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Archie McPhee's
Board: Atlas Quest Announcements
Reply to: #15655 by Amanda from Seattle
Jan 31, 2006 5:58am
Thread Board
Yeah, this is a great little place for tiny stuff. LisaScenic told me about it because she thought I might enjoy the tiny little tins that she buys there.....

LW
Re: Archie McPhee's
Board: Atlas Quest Announcements
Reply to: #15678 by Lock Wench
Jan 31, 2006 7:17am
Thread Board
If you ever find someone furtively poking into a hole at the base of a tree while wearing an Archie McPhee t-shirt, it's probably me.

I went to their store in Seattle once with my two nieces who at that time were ages about three and six. Now, that was an experience...
Re: for the non-sports fans...
Board: Sports Emporium
Reply to: #15670 by lisascenic
Jan 31, 2006 7:23am
Thread Board
Some years I even manage to get through Super Bowl Sunday without knowing which teams are playing.

Not this year; my mother in law lives in Tacoma.

And I work within a few hundred feet of this letterbox...

http://www.atlasquest.com/lboxes/showboxinfo.html?gBoxId=9044

but have never been to a game there. Nor expect to.
Re: What position is the AQ Chick?
Board: Atlas Quest Announcements
Reply to: #15668 by mowizliz
Jan 31, 2006 9:34am
Thread Board
OK, I learned how to change my theme to an optional one but how do I change it back so that it automatically becomes whatever Ryan is using at the moment? Freedom of choice was fun but I am ready to be part of the crowds again!
Jan of Team Little Dog
Re: What position is the AQ Chick?
Board: Atlas Quest Announcements
Reply to: #15684 by Janila
Jan 31, 2006 9:45am
Thread Board
Quote OK, I learned how to change my theme to an optional one but how do I change it back so that it automatically becomes whatever Ryan is using at the moment? Freedom of choice was fun but I am ready to be part of the crowds again!


Just empty that box again, clear it out. That will set it back to whatever the site is set for- default, or the current theme Ryan has up.

-CQ
The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Jan 31, 2006 10:46am
Thread Board
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15687 by Green Tortuga
Jan 31, 2006 10:55am
Thread Board
Quote My teachers always thought I wasn't paying attention, but this wasn't true. I have a very good memory and rarely needed to take notes during lectures. If I did try to take notes, I didn't hear what was being said. So I doodled.


Yeah, your teachers didn't know what they were talking about. I encourage the kids that have trouble to doodle. You should see my notes from staff meetings.
Amazing Race Starts Feb 28th!!
Board: Television: After the Show Ends
Jan 31, 2006 11:09am
Thread Board
Amazing Race is due to start again! Check out the teams at this link:

http://tv.yahoo.com/news/eo/20060130/113867802000.html

-Amanda from Seattle
Big stamp
Board: Atlas Quest Announcements
Jan 31, 2006 11:23am
Thread Board
Back in December, in Letterboxing Florida, Mn8X wrote:
Quote I've been wanting to plant a letterbox in Cleveland for the longest time. Can you guess why?

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/OHCLEstamp.html

With the recent revision of the Google Local image base, this becomes the only rubber stamp in the world VISIBLE FROM SPACE:

<http://maps.google.com/maps?t=k&ll=41.505392,-81.692415&spn=0.001259,0.002221&t=k>

... or maybe from an airplane ... lots of Google Local's pictures are from airplanes ...
Re: Easy Appetizer Recipes Needed
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #15674 by colls n DB
Jan 31, 2006 11:27am
Thread Board
Wrap Bacon around a whole water chestnut and lay out on a cookie sheet. You can secure them with a toothpick. Cook in Oven until the bacon is done!! They are wonderful!!

-Amanda from Seattle
You can also wrap the Bacon around a Scallop if you can afford scallops! :-)
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15688 by ArchimedesScrew
Jan 31, 2006 11:32am
Thread Board
Quote As it turns out, Mr. Gebrekidan did originally tell investigators that he still had both keys to the vehicle in his possession. When asked to hand them over, he went home and could only find one, then returned with that one with the explanation that the other key appeared to be missing. It wasn't until a week or two later that the forensic locksmith was brought in who concluded the stolen vehicle could only have been moved with the original key. I was astounded!

