The Rice Man Cometh (Still!)



When I heard (OK - half-listening) on the news the other day that Jerry Rice had signed on with the Denver Broncos - I assumed it meant as coaching staff. "Cool", I thought. I knew he'd been around a while and surely had some good gridiron wisdom to impart to the young-uns. A teeny little part of my brain wondered, "Hmm, special teams or defensive coordinator" while another part registered the fact that Rice was going to play. And like the rest of America I found myself to be an ageist, at least temporarily. "Isn't he like...old.?"

So I become intrigued and start reading up. Yeah, he's old! I read a news blurb that mentioned that Rice was around to vote for Jimmy Carter in 1980. Wait - I was around then too. I see his age - 42 - and realize - I'm older than him! Yes, and I too have been pushing the envelope - physically and mentally.

I started in Martial Arts when I turned 40, have been training fairly steady for the last seven years. It's not a career, but it is a lifestyle change. Luckily the injuries have been fairly minor, but my knees are taking a beating. Should I stop? Hell no. I will modify what I need to, and keep moving.

Rice wants to keep moving too, he just wants to play without some of the pressure of past years. The wide receiver who gave the 49's more than 15 years, and 3 Super Bowls, says he just loves the game, and he can still play. He's not a shoo-in, he still has to try out, and he isn't asking for #80. Sounds good to me.

Speaking of #80, another wide receiver, free agent Troy Brown (and one of my favorite Pats) just signed with New England. Again. It's a one year deal, but this too, sounds good to me too.

Anyway, back to Mr. Rice - I say, good for him, age is just a number. He's had a lot of good numbers in his career, and God willing 2005-2006 will give him a few more.

Speaking of a Fool in the Rain -


Today I bought some flowers for myself - but I digress.

While in the Florist shop - I was looking at the Yankee Candles. As if I need more candles, but then - i'm a fool for candles too.

So - I bought...get this..."A Splash of Rain". (Yes a candle)


If you live in Boston - anywhere within the sound of my voice...(like the old Radio Days). You'll know what I mean about the 'splash of rain'.

-Done

Play List for a Rainy Day -


Walk This Way - Aerosmith
Healing Game - Van Morrison
Dollar to the Pound - Ska - The Album (not sure the artist)
Rascal King - Mighty Mighty Bosstones
Redemption Song - Bob Marley
Around the World - Red Hot Chili Peppers

And one of my Favorite Songs (as if these above weren't?)

Fool in the Rain - Led Zeppelin

Breaking Records -


1. New England Weather - Abnormal Spring in New England? I don't know what the records are, but c'mon, this sucks.

2. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith -- Opening $$. Although it holds the present record for biggest opening day [$50,013,859], what I'm seeing is that it is still second to Spiderman for opening weekend.[$114,844,116(Spiderman) over $108,500,000 (StarWarsIII].

OK numbers are one thing, but I think Yoda could kick Spidy's ass. (Then they'd find out they both were on the same side after all - another feel good movie hidden under the layers)

3. Cleaning - I think I've been cleaning for 2 hours straight. That must be a record indeed. : )~

And a Writer Shall Lead Them...


Funny how writing leads you places. You thought you were headed - here - but instead you meander over - there. Or vice versa. For example I thought I might write a piece on the new X-Box and how Bill Gates has designs (no Pun intended) on harnessing the whole consumer entertainment market and fashioning said market into something Microsoft refers to as a "Digital Entertainment Lifestyle". Though this topic is very interesting, and actually brings out my inner conspiracy theorist, I will have to wait on that idea. [Hint, code name - Furby Factor].

So, here I am pondering something entirely different. I mentioned the process of writing, how it can be surprising in it's exploratory little way. Is it the essence of art itself to get lost in a project, and let the work be the guide? Well...Duh. Ask anyone who dances, writes, sculpts or jams. Artists move with the grace of God and to the music of the muse. And they sometimes move from one medium to another, and I don't mean from water colors to oils. Models try acting. Dancers leap to KungFu Fighting. Portrait photographers change focus to painting. And Rockers write. And write! Bob Dylan, David Navarro, Niki Sixx, etc. Whew!

