RiverViewer

Just a little data to toss into the earlier discussion - I've worked with a company that collected on these loans from a payday advance lender. Folks cut a check for $192, say, and walk out with $175 in cash. A week or so later, the check gets cashed, and the APR ends up clocking in at 300%+. Due to truth in lending laws, that $17 must be presented as an APR, and it looks pretty outrageous. However, if your check bounces - you closed your bank account, say - and two years later a collection agency catches up with you, do you know how much money they try to collect from you? That's right, $192. Which makes your effective APR something like 5%. NOBODY collects $3,000 from a bounced payday loan check. It's NOT an interest rate. Yes, there is a time value of money, I understand the math here - but that $17 is a FEE. They're not allowed to call it that, but that's what it is.

Oh, you know, I come, I go...been kinda busy, and soon to be really busy again, but I've got about another month, and hope to spend some quality time with you'ins between now and then!

...yeah, I'm catching up on long-ago missed threads today! I'm 100% with David on this - what a great song! And for a movie, the movie that I learned this song from - Love Actually.

Issue430 and his David and my wife and I all went to this dinner, and HOLY CRAP. What an undersung gem this place is...that tasting menu was generous on the wine (they topped off your glass every course), even gave seconds on some of the courses, and everything was just fantastic - six courses of REALLY tasty stuff - and all for $50/person! Only problem with the place is that there's no liquor license, just beer and wine. But wow, what great food. Definitely worth checking out. In other news, the Edgecliff is now the Edgecliff Bistro - they went way downscale, and now feature salads, sandwiches, burgers, and pizza - nothing on the menu is over $10 except the pizzas. I'm really happy about this, because that's an easy walk from my place, and it always used to be really expensive, and kinda crappy...

Randy posted it upthread a while back - 'The Chateaus At Rookwood Exchange':

I was the organist and choir director at St. Christine's in late 1995, through 1996 before I moved to Cincinnati - sad to see it's on the list getting the ax...that's the only one closing that I know well.

All three shots are set to private, and I lack permissions to see them! I feel so shunned...

Great shots! I was in Columbus for the weekend, so I missed the Cincinnati snow (unfortunately, had to deal with driving in the Columbus snow, though). Thanks for the pictures!

Oh. My. Lord. This is AMAZING! Thanks so much!

Another interesting possibility, with a far lower environmental impact than a dam: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/renewableenergy/3535012/Ocean-currents-can-power-the-world-say-scientists.html Ocean currents can power the world, say scientists A revolutionary device that can harness energy from slow-moving rivers and ocean currents could provide enough power for the entire world, scientists claim. By Jasper Copping Last Updated: 2:39PM GMT 29 Nov 2008 The technology can generate electricity in water flowing at a rate of less than one knot - about one mile an hour - meaning it could operate on most waterways and sea beds around the globe. Existing technologies which use water power, relying on the action of waves, tides or faster currents created by dams, are far more limited in where they can be used, and also cause greater obstructions when they are built in rivers or the sea. Turbines and water mills need an average current of five or six knots to operate efficiently, while most of the earth's currents are slower than three knots. The new device, which has been inspired by the way fish swim, consists of a system of cylinders positioned horizontal to the water flow and attached to springs. ...

In addition to being auto-dependent, this location is also pretty isolated from heading north very easily. Probably would go up Collins, left onto Taft (and heaven forfend you try that during the morning rush - cars back up a dozen deep on that hill), right on Hackberry then to Madison, or Collins/Taft/Torrence/Madison...or else all the way out to Delta, or else back in to downtown (you could go west a mile or more to the Kemper Lane extension, but then can only go east on 50)...it's much more isolated than it seems like it should be...

...used to be some wouldn't even open on Sundays...it sucked when I used to go into the office in Blue Ash on a Sunday and was looking for a bite to eat...

That particular place is in foreclosure, has had its stained glass windows removed, and has been boarded up for a good while now...I hope it's not indicative of the state of the neighborhood, but I guess the market will decide that for me! But yeah, you've really got to get up the hill a decent bit further before you start worrying about the state of the neighborhood. Thanks for the revival, and the kind words!

I heard Thomas Jefferson believed states rights were more important than constitution's checks and balances. Is that correct? Never heard that, but a) I would expect he'd have thought both to be vital, and b) I'm not a big Jefferson fan, to be honest. The individual rights stuff, yes; the inspirational rhetoric, absolutely; but the practical day-to-day governing? His abysmal understanding of economics? His almost irrational foreign policy? Thank you, no.

Xena, Warrior Princess (seen every episode, twice)...and reading American history...

I'm laughing out loud here - that's fantastic!

Presentation was obviously well thought-out - I personally couldn't give a crap about presentation, to be honest, but you could tell they do. Molecular gastronomy? Hell, it's frou-frou enough, I imagine the chef has approached it from every angle. But since I know absolutely nothing about that, I couldn't say. Service was a tad lax - took a long time to get our initial drink order, and to bring the first round. But after that, food kept a-coming, drinks kept a-flowing, and a grand time was had by all!

When I was a kid, I wanted to buy this stuffed dog for my little brother...I don't know how much it actually cost, but when I told the guy running the counter at the little shop that I had $5, then asked him how much the stuffed dog cost, he said it was $5...probably was $10 or $12, I'd guess, but that kindness has always stuck with me. My little brother named him "Sparky".

Just went to Seny tonight. Very, very tasty stuff...make sure you go when you're in the mood to be a foodie - it's exquisite tastes blended together seamlessly - but it's also frou-frou at expensive prices. If you're in a "Burger Madness" kind of mood, it ain't a substitute for Arthur's! I was definitely in the right mood, though, and it was fantastic! Flavor and texture and presentation - it's really pretty amazing. Will definitely be back!

I must say, this one is pretty funny: Speaking of such things, how about this one? http://www.failblog.org

Can't wait to hear more about it...great stuff!

Alms is such a great park, I married Mrs. RiverViewer there six years ago! ...love this series - I know you want to portray the parks in the glories of their foliage-filled parkiness, but a little wintertime action is pretty cool too!

Wonderful set of shots! Love the tour of skyline views from NKY - just great stuff!

The Firm three days a week, running three days a week, and one day off. I add in push-ups and sit-ups before and after The Firm days. In August 2007 I started out 50 pounds overweight and completely out of shape, and by March I was in good enough shape not just to make it through Basic Training, I absolutely excelled - was 2nd fastest guy in my platoon, absolutely smoking the kids 15 years younger than me. I'm not super strong by any means, but plenty of endurance. Maybe at some point I'll go for building strength, but I'm quite happy for now.

Universal Grill = Hamburger Mary's, or Carol's? I forget which wonderful gay-friendly establishment became what...