Mr. Gebrekidan couldn't have changed his story just because of the results of the forensic locksmith. He had 'changed' his story because when asked to produce the keys, he could only located one of them. He probably told the investigators that he had the keys believing that he did have them both. Until he actually went to look for them, he didn't realize that one was unaccounted for.

If he had stolen his own vehicle, he'd have still had both keys in his possession and would have given them both up when asked, not knowing that by doing so would have been damning evidence that he taken his own vehicle.


dont be astounded ryan... the microchip in the key is common knowledge for alot of people (it was one of the key selling points the dealers made when i've purchased cars in the last ten or so yeas)
and although he may have been ignorant at the time of the chip in the key, he certainly doesnt live in a vacuum... after telling someone about how the insurance company wanted the keys, someone may have clued him in before he took one of the keys back.
not siding with either party, but just pointing out logistically, it was possible for him to find out before turning in the keys WHY the insurance company wanted the keys.

cam

edited to add: but i am with you about the brother.... it seems to me that if the brother borrowed the car alot that HE might have the other key.... and HE might have arranged to sell the airbag and HE might have something to do with the disappearance. I think if i were the defense.. I would have subpoenaed the brother most definitely... or at least interrogated and investigated that little thread more.
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15693 by Alyson Wonderland
Jan 31, 2006 12:08pm
Thread Board
Quote dont be astounded ryan... the microchip in the key is common knowledge for alot of people


No, that wasn't the part that astounded me. It was the timeline. Up until this point, I thought the guy changed his story after they concluded the car was driven off with the key. Neither side brought this out, and it was practically by accident that the witness happened to bring out this very relevant fact. I was astounded nobody mentioned it before that--especially Gebrekidan's lawyer since it only helps their side of the case! Bizarre. I swear each of the lawyers were helping the other side more than their own.

Quote but i am with you about the brother.... it seems to me that if the brother borrowed the car alot that HE might have the other key.... and HE might have arranged to sell the airbag and HE might have something to do with the disappearance.


That's true, but I really don't think the brother borrowed the vehicle very often. I think that was just his excuse for not reporting it stolen earlier than he did. It was a bad lie, but then he couldn't talk his way out of it and just kept going with it. If the brother did borrow the car often, though, I'd definitely have considered he could have something to do with the disappearance.

I also didn't mention one part of the testimony where Gebrekidan was asked where the second key was usually stored. He said it was usually around the house somewhere or in the car--his brother didn't make a habit of carrying around the key. (Which you'd think might have been a clue that his brother *didn't* borrow the car and Gebrekidan would have assumed it was stolen!)

So, most likely--no solid proof of this, of course--but most likely, I don't think the brother had anything to do with it. Gebrekidan was just him as an excuse for not reporting the vehicle being stolen earlier than he did.

-- Ryan
Re: Easy Appetizer Recipes Needed
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #15602 by Janila
Jan 31, 2006 12:18pm
Thread Board
Two quickies, liked by my family: (one posted before on the wrong 'board' ...oops!)

Cold:

4 oz soften cream cheese
8 oz sour cream
4 & 3/4 oz Deviled ham (one can)
tbsp chopped chives
tbsp horse radish (more if you like a 'kick')
Blend until smooth, let set for 1hr or more
serve with chips or crackers

Hot:

1 Cup chopped sweet onions
1 cup mayo (I use a little less, depends on taste)
1 cup shredded mexican mix cheese

mix together, put in oven safe dish, sprinkle more cheese on top and baked @ 350 for 20 minutes.

serve with crackers (I like ritz 'chips')

Have fun

Chunna
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15694 by Green Tortuga
Jan 31, 2006 1:01pm
Thread Board
Hmmm, but what I'd like to know is did he seem surprized that the key was missing? And if the key was stolen to steal the car, did the thief steal anthing else?
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15694 by Green Tortuga
Jan 31, 2006 4:07pm
Thread Board
ahhhhh!

