Hello again Adam,
Unbelievable sights!! Thank you so much for sharing this trip with us Adam! I think I will print some of these photos, seeing the world thru your eyes is like no postcard could ever come close!
countinue to travel safe, Life is good, you are so blessed.
***Tell your Mom Thank you for me, I am a mother of 2 boys and if I can say, I just pray I am doing a great job as she did with you***
Me,
On the Bayou

Hey Adam! More gorgeous photos from your vacation. So nice of you to share! When do you return home? I lost track. lol Be safe - have fun!

Adam………is it true when you do a “number two” in Wales that it drops about as low as it will go compared to any other locale on earth?……..I’ve always heard that there is nothing too much lower than ” Wales**t “……just wondering.

Great Pics, BTW, and ahev a safe trip back.

John - I see you wake up with a smile every day.

Great pictures! Thank you for sharing!

I love how adam was meant to be on a vacation from the blog as well, but couldn;t help coming back and posting

Max…….I wonder if he has to sneak away from Tamara(sp) to check the blog like a “recovering” addict sneaking away for just one more hit……
That’s one advantage smokers have over non-smokers……..the old, ” Honey, I’m going out for a pack of smokes “, still works about 90% of the time if you want to get away for a few minutes.

john-

as a smoker (cough cough) I resemble that comment

Since we seem to be talking about smokers (I am one) how does everybody feel about the local, state and federal govts. trying to modify(sp) smokers behaviors through taxes and forcing bussiness to not allow smoking in their buildings.

PS
hello to everybody

*hiding my lighter*…i guess i have to join derek!

daaang derek..i cant believe you ask that question! gluten for punishment?
I just had hubby put a secret stand pipe out the basement, cause that will the only place I can smoke! So me, my smokes and my still (by then, cause surely m dew will be illegal) will be there if you cant find moi!

Adam…the counrtyside is beautiful..but you knew that! I would love to hang out in that castle. WOW!

John: well he told tamera he was going to go onto the blog last monday night to post the video, and she didn’t complain.

Retread……..” Recovering Smoker ” here, although I still enjoy a cigarette every now and then……as my doc says, we can never quit……we can only try to stop.
I’m not for any government policy that takes away freedom of choice. I know the non-smokers will be up in arms, saying that they have as much right to be free of smoke as smokers have a right to smoke. But, before this became a political issue, smokers and non-smokers always seemed to be able to work things out.
Regarding taxing the smokers out of business……..I worry about where, or what will the government tax once the smoker’s well has run dry?

Retread,

Here is my deal about the government regulating anything. well first, I cannot smoke at home (I have young kids), I cannot smoke at work (policy), I cannot smoke in my car (kids again). So I am very limited on when and where I can smoke anyway.

I take great care to smoke away from buildings and people, I enjoy lunches at smoker friendly joints, I walk outside after my kids are asleep to smoke.

I do not want the government telling me ANYTHING, I paid over 6 dollars for a pack of smokes in DC a few weekends ago, if I want to smoke in a public park, so be it, if I do not want my kids around a smoker I take them the other way.

I am all about less government and this is where I might stray from the conservative path, I do not believe the government should legislate morality in any way, if a consenting adult wants to smoke, let him/her, if 2 consenting adult males that weigh a combined 600lbs, want to dress like pretty pretty princesses and get married by the grand wizard or the first church of the magical woods, well, I say, “have a nice honeymoon freaks.”

So in answer to your question, no the government should not impose on smoker rights, while at the same time smokers should be considerate of non smokers.

ohh duh..it was retread that asked the question not derek..
sorry!

retread…susan az was looking for you.
if you go to the london thread..there is a post to amy at 1:34 am…that is the same she left for you guys somewhere.

Good Morning all..

Non-smoker here but agree with you ‘guys’. We don’t need government regulation. Like the TV - you don’t like what is on - change the channel.

Just like gasoline taxes —- the government is seeing less money in the coffers because our cars all get more than 10 miles to the gallon now……. so, their solution - increase the taxes!

Once the coffers run dry from the tobacco taxes - they will tax ‘convenience foods’. Sounds like it is already coming—– foods with too much fat, or sugar - you know, to stop obesity!

Adam - as always - great photos…..
Where are we all going next?

