Architectural Designs

Do you think dumdum has a degree in Physics? or Bombs? Jet Fuel Combustion? or metal? Building design? Is anybody else tired of it? or is it just me? With all do respect but She is always coming up with some dumb 9-11 conspiracy theories? Just wondering if she had a PHD in any of those, above?. I mean anybody can manipulate any evidence to show what they want to prove ie Michael Moore Films. Popular science and MIT have already debunked these ridiculas claims. Osama in the Boys are responsible for 9-11, Just like in 93 WTC, 96 KHOBAR TOWERS 19 AIRMAN DEAD 300 WOUNDED, 98 EMBASSY BOMBING AND 2000 U.S.S. COLE!!!! GET OVER IT,

Ever heard of building a machine shed (metal building) and making part of it your living quarters? I want to buy a home, but my boyfriend wants to buy land. We can't afford to buy land and build a house. He says it's really cheap and convenient to build a "machine shed" and actually design your home inside the building. I've seen a house that is actually a working barn and the family just lives in a decent sized portion of the barn. It looks totally normal on the inside but from the outside, it's just a barn. Has anyone ever heard of this?

How would I go about building a metal gear? Say I had an unlimited budget (lol!) and wanted to build a real live working metal gear like in the games, how would I go about it? P.S, it would be a REX-type vehicle and I would base my design on the mech from the game Ring Of Red .

building design out of metal sea containers? combining three containers

need info on building eco friendly single apt in a metal building? haven't put up barn yet which way should it face? what side for windows? insulation? should i have a ridge vent if there is no attic? or turbines? any ideas on design? have two skylights its 20x34x18 tall. thinking about catching water off the roof instead of a well and have an enviro let composting toilet, and looking for recycled materials where ever possible.

Can you find a structural steel metal drafting school in Arkansas? drafting design steel metal building blueprint

how to build a moving metal car in design and technology? so i was wondering how to build a car that is light in weight, and is very durable. like it can be strong and fast at the same time. the car is made out of sheet metal, and connected with wheels, and we get one or two batteries to make it move we have to make it move for at least 5 meters and carry at least 100 grams of weight. what is the best design for this car for it to have the greatest energy efficentcy too?

i'm a teenager who needs help with a metal contractor how do i get in the building? I'm 15 I live by a metal contracting place, i want to get something made into metal, i have the design, money but how the hell do i get in the place? There's these big gates always blocking entrance from the place, and last time i went near the place i got chased by a dog. So what now?

i would like to find a site that lets me design a mock building for free. like an autocad program. any clues? i am trying to design a metal building for my father in law, i have drawn it all out on graph paper and it looks really good, but i would love to have an autocad drawing of it. just to make sure i haven't left out any details. at the same time i don't want to pay hundreds of dollars for an autocad program that i will probably never use again.

How do I go about designing and building my own ship/yacht? I need to know about metal fatigue, structural design points and legal requirments to go to sea. Anything you have on ocean going ships will help.

Could the heat affected zone of rivets in steel trusses cause a building to be structurally weaker? If you are familiar with heat and metal, then you know that processes such as welding create a heat affected zone in the medal being welded; hardening, softening, and possibly making the metal more brittle. Would rivet fastening in a steel truss design building be able create a heat affected zone capable of making the building become structurally weak, especially under the pressures of a high force shock, intense heat, and increased load?

Covering old building facades with sheet metal, stucco, etc? I like old, American architecture--primarily Gilded Age through the Late 1940s--for their rich designs. A common observation I have made is a good number of them have a new facade (relative to its original construction) that covers up the ornaments, murals, or stonework. It looks quite ugly and I don't understand why people did it, but I lack the knowledge of what it is called to even Google it! Does anyone know what this practice is called and/or what decade/decades it was prevalent?

what should I major in if I want to build and design things made out of metal that runs on electricity? I wanna be able build robots that does work for me and makes life easier I was wondering what major in college should I choose.

i want to building vlf metal detector pleace tell me some thing? sample of design phase,schematic diagram & circuit diagram metal detector

How to build Metal spud gun? I am looking a build a metal spud gun. i need the design on how to build it. I would like it to be air pressured. Please Help!!!!!

where can i get a custom metal slingshot? i made a design for a metal slingshot but i cant make it myself.is there somewhere that i can send my design and they will build it for me?

Can you give me some help getting hired for drafting? My wife is having trouble getting hired into a good position with a drafting firm in Fort Worth. She didn't even get a bite while in San Antonio. I've suggested she visit an employment agent of some sort, but is there some sort of certification which would help convince local firms she knows what she's doing?. She has an old associates degree, but she has 8 years of recent experience in contract drafting with a construction firm specializing in metal building construction for industrial, commercial, and even residential designs including estimation.

How do I start up a limited company in the UK? Say I wanted to start up a company. I've researched names, and have found one that isn't used anywhere else in the UK. I would run it from home, and would have a general purpose company based around: Building metal boxes (for example) Design Solutions Scientific Discoveries into the Unknown Novel Writing It would be extremely low budget, as each job would pay for itself. There would be few other people working there. How would I go about setting up this Ltd company?

Why Obama Refuses to answer this? Molten metal under Building Seven. No plane hit it. Why? A part of the Cover-up? ... or does America have a secret to keep hidden from Americans and the world? believe me, i'm not saying any TRUE AMERICANs were behind this! Someone, however was - some 'evil-doer' was behind this. - the investigations so far have been avoidant and deceptive. How can True Americans feel CONFIDENT about this? Where did the molten iron come from, an open fire? Office fabrics and file papers? Do people store dangerous flammable chemicals in office buildings which would melt steel beams? Is that legal? (doubt it) Jet fuel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaJet fuel is a type of aviation fuel designed for use in aircraft powered by ... with an autoignition temperature of 210 °C (410 °F). Open air burning temperatures: 287.5 °C (549.5 °F) ... Chemistry question: If the melting point of iron is 1535 degrees what temperature will molten iron solidify? Please help us answer this question. wiki.answers.com/Q/If_the_melting_point_of_iron_is_1535_degrees_what_temperature_will_molten_iron_solidify WikiAnswers - At what temperature does thermite burnChemistry question: At what temperature does thermite burn? The approximate temperature is 2500 degrees celsius, not accounting for a preheat, ... wiki.answers.com/Q/At_what_temperature_does_thermite_burn So... why was thermate residue found in the rubble of 911 wtc site? How did it get there? Who could possibly have knowledge to these questions? Why hasn't the NIST thought to look for these answers? April 2009 Chemistry Report about Nano-Thermitic Material Discovered in 9/11 World Trade Center Dust http://www.earthfiles.com/news.php?ID=1555&category=Science Just 'let it go"? 'Forget about it?' - this question will NOT go away - "We Will Always Remember 911" did you ever see that sticker on a car? ... it's not going away. Ok Jet Fuel burns about 550 Farenhieght - (under 1000 degrees ok?) Steel melts at 1500 dgrees (F) Thermite (burns at about 2500 degrees) used in demolition - ...hmmm? Please, Just answer the question at the very top. Does Obama know the truth? careful. Some of you wish to Forget about 911 and are happy to accept the totally trustworthy, honest and upright, non-oath taking republican self investigation as to what happen 911? is that what your saying? "Just forget about it."? "9/11 We Will Always Remember" *with American Flag in the background* which represents...? Truth? Justice? Republicans?

is it possible to build a blimp/zeppelin out of metal? most zeppelin/blimp designs have fabric holding the air inside. if we were to use thin sheets of an extremely strong metal, is it possible to build a zeppelin/blimp and use the metal sheets to hold the air in? the metal sheets would increase the durability, right? it doesnt matter the size, as long as it can be built.

what metal combo should i use for an emp gun? I want to design and build a non-nuclear focused EMP(F.E.M.P.) gun, but i don't know what metals to use. please help me decide!

Ideas for building a platform for a metal shed? I obtained an 8'x10' metal shed in good condition for free (just cost me 5 hours to disassemble and a lot of elbow grease). The original owner assembled it on untreated plywood placed on bare earth, which worked about as well as you can imagine. I would like to build a proper foundation. The location is on a gentle slope, so water will be shedding toward it from the backyard woods. Because of this, I am thinking it should be elevated 3" to 6". That would also allow air flow to help dry out the bottom after a rain, I think. I've read a few articles, but would like some community advice on design. Brick or Cinder block piers? Spacing? Plywood or 2x4s? Horizontal or 45° slant? Shed will contain push lawnmower and other common outdoorsy tools - no especially high loads. Thanks for any insight offered.

What's a good 3D design program for metal buildings? The company I work for want me to start designing buildings and I need a good program to do it with. I need to be able to see details like I-beams and C-Purlins and how they fit together, see what the building looks like when it's complete, as well as be able to print blueprints of the floor, walls and roof with accurate dimensions. I've looked at Sketchup5 but I just want to know of there's better before I buy anything. Thanks

Why does everyone's noses bleed when they go in this classroom? There's one classroom at my school in the Design & Technology building (Wood and metal work rooms) that we hardly ever use but sometimes when we do use it, people's noses start bleeding not just one or two either it's usually around a third of the class or more! There doesn't seem to be anything different about the room it's just a room full of desks and drawing boards so what causes this?

Building a horse pen on a budget? I want to build a horse pen for my horse. I want to use materials that wont cost a whole heck of a lot, but I want it to be safe, I don't really want to use metal because A)it costs B) It gets very hot out here in the AZ desert. Any design ideas or horse safe materials would be appreciated.

I need info on building a tube chassis? I recently acquired an 84 mustang gt engine, wiring harness, transmission, and rear end. I do not have an existing car to put it in and I have wanted for a long time to build my own car. I need information on what style of welding to use, what grade of metal to use, square or round tubing, and what designs are best for support and weight reduction. Thank You

I need help building a mini backstop for corkball and wiffleball. Does anyone have a design they used? We want something about 5 ft. high or 4 ft. at the minimum. We want it to be portable because we're going to use it in the front yard. We have a machine that pitches corkball sized nerf balls and we lose them easily because we don't have anything to stop it. We want to put a piece of sheet metal or plastic on the inside to designate a strikezone. Any information would be helpful. Thanks.

Building a "porch potty" for my friend, need help finding materials? From what I understand, the design goes: synthetic grass, metal grating, tray to catch fluids. I'm having the hardest time finding a metal or plastic grating that is cheap but also strong enough to hold a 100 pound dog. Anyone have any suggestions? Would the dump have something like that just lying around? Help?

Can I use my existing propane grill to build into an outdoor kitchen? I have a $500 grill and don't want to spend more now that I'm building my own outdoor kitchen. Also planning on making a charcoal grill too. Not sure what to do there either, but initial design will have a metal stud design with treated 4x4 corners concreted in the ground.

is it legal to build a metal-free gun? I designed a metal free single shot concealable firearm. I'm curious, could it be a legal gun to build? the gun has no metals in it. it can be made small enough to be concealed. it doesn't require any special materials, in fact, almost all of it can be found naturally. if not for the metallic cartridge it shoots it will not show up in a metal detector and could be invisible to standard X-ray machines. what if I was to design a metal-free cartridge? would that be legal? then I can have a loaded firearm that doesn't show up on standard X Rays or metal detectors.

what is best way to design an exhasut shaft on an exterior restaurant wall? I have a restaraunt on the bottom floor of a 3 story building. I need to run my exhasut ducts to the exterior wall and up to the roof. The vertical run will be 42' +/-. the shaft will be 3' x 2' interior dimension. The exterior wall is 3 coat stucco on metal lath over building paper over densglass gold over 6" metal studs. What will be teh best design/ framing method to construct this shaft? This will be built in Florida- are there any code violations by running an exhasut shaft up an exterior wall? Where will be teh best place to find details? Thanks.

How can architects design a lecture hall so that echoes are reduced and speech is not heard as garbled sounds? Architects are working with engineers to build a lecture hall. How can they design it so that echoes are reduced and speech is not heard as grabled sounds? A. build smooth marble walls, ceilings and polished floors B. construct many flat walls, angled ceilings and smooth floors C. use an ultramodern design of metal walls, pillars and seats D. build walls out of porous materials, upholster the seats and add carpets

Why was the Eiffel Tower designed and built? Why did Gustave Eiffel design and build the tower? Most of the people in Paris hated the metal tower. Why did Eiffel build it? + What is the architectural style of the Eiffel Tower?

What cycling product would you like to be made? Hi Guys, In September I am building and designing a project for something to do with bicycles. I was just wondering if anyone could give me some ideas. Now, it cant be something like a piece of clothing etc. It has to be able to made from wood, metal and/or plastics. I was thinking of some sort of bicycle storage system for all the accessories that come with bikes, or a roller training unit. But really open to all ideas. I already have a bike stand so will not be making one of those. Thanks everyone

model bridge building? For a engineering assignment my group was tasked with building a model bridge. We were given eight feet of 2x4 board and 8 feet of networking cable. We can make any sort of bridge and is being graded on height, length, strength, technical merit and design . No metal joints, soldering or welding is allowed. Other than that we are free to do as we wish. Any suggestions?

Building a catapult design question? Hi, I'm currently in the process of building the exact same catapult from the following website: http://www.stormthecastle.com/catapult/how-to-build-a-catapult.htm However, there's a problem with that catapult design; the base is too light, so if I try to launch it, then the whole thing will jump up, causing my catapult to be inaccurate. What kind of objects or materials can I add onto the base of the catapult to make it really heavy(like glue some pieces of metal?), but at the same time, blended into the catapult, so that it's still aesthetically pleasing(i.e., not just add two slabs of weights on it and call it okay). Thanks

how to build a cold welding machine? Hi guys. As a mechanical engineering final year student, I was assigned to design and build a cold welding prototype to weld just two sheets of metal together by lap joint. The thing is I have no idea how to design this since I haven't had any experience in building these kind of things. Anyone did similar kind of project? Can you show me examples or samples? Thanks in advance!

Who do I find to fabricate my art? I have several art designs in plastic and metal. Who can I outsource to build them for me? Are there any company's that specialize in this?

Thinking about building a guitar over the summer...help anyone? I'm thinking of doing it as a hobby over the summer. And when i say building a guitar, i don't mean from scratch, like designing and building the entire body and neck, i don't have to skill, tools or time for that. What i'm thinking of doing is buying a blank body, and neck, and buying all the hardware, electronics and assembling it all myself. What I want is a guitar with humbuckers, FLOYD ROSE!!! and my own unique paint job something for everything from classic rock, to metal. How much do you think i would be looking at? Any websites to get me started? any tips? thanks!

building rat rod .... help? ive restored cars before i know what im doing there but i want to get into a career of designing and building my own hot rods and other cars but i dont really know where to start ... i want to make a rat rod and wanted to know what chassis i shoud get and what kind of sheet metal should i use what tools will i need ... that kind of stuff ... any help would be much appreciated ... thanks :) i can look but no one says how to build one scratch and on top of that nobody gives you a chassis to start with ... thats why i ask hoping i would get a better answer than "whatever you want" as stated in all the sights that tell you how to build a rat rod ... you dont have to be a f***ing jerk

What is the strongest...but lightweight,bridge design I can make w/out metal or plastic???? I have a class progect that i need help with...i need to build a bridge that is at least 2ft. long and can hold a normal construction/building brick(about 5lbsor more)...it also has to be as weightless as it can be..i cant use any metal or plastic what so ever...like tape(plastic)lamination(plastic)screws or bolt(metal...of course)....i can use any type of cloth, wood, paper...which is a type of wood...Any designs...suggestions..any help to make this possible would be greatly appreciated!!!! thanks.

Tips for making my own combat ready armor suit? I have looked around and can't seem to find a company that offers to build custom design full plate armor. So I am thinking of taking it into my own hands and crafting it myself. Does anyone know some good sites that show good demonstrations on how to work metal and leather to create medieval style armor? Or a company that offers to make custom designs. Many thanks in advance

Where should I go to get my own computer caes machined to my specs? I have a very nice design for a computer case, where would I go to have someone machine the metal or build it for me?

is there a program to make your own furniture? hey peeps, i was looking online, and i dont think there is one but wanted to check. is there a program or a online java application where i can build/design a computer desk? like actually place the wood or metal exactly where i want it or put a picture on it to make it a carving? its basically because i can't draw and i want to design one that my father can do for me. thanks for any help :)

How are things made out of metal? Hopefully the title grabbed your attention. I've been wondering for years, literally years, how a common citizen would be able to get something of metal created. I see people on YouTube (mainly DIY scientists/inventors) having home-made this and that made from various metals with complex designs. (they didn't just grab some old metal rod and bend it) I want to know how they do it. Just HOW. Not even them, but any manufacturer in general. In the future I want to be an inventor and be able to make things at home; but it is sad because I don't even know basic metallurgy! And what if I wanted to build a car frame? How would I go about that?

who builds the jiffy lube type metal buildings? Im trying to build a full service car wash and like the design of the jiffy lube stores if anyone can tell me who builds anything close to that in Houston tx

I would like to be an Engineer (UK) and need some advice please? Hi. I did not do too well in Science or Maths at school because I did not find it interesting and so I did not apply myself. However now I am a little older I realise what a mistake I made and how I'd love to turn tinkering in my shed in to a worthwhile career that could help people. Ideally I'd love to work with metal, for instance designing/ building heavy plant machinery, armoured cars, drilling equipment, skyscrapers, bridges in other words robust stuff on a big scale. My perfect job would be a 'middle man'. You design a new bulldozer or tanker or container on paper, give it to me, and I work out the glitches as manual workers build it next to me with the help of the designer, reaching compromises and overcoming difficulties as team. Does this job exist? What is this field of engineering known as- civil engineering? Working specifically with no-nonsense metal? Final point- I now have too many responsibilities to do a Uni degree- what are my alternatives? Thanks!

i need some bird cage plans or designs? I need a set or sets of plans so I can build my own metal and wire cages

Building a wine barrel offset smoker? This may sound crazy, but I want to build a smoker and fire box out of old oak wine barrels. They are about the perfect size and look much better than the black metal barrels. I've seen designs where the barrels are standing upright, however, I would like to build a horizontal offset type. I am not worried about the smoking chamber spontaneously combusting, but is there a liner I could put in the firebox barrel to keep it from burning? I was thinking something like a round flue liner cut in half, fire bricks, etc. Any experiences or ideas? Thanks-

whats to best way to start making a bicyle? im not talking about building a bike from ready made parts. i mean design, make and build from scratch. i have no equipment/tools just some artistic skills. im thinking i would make the parts out of clay and get them cast into metal...

could you make a customised to fit fireproof lightweight body armour made from tungsten metal? im a safety creative designer im designing a customised to fit lightweight fireproof body armour to protect firefighters. Its kind of a more advanced version of a crash and approach suit that firefighters wear for special situations. Nomex that the firefighters use is good but it does not really help them if burning debree falls on them or if the floor they are walking on beneth them collapses and they fall through thats why i think a body armour made of metal is more better than nomex material they wear because the strong armour would protect them from falling fire debree in a building even though metal conducts heat but if it is the most heat resistant metal like tungsten was made into a body armour would they be protected from the heat while they were inside the tungsten body armour. So can you say if tungsten is the best metal to make this armour or is there a metal that does not heat up when heated up by fire. Like the fireguards on the front of gas fires no matter how close they are to the fire they never get hot. And the body armour im designing is going to have the reflecting material on the surface of the suit like the crash and approach suits have to reflect the heat. Thank you

Trebuchet Designs? Right, so i'm going to be building a Trebuchet for a combined Metals/Physics project. Now i have designs and waht not but i need to know a good ratio for the arm lengths (how much of the swing arm = weighted portion vs. throwing portion) and how much weight to use (a lbs-per-foot figure would be immensely helpful) if anyone has any experience or advice i'd much appreciate it. I'm looking at building something with about 4 feet total length to the swing arm.

What is the best way to get investors capitol for my new business? I am starting a new guitar company with a niche market(metal-heads) and have several guitar building innovations that will be going into the product. As well as progressive style, Warfare Stringed Instruments will boast: Innovative paint-less finishing resulting in a finish that is truly roadworthy. Custom dimensions and options in the overall design of the guitar that will redefine what a truly custom guitar is. An innovative manufacturing process that allows for on demand combinations of guitar necks and bodies. And an entirely new way to assemble a guitar neck allowing for the addition of strengthening materials such as carbon-fiber or kevlar. I have plenty of experience in marketing to get the word out about my product. As well as a robust web site outlining the literally hundreds of possibilities, a business image will be needed to establish Warfare Stringed Instruments amongst the heavy metal community. All of the marketing artwork will be done by myself.

Why was the Eiffel Tower built? Most of the people in Paris hated the metal tower. Why did Gustave Eiffel design and build the tower? + What is the architectural style of the Eiffel Tower?

I have a 30 gallon hexagon fish tank i want to make either a metal or wood stand for? I recently got a great deal on a beautiful 30 gallon hexagon fish tank and was wondering if there is a way for me to get some kind of blueprint or design because they are just too expensive and if there is a way for me to build one i would love to i have a lot of different tools at my disposal

Please help me with building an aviary? Caring for budgies isnt new to me(my oldest budgie i have for 8 yrs) , ive just decided to build an aviary. Some questions: 1. What type of metal? (Can i use Galvanised wire/mesh? I know about zinc poisoning but the only substitutes will rust and arent suitable. Will galvanised wire/mesh rust, and i heard that you can wash it down with vinegar solution to take away some of the zinc, is this true and will it rust after this?) 2. What gauge of wrie/mesh will i need? (for budgies) what is the smallest i can go? 3. How many budgies do you think i will be able to fit in an aviary? (you name a size and on average how many budgies so i can times/plus/minus it to figure out how many?) i sort of have an idea, 4. What plants can i put in? (i am aware that they will eat it almost straight away so i want to put some branches and then change them after a while) 5. What tools will we need? 6. Do you have any designs for me? (please write links :) ) 7. It is going to be fully metal, except for the perches and stuff on the inside, but how do we screw it all together? what tools and what type of screws or bolt sort of thing will i need? Please don't tell me not to build one because im asking so many questions, i am asking so i am prepared and my aviary will be good and then i can keep my birds healthy. :) Thankyou oh and sorry for all the writing.

Where the deuce is the Lost City of Atlantis? I decided to undertake a remarkable voyage into the unknown and mysterious. An old Ship Owner invited me to go on a trip in his Underwater Submersible Vessel. A fearsome metal beast, built and designed to represent a charging Sea-Bound Monster! With two big bulging eyes and a fearsome toothy snarling snout. Brrrrrr! His numerous busy crew went to work, as myself and the Captain pored over an ancient map and was duly hushed in wonderment, as the Salty old Dog pointed at a strange Destination on the hand drawn Papyrus sheet. "What is this?" I inquire. "This, is Atlantis! The Lost Civilization!" His eyes twinkled in enthusiasm. "NO!" Squeaks I. "Is this true?" Well, it certainly appeared to be so, as authentic as anything I have seen before. And so, on this crisp Morning, we left Sunny Plymouth as the Rabble Hallooed and waved their Hats and 'kerchief's about the air, as we slipped into the bowels of the Sea and gracefully rolled into the darkness. Two days went by, time was passed as the Captain and I sang Hymns and songs of inspiration by his awesome, hand crafted Organ. This was to keep the Morale of the Workers up and full of Vigor. When suddenly. . . an eerie noise swept through the Vessel. All stood transfixed as the beautifully eerie wailings . . . . echoed around the Cathedral-like interior. The Captain grabbed hold of me and motioned towards the Viewing Window. We saw several Beautiful Women swirling in the Sea's Depths, all had billowing hair and fish tails for legs! "Mermaids !" shouts I. "No. . ," states the Captain ". . . Sirens. They are singing to us, these Daughters of the Sea". And indeed they were, they continued their Wassailings and guided us to the land of . . . Isle of Wight? Dammit, the Captain roared, peering at the Map. It transpired that this was a fake. Hastily scribbled on a beer mat! The doddery old Duffer is sat now, sulking as he waits for me to relay this story through Yahoo on me LapTop with the hope that someone can give me the coordinates of this Fabled Land. So, can someone give me the whereabouts of Atlantis? Then we'll go and have a look-see eh?

hand built robots? how should i go about doingthis? i can do some metal work. and have been into RC for over 9 years now. i knwo basically all there is to cars and trucks and with sponsors can get servos and motors and electronics for cheap. but how should i go about building and designing a small robot?

