I figured you for an F1 or Indy guy.

If anyone is headed to Mexico, be aware that their government is in the process of closing down public places in certain cities to combat the outbreak of swine flu.

Wow - really? I'll watch if it's on but not my primary allegiance.

You would also appreciate an interaction I had with a neighbor earlier today:

Neighbor: "We just bought two stun guns for when we're out on our bikes. Self-defense is important - never know with all the wierdos out there."
Me: "I'm carrying a 9 or a 40 pretty much any time you see me."
Neighbor: (lengthy pause)
Neighbor: "I had thought about doing that* at one time ..."

* New wife nixed that idea.

That's what I was going to go for because of the 25% bonus miles. I was going to see if I can get it fee free for the first year or a greater discount.

All of the above here.

My A300-600R is for sale, slightly below appraisal.

I appreciate the tech of open wheel immensely. Not so much the racing, though. I've also treated myself to one of the stock car driving experiences and have a Goodyear Racing Eagle in my laundry room to become a coffee table one day. This one pre-dates teams being required to lease the tires, came off Brett Bodine's car his last full year in Cup ...

Yeah...for whatever reason I can't see the FT crowd at large embracing NASCAR. Call it whatever: stereotypical reasons, gut reaction, not sure. It's a very diverse and international/multicultural crowd. IMO, F1 is a barrier breaker and NASCAR can be the opposite.

Neighborly interaction is always a plus. :D

Unfortunately the new wife will do an about face only when something awful might happen nearby. If it were me, I would learn the wife's birthday and give her a copy of John Lott's second book. The Bias Against Guns will turn her around about as fast as a bullet. IMHO, his arguments transcend politics and also show the anti-gun organizations to be the scumbags that they are. </OMNI>

I don't see FT at large embracing auto racing (aircraft racing, maybe). Many don't know (or forget) that I was born into a multi-racial setting on a tobacco farm in a rural area of the east coast, so never experienced a bias against NASCAR fandom until I went to grad school in D.C. / moved to Northern Virginia.

Not a bad place to grow up though - within 3 hours of BWI, DCA, IAD, and RIC. ;)

That flight dosnt take off till 6am iirc.

F1 moreso than Indy for me. The split really soured me. I went to middle and high school with the guy I'm playing golf with tomorrow, and he had the same experience w/r/t the NHL. Post-lockout he never went back as fan. I think he only started paying attention again this season, and this is the guy who got me into watching Devils hockey and understanding the defensive style that they got tons of :rolleyes: for back at that time.

My father had a tire that once rolled on a Bob Glidden Top Fuel car. He also has a timing belt autographed by Larry Dixon, and numerous oldie-time pictures of him and Don Garlits. Had my mother not stood her ground, I would have been named Donald. :rolleyes:

I appreciate the tech tremendously, but I think the racing is more challenging and ergo much more interesting to watch. Open wheels make passing near impossible, and I always cringe a little while watching an overtake attempt. Plus, open wheel cars make the occasional RIGHT turn in every race, not just once a year. :p I have no significant memories surrounding NASCAR, but I remember clear as day sitting in my living room and watching Ayrton Senna take his final turn at Imola in '94. :(

The key to a successful MR is when the flight closes. ;)

Ummmmmm.:confused::D;)

Very good point. I'd like to do The Petty Experience, and almost did at Daytona this past September...I'll get around to it at some point.

On another note, yes, it finally got out of the 50's here and best of all, it's beer-thirty.:D