Quote So, most likely--no solid proof of this, of course--but most likely, I don't think the brother had anything to do with it. Gebrekidan was just him as an excuse for not reporting the vehicle being stolen earlier than he did.


yea, makes ya wonder if he's using his brother as an excuse on why he didnt report it stolen, and you dont think he arranged to have it stolen himself.... makes you wonder WHAT is going on in this mans life that he doesnt care that much about a $12,000.00 vehicle. There is more than a cultural difference at work here. Very suspicious! I hope you pulled a Columbo and solved the case on the last day of the trial!!!

Cant wait to see how it turns out, Ryan LOL!
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15698 by The Wolf Family
Jan 31, 2006 4:08pm
Thread Board
LOL... just wondering why all the loose ends werent followed up on, or explained at the trial.....
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15701 by Alyson Wonderland
Jan 31, 2006 4:48pm
Thread Board
Quote but what I'd like to know is did he seem surprized that the key was missing? And if the key was stolen to steal the car, did the thief steal anthing else?


Well, I wouldn't have expected him to act 'surprised' that the key was missing--this all happened months before the trial! He might have been surprised at the time, but certainly not at the time of the trial. As for anything else that was stolen.... I think the radio or something might have been, I forget. The focus of the questioning was the airbag, though. That, I guess, is the big-ticket item thieves really want to get their hands on.

Quote just wondering why all the loose ends werent followed up on, or explained at the trial.....


Because both the attorneys were pretty awful at their jobs! =)

-- Ryan
Re: What position is the AQ Chick?
Board: Atlas Quest Announcements
Reply to: #15671 by dewberry
Jan 31, 2006 5:04pm
Thread Board
Quote
too bad it's not hockey--the chick definitely would be a wing!



(drum clash)


CPAScott
Re: for the non-sports fans...
Board: Sports Emporium
Reply to: #15680 by Doctroid
Jan 31, 2006 5:05pm
Thread Board
Pittsburgh's winning this one. So says I. LOL


CPAScott
Re: Big stamp
Board: Atlas Quest Announcements
Reply to: #15690 by Doctroid
Jan 31, 2006 5:07pm
Thread Board
I have seen that giant rubber stamp in Cleveland about 9 or 10 years ago on the way to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I wasn't even rubberstamping back then, let alone letterboxing.
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15703 by Green Tortuga
Jan 31, 2006 5:20pm
Thread Board
Quote As for anything else that was stolen.... I think the radio or something might have been, I forget.


I think I didn't ask my question very well! I meant if someone had to steal the key (supposedly from the house) did the thief steal anyhing else from the house?

And did the attorneys or witnesses say the man was suprized to only find one key. Personally I know I'd be frantic if I thought I had two keys and could only find one!
Re: Easy Appetizer Recipes Needed
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #15625 by Moonduck
Jan 31, 2006 5:27pm
Thread Board
Quote One of my favorites is super easy, we call it ham roll ups. You take slices of ham and lay them out flat, spread a thin layer of cream cheese on it and then roll it around one green onion. I'm sure you can throw other things into the cream cheese to make it taste a little different.


Try a green olive instead of the onion--a family treat for our tree decorating party every year.
Re: for the non-sports fans...
Board: Sports Emporium
Reply to: #15705 by CPAScott
Jan 31, 2006 5:34pm
Thread Board
Quote Pittsburgh's winning this one. So says I. LOL


And I - in fact, we just got home from purchasing our new Steelers shirts especially for the big game. Go Steelers!

Jan of Team Little Dog
Proud resident of PENNSYLVANIA
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15707 by KEMB
Jan 31, 2006 7:36pm
Thread Board
Quote I meant if someone had to steal the key (supposedly from the house) did the thief steal anyhing else from the house?


No, it seems the guy often left the spare key in the door of the vehicle, so the assumption is they broke in, found the key, and drove off.