Does anyone know where to find some unique house plans? We want to build something energy efficent, but also? something with character. I am in love with log homes, but they are not too energy efficent. I am looking to build modular, but I can't find any good sites with enough pictures and designs of what I want. Plus does anyone know where I can find the green roofs which are metal? Thanks.

Building a ozone generator.? I doubt I will get a response for this, but since ozone generators are so expensive, I would like to see if anybody has ever built one or can give me some advice on bulding one. What to aovid and things like that would be helpyful, I know the main components are a transformer, metal plates, will be using a gold or platinum sheet, but after that I am lost on how to make the kind I need. I would neet an input for oxygen tank, and am unsure of how that is incorporated, designs I have seen are usually done by using some container filled with water. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

are you an electronics and mechanism design person, handy building things? I want to get conclusive evidence if my anti dog barking device works. The range is 25 feet and the dogs in their cage are actually about 28 feet. Before cold weather I would put it in the open window inside the screen. It was a few feet too far away. Between the house and the cage is nothing but air. I can not mount my unit closer to the cage without it being easily detected and stolen or vandalized. A garage door opener used rollers, you press the button and it goes up and stops. You press the button and it goes down and stops. I want to utilize this type mechanism to use my barking device. I have a wooden 6 foot fence 2 feet from the dog cage. The bottom of the fence has a 8 foot 2x4 running horizontal to the ground. I'd like to mount the device and have a metal channel with rollers. After dark, when the device can not be detected, I'll use the remote to move the device to the right maybe 2 feet until it extends just outside the end of my fence. It will be then pointed directly at the center of the dog cage only 5 feet from the dogs In the morning, use the remote so it moves back to the left and behind my fence to conceal it. I have extra fence sections and can lean one against the fence to further conceal the device. Can someone help me design such a left to right, and right to left, mechanism that lets me use a remote and not have to go outside two times a day to alter the location of the device. I really see no other way to get it closer to the dogs. I could park my truck by the house and let the device hang from the tail pipe. I would rather not put my truck in a place where it could be vandalized. Bracket, channel, rollers, two-three feet long, remote control, horizontal mechanism like a garage door opener. Maybe simple for you pros to help me design. Cost seems minimal. Thanks any way to make it electrically, or timer, mechanical?

Homework help about thermal conductivity? Select all of the following applications where you would use a material with a low thermal conductivity in order to design an effective product. Building materials used for constructing the walls of a tropical home. The nose cone for a space shuttle style vehicle. The metal used for heat exchange in an air conditioner. The pipes used to circulate cooling water around an engine. The outside wall of a refrigerator. The handle of a cooking pan. The cooking surface of a pan.

Help with Engineering project for school? I'm supposed to do a project for engineering and it involves designing and building something that is an innovation, for example building something better that an existing product! I chose to build a CAN CRUSHER out of metal and hydraulics that operates manually! Can someone plz tell me some BETTER and REALISTIC ideas?????????????? (BEST ANSWERS WILL GET THE VOTES =D) Thanks a lot

How can I do my dream job? Okay so I'm a freshman and I have many intrest in school I'm doing metal shop and power mechanics and I wanna be able to do my dream job which is to be able to build and design roller coasters and I just wanna know what kinda degree do I need in collage and is there any good collages or university's that are in the engineer and architect area PLEASE HELP ME

I'm building a workbench in my small garage- can you give me some tips & ideas? Hi! Just moved into a home w/ a smallish 1.5 car garage. I'm a tinkerer / DIYer & need a workbench. My garage has exposed studs & after viewing this YouTube clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1i01dz9anA) and this page (http://wayneofthewoods.com/workbench.html), I plan to use this design to maximize space (sticking w/ metal brackets instead of wooden ones, however). So I have the foundation for my bench, but I'm looking for other clever ideas to make it even more functional. Here's a few ideas I have so far: - single row of cubby compartments attached directly underneath the bench for extra storage - a row (or 2) of dog holes for bench dogs - a depressed tool trough / tray towards the back - long power strip built flush into the back-splash - board running on top of the back-splash to hold tools (like this picture: http://www.stilesdesigns.com/images/woodworking9b.jpg) Looking forward to some great tips from experienced pros to amateurs alike. Thanks! ~Slacker Peg board will definitely be incorporated into this project. Thanks!

Can you powder coat galvanized sheet metal? For some fussy provincial laws on building custom bikes, I need to fab up a chain guard. Don't want to spend the big bucks on having anything done up on a cnc or waterjet (it'll probably come off and stay off once I have to service the chain the 1st time anyways), so I figured I'd make my own out of some sheetmetal, but I figured if it's thin sheetmetal, galvanized might be better to not pit up from stone chips and have rust dots... and I happen to have lots of old galvanized sheet metal at my disposal. I'm going to just make my own design with a scroll saw. Will powdercoat adhere to galvanized sheet metal or just run off like most other paints do? Can get my powdercoating done for free, so I hope it will. Thanks

why is the structure of an electricity pylon is designed in that manner? I mean why can't we use a concrete pillar(used in building construction) or other as a transmission tower instead of that metal pole with complex connections?

Construction toy 50s or 60s-not Lego.You could build houses -what was it called please? Metal rods in base.? It was designed for children.You had a plastic base and you built up bricks by slipping them between metal looking rods.You could make houses and garages.The name of it is lost in my mind and driving me potty trying to think of the name of it.As far as I know it is no longer on the market.Many thanks to anyone who can answer this. It was not Meccano(not sure if that is how you spell it)

Umm why is a new Macbook feature is for it to made from 1 sheet of metal? Omg lol what's happened to apple lately, all of their components are getting cheaper and cheaper and cheaper and there looking worse, no new designs to them, there just becoming boring! One of the other things i saw was that their advertising the new macbook with a new feature of it being made from a single sheet of aluminum and lol they have taken the firewire port of them Just great ;) thanks apple thats extremely helpful for musicians, video editors who rely on the firewire ports, or people who want to transfer files quikly ... Im not being funny but that means you can't change the battery on the bottom for the fact it's one piece of metal lmfao and it also means you can't upgrade any of the components with out completely taking the machine apart. Thats a great new design, what are they going to bring out next a macbook with one usb port. f*** the fact it's lighter, who gives a s*** if their buying a mac, aren't they meant to be function over form- like for the professionals to use, they cost enough for them to be built properly - apple your loosing me! P.S sorry for the rant Ok i admit i was wrong about the battery, yes you can change it, it's just slightly harder now :( but it's still annoying that the macbook does not have a firewire port, i mean the macbook i bought 5 years ago had a firewire port, and i use it all the time. maybe it's just the wrong computer for me, but anyway i really don't like how apple are designing their products lately, id rather have more of a colorful computer like the really old clamshell ones, or the ones you could strip all the paint off the inside and change it to your own colour :)

hi i am in year 9 going into year 10, i have to choose 3 options for next year and i want to be a vet.? what 3 options should i pick. they are - -physics -chemistry -human biology -society & environment (economics,history, law & politics, general) -wood -metal -food technology -computer science -i.t -art - outdoor sport -building -design(graphics and photography -drama -dance

I'm tring to build a blacksmith forge, how large should it be? I've gotten a lot of great designs but I don't know what size I will need. Like, say if I were to do a large sword, should the fire pit be large enough to cover the entire finished blade or just enough for the chunk of metal you start with?

im thinking about building a huge floating island raft.hear my idea.do you think it can be done? I want to build a huge raft and put soil and big trees surrounding it to protect it from wind.im planning on using everything i can find to make the raft.bottles recycled items wood bamboo tires.im planning on filling steel air tight barrells and attatching long poles to them putting them under the raft and putting a bolt through the pole to keep the barrels from coming up so it can balance off all the weight.im not too worried about that though because the see is more dense than freshwater with tires and stuff like that i should be covered.im planning on growing herbs and for illnesses and also an herb for fertilizer so it can fertilize the soil.im planning on growing all the types of trees on the island.also put metal sheets imbetween parts of the raft to keep the roots from going into the sea.i also plan on making hilly levels on the raft so if it rains the water wont rise on the raft.its gonna have all the types of fruits and vegetables and small animals.needless to say fishing poles will be on there to fish.there will also be earthships.basically a house made of recycled materials and has solar panels for energy. http://www.makingthishome.com/2009/05/27/earthship-tour-aka-tire-house-tour/ the home level is gonna be lower then the trees on the outer level though so its still protected from wind.and also there will be purifiers for the salt water.dont worry the earth shipes design are made to be perfect.the solar energy can be used for stuff like washing machines and t.v.s.so would you want to live on an island like that.with a different view every day.do you think it would work.and would it be worth while.not having to worry about anyone i dont know very big like mansion sized or close to real island size.or ranch sized

Im thinking about building a huge floating island raft.hear my idea.do you think it can be done? I want to build a huge raft and put soil and big trees surrounding it to protect it from wind.im planning on using everything i can find to make the raft.bottles recycled items wood bamboo tires.im planning on filling steel air tight barrells and attatching long poles to them putting them under the raft and putting a bolt through the pole to keep the barrels from coming up so it can balance off all the weight.im not too worried about that though because the see is more dense than freshwater with tires and stuff like that i should be covered.im planning on growing herbs and for illnesses and also an herb for fertilizer so it can fertilize the soil.im planning on growing all the types of trees on the island.also put metal sheets imbetween parts of the raft to keep the roots from going into the sea.i also plan on making hilly levels on the raft so if it rains the water wont rise on the raft.its gonna have all the types of fruits and vegetables and small animals.needless to say fishing poles will be on there to fish.there will also be earthships.basically a house made of recycled materials and has solar panels for energy. http://www.makingthishome.com/2009/05/27/earthship-tour-aka-tire-house-tour/ the home level is gonna be lower then the trees on the outer level though so its still protected from wind.and also there will be purifiers for the salt water.dont worry the earth shipes design are made to be perfect.the solar energy can be used for stuff like washing machines and t.v.s.so would you want to live on an island like that.with a different view every day.do you think it would work.and would it be worth while.not having to worry about anyone

Remember the original thumb assist to open a folding knife? Years ago, there was a metal thumb opener that could be attached to the back of a blade on a folder knife like the Buck 110. It was a simple design made of a single piece of stainless and allowed the knife to be opened with one hand, like the knifes of today with a built in one. I am looking to one to put on my Schrade LB7 folder, any suggestions on a source? Thanks, God bless.

How do I open an unusual type of stopcock in my house? When my house was built by Wimpey in 1969, they used an unusual type of stopcock for turning off the mains water inside the house. Although my stopcock is very similar in design to your normal type of stopcock, it just has a slot for a screwdriver at the end rather than a handle. Unfortunately my stopcock has not been turned off for several years and, as a result, it has become jammed and I have found it is impossible to close it with a screwdriver. The ideal solution would be to find a wrench that can really grip on to a round cyclindrical metal surface (about 7mm diameter) without slipping. If I could find such a tool, I could use it as a kind of temporary handle to apply some real force to turn the stopcock off. Does anyone know of a wrench or tool that would be effective for such a job please? Thank you very much for all for your ansers, I am most grateful. With regard to turning off the mains water outside, there are 4 identical stop valves at my front gate and I do not have a clue which one connects to my house. Furthermore they all have such a build-up of sediment in their guard pipes that I doubt very much if any of them have been turned off for many years and they could, as a result, be very difficult to turn off. As for the freezing option, the indoors stopcock is in such a cramped awkward position that I would have to rip out kitchen units to get at its plumbing properly. The vice-grip wrench does sound interesting and I may give one a try. But I suppose for a real DIY novice like myself, the best option is probably to call in a plumber rather than attempt something that could rapidly turn into an absolute disaster. But thank you all again, I really appreciate it.

How to start a car manufacturing company? One of my ambitions is to design and develop my own cars. I've already designed a few basic sketches on paper. It'ld be cool if i could get to put them onto metal! I was looking at setting up a small "shed operated" manufacturing company like Lotus kinda is or maybe even like Tesla or the guys who built the Aerial Atom. Something with limited production that can be made in a small base. Nothing too big. So any of you guys have any ideas on how to make this a reality??

Where can i buy a 3m spray photomount in bangalore? 3M is the leading mfr of "PHOTOMOUNT" spray adhesive.. just print on transperent paper and transfer your design ,logo etc to wood , metal etc. I need it to add a custom logo on my guitar neck + logo for my home built hi-quality speakers (bookselves). Please add any supplier phone no. here in bangalore...

what small, 35mm Russian rangefinder would you recommend i get? i like the character of the design and pictures from cameras like the Zorki, but they just seem like they'd be too encumbering. build quality is important too, so ideally it'd be of metal construction. my budget is about 30 pounds for a used camera.

for engeneers and anyone who comes up with a design or plan on a structure like a school or tower? Which metals are usually used when building a structure like a tower, apartment, bridge, mall, school, etc. can u guys name a few not just one thanks forgot to put that before ( i need like at least 3) alloys are good to thanks

Who should design my green/eco friendly home 30 Ml west of Portland, OR? We want to have built a solar/green/eco friendly home about 30 miles west of Portland, Oregon, in the country. I need an architect who is not too fancy and doesn't overcharge, but is competent, has contacts, experienced, and good ideas for folks who choose not the mainstream but something beautiful and unique. We want the house built only to sheetrock as we want to do much of the inside/finishing work ourselves. We read Mother Earth Mag and like the back-to-basics things we see in there. We would rather have quality than quantity and love the wood/rock/metal combination with earthy tones. Budget is $200,000 max including permits, etc. Already have well, electricity, and septic on site.

An idea for building a large spaceship? So I've been thinking for a bit about this idea for a large spaceship and just wanted others opinions. Yes I know this ship nor anything close to it will be built in my lifetime but I can dream about it! So I was thinking about taking the basic design of the Nimitz class aircraft carrier and obviously changing the design of it but keeping the basic ship. I was thinking about extending the thin bottom of the ship (sorry I'm not to technical when it comes to ships) to about half the width of the sides of the ship to give it more space. Just to point out but there will be four of these. Oh forgot to mention but this ship is kinda meant to be a manufacturing plant that would be sent out to the astroid belts (to pay off the freaking massive amount of debt it would create) to mine them for minerals, materials, research, and partly to build more spaceships. This will be accomplished by having four of the previously mentioned Nimitz carrier design. Each one will have a different function. One will be outfitted to process the astroids for whatever is needed be it water, metals, or whatever we would need. Another section would be made specifically to make the electronic parts and metals needed to create more ships. A third one will be used specifically for growing food and that one will be kept at temperatures and moistures specifically for the plants not people so they will grow more food. The fourth ship will be used for habitation. This one will essentially be a giant centrifuge to simulate gravity. The ship itself will have 4 feet thick steel plating (just work with me here) as well as 2 feet thick lead protection AND 2 feet of water and finally finish that off with 1 more foot of steel. This is all to ensure complete protection for everyone inside. now all four section will be centered off in just about a square about 400 feet across from each other leaving a massive open space in the center to create ships. There will be openings from the manufacturing part of the ship to the processing part to obviously allow the construction of ships. The forward part of the ship will not be a block but a bit more like a pyramid that can be opened when a ship is complete to let it out. Now for the power. The one reason why I choose the the Nimitz for the basic design is because of the nuclear reactors. Each section will create enough power to power everything it needs in that part and probably then some. Then about a quarter of the back of the manufacturing plant will have several more reactors (obviously contained as to not be a danger) that will produce power for the nuclear engines. Yes nuclear engines are the only realistic way for moving this big bastard. The inside of the manufacturing plant will also be armored just incase some freak accident happens and a ship blows up in there. Okay now to get this bastard off ground will probably be a lot simpler (but what the hell do I know). Just build several extremely large rockets to launch it up to space. I know it's far more complex then I realize but it's not impossible. Okay I think that's it......what do you think? I know there will need to be quite a bit of research but overall is not most of this technically feasible as of now? I know this whole project would probably cost trillions upon trillions of dollars but other then that nothing is really stopping this from becoming reality? It's not impossible as far as I can tell. All the materials we need are known and there we just need to research and improve on the idea. What do you mean nothing comes close to reality? We have nuclear reactors. We have aircraft carriers. We have lead water and steel. We have people to design this. We have people that (with training of course) can fly this. Nothing in this is absolutely impossible or out of the realm of reality. Just because it's not available right at this moment does not make it impossible. The things I pointed out and what I would hope to use are all currently available. No need wasting trying to reinvent the wheel.

Why do engineers do this when they build a pipe? Engineers design pipelines to carry oil or natural gas over hundreds of kilometres. These pipelines are made of steel, but do not corrode. The engineers attach other metals to the pipelines every kilometre or so. How does this protect the steel?

can you help me??? im making a lamp...? i am making a lamp at school, using polypropelene, wood, fairylights and a tiny bit of metal. i have 2 design it and build it, does any one have any ideas? must be stylish and individual. Thankyou!!!!

Need help configuring my A/C ductwork? Had a new Trane installed 2 1/2 yrs ago. Had an inspection performed on it yesterday. The tech said they should have changed out my duct work too because it's old (22 yrs), it's leaking, & it's improperly designed. Then he said that the previous installers screwed me w/the supply because they didnt build the box all the way through the ceiling & instead crimped a 12" flex duct into the top of the unit which is causing the cold air to condense & drip water down which fills up the unit & is rotting out the wooden box it sits on & rusting out the unit. On top of that he said the return isnt enough & the unit is starving for air. They want $3500 to fix it & I don't have it! So, its another DIY job! I'm going to build a ductboard box up into the attic w/a metal 90 attached to the existing flex duct, that'll fix that, then I'm putting in another retrn which'll 90 into the existing box under the unit. Is there anything I should be considering with this configuration? I will be building a ductboard box on top of the unit which'll have a 12" air-tite take off w/scoop, this'll be attached to a metal 12" 90 elbow which'll attach to the existing flex duct, this should take care of the crimp. The extra return will have to be in the back hallway in a 22" X 22" spot, and will have to come off the top of the return and 90 into a new flex duct that'll snake across the attic next to the supply and will 90 down through the celing and then 90 back into the side of the existing box under the unit to give it more air. This is what I need the most help with, I've looked on the MasterFlow website http://www.llbuildingproducts.com/Content/LL/HOME/01_Page01.pdf. What should I use here? What size return & what size duct work? Squre footage of the house is 1370 and the BTU is....hold on...3.5 ton.

Have any Interior Design resources re: 50s era, retro, etc.? I'm purchasing a house that was built in the 50s. It had one owner and is all orginial. Slate roof, brick exterior. The kitchen has pink metal cabs and orginial Chambers range and oven. The bathrooms have the original colorful 50s tile. I'd like to update the windows, lighting, appliances, etc. yet maintain the 50s vibe. Any resources or ideas would be appreciated.

Need help building a cool science chemistry experiment? 1. I had to add a piece of zinc to copper sulfate solution=zinc rusts 2. I had to add a piece of copper to zinc sulfate=nothing happens 3. I had to add a piece of magnesium to hydrochloric acid=fizzes 4. I had to add a piece of zinc to hydrchloric acid=fizzes but less vigourously 5. I had to add a piece of magnesium to sulfuric acid=fizzes and dissolves away 6. I had to add a piece of zinc to sulfuric acid =fizzes and solution isn't transparent anymore So the reactivity in order of most reactive is magnesium,zinc and copper. But I now have tin and iron and have to fit them in the reactivity order. So I need to design an experiment to fit them in order. I have iron,tin, copper sulfate , zinc sulfate , hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid to work with. I need to design an effective and efficient way to fit these metals in the reactivity order (the less material I use the better) I have an experiment in mind but I don't think it's the most efficient method. Plz help

how can i chrome a guitar? i'm building a guitar for my Design Tech GCSE, and i would like to get it chromed, only, i dont know how to or where to. should i chrome over the wood or add a metal to go over it. please help.

I made a one man helicopter but don’t know how to fly one so how difficult is it to fly a helicopter? I used to work for a helicopter manufacturer, so in my spare time at home I made a helicopter a real “one man helicopter” that you can sit in and fly. We’ll not sure if it will fly “yet” I made it from light metal and welded it together; it looks great and resembles a real helicopter. Bow although I know-how to design/build a helicopter to spec I have actually NEVER flown a helicopter. I only know how to build one. I just NOW put the whirly bird wings on top and want to do a “flight test” to see how she will behave in the air. So is it difficult to fly a helicopter? Can the average human fly one with ease or not? Will I end up crashing and die on the first test flight?

How to find and apply for grants for use in robotic research.? Me and a friend are very much into robotics, and have a million different practical ideas/designs for robots that we could design, research, build and test. We are part of the robotics team at our high school but it’s not the same because we have to design robots for specific task. Were just looking for some money that we could use to buy parts (motors, electronic boards, pumps, cylinders, metal, wheels, and batteries) anything we might need to build the robots we have designed and researched. So if anyone knows how to apply for grants or knows how to find some please let me know, or if you can think of a company that may sponsor use in our research we would be more then glad to contact them. Thanks, Justin Hulbert I have alot more to say concerning exactly what we would do with the money but Answers is a bit dumb and a has restricted how much I can type. So e-mail me and I’ll get that to you. justin-hulbert@hotmail.com

Building and design help!? I'm supposed to design and build a laminated composite plate which is as lightweight as it is impact resistance. it has to be.. at least 15cm square less than 1 cm thick not include any metal be made of any raw materials as long as each separate piece is less than 1mm thick.

What should i make in Wood Shop/Design Class? Sence my class is really small, my teacher is letting us build anything out of metal and wood and i dont what to make. so i need your help note: it has to be something that i would carry home. not exp(computer desk) things i will not make or i already made in the past: piggy bank bird house shelves mini drawers

how can i build a home made pull up bar? i'm 15 (so i have no job yet) but i'm decent with tools and i'm bright when it comes to design so what i have to work with is some 2x4's some 1x4's and metal crutches (don't know if they could support me) but yeah i weigh 155 lbs and about 5' 9 so any suggestions let me know

Give me your opinion insights and summary or how you understand this..?

cor10 steel, what is it? I'm designing a building for a class and one of the materials I want to use is cor10 steel, but I can't find anything online about it, is it called cor10 or something else? it sounds like "cor10" but what is it really called, does anyone know anything about a metal that is called something that sounds like "cor10"

Need some help guys!!! know-it-alls are a must!!? (or girls, sorry about the political incorrection) I need a few questions answered, ill be brief, here they are: 1. Any free 3d website that will allow me to create my own aircraft or basically let me design what I want (I know its in the wrong topic but i want to save points.) 2. what is the pros and cons in a small craft propeller made of wood or metal 3. what is the best propeller design for the back of a flying craft ( like this -----o----- or <^> a triple propeller one) 4. what is the best sized propeller for a roughly 9-15 ft long craft ( remember the propeller is in the back!!!) 5. I need as much specs as you can give me on lawn mower motors, I need to know horsepower, rpm, wieght, size, gas consumption and any little tidbit about them (like cooling facts) 6.any free online airplane models (not the mini balsa wood ones) but actual how-to build a flying craft. 7. the price of aluminum rods, and sheets (please state any size and price) TY!

PIANO design.????? pic included? for a school project i need to make a musical instrument. i am determined to make a piano. [obliviously not life size.] how can this work???? i need to make this work without spending a fortune.. house hold objects and metal. here are some designs i came up with. or if there happens to be a site to build a "fake" piano." help must be done by monday. :] any suggestions. just need help thnx http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p154/miss9904740/sciencepj.jpg

Help/tips on Rocket Competition? Design, analyze, build, and fly a rocket that: -Uses a single type C motor or smaller -Carries a 15gram, (78.7mm x 13.9mm x 16.3mm) instrumentation payload, supplied by instructor on launch day -Is made of paper, wood, or breakable plastic, and contains no substantial metal parts -Is deemed airworthy by instructor The rocket should be designed to meet the following mission requirements: -An apogee altitude of 800 feet -A total time of flight of 20 seconds (launch to touchdown) -A vertical speed of 12 feet per second at touchdown Any tips to help me get started? Any other help will be greatly appreciated.

