Peter

I filled my tank two nights ago at $2.89 a gallon, and today I went to the station and it was $3.10. When I was paying some guy was there with a $217 bill for gas alone, and as I stood to get my change someone came with a $100 bill and said, "let's see how far that gets me." Fortunately I get 31 mpg, and that's when I don't try to drive conservatively. I would not drive, but to be honest with you I'd rather pay the extra expenses than have to walk or even ride my bike. The only place I really drive is to school, and first of all nobody rides their bike to school, and you'd get killed going there. The Brits are getting the rough deal though; their prices are so high because of taxes, the same taxes put on cigarettes and alcohol, because apparently gasoline is taboo with the rest.

What a horrible time to start driving. I can actually remember when gas was $.96 a gallon. Just goes to show how quickly the prices have risen in the past, maybe five or six years. I know I'm in no position to complain, but my parents decided that I should pay for my own gas to drive my sister and I to school daily. The disadvantage of having one of those hybrids (such as the Lexus 400h) is that they charge about $6,000 more so that it's hybrid. That's a long time until you've saved in gas. Where I live is a bit higher than the rest of the country, and certainly the highest in the state. This county, per capita, has the highest amount of SUVs, which characteristically get the worst gas mileage. Oh well, I don't drive one.

I think when I die my body and mind are totally shut off and the body, although pumped full of preservatives, will eventually decompose. I'm a bit skeptical as to what happens to the soul, because I don't know anyone who can describe the experience to me.

Evidence shows that carbonation is a cause in esophogal cancer, but walking around outside is a leading cause in skin cancer. The phosphoric acid found in many soft drinks supports the decay of calcium in bones, and it doesn't sound like your diet is high in calcium to compensate. Did you know after accidents the clean up crew spills Coke all over the mess of fluids (oil, gas, anti-freeze, brake fluid, etc.) to get it all off the road? I kinda stopped drinking soda, I honestly haven't had a Coke in a year, and it's not like I make a conscious effort to not drink soda, It's just not something I ever crave. Way too sweet.

In an expensive, time-consuming, painful process which leaves an equally undesirable scar. The point is if you're going to get it removed, don't get one in the first place. I'd never get a tattoo, but that's because I'm too modest about those sorts of things and like control in my life, and having a tattoo that can't be removed is out of my control. As for people getting them: It's kind of a turn off when girls have them, don't really know why. It's cool when people get them and it has a really special meaning, not just because. Some are cool, but again as long as it's on their arm not mine.

Having never have been a smoker, I have really no idea how difficult it is. To those who are saying it's not that hard though, do realise that some people have addictive personalities and will be addicted to something easier than others. However, I've tried helping others quit smoking and these are some tips that they have said helped them: Cut down on smoking if you really must, and set a quit date. On that date throw out all smoking paraphernalia including ask trays, lighters, and especially cigarettes. I would advise not smoking other things such as pot either, they don't get rid of the cigarette cravings. When you set your date stock up on little candies, sunflower seeds (something in sunflower seeds mimics that of nicotine and apparently helps cravings), gum, etc. Whenever you have a craving just put something else in your mouth. Don't use real food to rid yourself of cravings though because that can lead to unhealthy eating habits making you fat or otherwise. Also drink a glass of water when you have cravings. Remember that if you go through a week without a cigarette, then you're a week ahead of when you weren't smoking. That means if you slip and smoke just once (you say just once, but it wont be) then you have to start over on that week of suffering or whatever you want to call it. Since you haven't smoked incredibly long it should be easier than quitting after smoking for 40 years. Just let it absorb what they are doing to you, and how those little things are taking over your life in a way. I am one who must be in control so I know this would bother me if I smoked. Hope those help, good luck.

Quite ridiculous if you ask me. You say it's freaky, but it's not like a situation such as this isn't hard to prevent. I'm not going to say he didn't have a life, but he should have spent the life he had on other activities. There is absolutely no reason someone should be doing something like this.

Snowboarding, only because I can't afford both skis and a snowboard. I'm stuck with a snowboard otherwise I'd prefer to do both. I just love that feeling when the night before there was two feet of powder and making fresh tracks, it's like floating. Around here, (Lake Tahoe area), I literally go snowboarding a few times a week after school in season. It's great having some of the world's best mountains at your disposal.

I can't say what my biggest phobia is because it's not politically correct. I'm afraid of people talking on their cell phones, driving their SUV down the freeway going 75, putting on makeup, and trying to calm the kids in the back. I love driving at night for some reason. During the day there's that driving anxiety, and when I drive at night it's the opposite, almost soothing. Almost to the point of where I'd go driving just because. I guess phobias go away after a while, that's the hardest part in learning to drive. The pushing pedals is easy to do, anyone can do it. It's 90% mental, as are most things in life. With experience comes ease when driving. You'll get used to it.

I literally get headaches trying to think about this. I mean if it doesn't go on forever, something does. Or nothing. But if nothing goes on forever it's just as wierd.

I don't burn, don't really know why. Last time I was really burned (and when I say really burned I mean I was just lightly sunburned all over as opposed to just the neck or shoulders) was when I was in Colombia about five years ago being at the beach for three days strait, six hours each day. Even if you don't burn though, it's not a reason you shouldn't wear sunscreen. Just because the signs aren't there doesn't mean you won't get skin cancer. They say to wear about a shot glass full of sunscreen on your body and to put it on daily rather than just when you're in the sun. They make special sunscreeen for your face that doesn't effect the pores.

