of the building and what the building will actually be used for, a person can see that the building will neither be a "Mosque", nor on "Ground Zero."  And so I am confused and angered over how much absolute hate has spewed over the building of a community center which strives to ease relations between Muslims and Non-Muslims.

Over the weekend, another Islamic Community Center has come under fire.  I first heard about the opposition to the Mufreesboro community center late last week on NPR.  People in the community have become emboldened by the opposition to the community center in NYC and so they think they have the duty to stop this center's expansion. I ask, what does this have to do with feelings over 9/11?  Absolutely nothing.  The attack on this center is strictly based upon prejudice against the Islamic faith.  The followers of Islam are being punished for events in which they had no part.  For attitudes they preach against.  Not only are they being falsely accused, but they are being denied their constitutional rights.  And, as of this weekend, they are being terrorized by fire and gun shots.

Last night, a prominent pastor in my own city weighed in on his opinion of Muslims.  And it was Ugly.  The generalizations and vitriol and even denial of his own faith's history were truly astounding.  Last night they made me angry.  Today, they make me cry.  Today, they make me afraid.

When pockets of anger and hate have action behind them, who is next?  Mob rule says that the law doesn't really matter.  "What is right," is all that matters.  In this instance of upset over spirituality and morality, who is to say what is, "right?"  This is precisely why we have the Constitution.  The laws of our land spelling out our freedoms are the only thing we have that can save us all from lynching each other.  How scary is that to think that in our own country, people could be shot or burned or worse for their beliefs?  It wasn't so long ago that it was happening to Jews and African Americans.  Will we allow the same thing to happen to Muslims?  There once was a time when even Catholics were looked on with mis-trust.  President John F. Kennedy was put through the ringer over being catholic.  Many people would not vote for him because of that.  Can you imagine an America who didn't have JFK as a past President?  I can't.

Many of my fellow Americans live in the comfort of being a member of the Christian faith.  I was raised a Christian and nearly all of my family is Christian.  Some of my family are heavily involved in their church homes.  I am so proud of them.  I love them for their faith.  I love them for their honesty.  I love them for the care they take for their communities.  They are the kinds of Christians that I wish everyone could be.  And I have to say that I am lucky enough to have some close friends whom I respect and love for their faith as much as my family.  But a lot of America is not Christian. 

There are so many different faiths out there and Americans exercise their right to choose where they belong spiritually.  Unfortunately, there are those of non-Christian faiths who are afraid to be honest about their lives.  They live and work alongside you.  They are your friends, your mentors, you children.  And they are afraid.  Some are afraid of your look of disappointment.  Some are afraid of being mowed down with a laundry basket full of tracts.  Some are afraid of being physically harmed.  Some are afraid of losing their jobs. Some are afraid of losing their families.  All for their faith being different.  Does this sound like a certain culture we are fighting to free from oppression?  Does this make you sad, angry, feel as though something must change?  It makes me all of the above.  And it tells me that the time to stop the hate is now.  And I can no longer stand by and simply be angry over the wrongs being committed if I am not honest with the entire world about my beliefs.  So that stops now.

Most people who know me well have an inkling of my beliefs.  There are online communities and thus people all over the world who are semi-anonymous to me who know absolutely what I believe in, but I don't openly speak about my beliefs to most people - even my family.  I don't like disappointing my family and, frankly, I never thought it was anybody else's business.  But dedicating my life to fighting religious intolerance sort of makes it everyone's business, so here goes:

I am a Pagan.  I have been a semi-practicing Brighid follower for 4 years now.  I've been interested in the mythology and lore of various pagan cultures for as long as I can remember, but as I became an adult and experienced life in all its pleasures and disappointments, I came to a point where I was finally able to understand where I belonged and who I really wanted to be.  And while I don't always understand, or even like, some of the people in my Pagan community, I realize that I am not alone, this is pretty standard with all faiths.  We all have our "crazy" elements.  And so all I can do is keep my nose clean and present myself to the world in a respectful manner in hopes that some day I won't feel like I have to hide who I am to be taken seriously.  Some day I won't wish I had stayed closeted so that I'm not harassed over my beliefs.  And so that when I stand in opposition to those who spew hate and vileness against others who are "different," I am respected enough for people to listen to me when I talk.

