while we're on the subject, does anyone know how to make weathering look really well on like mandalorian armour? I'm trying to see how I can weather my Jatser Mereel.

One thing I've done on ships that I've customized is get an old paint brush, preferably the cheap Walmart kind.  I'll dab it in silver and then wipe of most of the excess paint on a towel or rag.  Then I'll lightly brush it over the surface.  This works pretty well for me.  For vehicles I've done it in both silver and with black for a pretty good look.  However, I haven't tried this on figures before.

I've been around the oil business all my life, mainly because that is the career my dad chose.  He doesn't have anything to do with pricing and whatnot, but he did give me some interesting info about the demand for oil and why the price has jumped.

I'll type a bit here but I've got to get ready to go in a minute.  He said since 1978, there have been no refineries made in the United States.  Environmental groups have protested against it and laws have been passed that makes it virtually impossible to refine oil in the US.  Therefore we have to go overseas to purchase about 60% of what is in the US.  Obviously the other 40% is done here in the refineries we have in place.  If we could build refineries here, that would help with the cost of oil, a lot!!  Is there more oil in the US??  Most certainly yes, if environmental groups would allow for the drilling of it in certain areas, that woul help relieve some of the pain at the pump.  Recently, (can't remember the bill right now), a bill went through Congress authorizing drilling in Alaska.  Finally we can get into the oil fields we've wanted for years.  But, it could be years before we feel the effects of that simply because of the oil refinery problem.

Also, people talk about BIG oil companies.  There are only three of them, and there are no middle men in the business.  The 3 companies take the shipments from overseas, send it here on their own ships, offload, take it to the gas stations in their trucks.  No middle man there.  Another thing by dad brought up that I think some people have overlooked, we keep paying for gas.  (Of course, we don't have an option if we want to drive though.)  Until recently, there hasn't been a lot of loud complaining about the price. 

Oil companies know that we are willing to pay whatever we have for gas.  We live in a free market economy.  So, the companies can raise the price if they see fit and we have to pay it, because we need to.  Obviously we want lower prices, but the oil companies continue to make money because of good old supply and demand.  In my mind, both the consumer and the oil companies are the problem.  As consumers we haven't pushed hard enough for alternative fuels, and like any business in a free economy, the oil companies increased their prices.

I know some of you aren't going to be happy with this, but my dad has been in the oil business for 40 years so I'll believe what he has to say.  So don't bash what I've posted here.  I just wanted to get this bit of info out there for all to see.

Well I drove by a few gas stations this morning - nothing over 2.81 and no long lines...

I guess I'll fill up this afternoon before it jumps 50 more cents...

Where exactly do you live out here in the DFW area?  I'm in Garland and the best I found this morning on the way to work was 2.89.  I'm hoping for that on my way home today.

I know this will sound a bit hypocritical after I've been bitching about pitching, but I'd hate to give up Soriano.  But, in the interest of pitching an a probably $10 million a year for Alfie I could swing it.  I think another way of looking at trading, would be Kevin Mench, although a fan favorite, because he hasn't developed quite like the Rangers had hoped.  There is also Laynce Nix, a tremendous center fielder, but a little slow with the bat.

However, Hicks has the cash to pay Alfie and to pick up a pitcher, he's just been too much of a tight ass to do so...I mean, come one, the guy owns the Rangers and the Dallas Stars!!  Hicks has the money to lure someone here, he just has to pick the right one.  Also, firing John Hart would be a good move.  GM Hart has been an assclown since he got here and doens't seem to understand pitching=winning in baseball.  Hart did the same thing with Cleveland in the 90's, built the team around an offense...which is great and can win many games, but will do nothing for you when the hitting goes cold for 2 or 3 weeks or you get into the playoffs and everyone except you can pitch.

I was only partly into football, but mostly baseball.  I would play ball 365 days a year if I could...would still do it too, except now it's softball.

Anway, my football idol was Emmitt Smith and for baseball, Don Mattingly and Nolan Ryan.

Winston Churchill: A History of the English Speaking Peoples Volume.I

You're a brave soul reading Churchill.  Being a history major and teacher, I've wanted to read some of his stuff.  I sat down and tried to but it go so freakin' wordy I couldn't stand it. 

I'm about to pick up a new book, but I don't know what yet.  I just finished reading Splash One by Ivan Randall.  It's about the history of air to air jet combat.  Pretty good read if you're into that.  I've seen a book recently about Pararescue that I want to pick up.  I'm also reading through select chapters of a home buying guide.

Back to the thread at hand.  I've got a new favorite word...asspipe.