so called, intellectual weekend, after seeing miller's, after the fall.  can you actually call this play an intellectual excursion?  no, its an ego trip for miller showing his version of his relationships with women.  a BS session like what adolescent boys do.  being an adolescent boy, i found it reasonably interesting.

************************************************************************************************************************************

i see that presidential contender, cain, is accused of harassing women.  if you don't harass them, they're outraged.  if you do harass them, they're outraged.

nevermind, i have some suggestions but i don't want hate mail.

*********************************************************************************************************************************

kinky friedman is 67 today bragging that he has never held a job.  a true super hero.

*********************************************************************************************************************************

JUST SAYIN' XXXVI

boise state not likely to be a national champ.  they are off again as their no sweat schedule continues.  you just can't swagger into a national championship like you were a republican presidential candidate.

*******************************************************************************************************************************

newt gingrich - AAAGGgghhhh, noooooooo.  spending my last four years of life with him as president will make death expectations easier as his candidacy appears to be gathering momentum.  there are not enough four letter words to describe him.

*******************************************************************************************************************************

now to important things.  i've returned to playing diablo II during my spare time which seems to be most my time. so far i've been killed three times.  i start a new game when killed because i don't believe in resurrection.  when you're dead, you're dead.  my main problem is being too relaxed when things are going well and as in life the cretins will knock you down if you are not vigilant.

if and when diablo III comes out i'll probably get it provided there is a satisfactory single player mode.  i'm too old to compete with youths.   and of course will probably need a new computer because it will probably need an updated operating system. 

if there are good reviews i'll probably spring for an estimated minimum $600 for computer and game.  my children can afford it.

*****************************************************************************************************************************

JUST SAYIN' XXXV

i turned off the world series, game seven, last night in the top of the first when it seemed obvious that the game was over.  the rangers were leading 2-0 and the only out came from an attempted stolen base or something.  this was going to be a blowout.  i'm going to sleep.

as it turned out i was wrong.  musial, slaughter and (harry the cat) brecheen prevailed as they did the last time i watched the cardinals in a world series in bernie's apartment on bryant ave, awhile back.

*****************************************************************************************************************************

 " ... Autumn Clock Change Dates in ...2011
 ... U.S. Daylight Savings Time in 2011 Set your clocks backwards one hour, starting at 2:00 AM, on the first Sunday in November. ....


•DST 2011 - 6 November, 2011 ... "


the real reason for the date change is to avoid giving holloween trick or treaters an extra hour as occurred before 2007. 

*************************************************************************************************************************

" ... Republicans threaten to subpoena White House records. ... "

outrage is the last refuge of a whore.

***************************************************************************************************************************

JUST SAYIN' XXXIV

wasn't the world supposed to end this week???  these morons don't get anything right.,,,  probably republicans.



"...World doesn't end: California prophet had no Plan B

World news ...www.guardian.co.  ......
May 22, 2011 – Harold Camping spent millions of dollars telling the nations it was the end of days ; now his followers may need counselling......."

*****************************************************************************************************

texas rangers went the way of all texas BSers.  they not only lost but lost in spectacular fashion.  it was only game six.  game seven coming up.

its interesting even though its a faux world series.  YANKEES AND PHILLIES ARE THE REAL CONTENDERS.

******************************************************************************************************

JUST SAYIN' XXXIII

teapot party to change national anthem to, "i'm a little teapot":
they will sing it on the capitol steps en masse.

I'm a little teapot, short and stout
Here is my handle (one hand on hip),
here is my spout (other arm out straight)
When I get all steamed up, hear me shout
Just tip me over and pour me out!

*********************************************************************************************************************
THE TEAPOT PARTY AT WORK:





***********************************************************************************************************************

my pretend grand daughter, lindsey lohan doing a photo shoot for playboy.  noooooo, seeing the photos would make me feel like a child porn voyeur.

she is cute.  isn't she?.
**********************************************************************************************************************************

congressional approval slips to 9%.  its probably an extension of the 9-9-9 plan to 9-9-9-9.  yea!

********************************************************************************************************************************

"Occupy Wall Street protesters tear gassed in Oakland as they try ...‎ Daily Mail, uk"

why do i have to read UK newspapers to find this out.

is this libya or syria?

