Sharon Stone's available
 

Eww, really? I put her in my Kathleen Turner, I'm soo much hotter than you but not reallly category of fake blondes who wear their clothing too low cut and way too short.

QUESTION
 

My parents have two of them and they love them. Both can be used at any time of the year and at any location within the global portfolio of properties. There are slight difference between the two they own, which may be useful info. for you.

The first is a week in Hawaii timeshare. This program has some sort of ranking system, with three different levels of quality (something akin to five-, four- and three-star resorts). Since my parent's place is a five star, they can either use their place or "bank" it and go somewhere else. If they go to another five star, they get one week. If they go to a four or three star, they get a longer stay (I believe two or three weeks). My parents have been to Hawaii a few times, but usually they bank it and go elsewhere (Canary Islands, Aruba, you name it). The downside to this timeshare is that they have to go for a week at a time, since the rentals run in some specific, system-wide sequence, like Saturday to Saturday. The selection and quality of the portfolio properties is amazing (they haven't found a shithole yet). There is a giant book from which to plan a vacation that will let you go anywhere you want to go. If you don't use the vacation that year, it rolls over into the next year (ie its not use it or lose it).

The only main difference between their other timeshare is that it operates on a points system. Their property in Pismo Beach is assigned a certain number of points that they can use as applied to other properties, which include both timeshares and major hotel chains (Westin, Four Seasons, Ritz, etc.). The thing that is better about this timeshare is that they don't have to use it for a week at time. If they want to run to Scottsdale for the weekend to play some golf, they just use a few days worth of points. They found it worked better for their busy schedules, as getting weeks off at a time often proves difficult.

As far as my parents explained it to me, these timeshares will pass to my sister and I--don't know if you care about that. In addition, other members of the family can use the points/days, and if all points have been used, members of the family can still stay at the properties at a cheaper rate than you'd normally pay for a hotel (if availability exists).

Hope that helps,

Zak (planning to use some of their points after the bar...)

Edited to add that my parents are both extremely busy professionals, so the fact that it works for them, bodes well for you. I know for theirs, they do not have to plan two years in advance, but it could be because they have paid for a more expensive one.

MPRE Question
 

Don't know if someone answered this already since I am playing ketchup, but...I took the MPRE about two years ago and finished well under the two hour time limit. I passed with a considerable margin, so you should be fine.

Zak

QUESTION
 

I have a time share in Mexico. One week in Cabo San Lucas to be exact. I really like it. I've exchanged it for a week in the Dominican Republic and Hawaii. Typically, these units are condos, often with a full kitchen, living room, and a separate bedroom, but it varies. Mine is a "junior suite," which is really a glorified studio that sleeps four. Condos are so much better than hotel rooms if you're going to be there for a whole week. Frankly, I get sick of eating out all the time. Plus, cooking saves a lot of money, if you're concerned about that.

My unit is the smallest unit my resort has, but b/c this particular resort is "Gold Crown," (the highest distinction available), it has higher trading power, which means I can usually trade it (for a "transaction fee" of about $150) for a bigger unit at other, non-Gold Crown resorts. My resort really is fabulous and I love going there. The only thing I wish it had was a swim-up bar.

They also gave me a bunch of bonus weeks when I first signed up, but regrettably, I haven't been able to use them all. Two of them will likely expire this year without getting used. (Unless we all want to go to Cabo!! Any takers?) Because they're for one week at a time, it makes scheduling a little bit difficult. You really have to commit to it. You can also sell your week to the public and charge them whatever you want.

There's also an annual maintenance fee you should be aware of--mine is about $350 or $400. I guess overall, the whole time share thing is a decent deal, but it's not extraordinary. First of all, you pay a pretty big upfront cost. Add on the annual maintenance fees, which increase every year, plus various transaction fees for exchanging the unit at another resort, and you come out modestly ahead. As the unit starts to appreciate though, it becomes a better and better deal.

MPRE Question
 

Thanks Zak! That's a relief.

Prenups
 

I have forms but they are for PA which has some odd decisions including one called simeone (sp) which has an impact on how we draft them here. If you'd like them I'd be happy to send them along.

As far as what you bill, I'd figure out either a flat rate, which would vary based on the complexity of the prenup, or an hourly fee which does not include the time it takes you to learn.

I'd ask some attorneys you know who do prenups what they tend to charge.

I know people who charge 90 bucks an hour and I know people who charge 500 bucks an hour. Given you are new at this, if you really want to do it, I'd go towards the low end.

I don't know anyone who charges a flat rate, but given this situation that might be wise here.


All of this said, I would not write the prenup if I were you. I would send him to someone else. Given your concern about malpractice and all. That or see if you can get someone to help you out.

