11/29   I have reached the limit of what I have time to fix or have permission
        to fix.  The only remaining thing is reenabling accounts.  For all of
        you out there in http://csua.com/csua.org/whatever land, put pressure on
        Politburo to actually do something by emailing politburo.  Some of you
        may be tempted to offer $$$ or something to speed things up; please
        don't teach the undergrads that $$$ is the only impetus to get
        things done. </rant> - jvarga
        \_ No $$$?  Is violence ok?
        \_ How do you propose that I pressure the kids to do something about
           soda when they probably don't really care about soda?     -kchang
           \_ If I knew the answer to that I'd be a rich man.  But in the
              interim, those who know me personally and have my cell # can
              call me to get their accounts reactivated.  All else must wait
              til politburo figures out a more general plan. - jvarga

11/29   soda is back up, yeah!

11/29   After all these years I'm still at a loss what to get dad for
        Christmas.  Maybe I won't get anything for the parents.  I must
        be the only ungrateful kid.  But I'm not ungrateful.  And I like
        Christmas.  I don't think it's a sham.  But it still sucks that
        I never know what to get.  Help me Obi-Wan, you're my only hope.
        \_ Nothing cheers him more than a mail order bride. Yermom hasn't
           been fun for the past 20 years.
        \_ My dad always told me that nothing would please him more than
           to be a doctor, or at minimum get a graduate or professional
           degree. I think guys (grown up men) in general do not value
           material goods as much as say, women. So, go get an advanced
           degree and make your dad proud.
        \_ I had/have the same problem.  And, admittedly, the above
           poster's answer is pretty good.  Still getting something for
           christmas is good.  If you don't know something he's been
           pining after (new pocket PC or something) me and my wife have
           taken to making food he really likes, but is hard to get.  Last
           year we gave him 2 boxes of Korean Choco Pies, and mom 200 home
           made potstickers (Korean style). It went over really well. -jrleek

11/29   Is it me, or it seems like it's a lot colder much sooner this year
        than any year before?
        \_ its freezing.  -wimp

11/29   http://www.transportation.anl.gov/features/economist.html
        Argonne Economist Predicts Gas Price Bump and Following Recession

11/29   SF is the most bubble proof city. LA is #2. Swami sucks:
        http://money.cnn.com/popups/2006/biz2/newrules_bubbleproof/index.html
        \_ While the market may not crash, I don't believe it can continue
           its meteoric rise - I see it leveling out for a long time.
           The house price to median salary ratio is just ridiculous.
           \_ Hello bitter rental guy!
              \_ Hello bitter mortgage guy!

11/28   http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/11/27/kbb_best_resale_value/index.html
        Toyota Prius and Honda Civic get the best resale values according
        to Kelly Blue Book        -proud owner of both cars (yes I'm smart)
           \_ Kelley