terrancew_hod

^And put on your "It's all about me" shirt I bought you! Do you still wear it? Terry

^ I was thinking that too. The last time someone spoke like that, 15 minutes later they had to carry him out of the club from overdosing. What's troubling is that I'm thinking you speak exactly like that. When I have to read a post multiple times to find out what a person said (and I'm still not sure), it's a problem. Please slow down and take time to check your posts for proper punctuation and grammar. Terry "But what did he say" Weaver

I totally agree with what Wes has said. I have both PC and Macs at home and I use the Mac way more and it's what I do my web page work on. I've seen articles where mac antivirus companies will sound the alarm about a potential virus, but nothing becomes of it. It usually is chalked up to the company needing more sales. Besides most of the viruses would have to trick you into giving it system access from your password (which will prompt you only when it is necessary unlike the many pop ups in Vista), unlike the pc where sometimes even clicking on a file will activate it. But that's going beyond what the thread author is asking. If your sister rarely uses it, then I would definitely go for the Mac. The mac is designed for what you plan on using it for. As far as the Mac is more expensive, if you compare similar hardware, you'll find the macs are more competitive especially when you add on the softwre that comes with it that you would need to buy on PC. Apple computers don't use cheap parts and refuse to sell computers in that niche. Thus, they're doing a lot better financially than Dell or Gateway. But, as Wes said, look at the refurbished computers for your best discount, or use the education discount (on apple's web page) to get a cheaper price. You could also get away with using a regular Macbook, but I would stick with a Pro model just because of the optimization features coming up in the next operating system release... that is unless you get the aluminum macbook that was just released. I also found more free software utilities on the mac. DVD-to-Ipod, disk cloning and iPod music extraction software were free to download where I found you had to pay for them on the PC. A good chunk of the utilities were derived for linux or unix so they just needed to be ported. But whether you get a PC or Mac laptop, just make sure you purchase a warranty plan. If something happens to it, you're screwed. Laptops are not fun to fix. Terry

I got my volunteer assignment for White Party Week, which includes me hobnobbing in the area where the special entertainment will be. I'll see if I can get a pic with my favorite singer Jennifer Holliday. Anyway, I got a call from the office and I was requested to work the Leather Ball for the third year. I had to chuckle because I try to get out of working at that club because I end up getting images of 50 year old men in jockstraps burning my cornea. Not a pretty sight. I also requested to work with the organizers as far as getting any items requested by the entertainers so I won't be running as much. I would like to wear an outfit instead of my jogging suit; it just depends on how much running I end up doing. Terry

How about going down to Orange Blossom Trail (near the Parliament House) and asking one of the 'girls' if they've seen Neena Cherry. Then tell her that St. Louis misses her. (I'd be prepared to run at full speed after you ask, if I were you.) Terry

Have video of you going to the Motel 6 near Universal and ask them when the breakfast buffet opens. I want to see the expression on the clerks face. Terry

If Mary is shimmying in a sequined robe with the baby Jesus on her back and doing high kicks, I gotta get there too! NOTE: If I ever do a production of a classic, you can pretty much expect someone in beads kicking. 'Cause that's how I do it. Mary Poppins: Black beads and kicking Mother Theresa: beaded habit and kicking The Clinton years: Chelsea and Hillary in beads, kicking. The Exorcist: Nun hangs herself on a beaded rope. Does a kick before she passes. And so on... Terry

I would start by hitting the search button to do your research: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=44551&highlight=six+flags+texas http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=44474&highlight=six+flags+texas There are a bunch of photo reviews that go over the parks that should give you a good idea of what to expect. You just have to look. But most of all: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=21962 I'm pretty sure you don't have to keep creating these new threads (most of which end up getting locked, which is a bad sign) to participate or find what you need. Terry

Paypal doesn't allow you to get that fancy. Type a quick note and send the money quickly! I'll make it up with my foolishness on the trip though. Who could forget my hitchhiking in Belgium with my leg out and the police rolling by with the confused look? Terry

My company gave me a $25 grocery gift card for my one year anniversary. In this economy, I'll take it! They used to give out restaurant coupons, concert and sporting event tickets; now it's gas cards and groceries... and the people are happy to get them! Tells you how bad things are getting around Florida. Terry

Dollywood is BAD for my diet. So much to eat! (The rides aren't bad either) Too bad it's off the beaten path (for me). I drove there from Atlanta on a whim, and I cut through the mountains and a national park to get there... and that was the instructions I got from mapquest! Scenic, but way out of the way! Terry

1. Knowing my "death stare" still works. I threw it at this lady at the gym I don't like and she went to another station. She always hogs 2-3 machines and tries to yell at you if try to take one of them. She almost got smacked the last time she raised her voice... she ran off when I got loud. Don't mess with me 6 in the morning when I haven't had my coffee. I'm sleep exercising! 2. Getting a chance two nights in a row to relax. I burned my incense that I bought from Europa Park and chilled with a beer and low fat popcorn. 3. Finding more of my old RCT 1 save games. I looked at the parks and realized how crappy those coasters look! 4. Getting a text message that says "I miss u" EDIT: 5. Getting a interview request from Infoworld magazine on development using Visual Studio on Macs. It's official: I'm a geek! Terry

Not having enough time on the weekend to get everything on your list done.