Prenups
 

plus jewelers are in a cut throat business that oftentimes gets real close/ beyond shady. a senior guy threw my newbie ass into a litigation between two jewelers a few years back . i caught about 4 or 5 of their acts in deps etc. not one would be client you'd want to work with. maybe you know your guy, maybe you want to learn the area, maybe need the work, but be careful. I say jewelers and doctors=bad legal clients.

Independence Day
 

Hope all you fuckers are having a great day out in the sun. My skin will thank me for saving it from the harsh UV rays. Actually, it's crappy out where I am right now so maybe I win. Fuck all y'all.

Independence Day
 

If it makes you feel any better:

we have an ugly grey sky and it has been raining all morning, so everyone's plans for the lake and the park have been ruined.

Even(except mine -- since i planned to watch the local fireworks from the comforts of home)Odds

Independence Day
 

Thanks. It does make me feel better.

I just did a lap around my floor. I am all alone. I am considering streaking.

Independence Day
 

Mom?

Independence Day
 

It could be worse, you could be stuck inside your apartment (library is closed), all alone (no one can deal with your bi-polar tantrums anymore), sleep-deprived (insomnia for the last month), scared to death of failure (will they fire me if I fail the first time or just the second time?), studying for the worst bar in nation (and seeing your school's notoriously "we dont have to worry about the bar" attitude change overnight because a huge chunk of your class failed last year) while the SoCal weather outside is magnificent (not a cloud in the sky), all of your friends/family are having a great time (seeing movies, at the beach, the lake, Vegas) and you are wondering why the hell you ever mortgaged your brain to go to law school in the first place when you had an offer for a free MBA at INSEAD (France) at 23 years old...

but really, I am OK with it... :brick:

Zak (not a happy camper)

Independence Day
 

As long as it's just you and me and few others who pop in, share some erotica.

Oh--just as I was seriously considering doing a naked lap around the office a partner stuck his head in my office. Glad I didn't do it.

It was a lot more fun to streak about WITH him. Oh yeah--this is :bs:

Independence Day
 

Sheeit, I wish I had time to write some. I am barely able to walk the dog these days. Honestly, I haven't written a thing since graduation, over a year ago. I think I burned myself out--my creative juices are gone. And for some reason, I am perfectly content just having (mostly) vanilla sex with the Sioux Chief.

Zak (man, I am old at 28)

QUESTION
 

Absolutely. I love Cabo, and I still owe you drinks. Pick a week. Slave will bring his kitchen. You know how to reach me.

The Fashion of Baby Names
 

There is an interesting article in the Times Magazine about the fashion of baby names "Where Have All the Lisas Gone?".

The prediction of the top 10 most popular names in 2010 has made me reconsider a couple of the names on our list.

The Fashion of Baby Names
 

For real! These bandwagon jumping mutherfuckers. The little girl formerly known as the world's cutest baby has seen her name jump from outside the top 100 at birth to top 20 and if that article is prognosticorially correct, top 10 by 2010.

On the plus side daughter #2 is barely in the top 400.

And neither has a middle name in the top 1000. Yet.

Speaking of names, when did this site revert back to the practice of requiring real emails to create socks? NTTAWWT.

Oh the humanity!

The Fashion of Baby Names
 

You actually were always required to use a working email address (read the TOS) but we disabled the verification to make it easy for everyone to sign up. I figured given all the times they had already had to sign up (what was it 3? 4?) it would be best to make it very easy to re-register for this site.

Now that all the people who registered on the original site(s) re-registered (or don't plan on re-registering) it seems reasonable to turn it back on. In this way enforcing the rule that requires a working email address.

However, you can still use the same email address for the socks you don't have. Even if you leave it possible for people to email you, they aren't provided with your address when they click on the link. They are provided with a form in which they type the email and send it to you.


Back to the NYT, interesting review of Beyonce's Album (as compared to Ashanti's) http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/06/ar...ANN.html?8hpib

The Fashion of Baby Names
 

Interesting article.

In addition to aesthetic concerns, I think parents have to be mindful of the utilitarian aspects of naming their children. A few suggestions that come immediately to mind are:
(1) Make it data-entry friendly (i.e., your child's first name should be one word -- no spacings or odd hyphenations/punctuation. The same rule should be applied to middle names as well as last names).
(2) Avoid foreign names that are spelled in a counterintuitive fashion (what child wants the hassle of having em's name mispronounced and misspelled all the time?).
(3) If you want to use a gender-neutral, unconventional name, make sure that your last name, in conjunction with the child's first name, doesn't result in a semantically embarrassing combination that describes a household item, a commodity, or some natural phenomenon (I once had a classmate whose full name described something that was commonly harvested on a plantation (googling his full name gives you 25,900 results.).

:soapbox:

p(Suggestions (1) and (2) are based on the fact that my name has been butchered and mispronounced in every way imaginable. It is also gender-neutral (but doesn't describe anything, thank goodness). There are at least 3 "Official" ways of spelling my name as reflected in various public and academic records.)c

Its murder!
 