And so now I ask you, everyone who is reading this, to be honest about your beliefs.  To stop Allowing these hateful people to take away our dignity.  This includes those of you who are Christian and are appalled by this display of threats.  Don't let the American Terrorists turn this nation into a nation of hate.  Stand up.  Stand against intolerance and ignorance and hate and Terrorism!

10:33 AM New Day for MaizyLoo

Today is a first day for Miss MaizyLoo. This afternoon she begins her relationship with a dog walker.

While I'd love to say that I'm doing this just to spoil Maizy rotten, I have to admit that I'm doing it because I have to. Maizy turned 13 this month and her health is such that she needs a potty break in the afternoons now. I've been coming home for lunch the past two weeks to take care of her, but as it takes longer than an hour to get home and back, it's been affecting my work, not to mention the added wear and tear on my car. Originally, Texas Pawprints (the shelter I volunteer with) was going to step in and help me at a very low cost. But they were not going to be able to guarantee to help 5 days a week. I greatly appreciate their generosity, but I need a guaranteed 5 days a week service, so I finally bit the bullet and called professionals.

I'm happy to announce that I now have a business relationship with Companion Pet Services. I had a meeting with the owner and Maizy's dog walker last night and they are lovely people. They even do quite a bit of rescue work, so of course we had Lots to talk about when they met my household of past and present fosters.

I plan on doing a full review of Companion Pet Services' walking service once Maizy has had a chance to walk with them for a while. From last night's meeting, though she took to her walker right away and of course the walker just Loved Maizy, but who Doesn't love Maizy right????

Wish us luck! This service isn't exactly within my comfortable realm of budgeting, so things are going to be much tighter around our house from now on. But in the end, Maizy will get exercise and more social interaction, which will increase her lifespan and even happiness. And that's Really what matters when you get right down to it. I may not aspire to have human children, but I am absolutely dedicated to giving my fur children the absolute Best care they can receive.

5:17 PM Surprise chill

I follow my local weatherman on Twitter. I just love Twitter, it's Fabulous!

Anywhoo, I just got a notice that my area may possibly get snow and/or sleet. Not enough to accumulate, mind you, but still, we'll get chilly enough for that kind of precipitation.

I am shaking my fists at the weather gods as I type this. My garden has almost All sprouted as well as my trees are finally here. Eventhough the predicted nasty weather is supposed to be North and West of me, I guess I'll be bringing in the delicates tonight.

11:29 AM Prepping for All-Con

Less than 24 hours until I get to enjoy the fabulousness that is All-Con! I'm excited and anxious all at once.

I'll be photographing the con from the DFW Costumers Guild table and uploading my pics to Flickr under the tag allcon2009dfwcg. I'm also going to try to blog throughout the day at http://dfwcg.blogspot.com/

If you're at the con, come say hi!

3:54 PM I hope this is not what people really think of us.

It was pointed out to me yesterday that the New York Times published a Travel Review on my beloved city of Dallas.

Unfortunately, I have a bone to pick with the journalist who wrote it.

While Ms. Torregrosa does shine a positive light on the new Arts District that is rising out of the ground as we speak, she makes her first fatal error in the statement that, "But when it comes to entertainment, its No. 1 attraction is still the Cowboys, especially when the new, $1.2 billion football stadium opens this year..."

Seriously? Is the sum worth of our city still considered to be The Dallas Cowboys? The stadium isn't even in the city. It hasn't been since the Cowboys left the Cotton Bowl Stadium in 1971. A person can still make the conjecture that the Cowboys are the largest entertainment attraction for the Dallas (or more correctly DFW) area, but it is sloppy journalism to not include in the piece that a tourist will have to drive to a neighboring town to actually see the Cowboys.

The review just goes down hill from there for me.

Point #2, Cheerleading Cocktails, is just flat out insulting. "Size up the city’s trend setters and assorted poseurs in their alligator boots and butter-soft tailored jackets at the Rattlesnake Bar..." Granted, I have never been to the Rattlesnake bar as I am a regular person and not one who is apt to be seen at one of these places where bar tabs of $100 + is de rigeur, but as a person who lives in Dallas and often shops and sees movies at the "rich" mall, I'm going to call BS on her description of the people that frequent that bar because I've never seen them. Not in the "beautiful people" papers or out and about. Honestly, I don't think she's ever been there either.

