Well, some of us on this board are out here in California. We've got some sights to see if you ever get out this way. :-) (Did I mention we also have lots of local beer? Anchor Steam for one here in the SF Bay Area. :lol:) Take care, DerekHave you been to the breweries in Berkeley or San Leandro yet? There is a winery in Alameda too.Not yet. :-) I wasn't aware of one in San Leandro, that's very close to home. I'll have to look up the one(s) in Berkeley. (EDIT: Wait, I recall seeing one on our way the pottery store my wife likes...) I did get to sample the Full Boar Scottish Ale from Devil's Canyon Brewery] in Belmont at the Maker's Faire a few years ago. Very tasty; smooth and a bit sweet. They also have an amazing root beer. Sadly they don't sell commercially, just to bars/restaurants. Recently we did finally stop by the Ghiradelli outlet store. (I don't think we bought the whole store. :lol:) Take care, Derek
Well, some of us on this board are out here in California. We’ve got some sights to see if you ever get out this way. (Did I mention we also have lots of local beer? Anchor Steam for one here in the SF Bay Area. )Just a quick response, doing nurses duty today as the Missus has a stomach virus with all of the usual fun that goes with it. We've been to So. Cal and spent a week with my cousins (paternal) near Santa Barbara. Beautiful! I did have an anchor steam beer there, several actually and liked it! Believe it or not our local watering hole sells it. Never been north of Santa Barbara but we traveled down to San Diego and took in the sites. Tourists! We even went to Hollywood. Next trip I'd like to head north and see your guys neck of the woods. Speaking of which, have you ever been out here? Spring and Fall are the two best times. Winters are grungy with rain and snow and Summers are unbearable due to the humidity. if I can figure it out I'll post some pictures but don't look for Darron quality photos! Cap't Jack
Just a quick response, doing nurses duty today as the Missus has a stomach virus with all of the usual fun that goes with it. We've been to So. Cal and spent a week with my cousins (paternal) near Santa Barbara. Beautiful! I did have an anchor steam beer there, several actually and liked it! Believe it or not our local watering hole sells it. Never been north of Santa Barbara but we traveled down to San Diego and took in the sites. Tourists! We even went to Hollywood. Next trip I'd like to head north and see your guys neck of the woods. Speaking of which, have you ever been out here? Spring and Fall are the two best times. Winters are grungy with rain and snow and Summers are unbearable due to the humidity. if I can figure it out I'll post some pictures but don't look for Darron quality photos! Cap't JackI don't recall exactly where you are? Ohio? If so, I've been into the state but not really spent any length of time there. My brother and I did spend many summers in Indiana with our grandparents. Lots of great memories there. :-) Take care, Derek
I don’t recall exactly where you are? Ohio? If so, I’ve been into the state but not really spent any length of time there. My brother and I did spend many summers in Indiana with our grandparents. Lots of great memories there.Ah, so you've been near here anyway. I used to live in South Bend about half a mile from touchdown Jesus. I worked for a towel plant and delivered all over northern Indiana. The terrain there is nothing like our area though, Southern Ohio and the second least populated county in the State. The glacier didn't get down this far so we still have hills. where in Indiana did you stay? Cap't Jack
We spent our time in central and southern Indiana. We did get up to the Dunes for camping once, but never the north eastern part of the state. We used to go camping in the beautiful wooded hills (far less boring than the endless fields of corn and soy!) of Brown County in southern Indiana. My grandparents owned (but didn't 'run') a farm by Vicennes. We used to camp and fish there as well. Take care, DerekI don’t recall exactly where you are? Ohio? If so, I’ve been into the state but not really spent any length of time there. My brother and I did spend many summers in Indiana with our grandparents. Lots of great memories there.Ah, so you've been near here anyway. I used to live in South Bend about half a mile from touchdown Jesus. I worked for a towel plant and delivered all over northern Indiana. The terrain there is nothing like our area though, Southern Ohio and the second least populated county in the State. The glacier didn't get down this far so we still have hills. where in Indiana did you stay? Cap't Jack
We spent our time in central and southern Indiana. We did get up to the Dunes for camping once, but never the north eastern part of the state. We used to go camping in the beautiful wooded hills (far less boring than the endless fields of corn and soy!) of Brown County in southern Indiana. My grandparents owned (but didn’t ‘run’) a farm by Vicennes. We used to camp and fish there as well.My brother lived in Terre Haute a few years back but I've never been to that part of Indiana before, mostly central and northern, and yeah a LOT of soybean and corn fields much like mid Ohio. We used to go to the dunes when we lived in South Bend and to Holland for the tulip festival, but not being into flowers it was boring for an 18 year old. Also, used drive to Greencastle. I dated a girl who went to Depaw U. Beautiful campus, and the girl wasn't bad either! I played at the coffee house on campus where the post-beats hung out. Cap't Jack
Sure, but there are many pros and cons to both driving and flying. It takes two hours to fly to Florida from Buffalo (much cheaper than flying from Toronto) versus the two days one needs to get there driving. Being in a car with kids for two days can be fun—if you forget about the non-fun part.Speaking of Buffalo isn't Traveler from there and what happened to him? We fly to Florida from Charleston airport in just under an hour and it's cheaper than driving. It also gives us more time to enjoy the vacation. Cap't Jack
Speaking of Buffalo isn't Traveler from there and what happened to him?I think I pissed him the hell off awhile ago.