*******************************************************************************************************************************

as we head toward the cliff, 74% say the country is going the wrong way.  the other 26% are too busy trying to survive.

*****************************************************************************************************************************

JUST SAYIN' XXXII

rick perry is entertaining.  perry said he's just "pokin'" at obama concerning his birth certificate.  its refreshing to see a fellow adolescent mind at work.

**********************************************************************************************************************

NYT:  " ... Banks Flooded With Cash ...  they are trying to discourage some depositors from parking that cash with them. ..... "

i thoght holding your cash was their business.  funny how i can remember a time when banks were in the business of making a small profit with your meager savings and were as happy as pigs in mud.

***************************************************************************************************************

SPORTS WEEKEND



breakfast  mmmmmmm .................

 *******************************************************************************************************************

well the jets didn't disappoint too much.  they won although not looking like superbowl champs in doing so.

***************************************************************************************************************

boise state appeared to have their hands full winning over airforce.  are they overrated?

**************************************************************************************************************

giants had a bye week.  hopefully they'll be at full strength next week - " .... Justin Tuck and 4 Players Thankful for Bye Week‎ ... "

*************************************************************************************************************

world series?  what world series?  i don't see YANKEES in the sports pages.

*************************************************************************************************************

BYE.  MUST HAVE MY OATMEAL NOW.

**************************************************************************************************************

jets favored over san diego today.  superbowl, here we come.

**************************************************************************************************************

saw, margin call, yesterday.  for such a great cast, it was a little disappointing.  go to see it just for the stars who include:
Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Irons, Mary McDonnell, Demi Moore, Stanley Tucci, Ashley Williams

it "... revolves around the key people at a investment bank ...".  i need to see the balance sheet.  just verbally stating their financial troubles is too fuzzy.  but it will certainly remind you of the management at your firm.
 
**************************************************************************************************************

JUST SAYIN' XXXI

they're (whoever they are) sayin' that tyrants get their just rewards like gadaffi and mussolini.  i guess they've overlooked:

genghis kahn -  at about age 65 he either  fell off his horse, had a protracted illness such as pneumonia, died in battle, or killed by a princess who hid a small pair of pliers inside her vagina.

Francisco Franco - at 82, died in bed.

Augusto Pinochet - at 91, died in bed of heart attack.

Joseph Stalin - at 74, died in bed from warfarin (in the U. S.  " ... Approximately 31 million prescriptions for warfarin were written in 2004, according to the Food and Drug Administration. ... ")

nevermind.
*******************************************************************************************************************

JUST SAYIN' XXX

it was noted that the last person seen with gadaffi was wearing a yankees baseball cap.  GO YANKEES!

it was reported that his captors did not know how he fell over a ten foot barricade and got many gunshot wounds. 

republicans are drooling over the prospect of all that oil.  they will drown in their oil, money and alcohol.  the only problem is that people here cannot drive over broken roads and bridges.  just send money overseas.  40% of it is kickbacked to republicans.  they'd rather die than give up money.

nevermind, apparently the electorate would rather be unemployed.  jesus was unemployed. 

********************************************************************************************************************

JUST SAYIN' XXIX

the faux world series began yesterday with an amazing win by the cardinals over the (ugh) texas whatevers.

***********************************************************************************************************************

the real champions, yankees and phillies were not allowed to showcase their teams as, wall street, sucks up more money with their so called playoff stuff.

*********************************************************************************************************************

interestingly, steve jobs, death still lingers on.  we've had president's deaths with less fuss.

of course he was more constructive and productive than some of our BS presidents.

*******************************************************************************************************************

JUST SAYIN' XXVIII

"Norman Corwin, ‘poet laureate of radio,’ dies at 101"

congrats to mr. corwin for lasting 101 years.  my friend, artie, also deceased was agreat fan.  corwin's classic, "on a note of triumph (MAY 8, 1945)" can still be heard on podcasts and the npr website.  it celebrates the end of the german-bastard war ii.  SO MUCH FOR EUROPEAN WISDOM!!

*********************************************************************************************************************************

" .... They're finally done in and the rat is dead in an alley back of Wilhemstrasse/ Take a bow G.I./ Take a bow Little Guy/ The superman of tomorrow lies at the feet/ Of you common men of this afternoon.''

********************************************************************************************************************************

WHO HOLDS A GRUDGE??????