But what about the ones who started out writing? That is, after they were teachers, waiters, students, moms, but you get the picture. Someone like sci fi writer Marc Laidlaw. [ Dad's Nuke, Kalifornia, The Orchid Eater]. This dude was publishing novels and earning money, something that sounds like success. But it wasn't until he was writing game reviews for Wired that he got a glimpse of a new career. He then ended up at a little company in Seattle called Valve. You might know him better as one of the creators behind the outrageously successful PC game, "Half-Life".

Another well established writer got a taste of acting when his novel was sold to Hollywood. High Crimes [Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Jim Caviezel] author Joseph Finder not only had a hit book on his hands, he was going to the show, literally. Not that having a book made into a movie is the 'be all and end all' in a writer's life, but it's pretty damn cool. And the very 'wicked cool' thing (my Boston roots are showing) is that Finder was cast in the film as a JAG officer. No lines but perhaps some emoting? Now I'll have to see the movie again to find Finder.

Stephen King is another writer who does the cameo thing. He's famous for appearing in the film versions of his books (Pizza anyone?) No, he won't be quitting his day job for acting, nor for rocking. Oh yeah, not only can Stephen King scare the pants of his readers, he's a closet rocker. King is a member of the Rock Bottom Remainders , a garage band of sorts. This group plays fundraiser concerts and is made of up other literary/creative heavy hitters such as Scott Turrow, Amy Tan, Ridley Pearson, Matt Groening, Mitch Albom, Dave Barry, and a few others. The Remainders raise pulse rates, decibels, spirits and money. It's all good, except for perhaps the music. Bruce Springsteen was quoted as saying, "Your band's not too bad. It's not too good either. Don't let it get any better, otherwise you'll just be another lousy band."

Of course, if you're going to consider the interesting lives that writers lead, don't forget George Plimpton. This man was a genius at really getting into his subjects. He played professional football, baseball and hockey; he's boxed and tried circus high wire stunts. All for being able to write about the experiences. Amazing.

Where will writing lead me? I don't know but what a trip it'll be.

Something I recently got http://blogcritics.org/ involved in. I shall let you know how that evolves. I'm constantly trying new ways to use my writing skills.


This whole Blogging thing - is it "the new black" ?

Must make this rather quick - as I have to start the homework routine.

I'm back to my blogging ways, back to enlightening and entertaining any and all who stumble drunkenly into my path. (Now that paints quite a picture, dosn't it?).

Like I said, this has to to be a quickie, but I'll be back with more news and ...

I am SO mad. I had the best little post almost all done and ready to go, but somehow, I lost it. Ok - so without any further fanfare, and the ..."sorry I've been gone so long BS", I'll get right to it.

Recently I heard about an interesting story from the U.K.'s The Guardian [ThankYOU Leslie]. Evidently, a secret underground cinema restaurant combo was discovered in Paris. The local police were on a training exercise underneath the Palais de Chaillot. They then found this ampitheater-bistro kind of deal. All underground. The coppers admit that they presently have no clue as to who built and/or used it. They noted a couple swastikas, but to be fair, they also found Stars of David and Celtic crosses. Whatever.

They found quite a variety of movie tapes, with projection equipment, and full size screen. The movies were film noir from the '50s, and some modern thrillers. [Yes, I'm wondering too, any Andrew Lloyd Webber?]. "None of the films were banned or even offensive, the spokesman said" And who says Paris is a dirty city.

They also found - this next part absolutely kills me - oh what the heck, I'll just copy and paste a bit here. "A smaller cave next door had been turned into an informal restaurant and bar. 'There were bottles of whisky and other spirits behind a bar, tables and chairs, a pressure-cooker for making couscous,' the spokesman said."

Couscous! How...decadant, how...unseemly, how cute! I can hear the exchange now in the Parisian version of the Evidence Room.

"Ahh, Jacques -- here is the haul from the Catacombs."

"Merci Maurice, Hmm, let's see, films, films, fil --what? Oh, Mon Dieu!... what have we here? Ah, oui for the couscous! Quelle joie!

C'mon, you can picture it too. But the question begs: what kind of fries did they serve there?

[For the full story, http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1299444,00.html]

Hello out there. Helloooooo. Yes, it’s been way too long, no excuses for it either. Anyway, I have no real agenda for this post, except perhaps as a shout-out to any and all who are listening: “I’m still here!” So, this will be most likely rambling, and even maybe boring, but at least it’s something.