I guess I just don't care about this case... In the media and justice system of the United States, Michael Jackson is just another man in millions accused of a sexual crime. No reason for him to get special attention. Maybe the media could subtly note it, but we are now to the point where you can't turn on the news and not have at least a ten minute segment on the trial. The jokes are out of hand by comedians as well, they just feed the fire. It's just sad that a possible sex offender (who doesn't seem to be very dangerous) gets more media coverage than a hurricane or something. It's difficult for our justice system to work correctly (unbiased) when there's no way the jury doesn't have an opinion of the man that they've probably formed years before this case. Just my thoughts.

I thought I was going to have to lock this :). I guess its cool that this came out, but it means absolutely nothing to me. I guess you'd kinda have to be alive at the time or have a good knowledge of the event to know what's really happening.

I can't see living for anything other than myself. I can't really explain it, but if you are living for anything else then it seems as if you aren't really living. Do what you want to do, and as Wyrm said, experience anything you want. That's my thing in life, I'll try anything (within reason) if a chance is given. I live for myself.

Yes it's as bad as they say, but you must understand that much of it could be propaganda put out by organizations that don't want you smoking. That said, there are organizations that are devoted to anti-smoking. I could seriously care less if someone smokes or not. I've never encountered a smoker who blows it in your face or anything. Remember they're people too, smoking didn't turn them into some sort of monster. If you ask them to put it out, many will do so or walk to a different area. But the best bet for you is to walk away from them, and avoid confrontation. The only thing I have against smoking is that it's addictive. People do unhealthy things to themselves all the time, so smoking occasionally wouldn't be all that bad as those things go. But start smoking occasionally for a while and you become addicted, and sadly most people don't have control over how much they smoke from that point, deeming it seriously unhealthy. People also need to understand that those who smoke clearly don't care about their health, or at least not much. Those who smoke occasionally might care somewhat, but when you're addicted it's not easy to stay "healthy," unless you exercise all the time to counter the effects of inhaling the smoke (this is NO justification, and it's not really possible to run enough to counter the effects).

When you have online friends you met from a game (presumably where many friends are aquired around here), you have common grounds to speak of. When one or both of you quit the game, those initial common grounds are lost, and you have no real reason to stay friends with the person, unless new grounds have been made.

I keep it on silent, mostly for school. I also don't like calling attention to myself when the phone rings. The only time I don't have it on silent is if I can't have the phone in my pocket but it's in earshot, in which case it's just a standard ringer.

I've never had any serious dental problems. I brush once a day, floss a lot less. No cavities, gum disease (maybe the one you described, don't know), etc.

Judaism around here isn't like that at all. Pay if you want. They don't pass around a plate at any service I've ever been to. With that said, I'd say Christians are much more strict when it comes to donations. Maybe you're thinking of Mormons? I don't have them, and I can say that I've never actually seen a Jew like that (except for in the movies of course). It's definately an Orthodox thing. That or if you don't shave for a few months you should get a similar effect. Not lashing out on you or anything, but what is it that people find "funny" or even "cool" about being Jewish? It's consistent among the Jews that I know, and it's often the first thing mentioned when I am introduced ("Hi, this is Peter. He's Jewish.") Even though I don't go to temple or anything really Jewish, I don't see why people have such an interest in this? It's not like "Hey, this is Joe, and he's Mormon." It seems that you're either Jewish or you're the other people. I don't "poke fun" at myself, I really have no reason to in most cases. Certainly not for my religion. I'm not complaining or anything, I just find it interesting and puzzling. That's one thing I love about the religion, no pressure to do anything. They don't try to convert people, and I think that's really cool. Also, if you want to eat pork, go ahead. Nothing bad will happen. If you follow the religion seriously (to the point where you'd believe something bad would happen to you) then you wouldn't worry about it, because you would aready follow the rules (they're more like guidelines anyway). You don't go to heaven or hell in Judaism, but when you die it's about how close to God you will be. There's a lot more tradition because Judaism is not just a religion, it's a culture. That's one of the biggest differences between Judaism and Christianity. I can sit here and say I'm Jewish even though I don't go to services more than twice a year and I don't keep kosher, etc., because with the religion comes the foods, dances, music, and whatnot. Christianity certainly doesn't have all of that. Christ was a Jew just as many millions were at the time. Judas allegedly killed him or played a part in it, and Judas was a Jew, so many people blame the Jews for killing Jesus. However my take on it is that if the Jews hadn't killed Jesus, there wouldn't be any Christianity.

I like the third the best, it's very nice to look at. The first one I like as well, the colors are good in it. The boat adds a lot to it. The second is cool because of the meaning it has to you, and the last I see nothing special in.

I like the first one a lot, but the next three are just too heavily manipulated for my eyes, or at least they appear as such. The last one, if cropped properly, could end up very cool. Like try taking out the vase and most of the stems. Glad to see more photography!

Interesting question... If you know someone in the USA or Canada, have it sent to them and they can send it to you.

It's cool to see more photography going on in here. Those are cool photos, but as you said a bit low quality. Try reducing the size a little to get a little more quality out of them. Might want to crop the images so that it gives more to concentrate on, and adds to them more.

If I had to choose a favorite it'd be the second one. There's just something going on, it's interesting. The rest, there's nothing really spectacular. The colors don't pop, so it makes it sort of bland. Something that can be done about this is adjusting levels in Photoshop. If that's too complicated, just adjust the brightness and contrast. A border also adds a lot to images, and cropping does too. It can make an image entirely different depending on the cropping. Last, they are the slightest bit blurry. If you want a little better quality, you might downsize them a bit (along with the other tips I gave). A 5 Megapixel camera isn't perfect, that's all I have, but it should be able to look better at smaller dimentions.

Remember, it's OK for boys to cry, just as long as it's not while they're watching Oprah :).