Could I build something to do this storage job myself.. and if so.. how? I really like this item/design... but its only available in the USA... and even if it was in the UK... it would probably cost 3 times the price. http://www.golfbagstorage.net/ We have two golf bags (with irons and clubs) in the garage. I'm trying to tidy up the garage.... theres too much rubbish on the floor space and it's only a small garage. We only play golf occasionally on public municpal courses. Any DIY ideas of how I could build something to do a similar wall hold/store job? Preferably whilst keeping costs to a minimum. I'm thinking wood tbh.. like a wooden base rather than metal...if that's possible. Any useful ideas, thoughts, or plans on how to go about it please ? I'm not a great DIY-er but am persistant. My garage is brick and I have a masonary drill. I'd like to put a DIY golfbag storage system up on walls which jut-out slightly just next to and opposite where I made this wall-tidy (from another question) http://tinyurl.com/2p7ooa Thanks. :)

Is My Desk Concept Possible? I recently moved everything in my room around. Being a student, and an avid gamer, I used a regular computer desk with a huge 28 in monitor. Now, I sometimes just want to watch Videos on that monitor, but laying on a bean bag/soft is much more comfortable. So, I want a desk that can be lifted up to do Hw and such on, and then later be laid down, so that I can sit down on the floor, and be able to view the monitor at my level. Now for the real Qs. I was thinking how my desk design can be built. My first idea would be to have a metal pole, inside a metal pole, so that the inner pole can be pulled out, locked in place, and thus raise the desk. My other idea would be to get something like a railroad track thing (I dont remember what the things are called). The desk will be against a wall, so the track thing will be attachted to the wall. Think of the desk as a train, and the desk will be attachted to the track, so that you can easily raise the desk, and lower it. The Question is if it is possible to make my second Idea, and if it will be cost effective? Thanks

Jews of Iraq? What about them?

Are you familiar with the Boeing 747 evolution analogy? I mean, even with the environment capable of supporting heavier than air flight, it didn't immediately emerge. Hundreds of "freaks" tried to build planes, but their contraptions didn't fly. That's your genetic drift. Eventually, the Wright brothers made a plane that did fly. Immediately, their design was widespread. That's your reproduction. Naturally, the faster, safer, longer flying plane designs were favored over the rest. That's your selection. Different planes seem to be adapted to different evolutionary niches - a bomber plane, an interceptor and a passenger carrier all look completely different. As the environment changed and offered new opportunities, so did the models that used them replaced the previous ones, which went "extinct", for example light durable metal alloys replaced wood. At the pinnacle of all this is the Boeing 747, a modern plane shaped by environmental pressure that can trace it's origins to the first Write Brothers ancestor. I wonder if there are some people who think that planes, cars and boats don't have a common ancestor, and instead are "kinds" that were intelligently designed all at the exact same time.

Do you think that life on earth was created by chance or intelligent design? I heard someone say that you could no more create life on earth by chance than you can expect a tornado to blow through a scrap metal yard and build a F-15 fighter jet. What do you think?

Are These laptop worth my money to buy it? or is there any better ones? Cost: $1580.69 Is this a good labtop worth to buy? Intel® Centrino® 2 processor technology with interrelated Intel® Core™2 Duo processor P8400, Intel® Mobile PM45 Express chipset, Intel® Wireless Wi-Fi Link network connection (802.11a/b/g/n), extended battery life capability 4GB DDR3 memory for multitasking power, 1066MHz frontside bus, 3MB L2 cache and 2.26GHz pocessor speed Multiformat DVD±RW/CD-RW drive with double-layer support records up to 8.5GB of data or 4 hours of video using compatible DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL media; supports DVD-RAM; also supports Labelflash direct-disc labels using compatible Labelflash media The next-generation Intel® Core™2 Duo processor is based on the innovative Intel® Core™ microarchitecture, so it runs faster and is more energy-efficient for cooler, quieter operation 17" WUXGA TFT widescreen display with 1920 x 1200 resolution 200GB SATA hard drive (7200 rpm) NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GTS graphics with 512MB of GDDR3 discrete video memory; high-definition audio (2-channel); HDMI connector Built-in 1.3MP webcam makes it easy to chat with and send video mail to family and friends 5-in-1 digital media manager supports Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO and xD-Picture Card IEEE 1394 (FireWire) interface and 3 high-speed USB 2.0 ports for fast digital video, audio and data transfer Built-in 10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN with RJ-11 connector; V.92 high-speed data/fax modem Weighs 9.2 lbs. and measures just 1.7" thin for portable power FX premium design with brushed metal keyboard surround sound high-impact composite finish; illuminated metal precision touch multimedia buttons Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition 64-bit operating system with Service Pack (SP1) preinstalled; software package included with Microsoft Works 9.0 and more; 60-day trial of Microsoft Windows Office Home and Student 2007 also included http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8892825&type=product&id=1211587727985 Or This one Cost: $1417.00 Enhanced Intel® Centrino® processor technology with interrelated Intel® Core™2 Duo processor T5550, Intel® PM965 Express chipset, Intel® PRO network connection (802.11a/b/g), extended battery life capability 3GB PC2-5300 DDR2 memory for multitasking power; 667MHz frontside bus, 2MB L2 cache and 1.83GHz processor speed Blu-ray Disc-enabled DVD±RW/CD-RW drive with full read support for next-generation Blu-ray Disc (BD-ROM, BD-R, BD-RE); double-layer support using compatible DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL media From our expanded online assortment; not available in all Best Buy stores The next-generation Intel® Core™2 Duo processor is based on the innovative Intel® Core™ microarchitecture, so it runs faster and is more energy-efficient for cooler, quieter operation 18.4" AcerCrystal true HD TFT-LCD widescreen display with 1920 x 1080 resolution; Acer GridVista allows simultaneous multiwindow viewing 250GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 rpm) Acer bioprotection fingerprint reader for added security NVIDIA GeForce 9500M GS with up to 1280MB video memory (512MB GDDR2 dedicated; up to 768MB shared) with TurboCache technology; Dolby home theater; Intel® High Definition Audio; HDMI port 6-in-1 media reader supports Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard, MultiMediaCard Plus, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO and xD-Picture Card Acer InstantOn Arcade and media console give you quick access to your music, photos, movies and more Acer Crystal Eye webcam for chatting with friends and family 4 high-speed USB 2.0 ports for fast digital video, audio and data transfer Built-in 10/100/1000Base-T Ethernet LAN with RJ-45 connector; 56K high-speed modem Weighs 9 lbs. and measures 1.7" thin for portable power; lithium-ion battery and AC adapter Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition with Service Pack 1 (SP1) operating system preinstalled; software package included with NTI Media-Maker, Acer Empowering Technology and more; 60-day trial version of Microsoft Office also included lol ? 2nd one is $700? no.. it has 18.4 screen and with high HD. It has blueray and good video card so the first one is good huh.. The first one is Gateway and second one is acer hmm, dosent seem to help me.. i went on hp.com and customzlied a computer with the same spec and it cost like 100 dollar my budget is under 1600

mechanical engineering pressure vessels, how to? This is just for my own education and for fun for you. Suppose you wanted to design two vessels of 12' long and 5' diameter with flat ends. (for ease of construction) This cylinder (or other suitable shape including cube) must withstand a positive AND negative pressure differential of 30lbs per square inch. One vessel will be made of wood :-) (your choice of species) the other of any material of your choice if wood would not have been your first choice. You will be building this yourself so know huge metal forming apparatus just basic cutting, welding, and other hand tools. Naturally you want to minimize your labor as well. Please show how you would go about designing this, selecting materials, deciding how to make your joints (what sort of welding, framing, etc). Feel free to adjust dimensions up if it helps you in materials selection. Please provide references for any constants (physical properties) used. Any other comments or observations welcome. Feel free to suggest a book.

What happened to beautiful architecture? It seems that at least nowadays, beautiful architecture has been dumped by the wayside, even forgotten. Buildings are mostly designed today as just metal and glass, and it seems that most of the places that still have beautiful, intricate architecture are small towns with a historic downtown. I'll give a few examples. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/41/WilkesBarreDowntown.jpg Harrisburg, Pennsylvania http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a6/Harrisburg%2C_Pennsylvania_State_Capital_Building.jpg Altoona, Pennsylvania http://www.altoonapa.gov/altoona/lib/altoona/tc2.jpg As you can see, all three of these are small towns in Pennsylvania with historic downtowns that retain their historic, traditional style of architecture. Why is it rare to see a newer building built that looks anything like these older buildings? Are there any cities you can think of that still retain most of their older architecture (including small towns)? Don't get me wrong, I don't think all new architecture is inferior. But I do think that the modern metal-and-glass skyscrapers and the brutal looking concrete big box stores with bare rafter ceilings are inferior to older buildings with designs like roman columns and brick/stucco exteriors or marble exeteriors with fine, delicate detail. And when you walk inside of them, you don't find bare metal rafter ceilings or even drop celings. You usually find tin ceilings.

car body fabrication materials? heya i'm going to build a frame for a "tadpole" design vehicle, was wondering what kind of metal i need to use, and at what gauge. i have already been thinking about aluminum, but i can't find any information about aircraft aluminum unibody frames.