Derek - I call that - Fiscal Conservative - Social Moderate

The Live and Let Live group.

I think a lot of people fit into that category - me included.

K2-

I am glad there are more people like me out there, I have always defined myself as a conservative independent but I almost never align myself with the Dem’s. I cringe at both parties sometimes.

I keep preaching that a third party is going to emerge and when it does, I plan on lighting up a big stogy on the senate floor as I bat down all the dumb ideas from our current two parties, and start proposing real ideas that are for the good of the people and not special interest groups.

Bull moose was one idea but I am thinking we might need to just start everything from scratch, build a solid platform of common sense, and then start advertising, i think we could attract a lot of moderates

Derek - you got it! How about the CommonS Party ( Common Sense).

I will be there with you - holding the lighter!

After doing research - I must admit, I am more closely aligned with the Libertarian’s….. but, don’t tell anyone………

Derek………I think there are a lot of people like you…..us, out there. We just need to come together and “re-take” the country as it was meant to be. I’m an independent and, like many of us, I see no good for the future of this country with our present two party system. The Dems and Reps are equally to blame, IMO, and we desperately need a third party with fresh ideas, but more importantly, a party that LISTENS to the voters……..not to the special interest groups and mega corporations that are only looking for personal agendas and financial gains.

K2 and Derek ~ I am right there with you both! I like the “CommonS” party idea!
And as for the smoking ban…I am a non-smoker but I don’t like the idea of the government controlling where and when you can smoke. I have friends that smoke and if I don’t want to be around it I just walk away. It’s easy… I wish more people understood that. Granted, it took me a while to get there…

Robert posted another story - you need to jump over there and read it……..

John - I agree. There is no difference between the two parties….. They are full of ‘career politicians’. They rely upon the special interest groups (for campaign contributions). The groups rely upon the politicians for funding or tax advantages.

Just look at Murtha - he keeps getting reelected because he brings home millions of dollars to his state - MY money going to his state cronies!

Now, look at Trent Lott - quickly retires from congress so he could use his left-over campaign funds to start his own lobby group! Why did he leave so quickly - because a new law was being passed that a congressional member would have to wait two years after leaving office to start a lobby business!

I like the Common Sense Party (CSP)idea………..where’s Susan? We have another project for you………..we need T-shirts.
I propose our first convention to be held in Hawaii. Still on American soil, but about as far away from Washington as we can get……….plus we’ll have the protection of the US Navy Pacific Fleet ( the finest in all of the Navy ) should any ” mainlanders ” attempt an coup. Our motto will be : Come join the CSP in Hawaii…..and get layed, not f****d.

John - hahahhaha

shall i start looking for flights to Hawaii?

*LOL* John..you are always worth a laugh and a smile!

Dont forget me with your CSP!!!

I know this is a very popular idea right now…. The Fair Tax….

But, I am not on board with this one….

Was listening to someone on Cavuto’s show the other day….. can’t recall who. And he said something very telling.

As the ‘boomers’ retire, less money will come into the government coffers through income tax.

And, what will the boomers be doing? SHOPPING - Buying things! They will have money to spend. So, how will the government recoup those lost $$$$?

A Fair Tax perhaps? The National Sales Tax is the more appropriate name.

So, the boomers paid into their 401k’s. They paid into their Roth IRA’s (the ones where you pay taxes up front so you can withdraw the money later, tax free).

So, now, they take their taxed money - spend it - and pay TAX again!

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Oh, and once we get our CSP going, when it is time to appoint judges to the Supreme Court - let us not forget - one does not need to be a lawyer or judge to sit on the highest court in the land.

They just need to know and understand the Constitution.

K2………that could be overcome by paying out the Roth IRA’s in special vouchers, like Travel Checks, that would signify that the money is tax free. Thus not applicable to a National Sales tax. Most 401’s today are pre-tax deductions, with income tax to be paid when the money is pulled out. Those should not be effected by a National Tax……..I think.

John - correct on the 401K’s. they are funded with pre-tax dollars and are subject to tax upon withdraw. With the selling point, that is reduces your current income tax rate and when you withdraw the money, you will be earning less and the money will be subject to a lower tax.

Vouchers may work, but I suspect the government will use some type of ‘rebate program’ and then if you earned too much- then no rebate.

