Statia
How did you end up living on a island? I bet it is very interestin.

Another reason to dislike the French. According to Der Spiegel, a prominent German magazine, French fish farmers in northern France, have begun to raise sturgeons in ponds. Voila! It may be non-Russian caviar you will be seeing on grocers' shelves in the future. This from the nation that went ballistic when California produced, marketed, and sold champagne.

Rave: Found the formal dress I need for a black tie affair in two weeks at a consignment shop for $21 including tax!

Rave: It is exactly what I wanted!

Rant: People who think my posts are condescending or rude when I'm not trying to be.

Rant: Me being condescending and rude on purpose.

Well, one poster did write that Floridians had a choice when they moved to Florida and knew what they were getting into with the hurricanes.

Bonnie, you continue to be an inspiration to many of us! Keep up the great work!

You even reminded me of another rave for me: Got two new pairs of trousers for work (black of course) at great sale at Bananna Republic last Friday night, both were over $100 original, for about $35 each! Plus had fun shopping with my best friend, who always brings me luck.

GoTravel, Awesome find with the dress! Just for the record, my rant had nothing to do with any of your posts.

It's important for us all to remember though, that perception is reality, and tone is sometimes hard to read in writing. It doesn't hurt to re-read what you typed before hitting the post button! I know I'm guilty of it sometimes too.

Pam, it won't drive me away completely. No worries.

RAVE: Bright clear skies and a comfrotable 60+

RAVE: Have made arangements for a trip to Thailand in February.

RAVE: Granddaughters HS band going to be in inaugural parade

:-B

USNR, isn't a sturgeon's eggs a sturgeon's eggs now matter where the sturgeon lives? This French bashing is a little ridiculous. There are fish farmers in the US that produce caviar too! And The Sturgeons are native to the midwest. There are Sturgeons in the river on my property....and they have eggs in them in the spring!!!

Personally I hate caviar but the French aren't too bad.

cd, my husband got a job here about 12 years ago. Considering the island is about 8 square miles, yes it's quite interesting.

Rave: My husband--I just have to brag at what a great guy I have. He's made us reservations for another long weekend in NYC...hotel, airfare, tickets to a show, dinner ressies--the whole 9 yds! His reason for doing all this, "Just 'cuz I love you!"

Rave: Scarlett's son is safe and sound, Bonnie (AKA the Fodors Dieting Guru), and GoTravel's bargain (I have a black tie wedding to attend in a few wks, never even thought of going to a consignment store til now--the things you can learn on fodors, Thank GoT!)

Rant: The bad weather all over and the havoc it causes.

Rave: It's Friday and I'm off for 3 days!

Have a good one, everyone!

Rave: A busy weekend of parties for a friend's 2 year old son, a friend's 40th birthday, and my parent's 50th Anniversary.

Rant: I'll quote a British colleague "If the stories are true, I don't think he's the first member of the Royal Family to wear Nazi paraphenalia." It must be tough be young, stupid and constantly under the micro-scope. Still..

Rant: I'm still in the doghouse with my wife for suggesting that the news-story of Bob Marley's wife digging him up and reburying him 24 years later is proof positive that wives are incapable of letting their husbands have a moment of peace.

Rave: I love that my firm closes at 2:00 on the day before a holiday.

Almost forgot, the French protection of the word Champagne is about protecting what in their view is a brand name. It is about protecting a valueable brand name from what could be an inferior product that diminishes that brand equity- same as Parma, Italy protecting their proscuitto.

Rant: What is up with this weather?!?!?

Rant: I'm absolutely exhausted from work.

Rave: SOOOO thankful for this 3-day weekend. Fingers crossed that I won't end up working on Monday.

Rant: That's not fair that you close early today, Ryan. Isn't the market open all day?!?!?

Ryan Your comment about Bob Marley's wife is classic. I'm sure my DH would agree.

OWJ, I'm glad you have such a wonderful and caring hubby after what you've been thru. I'm sure the trip is just what you need! Have a blast.

rave: 9 wks from today I'll be in Tokyo w/my son. After planning for a year, I feel like I did when I was 8 months pregnant w/him and so ready to get the deal underway!

tpatricco: Unfortunately, some people only know how to snipe, lash, and put down, and it is the primary way they think and communicate. Just be glad it's cyberspace and treat it as such if you can, or take a break if it gets too nasty. I took a 6 month leave of absence from Freaky Friday for the same reason.

Ani: here's hoping everyone stays healthy in your house this week before you go , esp. the little one.

jor, do you have a snowblower that you hook up to the John Deere?

Rant: My son was sick last night and we were up alllll night.

Rave: We made it almost an entire year without a single virus, runny nose, or trip to the doctor (other than a well checkup).

Rant: Totally with you, tpatricco and Scarlett.

Rave: Fodorites who are genuinely helpful and friendly, offering good advice without attacking other Fodorites whose opinions may be different from their own.

BIG RAVE: Due to work, my DH has not been able to leave the city limits for a year. We'll finally be able to go on a trip out of town (albeit a conference) in March!!

Michelle,
I'm on the bond side. The bond market closes early on the last trading day before a holiday because the senior people have traditionally liked to make an early exit. This left unseasoned Junior people to make decisions. After a large firm lost a significant amount of money as a result, the bond market association started advising an early close. A much easier solution than suggesting the senior people stay until 5 on a Friday.

Rant: Found out that WHFS 99.1, the modern rock station I listened to religiously in my DC suburban youth, unexpectedly went to an all-Latino format yesterday.

Rant: They hadn't been any good since the early 90's anyway. It was almost a joke that the past five times I've gone down there I always heard "Jane Says" at least once. But still...

Rant: Wanted to go to the MOMA on Monday (I have off, DH doesn't), but my friend bailed. Maybe I'll go by myself. Or maybe a mini-fodors GTG?

Trish- I think you give great advice and your friendliness and local knowlege is an asset to this site. Bonnie - congrats! And you're doing it the smart way, which takes no small amount of fortitude. OWJ - could he please talk to MY husband??

Even though the weather may be poopy, I hope all fodorites have a lovely weekend.

Rave: Returned yesterday from first-ever trip out of the country-took 6 college kids and worked on building a house in southern, rural Costa Rica
Rave: New appreciation for American plumbing and roads
Rave: the wonderful new people you meet when travelling
Rave:the Fodorites who gave me great travel information
Rant:91 degrees in Rio Tigre, 2 degrees here

Ryan, I love your comment about Bob Marley. Classic!

Gee... you would think that would apply here with all the partners leaving early and leaving us associates to "mind the store". Not a problem though since the partners just don't come in on the Fridays before a long weekend. Enjoy your early departure (I'm green with envy amp; )... looks like the heavy snow-sleet-rain mix is tapering off.

Rave: 50th Wedding Anniversaries and Ryan, do you know how lucky we are to have parents both alive, and both together. At 40 years, it is only 1 in 7 and at 50 years- not even 1 in 25 (and that's for the group reaching 50 years now). My parents will be 60 years next December 2005.

Rave again: We get out at about 3:30 or 4pm before every holiday as night classes don't run.

Rave again: Cold as it is, this morning was absolutely beautiful. It's about 10 degrees in Chicagolnad in the sun- but very sunny and snow-tipped once again.

Biggest Rave: Got all my documents/ tickets etc. for FL, G.Cayman, Ocho Rios, Cozumel etc. in order and it's getting close.

Selfish Rant: Getting invitations for showers/weddings etc. in March/ April/ May and have 6 and counting. Can't go to all as Michigan is calling my name.