*****************************************************************************************************************

JUST SAYIN' XXVII

elmore leonard, my i-wish alter ego, wrote how disney creatures assemble near his patio.

he has more heart than i.  i prefer just shooting them.




******************************************************************************************

obama and the korean leader appear to be really energetic and physiacally fit.  can any republican appear as hardy and active.  doubt it.

********************************************************************************************

JETS COMING BACK???  they win after 3 game losing sreak.  now 3-3, superbowl here we come.

*******************************************************************************************

YEA! giants win.  beating up on some team from some wannabe city, buffalo.

*************************************************************************************************************

must get some bialys from whole foods today.  we are in a bialy deprived area.  the whole foods version is close enough especially when there is a $56 shipping charge from an authentic nyc bakery.

***********************************************************************************************************************

MORNING RANT IV

KILL THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

the rabbits and groundhog win.  i lose.  they ravage, pillage, and rape the flowers in my two large (4'x1'x7") home made wooden window boxes on the ledge on my porch.  they climb/jump into the boxes and eat and destroy the plants i love soooo much (sob).  i would gladly shoot them if my wife and the local government and neighbors would not object.

i enclosed the boxes with white plastic shelving on the sides and back and netting to no avail.  either me or the critters are stupid.  i'm not sayin'.

after they ate or destroyed my selected beautiful plants (grown from seed by hand with tlc), i put in some impatiens and dianthus.  they left the impatiens alone.  

next year i'll try some store bought colorful impatiens and white begonias.

life must go on.

KILL THE CRITTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*******************************************************************************************************

JUST SAYIN' XXVI

looking forward to seeing the GREAT NY GIANTS beat up on buffalo on sunday.

********************************************************************************************************

exhibition games continue in major league baseball.  when are the REAL champions, YANKEES AND PHILLIES, going to play their world series.

NO PHONY TEAMS, PLEASE.

********************************************************************************************************

JUST SAYIN' XXV

texas after rick perry

we don't want any stinkin' communist regulations.

***********************************************************************************************************************

everyone has a different view of the meaning of the "occupy wall street" movement.  for starters i would like to see small "mom and pop" businesses be kept to one set of books and pay their taxes.  and sales tax is not just another way to pick up extra cash.

***********************************************************************************************************************

back in granma's house:



*********************************************************************************************************************

JUST SAYIN' XXIV

jesus and mohammad were on their way to the shuffleboard courts in heaven when they met a magic bean salesman.  ..........  umm ... i forget.

after buying some magic beans they met humpty dumpty sitting on a wall.  they said, "let us help you down".
 ....... ooops .... nevermind.
**************************************************************************************************************************************

can't vote for the pizza king, herman cain.  pizza bad for me, 9% sales tax is just more money for small business to pocket.

***********************************************************************************************************************************

JUST SAYIN' XXIII

is this a reichstag thing?
the possible guilty include republicans, defense contractors, israel, the telephone company, oil companies, bank of america ..............

***************************************************************************************************************************************
 
my sports season has ended.  fortunately, NCAA basketball coming up soon.
 
well, ..... maybe ... boise state can possibly get into a major bowl game.  we'll see.  the future is before us (duh).
 
**************************************************************************************************************

JUST SAYIN' XXII

another one twelfth birthday.  yea!!!!
 
each one twelfth birthday is equivalent to about four gerbil years.  double yea!!!!!

*******************************************************************************************************************

PRE-COFFEE BRAINLESS STUFF: BREAKUP LETTERS

 #1 (copied from the internet) edited by me

"I want you to know that you mean the world to me. I will always treasure the moments we spent together, and I know we will have many more of those moments in the future, considering that I'm marrying your sister Emily in two weeks! Yeah, isn't it crazy! We had wanted you to come to the wedding, but we decided we couldn't wait that long. ...... I know God had something better in mind for both of us. ....... I hope we can still be really good friends, otherwise Emily would feel bad. Anyways, have a great day!"

letter #2

computer generated breakup letter:

http://www.dearjohn.com/


***********************************************************************************************************************

coffee ...........

