What's the latest in people's lives?

[Lighthawk]

It's not the heat that's bothering me right now(though it is too damn hot). It's the massive swarms of cicadas that are the real pain in the ass at the moment. Just absolutely everywhere, and I'm getting damn sick of them screeching.

Meh, they're harmless. They just freak me out when they leave a giant, intact empty skin on my deck.

They may be harmless, but that doesn't mean they aren't annoying as hell. They just won't shut up, and as you said, have a rude habit of discarding their shells all over the place. Plus it's a tad more off-putting having critters the size of my thumb swarming like gnats. It doesn't matter that they can't hurt you, you don't want to walk into something like that.

[IanKennedy]

Does that extend to such things as mortgages, equity loans, and the like? If so, it's probably like union-sponsored programs over here. Do mortgage lenders over there typically require PMI for loans over a certain loan-to-value?

I think it's only mortgages on property in the scheme.

[Mikey]

Only 98.4 here.

Yeah, but you're supposed to live in stupid weather. You live in the southern half of Texas.

It doesn't matter that they can't hurt you, you don't want to walk into something like that.

Ugh. We don't get them in those numbers, but I did have carpenter bees last year. They're somewhere in size between "adult male thumb" and "Cessna," and are territorially aggressive. They have no sting, but nobody's told them that - they have a tendency to fly at you, usually in a shallow dive. Like I said, they don't sting - but they have left bruises from impact.

[Lighthawk]

Ugh. We don't get them in those numbers, but I did have carpenter bees last year. They're somewhere in size between "adult male thumb" and "Cessna," and are territorially aggressive. They have no sting, but nobody's told them that - they have a tendency to fly at you, usually in a shallow dive. Like I said, they don't sting - but they have left bruises from impact.

That...would really bother me. I'm fine with most bugs, so long as they just crawl. Anything that combines flying with aggression though makes me want to build a bug zapper suit.

[Mikey]

They guy who came to get rid of them and spray the nests had a very high-tech method of defending himself while poking around and spraying. He carried a tennis racquet.

[Lighthawk]

I've done that before...results tend to be...messy.

[Lt. Staplic]

We've been in the 95-96 (35-35.5 C) range here since I got back sunday, had a storm system blow through last night and it is currently 68 (20 C) here.

[Mark]

No unfortunatly my time in the jewellery business gets less adn less, I still do some retail work but mostly I can just do it when on holiday. Still hink about it and work with ideas but not much practical work.

Just curious.....would you be open to the idea of making some simple, made to order jewelry? If so, I may like to talk business with you

[Mikey]

I've done that before...results tend to be...messy.

I can imagine. The carpenter bees, though, seem to resist disintegration fairly well.

[Lighthawk]

I can imagine. The carpenter bees, though, seem to resist disintegration fairly well.

Okay see now, that's just not natural. Stingless bees that still try to attack you and refuse to be racket slashed? Totally unnatural.

[Nickswitz]

Well, all is good now.

[Mikey]

Well, all is good now.

I wish I could share your optimism, considering the scope of the word "all," but I'm sure glad to hear it.

[Nickswitz]

Yeah, very true, all within the tiny scope of connections I have within my life is good. I think that's more accurate. And I'm sick, but still very happy.

[Mikey]

And I'm sick

Sorry to hear it. Nothing serious, I trust.

but still very happy.

Good to hear.

[Nickswitz]

Yeah, probably just a cold or something like that, my throat just feels like it's been chewed on by a cheese grater.