is anyone there?~)

> [tap tap tap] Is this thing on?  I haven't received
> any messages since the end of April.  Did the list 
> fold?  Is everyone on vacation?  Or is everyone just
> having trouble thinking of things to talk about?
> If the lack of list activity is because no one could think
> of anything to talk about...
> Does anyone want to chime in on the budget "negotiations"
> currently going in Washington DC?
> Who would like to talk about X-Men: First Class?
> Cars 2 vs. The Critics: Did the science fiction spy
> elements cause critics to miss the boat on this one?  
> (I personally loved this movie, which took a critical drubbing.) 
> Did anyone else read the article in Discover magazine about
> using dirt to soak up CO2?
> http://discovermagazine.com/2011/may/06-could-dirt-help-heal-the-climate 
> David Brin says he has finished a "major novel." 
> Speculation? Rumors?  Inside info? Discuss!
> Mauro Diotallevi
> "The number you have dialed is imaginary.? Please rotate
> your phone 90
> degrees and try again."

i rarely start an item and haven't been on much since my laptop died.  i plan to go the the TRW swapmeet to get another one.  until then i haven't even posted much because there as been little activity. i don't even get to post on dr. brin's FB page...  haven't read the article in discover, or seen the X-men movie.  the budget talks are being dragged out to keep people in suspense until a deal is made not to soak the rich.  i suspect the GOP will win this one.  i did receive dr. brin's new novel attachment but because i can only use library computers, haven't been able to read and comment on it.
jon mann