*********************************************************************************************************************

DIALYSIS: PHYSICIAN BREAKUP

future open letters to my nephrologist upon urging me to go for dialysis:

test letter #1

go f--- yourself.

test letter #2

i'd rather be dead.  do you know a good physician-assisted suicide program.  thanks.

test letter #3

i appreciate your efforts on my behalf but i have to wash my hair.

test letter #4

thank you for your great and knowledgeable opinion.  its not you its me.  i will think about your prescription.  i'll call you.  don't call me.


**********************************************************************************************************

fortunately i'm in perfect health for 150 years old so these letters are of no concern to me.

**********************************************************************************************************

MORNING RANT III

phillies lose.

obviously these playoffs are another republican capitalist money grubbing scheme. clearly the two best teams in baseball, the yankees and phillies should showcase their teams in a world series. but noooooo, we have to jigger up playoffs where inferior teams have a chance to make believe they are the best.


these exhibition games should be held after the world series.

*******************************************************************************************************************************************

steve jobs, unique among human kind had much to contribute to our universe.  one useful person among the 7 billion people and we lost him.  someone up there doesn't know what the hell he's doing.

****************************************************************************************************************************************

of course the wall street protestor group will guillotine the wrong people.  i'm sure most wall street area workers are just trying to make a living.

the problem is how to get the crappy politicians, both republican and democrat, out and helpful people into office.  unfortunately there are no innocents in politics.

************************************************************************************************************************************

MORNING RANT II

yankees, clearly the best in the americam league were eliminated in the capitalist scam called baseball playoffs.  we should go directly to the world series and not fool around with this crap.  yes, i'm po'ed with the whole illicit event.  today its the phillies turn to be embarassed.

*************************************************************************************************************

hank williams thrown off ESPN for his bizarre remarks.  yes, the first amendment allows him to say whatever he wants but his employer has the right to require civilized behavior even from country and western singers. his was not a government job. 

take your guitar and your horse and get the hell out of here.  don't forget your saddle.

***************************************************************************************************************

it is so bizarre that just because someone has a show biz talent or has sat through hundreds of college class hours they think they're smart.

***************************************************************************************************************

steve jobs, college dropout didn't need all the academic bs.  one thing about acedemics and scholars is that they can manage to make something simple very complex.  thats how they can write a book, create a class, and make a career.

sometimes you just have to JUST DO IT.

***************************************************************************************************************

STEVE JOBS, GENIUS

a genius, billionaire, only 56. 

and now we are left with so many cookie cutter, no  brain engineers.  our schools stamp out untalented make believe scientists.  can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear.

**********************************************************************************************************************

i'm tearing up (only about $2500 (1980 dollars))

i loved my apple II ($1400) with the two floppy, free standing drives (only $500 each.) and my klunky small screen monitor (used - $150) and early epson printer ($600). truly a bargain. you could calculate trigonometric values and other great stuff.

***********************************************************************************************************************

my first ipod was just as much a thrill.  i could hardly believe that i wasn't dreaming it.  of course i couldn't dream it because i'm not smart enough.

these days i use my ipod mostly for audio books.  a comfort in my dotage (just kidding - i wish).  also some apps for news, finance, and sports (and all the songs i love).

**********************************************************************************************************************

JUST SAYIN' XXI

yea, yankees!

*******************************************************************************************************
wapo, "Fraud in Corps of Engineers contracting charged"

after only 30 years with the defense dept:
dod is merely a cover for greedy, ambitious pigs. like the candy store on my street when i was a kid which was a cover for a bookie operation, dod is a corrupt operation. fill the trenches with gun fodder. maybe no one will notice what is going on.

******************************************************************************************************************************

has the stock price of, apple. peaked?  possibly.  with the advent of the much lower priced ($200 vs $500) and possibly more versatile, amazon "kindle fire", perhaps apple's amazing run up has ended.

granted, they have very nice products but paying two or three times the market price for them over functional products may not make sense if they are not unique.

***************************************************************************************************************
 Razzle Dazzle 'em


 
****************************************************************************************************************

JUST SAYIN' XX

yankees are doing their post season el-foldo routine.  for the $400,000,000 payroll you might think they would steam-roller all opposition.  that's what i want to see.  don't bore me with grind out tedious, anguishing games.

*****************************************************************************************************************************

amanda knox freed.  returns from italy.  will new jersey recognize this decision?

****************************************************************************************************************************

polls show that christie could beat berlusconi in new jersey.

