ness

That soup looks amazing. What's going on in there? Pickled mushrooms sound weird, but I'm sure not passing judgement.

LOL Al. Now everybody here knows I'm not working.

Let's just cherry pick: Japan -- electronics, table-side food prep/knife tricks Switzerland -- cheese, chocolate, scenery Germany -- beer, cured meats Denmark, Hong Kong, Finland, Netherlands, Singapore -- I got nothing Austria -- Vienna sausages France -- they've got some good stuff, but there's always a catch Sweden -- blondes, meatballs Belgium -- beer, shotguns Canada -- comedians

Kidding aside, just for a second. Look who can borrower cheaper than the great and powerful Uncle Sam: Japan, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Hong Kong, Finland, Netherlands, Austria, Singapore, France, Sweden, Belgium, Canada.

Just got back from Wal-Mart. I discreetly bought out all their bottled water and Vienna sausages. BTW -- Our CFO tells me we sent a few million bucks to the IRS on September 15, and will have more going on December 31. I presume we're not the only ones, but what do I know? Maybe they could use that to service the debt? Then for the debt that's maturing just do a no-cost refi like I hear about on the radio all the time? What about the $85 billion the Fed creates every month by buying bonds? Could we use that to pay for something else? I'm probably just over-thinking this.

Useless, man. They pull the plug at midnight, right? Hold on to your hats boys! The the yields on 30-year treasuries are up 0.0037% this morning to an astronomical 3.79%.

BTW Mitch -- I like the way you think!

Duct tape. Check.

Good adds guys. I'm scratching the extra paddle.

Alright, less than 24 hours until financial Armageddon starts. I wasn't too worried until yesterday, when Fitch ratings said they were putting USA on credit review for a possible downgrade. No word from S&P or Moody's yet. I just wonder if they've already left town? I've cashed in my 401(k), emptied my bank and investment accounts and converted them all to gold. Not some receipt for gold, mind you...I'm talking physical gold. Brinks just dropped it off at the house. They guy was real nice and let me use his dolly to roll it all back to der ness bünker. Anyhoo -- here's what I've got down there: tent ground cloth (for under the tent) closed cell foam sleeping pad, 3/4 length self-inflating sleeping pad (mine is almost 2 inches thick inflated) sleeping bag self-inflating pillow one burner Coleman "backpacking" stove aluminum bottle with extra Coleman fuel set of nesting pots and pans cooking utensils plastic plates and cups eating utensils aluminum foil paper towels dish soap in small bottle cooking oil in small bottle cornmeal in small waterproof container water purifier rain gear jacket extra pants, shirts, socks, underwear dry shoes hat extra clothing for cold weather if necessary two flashlights first aid kit waterproof matches camera gear/binoculars fishing tackle life jacket sponge for getting water out of the bottom of the canoe small camp chair book to read maps extra paddle sunglasses breakfast food lunch food dinner food beverages snacks all necessary dry bags two coolers with ice plastic tub for cooking stuff leather couch for Ruby. Just wanted to get a convo going and see if I'm missing anything before I seal myself in tonight.

My valet attends to my traveling needs. One can't underestimate the value of good help. I showed him this thread and he scoffed at some of these lists. He was, however, complimentary of Ollie for first mentioning the unmentionable.

I think it's fallen out of favor with a lot of folks because it's just not as good as used to be. I haven't fished in years.

I'm impressed! That looks and sounds really good.

Thanks, Al. That's really interesting stuff. I wasn't aware of Photoshop being used in those ways. Interesting how you're combining elements from different media too. Never heard of that.

Al -- a while back you told us you used Photoshop to do some of your paintings. I find that really interesting because I always thought of it as a photo editing software only. Plus, it seems like a largely different skill set. When you do pictures like the one above, or catalog covers how are you doing those? What determines which way you go?

Verrrry nice, Al.

This thread has gone down the path of no return. Not only am I done posting pictures of puppies, I'm not even going to read anymore. Have fun.

Sounds good. I haven't been dove hunting in years -- maybe it's time.

Found it!

But -- nice haul there. How do you cook those, BH?

OMG -- you're gonna get blood on the Yeti!!!

Huh? I thought you said.... Anyway -- she did get it.

LOL -- a filibuster. Now it's time for a little story. My family and I went to Washington and visited the capitol in the early 2000's. We went into the visitor's gallery in both the House and the Senate. In the Senate, Robert Byrd was standing at the podium reading from a history book. It was some delay tactic -- I've forgotten what the debate was really about. (The last time I was there, in the mid-1980's, Sen. Byrd was at the podium too.) Over in the House, we watched a debate about Medicare (IIRC). A female representative took the podium and began a loud, angry presentation attacking the other side's view. As she talked, she pounded her finger on the charts she had displayed for effect. She was pissed. It was only for a couple minutes, then she finished, grabbed her charts and walked off. After she left the podium, and presumably got out of camera range, her demeanor immediately changed. A big smile came across her face and she greeted other members with smiles, handshakes and hugs as she went up the aisle. My daughter, who was about 10 at the time, couldn't understand this. She looked at me and asked, 'How can she be so mad at these people one minute, then be friends with them the next?' Man, that was a moment I'll never forget. A ten year old was able to see first hand what a lot of these people are like.

You are correct, sir. I've got a picture around here someplace.

Naw, she's a Brittany -- but you were close. They look a lot alike as pups, and most folks are used to the orange and white Brits.