A Good story ? It is March 31st,2009 My name is Steve Weattie. Alot of people call me Steve Wheaties, my wife calls me Steevey Weevey. I live in the busy city of Boston. I have a job as a manager of internfal affairs at the Boston Public Library. It may sound a bit espionage saying that I handle internal afairs but I'm the head boss for all that goes on at the library. I'm the man that handles security. Someone steals a book in front of our cameras Im the man that security tells first,I'm the man that handles books coming in to this library and out and know what books should be banned from this library.I wasnt all that good in math as a kid but I deal with library funds at times. Im not the head man to handle that but I work with everyone. It's alot to handle for one man. It may seem a bit unrealistic. How can one man be handling all these things for a library? Sounds like something out of a story. I would have thought so too,but its all true. Im a busy man but I worked hard in my life to get this far to the top. As a kid I always wanted to be a librarian,I did too when I was a teenager,I just became something more at the end. It's alot of responsibilty but I'm an organized man. I have enough time to be here at this library everyday except for Sundays and be home by 6 or 7 to spend the night with my wife. Today is March 31st,2009. It is 5:29 A.m. Im laying down next to my sweet wife _____. She's sleeping peacefully and I feel like everything is right in the world with me. She lays there so sweet. Her bosom rising and falling with every breath,her beautiful face in peace,every aspect of her is beautiful. With her next to me I feel like I can do anything. As usual she sleeps with her pink fluffy pillow,her pink fluffy blanket,in her pink pajamas. If I didnt know by now that her favorite color in the world is pink, I would have to be a very stupid person.It's funny to be sleeping with a pink blanket,a pink pillow underneath my head as well. At least I dont wear the pink pajamas. I have still some man dignity on me. For her though, I would walk down the street in pink. I would be laughed at but it would be worth it to make her happy. My colors for me have always been black and yellow. I cant seem to know why I like both. I cant just like black or just like yellow. I only like these colors in a combination. Their too distinct colors but I seem to enjoy both colors as well as pink which I began after I met ____. It is 5:45 A.m now and that means I should take a shower now. I get out of our king sized Serta Bed, thats one good bed never had a bad nights sleep with that bed, and walk to the bathroom to take a shower.It feels nice under my feet to walk on the pink mats in the bathroom. Sigh. Well... I do this everyday and I wouldnt change it for the world. I always feel content with my life. I mention pink so much and I tolerate my wifes adoreness with pink. Its a fine color just as red or blue would be ,but I dont consider myself to be less a man to like the color. Its funny that I always assure myself that everyday when I reach the bathroom. It's just a funny habit I have. I dont think its a bad habit at all. It keeps my life in balance doing almost the same thing everyday. I say almost since I never know what me and my wife will do. Shes very engergetic and outgoing so one minute we could be eating and next me and her could be throwing water at each other for fun. I also never know what will ever happen at work. THeres always something that could happen at work...a book stolen, a disturbed patron making a scene in the library entrance, you just never know. It is 6:03 A.m and I have finished taking a shower. Im dressed in one of my best suits since today I know I have a meeting with a few members of the Children Donation FUnd. I will be making sure that the libray has the theme of children and caring for needful children. Ill prob prospose the idea of putting childrens faces around the library and donation boxes near the childrens room,near entrances and such. It shouldnt be a bad day. Its Tuesday and Tuesdays are the days where usually activity and such is very slow. No problem for me though..if work is slow then at least Ill have my house to come home to with ____. It is 6:25 A.m and Im eating breakfast at my polished table with pink flower designs. Im eating Cocoa Puffs from a pink bowl with a pink flower spoon. Im reading yesterdays Boston Globe since the newspaper doesnt come to our house till 7 o clock. I usually am behind the news by one day but thats ok for me since I read the news just to know current events or to bring up some such thing I read in the newspaper in a meeting like "Why are we all acting like the Dubois family that fought over their dog for ? Lets just be the state of Massachusetts and get rid of the Dubois family?" It is 6:45 A.m. Ive cleaned my cereal bowl ,put away the cocoa puffs and am heading upstairs to kiss ____ goodbye. I would be a fool to try to wake her up since she never can wake up early. If I tried to wake her up with me in the morning she would be cranky the whole day. Well,she'll be waking up soon since she may want to go to the mall later. As she told me there will be a new purse out on sale today that will have a built in cell phone holder,a mini tv screen to watch the latest soap operas and it even has satellite so you can watch any nationality of soap operas wheter it be Japanese or Russian or even Arab. Hmm...I also think this new purse will be pink and have an automated cell phone operator meaning I think if you click some certain button the purse it can put your phone on to answer a call. Shes always saying how sometimes I call her and she can never pick up the phone because its in her purse and she has to try to find the phone in her purse and by that time she misses the call. So..maybe this will be a good purse for her. "____ Im leaving for work ok? I left you some goodies on the kitchen table and a surprise in your make -up kit. ON the kitchen table I have for her a pumpkin pie for her that I bought last night . In the make -up kit ive left for her 200 $. Of course shes not a spend thrift we have to do some food shopping, so I dont expect her to use all that money for the purse. Well I hope so. "hhmmm..ok my steevey weevy Ill see you later then." I moved for the usual good morning kiss . I kissed her on her lips. Most of the time that would wake her up but today I could see she was a bit tired so I gave her a not too long kiss on the lips and one on her forehead and cheek. I Then I put my hand threw her hair and said Ill see you later _________" "Mhmm k Steevey I love you." I love you so much more _____ ,I told her. It is 7:21 A.M. I kissed my wife goodbye earlier. I walked out of the house,into the garage, entered my black Beemer that was next to my wifes Beemer, a pink convertible. My beemer was the usual sedan. It had the usual leather seats,GPS system, pink dice in the mirror one pink one actually and the other one black,heating on the seats,and a kickin stereo system. Yeah kickin..well for listening to music it always makes me feel cool and young. It is 7:27 A.M. and I m close to the library. Theres plenty of traffic at this time. I just have to drive down this street,pass Boston Common,take a right at Lowe's Theater and just head straight down and I'll be there. As of now Im close to nearing Lowe's Theater. Too many s toplights and people passing. So many commuters are clogging up this street. Every damn minute Im stopping for them! It's just annoying that they pop up every few feet when you gain a foot. I remember my days as a commuter so I cant get pissed at these people. I use to try to run past cars and people to reach the train station to catch my train. Hmm...my commuter days are one of my greatest years in my life as well. Its how I met ______ in fact. Hmm...something also happened on a train back then but I cant seem to remember. It is 7:35 A.m and I am now at Lowe's Theater just have to turn right and Ill be on the street that leads to the library. Look both ways and hmm...wow look at that black dump truck there. Jet black with a shade of yellow on the side to spell some words. I cant read the words. Aha funny my favorite two colors on this weird dump truck black and yellow. So..anyway look left. To the left I have the dump truck here and to the right just that street and just looking for pedestrians. It is 7:36 A.M and I flick the switch to turn my right signal on. Tick Tick Tick the green arrow ticks and tocks on my dashboard. I turn my wheel slowly to the right. I look fast again to my left while my Beemer is in motion. The black and yellow truck is coming up fast to me. My heart is getting faster. Maybe I should wait for this thing to pass. Im in the middle of the road though. I just cant stop. I keep on moving and hope that the driver will realize his mistake and stop. My car is still in a turn and suddenly the truck is somehow so close to me that I can see the driver inside. I cant believe my eyes. I thought I would never see HIM again. How is he here? All I know is that this thing I once knew but I dont have time to think. I have to get out of his way!. Before I have time to think of what Im going to do for a motion with my car the dump truck smashes hard into the driver side of my car. My side. I feel an intense pressure on my left like someone just took my whole side and squeezed it all together. My heart is being crushed by pounds of metal. I cant breathe. THe light of day is gone and I only see complete darkness. Im going to die. Why must I die? I dont want to leave _____. I love her too much. How could she handle it? I dont know how I can be thinking when I probably have serious injuries. I feel the pain so intense and yet I expected to lose consciousness. My sight is of blackness and I think maybe Ill be able to stay awake threw all this,maybe I will stay alive. As soon as I even begin to think this I feel like I'm rolling over and over and over and over. My head is crashing against the ceiling of the car I think. What the hell is goin on? I cant think anymore. I cant breathe. I cant breathe. I cant breathe. I cant............................ "Goooood morning everyone. This is abc News in the Morning and I'm Patrick o DOnell " "And im Sara Fontaine who will give you your traffic updates. "Im Lindsey Hamilton who will be giving you your Boston weather for the day. "Aaaand I;m Johnny Repp who wull be giving you your update on who married who,who broke up with who,and who wants to break up with who on your entertainment news. THIS IS abc NEWS IN THE MORNING. "Good Morning to our viwers. Today is Tuesday March 31st 2009. Its 7:59 on this windy day wouldnt you say Sara? "Ill tell you it sure was Patrick. I almost was blown away today by the winds but thats for Lindsey to tell us right ? "Of course of course" "In this mornings news, two Turkish planes bombed Kurdistan today due to PKK militants killing 10 Turkish militants outside of a customs building in the Istanbul District. "OOO doesnt sound good now does it Patrick?" "Well...that may not sound good but today in Boston there will be the annual Children week. "Oh yes I was looking forward to that." "So for all those people that would like to chip in and help some children...the event will be held at the Boston South End pubic Library today at 3 p.m and should last till 7 p.m tonight and then of course same time tomorrow . There should be groups for children to play in and for adults,small workshops on how we can help our chidlren. "O yes that does sound nice. For anyone thats trying to get anywhere near the Boston Library you wont have much luck. " Why is that Sara who is with the traffic who should have said that she was the traffic woman. "AHAHAH well Lindsey it's a bit shocking to find that there was an accident right across from the Boston Common nearly a half hour ago. " "Oh wow right in a public street too. " "Yes so dont try going down Winter,Summer, or Franklin ST. Besides that there was one accident on Rt. 128, there is a bit of a bulge there but there shoud be an estiamted wait time in traffic of 5 -10 minutes. Besides that the roads are clean this morning. "Yes thank you Sara. Back to the news, it seems that on the story of that accident that Sara told us there are 7 people injured,one man it is said to be believed dead and there is one person missing as well. It's a strange accident. Lets go with Rebecca Chong with more details who is live now at the scene". "Yes Patrick. The scene here is devastating. It seems at 7:36 this morning a man who is yet to be identified at the moment was in a 2009 BMW 202 X when as he was taking a turn he was struck by an incoming dumpster truck stricking his drivers side. The bmw was smashed completely on the drivers side and if you look down the street here you can see that the dump truck was actually moving the bmw along the street. No drivers were hurt but the Bmw hit a curb and spun over injuring at least 7 pedestrians. From what we know,these injured people have not serious injuries. It seems to be that these people were harmed not by the car itself but by metal pieces of the car. In fact we have here with us a man that saw the whole collision while sitting on a bench waiting for the 7:40 bus. Say your name sir." "Yeahh hi my names Bill Shawmut. I was sitting here on this bench and Im looking at this Bmw right? Im thinking to myself what would I do to get me one of those babies? One second im looking at this beaut and the next second Im seeing a huge dump truck like a big mother beep beep." "Excuse me sir?" "O yeah sorry about the swearing but this thing was pretty big. Like black and yellow I aint ever even seen a truck with yellow and black maybe white and yellow but not black. Anywayss this truck smashes into the driver side of the car right? and its still moving! This truck is still pushing this Bmw along the street! Im thinking what the hell aint the driver realized he just crashed into somethin? So this truck is just plowing this car down the street and Im standing up to see down the street now. Then the bmw kind of moved away from the truck and hit the sidewalk. All I know is then I be seeing this car flip over. Then like all these pieces of the car start flyin around everywhere and im thinkin to myself shit (beep) it better not be explodin now. Luckily it didnt. But yeah I saw the metal flyin everywhere. From my angle I could only see the car and the truck but not any people. God bless anyone involved in this accident. Might I add that this whole morning is ruined and its all to blame for one motherfucker (BEEP)driver on the road It was the scariest shit (beep) I seen in my life." "Thank you Bill for that insightful account of what has happened here today. As Bill has told us the bmw is completely wrecked. We did manage to see the driver of the BMW in one quick glimpse. We'll have some footage of him later live. From what we could see he had wounds to his head. We can see from our distance the BMW did have the use of airbags. As for the truck ...it seemed to have stopped a few feet after the BMW. THres not much we can say for the truck. Its a truck so...not much damage has been done to this truck. Theres dents on the front. Theres no driver found. Witnesses say they did see people running after the accident. It is possible that this will turn out to be a case of Hit and run and if the driver of the BMW dies...well then this will soon to be called manslaughter. Back to you Patrick. Hmm....Steevey. Why does he always do that? He thinks he doesnt wake me up when he kisses me but he does! Hes such a romantic though doing that. Let me check the time. Only 6:54! Steve must have just left like a few minutes ago. I didnt even get to sleep in . Grrrr. Well im up now might as well get my shit done. Lets see first thing is bathrooom. Didnt he say something about something in my make-up kit? Hmm..whats in there? Probably some nice book he got from the library. I never use to like to read but hes so convincing. "Just read it honey! Come on you know you wanna _____! Come on ____ everyone lets go! Come on lets get to it,You know you wanna do it!" "Steve be quiet Ill read the book. " "Fine read the book and then you'll come up to me all thanking me honey. Yup thats my Steevey. The book he picked out for me was great and yeah I did give him a hug. Hes just so sweet who wouldnt want to hug him besides me? Ahaha yeah so lets see whats in the make-up kit. My make -up kit is near the sink on the shelf. Its one big shelf so definitely my stuff wont be falling down. Hmm...lets see whats in here. He left a note on the kit. _____..I know how much you wanted that special thing youve been wanting and today you can get it! Yay for you! Dont forget though dont go too crazy because Im gonna be hungry tonight so I was thinking maybe like Steak with rice or whatever you want. Either way we need to do some shopping for food. Dont forget ______ I love you =) Awww thats nice of him but whats in here. I hate it how he likes to build the suspense of things just give whatever it is to me now! I opened the box and there it was two nicely folded hundred bills and a beautiful ring next to it. O my God! When did he get this?! Its soo beautiful! Of course! Today was the day we first met ! How could I forget? Aghh mornings they make me stupid. Ill like never take this ring off. Its like at least 2 karot or 3 whatever! Its real diamond for sure! Like I cant believe it! How could he do this? I never would have guessed! Pheww ok..I have to calm down. Whats the 200 dollars for though? All on food? We're not that low I think. Lets see I know hes bad at math but we usually worry about just what to eat for tonight and go day by day, not stack up on food. So...he should know we usually use about 50 for a good meal. 150 dollars what could I do with that? He couldnt want me to get....? No way. He wouldnt be that nice to me in one day! I already have a beautiful ring on me! He wouldnt want me to get the purse! Let me see that note again. "I know how much you wanted that special thing you've been waiting for and today you can get it!" He really wants me to get the purse! I cant believe he actually listened to me always talk about it. I thought he was half asleep at the table when I always told him the special features to that purse. He would always act like he was sleeping too! I never thought....he is sooo getting that steak and rice tonight! I better hurry up, get in the shower and eat something real quick. The malls open up at like 7:30. Ok its 7:15 . I had to rush a bit and it was hard to choose which pink shirt I wanted to wear for today and the shoes too but I did it and I have still time to eat something reall fast. Lets see...Im in the kitchen and whats that on the table? A pie and chocolate? Can this day get any better for me? I love pie! How could he do this to me?! I dont have the time to eat the pie now,I could eat it in the car but then Ill get my pink floor mats messy and then I'll have crumbs! Theres chocolate too though. Um... come on choose ____! Pie or chocolate! Thats it screw the chocolate. Pie your coming with me! Let me just get a fork then me and you are out of here mr. pumpkin pie. 7:30 in the morning. I cant believe I'm awake this early and not in a grouchy mood. If it wasnt for this ring and that pie and this purse then I probably would be in a shitty mood today. I made it to the mall at 7:25. It's close to our house. I actually half finished the pie...it was soo good! I just couldnt stop eating! Well...here Iam now at Sears waiting for the teenage girl to ring me up for my nice purse. "O MY GOd your actually getting this? This is like the coolest purse ever!" "Yeah I know right? So..how much will it be ? "Its going to be $148.13" "I handed her the cash and I received back my change. I liked this girl . She had a good style to her. I could see she had good style and her eyelashes...those were so nice . "Did you know you have nice eyelashes?" "Really? Awww thank you! Well ive been tired like shit but that just really cheered me up thanks! " I nodded to her and left the store. It felt good to feel like a young girl. Im usually not always like this saying cool and stuff. But...I still sometimes feel like a teenage girl . Whenever I walk into a mall, Im just 16 years old again. Lately Ive just been feeling like that age since I heard of that new purse. But...I think Ill be acting my age after tomorrow. I still have to finish that essay professor grant gave me. I'm still at Northeastern going to finish my masters in Science. Soon Ill be finished this year so.. I dont know where Ill go from there, but im glad that at least im not a bum to sit around the house all day. I dont know ...maybe after this degree..I can have the thought of children. At least if kids come into my life now there would be a loving father who has a firm and high job and at least a mother with a degree that could get her a decent job if someday Steevey lost the job or took ill. Always have to think for the future. It's 7:37 as of now and Im on the way to my car. I feel sad now for some reason like I forgot something or Im missing something important though I dont know what it could be. Well..maybe its just my mind telling me get back home and finish that term paper now! Well..Im in my sweet pink BMW and ready to get back home! It is 7:50 and I'm out of my car and have my keys in the hole of the door. My cell phone rings. This would be the perfect chance to see how my purse does its magic. I press the brown button on the side of the purse,you can barely even see it it blends in so well with the purse. Instantly I know that the purse has put me threw with whoever is calling. I say "Hello?" "Is this Mrs. Weattie?" "Yes this is she, who is speaking ?" "This is Seargent Nick Randal from the South End Boston Police Department." "O wow, I wasnt expecting a call from an officer. Um...is there a reason that your calling me so early? Did I do something wrong? "No maam no. Its not that, maam as a procedure I usually tell people that if you are standing now you may want to sit down. "For what reason, besides Im like right about to get into my house so I just cant sit on the ground. "Well maam if you must you should sit on the ground. Maam..this morning at 7:35 your husband Steve was struck by a dump truck across the Lowe's Theater. It was a very serious accident. Your husbands car is completely ruined,in fact barely recognizeable. As of now, for sure we know that he is in the ER. The paramedics told us that your husband's heart had stopped twice and that they had to inject adrenaline to get his heart beating again. He has received serious head trauma and multiple bruises to his body. He is living and is not in I believe ICU, I dont know why he is not there or in an operating room but for sure we know that he is in the ER and that it would be wise if you could come down to the hospital. " "Steevey no how could Steevey...it it cant be him. It must be some one else. He was just on his way to work. He doesnt take a highway or anything! It cant be him!!! NOOO!!" "Maam we are completely sure it is him. He had the id of Steve Wheatie,27 years old, resident of 245 Andalos St. Boston." "Its just....will he be all right??? "Maam I cant say for sure. I suggest you go see him at the hospital and now maam I have other matters to attend too. Good day. "Good day? Good day! What the hell do you mean a good day? My husbands been in an accident and your going to tell to have a good day!You stupid cop pig!" I cant take what he just told me. How can Steevey be in the hospital? He could be dead! Steevey! WHY?! I fell to the ground and my door opened to the entrance of my house. Steve, no you cant die. How? I feel like my heart will burst how can this happen? I look up and see my house. Steevey its like hes here in front of me. Memories of him here come bac to me. Him bringing me into this house the first time with me in his arms as we walked into his house,walked on where im sitting as husband and wife. Steevey kicking our stair case there by accident when his team won the soccer match,him screaming GOOOAAAAALLLLL! Him taking a kick and slapping him his foot on the staircase and him hopping in pain still saying "OWWW,goalllll! ___I need some ice!" How can this have happened to him? "Steevey,no. Please God dont let this happen to him". 5 minutes ago seems like a whole other world. I only feel pain,fear,and love for my husband in this new world. O God,I have to go get there fast. I cant let him go. Nooo. Steevey. Tears flow down my eyes as I drive to the hospital with our memories together racing threw my head. Steve.Dont die. Dont. 8:35 in the morning. Im at the hospital and I'm speaking to Dr. Roknilajah that has seen Steevey. "How is he ? Will he live? Please tell me yes please. "Maam someone upstairs must sure like him. Hes fine." "He is! O my God! YES! I start jumping and down not caring that others are looking at me as they pass by. My husband will live ! YES! "Maam if you could please calm down for a moment." "What? Dont tell me theres some kind of other problem." "Maam,your in some way scaring the patients with your yelling for joy." "The patients dont know that my Steevey is going to live! You hear all that you patients! My husband will live! Take that! "Mrs. ____ please calm down. I have to tell you your husbands situation here." "What? Dont tell me you just made me do all that for nothing. Hes okay right?" "Not per say. As of now he is sleeping as both you and I would sleep. He is not in a coma or such at all. We know that his heart stopped on the way here. Im very suspicious of this since his damages to his head are not fatal. You see maam...I was under the impression I would be receiving a patient with severe head trauma,enough that would have the brain so badly affected to stop the heart. Your husband has inguries that could be healed in less than 2 weeks. He has only a deep scratch that will be located near his eyebrow. As I said he can be healed. I can not say how he will be when he wakes up since he has not gained consciousness per say. He has spoken though so that rules out coma. He will have to stay the week for us to monitor his vital signs and see if he has been affected by this accident. "But...hes still well right?" "Yes he is well. We will on the safe side though monitor him. We could even discharge him tonight but its not that. Its just he almost died in the ambulance and it would be recommended that we see if some thing like that will happen again. It could have just been from shock that his heart stopped but you understand me right? "Yes, I completely understand. As long as my husband is well then im well. So.. can I see him now? " "Yes if you would just follow me this way we should be at his room in a minute or 2. So..follow me. I have to admit your husband is a lucky man to be alive.We know that the accident was very severe. The car is completely wrecked We were told plenty of times by the paramdedics. Your husband must have had worn his seat belt and probably had good German airbags. " "Ahahaha yeah. Well...I love Beemers. I had a car one time that was like a death trap when I was 16. It was soo unsafe. But..I got a car from my dad and even that wasnt safe. The beemers though are just so adorable,fast and dependable. My husband well..he just saw my car when I met him and he just fell for BMWS. We're BMW people so..its good we are if it was those airbags that helped to prevent him from hurting himself." "Bmws you say? My family hates BMWS. By the way we are almost to his room. Anyway my family,we are Desi,my father forbid any German cars. He say first they too expensive and that they are too small and are unsafe for drivers. My father tried to make my family Toyota lovers. He still has his Toyota but I went for the Honda instead. "You go for Hondas! AHAH I dont know why Im laughing,we're in a hospital,but a Honda! Their so bad! Everyone knows that! Back in teh day they were good with the accords but the new gxs and all are soo bad.! Wow, sorry I just lately have had a weird experience. I feel like im 16 again lately. Just a little stage im going threw." "Hey its no problem o we all have our stages and no offense I take for the Honda thing. I know myself Honda is bad, I want to trade for NIssan,it is much cheaper than Honda. Anyway here is your husbands room,room 613. Shall we go in?" "Yes obviously!" "Ok.' "Steeevey.Steevey, Steevey Weevey get up. Come on my Steevey Weevey!" I was in darkness but I could here her voice calling to me. I couldnt see but I tried to move my arm to the dark to reach her. It sounded like ____ was above me calling for me. I had to reach her . ______! _____! Im here . Im here! "Are you little man? Are you here or are you just talking to yourself? "Who...whos there?" "An old friend just saying hi. I'll keep in touch." That voice in the darkness ...it sounded familiar. It was a raspy voice that sounded too old to even speak...a voice that evoked fear threw me. I felt myself shiver. Where am I? "STEEVEY! GET UP! COME ON GET UP STEEVEY! PLEASE!" I heard her voice and all fear was washed away from me. I couldnt even remember who spoke to me. All I knew was ____ back and I had to find her. I saw light in front of me. I could see it and I ran to it. I ran to her voice. I saw the light grow and grow and grow until my whole sight was filled with light. I opened my eyes to look into my loves eyes ____. She was kissing me and I kissed back. I felt like I had run a thousand miles and my reward after the struggle of running was to be with ____. "mmmm...this is a nice way to wake up,can we do more things?" "Steevey! Dont ever scare me like that again! I thought that you would never wake up! I almost was going to shove water down your head! Dr. Roknilajah though said it would spoil the equipment. " "What did you say? Doctor? Where am I ____?" "Steve its ok. Your in a hospital. Its like 8:45 in the morning". You had an accident this morning at 7:35. " WHAT?! I had an accident less than an hour ago?! How am I?" "Calm down Steevey." She gave me a hug and rubbed my hair. I was beginning to get scared but her hug calmed me down. It was like she had a mystic power to somehow remove all all the pain and fear from me. She spoke to me in whispers like I was her child rubbing my hair threw. "Shhh. Steevey its ok. You had an accident but its ok. Your ok. You just came out of it with a scratch." Thats it a scratch?" "Isnt that funny Steve? The doctor says you have the same scratch as me right near your left eyebrow except yours is going to be a a whoole lot bigger than mine. "O real nice way to cheer me up ____" "Ahahah im sorry I just lately have been feeling like I'm 16 again. Its strange I even said like! I've been using like today like at least 100 times!. "____ thats fine...when do you think I fell in love with you? I fell in love with you when you were 16. If your going to be 16 then I;ll fall in love with you all over again. "Awww Steevey. You always have something sweet to say dont you? "Baaby I may be lying down here but Ill always be sweet for you and Ill keep on being sweet. I was beginnning myself to feel like I was young again. Strange. I hadnt said those kind of pick up lines since I was 16. It must just be that my mind is believing from ____ that we are 16 again. "sO... Steve. Do you feel better?" I feel great now ____ but when do I get out of here? Thats the question I want to get answered. "Steve your not allowed out of here for like a week. Ooops I said like again. I mean your not allowed to leave this hospital until a week has passed. "Oh wow. What am I going to do the whole time? " "Rest of course. Get your strength back. You'll need your energy. "Energy?" "Well...did you think I would forget about this ring and this purse? I think you'll need to get your energy back because honey you and me will be busy with some fun work soon. "Oooo well dont get my heart racing for you ____ or else the doctors will think Im going crazy over here. "Ahahah well Steevey Ill be bacK in a bit to get you something to cheer you up.! "Ok ____ I cant wait to see what it is . I smiled to her and she gave me another of her gorgeous smiles. I layed my head down on the pillow more and couldnt believe that I was here in a hospital,feeling completely normal with only a scratch on my head. Im in a hospital and my BMW is probably trash now. Its funny how my life changed in less than an hour. I guess I'll be missing that childrens week at the library. I dont think they let cell phones in here so I'll have to ask ___ to call Charlie because he'll have to cvoer for me. Hes my assistant so he knows most of my plans of what I was going to say and do...well.. the boring stuff. Its the funny that he wont have or the wit but at least he;ll get my point across with everyone. I wonder what ____ will bring me. Maybe a pie. I could go for some pie right about now. Poor Steevey. He must feel like crap right now. Im so thankful that at least hes alive. He still has his sweetness going for him. He seems normal so Im so glad that at least hes all right. I think some pie,though,will cheer him up. Good thing I saved half of it. Im in the hospital's parking lot,its an elevated parking lot so I'm on the 3rd floor. I'm now in front of my pink Beemer putting my keys into the doors lock. "Dont think he likes that pie. I think he likes chocolate better." What,WHERE THE hell did that voice come from? "Who's there?" "An old friend paying my regards to an old friend." "Well...ok old friend,stay the fuck away from me you hear?! You sound like a perv and I've seen movies,I'm not going to be the fool girl to keep on talking to the killer so that he can get closer to me to get me!. "Ooo feisty little girl arent you?" "Well ____ dont worry you will be seeing more of me around lately. Eve heard of taking a chill pill? HAHAHAHAHA!!!!" Aghhh that laugh. This mans laugh sent goosebumps running down my spine. I started shaking a bit. It must just be the wind and its cold so...thats just a laugh. I better get in my car now...this pervert could be like right next to me! I turn the key in the lock and quickly get in my beemer. I shut the door and quickly hit the automatic lock for the doors. I put the key in the ignition. Im backing up from my parking space. I look behind me. "BOOO!" "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" He's right there sitting in the seat in the back. I scream uncontrollably and run from my car. I quickly take the keys out of the ignition quickly,run out of the car like theres no tomorrow. Other people looking for parking spaces drive by me "Watch it you dumb broad!" "Shove it Im friggin running here!" Whoa..why am I talking like this and what am I running for? Maybe I'm seeing things. Maybe there was no guy in the car. My door was locked when I entered so...maybe im just imagining things. I think maybe I need a quick nap. Whats happened today has made me feel like I've been awake straight for a week. I feel like a fool walking back to my car. What if there is someone in the car? What the hell am I walking back to the pervert guy? My cars just right there,I can see it. Its about 45 ft. from me. I dont see anyone in the car. I definitely think I was imagining things. A car suddenly comes around the corner. I feel safer if there was a witness around when I get near the car. If there was someone here they woudnt try shit to try and get me. I run to my car and the driver looking for a space passes by me when I reach my Beemer. No one is in my car and my door is open still. I definitely think I just imagined that guy. What am I fooling myself? Of course I saw him. Maybe though he was behind the car outside and not inside the car. It doesnt matter. It was probably just some lonely hobo looking for some money and prob from me a piece of ass. AHAHAHAHAHAAHAH! Likes he gonna get it! I dont think so! AHAHAHAHAHAH! Ok...im so not surprised now that Im thinkinng like this and randomly laughing. I think Ill just go with the flow with what my minds doing. I've been too serious lately. Now just in case I think Ill put my Beemer in a different space. Maybe on the 1st floor. Then im soo giving Steevey his pie. Then he can have the pie to eat...and me to cheer him up! He's already had a bad day but Im going to try to make it better since he made the beginning of my day the greatest. "Phewww that tasted good." I told ____ after finishing a plate of pumpin pie in my room. "I know right? You bought like the best pie for me. Whered you get it from anyway? " "Hmm...I think I think I got it from BJ's." "You went to BJ's last night? Thats like almost all the way near Cambridge! You went all the way down there last night just for me?" "Well...I was low on aftershave so I had to get that too." "Steevey, you went all the way to BJ;s just for aftershave? Couldnt you just get that from Sams club,its like a few streets away from our house! " "____ your right but then again, Bj's makes some good pie dont they? " "Awww so you did go all the way out there just for me!". "Did you think I would forget the day that we first met? It was the best day of my life. How could I forget it? It was when I met you and that was the best thing to ever happen to me. I met you ____ ,you my best friend in life,my companion" "Steevey shut up. Your like going to make me cry! I understand. I'll admit that at first I thought you were just another guy from their little gang trying to suck up to me. I was thinking what a lame kid pretending like he actually wants to protect me? Could you do a better job acting ? "Ahahaha" "Yeah,Steevey. Im glad I met you that day. I remember I was having a shitty day too. Its like when I started speaking to you,like everything just cleared up and I felt so happy and glad to be around with you. "Aww ____ now im going to cry. I dont have that kind of affect on you. " "Of course you do,your my Steevey." She rubs my cheek and looks at me. Her face is so sad. I know how hard it must be for her to see me in this bed,looking like I;m helpless. I see a tear come from her eye and fall down onto the bed. "___ dont. Please dont cry. I dont want you to cry. I'm ok,I'm going to get threw this for you. "No Steevey. Its not fair! How could this have happenned to us? You left for work like any other day! You left me the most beautiful gifts that no one has ever given me,you didnt do anything wrong and look whats happened to you! I cant stand to see you here. It's not you. I'm use to seeing you happy and dancing all weird and all that other stuff you do to try to make me laugh." "_____ come here." I open my arms for her and she enters into my arms. I give her a long hug and a tear falls from my eye into her hair. "I will get threw this. Dont worry ____. Ill get threw this for you. I'll take us away from this pain. Ill take the sadness and pain away from you like I did back at the station." I'll take it all away soon ______. It is 4:45 P.M March 31st,1999. "Can I have your attention please? Now boarding for the 4:58 Worcester Express on traaack number 7. I repeat now boarding for the 4:58 Worcester Express on traaaaaaack number 7." Finnaly, theres my damn train. I'm 16 years old. I'm in South Station in Boston. It is 4:45 P.M. I am sitting at a table with my backpack on my shoulders,eating a Milky Way candybar. I'm sitting with hundreds of other people waiting for other trains to pull in,to Needleham,to Attleboro,to Marlborough,and for others to Florida and Washington D.C. I dont have much time to waste,since if I move slow then I will probably not get a seat for myself and I will have to sit with someone,probably a smelly lady who hasnt taken a shower in days,or maybe next to someone eating a smelly sandwhich. Either way if I want my own whole seat I should move now. The Worcester Express gets packed pretty fast. It is 4:46 P.M. I get up from my chair and walk to the closest trash bin. I look back to make sure I did not leave anything behind. My seat has in less than 20 seconds been already taken by another person. Seats in the station are hard to get in the afternoon due to packs and packs of people trying to get home from here. I turn my head back from that person who took my chair and look for the trash bin which I find is near the bookstore they have here. Not a bad book store but the prices are soo damn expensive. $21.95 is the price for one Dr. Seuss book. I'm like what the hell? How many commuters are suckers here too actually buy from this store? It seems alot are because this store is still in business. It is 4:47 P.M. Im turning away from the trash bin and walking a bit faster to the doors that leads to the track. I'm passing by the food court with passing Au Bon Pain,Mcdonalds,Som Dum Guy Chinese food,and I'm outside where the trains are waiting to be boarded. The intercom once again says "Now boarding on the 4:58 Worcester Express on traaaaaack number 7. Also now boarding on the 4:58 train to Providence on traaack number 9. Now boarding on the 4:58 train to Providence on traaack number 9. I'm walking down the train platform to chooose a car to go too. Hundreds of people are walking with me looking for a car to choose . I walk a bit down since the further cars you go too the less people there are. Everyone takes the first 3 cars and thats where its most packed. Theres some hold up a bit up front. Why is everyone kind of slowing down? Hmm...I try to see more on my tippy toes and I can see that its just a group of kids my age their in the middle of the platform. Well..they should move. Im not going to wait here on this platform all day. "You know what Jack? I dont like pink. I think pink is for fags,and for girls well then you must be for girls with girls right baby? "Shut the fuck up and leave me alone. Just let me get in the damn train. "Ooo but what if we dont want too ?" "Well then I'll just have to kick your ass wont I? "Oh you hear this Jack?" "O yeah I be hearing this Johnny. This girl got fangs watch out." "Ahahah.. how bout this baby dolll, why dont you come with me and Jack here and we'll show you a good time around Boston. "No thanks I dont need a couple of fags to show me the gay bars around here. I dont go for fags,their not my type." "You stupid little bit.....! "Excuse me Johnny is it? Leave the girl alone." I dont know why I stepped forward. I didnt even know I had the guts to do this. But..I saw that this Johnny was gonna take a hit at this girl. I knew that if he did one hit that someone would stop him if he tried for another but I couldnt allow for even one hit to hit her precious face. I could not just go on with my business without protecting this girl. She was too beautiful. I never saw a girl as pretty as her. I felt like I had to protect her from these scumbags. I had a feeling he was going to make a move so I pushed threw the crowd,got close to Johnny and caught his hand in mid-air before he could do anything. "Yo,what the hell this kid doing Jack? Let go of my damn hand you little....." "Hey I dont need to hear any swearing from your mouth. Ill let your hand go if you can leave this girl alone,good idea? "Like shit it is" " I was soo occupied with this Johnny and me thinking I was saving the day for this girl that I forgot about Johnny's other hand and the other guy Jack. He took his other hand and punched me hard in the chest. No one saw that move because Jack moved in and got behind me and punched me in the back. I was on the ground. I was thinking what is the girl doing now? What the hell,theres a fight going on here and no one is saying anything. These people,commuters,are so fucking dumbasses! I was on the ground,in a kneeling position. "I think little boy you picked the wrong fight to play in. Why dont you come with us and we can all have a little fun, Me,Jack and this bitc..... "I told you shut the hell up! " My temper came suddenly threw the pain of being punched. I took my hand and punched Johnny behind his leg. His leg by reaction bent down and I took that oppurtunity to rise up and me be above him I took my knee and slammed it hard against his face. As for Jack he stood there in shock and so...for him I turned around and tried to give him one good punch from me. He tried to run away from me . I didnt want to let him get away without some pain so I tried to kick his leg. I did and he ran into a few commuters knocking down a 2 men. His face hit the pavement and I could see at least there was some burns there to let him feel some pain. I turned around and looked for the girl. She was stepping on the hand of Johnny. "Who's the bitch? WHo?" "Owww owwwww. Let me go!" " Not until you say it.!" "All right All right Im the bitch!" "And what color do you love?" "I love pink,all right owww oowwwww! damn stop! I said it! I love pink! "Thats right you better be loving pink! Pink everything got it?! "Yeah yeah let me go!" "Hey anything you want to say to this guy? I was just in shock of how she was handling him,then I realized she was speaking to me. "Ooo yeah. Who loves pink Johnny? I couldnt hear you from over here." "I love pink. Im sorry, I wont say anything about you guys,just let me go! "All right get out of here then no ones stopping you!" The girl let go of his hand and he tried to get up and she kicked his butt. Literally she kicked his butt and he went falling flat on his face on the hard pavement of the platform. I was laughing and we both laughed together. We were laughing like crazy. It was just soo funny. It was something you think you would see on Madtv but this was just too funny. Johnny got up and I saw that he had a scrape on his face and a bloody nose but at least nothing serious from me giving him a knee. My knee kind of hurt but I thought that is definitely worth it to feel some pain. It means that you had a fight and kicked butt at the end. Johnny ran back down the platform running with a limp holding his butt. It was such a funny scene that me and the girl laughed at him and pointed at him. The commuters were staring at us like we were lunatics. They even turned to look at what we were pointing at. Johnny was gone but we were still pointing so I think the commuters believed we were laughing at the station. "Wow...that was soo funny." "I know right? Like did you see him run holding his ass? What a loser." I felt now a bit shy speaking to a girl I didnt even know. I was thinking to myself ok your speaking to a girl. Well come on keep on speaking. Dont just walk off now into the train and leave it at that! "Um...yeah so we make a good team kicking butt. "Ahaha yeah I guess we do. You did a good job of getting those guys. Thanks for what you did. Like I dont think anyone was even going to do anything." "Well...if you've been on the train alot then you should know that commuters are like zombies. They just walk and thats about it. They dont really have much sense and can be the biggest suckers for anything." "Ahahaahahah! Wow thats funny. So your a brave,thoughtful, funny guy. Whats your name?" "I'm Steve." "Thats it,just Steve?" "Yeah,just Steve. "Hmm...well since your so cute and so nice I think I'll call you Steevey! "Steevey...hmm that sounds good. Am I like your lost puppy to name me? " "You could be. Where you been all this time? I been taking this train for a week now but I havent seen you around before." " "Last call boarding call for the 4:58 Worcester Express,last call for the 4:58 Worcester Express. "Oh I think thats time for us to leave this place" said the girl. "Yeah I guess so. Wow look,we're like the only people on this platform now." "Yup so...Steevey shall we go in? She pointed to the train car. "Well after you maam". "Aww thank you Steevey." We entered the train together and I felt like I was in a whole new world. I've been using the commuter rail to get to school this whole year and its already the end of March and wow...theres a bit of a change in my life now meeting this beautiful girl. It is 4:58 P.m, March 31st 1999. Who is this guy? I cant believe he just saved me from those guys. I probably could have got them both but still...he actually came and stood up for me. Thats sweet...I didnt see no one else do that for me. He handled it so well too...well except for that punch at the beginning he got from that guy but I think he was too distracted looking at me. His face was like what the hell am I doing? It was soo funny. But he really saved me from those guys. Steevey...thats such a nice name. I always come up with the cool things. Hmm...Steevey. Steevey Weevy. That sounds nice. I should sit with him, see how this Steevey is. Who knows ,speaking to these commuters has been so boring,its like they have no life. Steevey,I think maybe he could entertain me for the ride like that would be so fun. Well first I want to see how he's going to handle getting me or himself a seat. I know for sure he wants to be serious with me if he sits with me,if he sits across me,then hes such a mamas boy. Ok..lets see shes right behind me and every chair is filled with people. There must be a way to get a seat. I want to sit next to her. I never even sat next to a girl before and spoke to her! Maybe I should find my own seat and just say Ill see you later then. What am I stupid? I just saved the girl and I'm just gonna let her go just like that? Shes so different from other girls. Most of the girls are all the same just trying to show their fronts and backs as much as possible. But shes not like that. I def can see her front and back but not because she wants everyone too,its just there. She seems so unique,her looks are great and she's funny too. I could definitely have fun speaking to her. It'd be I think like the first time I actually have a whole conversation with a girl and this trip is like an hour and a half so that would definitely be a long conversation. Im just too shy. I have to step up. Im so going to get me and her a seat. Just me and her. Ok what the hell is Steevey doing? Hes just standing there,looks like hes thinking. Like wow,if its going to take him this long to find a seat,I think I should find my own seat then and call it quits with him. "EXCUSE ME." "Yes son?" "Sir,your sitting in my seat." "Excuse me ? I didnt see you sitting here before but if you would like too I can share this seat with you and if the girl over there is with you,I can let her fit here too. "Sir,thats a great idea. Thats very thoughtful of you but you see sir,shes my sister. She's um...come here. I lean close to the guys ear... "Shes a bit retarded,birth defect at birth." "O how tragic. "Yes sir,its hard for her to adjust to life. You see sir,today is the first time that she is on a train. Now she may not look scared,but you see I tried sitting her down in the last car with some people and she completely started screaming. If you catch me sir,I didnt want to stay in that car since I would be receiving stares and such and I dont want my sister to be stared at. "O yes son. I understand. I had a grandmother who was exactly the same way. I had to watch her everyday at my home. It was hard but it feels good in the end that your helping your family doesnt it? "Yes it is sir... it will help her in the future. " "Yes,so you need the whole chair then,because she'll prob get nervous with me right? "Yes sir,howd you know? My grandmother was the same when we use to go to the groceries. God bless your soul young man." "As well as yours sir for taking care of your grandmother." "Yes,thank you and good luck with your not soo well sister. "Thank you sir." O my God! I cant keep a straight face here! Its so hard. Im not the well sister! AHAHAHA that was sooo damn funny and smart as well. Like wow,that was classy bsing. Well I think he got us seats.So...he must want to sit with me because theres one empty seat next across from the large seat. So...he definitely wants to sit with me. "After you maam." "Uhhh thank you Steevey brother hahaha". "Thank you sister." I sit down across from the girl in the single chair. I really do want to sit next to her but I want to be sweet to her first. "So..why are you sitting there? What did you get this huuuge seat for?" "I got it for you. You look tired and I thought I would give you a seat for you to rest." "Aww...thats so nice. You bullshitted that guy just to get a seat just so I can get this huge seat?" "Well,yeah like I said you look tired and I think maybe you should relax,put your feet up. You couldnt do that with me there. "O really? And why is that?" "Well let me show you why." I got up from my seat and sat down next to her. "Put your feet up now and you;ll see why I thought you also wouldnt want me to sit there." She put her feet up and her shoes rested on me. She was wearing pink flufy boots. They looked nice. They werent even dirty from her walkin whereever. Her boots were even perfect. I didnt know what was going on here but I felt like this girl was someone special. Not just your average girl you meet and then never see again. I think this girl was someone that would be a good friend of mine for the future. "Hmm..I see your point but why wouldnt you want my foot on you? You dont love my pink boots?" "Of course I love your boots! Their pink and I like pink as a color. I just never thought of making it my favorite color. " "Well you should because pink is like the most best color in the world. It's like so pink! Its bright,its pink. Pink is good with everything,food,clothes,cars even,even for hair! "Ahahaha well if you say so. Before we keep on talking..um..I didnt get your name yet. "Ahahah really? I'm ____" "Thats a nice name to have." "You think so or are you just saying that?" "Well you tell me does this face lie? =). "Ahahaha no I dont think so but thanks for telling me that. "So your Steevey and im ____. "Yup." "So...do you mind my shoes on you? "No,no its ok. Keep them there. If your boots being there makes you feel better then leave them there. At least I get to look at your nice pink boots." "Aww, I realize that you have alot of sweet things to say. Can you always talk sweet?" "Well...yeah most of the time I can talk sweet. I'll tell you now..Im a bit shy so..I never really used my sweetness with other girls. In fact your probably like the first girl that I ever really had a long conversation with. "Omg really? I feel so special now. So im the first girl to hear Steevey's sweetness!" "You could say that. So...you live in Worcester?" "No I live in that other little town near Worcester." " Oooo you mean Strawberry." "Yup,strawberry. How bout you? " "Im a woostarian born and raised." "Awesome, I know Worcester like the back of my hand. Where do you live around ? "Do you know Main South? I live around there." "OOoo the not so good area. So what are you doing on a train going all the way from Boston?" "I go to school in Boston. The school system in Worcester sucks. "Hmm..well I go to Strawberry and it not that bad. The school is kind of gay but ehh..its ok." "Thats cool I guess." "So...what have you been going to Boston this week for? " "This week is lke the worse week to be in school for me right now so I've been skipping. "Skippping school?You actually skip school? That doesnt really help you out much at the end does it?" "Are you a nerd?" "What, you think im a nerd? What happened to sweet,funny,brave Steevey?" "Ahahaha well...you were sticking up for school. If you went to Strawberry high then you woudldnt be talking like that." "Maybe thats true,but still you get one day to hang around but is it really worth it? A day is 24 hours but if you fail in life thats about 50 years ahead of you in failure. " "50 years of failure? I dont think I;ll be missing out on much if I skip a week. "Yeah but one week leads up to two weeks and then two weeks leads up to three weeks and then" "Steevey I get it! Ok!You say I shouldnt skip school. "Welcome to the 4:58 Worcester Express. This is the 4:58 Wooorcester Express. This train will be making stops too Backbay,West Natick,Framingham,Ashland,Southborough,Westborough,Grafton,and Wooooooorcester. We hope you enjoy your trip today with the MBTA. The train will move in just a few moments so..please take your seats" "So..____ how old are you?" "Im 16 right now." "How about you?" "Im 16 too,yay we're 16 woohoo!" An old man sitting in the seat in front of us turned in his chair to look at me and ___. "Hey,kid can you quiet down?!" "Kid? Im a kid. Old man would you please stay in your business and Ill stay in my business?" I told the guy. ____ was turning a light shade of pink on her cheeks and I was wondering if she knew even her body turned pink at times. "Dont try to act like a smartass all right kid? Ive had a bad day and I dont need to hear kids yelling behind me. I hear enough noise from my wife." "Your wife is noisy? Well maybe she should be! Im a woman and I think that your wife made a mistake choosing you for a husband. "Hmpphhh,just keep quiet ok?" "We;ll try sir. If you could please turn around then we shall try our most bestest to be quiet ok mr adult? =) I told the guy with a big smile. "Smartas..." The man turned back to his seat. "I guess we're good at dissing people too" "Yeah,these people are so annoying. I hate people like that. Why cant they just mind their own business?" "I dont know ___, sometimes people have their problems and they dont know where to put their feelings. I dont want to receive that guys feelings though. I have my own problems." "Yeah,this year has been hell for me. I have to work right after I get off this train. Thats like till 9 and then I have like load of h.w and I'm too lazy to do it now. "I usually do the h.w now or sleep." I told ____. "Sleeping sounds good. I'm so tired. Howd you know that I would like get tired and do this whole stretch myself out?" "I kind of had a feeling thats all. It's like a sixth sense for me. I see something or an event and in my mind I just plan something out like what can follow next. I saw you and you just looked tired too me so..Im thinking we're going on a train and theres these big chairs,maybe she'll want to lay down." "Maybe that guy was right,maybe you are a smartass!" "Hey ___,I'm so not. I'm just smart but that doesnt mean I'm not funny." The train suddenly makes a bulge and _____ is pushed almost out of her seat. I quickly lean myself forward and catch her around the waist. "Hahahah,I wasnt expecting that! Thanks for that too,nice reflexes." "I couldnt just let you fall on the floor with me sittting above you. I would feel feel bad that I didnt do anything. And its a dirty floor and you dont need to get yourself dirty." "Dirty? I;m a dirty girl little boy." "Your dirty? Ohh so if you hold on, let me get a tissue and wipe you off." "No,y