What me sock?

The Fashion of Baby Names
 

I couldn't concur more strongly. My name violates rule number 1, and has been the source of endless frustration. When a friend recently named her new daughter MaryElizabeth, I cringed and told her mom (from whom I heard about it) she should have talked to me first.

I think I'll forward that article to everyone I know who's pregnant.

tm

The Fashion of Baby Names
 

I say pick anything you choose. I have a very common first name for my age, and people regularly misspell it. You cannot run your life according to other people's potential for error.

No matter what name you give your children, people will pronounce or spell it as they wish. What may appear to be a "counterintuitive" spelling to you may be intuitive to others.

As for your 3rd suggestion: you are assuming his naming was unintentional?

Austin("Seven," anyone?)tatious

Timeshares
 

(hehehehehehe) I worked telemarketing for Kayak Pools my first year of college if you think what you did was bad. Anyone ever sign up at a fair to win a free pool???? Yes? Then I bet I fucking called you and tried to sell you a pool at some point. ARGHHHHHH!!! Not too much later I did ChemLawn. You got moles, you got grubs, BABY! I sucked at sales so I went back to building car engines.

oh no!
 

Barry White has died. I suggest we take a moment of celebacy in mourning.

Anyone else noting the high number of celebrity deaths this month? Anyone ready for a death watch poll? I'll start with the obvious choice, Bob Hope.

Edited to say that it is possible that Bob Hope died already. If so, then I will go with Michael Jackson (in a FREAK accident?).

oh no!
 

Fuck, I missed your post and already, uh...fuck. And everyone knows it wasn't in the ass so -- well, it was a boring, normal, married, we-have-a-five-year-old-in-the-house fuck. Fuck. Now I gotta go set his coffee machine up cuz, well, he fell asleep. FUCK. TITS. Shit.


The high number of celebrity deaths is bothering me because it seems like it didn't used to bother me because I did not know who the fuck they were talking about and now, well, I do. This is kinda like when I realized that the entire cast of Breakfast Club is my age. ARGHHHHHH

Edited to note that BRAVES WIN, BRAVES WIN.......and Javy the HOTTIE is in the All-Star Game....my panties are now wet for the duration.

TdF Stage 1 (spoiler free for stage 2)
 

The Sunday stage featured a wicked crash in the last km so all the riders finished on the same time. Tyler Hamilton broke his collarbone, Levi Leipheimer broke a bone in his back, so they are most likely out for the tour along with a Rabobank teammate Mark Lotz.

Petacchi won and blamed organizers for the dangerous run in to the line.

Lance was very mildly injured, as were teammates Hincapie and Ekimov.

Full text: http://sports.yahoo.com/sc/news?slug...v=ap&type=lgns

For Penske:
http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com...nce_tdf131.jpg

US Injury Update: Tyler is starting with a broken collarbone. This is the same guy who finished the Giro 2nd with a broken shoulder. Levi is out -- he broke his pelvis. Lance was hit from behind and bruised in the back, but he's fine.

Speaking of Sports News
 

I saw this on yahoo and my husband is going to be so pissed!

All afternoon, he stood around drinking beer with our neighbor trashing talking about the coming domination of the Lakers over our "home" team the Spurs.

Kobe Bryant Surrenders on Sex-Assault Charge
By COLLEEN SLEVIN, Associated Press Writer

DENVER - Los Angeles Lakers (news) star Kobe Bryant (news) turned himself in to police and posted a $25,000 bond on a felony count of sexual assault, the Eagle County sheriff's office said Sunday.

The 24-year-old All-Star guard was released after turning himself in on Friday.

The sheriff's office said an arrest warrant was issued after deputies investigated a woman's claims Tuesday of sexual misconduct by Bryant. The incident happened the previous night in a hotel in the Edwards area of Eagle County, near Vail, the sheriff's office said in a statement.

After a series of interviews and a review of the physical evidence, investigators met with representatives for District Attorney Mark Hurlbert and concluded they had enough evidence for the felony sexual assault count, the sheriff's office said.

The Fashion of Baby Names
 

According to the article, Madison is the second-most popular name for girls. This means that the author and other experts have failed to consider the role strippers and pornstars must have had in making names popular. I envision thousands of fathers-to-be, confronted by their wives with lists of names and and all manner of business that they (mistakenly) thought they had escaped after the wedding. Glassy-eyed and nostalgic for their freedom (most recently expressed in a trip to the neighborhood strip club), they assent only to those names that remind them of the blonde with the tongue ring (and now most of his disposable income for the week).

Big Lebowski Question/Poll
 

I'd insert spoiler space, but if you haven't seen The Big Lebowski by now, then you shouldn't even be on this board.

