well I'm still in one piece ...

accessing the internet via dial-up is a real pain. I'll come up with something better eventually. You folks living in 'civilized' countries take your cable modems and DSL hookups for granted !

I waited until Obama was inaugurated before 'showing my face' at SW again. The vast majority of locals down here LOVE Obama. Of course, they don't have to worry about paying US taxes or finding US jobs either.

... as in packing for a 'long term vacation' in Central America. Because of IRS rules regarding 'residence', if I want to be treated as a non-resident (with the first $100k or so of income thus exempt from US federal income tax) I am only allowed to spend 35 days out of the year within US borders. So after completing some necessary 2009 business transactions early next week, I'm off to much warmer shores (literally).

you've got to start somewhere !