********************************************************************************************************************

JUST SAYIN' XIX

wapo must be a double agent.  the most important story of the weekend was the wall street protestor movement.  there was an item at the bottom of their web page. 

******************************************************************************************************

"The Huffington Post will soon debut Huff/Post 50, a new site for the Baby Boomer generation launching on September 14."

the bs about this site is that older people have a new frreedom in their lives and can express themselves without restraint.  being that i previously was thrown off huffpo because i expressed myself without restraint, i doubt that they have changed.  just more bs.  the world is drowning in it.

*****************************************************************************************************

ralph branca on scarborough this morning whining about the ny giants, bobby thompson home run in 1951.  THERE'S NO CRYING IN BASEBALL!!

of course you can't blame someone who can make a few bucks on his book.  its the american way.

*****************************************************************************************************

GREAT DAY FOR SPORTSMEN (LIKE ME)

it'll be a busy day for me between the MLB playoffs and the NFL.  gotta go!!!!!!

********************************************************************************************************



******************************************************************************************************

JUST SAYIN' XVIII

Anwar al-Aulaqi murdered by our government.  so sad.  other outrages include, clyde barrow, john dillinger, butch cassidy?, we are out of control.  next thing you know they'll want to kill charles manson.

****************************************************************************************************************************

********************************************************************************************************************
Hell on Heels - Pistol Annies (live debut w/ lyrics)



******************************************************************************************************************

JUST SAYIN' XVII

uh oh, tampa bay coming back from 7 runs down to beat the yanks and take the wild-card spot is a bad omen for yankee fans,

****************************************************************************************************************
Jackie Johnson - Star Light, Star Bright



***************************************************************************************************************

JUST SAYIN' XVI

redskins once again according to the wapo lost because of a "late score".  the wapo makes "late score" sound like an illegal covert action by evil doers.  overlooking and sidestepping the issue of criminal, illicit scoring near the end of the game should be stopped.  the final score should be that score which was in full force and effect at the 58 minute mark.  no sneaky "late scores" allowed.  

**************************************************************************************************************************************


media poll results appear to have a plus or minus 4% tacked on to them.  they're not fooling me.  poll publishers do not have a clue as to the real error involved.  from incorrect questioning to strange data collection methods to not knowing what they're doing we cannot know the accuracy of the result and the media talking heads certainly don't know what they're talking about.

please don't try to explain.  you can't do it even with those 300 college credits sitting on your butt..

***********************************************************************************************************************************

JUST SAYIN' XV

i think i'm ready for chris christie.  i want to hear what he has to say on the national scene.  it might be refreshing from the left leaning blather and the right wing delusional nitwits.

************************************************************************************************************************

GIANT APOLOGY TO GIANTS

writing off the giants yesterday was wrong and totally incorrect.  my only consolation is that i was not the only moron.  GO GIANTS.  must admit - it was a lot of fun warching the giants pound the eagles.

JETS were sorta' an embarassment.

i'll try to relegate myself to total spectator in the future.

*************************************************************************************************************

JUST SAYIN' XIV

idiot hikers return home today like they were heroes.  get a job.

********************************************************************************************************
great stuff at the DC mall today - national book festival and andy warhol exhibit. 

if i were only 130 again i would have enough energy to go.

***********************************************************************************************************

brad pitt, the new robert redford was excellent in, moneyball.  very enjoyable.  loved it.

***********************************************************************************************************

GIANTS end season today as they go against the eagles as a 9 point underdog. 

GO JETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

********************************************************************************************************

JUST SAYIN' XIII

wondrin' about the purpose of health care for the  ... ummm .. elderly like ... ummm ... myself.  i'm starting to think its more about extracting huge profits by extending life far beyond any value to me or you.  the excuse is that life is sacred while they string you up, cut you into pieces, drain you out, change your oil, and provide bizarre devices at outrageous prices.

its a huge conspiracy comprised of the entire so-called medical community - very profitable.

do you have the right to die?   how?  when?  i dunno.

*******************************************************************************************************************************

JUST SAYIN' XII

aunt jennie's monument will be formally dedicated and anointed this weekend. 

i've always thought of these events as being the last party celebrating a person's earthly essence.

some highlights of the group dynamics as i recall of the last such event i attended:

a. an argument about FOX news.

b. sailing on the chesapeake bay.

c. business problems

d. a bored very young lady flirting with the men.
 
i don't think many of them cared as to who or what the event was about.
 
i hope your life will generate more interest.  good luck!
 
