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[DERBRUCER]

*I* think he's great.

I don't disagree - just trying to discourage the competition!

der Brucer

[DERBRUCER]

But I guess it's not up to me, at this point.

Of course not - you have taste and must be discounted!

der Brucer

[JoseSPiano]

Today I discovered a wonderful forum for Westerners who are adidcted to Bollywood movies...people just like me!!! The place is http://www.bollywhat.com

Oh gosh, once my registration is accepted I might never be heard from again!  

And from that day forward, Little Mikey Barnum was no longer "Little".  Nor was he "Mikey".  In fact, he was no more.

The prophecy had been fulfilled as it were.  That magical, mystical smoke that Little Mikey had breathed deep into his lungs as a child, was suddenly exhaled.  And in that puff of smoke, a whole new life began.  A whole new world was born and discovered.  A whole new land of people.

John Abraham.  Tusshar Kapoor.  Milind Soman.  Dino Morea.  Arjun Rampal.  Amisha Patel.  Mahima Choudhury.  Ritesh Deshmukh.  Mallika Sherawat.  Kareena Kapoor.  Sameera Reddy.  Hrithik Roshan.  Shah Rukh Khan.  Priyanka Chopra.  Katrina Kaif.  Akshaye Khanna...

And as those last keystrokes transported him into the ether, into yet another world, he felt no fear, no anxiety.  Even his kurta felt as though as if it fit better.  As if it had become a second skin.

He was Home.

[DakotaCelt]

Question for DR's with dogs...

I am at my mother's place this week and I have noted some rather unusual behviour of her dog.  I did not notice it as much over the weekend but the last couple of nights she has been really restless. It is very unusual for her. She barks at almost everything and I am getting up from the chair every few minuntes to investigate and I find nothing.

Any clues?

[DakotaCelt]

I echo bk in the closing of Virgin....

The big chains like Best Buy, Target and the store that shall remain nameless have  poor musical selections.

It is a tad better at Barnes and Noble but I also miss the little music shops for they were eclectic and they often enouraged discovery and curiousity.

[DERBRUCER]

And from that day forward, Little Mikey Barnum was no longer "Little".  Nor was he "Mikey".  In fact, he was no more.

The prophecy had been fulfilled as it were.  That magical, mystical smoke that Little Mikey had breathed deep into his lungs as a child, was suddenly exhaled.  And in that puff of smoke, a whole new life began.  A whole new world was born and discovered.  A whole new land of people.

John Abraham.  Tusshar Kapoor.  Milind Soman.  Dino Morea.  Arjun Rampal.  Amisha Patel.  Mahima Choudhury.  Ritesh Deshmukh.  Mallika Sherawat.  Kareena Kapoor.  Sameera Reddy.  Hrithik Roshan.  Shah Rukh Khan.  Priyanka Chopra.  Katrina Kaif.  Akshaye Khanna...

And as those last keystrokes transported him into the ether, into yet another world, he felt no fear, no anxiety.  Even his kurta felt as though as if it fit better.  As if it had become a second skin.

He was Home.

I thought there was a writers strike!

der Brucer

[JoseSPiano]

Well, it looks like we're all heading up to Fairfax tomorrow.  I was actually thinking of taking the train up, but when I asked my Dad if he wanted to head up to Fairfax he said he had been thinking about it too.  He wants to check out some car dealerships.  It also turns out that my brother, Jay, is flying in from San Diego tomorrow, and since he's heading up to Philly on Saturday to spend the weekend and New Year's Eve and New Year's Day (his birthday) with his girlfriend and her family, it looks like tomorrow night will be the only time that the whole family can get together (since I fly back on January 1).

It actually works out great for me since I wanted to pay a few visits up in NoVA, and I want to be back here in Richmond on Saturday to help out with the birthday party for Steve's mother too.  

[DERBRUCER]

Question for DR's with dogs...

I am at my mother's place this week and I have noted some rather unusual behviour of her dog.  I did not notice it as much over the weekend but the last couple of nights she has been really restless. It is very unusual for her. She barks at almost everything and I am getting up from the chair every few minuntes to investigate and I find nothing.