So I was watching the film over the Fourth, when I realized that Brandt would probably have to be in on the conspiracy with the Big Lebowski. After all, Brandt is loyal to Lebowski, and would probably do whatever his employer asked.

I was also reminded of a blog where the blogger listed Tara Reid as a mainsteam actor who would do much better in porn than in Hollywood. Of course, Bunny La Jolla made her porn debut in Logjammin' with an uncredited cameo by real-life porn star Asia Carrera (this is why I love imdb.org, if a movie has a cult following, then you can learn everything about it).

This seems like a pretty good poll question, come to think of it.


Which actor or actress would be more successful in porno?

Sadly, my choice reflects the paucity of roles for hot brunettes in their late 30's. I think either Sherilyn Fenn or Laura Elena Harring should at least realize that their careers will lead to roles in B-grade "erotic thrillers" before long.

Of course, either one of them could have a Marisa Tomei-styled career renaissance, whoch would suit me just fine. Both of them can act, they just don't seem to do it too often.

Monday Mo Question
 

Could someone please explain to me the apparent media fascination with Mo Rocca? I saw him on Fox News a few days ago. He was frightfully boring and anything but funny. What gives?

aV

TdF Stage 1 (spoiler free for stage 2)
 

Did you see Millar pop his chain on the Prologue, blowing a virtually guaranteed win?

And I was completely impressed on the first stage by Zabel's great finish after his mechanical problem slowed him down and he had to bust to catch back up to the field.

I thought Hamilton withdrew. He must be bullshit, as even Lance was saying that he had a serious shot at the podium this year.
It's been nice watching him come into his own.

And why was Petacchi saying the crash was the organizers' fault? Looked to me like the Kelme rider just popped his foot out of his pedal then slid out, inevitably taking out his row and sending the bodies behind him end-over-end; how could the course be to blame?

TdF Stage 1 (spoiler free for stage 2)
 

I was stunned by his lack of whining about it too. He handled himself beautifully. Four Cofidis riders had the same mechanical. I am guessing they have now fixed the front derailleur on their tt bikes.

Zabel rocks. It was an excellent finish for him, and Telekom looks on great form.

Since he has a compound fracture, it's stunning that he made the start, but he was there. As an aside, I have the cycleops fluid 2 trainer (from when I broke my arm), the training video features a very young Tyler Hamilton, who was the least famous person in the room.

Any time you have so many 90 degree turns on a sprint finish, it's incredibly dangerous. I think he is totally right. The crash might have happened since Guitterez pulled his foot out, but only he would have gone down. Had the riders behind been able to see the crash they could have avoided it. Since they were blinded by the turn, everyone just slammed into each other going 55 km.

Even(road racing junkie)Odds

TdF Stage 1 (spoiler free for stage 2)
 

A tight turn on a narrow course less than 500m from a sprint finish isn't the best course layout. But, true, if the rider doesn't lose it coming out of the turn, I doubt anyone would have said a thing about the layout.

TdF Stage 1 (spoiler free for stage 2)
 

The layout at the end was problematic and the chaos might have been minimized, you're right--but once he slid out and took most of riders to his side out, at least a row or two of bodies going over them was inevitable. Still, lousy for everyone.

Hincapie looks back in shape after being wiped out by that virus--hope he won't feel that drain in his training during the Tour.

TdF spoiler question
 

Should the Tyler injury update be in spoiler space, i.e., do you care to know who starts?

TdF Stage 1 (spoiler free for stage 2)
 

BTW, if you enjoyed watching that, OLN is clearly the place to be. Each night this week, they'll televise the running of the bulls from Pamplona. How they can stretch that 3 minutes (or so) to an hour I don't know, but the scene might be as action packed as a Tour sprint finish.

Unfortunately, they don't have podium girls. Although maybe Super Mario will be there, seing as he has nothing better to do for the next 3 weeks.

TdF spoiler question
 

No. At least I don't have a build-up of anticipation before learning the abandons.

Besides, I don't think OLN's coverage will televise the start, will it? They usually pick up with about 2 hours to go. Other than that it's just studio commentary.

The Fashion of Baby Names
 

Here is the SSA website which tracks baby names through the issuance of SSNs.

http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/

another celebrity death
 

Buddy Ebsen too -- http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/TV/0....ap/index.html

On the radio this morning driving in to work (clear channel, admittedly), two different radio stations were freaking out about Buddy Ebsen's death (he was 95 for chrissakes!), and neither even mentioned the passing of Barry White. I think that is fucked up. Awww, yeah....

evil finger lickers
 

http://money.cnn.com/2003/07/07/news...ex.htm?cnn=yes

[spree: An animal rights group said it plans to file a lawsuit Monday against fast-food chain KFC, accusing the company of making misleading statements on its Web site regarding how the chickens it sells are treated.]

In other news, Wonk was named in a class action suit by PETA for choking the chicken.

Thurgreed(bad. i know)Marshall