*******************************************************************************************************************************

JUST SAYIN' XI

the euro and pound are still overvalued by at least 30% because america is great and they are not.


*********************************************************************************************************************************


well, we warned you about the stock market but you are a world class risk taker.  so why are you crying?

*******************************************************************************************************************************

YEA, YANKEES.  win american league east.

in the good old days the yanks would rightfully go head to head with the phillies without the murky money grubbing playoffs ahead.

***********************************************************************************************************************************

palestinians only want jobs, healthcare, and social security or else they'll throw bombs and they may throw bombs anyway.

*********************************************************************************************************************************

joan jett, 53 today.

JOAN JETT - I Love Rock 'n' Roll (Coney Island, July 14, 2011)



********************************************************************************************************************************

HIKER JERKS MARCH ON

stupid (iran) hikers may be released today.  david letterman had it right; there just aren't enough places to hike on the north american continent.  these morons probably thought how cool it would be to hike in exotic places.  so much to bs about to their frat boy peer group.  they can't wait to get home.

***************************************************************************************************************

CLASS WARFARE

CLASS WARFARE??? straightening out taxation policy is not class warfare. the french revolution was class warfare.


seems to me that the liquor surcharge tax is class warfare, and all the other nickel and diming surcharge taxes in maryland. regressive taxes!!!!!!!!!!!

**********************************************************************************************************

JUST SAYIN' X

i love watcin' those macho guys on espn deer huntin'.  the big men set up a gun emplacement with telescopic sight.  when they get a deer in the sight they blow it away.  whoa, what big, strong, brave men.  the bigger the deer the braver these guys are.  of course a bigger deer would be easier to hit but bambi would be more tender.  these guys really want the antlers to hang on the wall.  i don't think its for food.  the food part especially with the inflation is ok by me.

i'm ready with knife and fork.

*****************************************************************************************************

THE BLOG ABOUT NOTHING

*********************************************************************************************************

APROPOS OF NOTHING

Spoonful of Sugar - Julie Andrews



************************************************************************************************************

JUST SAYIN' IX

somehow republican thought is that people in business who are inefficient,or incompetent or who (really) do not qualify for a job are entitled to cheap labor or worse yet slave labor to continue in their inept ways.  on the other hand an essential government supported activity such as education, postal service, police protection, etc. are expendable.

*****************************************************************************************************************

eventually, their base will wise up.  maybe.  they still haven't figured out the cause of illness or natural disasters.  the predominant thought is that god is punishing sinners or something else bizarre.

******************************************************************************************************************

GERM THEORY

some crazy scientists want you to believe that there are little things, smaller than you can see that are walking around and can make you sick.  lol, that's really funny.  next thing you know they'll want you to vote for a republican.

****************************************************************************************************************

F, GRANPA

many people these days are ending their communications with, fondly.  fondly, the f word.  so i'll fondly sign off today.

F, GRANPA

 or just plain,

F.

***********************************************************************************************************

JUST SAYIN' VIII

INFRASTRUCTURE

just thinkin' of how unneccessary in (ugh) new jersey, rte 206 from somerville to netcong in 1960 and rte 10 from dover to ledgewood in 1955 were.  the roads to nowhere. 

don't ask and don't get caught in a traffic jam there today.  just cut taxes.

currently being a resident of blue state maryland, stuff seems to be built and maintained very well.  how do we do it?  lottsa government work.

*************************************************************************************************************************

JUST SAYIN' VII

GO JETS:

jets amazingly won their game over the cowboys.  fortunately i tuned off because late in the game it looked hopeless and i'm sure the exciting comeback would have overwhelmed my ancient vital organs.

**************************************************************************************************************

bbc news channel had excerpts of the grosvenor square, london memorial service for the 67 uk victims of the 9/11 twin tower massacre.

among some of the off camera outrageous muslim events was a burning of the american flag and 

london standard   "Two men were seriously hurt when they were stabbed in clashes between the English Defence League and Muslim protesters after a 9/11 memorial service in London."

"they never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity."

*****************************************************************************************************************************