Point #3, Southwest Supreme, is where this reviewer really raised an eyebrow. She calls Dallas, "a culinary wasteland, save for its famous barbecue." Saved only by the fact that Nobu came in and Dean Fearing put a restaurant in the Ritz-Carlton, which by the way she's mentioned twice already and it's only point 3. I wonder if this review might simply be an advertisement for the Ritz. Granted, Ms. Torregrosa did say that Dallas Used to be a "culinary wasteland" as opposed to insinuating that it still is today, but even making that statement in the past tense makes me wonder if she knows anything about dining in Dallas at all! Although Dean Fearing is no longer manning the kitchen at The Mansion at Turtle Creek, The Mansion is Still considered one of the pillars of fine dining in Dallas. And she completely failed to mention Nana located at the Wyndham Anatole. Oh, and how about The French Room at the Hotel Adolphus? All three of those dining establishments have been mentioned in both Food & Wine and The Wine Spectator. And I dare say that by leaving any of those restaurants off of a travel review is similar to leaving Commander's Palace off of a review of New Orleans! There are many other restaurants as well which have been around for a long time and deserve much more than being relegated to yet another feed hole in "a culinary wasteland." In addition, it is unfair to the average reader to only speak of places where a family will have to mortgage their homes to afford to eat. Good food does NOT have to be expensive! And while oil money and riches is how the nation tends to stereotype the city of Dallas, it is Not the norm and thus it is Not the culinary identity of the city. The City Cafe is not cheap dining, but it is in that middle ground where normal people can go out and have a fine meal and not feel guilty. It is attainable for a vacation or birthday or anniversary, even with a bottle of wine. And the City Cafe has Long been recieving high accolades by foodie and wine lover magazines alike.

Point #4 is a lessor offender, but I do have to point out that honky tonks are a dying breed around here. Fort Worth still has the famous Billy Bob's, but Dallas just hasn't kept that many around. And while I definately agree that any visitor to Dallas should try to eat or at least have drinks in the top of Reunion Tower at least Once, I am left wondering why Ghostbar wasn't mentioned at all in this Party High section. The truth is that you can go Anywhere in Dallas and party like a rockstar. Each little pocket of the city and even the suburbs have their own niche of "it" places to go out. If you are a "see and be seen" type, then Ghostbar and Joule and Hotel ZaZa and any number of the "Beautiful People" establishments will be great for you. But if you are a normal person just wanting to go out and have a drink, well then the city has everything from fantastic pubs with live music to biker bars, also sometimes with live music, to jazz and piano bars. Narrowing down the type of bar that is supposed to define Dallas to the type of place where only about 3% of the population would feel comfortable going isn't a correct ascertation of how the city parties.

I'll now be skipping down to point 8, Retail Overload. While Ms. Torregrosa makes a great point that the Inwood Village is an interesting and dynamic shopping center, why didn't she at least mention North Park Center? Not only was North Park Center one of the first of its kind in retail establishments, but the North Park experience isn't just about shopping. The Dallas visitor can see sculpture on loan from the Nasher Sculpture Collection in the halls of the facility as well as there is often music being played by live musicians. Once I was walking along and was treated to the Beautiful sounds of a harp being played live. Another time it was a classical guitar. Each time was a chance to just stop from the hurry hurry of the day's errands and enjoy the music. There's also, of course, some Fine shopping to be had at North Park!

Now, in this whole review, there's plenty mention of places to eat and stay and spend money, but what about the biggest draw to Dallas ever? What about the Dealey Plaza and 6th Floor Museum? How are those attractions not mentioned?

And as I wrap up my critique of this ill written Travel review, I just want to end in the same manner that it ends, with hotels. I see again that the Ritz-Carlton gets top billing, then the Joule, then the Belmont. The Ritz-Carlton is new and I'm sure lives up to the standards of its name. The Belmont, well, it sounds like a Treat of a hotel, however, you'd better bring your street sense with you when you stay there because the neighborhood isn't that great. Looking for the first time at information on the Joule, it looks pretty awesome and I'm thinking that I know a few people who should throw a Steampunk party there! But again, I am disappointed in the lack of mention of hotels in the city who have long been known as ambassadors of the city. There is no mention at all of The Adolphus, The Magnolia, or the Fairmont. I think, though that I can forgive the absence of those simply for the fact that I know know about the Joule. So there is ONE bright spot about the whole review.