Any clues?

Is she sleeping where she usually sleeps?

der Brucer

[DakotaCelt]

I will give Target some credit for carrying some indie films. They do carry a few films I would like to get including WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY, AMELIE, and WATER.

Love Amelie....

[DakotaCelt]

Is she sleeping where she usually sleeps?

der Brucer

She would normally sleep with my dad. However, after he passed away she refused to go into the bedroom and it has only been recently she has gone into the room. When I am home, she sleeps with me and normally she is a log and you can't move. However, she was so restless last night I nearly placed her off the couch but I didn't.

It has only been the last couple of nights where she has been really bad. She started sleeping with my mother in the same bed nearly two weeks ago. She would go in there and when I went to bed she would come to the cuoch.

[DakotaCelt]

She is barking at anything and everything...

her basket that she sometimes curls up in is in the ususal spot as is her kennel with her food dish.

[DERBRUCER]

She would normally sleep with my dad. However, after he passed away she refused to go into the bedroom and it has only been recently she has gone into the room. When I am home, she sleeps with me and normally she is a log and you can't move. However, she was so restless last night I nearly placed her off the couch but I didn't.

It has only been the last couple of nights where she has been really bad. She started sleeping with my mother in the same bed nearly two weeks ago. She would go in there and when I went to bed she would come to the cuoch.

Well, you Dad's absence, your presence - the poor things world has been turned about! She is probably just unhappy.

der Brucer

A dog's grief, like a human's, can go through different phases over a few months period of time.

 

[DERBRUCER]

She is barking at anything and everything...

Maybe she hears a possum or a coon you don't.

der Brucer

[DakotaCelt]

Good evening everyone!

[JoseSPiano]

As for the closing of Virgin...

Regardless of how much money the stores are or aren't making, it really is more a matter of real estate than anything else.  The L.A. and NYC locations are in prime spots.  Location. Location.  Location.  Yes, business may be down, but the rents and taxes have also gone up at a higher rate than the profits have fallen.

Personally, I've always found the business at the Times Square Virgin Megastore to be quite "up" - at least there's always a good crowd of people in there.  And there have been weeks when I've stopped in there every day, and I can tell that they most definitely moved some product off those shelves.

However, there is "talk" that Virgin may consolidate down to one store in New York City - they also have a location down at Union Square.  But, again, this is more a matter of cutting down on real estate expenditures rather than the stores not making money.  At least in my eyes.

*Then you have J&R Music World down in lower Manhattan.  If I'm remembering correctly, that company actually owns the buildings they occupy - they are not leasing - and I know that helps a lot when it comes down to the bottom line.  Additionally, they're still located in a "cheaper" area of Manhattan.  -And I have to say, they've always had quite the extensive selection of CDs and DVDs (plus computers, home appliances, electronics, etc.).  If they were more convenient for me to get to (it's at least a 30 minutes train ride with a transfer), I'd probably shop there more often - their regular prices are most stores sale prices, and they routinely offer new CDs at $9.99 during the first week of release.  However, Virgin is 10-15 minutes from me, and the sales aren't bad either.

**I should also point out that different markets call out for different types of stores.  The main place to buy CDs in Richmond is Plan 9 Music - a funky little mini-chain.  Great stores, great service.  Yes, their selection may veer more towards the pop and rock catalog, but they always handle special orders with a smile, and their selection of old LPs is always fun to browse.  They are also a great supporter and promoter of the local bands in Richmond and Charlottesville.  Dave Matthew Band and Carbon Leaf are two of their early discoveries.

[DakotaCelt]

Thank you, everyone! I'm sure DR Dakotacelt can use some as well: her father's death is more recent than mine and it's still torturing me. Some days are fine and some days I can hardly move from the pain of it.

((((Elmore))))  

I truly understand how you feel. I know my sleeping regimen has been up and down since then and osme nights I dont get any. I miss my dad terribly.

My neice and nephiew had picked out a christmas present long beffore he died and we still opened it. It is now hanging in an honored spot in the house. My father l oved John Deere tractors and it is a print of classic tractors that they gave him. He would have wanted it that way.

