Cloudy's Cafe, a conversation zone, November 20, 2004

[Xen]

Hi all. I have such a nice father, he allowd me to stay home today so I didn't have to go to school. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 11-29-2004, 10:39 AM: Message edited by: Xen ]

[Ilander]

Wellard, the "real" farms are almost solely worked from the seat of a tractor, but the old ways survive on smaller farms (like ours). We use the tractor to plant the tobacco, though the process is nowhere near automated. Then, a few months of weeding later, we cut it down by hand (with a big knife) and skewer it, kabob-like on a stick. This we hang (basically by hand) in the barn for another couple of months. Then, once the tobacco is dried out and nice and brownish-red, we take it down out of the barn (again by hand) and strip off the leaves by hand, and bale them.

There are ways in which one could automate some of the process. For instance, there are tobacco-cutting machines, but they are expensive, and are not cost effective for small farms. There are stripping machines, but they don't sort the leaves into the same grades that the human hand and eye can...which is what the companies want.

This is the last year dad will be raising tobacco, though, as the US government will end price and quota control of tobacco this year---meaning that the market is subject to fluctuations that could easily drive a small farmer under.

Of course, we also raise beef-cattle, so the farm isn't going to lose all of its productivity.

Jen, I am jealous, but I'm glad to hear that you had a good time! I hope the tickets were worth that ninety bucks you paid!

[Lady Blue03]

Originally posted by Ilander: Jen, I am jealous, but I'm glad to hear that you had a good time! I hope the tickets were worth that ninety bucks you paid!

Oh yes...definately worth the $$, although between bands I saw more boobs than I would have liked [img]tongue.gif[/img]
That being said, I maxed my credit card out at Ceasar's Palace, so I now owe my mom my next two pay checks, lol [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[Ilander]

*shakes head at financial management*

Speaking of...man was I happy the other day! I thought that I had used a couple of hundred dollars more of my checking than I actually had...

I had so much that today I treated myself to lunch and bought "Cunning Stunts," which is a fine Metallica concert...

[RoSs_bg2_rox]

Hello folks, how is everyone?

Im feeling surprisingly tired considering it is 4am. I have been playing Warcraft 3 for about the last 10hours which really isn't good! How goes WoW LB? Can't wait till it's out here...*Ross scratches all over and then starts tearing the skin...hurry up already!*

[Lady Blue03]

Originally posted by RoSs_bg2_rox: Hello folks, how is everyone? Im feeling surprisingly tired considering it is 4am. I have been playing Warcraft 3 for about the last 10hours which really isn't good! How goes WoW LB? Can't wait till it's out here...*Ross scratches all over and then starts tearing the skin...hurry up already!*

What can I say? It's 10x more addicting than WC3 ever was. It's a couple weeks till it comes out for you right? If you want you can look me up, Verloren on Sargeras, cental PvP server

[wellard]

Originally posted by Ilander: I had so much that today I treated myself to lunch and bought "Cunning Stunts," which is a fine Metallica concert...

I am sooooo glad you can spell Ilander

Bought some music DVD's for the wife today as well. Pink floyds the wall and the guns and roses video hits collection. Strewth it has been hot, 44 deg c in some areas today (111.2 f) stayed inside and stayed cool most of the day.

[Lady Blue03]

OMG Well, I was thinking the same thing but I didn't want to say anything...*giggles*

[Ilander]

Well, the thing is, Wellard...it sounds worse than it looks on the screen...I think if my moter asked me about it, I would describe it as "The Fort Worth Concert."

oh, and...in keeping with the talk of Metallica...poor goat!

Hey, did they do So What at that concert, LB?

Ross, surely you can wait for WoW! It is just a game, after all...heck, life is mostly waiting, eh? Enjoy the time by using it to beat some of those shelved games you told yourself you'd get back to. That's what I've been doing lately...and Ocarina of Time Master Quest will be beaten sometime in the next couple of weeks.

[Attalus]

Originally posted by Lady Blue03: OMG Well, I was thinking the same thing but I didn't want to say anything...*giggles*

Hmm, more cryptic posts from our favorite Californian. I have to say I don't envy you, Jen, though I am glad you are ding things that make you happy. The games I am waiting for are NWN II and Dragon Age.