So, I prefer a flat tax for everyone. Not popular, i know…… as the whole current tax idea is and has always been ’sold’ on the Tax the Rich lie.

okay - stepping off my soap box now….. (or at least for the time being)

@Adam Housley

Ok, now I am officially jealous.
…Getting a 2-week-overseas vacation~ hah. I can do that.
…Travelling in the company of family friends and a most charming lady~double hah.
…Seeing ‘Chelski’ beat Arsenal. ~Triple hah. Happens at least once a decade.

…Going up to North Wales, seeing Conwy, AND HAVING NICE WEATHER.~((speechless silence))

@All

Hmm… dangerous signs of an informed electorate around here. Might be a political grass-roots movement. Note to self: Better get on board before somebody fingers me as some aristocrat or something.

((waves for attention))
Hey, sign me up for the CommonSense movement! Any chance of establishing an overseas chapter?

LDG……..most definitely, as you can see our base of operations will most likely be in Hawaii……..halfway to you from our coast. If you can help keep our western flank in check……or, as surveyed from a map, keep the “left” side clear from our objective, it would be much appreciated. Of course, it will mean you will have to travel to Hawaii to be officialy layed by the CSP……..

OK lets get real here the CSP will NEVER work!!

As soon as the CSP becomes a reality and people are elected and go to DC the environment there will suck the common sense right out of them!

And lets not be to hard on ’special interest’ groups…we each have our representatives there. NRA, AARP, NAACP, Corn Growers, Ethonal, MAD, Heritage Foudation the list goes on and each group has paid reps.

The trick is to get Adam to run as President, emporer for life.

Common Sense movement….some platforms we could get behind, please add or delete any you think appropriate.

Term Limits, politicians have a total of 8 years in government, however the terms break down.

Equal pay, politicians are paid the median income for the area they represent

No IRS, simplify, simplify, simplify. Either a tax on spending or a tax on income, not both. I pay taxes on everything I earn, everything I spend, everything I own, everything I use, everything. Taxes have gotten ridiculous.

Complete overhaul of the welfare system, it needs to be a hand up not a hand out, and needs to be reworked.

Trim the fat, cut government overspending, we have small businesses that do well and savvy owners pinch pennies to keep it going, get rid of the no talent, wasteful, government employee’s, I am tired of hearing how government employee’s are fireproof even after they have demonstrated a complete lack of ability.

Re-institute the draft, every young man and women upon their 18th birthday is required to go to boot camp in the service of their choice, they serve 2 years and then are given the option to stay in or get out (free as a bird) if that young person has convictions that keep them from the military have another 2 year program they can serve in, they still get military pay and benefits but they may serve in a youth camp, a homeless shelter or as a community service person. that will allow them to gain some discipline, open their eyes to the world and let them see more than the small world they grew up in, while earning money for college.

Re evaluate countries we give aid to, track the money we give and make them use it in a way that we approve of.

Any other ideas you want? anything you don’t agree with?

Motto idea:

“My two cents are: common sense”

Retread………the CSP doesn’t need to go to Washington. Any debating, compromising and voting can be done using the internet………..leaving us free to sit and ponder our next moves while sitting at the Tiki Bar sipping neon-colored drinks with eye poking umbrellas in them.

retread, I understand that special interest groups (some of them) provide a valuable service, but there are too many that just suck the life or common sense out of people.

if we could get a truly representative government again (we are a far cry from it now) then we wouldn’t need all powerful lobbyists:

Look at how mant stupid policies we still have:

we still pay farmers not to farm

we do not support alternative fuels

we do not tap into our alaskan oil reserves

we have government employee’s just putting in time (I am a bit annoyed at the VA right now)

we do not foster education

we push good manufacturing jobs into other countries

we do not invest in technology, if we put our best minds into developing hydrogen fueled vehicles and then had them manufactured here in the states, we would create more jobs (good jobs) than we have ever seen (read into that what ford did at the turn of the last century)

john,

I can be found sipping the coke on the beach (I am still dry) but I can at least watch all the girls walk by.

oh and due to the “biker babe” I saw yesterday I need a new plan, she was too big to be wearing the clothes she was in, and was very loud while trying to get me to ride with their group.