There has been a few times I wantaed to post the obit but I did not want to ruiin anyones birthday...

[JoseSPiano]

Well... I'm babbling.  And I should get ready for bed.  We're planning to be on the road by 9:00, so...

Goodnight.

[DakotaCelt]

Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am your host for Snarkerpiece Theatre....

tonight presentation is called Snark and Snarjudice!

[DakotaCelt]

DR EDISAURUS - I think since LEGALLY BLONDE opened all UPS men are required to wear shorts year round.

and here I thought they were shrunk in the dryer....

[DERBRUCER]

As for the closing of Virgin...

 The L.A. and NYC locations are in prime spots.  

But the LA area has four Megastores serving a population less than NYC's 2! Also, the Times Square store is in one of the densest foot-trafficed areas in the country, where LA has everybody going to suburban malls by car.

Also note, the "brains" of the Virgin franchise sold out - the Megastores are now owned by a real estate company!

der Brucer

[MBarnum]

With a store like Amoeba in the area, there would be little or no need to go to a store like Virgin. Amoeba's prices are better and their selection is much, much better.

I shop at Amoeba each time I go to L.A. and always spend a fortune...they actually have stuff that I would buy!

[MBarnum]

DR Jose, you have made me smile and laugh a huge amount this evening! I adore you!  

[DakotaCelt]

Anyone heard from Francois lately?

[DakotaCelt]

This board always makes me smile....

[JoseSPiano]

But the LA area has four Megastores serving a population less than NYC's 2! Also, the Times Square store is in one of the densest foot-trafficed areas in the country, where LA has everybody going to suburban malls by car.

Also note, the "brains" of the Virgin franchise sold out - the Megastores are now owned by a real estate company!

der Brucer

I also just have to wonder how much the internet (Amazon.com basically) has influenced the mindset of the "average" CD buyer.  If Amazon has it in stock, why don't you?  I'm sure there has to be some element of that besides the whole downloading craze (a craze I'm most definitely not a part of).  There's just soooo much product out there right now.  The amount of physical space to carry everything - at least Amazon.com's version of everything - and enough copies of everything is basically impossible.  And more, importantly, unpredictable.  Just how many copies of THE newest release should a store order for the first day, the first week of sale.  -And does a store have to carry one copy of every "obscure" title just in case someone happens to come in a few days, months (even years) later looking for that CD?

I grew up knowing that there were times when I would have to get something "later".  Alas, everyone wants it "Now".  And they mean it.

[JoseSPiano]

DR Jose, you have made me smile and laugh a huge amount this evening! I adore you!  

I adore you too, DR MBarnum.

[DakotaCelt]

Jose, I have also heard good things about Waterhorse and I do hope to see it when it finally gets here...

[DERBRUCER]

Nin sits atop the mountain peak in a 2005 photo provided by the Mount Washington Observatory,

Mascot cat retires from mountain

MOUNT WASHINGTON, New Hampshire (AP)

-- Neither strong wind nor high flames bothered Nin the cat during a dozen years patrolling the Northeast's highest peak as mascot of the Mount Washington Observatory.

It's retirement that bums him out.

The regal ex-stray with a bright white coat and black splotches was carried off the mountain Wednesday for the last time and will live with some park rangers in the valley below due to old age and a recent infection claiming the last of his teeth.

"He's 17 or 18 years old, so he's getting up there. We wanted to do the most humane thing for him," said Scot Henley, executive director of the nonprofit weather observatory.

Nin is moving in with Diane Holmes and Mike Pelchat, rangers at Mount Washington State Park, after years of petting and pampering from visitors and researchers alike.

der Brucer

[DERBRUCER]

I also just have to wonder how much the internet (Amazon.com basically) has influenced the mindset of the "average" CD buyer.  If Amazon has it in stock, why don't you?  

The Megastore's survival depends on folks like us who like to "browse" and discover new possibilities - and that means lots of traffic (read "pedestrians" and population density added to large tourist base).

der Brucer

[singingnymph]

The Philadelphia Story is a drool fest, I must say.