Well, some of us on this board are out here in California. We've got some sights to see if you ever get out this way. :-) (Did I mention we also have lots of local beer? Anchor Steam for one here in the SF Bay Area. :lol:) Take care, DerekDon't you California chauvinists start with your bragging! ;-PI know that exact feeling! Ah, road trips are one of the best things about North American life, aren’t they Jack? My visits to New York and Philly are the result of spontaneous road trips with friends. Awesome times!The thing I liked the most Mike was the freedom to do it. I miss the spontaneity of just hopping in the car and hauling ass to anywhere. Everything has to be planned now and even though we do travel, it's not the same. There are times when I miss my buds, well some of them are dead now, but we still keep in touch and there's still a hellova lot of this country I haven't seen yet. Like the Western States. Roaaaaadtrip! Cap't Jack
Well, some of us on this board are out here in California. We've got some sights to see if you ever get out this way. :-) (Did I mention we also have lots of local beer? Anchor Steam for one here in the SF Bay Area. :lol:) Take care, DerekDon't you California chauvinists start with your bragging! ;-PWhatever are you talking about kind sir? :-) Take care, DerekI know that exact feeling! Ah, road trips are one of the best things about North American life, aren’t they Jack? My visits to New York and Philly are the result of spontaneous road trips with friends. Awesome times!The thing I liked the most Mike was the freedom to do it. I miss the spontaneity of just hopping in the car and hauling ass to anywhere. Everything has to be planned now and even though we do travel, it's not the same. There are times when I miss my buds, well some of them are dead now, but we still keep in touch and there's still a hellova lot of this country I haven't seen yet. Like the Western States. Roaaaaadtrip! Cap't Jack
No idea what happened to him. I emailed him a while ago but he never responded. But Gary may know (?). And TimB seems to be gone, too. I miss them both.Sure, but there are many pros and cons to both driving and flying. It takes two hours to fly to Florida from Buffalo (much cheaper than flying from Toronto) versus the two days one needs to get there driving. Being in a car with kids for two days can be fun—if you forget about the non-fun part.Speaking of Buffalo isn't Traveler from there and what happened to him? We fly to Florida from Charleston airport in just under an hour and it's cheaper than driving. It also gives us more time to enjoy the vacation. Cap't Jack
A few months ago I contacted Traveller because he hadn’t been coming to our local potlucks. What he told me was that he was too busy training for the decathlons thhat he participates in to come.
I hope he hasn’t run into a frozen waterfall while jogging. If you get to see him, Gary, tell him I said ‘hi.’
