Minnie is right...you are the one bringing out the best in people. Obviously, you are a warm, friendly person. Nice to know you, Budster! I agree with you about GardenWeb and the Knitting Forum. It's a lot of very nice people.

by Martin//And in one of those little ironies - the year the World Cup returns to Italy is the year that Juventus, Lazio, Fiorentina and AC Milan are implicated in the biggest match-fixing scandal of all time. I know you personally are upset about it Grelobe, and my sympathies are with you. What I was curious about is - what's the feeling "on the street", so to speak? Do most people feel that they've been caught red-handed, and deserve their punishment? Or do people feel that it's all a bit much?\\ And, if you don't mind me asking - who do you personally support? How does it affect you directly? First of all, sorry if I am late, but it is because I usually spend my week ends at the sea side. How is the feeling "on the street" ,it is a question to which is rather difficult to answer. Because I think we (Italians) have some good qualities, but one difect we have for sure, (of course more than one but..) we are always ready to join the winner's side; we say " to climb up the winner's cart". For instance, before the World Cup started our team gathered at Coverciano, somewhere in Tuscany, to start their training. Well, people would go over there not to support them, but for yelling things like: you son of b... or, go to do a real work or, you are only piece of s..... This because, a few players , especially Cannavaro our captain, at the outset of the scandal backed the way of acting kept by his executive's team (juventus). Polls showed that the majority demanded Lippi resignation (our coach) , this also if Lippi is not directly involved in the scandal, but his son is. He, Lippi's son with Moggi's son, rules one company that "trades" players and coaches, and this company was so powerfull that could even effected other teams market-players; for instance Inter F.C some time plays with 11, I say it again, eleven foreign players , and this because "Gea" the compnay rule by Moggi and Lippi's sons didn't let promising Italian football player to be enrolled by Inter F.C. To answer your question Martin , I dare say that normal people think the punishment is well deserved (less Juve, Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina's supporters of course) :) This because this way to act, not only effects direct rivals , like Inter, Rome , Lazio itself and others, but also other teams. I'm tryng to explain: Janalyn you ask how it is possible to fix a match without getting involve players. Martin has already answered you in part, but referees can do other things. Let's do an example, today there's Juve vs X and Bologna vs Y , and next turn will be Juve vs Bologna. So today, Bologna vs Y referee can shows a yellow or better a red card to the better Bologna's midlefield or striker, so Juve will have an easier way next turn, and in this way Bologna is damaged twice. Besides as I already said Moggi and Lippi's sons are the manager of a great number of skilled players and other players not so skilled , so...

A group of 50+ of us went to a state park in TN (east of Nashville) so we were there for totality (2 minutes, 34 seconds) It was so cool watching the moon eat the sun, bit by bit. At totality, everyone whipped off their eclipse glasses and cheered and was just amazed. I stood there looking up--those 2.5 minutes passed really quickly. I got to see the diamond ring effect both at the beginning and end of the eclipse, as well as being able to see Mars. It didn't get as dark as I expected--we could see stars and Mars, but it wasn't dark--it was deep twilight. I didn't take pictures, but friends who are with me are sharing theirs. It was an amazing experience and well worth the 9+ hour drive!

Sara-Ana, you may be on to something here. It’s probably best to ask her yourself in a loving way. Maybe you could set up a lunch date, for just the two of you? The subject of her feelings will surely come up, and you can tell her that you’re concerned about her. If she refuses to “open up” about the subject, or seems to be in denial, does she have a spouse you could ask? I know it’s a sticky situation to get into, but you clearly love your sister, and she really needs help and support. ( Isn’t that what we all need:) IF it is an opiate problem, her Dr. will be able to help her wean off of them safely and with less discomfort than going through it alone. That’s IF that’s what’s going on. It’s one possibility, and a fairly reasonable one. I think you should give her a chance to talk to you about it. Interventions are about drawing a bottom line and making it clear that it’s treatment or consequence. Maybe her recent behavior is a cry for help. She might know she needs help, but doesn’t know how to begin. Just having your support might make all the difference in the world. This isn’t about taking sides with one sister over another. It’s about listening to her, and helping her through a difficult time. I know it’s going to be hard no matter how it goes, or whatever the root of the problem really is. I feel for the both of you. Lisa