There were quite a few spots that opened up on the Europe trip last year. Also my I got on the midwest trip last year because a few people dropped out and I took one of the open positions. So even if you're not on the initial list, there a chance that you can get on if someone drops out. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can go and I have no issues that keep me from going. Terry

coasterfreak101: Maryland has a gay-specific anti-bullying law according to the link at the bottom of this post: Tell your principal to do something about this as kids making death threats against gay students should be taken seriously and handled. If he doesn't, remind him about the law and tell him you'll contact the Human Rights campaign and sue the hell out of his school and have him fired. Time for your school to do its job and make its kids feel safe. http://www.washblade.com/2006/4-28/news/national/report.cfm

Exactly! THISis a really good thread to read if you haven't already about making choices that will help you afford the trips. --Robb I just looked at that thread and spit out my drink on this: Anyway, it's all about figuring out what's important to you. I have my bills, but my heap of a car is paid for (needs to be fixed but that's on the priority list) and I tend to juggle money around. If I have to stay at home a weekend or two to shift money, I will. I just make sure my gym membership is up to date and I pop in a movie (I got a bunch I bought and have yet to watch) or play a video game to pass the time. Now some of my friends have more disposable income from their, um, "work", but then they blow it all on partying so they can't pick up and leave on a trip like this. Skip two circuit weekend parties they can easily afford the trip. I mean a week pass for an event like the White Party coming up could be $300-500, then you factor in airfare, food and hotel for five days and that's basically one of the "affordable" TPR trips. So when they say the trips I've been on cost to much, I'll bring up a party weekend and then they get it. Terry

It depends which way you're looking at it! Dave Well I hope you got a bunch of dollars saved over the summer!, the pound went twice as far this summer. Now... not so much. I know if I get on the scandi trip, I won't be on any water rides! Brrr! Terry "Always cold" Weaver

Don't we have this "it's too expensive" conversation every year? Yep, it not cheap, but it's a great trip and well worth the expense. I know I did some sacrificing for the europe trip last year (but then I was over there for about a month), so I hope to start much earlier than I did last year. It may be a bit better because the exchange rates are looking better than they did last year; London kicked my a$$ in expenses and I was glad to get across the pond! My advice would be start saving now for a trip in 2010 if you can't swing it this year. You'll be glad you did. Terry

I installed a copy of Stepmania (a DDR clone) on my Mac yesterday and connected a Dance Dance Revolution mat (with a PS2 to USB adapter) to it... it didn't work. Luckily I had cheaper mat with a USB connector and that worked. Let me tell you, I suck ba... err, I was terrible. I did manage to clear a level to "So many men, so little time". (Hey it was one of the songs installed!) Even worse, was my drunken roommate attempting to play. "Boy, you're gonna hurt yourself!" When the arrow onscreen was pointing to the right, he jumped on the right button with both feet, almost falling. Well, we need some practice; but he suggested we use the game for a small wedding reception next week. I'd better have my video camera ready... Terry

^Ooooh! You lucky I didn't put the deposit in for West Coast because that's where you said you were going to go! Oh well. I have to just visit you in Savannah with boyfriend in tow! He wants to do a coaster trip too! We'll definitely have to be on the same TPR trip for next year! Terry

^You must have wanted those rows of houses to just burn down! Drunks + Pyro = Terry getting the hell out of Dodge Terry "Exit Stage Left" Weaver

^Did you report it to the authorities? You need to! You should take threats like that seriously and the law will too. People do stuff like this because they think you won't do anything about it. I had a little harassment when in high school that lasted for a few days. That's before they found out I was crazy and could beat bigger kids senseless. It was a complete mess when a scrawny kid like me was flying through the air at a big kid and succeeding in knocking them down and beating them! Then they left me alone. It was what I learned from the race fights I had to go through when we got bussed to a predominately white school; so I didn't take crap from anyone. I wouldn't recommend that kind of stuff now. Just tell the authorities and let them handle it. Back then, the schools weren't equipped to handle these type of situations, but now they're afraid of getting sued for not acting. Terry

^Keep in mind, as was mentioned several pages ago, that unless you know someone specifically on the trip that you're just gonna see the group running back and forth and you likely won't actually be hanging with the group. Bring a friend with you! I'm pretty sure there's probably many people in the SoCal area thinking the same thing: I don't need to pay for the trip, I'll just show up and hang with them. You're gonna be disappointed, when you have at best five minutes with anyone before you're left standing by yourself because the small groups that split up will be running off somewhere. And please, please don't think you're gonna hang with Robb and Elissa. Trust, there's gonna be a big enough crowd from actual trip participants trying to smother them. I always say "give 'em room". Make a friend that's on the trip. Terry

^Take the note to your school and say you're being harassed. Send nothing to them in response. This may be a case of cyber bullying, especially if you didn't initiate the contact, and they could be breaking laws. If they are, press charges. You have documentation in your hand now. Also report the user to facebook, letting them know explicitly that you're being harassed, and get their account deleted. You should have no sympathy for those people... let the law handle them if they fall foul of the law. Kids that harass in this type of manner need a "timeout" in the state juvenile system. But coming out in high school is difficult and you really need to know who your friends are before you make the decision to out yourself. Tell the wrong "friend" and your business is all over the school, which makes school life harder. I don't know which is worse: keeping your sexuality to yourself during high school and being miserable or telling the wrong person and being harassed by your peers. Terry

^14 and hung over!?! I know the drinking age is low in Europe, but you're still to young to get drunk. Terry