10:28 AM Dallas Public Transportation Coming Along

Thanks to The Women's Museum's blog yesterday, I am all giddy over the news that the Green Line section of DART's public rail system is expected to be open by September of next year!

This means we'll still have to deal with the awful construction for the North Texas Irish Festival, but the State Fair of Texas can be traveled to by train. And since I've had a moratorium on concerts at the Starplex (Superpages.com center now, I'm Stubborn!) due to the $20 price tag just on parking alone, this means I can afford to start going to concerts again! Now if only the good festivals will stop going North up to Frisco, I'll be set! Ahem, Ozzfest, are you listening?????

10:24 AM Social Time for the Green Folk

Thanks to one of my new Twitter friends, Kissmyaster, who is beginning to blog over on Horticulture, I've been alerted to a great way to meet fellow Green Folk in Dallas.

Green Drinks says this about itself:

Every month people who work in the environmental field meet up at informal sessions known as Green Drinks.

We have a lively mixture of people from NGOs, academia, government and business. Come along and you'll be made welcome. Just say, "are you green?" and we will look after you and introduce you to whoever is there. It's a great way of catching up with people you know and also for making new contacts. Everyone invites someone else along, so there’s always a different crowd, making Green Drinks an organic, self-organising network.

These events are very simple and unstructured, but many people have found employment, made friends, developed new ideas, done deals and had moments of serendipity. It's a force for the good and we'd like to help it spread to other cities. Contact your local node to get the latest info about coming along.

That sounds Fantastic! And there's a group that meets here in Dallas at Cafe Rembrandt every 2nd Wednesday of the month. I probably won't be able to make it this month, but hopefully I'll be able to meet and greet some of these folks so I can get fabulous ideas for my urban gardening.

Head on over to Green Drinks' website and see if there's a group in your city to meet with!

12:36 PM New City of Dallas Ordinances

Anyone needing to be grandfathered in for owning more animals than the ordinance allows, please go to this website and fill out the corresponding form.The other forms for "in tact" animals and fostering are there as well.

http://dallascityhall.com/code_compliance/new_ordinance.html

By the by, I am a Notary Public and I will perform notary signings free of charge for anyone I know regarding this ordinance. Anyone I don't know will be charged a donation to the rescue organization I work with, Texas Pawprints.

7:50 PM Jenny the Elephant

All of Dallas's animal folk are abuzz with the latest drama unfolding around the Dallas Zoo. Jenny the Elephant is being transferred to a safari park in Mexico. There are blogs everywhere promoting letters to be sent to the Mayor and City Hall as well as petitions and a big rally is scheduled for Sunday.

At first, I didn't even want to get involved because Concerned Citizens for Jenny looked to be getting involved with PETA. If there's any one organization that will make me second guess an animal rights movement, it's PETA. I find their extreme tactics to be far over reaching what is called for and they often are far too aggressive. But I was invited to the rally on Sunday by a neighbor and before I declined, I decided I ought to actually start reading what people were saying about the facility she was destined for in Mexico.

There seems to be three points in the "No, Not Mexico" argument.

1. Mexico is not governed by the US Dept of Agriculture and thus their animals are not protected by the Animal Welfare Act.

2. Where she will be housed is only 4.9 acres and will possibly be subdivided into a smaller area to keep her and her African Elephant companion separated from the Asian Elephants because there are concerns that the two kinds of Elephants do not get along and they can also have issues with diseases. The sanctuary in Tennessee which has offered a space for Jenny has much more in free-roaming acreage which is closer to a natural habitat.

3. Africam Safari is a zoo which is navigated by cars to get from one exhibit to another. Where this may not be such a big issue for some animals, Jenny is said to be sensitive to noises and has exhibited aggressive behavior in the past as well as self-destructive behavior leading to the Dallas Zoo medicating her to alter her behavior.

