Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438

That would be great except that there is no link displayed to copy. LL

I use Chrome. Screen is blank. LL

What??? The first post is blank. Was something removed? LL

I can't quite place this in time - late 70's ? - Mrs. L came home from work at a software firm with what looked like a portable sewing machine. Set it up in the kitchen, and it turned out to be a "portable" computer - maybe a Compaq? Orange screen. Had a game on it similar to Clue. Bunch of characters in a mansion, trying to solve a murder. No video or images, all text. But the cool part was that you could interrogate witnesses. Ask a direct question, and they would answer in text. But they were allowed to LIE - and they did. Frustration often led to ribald suggestions - which were readily repulsed by the witness. Stayed up until 3 AM playing that thing - foreshadowing of video game addiction to come. LL

Crockett. Tubbs. Ferraris. Cigarette boats. Silk sport coats. Colored T shirts. Slip on canvas shoes with no socks. Bren Ten. Sawed off 12 gauge side-by-side. Smugglers Blues. The 1980's were Miami Vice, period. LL

Sorry about that; I've got a busted mouse (thanks to my omnivorous Yellow Lab puppy) and I can't highlight, insert or drag properly. New mouse arrives shortly. LL

DeWalt advertises that their tools are made in the USA, using globally sourced materials and components. They explain that they have 7 US manufacturing facilities, and purchase many components and materials in the US, but will purchase elsewhere when required by availability or price. No different than Ford and GM, I guess. I represented B&D/DeWalt for several years, and toured their US plants. Very impressive dedication to quality. When we tried a case for them, it was rare to find a potential juror with a negative impression of their products or service. I got my first DeWalt cordless drill during a plant tour around 1989. I used it and its younger brothers to build and maintain 4 houses, and a ton of lesser projects. Never had a terminal product failure. I now have 4 drill/drivers, a cordless circular saw, two corded circular saws, and a variety of sanders, nailers and air tools. I have looked with envy at the Festool line; but the price differential is extreme. I'll stick with DeWalt; I have a small fortune invested in batteries and chargers, and a ton of good experiences. The only Milwaukee tools I own are a pair of corded Sawzall demolition saws; also great tools. LL

For the rules: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/reporting_cash_transactions_and_foreign_financial_accounts LL

Two exceptions. Jimmy Buffet or the Beach Boys. Overwhelming volume is never an issue, and "mellow" is a given for the folks in the audience. LL

Razor: Suggestion: Get yourself a copy of the Lyman Reloading Manual (or the Hornady), and a couple of reloading handbooks. Read them thoroughly before you spend time or money on equipment or supplies. If available, take an NRA reloading course for beginners; my gun club offered such a course for less than $30, and it was money very well spent. There are a lot of folks on this Wire that reload black powder, black powder substitutes, and smokeless powder; they will be generous with their time and advice; but before you start asking questions, get the books, read them, and grab a class if you can. It will help immensely if you have a working knowledge of the reloading vocabulary and equipment first. Welcome to the smoke and bang! LL

Yep. We are brothers of different mothers. I've worried at times that I would really miss the work, and the client relationships and the income. But as time goes by, I really find myself wanting to be relieved of the burdens of the work. I can't recall the last time that I did not end up with a trial scheduled for the week after New Years, destroying the holidays because I needed prep time. I haven't had a vacation in 30 years without a call from a client or an insurance company, evidently unable to process the "out of office" announcement on my email, and determined to get what they need from me even though I'm 1500 miles from home and not carrying a computer. I want to put my wife first for a change, and concentrate on some "Us" time. Two weeks ago, in a state of pure frustration, I "fired" one of my oldest clients. Repeated demands to cut rates, more and more onerous billing guidelines and restrictions, massive turn-over and loss of personal working relationships, bean counters with absolutely no understanding of litigation or the risk factors inherent in the cases, and unreasonable demands on my time finally broke the camel's back. Much to my surprise, I felt good after I did it. A pretty clear indicator that it was long overdue. So, I'm working on winding up cases, collecting long overdue receivables, and prepping my partners for my imminent exit. By the time it's warmer weather, I intend to be officially retired and on the beach. And it's about time. Like you, I never want my life controlled again by arbitrary scheduling orders from the Court or last minute motions from opponents. We did not work hard all of these years not to be free at the end. When I graduated from high school in 1970, we all had a quote under our class pictures, expressing our hopes for our lives ahead. Mine was "To be rich, powerful and free". It's too late to become rich or powerful, but free is still within my reach, and I'm going for it. LL

Had never seen or heard of sugar gliders before. According to Wiki, MA just legalized possession as pets in 2014. Cute little buggers. LL

I just recently had a similar revelation. There comes a time when it is just not worth it to sacrifice your sleep, your body and your peace of mind for someone else's money. I'm in my 43rd year, and the time to stop is probably within the next 6 months. Five years ago, I thought I would die in harness; now I'm determined to live free as long as I can. LL

Oh...so that's the deal with all those houses up in Coos and Grafton with old washing machines and couches on the front porches....millionaires with camoflage !!! LL

Never heard of any local law enforcement agency using "AFT". Unless it is one of those ghost written books in which the publisher is trying to imitate the style of the deceased originator of the character (Robert B. Parker), I'd suggest that such a typo by Parker is unlikely; he was very sharp on the details, and certainly knew enough about law enforcement (and Boston policing in particular) not to make such a glaring error. I'd suggest an editor error, or a production error. LL ( a great admirer of Parker, and particularly of Jesse Stone, Cole & Hitch)