> Good!  Excellent use of the euros there!
 
As long as it lasts ... during the Reagan years it was just the opposite so
between 1977 and 1991 I afforded myself only 1 US-trip. Too expensive, now
it is ridiculous cheap.
 
> I do the same sort of thing
> when we hit an asian port like Thailand although I'm not as good at
> making bargains as some.  I actually have several light cloth carryalls I
> use wehn out so I can get it all back home from the ship.
 
Couldn't you just order a lower-ranking newbee with little seniority to
take it home for you "or else..."?
 
> Yup.  Same concept.  Hopefully he isnt into those overly baggy pants
> falling off his tush but if that's the sty;e there, you have to go along
> with it or he pays the price with his friends.
 
No, but Helly Hansen jacket (my son freaked-out when he discovered that my
sailing-suit was HH), Tommi Hilfiger hat/cap, Adidas or whatever competing
brand shoes, etc...
 
As for baggy-pants, if you want to know my opinion about them then please
read "Rule 3" from "8 simple rules if you want to date my
teenage daughters" ... and these were invented "before" the
TV-show:
 
   Rule Three:  I am aware that it is considered fashionable
   for boys of your age to wear their trousers so loosely
   that they appear to be falling off their hips.  Please
   don't take this as an insult, but you and all of your
   friends are complete idiots.  Still, I want to be fair
   and open minded about this issue, so I propose this
   compromise: You may come to the door with your underwear
   showing and your pants ten sizes too big, and I will not
   object.  However, In order to assure that your clothes
   do not, in fact, come off during the course of your date
   with my daughter, I will take my electric staple gun and
   fasten your trousers securely in place around your waist.
 
The girls think it is so funny they have the rules handy for any
male-person displaying an interest in them. So far I've been able to scare
them all away.
 
 \%/{at}rd

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