The Dallas Zoo is taking up for Africam Safari and are not only saying that the facility is experienced in handling problem elephants like Jenny, but they're saying that they chose the facility because it was accredited with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums and the sanctuaries they considered were not. They stand by the assertion that they will not ever send an animal to a facility which is not AZA accredited. They also state that The Elephant Sanctuary does not have a 24 hour veterinary staff as Africam does and that lack of 24 hour vet care is an issue for them. And finally, they say that The Elephant Sanctuary did not offer Jenny a place until After they had committed to sending her to Africam. And they've posted a letter of support from renowned former Zoo Director and TV personality Jack Hannah.

So what do I think? Well, honestly, without making a trip to both facilities myself to check them out, I can't say without a shadow of a doubt that Africam is a terrible choice. But I can say that the third point I listed above "against" Africam is pretty much THE reason I've finally decided to go ahead and attend the protest rally. I worry most about the noise being a factor in Jenny's unhappiness. And I wonder why on earth The Dallas Zoo has insisted on digging their heels in on this one without even acting like they are considering a better option.

I don't know for sure if Margaret Morin's assertions against the Dallas Zoo are on point or if she's letting emotions on the issue get the best of the whole picture, but if I am to believe the assertions she has made, it sounds to me like what is more important to the Dallas Zoo is politics, power, and dollar signs. What should be important to them is where Jenny will have the most space to roam. That also has contributed to my decision to attend the rally.

And lastly, as much as I Really Hate to say it, something that a spokesperson for PETA said caught my eye too. Jennifer O'Conner said to the Observer , "I wanted to point out The Elephant Sanctuary is not a zoo, and AZA accreditation does not apply. The Elephant Sanctuary is accredited by The Association of Sanctuaries (TAOS)." Honestly, that little tidbit of information right there equals if not trumps the AZA accreditation argument as a sanctuary is geared more towards making the animal's stay there as comfortable and happy as humanly and monetarily possible whereas a Zoo's primary focus is to draw people into the park for an exhibit. The GOOD Zoos then participate in endangered species work helping to stabilize shrinking numbers of at risk species, but those are special zoos and certainly not the norm.

But Jack Hanna says it's a Good Idea!

Yeah, well, Jack Hanna's also a TV personality, not a zoologist, or even a biologist. His behavior with animals on TV has always made me cringe. He is sometimes careless with animals in the name of entertainment. Just because he brought a dilapidated zoo back from the brink doesn't mean he's the end all be all of animal welfare. He's a Business student. Good business students figure out how to do stuff like that.

I don't think this is a case where there will be deliberate mistreatment of Jenny should she actually go to Africam Safari. I think this is a case where the Dallas Zoo failed to think out of the box and got angry and hard headed when someone called them on the issue. That's not fair to the Elephant. If you are a person who is inclined to feel Jenny should go to The Elephant Sanctuary instead of Africam Safari, the rally for her is on Sunday, July 27th from 1pm - 2pm on the lawn at the front entrance of the Dallas Zoo. And it doesn't end there. Diplomatic letters need to be sent to Mayor Tom Leppert.

8:11 PM Could this be good news for DFW air quality?

As a person who has recently been a passenger for mass transit, anything I come across mentioning improvements to said transportation perks my ears right up. I reside where mass transit is on nearly every corner. However I work where mass transit is here, there and maybe not. Having a car for me isn't just convenience, sometimes its a necessity. Trips to the grocery store are not viable unless I'm only buying dry goods as the only stores on my route are the ones across the street from my office. But that doesn't mean that I don't look forward to more improvements to mass transit. Oh no. I get excited when I hear that we're getting more train lines and that employers are further being encouraged to purchase transit passes for their employees. I think that if we could get over our cars we'd all live a little better. But mass transit has to be better before we get over our cars.

In this week's Dallas Business Journal there is an article about a possible new ordinance that is being discussed. Some cities want to restrict car traffic.
http://dallas.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2008/06/23/story1.html

Part of me sees the word "restrict" and it makes me squint my eyes with mistrust. I'm one of those who despises Smoking Bans because I feel that people should be allowed to do whatever they want to do provided it is within the law. We are in America, after all. But then the person in me who is constantly worried about oil prices and how we will sustain our energy needs sees this as just the thing that could push enough people over to using mass transit that could make Some Sort of Difference!

And in the process it makes me wonder why on earth it takes this much work and legislation to get people (including myself) to submit to what is right for us.




The latest addition to my line of car ownership is the First to have been made in this new millenium. So it's the First to have any sort of decent gas mileage.