First off, a fellow blogger and writer returned home from Iraq recently. OK, about 2 months ago. I’m not even sure where “Home” is, but better to be there, than…there. Actually if you read his posts from February, right before he left the War Zone, you’ll see some startling stuff. Ok, just go here…and see what I mean.

So, in Local News - The Dracut School system has dealt with some health scares lately, namely an unidentified rash afflicting kids at the Jr. High, and TB at the High School. TB - which is obviously scarier, seems to be very under control, with only one individual actually having symptoms, and about 4 others who tested positive. From what I’ve read, this occurrence is not entirely outside the norm. The Mystery Rash, much less life threatening, was still upsetting for parents and students alike, since it was just that…a mystery. Evidently this kind of thing happens in other settings, and clears up, no one ever finding a cause. :::Shrug:::

Of course, sickness hit closer to home with nasty sinus infection for both children in my house. Something hit me too, and I have no idea what, but it better git soon.

National TV Turnoff week is like…now…or soon…or something. We at the Campbell school will be doing our TV Un-Plugged week starting May third. Lots to do to get ready for that, but it’s always a fun time.

Karate is still fun, my husband, and partner in insanity, just started back with his training. He tore his knee cartilage in January (The day before Sempai Jen's wedding no less) and is very glad to be back doing iron bridges (NOT) and getting whacked around.

At the dojo, I kicked it up a notch - no pun intended - and had been training about 4 days a week. I even went running a couple times too! But one knee started acting up, then kids got sick, now I'm sick. This setback aggrevates me to no end, since there's a little umm...blackbelt test in June I'd really like to be ready for. I will NOT panic - NO, I will NOT. Ok I'm fricken panicking here. Grrr!

Well, I need to either rest, or catch up on many overdue projects and/or bills.
Wish me luck!

Remember Dave? That nice guy, portrayed by Kevin Kline in the movie of the same name. (“Dave” that is, not “Remember Dave”). Dave ran a small employment agency, and he was all into supporting his temps, cheering them on, building them up. Dave also moonlighted occasionally as a ‘celebrity double’ for the current US president, because of the amazing resemblance between the two of them.

When the real president had a stroke, the staff brought in Dave, to pretend to be the Prez, so the country wouldn’t be thrown into chaos. Or something like that.

Anyway, this being a movie and all, Dave made a great president. He was fair, decisive, and above all, honest.

The point is, where are all the Dave’s (or Donna’s for that matter)?

Why can’t there be candidates for office that are fair, decisive, and above all, honest?

If there IS someone already in office that fits, or at least tries to fit, that description, why must others work hard to get them out of office?

This is not a piece about FOR someone or AGAINST someone else. But how many times have you heard someone going to the polls say: “Well, I don’t like Jones, but I hate Smith, so I’m voting for Jones.”

Hmm, I have an idea, Kevin Kline is a decent actor, maybe he can be on a write-in ballot, as a presidential candidate. He can represent the “Dave” party. And Ben Kingsley would make a heck of a Vice President. Remember Gandhi?

Here’s another, how about Bill Belichick for the top job? He can hire folks like Charlie Weis, and Romeo Crennel, if it works on the field, why not on the Beltway? Bingo!

I know life can’t always be a ‘feel-good’ movie, but c’mon, where is Dave?

In Memoriam



You can go to D.C., to the Wall. It’s just a simple structure, really - just a wall. But the names - they get you. No matter what the weather or your mood - you read the names, and there’s no way you can’t be touched.

You can go to Boston too, downtown, along the Freedom Trail. Another stark memorial. Walk along at dusk and read some of the 6 million names etched in 6 glass towers. As smoke rises from chambers at the bottom of these towers, learn through snippets of stories, the horror of the Holocaust.

Among the stories that ran in tonight’s edition of the Lowell Sun [January 7, 2004], two of them share parallel themes. One story reports on the 25-year anniversary of the fall of Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge. This piece covers survivor’s views stressing the inhumanity of that time, but yet strong desires to “let it go”, and move on.

A second report is about the unveiling of the September 11th memorial design. It’s a nice enough looking plan, but unfortunately some of the victims’ family members are not pleased. Mr. Lee Hanson, of Connecticut, lost a son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter on Flight 175. He’s afraid of a memorial that will be too “sanitized”, that won’t be an appropriate expression of what a nightmare that day really was, and still is. I can’t imagine that Hanson or others would want a display of graphic misery to be a permanent reminder in Lower Manhattan, but still, reminder is the key word. We need assurance that the world never forgets.

