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Randy,

it is just another voucher system. What you described sounds like what I read in a book written by Paul Krugman. He was talking about a Capitol Hill Babysitting Club that actually existed where joining members used hours of babysitting as a currency. Krugman used this example to illustrate liquidity trap, as all members tried to hoard babysitting hours, frantically looking for babysitting opportunities while nobody wanted to hire babysitters if possible, saving their hours for the rainy days. It was quite an interesting read.

I’ve never shopped at Whole Foods (way above my budget right now) but how does this sound for beef prices?

Really hard to say. Beef quality varies extremely widely. The prices on the order form seem to be very low (under $7/lb).

Brio - 61st and Lexington

In SF? I will try. :) Thanks!

La Strada in Palo Alto (University Ave) is actually pretty good. They use fresh organic pasta.

My husband is also happier in a 5 star hotel. You don’t strike me as the ‘camper type’. That’s why I camp with friends and don’t try to drag the unwilling along!

I am fine with 4 star. ;)

You are right, I am not the camper type. I will be worrying all night about bugs and bears.

There are some great places in the East Bay. Fernando's (Mexican food) in Pleasanton at Main and St Mary. Good food, family run. I like Main St. in the warm weather, everything is outside. Main St. - that's where I fell in love. You're yacking back and forth about whatever, then she shows you what she looks like with her hair pulled back, and the wine helps. Then it hits you like a strong warm current. And you know she feels the same because she's rubbing your finger tips with her thumb.

Unfortunately, many fun things are like that.

Fun is overrated.

I just don’t get why some idiots (not referring to you) park their arse in the fast lane - they don’t even realize what a traffic hazard they are.

I am sure speeding drivers are bigger hazards. People always overestimate their ability to control. Perhaps we also need stay-right/pass-left laws.

I would like to have 10 times more CHP officers on the road.

I read somewhere (maybe in a Malcolm Gladwell article) that the greatest danger in a steadily moving traffic pattern are people who are significantly faster or slower than the general flow of traffic. Faster people because they drive unsafely, slower people because they cause others to drive unsafely.

This is actually true. So I attempt to drive with the flow. But what if we can effectively penalize those who drive unsafely? :)

Davis Renter, “Tapa the World” in downtown Sacramento is great.

They have several types of Paella for dinner. But you need to call in and the minimum is two orders. I love paella.

I do not eat rabbits.

Astrid-

What kind of car? I went camping a lot while in the Boy Scouts and developed the ability to sleep under almost any conditions -- with a tent, without a tent, with five people in a two-person tent, etc.

But the one time I slept in a car, it almost killed me. A few years ago I gave it a try in the back seat of my car, which was then a Buick Century. I am only 5'4", so I was able to curl up on the back seat without too much trouble, but it was extremely uncomfortable. My neck, shoulders, and all sorts of other previously unknown muscles were stiff for about a week thereafter.

My Jeep allows you to expand the cargo area by lowering the back seat to a flat position. It is possible to lay flat back there, but sleeping looks very uncomfortable and I can't imagine two people in that space, things are awfully tight even for a short guy like me. How in the world does anyone sleep in a car?