I immediately regret this decision.

Student loan consolidators are stalking us. 
Calling every 40 minutes. 
They're looking for Keith.

He has spoken to them and told them that he will check out their website and then make a decision.  Only Keith doesn't check out websites.  He finds my internet use annoying.  He's not going to check their website.  He's not going to get back to them.

They've been calling several times every day (random times, also during Dinner) for a couple of weeks.  The phone ringing all the time is annoying.  Listening to the first 5 seconds of our answering machine greeting is even more annoying. 

It's tragic when your first camping trip is this late in the summer.  Tragic, I tell ya.

We are soon to be saved from such tragedy as we leave this town for quieter surroundings, some water to fish/swim in, the smell of nature, and some homegrown entertainment.

Vegan camping trip #1 soon will commence.  Trial run.

Expect photos mid-week.  Until then....sing me a campfire song.

A message I received from a disgruntled "fan"....

==========Original Message==========
From: rjnell
Date: 07/28/2005 03:11:42 PM
Subject : Pink Grizzly

okay hun prepared to get slammed. first of all I was directed to your post by a friend, and i happen to know a member of the Clouse family who owns the pink Grizzly there in Missoula. The P.G. got it's name because the pink Panther was already taken and the griz is the UM Mascot. the Pink paint was cheap from what i was told and that's what they used, NOT A GAY BAR, a damn nice family business!!!!! A greenhouse/nursery and Since you are on UM campus, go ask Dr. Shawn Clouse, let him know how ignorant you are by saying it's a gay bar.

get a life and leave this family alone, they are great people!!!!

Helena, Mont. -- An earthquake measuring a magnitude 5.6 struck southwestern Montana on Monday night, rattling windows, nerves and buildings, but there were no immediate reports of any serious damage or injuries.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake was centered about 13 miles northwest of Dillon, but residents across a wide swath of Montana, Idaho and
Washington reported feeling the temblor at about 10:10 p.m.

Reports came in from as far away as Great Falls, more than 200 miles to the north, and Billings, 250 miles to the east. Some residents reported two distinct tremors, several seconds apart, lasting about eight to 10 seconds.

20 Authors You Should Read (Instead of Stephen King): Part Deux

http://greatredshark.blogspot.com/2005/06/20-authors-you-should-read-instead-of.html

Dammit, I can't get the Insert A Link Thingamajig to work.  Best of luck.

 

Scientists hope to study the effect of cosmic rays on the pig sperm.

Some 40 grams of pig sperm will be taken on board the Shenzhou VI spacecraft for its October launch.

Some of the sperm will be kept outside the spacecraft's biological capsule and some inside, according to China's Xinhua news agency.

Surviving sperm will be returned to earth and used to compare the effect of microgravity on the semen.

The pigs chosen are a breed called Rongchang, named after an area in the southwest of the country and famed for their physique and for the quality of their meat.

Agricultural experts hope to use the sperm to fertilise pig eggs back on earth and monitor the effects of the journey to space.

China's first manned space flight two years ago made it the third country able to launch a human into space on its own, along with Russia and the United States.

During the mission two astronauts will orbit the planet five or six times.

Social Psych exam in 50 minutes. 
Bark Park date with Laz.
Abnormal Psych class.
Family Violence Psych class.
Going away party for the cook at work.
Doobie.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Keith told some of his employees I'm going vegan and they asked him why and he said he didn't know, so last night he asked me. 

He asked (only somewhat jokingly, he said) if I would still eat bread or other things made with yeast since it's a "live" culture. 

If he didn't love me, I might take that as ridicule.

He asked if we (vegans) have a "message." 

I said I would have to check the mission statement and get back to him on that one.

I tried to make up a Song and a Secret Handshake, but obviously my impromptu comedy skills have whithered. 

I said, If you can eat food that doesn't come from animals, and be healthy, why would you choose to inflict suffering that isn't necessary?  It's not a belief that not eating animal products rids the world of injustice or suffering.  Just that I want to lessen my responsibility for said suffering.

He said he would try to go vegetarian, but I insist that if you don't believe in it, you won't be able to do it.  Roast beef is his weakness (even though we've been to see Howard "Mad Cowboy" Lyman speak, and even though he knows the health benefits of not eating red meat).

It was a good exercise for me.  I will face this line of questioning from others in the near and distant future.

Today was my last Sardinian Hard Roll (no more feta cheese), my last little bag of Honey Dijon Kettle Chips (no more honey), my last REAL chocolate chip cookie (no more a lot of things)...

Still to eat before Saturday: DQ Blizzard, chocolate rum cheesecake, B&J's Half Baked, the few remaining blueberry waffles in my freezer...