Senseless genocides committed in the name of purity, ordered by a WWII madman. Police actions gone wrong, and killing fields. Young women mutilated so that they can’t feel what we take for granted. Terrorists high jacking our planes, our country and our lives. Tragedy and grief present the universal paradox of wanting to forget pain, but yet knowing that you can’t nor should forget. How can emotions be reconciled? If we can’t move on, “they” win. If we can’t remember, they win again.

When we suffer losses, we usually have ways of coping. First might be tears, maybe rage. Eventually though, feelings even out, tears dry and we wake up another day. We have ways to mark the memories with photos, anniversary dates, scars, and headstones. Somehow, the pain has become almost compartmentalized. We can just about put it away for a time, until an anniversary rolls around, or some other trigger brings it all back.

When we are ready, we can go to these memorials - all over the world - that are symbols of horror and healing. When we are ready, we can embrace the pain, dance with it, and let it rest for another time. It doesn’t matter if we’re touching granite, steel, Lucite, or an oak tree. We’re looking to the future, by touching the past.

Remember, I want to know who you are. If you stop by, and enjoy, let me know. If you stop by, and hate it...then lie to me (kidding). Just be gentle.
But let me know you're here!

My site stats show me when someone stops by, how long they stay, and so on. I would just like to know who you are : ). So say hi already!

Things I’ve Learned


A dumped canister of cornmeal has an uncanny resemblance to plaster dust, this is especially noticeable when it’s all over at least half the kitchen, including the coffee machine and stove top.


However, a dumped container of 12-hour-old coffee grounds bears an even uncann-ier [is there such a word?] resemblance to rodent droppings. Hmm, I’ll take the plaster dust.


Laboratory specimens do not have a “grace period”.


School children still want their parents to bake things for classroom holiday parties. They still forget to ask until the night before.


The grocery store is always fun, especially when you have a full list, half the time, and none of the money.


Cats are such clean little critters. They love a nice clean bed to nap on.


Cats too, have built in alarm clocks. Marvelous things…cats.

Raise your hand if you’ve never heard of Nate Haasis. Ok, I see some hands, so here’s the deal. Last month, the young Illinois quarterback was playing his last high school football game for the Southeast Spartans, and losing to boot. The thing was that Haasis was close to achieving a passing record; he only needed about 30 yards to reach the CS8 conference record of 5,000 yards passed in a career. At the very end of the game, Haasis’s coach made an agreement with the coach of the opposing team, Cahokia High, to help the senior achieve his record. The Spartans would allow Cahokia to score again, and in turn, Cahokia would not interfere with Haasis’s passing attempts. This agreement, which was not shared with Haasis, allowed him to make a 37 yard pass, insuring him the conference record. Within a few days Nate Haasis realized what had happened, and in a move that earned him World News Tonight’s Person of the Week, wrote to the SC8 director to request that his pass be stricken from the conference record.

Does this imply that the Central State Eight Conference is rotten with corruption? Probably not. Did Nate Haasis make a courageous decision? Damn right, he’s an example of what’s right and good in this world. But his act is not the whole story. Were the coaches wrong? Oh yes. When this first made the news, I was feeling proud of Haasis, and angry with the coaches. But I’ve considered this for a bit, and realized that you have to understand their motivation. What the coaches did was still wrong, no way around it. But it bears attention.

I’ve often felt that, I “just don’t like sports”. And if that were true, then yay for me. I’m entitled to not like sports, just as I’m entitled to not like Elvis. The thing is, though, I do like sports. And I’ve probably known this for a while now, on some level. No, this isn’t’ one of those epiphany moments. Damn if I haven’t actually liked sports for a while now. Yup, even before my own training, before Pats 20 - Rams 17, before Tiger, before Kathy Freeman.

Did it start with Wilma Rudolph? Good Hollywood headlines. Athlete overcomes polio (Polio for God’s sake!) to star in basketball. Black athlete scores against racism. Woman athlete makes good at Olympic track. Yeah, good stuff. It’s emotional you see.

No matter how it started, it was there, my non-dislike of sports. It grew during Spirit Week in High school. Go Red Devils! In College, even more spirit (and spirits too, I must admit). Go Chiefs! Sports were really getting to be fun.