Quote And did the attorneys or witnesses say the man was suprized to only find one key.


I wouldn't think so. He didn't remember where he last put it and when he checked his usual haunts inside the house, assumed it must have been in the car. Nobody ever suggested it might be been stolen from inside his home.

-- Ryan
Re: Easy Appetizer Recipes Needed
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #15695 by Chunna
Jan 31, 2006 7:55pm
Thread Board
My spanakopita is the one that never has leftovers, but they aren't exactly easy! Here's 3 super simple meat based ones that go over big though...


Sausage Melts
Cook up 1 pound of ground turkey sausage. Drain well. Add 1 lb of chopped Velvetta. Stir. Heat in microwave or pan until cheese is melted completely. Take this spread and slather on those little dark slices of bread called Monk's Bread. Place on a pan and run under the broiler until bubbly. Yum! The guys can't stay away from these. Can be made ahead on trays and then just run under the broiler right before serving.

BBQ Weenies
Add (1) 32 oz jar of grape jelly and (3) 12 oz. jars of chili sauce to a crockpot. Heat until jelly is melted. Add miniature weenies. Heat through for an hour. Serve with toothpicks.

Curried Meatballs
Add one jar of any strength indian curry sauce ( mild, med, hot) to a crockpot. Fill empty jar with same amount of water. Stir and heat through, then add one bag frozen Italian meatballs. Stir and heat for one hour. Serve with toothpicks.

Let me know if you want the veggie ones!

Lock Wench
Re: Easy Appetizer Recipes Needed
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #15711 by Lock Wench
Jan 31, 2006 8:13pm
Thread Board
Quote BBQ Weenies
Add (1) 32 oz jar of grape jelly and (3) 12 oz. jars of chili sauce to a crockpot. Heat until jelly is melted. Add miniature weenies. Heat through for an hour. Serve with toothpicks.


Wow--this recipe looks neat & so simple! I have no idea where to get the miniature sausages but I wonder if this would work with sliced turkey sausage/kielbasa? Definitely looks like something I'll try in the future. Thanks for sharing! dvn2r ckr
Re: 401K update
Board: Money and Investing
Reply to: #13813 by FamilyMan
Jan 31, 2006 8:24pm
Thread Board
Quote Hello,

The end of the year is a great time to increase your 401K by 1%.

Since it is pre-tax $$$, you will hardly notice the change, and it won't be missed.

FamilyMan


My old boss had me raise my 401k by 5% when he gave me a raise. He was a firm believer in 401k and practically forced me to do it. I never felt it because the raise off-set it, and 10 years later, I love him for it. I am still at the same company and have a nice little amount. Nothing to retire on yet, but I still have 30+ years to go till retirement, so hopefully, it'll be EVEN bigger.

Kaaren
DavidandKaaren
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15703 by Green Tortuga
Jan 31, 2006 8:28pm
Thread Board
Hey, I loved this story/article! I've never been on a jury before and think it would be very interesting. Can't believe how much detail you either recorded or remembered!

Question: what do people do with airbags they have stolen from cars?

Waiting with bated breath for the exciting conclusion....

Wisconsin Hiker
Re: Easy Appetizer Recipes Needed
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #15615 by Craftymouse
Jan 31, 2006 9:52pm
Thread Board
I always like the spinach dip on the back of the knorr vegetable seasoning package. It takes one packaged of frozen spinach, one bunch of green onions, mayo, and sour cream. I use fat free mayo and sour cream. Mix it all up and chill for an hour or two. Serve with crackers. Even my kids love it!

Maiden
Re: The Trial of the Century Continues!
Board: Ryan's a Total Goober
Reply to: #15714 by Wisconsin Hiker
Jan 31, 2006 10:42pm
Thread Board
Quote Question: what do people do with airbags they have stolen from cars?


Apparently, there's quite the black market for them. News to me! =) I learned a lot about the criminal underground and tips for stealing cars from this trial. *nodding*

-- Ryan