SB - Landed in Cancun and stayed in Riviera Maya. It was absolutely gorgeous.

We stayed at the Ritz Carlton in Cancun and it was wonderful. I think it was the best vacation we ever had. It was the first truly luxury hotel I ever stayed in, and it's hard to go back from that!

Luxury hotels... eh, might be nice and all... but I prefer to "be local" about it, and immerse myself in the local culture.

Granted, it's been many years, but my trip to Costa Rica in the early 90's was mostly in $5 youth hostels -- the big splurge was spending $20 for a night in a "motel" in San Jose city that actually had hot AND cold water faucets in the shower. Otherwise it was a dubious electric heater attached to the shower nozzle that really made me think I was gonna electrocute myself... but that, and a roach or two, and the bucket beside the toilet for waste paper, ...and some other international travelers doing the same thing, made it really, really fun!

But yeah; now, at my age, I'd probably go the luxury route myself...

"Local"? Ew.

Just kidding! If I was going someplace more "cultural" than a city whose main claim to fame is Senor Frogs, than perhaps I'd be a bit more interested in soaking up the culture. For a place like Cancun, I want to be away from drunken frat boys on spring break, so the Ritz for me!

I've been seeing these commercials recently of a Indian reservation-based loan company called Western Sky. Due to the economy, a lot of people are resorting to these financial companies for fast cash. I just saw another commercial for Western Sky, and I decided to read the fine print, and was astonished at what I saw.

For a $5000 loan (plus a $75 origination fee), they charge an interest rate of 116.73%, at 84 monthly payments of $486.58. At that rate, you will have paid them $40,872.72!!!

How is this even legal?! Is it because it is a Native American company? If this doesn't qualify as usury, I don't know what does!

They are regulated by that state's usury laws. However, they have to make such loans only to out of state borrowers.

I don't know how they get away with it. Those salary advance places charge the same kind of rates. Lots of people "borrow" on Tuesday or Wednesday against a paycheck they'll be receiving on Friday. They charge over 100% as well. It's disgusting.

Never saw this!

Too bad Mad TV didn't last longer.

Originally put this in Music/news but wasn't quite sure where it fit so put it here in Random.

A couple months ago I heard that singer Glen Campbell had Alzheimer's Disease. This particular disease just makes me so sad. He was being interviewed and was going to do one last tour and/or concert. He said he hadn't noticed anything different BUT he kept on saying that throughout the interview apparently not realizing how many times he said it.

Anyway, a couple days ago, I read that 60's pop idol, Bobby Vee also had Alzheimer's (or dementia, one of the two). I had a friend in High School who just LOVED Bobby Vee. Even thru the British Invasion, Bobby Vee was her idol. He is in his 60's.

I have had a couple relatives with the disease and it is heartbreaking. Truth be told (and although not officially diagnosed), I was confident that my own mother who passed last month had definite signs of the disease.

I guess I just want to express how awful this disease is. Such a undignified, demeaning way to go.

Thanks for letting me say my piece.

TIS

TIS, we have friends who are in their early 60s. They live almost two hours away, so we only see them a few times a year. The last couple of times we've seen them, I've noticed that the wife repeated things, and asked me the same question about my daughters several times. I wondered if she might be exhibiting the first signs.

My grandmother was living on her own and in good health when she fell and broke her hip. While in the hospital, she completely lost her memory and never recovered, either mentally or physically. She spent her last few years in a wheelchair, and it was pitiful because some days she couldn't even remember her own name. It was odd that she could remember that she had a son and daughter, she could recall their names, but if my father told her that he was her son, she would deny it.

Just had an earthquake (4.0) centered the next city over. Was shaking about 4/5 seconds and stopped. Considering it was so close, I would have thought it would be stronger. Thank God it wasn't. All's good.



TIS

Apparently it was centered in Yorba Linda, which is only a couple cities away (about a 10 minute drive from where I live). I felt it. I thought I was gonna die!

10 minute drive, My God, that must've been a few feet away!!

X, I am just border of Riverside/OC (Green River area). I'm guessing I too am abut 10 min. away.

Not that I have a say, BUT I'd rather have the "shake" than the "rolling" (like an underground wave). But, to me the scariest (and don't know if you've been here long enough to experience) is the short cracking noise (like a huge tree breaking) and a sudden shake. That scares the crap out of me, though usually it's very short.


TIS

Considering the traffic in these parts, that is hardly an exaggeration!


That cracking noise is definitely unsettling. The "rolling" ones throw me off a lot more than the "shakers." I remember one day I was sitting at the computer doing some homework, and I got this weird sense of vertigo, and I literally thought I was getting dizzy and about to pass out. Then I noticed that the blinds were swaying back and forth and some of the stuff on the table was sliding around, and I realized we were having an earthquake!

The shakers, on the other hand, leave no doubt that we're having an earthquake!

Being from the East Coast, I just can't imagine living like that -- well, for me, it'd be like living in fear; tho I do guess you get used to living in fear out there.

When Virginia had that little quake last year -- which I felt here, and was like "WTF"?? even this far away -- I can't imagine. Cuz otherwise I'd LOVE to live in Cally (if they had good Italian food)...

Geoff,

You DO get use to it. I've been here now for 32 years and there hasn't been a major quake in SoCal that affected me. BUT, I Do think about it sometimes because unlike a Tornado or Hurricane, there is NO warning and really no place to go if there is one.

As for the Italian food, NOTHING compares to the Italian food in NYC. CA, IMHO, doesn't hold a candle to NYC when it comes to Italian food. Not to say there are NO good Italian restaurants here, but I know NYC/East is much better.

TIS

Anyone here host a child?

I've thought about it for years, and was reminded of it watching Gene Simmons: Family Jewels (they host many children, via https://www.childfund.org/ ) ...just wondering if that's the best site or not...?

Man with 100-pound scrotum REJECTS offers to perform $1 million corrective surgery for free because his giant organ has made him famous

Apparently, he doesn't really have a giant organ. His penis is "buried" and he can't even pee like other men.

People will never cease to amaze me.

Good Lord

Can true Catholics back gay marriage?

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/06/20/can-true-catholics-support-same-sex-marriage/?hpt=hp_c1

My daughter graduates high school today. She overcame some tough obstacles to get there, but she did it. She starts art school in the fall, and I'm quite proud of her.

Congratulations SB to you and your daughter! I KNOW the proud feeling you speak of. The fact that she worked hard, and overcame obstacles shows how strong/determined she is. Best of luck to her as she begins a new phase of her life.

Btw, they have graduation ceremony on a Sunday??

TIS

Congrats to the Little Babette! Congrats to Babe and the Good Doctor, too.

Congratulations to your daughter, SB. I hope she continues to find happiness in all she does. Is she still dating that fine young gentleman, whom you mentioned a few times?

TIS, I graduated from high school and college on Sundays.

And you have every right to be!

Congratulations!

Signor V.

Congrats.

Thanks, guys! She's very excited about a relaxing summer before going off to college at the end of August. I can't imagine the house without her, but this is what we work for as parents.

Klyd, it's my oldest who was dating that nice young man, and they broke up. It was sad, because we cared about him, but c'est la vie.

Earlier this week, we invited kids over for pre-prom. It was a bit crazy, with about 20 kids and all their families, but it was a rite of passage we were so happy to share, just like today.