The next few years, it was May. I suppose it should have been March Madness, but for me it was May. May was when you got to watch Bird, McHale and Parrish work their magic against… well… Magic. And what a show. Playoffs were great. The Pistons, the 76er’s the Lakers, and we were winning. More emotion, but this was the crazed, “in your face”, bragging kind of emotion.

I don’t know when things changed, when I began to view sports differently. Was it when I watched an NFL team win a championship game, tears of joy mixing with sweat in the winning end zone? Then watched the tears of frustration of the other team, and then - saw half of those guys make their way over to give heartfelt hugs to the winners? True champions recognize achievement in their opponents and in themselves. Was that what I was witnessing?

As a fan, as a person, I enjoy a good win. But seems as if a more mature attitude towards sports and athleticism has settled in and that old phrase, “Winning isn‘t everything”, makes more sense than ever. Maybe being a parent on the soccer sidelines helps. You cheer for the kid who always gets the goals, and then you cheer yourself hoarse for the one who can barely control the ball, who somehow makes an outstanding pass to the kid who always gets the goals. And then you see the opposing coach high-fiving the poor ball handler who made the outstanding pass to the kid who always gets the goals. And you feel something funny in your chest, and your eyes are blurring. That feeling, that’s what those two Illinois high school coaches were trying to foster. The desire to recognize achievement. That - is what is right and good in this world.

LOVE AND MARRIAGE




OK. Some governing bodies have done the outrageous and unthinkable. “Them Gays” might get a chance at having their marriage recognized by law. People are frenzied over this. I imagine some have even lost sleep over it, fearing that the country, nay, the world has gone to hell. I would say, ‘gone to pot’, but that’s not the controversy du jour.

This whole issue has so much unpleasant emotion, I can feel it. Like those mystical, clairvoyant Jedi who know by feeling when there is “a great disturbance in the force“, I can really feel the hatred that has been brought to the surface in our collective lives. I sense the waves of panic that this has caused, the recoiling of the righteous. I am as aware of this fear, as I am of the November chill that creeps and settles in my house at night.

I can’t help but think that the imagined threat of gay rights is similar to what citizens have protested against since Civil War days; and privately professed to be open-minded. “Oh I treat my coloreds perfectly fine. I’d never think of mistreating old Sam, why he grooms those horses like they were his children, he runs errands for me all the time, and he knows his place.” “I’d be lost without my Beulah, she polishes like a dream, she’s the best cook in the whole county, she watches out for my girls, and she knows her place.”

Yes, that’s it. Knowing one’s place. Never daring to want more. Being ever so grateful for every crumb of privilege. No expectations beyond some empty platitudes of progression. It’s All Good! Diversity in the workplace! Jobs in the Military! Don’t ask, Don’t Tell. That’s right - under no circumstance - don’t ever tell.

How much more ‘telling’ can you get than a public and legal acknowledgement of marriage? I know I am publicly professing to be open-minded and a seeker of equal rights, yet if I’m asked to imagine the perfect family, I close my eyes and see a white man and woman, and 2.5 white children. It’s what I know; it’s what I’m comfortable with. Is that real? Is that right? No, it’s just my comfort zone. I think that’s the problem. Folks feel threatened by what they are not comfortable with. They don’t like to be reminded in such a public way that not everyone thinks, acts, or loves the same.

But how different is it really? Besides the obvious, what else is so different between homo- and hetero-sexual marriages? Both would have love and commitment, trust, all the good things. And, for better or worse; maybe money worries or illness. Same sex marriages would not be spared the real life heartaches. Unless of course, the couples want to make the marriage work. It’s worth considering, that a same sex couple might work harder at the relationship, knowing that the sanctity of marriage is a rare, hard-won privilege.

Do you know how much money is spent in this country in the name of love? I don’t know, but it’s a lot. Valentine’s Day, wedding dresses, champagne, photography, teddy bears, chocolates, flowers. Not just money, but time, effort. We embrace love; we are in love with love. Do you know how much money (and time and effort) is spent in the dissolution of love? Lawyers, private investigators, court time. That part of the fairytale is not as welcome as the thrill of love, but it’s pretty damn acceptable in polite society. I’m not an opponent of divorce. It does happen too often, and too easily, but I believe that it is a necessary practice.