Beautiful Firearms & The reasons we covet them? Everyone wants that rifle that shoots 1/4" groups at a thousand yards but when you see a firearm as art, what about it draws your attention ? What part grabs you the most, engraving, the fine woods, the shapes, designs, etc. Engraving in the wood ? the metal ? Gold, Silver, Stainless Steel ? Inlays ? What do you like ? This question will answer two differnet questions for me. I simply want to know the answers to the above for each person who answers, and it will allow me to focus on individual taste for the firearms. I am currently building my first rifle based on a Browning BAR, and Im tring to find a dirrection to go. heres are a few that I find very attractive: http://www.engravingarts.com/pgGal2_600LeftReceiver.html http://www.engravingarts.com/pgGal2_600Barrels.html http://www.joecummingsstudio.com/Beretta_Butt_750pix.jpg http://www.joecummingsstudio.com/Beretta_Forearm_750pix.jpg http://www.richardrboucherengraving.com/flower2.htm Whats your thoughts ? Samantha, Some people find art in photos, or paintings. Some in fruit ? Alot of firearms owners find this kind of art very nice and it adds massive value to the firearms. If you dont like my question or have no idea why anyone would want to do something like this then dont answer please. You comments are nothing but a waste of space. aceproceed, Indeed you are wasting space ! I hate to tell you but I have never seen an engraved Glock nor do I think engraving one would increase its value as its a trash gun in my opinion when we are talking about fine firearms. Incase you missed it, this question has nothing to do with: a: Modern Handguns b: Any firearm involving plastic c: Anything you could understand ! I own a Ruger No.1 in .458 Lott mag that i have had some engraving work done on. The cost new around $1000.00 dollars, with the engraving, I can sell it today at $2500.00, and thats fact ! It does not take a H&H double rifle to justify engraving it. Besides, that had nothing to do with the question anyway, the question is what do people like, what gets their attention ! I could care less what you dont like or agree with ! disgruntled_penguin, Theres nothing wrong with that at all ! You answered the question and never attacked anyones elses liking. Thank you for a good answer !

Human Robot? If i were to build a robot with human characteristics(expanding thought process, simulation of empathy, and self awareness) I could be accurate in stating that I had created that robot. I have no supernatural powers, only knowledge to aid in my creation of this robot. Even though I did not create the basic components(metal, etc.) I am responsible for its significant complexity(design). Despite the robots complexity I have created inhibitors to make the possibility of the robot ever becoming as complex as myself impossible. As this robots creator am I also its god since I am in all ways infinitely more complex than it, have the power to destroy it, guide it, and know its thoughts? What are your thoughts on this? What are the implications of your answer?

Golf Ball Boat Design? I have to build a golf ball boat for Tech and i need some designs if you have and pictures or anything put them in your answer. I can not remember the size of metal but it has to carry as many golf balls as possible before it sinks thanx! I found the size of sheet it's 12x24 inches and we get 12 revets and a bit of caulking so good luck!

Can anyone interpret this dream? Alright, so I had this dream about two years ago but I can't stop thinking about it so I was wondering if anyone could possibly shed some light. here goes, It was the future, however everything was dirty and I lived in a city. My dad and I had a job, it was to go to the top floor of every tall building every day and fill a person (this was there job) who wore these metal pants that had a bowl shape at the waist and didn't touch them and my dad and i would fill it with lava. Then one day i supposedly designed new pants to keep their legs from burning. Two things I noticed: Their legs didn't burn in the first place. The pants I made were exactly like the first ones, but everyone bought them. so yeah good luck