In the swimwear division of the government we form, certain guidelines will be drawn.

all swimwear shops will be required to have a series of rooms, in the first room will be mu-mu’s and summer dresses (looooong summer dresses, the door leading to the next room will be skinnier and the swimwear smaller, next room door even skinnier and the swimwear even smaller.

That way I do not have to ride home and watch 2 hamhocks battle over a piece of american flag.

My nearest guess for yesterday is she was wearing a very patriotic bikini that was designed for someone half her weight (she was pushing 220), the result of her wardrobe selection was like a trainwreck, too ugly to see yet so fascinating it was hard not to watch, stomach still churning

Adam—

great pictures– I am soooooo jealous–

cigarettes– I am glad I quit– who can afford them? Over five bucks for a pack– ouch– And I make people go outside to smoke–not that I care if someone smokes– it is the smell- I remember when I smoked inside my apartment and I cleaned the walls one day, the yellow stain was everywhere-

I hate it when people throw the cigarettes on the ground– It is not the habit but the behavior behind it– like blowing smoke in someone’s face who doesn’t smoke– LOL

Adam-

K2 guessed Wales too– she really deserves a great special greeting!

i have one prob derek… i am a gov’t employee…and you see me here! *L*
but i do multitask, and my jobs are done to the max, if that counts

Term limits + ending the free ride of gov’t benefits for the rest of your life!
you get benefits that equal the time you served the people, nothing more, nothing less. Then you come back to the real world like everyone else.

Derek - you can still have one of those ‘eye-poking’ umbrellas in your coke.

and, shall i send some pepto-bismol to help calm your stomach?
Not liking the visual I got on that…….

susan…smokes here are 10 a carton at the reservations. We have 3 in 75 mile radius.

Patty - like your term limits idea. I am so tired of ‘career politicians’. And how they hire their families to run their offices, campaigns. And, even lobbyists!

grrrrrrrrrr

Patty–

WOW- that is definitely cheap!!! I will say, when I have had stressful moments, I have had a cigarette– when Ken was in the nursing home, I would bum cigarettes- the urge seems never to go away–

Derek– I think it is kind of ridiculous when women or men wear clothes too small for their frame–

Adam–

How far away is Wales from London? Now you have seen the whole UK– where to now on the next vacation?

The Pope is still waiting for you in Italy–

xxxx

While on the island for our “convention”…..a new law…men cannot, i repeat cannot…wear spandex or anything that resembles it!
I have an imagination, i like to use it, dont take that away from me!

Susan: Wales is pretty close, if you drove the same distance from phoenix westwards you’d probably be just about on the California border.

Adam–

I just got an email from my cousin– Scotland– Have you ever seen Forth and Clyde Canal?

Pretty impressive!

Max–

have you ever seen the pictures of the canal?

and thank you!

xxxx

Patty, Patty, Patty….

Term limits…vote the bums out

Draft? We have to many now that wish they never joined and make life way to difficult for everybody else in the unit…but I could support enforced national service of some kind… just not military

The rest are pretty good ideas…hows about Derek for President, emporer, dictator for life?

Gotta go

bowing out! *L*

I dont have janitorial services..i have to clean my own office! See ya all later…have a good weekend if i dont see ya, the dust bunnies might attack and hold me hostage

Patty……ok, no spandex……..but we do get to gather around the volcano and offer (not sacrifice) a young virgin to the volcano gods to secure our well being and…………well, because it might be fun. Now, I think I read there are still some young ones around in Akron………….anyone know?

phew..im safe from the volcano gods…i’m old! haha

you thought i was going to say i wasnt a virgin didnt you? he he he
now i’m gone!

susan: only just now as i looked it up.

Those’re unreal! There’s this sort-of appealing worldly charm that’s definitely going to be one of my destinations in the future!

Adam—

Another request for t-shirts– John wants one too!!

Time to get busy!

xxx

Hey guys I am back sorta. The livestock show is over, we still have to get rid of the animals. I sell the chickens on Monday.

Adam, beautiful pictures, thanks. Stay safe

Adam,

Thanks for posting all of your gorgeous pictures. I’ve enjoyed reading all about your vacation.

How nice of you to take the time to visit with your fan and buddy, Max. He and Avi seem to be fine, upstanding young men.

Adam—
I sure hope you guys aren’t caught up in this mess…….
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/03/30/business/30heathrow.php