Pooh Bear, I'm curious how your Cyberhome DVD recorder has been. I've been through three of those $40 Emerson VCR's. They're pretty much junk. Last about a month then start skipping or shutting off. I've had several Emerson VCR's in the past that lasted 10 or more years. One thing I've noticed is the new one is made in China and the old ones were made in Taiwan. The new ones weigh a fraction of the old ones. Pretty bad when they won't even last a month. I'm giving this third one one last try. I looked at a Sanyo and it appears to be the exact same VCR. Looks the same on the outside and I even peered in through the tape window and it had all the same guts in the same places. I'm about to make the switch to DVD recorder after this fiasco.

Hobokenkitchen: "I will not be persuaded that taking a photo out of context purely for the purpose of ridicule is fair game. I actually think it's a pretty rotten thing to do." I never tried to persuade you to think otherwise. However, that does not negate the fact that it has already been done by those who dont share your opinion, and anyone who puts a photo out there should be aware of such...that the chance of it happening will always exist. That was and still is my point. Its that simple. Hobokenkitchen : "Again, my only response to this is a resounding; HUH?? Listen I do not pretend to be an expert on real estate agents across the country, but in my area my office only employs full time realtors and I don't know of any who has their 'chosen' career put on hold and therefore gone into real estate." AndI personally know many people right here in NJ who sell RE part timetwo are friendsanother is a neighborthe other is DHs cousin another is a woman also serves on a number of state boardsbut sells RE part time. The agent who sold us our house works part time. In addition, I have met a number of REAs who are part timers.some of whom had another career, that went south (and not by their choice or fault), and took up RE sales as an alternative. The job market is not wide open to those who are middle aged and beyond..and often RE provides a good alternative. There are 99,000 people licensed to sell RE in NJ. Do you truly believe that every single one is doing so full time...as their first and only career? Bottom line? Although it may be beyond your personal experience, that does not mean that it is non-existentor, even the exception to the rule. Hobokenkitchen : "My problem with you, logic, is not your opinions - you are welcome to those whether I agree with them or not. .In terms of my recommendations to you, it comes simply from the fact that there are people who are able to make their point without making condescending statements. You do not seem to be one of them, but perhaps I am too sensitive, and if so then again, I apologize!" No need to apologize. However, I will say that I can understand your feelings since you are apparently basing your opinions only upon your own officewhich is clearly an exception to what many people experience. I have based my opinions on a much broader spectrum. I consult to the HI profession throughout four statesas such, I have heard a dearth of stories that the HIs hear from buyers. I can assure you that all too often, even if the REA has found the buyer a home which they love, the buyer is not necessarily happy with how their REA handled the deal. As I said earlier, one has just to frequent this forum long enough, and you will read of many stories of buyers AND sellers ready to throttle their REA by the time all is signed, sealed and delivered. There are many who have been very pleased as well...but that does not negate the fact that problems do indeed exist...in some cases, problems of a major nature...and public perception of REA's in general is not the best in many cases. Ive said it beforeIll say it againthere is the good..the badand the in between in ALL professionsRE is no exception. If that is an issue for you...so be it...but IMO, when there is something negative said, regardless of how factual,it does not matter how prettily it's iced...the reality remains the same.

I do not mind normal noise from 7am to 11pm, after that I do not think it is too much too ask for people to be a bit quiet, taking loud phone calls any time of day in the hall is really a nono to me. If we are staying somewhere several days, I pick a nicer hotel. If it is just for a night, I am not as picky. Really it does not matter much if it is a pricey place or not, people are rude everywhere. Pudgeder, in Tahoe we had a room next to the laudry room and we were like 'oh no'. It was one of the quietest rooms we had ever been in. I think they must have insulated it more. I made note of the room # for future stays. I used to worry about being in a room next to dogs. Now I prefer it, esp if the dog owners are older, they are the most polite and quiet people and the dogs are so sweet.

Yes, I do use Overdrive to download to my Kindle, but because I read so voraciously, I don't always find what I'm looking for there. Hoopla and Cloudlibrary expand the number of books I have access to -I just haven't been able to figure out how to read them on my Kindle. But I'm really excited to dive into Bumblebeez' suggestion of Calibre -that sounds like it might be just the ticket. I used to have Kindle Unlimited but didn't feel it was as worthy as Scribd, and didn't want to pay for two subscriptions. I'm definitely going to look more into Audible though. Thanks so much to everyone who weighed in!