Poll: Did you like The Oddysey or The Iliad better? I liked the Iliad better. This was my favorite part: Sing, O goddess, the anger of Achilles son of Peleus, that brought countless ills upon the Achaeans. Many a brave soul did it send hurrying down to Hades, and many a hero did it yield a prey to dogs and vultures, for so were the counsels of Jove fulfilled from the day on which the son of Atreus, king of men, and great Achilles, first fell out with one another. And which of the gods was it that set them on to quarrel? It was the son of Jove and Leto; for he was angry with the king and sent a pestilence upon the host to plague the people, because the son of Atreus had dishonoured Chryses his priest. Now Chryses had come to the ships of the Achaeans to free his daughter, and had brought with him a great ransom: moreover he bore in his hand the sceptre of Apollo wreathed with a suppliant's wreath and he besought the Achaeans, but most of all the two sons of Atreus, who were their chiefs. "Sons of Atreus," he cried, "and all other Achaeans, may the gods who dwell in Olympus grant you to sack the city of Priam, and to reach your homes in safety; but free my daughter, and accept a ransom for her, in reverence to Apollo, son of Jove." On this the rest of the Achaeans with one voice were for respecting the priest and taking the ransom that he offered; but not so Agamemnon, who spoke fiercely to him and sent him roughly away. "Old man," said he, "let me not find you tarrying about our ships, nor yet coming hereafter. Your sceptre of the god and your wreath shall profit you nothing. I will not free her. She shall grow old in my house at Argos far from her own home, busying herself with her loom and visiting my couch; so go, and do not provoke me or it shall be the worse for you." The old man feared him and obeyed. Not a word he spoke, but went by the shore of the sounding sea and prayed apart to King Apollo whom lovely Leto had borne. "Hear me," he cried, "O god of the silver bow, that protectest Chryse and holy Cilla and rulest Tenedos with thy might, hear me oh thou of Sminthe. If I have ever decked your temple with garlands, or burned your thigh-bones in fat of bulls or goats, grant my prayer, and let your arrows avenge these my tears upon the Danaans." Thus did he pray, and Apollo heard his prayer. He came down furious from the summits of Olympus, with his bow and his quiver upon his shoulder, and the arrows rattled on his back with the rage that trembled within him. He sat himself down away from the ships with a face as dark as night, and his silver bow rang death as he shot his arrow in the midst of them. First he smote their mules and their hounds, but presently he aimed his shafts at the people themselves, and all day long the pyres of the dead were burning. For nine whole days he shot his arrows among the people, but upon the tenth day Achilles called them in assembly- moved thereto by Juno, who saw the Achaeans in their death-throes and had compassion upon them. Then, when they were got together, he rose and spoke among them. "Son of Atreus," said he, "I deem that we should now turn roving home if we would escape destruction, for we are being cut down by war and pestilence at once. Let us ask some priest or prophet, or some reader of dreams (for dreams, too, are of Jove) who can tell us why Phoebus Apollo is so angry, and say whether it is for some vow that we have broken, or hecatomb that we have not offered, and whether he will accept the savour of lambs and goats without blemish, so as to take away the plague from us." With these words he sat down, and Calchas son of Thestor, wisest of augurs, who knew things past present and to come, rose to speak. He it was who had guided the Achaeans with their fleet to Ilius, through the prophesyings with which Phoebus Apollo had inspired him. With all sincerity and goodwill he addressed them thus:- "Achilles, loved of heaven, you bid me tell you about the anger of King Apollo, I will therefore do so; but consider first and swear that you will stand by me heartily in word and deed, for I know that I shall offend one who rules the Argives with might, to whom all the Achaeans are in subjection. A plain man cannot stand against the anger of a king, who if he swallow his displeasure now, will yet nurse revenge till he has wreaked it. Consider, therefore, whether or no you will protect me." And Achilles answered, "Fear not, but speak as it is borne in upon you from heaven, for by Apollo, Calchas, to whom you pray, and whose oracles you reveal to us, not a Danaan at our ships shall lay his hand upon you, while I yet live to look upon the face of the earth- no, not though you name Agamemnon himself, who is by far the foremost of the Achaeans." Thereon the seer spoke boldly. "The god," he said, "is angry neither about vow nor hecatomb, but for his priest's sake, whom Agamemnon has dishonoured, in that he would not free his daughter nor take a ransom for her; therefore has he sent these evils upon us, and will yet send others. He will not deliver the Danaans from this pestilence till Agamemnon has restored the girl without fee or ransom to her father, and has sent a holy hecatomb to Chryse. Thus we may perhaps appease him." With these words he sat down, and Agamemnon rose in anger. His heart was black with rage, and his eyes flashed fire as he scowled on Calchas and said, "Seer of evil, you never yet prophesied smooth things concerning me, but have ever loved to foretell that which was evil. You have brought me neither comfort nor performance; and now you come seeing among Danaans, and saying that Apollo has plagued us because I would not take a ransom for this girl, the daughter of Chryses. I have set my heart on keeping her in my own house, for I love her better even than my own wife Clytemnestra, whose peer she is alike in form and feature, in understanding and accomplishments. Still I will give her up if I must, for I would have the people live, not die; but you must find me a prize instead, or I alone among the Argives shall be without one. This is not well; for you behold, all of you, that my prize is to go elsewhither." And Achilles answered, "Most noble son of Atreus, covetous beyond all mankind, how shall the Achaeans find you another prize? We have no common store from which to take one. Those we took from the cities have been awarded; we cannot disallow the awards that have been made already. Give this girl, therefore, to the god, and if ever Jove grants us to sack the city of Troy we will requite you three and fourfold." Then Agamemnon said, "Achilles, valiant though you be, you shall not thus outwit me. You shall not overreach and you shall not persuade me. Are you to keep your own prize, while I sit tamely under my loss and give up the girl at your bidding? Let the Achaeans find me a prize in fair exchange to my liking, or I will come and take your own, or that of Ajax or of Ulysses; and he to whomsoever I may come shall rue my coming. But of this we will take thought hereafter; for the present, let us draw a ship into the sea, and find a crew for her expressly; let us put a hecatomb on board, and let us send Chryseis also; further, let some chief man among us be in command, either Ajax, or Idomeneus, or yourself, son of Peleus, mighty warrior that you are, that we may offer sacrifice and appease the the anger of the god." Achilles scowled at him and answered, "You are steeped in insolence and lust of gain. With what heart can any of the Achaeans do your bidding, either on foray or in open fighting? I came not warring here for any ill the Trojans had done me. I have no quarrel with them. They have not raided my cattle nor my horses, nor cut down my harvests on the rich plains of Phthia; for between me and them there is a great space, both mountain and sounding sea. We have followed you, Sir Insolence! for your pleasure, not ours- to gain satisfaction from the Trojans for your shameless self and for Menelaus. You forget this, and threaten to rob me of the prize for which I have toiled, and which the sons of the Achaeans have given me. Never when the Achaeans sack any rich city of the Trojans do I receive so good a prize as you do, though it is my hands that do the better part of the fighting. When the sharing comes, your share is far the largest, and I, forsooth, must go back to my ships, take what I can get and be thankful, when my labour of fighting is done. Now, therefore, I shall go back to Phthia; it will be much better for me to return home with my ships, for I will not stay here dishonoured to gather gold and substance for you." And Agamemnon answered, "Fly if you will, I shall make you no prayers to stay you. I have others here who will do me honour, and above all Jove, the lord of counsel. There is no king here so hateful to me as you are, for you are ever quarrelsome and ill affected. What though you be brave? Was it not heaven that made you so? Go home, then, with your ships and comrades to lord it over the Myrmidons. I care neither for you nor for your anger; and thus will I do: since Phoebus Apollo is taking Chryseis from me, I shall send her with my ship and my followers, but I shall come to your tent and take your own prize Briseis, that you may learn how much stronger I am than you are, and that another may fear to set himself up as equal or comparable with me." The son of Peleus was furious, and his heart within his shaggy breast was divided whether to draw his sword, push the others aside, and kill the son of Atreus, or to restrain himself and check his anger. While he was thus in two minds, and was drawing his mighty sword from its scabbard, Minerva came down from heaven (for Juno had sent her in the love she bore to them both), and seized the son of Peleus by his yellow hair, visible to him alone, for of the others no man could see her. Achilles turned in amaze, and by the fire that flashed from her eyes at once knew that she was Minerva. "Why are you here," said he, "daughter of aegis-bearing Jove? To see the pride of Agamemnon, son of Atreus? Let me tell you- and it shall surely be- he shall pay for this insolence with his life." And Minerva said, "I come from heaven, if you will hear me, to bid you stay your anger. Juno has sent me, who cares for both of you alike. Cease, then, this brawling, and do not draw your sword; rail at him if you will, and your railing will not be vain, for I tell you- and it shall surely be- that you shall hereafter receive gifts three times as splendid by reason of this present insult. Hold, therefore, and obey." "Goddess," answered Achilles, "however angry a man may be, he must do as you two command him. This will be best, for the gods ever hear the prayers of him who has obeyed them." He stayed his hand on the silver hilt of his sword, and thrust it back into the scabbard as Minerva bade him. Then she went back to Olympus among the other gods, and to the house of aegis-bearing Jove. But the son of Peleus again began railing at the son of Atreus, for he was still in a rage. "Wine-bibber," he cried, "with the face of a dog and the heart of a hind, you never dare to go out with the host in fight, nor yet with our chosen men in ambuscade. You shun this as you do death itself. You had rather go round and rob his prizes from any man who contradicts you. You devour your people, for you are king over a feeble folk; otherwise, son of Atreus, henceforward you would insult no man. Therefore I say, and swear it with a great oath- nay, by this my sceptre which shalt sprout neither leaf nor shoot, nor bud anew from the day on which it left its parent stem upon the mountains- for the axe stripped it of leaf and bark, and now the sons of the Achaeans bear it as judges and guardians of the decrees of heaven- so surely and solemnly do I swear that hereafter they shall look fondly for Achilles and shall not find him. In the day of your distress, when your men fall dying by the murderous hand of Hector, you shall not know how to help them, and shall rend your heart with rage for the hour when you offered insult to the bravest of the Achaeans." With this the son of Peleus dashed his gold-bestudded sceptre on the ground and took his seat, while the son of Atreus was beginning fiercely from his place upon the other side. Then uprose smooth-tongued Nestor, the facile speaker of the Pylians, and the words fell from his lips sweeter than honey. Two generations of men born and bred in Pylos had passed away under his rule, and he was now reigning over the third. With all sincerity and goodwill, therefore, he addressed them thus:- "Of a truth," he said, "a great sorrow has befallen the Achaean land. Surely Priam with his sons would rejoice, and the Trojans be glad at heart if they could hear this quarrel between you two, who are so excellent in fight and counsel. I am older than either of you; therefore be guided by me. Moreover I have been the familiar friend of men even greater than you are, and they did not disregard my counsels. Never again can I behold such men as Pirithous and Dryas shepherd of his people, or as Caeneus, Exadius, godlike Polyphemus, and Theseus son of Aegeus, peer of the immortals. These were the mightiest men ever born upon this earth: mightiest were they, and when they fought the fiercest tribes of mountain savages they utterly overthrew them. I came from distant Pylos, and went about among them, for they would have me come, and I fought as it was in me to do. Not a man now living could withstand them, but they heard my words, and were persuaded by them. So be it also with yourselves, for this is the more excellent way. Therefore, Agamemnon, though you be strong, take not this girl away, for the sons of the Achaeans have already given her to Achilles; and you, Achilles, strive not further with the king, for no man who by the grace of Jove wields a sceptre has like honour with Agamemnon. You are strong, and have a goddess for your mother; but Agamemnon is stronger than you, for he has more people under him. Son of Atreus, check your anger, I implore you; end this quarrel with Achilles, who in the day of battle is a tower of strength to the Achaeans." And Agamemnon answered, "Sir, all that you have said is true, but this fellow must needs become our lord and master: he must be lord of all, king of all, and captain of all, and this shall hardly be. Granted that the gods have made him a great warrior, have they also given him the right to speak with railing?" Achilles interrupted him. "I should be a mean coward," he cried, "were I to give in to you in all things. Order other people about, not me, for I shall obey no longer. Furthermore I say- and lay my saying to your heart- I shall fight neither you nor any man about this girl, for those that take were those also that gave. But of all else that is at my ship you shall carry away nothing by force. Try, that others may see; if you do, my spear shall be reddened with your blood." When they had quarrelled thus angrily, they rose, and broke up the assembly at the ships of the Achaeans. The son of Peleus went back to his tents and ships with the son of Menoetius and his company, while Agamemnon drew a vessel into the water and chose a crew of twenty oarsmen. He escorted Chryseis on board and sent moreover a hecatomb for the god. And Ulysses went as captain. These, then, went on board and sailed their ways over the sea. But the son of Atreus bade the people purify themselves; so they purified themselves and cast their filth into the sea. Then they offered hecatombs of bulls and goats without blemish on the sea-shore, and the smoke with the savour of their sacrifice rose curling up towards heaven. Thus did they busy themselves throughout the host. But Agamemnon did not forget the threat that he had made Achilles, and called his trusty messengers and squires Talthybius and Eurybates. "Go," said he, "to the tent of Achilles, son of Peleus; take Briseis by the hand and bring her hither; if he will not give her I shall come with others and take her- which will press him harder." He charged them straightly further and dismissed them, whereon they went their way sorrowfully by the seaside, till they came to the tents and ships of the Myrmidons. They found Achilles sitting by his tent and his ships, and ill-pleased he was when he beheld them. They stood fearfully and reverently before him, and never a word did they speak, but he knew them and said, "Welcome, heralds, messengers of gods and men; draw near; my quarrel is not with you but with Agamemnon who has sent you for the girl Briseis. Therefore, Patroclus, bring her and give her to them, but let them be witnesses by the blessed gods, by mortal men, and by the fierceness of Agamemnon's anger, that if ever again there be need of me to save the people from ruin, they shall seek and they shall not find. Agamemnon is mad with rage and knows not how to look before and after that the Achaeans may fight by their ships in safety." Patroclus did as his dear comrade had bidden him. He brought Briseis from the tent and gave her over to the heralds, who took her with them to the ships of the Achaeans- and the woman was loth to go. Then Achilles went all alone by the side of the hoar sea, weeping and looking out upon the boundless waste of waters. He raised his hands in prayer to his immortal mother, "Mother," he cried, "you bore me doomed to live but for a little season; surely Jove, who thunders from Olympus, might have made that little glorious. It is not so. Agamemnon, son of Atreus, has done me dishonour, and has robbed me of my prize by force." As he spoke he wept aloud, and his mother heard him where she was sitting in the depths of the sea hard by the old man her father. Forthwith she rose as it were a grey mist out of the waves, sat down before him as he stood weeping, caressed him with her hand, and said, "My son, why are you weeping? What is it that grieves you? Keep it not from me, but tell me, that we may know it together." Achilles drew a deep sigh and said, "You know it; why tell you what you know well already? We went to Thebe the strong city of Eetion, sacked it, and brought hither the spoil. The sons of the Achaeans shared it duly among themselves, and chose lovely Chryseis as the meed of Agamemnon; but Chryses, priest of Apollo, came to the ships of the Achaeans to free his daughter, and brought with him a great ransom: moreover he bore in his hand the sceptre of Apollo, wreathed with a suppliant's wreath, and he besought the Achaeans, but most of all the two sons of Atreus who were their chiefs. "On this the rest of the Achaeans with one voice were for respecting the priest and taking the ransom that he offered; but not so Agamemnon, who spoke fiercely to him and sent him roughly away. So he went back in anger, and Apollo, who loved him dearly, heard his prayer. Then the god sent a deadly dart upon the Argives, and the people died thick on one another, for the arrows went everywhither among the wide host of the Achaeans. At last a seer in the fulness of his knowledge declared to us the oracles of Apollo, and I was myself first to say that we should appease him. Whereon the son of Atreus rose in anger, and threatened that which he has since done. The Achaeans are now taking the girl in a ship to Chryse, and sending gifts of sacrifice to the god; but the heralds have just taken from my tent the daughter of Briseus, whom the Achaeans had awarded to myself. "Help your brave son, therefore, if you are able. Go to Olympus, and if you have ever done him service in word or deed, implore the aid of Jove. Ofttimes in my father's house have I heard you glory in that you alone of the immortals saved the son of Saturn from ruin, when the others, with Juno, Neptune, and Pallas Minerva would have put him in bonds. It was you, goddess, who delivered him by calling to Olympus the hundred-handed monster whom gods call Briareus, but men Aegaeon, for he is stronger even than his father; when therefore he took his seat all-glorious beside the son of Saturn, the other gods were afraid, and did not bind him. Go, then, to him, remind him of all this, clasp his knees, and bid him give succour to the Trojans. Let the Achaeans be hemmed in at the sterns of their ships, and perish on the sea-shore, that they may reap what joy they may of their king, and that Agamemnon may rue his blindness in offering insult to the foremost of the Achaeans." Thetis wept and answered, "My son, woe is me that I should have borne or suckled you. Would indeed that you had lived your span free from all sorrow at your ships, for it is all too brief; alas, that you should be at once short of life and long of sorrow above your peers: woe, therefore, was the hour in which I bore you; nevertheless I will go to the snowy heights of Olympus, and tell this tale to Jove, if he will hear our prayer: meanwhile stay where you are with your ships, nurse your anger against the Achaeans, and hold aloof from fight. For Jove went yesterday to Oceanus, to a feast among the Ethiopians, and the other gods went with him. He will return to Olympus twelve days hence; I will then go to his mansion paved with bronze and will beseech him; nor do I doubt that I shall be able to persuade him." On this she left him, still furious at the loss of her that had been taken from him. Meanwhile Ulysses reached Chryse with the hecatomb. When they had come inside the harbour they furled the sails and laid them in the ship's hold; they slackened the forestays, lowered the mast into its place, and rowed the ship to the place where they would have her lie; there they cast out their mooring-stones and made fast the hawsers. They then got out upon the sea-shore and landed the hecatomb for Apollo; Chryseis also left the ship, and Ulysses led her to the altar to deliver her into the hands of her father. "Chryses," said he, "King Agamemnon has sent me to bring you back your child, and to offer sacrifice to Apollo on behalf of the Danaans, that we may propitiate the god, who has now brought sorrow upon the Argives." So saying he gave the girl over to her father, who received her gladly, and they ranged the holy hecatomb all orderly round the altar of the god. They washed their hands and took up the barley-meal to sprinkle over the victims, while Chryses lifted up his hands and prayed aloud on their behalf. "Hear me," he cried, "O god of the silver bow, that protectest Chryse and holy Cilla, and rulest Tenedos with thy might. Even as thou didst hear me aforetime when I prayed, and didst press hardly upon the Achaeans, so hear me yet again, and stay this fearful pestilence from the Danaans." Thus did he pray, and Apollo heard his prayer. When they had done praying and sprinkling the barley-meal, they drew back the heads of the victims and killed and flayed them. They cut out the thigh-bones, wrapped them round in two layers of fat, set some pieces of raw meat on the top of them, and then Chryses laid them on the wood fire and poured wine over them, while the young men stood near him with five-pronged spits in their hands. When the thigh-bones were burned and they had tasted the inward meats, they cut the rest up small, put the pieces upon the spits, roasted them till they were done, and drew them off: then, when they had finished their work and the feast was ready, they ate it, and every man had his full share, so that all were satisfied. As soon as they had had enough to eat and drink, pages filled the mixing-bowl with wine and water and handed it round, after giving every man his drink-offering. Thus all day long the young men worshipped the god with song, hymning him and chaunting the joyous paean, and the god took pleasure in their voices; but when the sun went down, and it came on dark, they laid themselves down to sleep by the stern cables of the ship, and when the child of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn, appeared they again set sail for the host of the Achaeans. Apollo sent them a fair wind, so they raised their mast and hoisted their white sails aloft. As the sail bellied with the wind the ship flew through the deep blue water, and the foam hissed against her bows as she sped onward. When they reached the wide-stretching host of the Achaeans, they drew the vessel ashore, high and dry upon the sands, set her strong props beneath her, and went their ways to their own tents and ships. But Achilles abode at his ships and nursed his anger. He went not to the honourable assembly, and sallied not forth to fight, but gnawed at his own heart, pining for battle and the war-cry. Now after twelve days the immortal gods came back in a body to Olympus, and Jove led the way. Thetis was not unmindful of the charge her son had laid upon her, so she rose from under the sea and went through great heaven with early morning to Olympus, where she found the mighty son of Saturn sitting all alone upon its topmost ridges. She sat herself down before him, and with her left hand seized his knees, while with her right she caught him under the chin, and besought him, saying- "Father Jove, if I ever did you service in word or deed among the immortals, hear my prayer, and do honour to my son, whose life is to be cut short so early. King Agamemnon has dishonoured him by taking his prize and keeping her. Honour him then yourself, Olympian lord of counsel, and grant victory to the Trojans, till the Achaeans give my son his due and load him with riches in requital." Jove sat for a while silent, and without a word, but Thetis still kept firm hold of his knees, and besought him a second time. "Incline your head," said she, "and promise me surely, or else deny me- for you have nothing to fear- that I may learn how greatly you disdain me." At this Jove was much troubled and answered, "I shall have trouble if you set me quarrelling with Juno, for she will provoke me with her taunting speeches; even now she is always railing at me before the other gods and accusing me of giving aid to the Trojans. Go back now, lest she should find out. I will consider the matter, and will bring it about as wish. See, I incline my head that you believe me. This is the most solemn that I can give to any god. I never recall my word, or deceive, or fail to do what I say, when I have nodded my head." As he spoke the son of Saturn bowed his dark brows, and the ambrosial locks swayed on his immortal head, till vast Olympus reeled. When the pair had thus laid their plans, they parted- Jove to his house, while the goddess quitted the splendour of Olympus, and plunged into the depths of the sea. The gods rose from their seats, before the coming of their sire. Not one of them dared to remain sitting, but all stood up as he came among them. There, then, he took his seat. But Juno, when she saw him, knew that he and the old merman's daughter, silver-footed Thetis, had been hatching mischief, so she at once began to upbraid him. "Trickster," she cried, "which of the gods have you been taking into your counsels now? You are always settling matters in secret behind my back, and have never yet told me, if you could help it, one word of your intentions." "Juno," replied the sire of gods and men, "you must not expect to be informed of all my counsels. You are my wife, but you would find it hard to understand them. When it is proper for you to hear, there is no one, god or man, who will be told sooner, but when I mean to keep a matter to myself, you must not pry nor ask questions." "Dread son of Saturn," answered Juno, "what are you talking about? I? Pry and ask questions? Never. I let you have your own way in everything. Still, I have a strong misgiving that the old merman's daughter Thetis has been talking you over, for she was with you and had hold of your knees this self-same morning. I believe, therefore, that you have been promising her to give glory to Achilles, and to kill much people at the ships of the Achaeans." "Wife," said Jove, "I can do nothing but you suspect me and find it out. You will take nothing by it, for I shall only dislike you the more, and it will go harder with you. Granted that it is as you say; I mean to have it so; sit down and hold your tongue as I bid you for if I once begin to lay my hands about you, though all heaven were on your side it would profit you nothing." On this Juno was frightened, so she curbed her stubborn will and sat down in silence. But the heavenly beings were disquieted throughout the house of Jove, till the cunning workman Vulcan began to try and pacify his mother Juno. "It will be intolerable," said he, "if you two fall to wrangling and setting heaven in an uproar about a pack of mortals. If such ill counsels are to prevail, we shall have no pleasure at our banquet. Let me then advise my mother- and she must herself know that it will be better- to make friends with my dear father Jove, lest he again scold her and disturb our feast. If the Olympian Thunderer wants to hurl us all from our seats, he can do so, for he is far the strongest, so give him fair words, and he will then soon be in a good humour with us." As he spoke, he took a double cup of nectar, and placed it in his mother's hand. "Cheer up, my dear mother," said he, "and make the best of it. I love you dearly, and should be very sorry to see you get a thrashing; however grieved I might be, I could not help for there is no standing against Jove. Once before when I was trying to help you, he caught me by the foot and flung me from the heavenly threshold. All day long from morn till eve, was I falling, till at sunset I came to ground in the island of Lemnos, and there I lay, with very little life left in me, till the Sintians came and tended me." Juno smiled at this, and as she smiled she took the cup from her son's hands. Then Vulcan drew sweet nectar from the mixing-bowl, and served it round among the gods, going from left to right; and the blessed gods laughed out a loud applause as they saw him ing bustling about the heavenly mansion. Thus through the livelong day to the going down of the sun they feasted, and every one had his full share, so that all were satisfied. Apollo struck his lyre, and the Muses lifted up their sweet voices, calling and answering one another. But when the sun's glorious light had faded, they went home to bed, each in his own abode, which lame Vulcan with his consummate skill had fashioned for them. So Jove, the Olympian Lord of Thunder, hied him to the bed in which he always slept; and when he had got on to it he went to sleep, with Juno of the golden throne by his side. Now the other gods and the armed warriors on the plain slept soundly, but Jove was wakeful, for he was thinking how to do honour to Achilles, and destroyed much people at the ships of the Achaeans. In the end he deemed it would be best to send a lying dream to King Agamemnon; so he called one to him and said to it, "Lying Dream, go to the ships of the Achaeans, into the tent of Agamemnon, and say to him word to word as I now bid you. Tell him to get the Achaeans instantly under arms, for he shall take Troy. There are no longer divided counsels among the gods; Juno has brought them to her own mind, and woe betides the Trojans." The dream went when it had heard its message, and soon reached the ships of the Achaeans. It sought Agamemnon son of Atreus and found him in his tent, wrapped in a profound slumber. It hovered over his head in the likeness of Nestor, son of Neleus, whom Agamemnon honoured above all his councillors, and said:- "You are sleeping, son of Atreus; one who has the welfare of his host and so much other care upon his shoulders should dock his sleep. Hear me at once, for I come as a messenger from Jove, who, though he be not near, yet takes thought for you and pities you. He bids you get the Achaeans instantly under arms, for you shall take Troy. There are no longer divided counsels among the gods; Juno has brought them over to her own mind, and woe betides the Trojans at the hands of Jove. Remember this, and when you wake see that it does not escape you." The dream then left him, and he thought of things that were, surely not to be accomplished. He thought that on that same day he was to take the city of Priam, but he little knew what was in the mind of Jove, who had many another hard-fought fight in store alike for Danaans and Trojans. Then presently he woke, with the divine message still ringing in his ears; so he sat upright, and put on his soft shirt so fair and new, and over this his heavy cloak. He bound his sandals on to his comely feet, and slung his silver-studded sword about his shoulders; then he took the imperishable staff of his father, and sallied forth to the ships of the Achaeans. The goddess Dawn now wended her way to vast Olympus that she might herald day to Jove and to the other immortals, and Agamemnon sent the criers round to call the people in assembly; so they called them and the people gathered thereon. But first he summoned a meeting of the elders at the ship of Nestor king of Pylos, and when they were assembled he laid a cunning counsel before them. "My friends," said he, "I have had a dream from heaven in the dead of night, and its face and figure resembled none but Nestor's. It hovered over my head and said, 'You are sleeping, son of Atreus; one who has the welfare of his host and so much other care upon his shoulders should dock his sleep. Hear me at once, for I am a messenger from Jove, who, though he be not near, yet takes thought for you and pities you. He bids you get the Achaeans instantly under arms, for you shall take Troy. There are no longer divided counsels among the gods; Juno has brought them over to her own mind, and woe betides the Trojans at the hands of Jove. Remember this.' The dream then vanished and I awoke. Let us now, therefore, arm the sons of the Achaeans. But it will be well that I should first sound them, and to this end I will tell them to fly with their ships; but do you others go about among the host and prevent their doing so." He then sat down, and Nestor the prince of Pylos with all sincerity and goodwill addressed them thus: "My friends," said he, "princes and councillors of the Argives, if any other man of the Achaeans had told us of this dream we should have declared it false, and would have had nothing to do with it. But he who has seen it is the foremost man among us; we must therefore set about getting the people under arms." With this he led the way from the assembly, and the other sceptred kings rose with him in obedience to the word of Agamemnon; but the people pressed forward to hear. They swarmed like bees that sally from some hollow cave and flit in countless throng among the spring flowers, bunched in knots and clusters; even so did the mighty multitude pour from ships and tents to the assembly, and range themselves upon the wide-watered shore, while among them ran Wildfire Rumour, messenger of Jove, urging them ever to the fore. Thus they gathered in a pell-mell of mad confusion, and the earth groaned under the tramp of men as the people sought their places. Nine heralds went crying about among them to stay their tumult and bid them listen to the kings, till at last they were got into their several places and ceased their clamour. Then King Agamemnon rose, holding his sceptre. This was the work of Vulcan, who gave it to Jove the son of Saturn. Jove gave it to Mercury, slayer of Argus, guide and guardian. King Mercury gave it to Pelops, the mighty charioteer, and Pelops to Atreus, shepherd of his people. Atreus, when he died, left it to Thyestes, rich in flocks, and Thyestes in his turn left it to be borne by Agamemnon, that he might be lord of all Argos and of the isles. Leaning, then, on his sceptre, he addressed the Argives. "My friends," he said, "heroes, servants of Mars, the hand of heaven has been laid heavily upon me. Cruel Jove gave me his solemn promise that I should sack the city of Priam before returning, but he has played me false, and is now bidding me go ingloriously back to Argos with the loss of much people. Such is the will of Jove, who has laid many a proud city in the dust, as he will yet lay others, for his power is above all. It will be a sorry tale hereafter that an Achaean host, at once so great and valiant, battled in vain against men fewer in number than themselves; but as yet the end is not in sight. Think that the Achaeans and Trojans have sworn to a solemn covenant, and that they have each been numbered- the Trojans by the roll of their householders, and we by companies of ten; think further that each of our companies desired to have a Trojan householder to pour out their wine; we are so greatly more in number that full many a company would have to go without its cup-bearer. But they have in the town allies from other places, and it is these that hinder me from being able to sack the rich city of Ilius. Nine of Jove years are gone; the timbers of our ships have rotted; their tackling is sound no longer. Our wives and little ones at home look anxiously for our coming, but the work that we came hither to do has not been done. Now, therefore, let us all do as I say: let us sail back to our own land, for we shall not take Troy." With these words he moved the hearts of the multitude, so many of them as knew not the cunning counsel of Agamemnon. They surged to and fro like the waves of the Icarian Sea, when the east and south winds break from heaven's clouds to lash them; or as when the west wind sweeps over a field of corn and the ears bow beneath the blast, even so were they swayed as they flew with loud cries towards the ships, and the dust from under their feet rose heavenward. They cheered each other on to draw the ships into the sea; they cleared the channels in front of them; they began taking away the stays from underneath them, and the welkin rang with their glad cries, so eager were they to return. Then surely the Argives would have returned after a fashion that was not fated. But Juno said to Minerva, "Alas, daughter of aegis-bearing Jove, unweariable, shall the Argives fly home to their own land over the broad sea, and leave Priam and the Trojans the glory of still keeping Helen, for whose sake so many of the Achaeans have died at Troy, far from their homes? Go about at once among the host, and speak fairly to them, man by man, that they draw not their ships into the sea." Minerva was not slack to do her bidding. Down she darted from the topmost summits of Olympus, and in a moment she was at the ships of the Achaeans. There she found Ulysses, peer of Jove in counsel, standing alone. He had not as yet laid a hand upon his ship, for he was grieved and sorry; so she went close up to him and said, "Ulysses, noble son of Laertes, are you going to fling yourselves into your ships and be off home to your own land in this way? Will you leave Priam and the Trojans the glory of still keeping Helen, for whose sake so many of the Achaeans have died at Troy, far from their homes? Go about at once among the host, and speak fairly to them, man by man, that they draw not their ships into the sea." Ulysses knew the voice as that of the goddess: he flung his cloak from him and set off to run. His servant Eurybates, a man of Ithaca, who waited on him, took charge of the cloak, whereon Ulysses went straight up to Agamemnon and received from him his ancestral, imperishable staff. With this he went about among the ships of the Achaeans. Whenever he met a king or chieftain, he stood by him and spoke him fairly. "Sir," said he, "this flight is cowardly and unworthy. Stand to your post, and bid your people also keep their places. You do not yet know the full mind of Agamemnon; he was sounding us, and ere long will visit the Achaeans with his displeasure. We were not all of us at the council to hear what he then said; see to it lest he be angry and do us a mischief; for the pride of kings is great, and the hand of Jove is with them." But when he came across any common man who was making a noise, he struck him with his staff and rebuked him, saying, "Sirrah, hold your peace, and listen to better men than yourself. You are a coward and no soldier; you are nobody either in fight or council; we cannot all be kings; it is not well that there should be many masters; one man must be supreme- one king to whom the son of scheming Saturn has given the sceptre of sovereignty over you all." Thus masterfully did he go about among the host, and the people hurried back to the council from their tents and ships with a sound as the thunder of surf when it comes crashing down upon the shore, and all the sea is in an uproar. The rest now took their seats and kept to their own several places, but Thersites still went on wagging his unbridled tongue- a man of many words, and those unseemly; a monger of sedition, a railer against all who were in authority, who cared not what he said, so that he might set the Achaeans in a laugh. He was the ugliest man of all those that came before Troy- bandy-legged, lame of one foot, with his two shoulders rounded and hunched over his chest. His head ran up to a point, but there was little hair on the top of it. Achilles and Ulysses hated him worst of all, for it was with them that he was most wont to wrangle; now, however, with a shrill squeaky voice he began heaping his abuse on Agamemnon. The Achaeans were angry and disgusted, yet none the less he kept on brawling and bawling at the son of Atreus. "Agamemnon," he cried, "what ails you now, and what more do you want? Your tents are filled with bronze and with fair women, for whenever we take a town we give you the pick of them. Would you have yet more gold, which some Trojan is to give you as a ransom for his son, when I or another Achaean has taken him prisoner? or is it some young girl to hide and lie with? It is not well that you, the ruler of the Achaeans, should bring them into such misery. Weakling cowards, women rather than men, let us sail home, and leave this fellow here at Troy to stew in his own meeds of honour, and discover whether we were of any service to him or no. Achilles is a much better man than he is, and see how he has treated him- robbing him of his prize and keeping it himself. Achilles takes it meekly and shows no fight; if he did, son of Atreus, you would never again insult him." Thus railed Thersites, but Ulysses at once went up to him and rebuked him sternly. "Check your glib tongue, Thersites," said be, "and babble not a word further. Chide not with princes when you have none to back you. There is no viler creature come before Troy with the sons of Atreus. Drop this chatter about kings, and neither revile them nor keep harping about going home. We do not yet know how things are going to be, nor whether the Achaeans are to return with good success or evil. How dare you gibe at Agamemnon because the Danaans have awarded him so many prizes? I tell you, therefore- and it shall surely be- that if I again catch you talking such nonsense, I will either forfeit my own head and be no more called father of Telemachus, or I will take you, strip you stark naked, and whip you out of the assembly till you go blubbering back to the ships." On this he beat him with his staff about the back and shoulders till he dropped and fell a-weeping. The golden sceptre raised a bloody weal on his back, so he sat down frightened and in pain, looking foolish as he wiped the tears from his eyes. The people were sorry for him, yet they laughed heartily, and one would turn to his neighbour saying, "Ulysses has done many a good thing ere now in fight and council, but he never did the Argives a better turn than when he stopped this fellow's mouth from prating further. He will give the kings no more of his insolence." Thus said the people. Then Ulysses rose, sceptre in hand, and Minerva in the likeness of a herald bade the people be still, that those who were far off might hear him and consider his council. He therefore with all sincerity and goodwill addressed them thus:- "King Agamemnon, the Achaeans are for making you a by-word among all mankind. They forget the promise they made you when they set out from Argos, that you should not return till you had sacked the town of Troy, and, like children or widowed women, they murmur and would set off homeward. True it is that they have had toil enough to be disheartened. A man chafes at having to stay away from his wife even for a single month, when he is on shipboard, at the mercy of wind and sea, but it is now nine long years that we have been kept here; I cannot, therefore, blame the Achaeans if they turn restive; still we shall be shamed if we go home empty after so long a stay- therefore, my friends, be patient yet a little longer that we may learn whether the prophesyings of Calchas were false or true. "All who have not since perished must remember as though it were yesterday or the day before, how the ships of the Achaeans were detained in Aulis when we were on our way hither to make war on Priam and the Trojans. We were ranged round about a fountain offering hecatombs to the gods upon their holy altars, and there was a fine plane-tree from beneath which there welled a stream of pure water. Then we saw a prodigy; for Jove sent a fearful serpent out of the ground, with blood-red stains upon its back, and it darted from under the altar on to the plane-tree. Now there was a brood of young sparrows, quite small, upon the topmost bough, peeping out from under the leaves, eight in all, and their mother that hatched them made nine. The serpent ate the poor cheeping things, while the old bird flew about lamenting her little ones; but the serpent threw his coils about her and caught her by the wing as she was screaming. Then, when he had eaten both the sparrow and her young, the god who had sent him made him become a sign; for the son of scheming Saturn turned him into stone, and we stood there wondering at that which had come to pass. Seeing, then, that such a fearful portent had broken in upon our hecatombs, Calchas forthwith declared to us the oracles of heaven. 'Why, Achaeans,' said he, 'are you thus speechless? Jove has sent us this sign, long in coming, and long ere it be fulfilled, though its fame shall last for ever. As the serpent ate the eight fledglings and the sparrow that hatched them, which makes nine, so shall we fight nine years at Troy, but in the tenth shall take the town.' This was what he said, and now it is all coming true. Stay here, therefore, all of you, till we take the city of Priam." On this the Argives raised a shout, till the ships rang again with the uproar. Nestor, knight of Gerene, then addressed them. "Shame on you," he cried, "to stay talking here like children, when you should fight like men. Where are our covenants now, and where the oaths that we have taken? Shall our counsels be flung into the fire, with our drink-offerings and the right hands of fellowship wherein we have put our trust? We waste our time in words, and for all our talking here shall be no further forward. Stand, therefore, son of Atreus, by your own steadfast purpose; lead the Argives on to battle, and leave this handful of men to rot, who scheme, and scheme in vain, to get back to Argos ere they have learned whether Jove be true or a liar. For the mighty son of Saturn surely promised that we should succeed, when we Argives set sail to bring death and destruction upon the Trojans. He showed us favourable signs by flashing his lightning on our right hands; therefore let none make haste to go till he has first lain with the wife of some Trojan, and avenged the toil and sorrow that he has suffered for the sake of Helen. Nevertheless, if any man is in such haste to be at home again, let him lay his hand to his ship that he may meet his doom in the sight of all. But, O king, consider and give ear to my counsel, for the word that I say may not be neglected lightly. Divide your men, Agamemnon, into their several tribes and clans, that clans and tribes may stand by and help one another. If you do this, and if the Achaeans obey you, you will find out who, both chiefs and peoples, are brave, and who are cowards; for they will vie against the other. Thus you shall also learn whether it is through the counsel of heaven or the cowardice of man that you shall fail to take the town." And Agamemnon answered, "Nestor, you have again outdone the sons of the Achaeans in counsel. Would, by Father Jove, Minerva, and Apollo, that I had among them ten more such councillors, for the city of King Priam would then soon fall beneath our hands, and we should sack it. But the son of Saturn afflicts me with bootless wranglings and strife. Achilles and I are quarrelling about this girl, in which matter I was the first to offend; if we can be of one mind again, the Trojans will not stave off destruction for a day. Now, therefore, get your morning meal, that our hosts join in fight. Whet well your spears; see well to the ordering of your shields; give good feeds to your horses, and look your chariots carefully over, that we may do battle the livelong day; for we shall have no rest, not for a moment, till night falls to part us. The bands that bear your shields shall be wet with the sweat upon your shoulders, your hands shall weary upon your spears, your horses shall steam in front of your chariots, and if I see any man shirking the fight, or trying to keep out of it at the ships, there shall be no help for him, but he shall be a prey to dogs and vultures." Thus he spoke, and the Achaeans roared applause. As when the waves run high before the blast of the south wind and break on some lofty headland, dashing against it and buffeting it without ceasing, as the storms from every quarter drive them, even so did the Achaeans rise and hurry in all directions to their ships. There they lighted their fires at their tents and got dinner, offering sacrifice every man to one or other of the gods, and praying each one of them that he might live to come out of the fight. Agamemnon, king of men, sacrificed a fat five-year-old bull to the mighty son of Saturn, and invited the princes and elders of his host. First he asked Nestor and King Idomeneus, then the two Ajaxes and the son of Tydeus, and sixthly Ulysses, peer of gods in counsel; but Menelaus came of his own accord, for he knew how busy his brother then was. They stood round the bull with the barley-meal in their hands, and Agamemnon prayed, saying, "Jove, most glorious, supreme, that dwellest in heaven, and ridest upon the storm-cloud, grant that the sun may not go down, nor the night fall, till the palace of Priam is laid low, and its gates are consumed with fire. Grant that my sword may pierce the shirt of Hector about his heart, and that full many of his comrades may bite the dust as they fall dying round him." Thus he prayed, but the son of Saturn would not fulfil his prayer. He accepted the sacrifice, yet none the less increased their toil continually. When they had done praying and sprinkling the barley-meal upon the victim, they drew back its head, killed it, and then flayed it. They cut out the thigh-bones, wrapped them round in two layers of fat, and set pieces of raw meat on the top of them. These they burned upon the split logs of firewood, but they spitted the inward meats, and held them in the flames to cook. When the thigh-bones were burned, and they had tasted the inward meats, they cut the rest up small, put the pieces upon spits, roasted them till they were done, and drew them off; then, when they had finished their work and the feast was ready, they ate it, and every man had his full share, so that all were satisfied. As soon as they had had enough to eat and drink, Nestor, knight of Gerene, began to speak. "King Agamemnon," said he, "let us not stay talking here, nor be slack in the work that heaven has put into our hands. Let the heralds summon the people to gather at their several ships; we will then go about among the host, that we may begin fighting at once." Thus did he speak, and Agamemnon heeded his words. He at once sent the criers round to call the people in assembly. So they called them, and the people gathered thereon. The chiefs about the son of Atreus chose their men and marshalled them, while Minerva went among them holding her priceless aegis that knows neither age nor death. From it there waved a hundred tassels of pure gold, all deftly woven, and each one of them worth a hundred oxen. With this she darted furiously everywhere among the hosts of the Achaeans, urging them forward, and putting courage into the heart of each, so that he might fight and do battle without ceasing. Thus war became sweeter in their eyes even than returning home in their ships. As when some great forest fire is raging upon a mountain top and its light is seen afar, even so as they marched the gleam of their armour flashed up into the firmament of heaven. They were like great flocks of geese, or cranes, or swans on the plain about the waters of Cayster, that wing their way hither and thither, glorying in the pride of flight, and crying as they settle till the fen is alive with their screaming. Even thus did their tribes pour from ships and tents on to the plain of the Scamander, and the ground rang as brass under the feet of men and horses. They stood as thick upon the flower-bespangled field as leaves that bloom in summer. As countless swarms of flies buzz around a herdsman's homestead in the time of spring when the pails are drenched with milk, even so did the Achaeans swarm on to the plain to charge the Trojans and destroy them. The chiefs disposed their men this way and that before the fight began, drafting them out as easily as goatherds draft their flocks when they have got mixed while feeding; and among them went King Agamemnon, with a head and face like Jove the lord of thunder, a waist like Mars, and a chest like that of Neptune. As some great bull that lords it over the herds upon the plain, even so did Jove make the son of Atreus stand peerless among the multitude of heroes. And now, O Muses, dwellers in the mansions of Olympus, tell me- for you are goddesses and are in all places so that you see all things, while we know nothing but by report- who were the chiefs and princes of the Danaans? As for the common soldiers, they were so that I could not name every single one of them though I had ten tongues, and though my voice failed not and my heart were of bronze within me, unless you, O Olympian Muses, daughters of aegis-bearing Jove, were to recount them to me. Nevertheless, I will tell the captains of the ships and all the fleet together. Peneleos, Leitus, Arcesilaus, Prothoenor, and Clonius were captains of the Boeotians. These were they that dwelt in Hyria and rocky Aulis, and who held Schoenus, Scolus, and the highlands of Eteonus, with Thespeia, Graia, and the fair city of Mycalessus. They also held Harma, Eilesium, and Erythrae; and they had Eleon, Hyle, and Peteon; Ocalea and the strong fortress of Medeon; Copae, Eutresis, and Thisbe the haunt of doves; Coronea, and the pastures of Haliartus; Plataea and Glisas; the fortress of Thebes the less; holy Onchestus with its famous grove of Neptune; Arne rich in vineyards; Midea, sacred Nisa, and Anthedon upon the sea. From these there came fifty ships, and in each there were a hundred and twenty young men of the Boeotians. Ascalaphus and Ialmenus, sons of Mars, led the people that dwelt in Aspledon and Orchomenus the realm of Minyas. Astyoche a noble maiden bore them in the house of Actor son of Azeus; for she had gone with Mars secretly into an upper chamber, and he had lain with her. With these there came thirty ships. The Phoceans were led by Schedius and Epistrophus, sons of mighty Iphitus the son of Naubolus. These were they that held Cyparissus, rocky Pytho, holy Crisa, Daulis, and Panopeus; they also that dwelt in Anemorea and Hyampolis, and about the waters of the river Cephissus, and Lilaea by the springs of the Cephissus; with their chieftains came forty ships, and they marshalled the forces of the Phoceans, which were stationed next to the Boeotians, on their left. Ajax, the fleet son of Oileus, commanded the Locrians. He was not so great, nor nearly so great, as Ajax the son of Telamon. He was a little man, and his breastplate was made of linen, but in use of the spear he excelled all the Hellenes and the Achaeans. These dwelt in Cynus, Opous, Calliarus, Bessa, Scarphe, fair Augeae, Tarphe, and Thronium about the river Boagrius. With him there came forty ships of the Locrians who dwell beyond Euboea. The fierce Abantes held Euboea with its cities, Chalcis, Eretria, Histiaea rich in vines, Cerinthus upon the sea, and the rock-perched town of Dium; with them were also the men of Carystus and Styra; Elephenor of the race of Mars was in command of these; he was son of Chalcodon, and chief over all the Abantes. With him they came, fleet of foot and wearing their hair long behind, brave warriors, who would ever strive to tear open the corslets of their foes with their long ashen spears. Of these there came fifty ships. And they that held the strong city of Athens, the people of great Erechtheus, who was born of the soil itself, but Jove's daughter, Minerva, fostered him, and established him at Athens in her own rich sanctuary. There, year by year, the Athenian youths worship him with sacrifices of bulls and rams. These were commanded by Menestheus, son of Peteos. No man living could equal him in the marshalling of chariots and foot soldiers. Nestor could alone rival him, for he was older. With him there came fifty ships. Ajax brought twelve ships from Salamis, and stationed them alongside those of the Athenians. The men of Argos, again, and those who held the walls of Tiryns, with Hermione, and Asine upon the gulf; Troezene, Eionae, and the vineyard lands of Epidaurus; the Achaean youths, moreover, who came from Aegina and Mases; these were led by Diomed of the loud battle-cry, and Sthenelus son of famed Capaneus. With them in command was Euryalus, son of king Mecisteus, son of Talaus; but Diomed was chief over them all. With these there came eighty ships. Those who held the strong city of Mycenae, rich Corinth and Cleonae; Orneae, Araethyrea, and Licyon, where Adrastus reigned of old; Hyperesia, high Gonoessa, and Pellene; Aegium and all the coast-land round about Helice; these sent a hundred ships under the command of King Agamemnon, son of Atreus. His force was far both finest and most numerous, and in their midst was the king himself, all glorious in his armour of gleaming bronze- foremost among the heroes, for he was the greatest king, and had most men under him. And those that dwelt in Lacedaemon, lying low among the hills, Pharis, Sparta, with Messe the haunt of doves; Bryseae, Augeae, Amyclae, and Helos upon the sea; Laas, moreover, and Oetylus; these were led by Menelaus of the loud battle-cry, brother to Agamemnon, and of them there were sixty ships, drawn up apart from the others. Among them went Menelaus himself, strong in zeal, urging his men to fight; for he longed to avenge the toil and sorrow that he had suffered for the sake of Helen. The men of Pylos and Arene, and Thryum where is the ford of the river Alpheus; strong Aipy, Cyparisseis, and Amphigenea; Pteleum, Helos, and Dorium, where the Muses met Thamyris, and stilled his minstrelsy for ever. He was returning from Oechalia, where Eurytus lived and reigned, and boasted that he would surpass even the Muses, daughters of aegis-bearing Jove, if they should sing against him; whereon they were angry, and maimed him. They robbed him of his divine power of song, and thenceforth he could strike the lyre no more. These were commanded by Nestor, knight of Gerene, and with him there came ninety ships. And those that held Arcadia, under the high mountain of Cyllene, near the tomb of Aepytus, where the people fight hand to hand; the men of Pheneus also, and Orchomenus rich in flocks; of Rhipae, Stratie, and bleak Enispe; of Tegea and fair Mantinea; of Stymphelus and Parrhasia; of these King Agapenor son of Ancaeus was commander, and they had sixty ships. Many Arcadians, good soldiers, came in each one of them, but Agamemnon found them the ships in which to cross the sea, for they were not a people that occupied their business upon the waters. The men, moreover, of Buprasium and of Elis, so much of it as is enclosed between Hyrmine, Myrsinus upon the sea-shore, the rock Olene and Alesium. These had four leaders, and each of them had ten ships, with many Epeans on board. Their captains were Amphimachus and Thalpius- the one, son of Cteatus, and the other, of Eurytus- both of the race of Actor. The two others were Diores, son of Amarynces, and Polyxenus, son of King Agasthenes, son of Augeas. And those of Dulichium with the sacred Echinean islands, who dwelt beyond the sea off Elis; these were led by Meges, peer of Mars, and the son of valiant Phyleus, dear to Jove, who quarrelled with his father, and went to settle in Dulichium. With him there came forty ships. Ulysses led the brave Cephallenians, who held Ithaca, Neritum with its forests, Crocylea, rugged Aegilips, Samos and Zacynthus, with the mainland also that was over against the islands. These were led by Ulysses, peer of Jove in counsel, and with him there came twelve ships. Thoas, son of Andraemon, commanded the Aetolians, who dwelt in Pleuron, Olenus, Pylene, Chalcis by the sea, and rocky Calydon, for the great king Oeneus had now no sons living, and was himself dead, as was also golden-haired Meleager, who had been set over the Aetolians to be their king. And with Thoas there came forty ships. The famous spearsman Idomeneus led the Cretans, who held Cnossus, and the well-walled city of Gortys; Lyctus also, Miletus and Lycastus that lies upon the chalk; the populous towns of Phaestus and Rhytium, with the other peoples that dwelt in the hundred cities of Crete. All these were led by Idomeneus, and by Meriones, peer of murderous Mars. And with these there came eighty ships. Tlepolemus, son of Hercules, a man both brave and large of stature, brought nine ships of lordly warriors from Rhodes. These dwelt in Rhodes which is divided among the three cities of Lindus, Ielysus, and Cameirus, that lies upon the chalk. These were commanded by Tlepolemus, son of Hercules by Astyochea, whom he had carried off from Ephyra, on the river Selleis, after sacking many cities of valiant warriors. When Tlepolemus grew up, he killed his father's uncle Licymnius, who had been a famous warrior in his time, but was then grown old. On this he built himself a fleet, gathered a great following, and fled beyond the sea, for he was menaced by the other sons and grandsons of Hercules. After a voyage. during which he suffered great hardship, he came to Rhodes, where the people divided into three communities, according to their tribes, and were dearly loved by Jove, the lord, of gods and men; wherefore the son of Saturn showered down great riches upon them. And Nireus brought three ships from Syme- Nireus, who was the handsomest man that came up under Ilius of all the Danaans after the son of Peleus- but he was a man of no substance, and had but a small following. And those that held Nisyrus, Crapathus, and Casus, with Cos, the city of Eurypylus,