So, I’m all confused and befuddled. What in God’s Good Name is the problem? Oh, wait the Bible says homosexuality is wrong. “Them Gays” are sinners. They and those crazy tree-hugging lawmakers should all burn in hell. Hmm, the Bible says so. The Bible says a lot of things, some pretty good stuff actually. What though, is worth all the alarm? If you feel your neighbor sins, not against you, but against God, or himself, then get out that Bible and pray for him. Some are using God’s Word to prove their point against homosexuality, and I am sure they would be happy to quote me chapter and verse, Sodom and Gomorrah, etc. And I honestly might not have a rebuttal. I don’t’ understand all of what God intends or wants from us, but I do know this: There is no divine plan for intolerance.

Finally! *Whew* I've finally finished my first draft of my chapter for "Life in the United States". I sent my editor the text, even a few days ahead of deadline. I'm hoping there won't be too many revisions needed, but I'm ready to deal with what comes. It's been fun, and I got to throw around phrases like..."Networks sprang from the 1969 orginal four-host configuration to a group of 62 hosts in 1974". and "a truth of the Internet is that sometimes links go bad, and sites can fade away." Or, how about this gem, "directory search tools which work differently, are compiled by humans and more resemble a books Table of Contents..." Ahh yes, literary genious, oui? Sshh, no laughing.

Well, at least it's done, and now I have a couple other leads to follow up on to keep me busy.

That's it for now!

It's Snowing! It's not even Halloween, and yet there are big...no, HUGE white flakes swirling down, actually starting to cover the grass and coat the trees. Amazing. I'm not one to rush the seasons, but this is pretty cool. Enjoy!

Operating Instructions: Part 1


I am the type of person that likes instant gratification. Is it a product of my socialization in in this era? Or have I always been this way? Somehow, I feel that I actually had patience, Once-Upon-a-Time. But since the memory is pretty fuzzy, I’ll just have to concentrate on the now. The urgent now. The - “why can’t I open this bloody CD wrapping” - now.

My husband and I took on the responsibilities of children and pets - real living things. Creatures need things. Food and drink, clothing, education, healthcare, you know, the works. Most of us get this. You bring home a living thing, even a houseplant, and like…wow, you really have to take care of it. And though childrearing, for example, is a huge responsibility, you deal with it all, sometimes quite well.

All this said, the point I am eventually coming to, is that I already spend a goodly amount of energy on things that need me. Kids, husband, cat, the living things, and then some of the intangibles: Paying bills, calling repair people, just being alive. So, I’d appreciate a little cooperation. I’d like to bring home a purchase that doesn’t need a lot of effort. Something that gives real meaning to the phrase, ’low maintenance’.

I want to buy Tupperware™ that doesn’t need to be soaked in warm water in order to make the stupid lids fit on correctly. I want to have a cell phone that already knows my friends’ phone numbers and doesn’t need me to sit for hours programming all that junk in. I want a frying pan that doesn’t need to be “Seasoned”. What the heck is that all about anyway?

How about getting a perm, that doesn’t need special instructions and special shampoos. What ever happened to “Lather, rinse, repeat“? (OK if it’s that organic stuff that makes everyone a little amorous, like in the commercials). And do you know that my vacuum cleaner has it’s own instructional video? Geeez!

So this finds me worrying about the balance between technological advancements and everyday living. I do love a good gadget, but often feel thwarted by the prep time you need to fully understand how to use the Bowflex™, the gears on my new mountain bike, or even a hairbrush. Yes, I understand that the original question of patience, or lack of it, plays into this. But there are other issues of technology that concern me. More in Part 2.

"Mystified Pipefitter", is-for now, the winner. Runners up include: hellacious storyboard, and rarified throneroom

And what - you're wondering, are these? New titles for articles? Naw...I've been whacking. Googlewhacking to be precise. You see, it's the middle of the flippin' night here, and I can't sleep. So, I thought I'd Whack. So, if you're among the uninitiated, HERE is a good place to check out the Whacking phenom. As you'll see ...a true "Whack" results in only one hit, where the closest I could get was my personal winner, Mystified Pipefitter. That particular combo produced 4 hits. The runner ups entries produced more, but certainly under 100. Actually I think one of them had 27 hits - still, not bad. Anyway...go have fun!