My first thought while reading it was Madonna ;)
It's a traditional mate cup. Most Argentines have them, they come with the straws. If you are well off, the straw can be silver and the cup decorated with silver. Mate is a form of tea(there is an accent on the e but I don't have an accent on my keyboard) in leaf form and the leaves are put directly into the cup. The straw has a bulb at the end with holes in it so the leaves stay in the cup. The boiling water is poured directly into the mate cup and drunk with the straw.
Mark, I am so sorry for your loss. My heart hurt reading what you wrote and I am glad your mother has found something for herself to help her deal with the big issues. Same with your sister. I am an atheist, I do not EVER ridicule anyone on any of their beliefs. I am very empathetic, I can put myself into almost anyones shoes and understand how they feel. And I am not a person who goes around spewing my opinion on other people, belittling them. I live in a small town and the people here would be surprised to find out I am an atheist. Again, I'm so sorry for your loss and I am very glad for your mother that she has found something that helps her and makes her happy.
I think a lot of it has to do with upbringing. I was taught the golden rule, right from wrong, strong morals and values (my mom has a backbone of iron and a backhand of steel).
Wow, that is SO cool. That must have been so exciting for her. How old is she? Actually, I'm envious, I always wanted to find something like that or a space rock. What a terrific desert walk she had.
don't forget the Major and vonhoho (arsnl's word, not mine) I think it would be fun :P
I think the bare knuckle boxing matchups are a fantastic idea!! Just don't forget doug13. I think that would make a great list. Oliver, since you already have it half done, finish it off and submit it!! :D
I started the survey, and only got partway in. The page that asked about what fiction I like wouldn't scroll to the next button, so I had to quit.
I don't want to nit-pick, Blogball, but #1, the RCMP memorial service was in Edmonton. Only the 2 major cities here have city police service, the rest of the province uses RCMP. Those 4 members are known as the Mayerthorpe four. It's a small town outside of Edmonton, and I have to say that their deaths affected most small towns in the province, where most of us have about 10 officers. It's a terrifying thing when half your police department gets murdered in one day. I think it made the RCMP rethink how they serve warrants and how many officers to send.
Oh my god, that was really funny!!!:D hahahahahaha
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ricepaddy312 
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