these people are all delusional right? Numerous witnesses to the collapse of the south WTC tower think it resembles a demolition using explosives. Some initially believe this is what is occurring: Reporter John Bussey watches the collapse from the Wall Street Journal’s offices across the street from the WTC. He says, “I ... looked up out of the office window to see what seemed like perfectly synchronized explosions coming from each floor, spewing glass and metal outward. One after the other, from top to bottom, with a fraction of a second between, the floors blew to pieces.” [Wall Street Journal, 9/12/2001] Deputy Fire Commissioner Thomas Fitzpatrick: “I remember seeing, it looked like sparkling around one specific layer of the building. ... Then the building started to come down. My initial reaction was that this was exactly the way it looks when they show you those implosions on TV.” [City of New York, 10/1/2001] Assistant Fire Commissioner Stephen Gregory: “I saw low-level flashes. In my conversation with Lieutenant Evangelista ... he questioned me and asked me if I saw low-level flashes in front of the building, and I agreed with him ... I saw a flash flash flash and then it looked like the building came down. ... You know like when they demolish a building, how when they blow up a building, when it falls down? That’s what I thought I saw.” [City of New York, 10/3/2001] Firefighter Richard Banaciski: “It seemed like on television they blow up these buildings. It seemed like it was going all the way around like a belt, all these explosions.” [City of New York, 12/6/2001] Firefighter Joseph Meola: “As we are looking up at the building, what I saw was, it looked like the building was blowing out on all four sides. We actually heard the pops. ... You thought it was just blowing out.” [City of New York, 12/11/2001] Fire Chief Frank Cruthers: “[T]here was what appeared to be at first an explosion. It appeared at the very top, simultaneously from all four sides, materials shot out horizontally. And then there seemed to be a momentary delay before you could see the beginning of the collapse.” [City of New York, 10/31/2001] Battalion Chief Brian Dixon: “I was watching the fire ... the lowest floor of fire in the south tower actually looked like someone had planted explosives around it because the whole bottom I could see—I could see two sides of it and the other side—it just looked like that floor blew out. ... I thought, geez, this looks like an explosion up there, it blew out.” [City of New York, 10/25/2001] Firefighter Timothy Burke: “Then the building popped, lower than the fire ... I was going oh, my god, there is secondary device because the way the building popped I thought it was an explosion.” [City of New York, 1/22/2002] Firefighter Edward Cachia: “It actually gave at a lower floor, not the floor where the plane hit, because we originally had thought there was like an internal detonation explosives because it went in succession, boom, boom, boom, boom, and then the tower came down.” [City of New York, 12/6/2001] Firefighter Kenneth Rogers: “[T]here was an explosion in the south tower ... I kept watching. Floor after floor after floor. One floor under another after another and when it hit about the fifth floor, I figured it was a bomb, because it looked like a synchronized deliberate kind of thing.” [City of New York, 12/10/2001] Reporter Beth Fertig: “The tower went down perfectly straight, as if a demolition crew had imploded it. I wondered if it was being brought down deliberately.” [Gilbert et al., 2002, pp. 78] Paramedic Daniel Rivera: “[D]o you ever see professional demolition where they set the charges on certain floors and then you hear ‘Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop’? That’s exactly what—because I thought it was that.” [City of New York, 10/10/2001] Battalion Chief Dominick DeRubbio: “It was weird how it started to come down. It looked like it was a timed explosion.” [City of New York, 10/12/2001] The Guardian will report that police on the scene said the collapse “looked almost like a ‘planned implosion’ designed to catch bystanders watching from the street.” [Guardian, 9/12/2001] However, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which conducts a three-year study of the WTC collapses, will reject suggestions that the WTC towers were brought down with explosives (see August 30, 2006). CTV will assert, “[F]lashes of light that seemed to indicate bombs detonating were not explosions. They were pockets of airs being forced out of windows as the sagging floors pushed downward.” [CTV, 9/12/2006 bettysdad..........amazing isnt it?