The art itself may have impressed Renaissance artists but I doubt they’d be impressed by how it’s displayed. I have been impressed by the design of many tattoos, myself, but I don’t like the idea that they are put on skin. You said that being an atheist has nothing to do with body art any more than wearing earrings or a bracelet. But earrings and beacelets are not permanently imbedded in the skin, don’t cause pain and can be removed easily. IMO, people who get tattoos haven’t thought it through and atheists, in my experience tend to think things through more than most people. I could be wrong, of course, some atheists may be just as likely as anyone else to do ridiculous things to their bodies thoughtlessly. It is just my my opinion but it’s based on the fact that I’ve seen few people who are known to me to be atheists that have tattoos. Your experience may be different.IMO the only reason they wouldn't be impressed is the desecration of "god's temple" BS. Putting art on skin is obviously a matter of personal preference and is a form of outward expression for the wearer. It also has historic signifance, being imitated by British sailors who borrowed the idea from the Tahitians in the 1820's. As to thinking it through, I've never met anyone with a tattoo who didn't plan one, not just the art but the place to display it. Excepting prison tats (done by amateurs with primative tools), they all were tastefully done and accurate depictions of scenes, symbols or cartoons. And once again, any tattoo can be removed at will by a laser process that literally wipes out the ink. And as to atheists getting tattoos, atheism is merely a nonbelief in god, not adornment. Getting your body inked has no relation to your personal philosophy any more than stereotyping all intelligent kids on the playground as nearsighted nerds. Getting a tattoo doesn't make you a member of a biker gang. So how many tattoos do you have? Tell us about them. :) Cap't Jack
I hope he hasn’t run into a frozen waterfall while jogging. If you get to see him, Gary, tell him I said ‘hiSame here Gary, and I miss TimB too. They both posted some great discussions and backed their contentions with facts. I also miss Free in Ky. He was the only other Appalachian atheist on the forum. Cap't jack
So how many tattoos do you have? Tell us about them.Non sequitur. I've already mentioned that I have none and gave the reason back on post #10. As to my knowledge of tattoos, my son, an atheist has an Egyptian art tattoo on his right shoulder, the eye of Horus surrounded by a scarab beetle. A fellow teacher and friend, also an atheist, has both upper arms covered in Maori tribal art. He visits New Zealand every Summer and bought a farm there, likes the culture and history of the natives. Your contention is that "tattoos make people look stupid". That statement is subjective and it's your opinion. I disagree totally, but you are entitled to your opinion. However, to say that "most atheists are too intelligent to get tattoos" is like saying the majority of Americans in the US are xtians: xtians are prevented from getting tattoos by biblical interpretation, therefore ALL xtians are intelligent because getting a tattoo is stupid. Your argument is faulty and based on a false cause. Of course you could poll atheists and see how many have tattoos and make your determination from that data but I suggest you don't do it here. Forum members don't seem to like polls much at all. Of course I'm leaning towards a tat of my favorite naturalist: http://www.flickr.com/photos/amphibian_south_america/4646708900/ Cap't Jack
I don’t have any tattoos myself. Not because I don’t like them or think they’re stupid. 
I’ve just never thought of one which I’d be willing to have the rest of my life. 
Although I’ve toyed with the family crest, but that’s probably not going to happen. Or if I had the money I’d consider portraits of my children, but that’s probably not going to happen either. :lol:
So I’ll just keep being nosy and asking other folks about their tats. Anecdotal, but I’ve yet to find someone with tattoos who wasn’t willing to talk about them. (Then again, I’ve never asked anyone with ‘obvious’ prison tats either!)
Take care,
Derek
The gentleman doth protest too much, methinksSo how many tattoos do you have? Tell us about them.Non sequitur. I've already mentioned that I have none and gave the reason back on post #10. As to my knowledge of tattoos, my son, an atheist has an Egyptian art tattoo on his right shoulder, the eye of Horus surrounded by a scarab beetle. A fellow teacher and friend, also an atheist, has both upper arms covered in Maori tribal art. He visits New Zealand every Summer and bought a farm there, likes the culture and history of the natives. Your contention is that "tattoos make people look stupid". That statement is subjective and it's your opinion. I disagree totally, but you are entitled to your opinion. However, to say that "most atheists are too intelligent to get tattoos" is like saying the majority of Americans in the US are xtians: xtians are prevented from getting tattoos by biblical interpretation, therefore ALL xtians are intelligent because getting a tattoo is stupid. Your argument is faulty and based on a false cause. Of course you could poll atheists and see how many have tattoos and make your determination from that data but I suggest you don't do it here. Forum members don't seem to like polls much at all. Of course I'm leaning towards a tat of my favorite naturalist: http://www.flickr.com/photos/amphibian_south_america/4646708900/ Cap't Jack