wanna know 320 useless facts tht u dont know and probably will never use!!? 1. Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) was born on and died on days when Halley's Comet can be seen. During his life he predicted that he would die when it could be seen. 2. US Dollar bills are made out of cotton and linen. 3. The "57" on the Heinz ketchup bottle represents the number of pickle types the company once had. 4. Americans are responsible for about 1/5 of the world's garbage annually. On average, that's 3 pounds a day per person. 5. Giraffes and rats can last longer without water than camels. 6. Your stomach produces a new layer of mucus every two weeks so that it doesn't digest itself. 7. 98% of all murders and rapes are by a close family member or friend of the victim. 8. A B-25 bomber crashed into the 79th floor of the Empire State Building on July 28, 1945. 9. The Declaration of Independence was written on hemp (marijuana) paper. 10. The dot over the letter "i" is called a tittle. 11. A raisin dropped in a glass of fresh champagne will bounce up and down continuously from the bottom of the glass to the top. 12. Benjamin Franklin was the fifth in a series of the youngest son of the youngest son. 13. Triskaidekaphobia means fear of the number 13. Paraskevidekatriaphobia means fear of Friday the 13th (which occurs one to three times a year). In Italy, 17 is considered an unlucky number. In Japan, 4 is considered an unlucky number. 14. A female ferret will die if it goes into heat and cannot find a mate. 15. All the chemicals in a human body combined are worth about 6.25 euro (if sold separately). 16. In ancient Rome, when a man testified in court he would swear on his testicles. 17. The ZIP in "ZIP code" means Zoning Improvement Plan. 18. Coca-Cola contained Coca (whose active ingredient is cocaine) from 1885 to 1903. 19. A "2 by 4" is really 1 1/2 by 3 1/2. 20. It's estimated that at any one time around 0.7% of the world's population is drunk. 21. Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history: Spades = David ; Clubs = Alexander the Great ; Hearts = Charlemagne ; Diamonds = Caesar 22. 40% of McDonald's profits come from the sales of Happy Meals. 23. Every person, including identical twins, has a unique eye and tongue print along with their finger print. 24. The "spot" on the 7-Up logo comes from its inventor who had red eyes. He was an albino. 25. 315 entries in Webster's 1996 dictionary were misspelled. 26. The "save" icon in Microsoft Office programs shows a floppy disk with the shutter on backwards. 27. Albert Einstein and Charles Darwin both married their first cousins (Elsa Löwenthal and Emma Wedgewood respectively). 28. Camel's have three eyelids. 29. On average, 12 newborns will be given to the wrong parents every day. 30. John Wilkes Booth's brother once saved the life of Abraham Lincoln's son. 31. Warren Beatty and Shirley McLaine are brother and sister. 32. Chocolate can kill dogs; it directly affects their heart and nervous system. 33. Daniel Boone hated coonskin caps. 34. Playing cards were issued to British pilots in WWII. If captured, they could be soaked in water and unfolded to reveal a map for escape. 35. 55.1% of all US prisoners are in prison for drug offenses. 36. Most lipstick contains fish scales. 37. Orcas (killer whales) kill sharks by torpedoing up into the shark's stomach from underneath, causing the shark to explode. 38. Dr. Seuss pronounced his name "soyce". 39. Slugs have four noses. 40. Ketchup was sold in the 1830s as medicine. 41. The Three Wise Monkeys have names: Mizaru (See no evil), Mikazaru (Hear no evil), and Mazaru (Speak no evil). 42. India has a Bill of Rights for cows. 43. If you sneeze too hard, you can fracture a rib. If you try to suppress a sneeze, you can rupture a blood vessel in your head or neck and die. If you keep your eyes open by force, they can pop out. (DON'T TRY IT, DUMBASS) 44. During the California gold rush of 1849, miners sent their laundry to Honolulu for washing and pressing. Due to the extremely high costs in California during these boom years, it was deemed more feasible to send their shirts to Hawaii for servicing. 45. American Airlines saved $40,000 in 1987 by taking out an olive from First Class salads. 46. About 200,000,000 M&Ms are sold each day in the United States. 47. Because metal was scarce, the Oscars given out during World War II were made of wood. 48. Over a course of about eleven years, the sun's magnetic poles switch places. This cycle is called "Solarmax". 49. There are 318,979,564,000 possible combinations of the first four moves in Chess. 50. Upper and lower case letters are named "upper" and "lower" because in the time when all original print had to be set in individual letters, the upper case letters were stored in the case on top of the case that stored the lower case letters. 51. There are no clocks in Las Vegas gambling casinos. 52. The numbers "172" can be found on the back of the US 5 dollar bill, in the bushes at the base of the Lincoln Memorial. 53. Coconuts kill about 150 people each year. That's more than sharks. 54. Half of all bank robberies take place on a Friday. 55. The name Wendy was made up for the book Peter Pan. There was never a recorded Wendy before it. 56. The international telephone dialing code for Antarctica is 672. 57. The first bomb the Allies dropped on Berlin in WWII killed the only elephant in the Berlin Zoo. 58. The average raindrop falls at 7 miles per hour. 59. It took Leonardo Da Vinci 10 years to paint Mona Lisa. He never signed or dated the painting. Leonardo and Mona had identical bone structures according to the painting. X-ray images have shown that there are 3 other versions under the original. 60. If you put a drop of liquor on a scorpion, it will instantly go mad and sting itself to death. 61. Bruce Lee was so fast that they had to slow the film down so you could see his moves. 62. The largest amount of money you can have without having change for a dollar is $1.19 (3 quarters, 4 dimes, and 4 pennies cannot be divided into a dollar). 63. The first CD pressed in the US was Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA". 64. IBM's motto is "Think". Apple later made their motto "Think different". 65. The mask used by Michael Myers in the original "Halloween" was actually a Captain Kirk mask painted white, due to low budget. 66. The original name for butterfly was flutterby. 67. The phrase "rule of thumb" is derived from an old English law, which stated that you couldn't beat your wife with anything wider than your thumb. 68. One in fourteen women in America is a natural blonde. Only one in sixteen men is. 69. The Olympic was the sister ship of the Titanic, and she provided twenty-five years of service. 70. When the Titanic sank, 2228 people were on it. Only 706 survived. 71. In America, someone is diagnosed with AIDS every 10 minutes. In South Africa, someone dies due to HIV or AIDS every 10 minutes. 72. Every day, 7% of the US eats at McDonald's. 73. The first product Motorola started to develop was a record player for automobiles. At that time, the most known player on the market was Victrola, which Motorola got their name from. 74. In the US, about 127 million adults are overweight or obese; worldwide, 750 million are overweight and 300 million more are obese. In the US, 15% of children in elementary school are overweight; 20% are worldwide. 75. In Disney's Fantasia, the Sorcerer to whom Mickey played an apprentice was named Yensid (Disney spelled backward). 76. During his entire life, Vincent Van Gogh sold exactly one painting, "Red Vineyard at Arles". 77. By raising your legs slowly and lying on your back, you cannot sink into quicksand. 78. One in ten people live on an island. 79. It takes more calories to eat a piece of celery than the celery has in it to begin with. 80. 28% of Africa is classified as wilderness. In North America, its 38%. 81. Charlie Chaplin once won third prize in a Charlie Chaplin look-alike contest. 82. Chewing gum while peeling onions will keep you from crying. 83. Sherlock Holmes NEVER said "Elementary, my dear Watson", Humphrey Bogart NEVER said "Play it again, Sam" in Casablanca, and they NEVER said "Beam me up, Scotty" on Star Trek. 84. An old law in Bellingham, Washington, made it illegal for a woman to take more than 3 steps backwards while dancing. 85. Sharon Stone was the first Star Search spokes model. 86. The sound you here when you put a seashell next to your ear is not the ocean, but blood flowing through your head. 87. More people are afraid of open spaces (kenophobia) than of tight spaces (claustrophobia). 88. The glue on Israeli postage is certified kosher. 89. There is a 1 in 4 chance that New York will have a white Christmas. 90. The Guinness Book of Records holds the record for being the book most often stolen from Public Libraries. 91. Thirty-five percent of the people who use personal ads for dating are already married. 92. Back in the mid to late '80s, an IBM compatible computer wasn't considered 100% compatible unless it could run Microsoft's Flight Simulator. 93. $203,000,000 is spent on barbed wire each year in the U.S. 94. Every US president has worn glasses (just not always in public). 95. Bats always turn left when exiting a cave. 96. Jim Henson first coined the word "Muppet". It is a combination of "marionette" and "puppet." 97. The names of all the continents end with the same letter that they start with (not counting the words "North" and "South). 98. The Michelin man is known as Mr. Bib. His name was Bibendum in the company's first ads in 1896. 99. About 20% of bird species have become extinct in the past 200 years, almost all of them because of human activity. 100. The word "lethologica" describes the state of not being able to remember the word you want. 101. About 14% of injecting drug users are HIV positive. 102. A word or sentence that is the same front and back (racecar, kayak) is called a "palindrome". 103. A snail can sleep for 3 years. 104. People photocopying their buttocks are the cause of 23% of all photocopier faults worldwide. 105. China has more English speakers than the United States. 106. Finnish folklore says that when Santa comes to Finland to deliver gifts, he leaves his sleigh behind and rides on a goat named Ukko instead. According to French tradition, Santa Claus has a brother named Bells Nichols, who visits homes on New Year's Eve after everyone is asleep, and if a plate is set out for him, he fills it with cookies and cakes. 107. One in every 9000 people is an albino. 108. The electric chair was invented by a dentist. 109. You share your birthday with at least 9 million other people in the world. 110. Everyday, more money is printed for Monopoly sets than for the U.S. Treasury. 111. Every year 4 people in the UK die putting their trousers on. 112. Cats have over one hundred vocal sounds; dogs only have about ten. 113. Our eyes are always the same size from birth but our nose and ears never stop growing. 114. In every episode of "Seinfeld" there is a Superman picture or reference somewhere. 115. If Barbie were life-size her measurements would be 39-23-33. She would stand seven feet two inches tall and have a neck twice the length of a normal human's neck. 116. Rats multiply so quickly that in 18 months, two rats could have over million descendants. 117. Wearing headphones for just an hour will increase the bacteria in your ear by 700 times. 118. Each year in America there are about 300,000 deaths that can be attributed to obesity. 119. About 55% of all movies are rated R. 120. About 500 movies are made in the US and 800 in India annually. 121. Arabic numerals are not really Arabic; they were created in India. 122. Title 14, Section 1211 of the Code of Federal Regulations (implemented on July 16, 1969) makes it illegal for U.S. citizens to have any contact with extraterrestrials or their vehicles. 123. The February of 1865 is the only month in recorded history not to have a full moon. 124. The Pentagon in Arlington Virginia has twice as many bathrooms as is necessary. When it was built in the 1940s the state of Virginia still had segregation laws requiring separate toilet facilities for blacks and whites. 125. There is actually no danger in swimming right after you eat, though it may feel uncomfortable. 126. The cruise liner Queen Elizabeth II moves only six inches for each gallon of diesel that it burns. 127. More than 50% of the people in the world have never made or received a telephone call. 128. A shark is the only fish that can blink with both eyes. 129. There are about 2 chickens for every human in the world. 130. The word "maverick" came into use after Samuel Maverick, a Texan refused to brand his cattle. Eventually any unbranded calf became known as a Maverick. 131. Two-thirds of the world's eggplant is grown in New Jersey. 132. For every memorial statue with a person on a horse, if the horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle; if the horse has one front leg in the air, the person died of battle wounds; if all four of the horse's legs are on the ground, the person died of natural causes. 133. On a Canadian two-dollar bill, the American flag is flying over the Parliament Building. 134. An American urologist bought Napoleon's penis for $40,000. 135. No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver, or purple. 136. Dreamt is the only English word that ends in the letters "MT". 137. $283,200 is the absolute highest amount of money you can win on Jeopardy. 138. Almonds are members of the peach family. 139. Rats and horses can't vomit. 140. The penguin is the only bird that can't fly but can swim. 141. There are approximately 100 million acts of sexual intercourse each day. 142. Winston Churchill was born in a ladies room during a dance. 143. Maine is the only state whose name is just one syllable. 144. There are only four words in the English language that end in "-dous": tremendous, horrendous, stupendous, and hazardous. 145. Americans on average eat 18 acres of pizza every day. 146. Every time you lick a stamp you consume 1/10 of a calorie. 147. "101 Dalmatians" and "Peter Pan" are the only Disney animations in which both of a character's parents are present and don't die during the movie. 148. You are more likely to be killed by a champagne cork than by a poisonous spider. 149. Hedenophobic means fear of pleasure. 150. Ancient Egyptian priests would pluck every hair from their bodies. 151. A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out. 152. Half of all crimes are committed by people under the age of 18. 80% of burglaries are committed by people aged 13-21. 153. An ant always falls over on its right side when intoxicated. 154. All polar bears are left-handed. 155. The catfish has over 27000 taste buds (more than any other animal) 156. A cockroach will live nine days without its head before it starves to death. 157. Butterflies taste with their feet. 158. Elephants are the only mammals that cannot jump. 159. An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain. 160. Starfish have no brains. 161. 11% of the world is left-handed. 162. John Hancock and Charles Thomson were the only people to sign the Declaration of independence on July 4th, 1776. The last signature came five years later. 163. Rubber bands last longer when refrigerated. 164. Peanuts are one of the ingredients of dynamite. 165. The national anthem of Greece has 158 verses. 166. There are 293 ways to make change for a dollar. 167. A healthy (non-colorblind) human eye can distinguish between 500 shades of gray. 168. A pregnant goldfish is called a twit. 169. Lizards can self-amputate their tails for protection. It grows back after a few months. 170. Los Angeles' full name is "El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles de Porciuncula". It can be abbreviated to 3.63% of its size: L.A. 171. A cat has 32 muscles in each ear. 172. A honeybee can fly at fifteen miles per hour. 173. Tigers have striped skin, not just striped fur. 174. A "jiffy" is the scientific name for 1/100th of a second. 175. The average child recognizes over 200 company logos by the time he enters first grade. 176. The youngest pope ever was 11 years old. 177. The first novel ever written on a typewriter is Tom Sawyer. 178. One out of every 43 prisoners escapes from jail. 94% are recaptured. 179. The cigarette lighter was invented before the match. 180. The average chocolate bar has 8 insects' legs melted into it. 181. A rhinoceros horn is made of compacted hair. 182. The shortest war in history was between Zanzibar and England in 1896. Zanzibar surrendered after 38 minutes. 183. Elwood Edwards did the voice for the AOL sound files (i.e. "You've got Mail!"). He is heard about 27 million times a day. The recordings were done before Quantum changed its name to AOL and the program was known as "Q-Link." 184. A polar bears skin is black. Its fur is actually clear, but like snow it appears white. 185. Elvis had a twin brother named Garon, who died at birth, which is why Elvis middle name was spelled Aron, in honor of his brother. 186. Dueling is legal in Paraguay as long as both parties are registered blood donors. 187. Donkeys kill more people than plane crashes. 188. Shakespeare invented the words "assassination" and "bump." 189. There are a million ants for every person on Earth. 190. If you keep a goldfish in the dark room, it will eventually turn white. 191. Women blink nearly twice as much as men. 192. The name Jeep comes from "GP", the army abbreviation for General Purpose. 193. Right handed people live, on average, nine years longer than left handed people do. 194. There are two credit cards for every person in the United States. 195. Cats' urine glows under a black light. 196. A "quidnunc" is a person who is eager to know the latest news and gossip. 197. The first US Patent was for manufacturing potassium carbonate (used in glass and gunpowder). It was issued to Samuel Hopkins on July 31, 1970. 198. Leonardo Da Vinci invented the scissors, the helicopter, and many other present day items. 199. In the last 4000 years no new animals have been domesticated. 200. 25% of a human's bones are in its feet. 201. David Sarnoff received the Titanic's distress signal and saved hundreds of passengers. He later became the head of the first radio network, the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). 202. On average, 100 people choke to death on ballpoint pens every year. 203. Michael Jordan makes more money from Nike annually than every Nike factory worker in Malaysia combined. 204. One of the reasons marijuana is illegal today is because cotton growers in the '30s lobbied against hemp farmers (they saw it as competition). 205. "Canada" is an Indian word meaning "Big Village". 206. Only one in two billion people will live to be 116 or older. 207. If you yelled for 8 years 7 months and 6 days, you would have produced enough sound energy to heat one cup of coffee. If you fart consistently for 6 years and 9 months, enough gas is produced to create the energy of an atomic bomb. 208. Rape is reported every six minutes in the U.S. 209. The human heart creates enough pressure in the bloodstream to squirt blood 30 feet. 210. A jellyfish is 95% water. 211. Truck driving is the most dangerous occupation by accidental deaths (799 in 2001). 212. Banging your head against a wall uses 150 calories an hour. 213. Elephants only sleep for two hours each day. 214. On average people fear spiders more than they do death. 215. The strongest muscle in the human body is the tongue. (the heart is not a muscle) 216. In golf, a 'Bo Derek' is a score of 10. 217. In the U.S, Frisbees outsell footballs, baseballs and basketballs combined. 218. In most watch advertisements the time displayed on a watch is 10:10. 219. If you plant an apple seed, it is almost guaranteed to grow a tree of a different type of apple. 220. Al Capone's business card said he was a used furniture dealer. 221. The only real person to be a PEZ head was Betsy Ross. 222. There are about 450 types of cheese in the world. 240 come from France. 223. When the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers plays football at home the stadium becomes Nebraska's third largest city. 224. The characters Bert and Ernie on Sesame Street were named after Bert the cop and Ernie the taxi driver in Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life". 225. A dragonfly has a lifespan of 24 hours. 226. In Iceland, a Big Mac costs $5.50. 227. Broccoli and cauliflower are the only vegetables that are flowers. 228. Newborn babies have about 350 bones. They gradually merge and disappear until there are about 206 by age 5. 229. There is no solid proof of who built the Taj Mahal. 230. In a survey of 200000 ostriches over 80 years, not one tried to bury its head in the sand. 231. A dime has 118 ridges around the edge. A quarter has 119. 232. On an American one-dollar bill there is a tiny owl in the upper-left-hand corner of the upper-right-hand "1" and a spider hidden in the front upper-right-hand corner. 233. Judy Scheindlin ("Judge Judy") has a $25,000,000 salary, while Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg has a $190,100 salary. 234. The name for Oz in the Wizard of Oz was thought up when the creator Frank Baum looked at his filing cabinet and saw A-N and O-Z. 235. Andorra, a tiny country on the border between France and Spain, has the longest average lifespan: 83.49 years. 236. The microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket. 237. Mr. Rogers was an ordained Presbyterian minister. 238. In America you will see an average of 500 advertisements a day. 239. John Lennon's first girlfriend was named Thelma Pickles. 240. You can lead a cow upstairs but not downstairs. 241. The average person falls asleep in seven minutes. 242. "The sixth sick sheik's sixth sheep's sick" is said to be the toughest tongue twister in English. 243. There are 336 dimples on a regulation US golf ball. In the UK its 330. 244. The Toltecs (a 7th century tribe) used wooden swords so they wouldn't kill their enemies. 245. "Duff" is the decaying organic matter found on a forest floor. 246. The US has more personal computers than the next 7 countries combined. 247. There have been over 600 lawsuits against Alexander Grahm Bell over rights to the patent of the telephone, the most valuable patent in U.S. history. 248. Kuwait is about 60% male (highest in the world). Latvia is about 54% female (highest in the world). 249. The Hawaiian alphabet has only 12 letters. 250. In 10 minutes, a hurricane releases more energy than all the world's nuclear weapons combined. 251. At the height of its power in 400 BC, the Greek city of Sparta had 25,000 citizens and 500,000 slaves. 252. Julius Caesar's autograph is worth about $2,000,000. 253. The tool doctors wrap around a patient's arm to measure blood pressure is called a sphygmomanometer. 254. People say "bless you" when you sneeze because your heart stops for a millisecond. 255. US gold coins used to say "In Gold We Trust". 256. In "Silence of the Lambs", Hannibal Lector (Anthony Hopkins) never blinks. 257. A shrimp's heart is in its head. 258. In the 17th century, the value of pi was known to 35 decimal places. Today, to 1.2411 trillion. 259. The bestselling books of all time are The Bible (6billion+), Quotations from the Works of Mao Tse-tung (900million+), and The Lord of the Rings (100million+) 260. Pearls melt in vinegar. 261. "Lassie" was played by a group of male dogs; the main one was named Pal. 262. In 1863, Paul Hubert of Bordeaux, France, was sentenced to life in jail for murder. After 21 years, it was discovered that he was convicted of murdering himself. 263. Nepal is the only country that doesn't have a rectangular flag. Switzerland is the only country with a square flag. 264. Gabriel, Michael, and Lucifer are the only angels named in the Bible. 265. Tiger Woods' real first name is Eldrick. His father gave him the nickname "Tiger" in honor of a South Vietnamese soldier his father had fought alongside with during the Vietnam War. 266. Johnny Appleseed planted apples so that people could use apple cider to make alcohol. 267. Abraham Lincoln's ghost is said to haunt the White House. 268. God is not mentioned once in the book of Esther. 269. The odds of being born male are about 51.2%, according to census. 270. Scotland has more redheads than any other part of the world. 271. There is an average of 61,000 people airborne over the US at any given moment. 272. Prince Charles and Prince William never travel on the same airplane in case there is a crash. 273. The most popular first name in the world is Muhammad. The most common name (of any type) in the world is Mohammed. 274. The surface of the Earth is about 60% water and 10% ice. 275. For every 230 cars that are made, 1 will be stolen. 276. Jimmy Carter was the first U.S. President to be born in a hospital. 277. Lightning strikes the earth about 8 million times a day. 278. Around 2,000 left-handed people die annually due to improper use of equipment designed only for right handed people. 279. The "if" and "then" parts of conditional ("if P then Q") statement are called the protasis (P) and apodosis (Q). 280. Humans use a total of 72 different muscles in speech. 281. If you feed a seagull Alka-Seltzer, its stomach will explode. 282. Only female mosquitoes bite. 283. The U.S. Post Office handles 43 percent of the world's mail. 284. Most household dust is made of dead skin cells. 285. One in about eight million people has progeria, a disease that causes people to grow faster than they age. 286. The male seahorse carries the eggs until they hatch instead of the female. 287. The "countdown" (counting down from 10 for an event such as New-Years Day) was first used in a 1929 German silent film called "Die Frau Im Monde" (The Girl in the Moon). 288. Negative emotions such as anxiety and depression can weaken your immune system. 289. There are seven suicides in the Bible: Abimelech. Samson, Saul, Saul's armor-bearer, Ahithophel, Zimri, Judas. 290. A mongoose is not a goose but more like a meercat, which is not a cat but more like a prairie dog, which is not a dog but more like a ground squirrel. 291. Stephen Hawking was born exactly 300 years after Galileo died. 292. Mercury is the only planet whose orbit is coplanar with its equator. Venus and Uranus are the only planets that rotate opposite to the direction of their orbit. 293. John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe died on July 4th. Adams and Jefferson died in the same year. Supposedly, Adams last words were "Thomas Jefferson survives." 294. The Baby Ruth candy bar was named after Grover Cleveland's baby daughter, Ruth, not Babe Ruth the baseball player. 295. Dolphins can look in different directions with each eye. They can sleep with one eye open. 296. The Falkland Isles (pop. about 2000) has over 700000 sheep (350 per person). 297. There are 41,806 different spoken languages in the world today. 298. While many treaties have been signed at or near Paris, France (including many after WWI and WWII), nine are actually known as the "Treaty of Paris": Seven Years' War (1763), American Revolutionary War (1783), French-Swede War (1810), France vs Sixth Coalition (1814), Battle of Waterloo (1815), Crimean War (1856), Spanish-American War (1898), union of Bessarabia and Romania (1920), establishment of European Coal and Steel Community (1951). 299. Robert Todd Lincoln (Abraham Lincoln's oldest son) was in Washington DC during his father's assassination as well as during President Garfield's assassination, and he was in Buffalo NY when President McKinley was assassinated. 300. The city of Venice stands on about 120 small islands. 301. The past-tense of the English word "dare" is "durst". 302. Don Mac Lean's song "American Pie" was written about Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson (The Big Bopper), who all died in the same plane crash. 303. The drummer for ZZ Top (the only one without a beard) is named Frank Beard. 304. Hummingbirds can't walk. 305. When movie directors do not want their names to be seen in the credits, they use the pseudonym "Allen Smithee" instead. It has been used over 50 times, starting with "Death of a Gunfighter" (1969). 306. Four different people played the part of Darth Vader (body, face, voice, and breathing). 307. Pamela Lee-Anderson was the first to be born in Canada on the centennial anniversary of Canada's independence (7/1/1967). 308. There is about 200 times more gold in the oceans than has been mined throughout history. 309. William Shatner is credited for being the first person on TV to say "hell" as well as to have the first inter-racial kiss (with Nichelle Nichols), both in episodes of Star Trek. 310. While the US government's supply of gold is kept at Fort Knox, its supply of silver is kept at the Military Academy at West Point, NY. 311. Alexander Graham Bell's wife and mother were both deaf. 312. Compact discs read from the inside to the outside edge, the reverse of how a record works. 313. In the ancient Greek city-state of Sparta, if a man was not married by age 30, he would not be allowed to vote or watch athletic events involving nude young men. 314. Attila the Hun (invader of Europe; 406-453), Felix Faure (French President; 1841-1899), Pope Leo VII (936-939), Pope John VII (955-964), Pope Leo VIII (963-965), Pope John XIII (965-72), Pope Paul II (1467-1471), Lord Palmerston (British Prime Minister, 1784-1865), Nelson Rockefeller (US Vice President, 1908-1979), and John Entwistle (The Who's bassist, 1944-2002) all died while having sex. 315. Humans and dolphins are the only animals known to have sex for pleasure. 316. Pac-Man, Namco's 1979 arcade game, was originally called "Puck Man". The name was changed when they realized that vandals could easily scratch out part of the letter "P". 317. Shakespeare and Cervantes died on the same day, April 23, 1616. 318. There are about 7.7 million millionaires in the world (more than 1/1000th of the population). 319. The youngest mother on record was a Peruvian girl named Lina Medina. She gave birth to a boy by caesarean section on May 14, 1939 (which happened to be Mother's Day), at the age of five years, seven months and 21 days. 320. The "middle finger" gesture originates back to 423 BC in Aristophanes play "The Clouds".