This whole transaction was pretty funny.....

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
03:03 PM 1/26/2004

Hey Claudia,

Random question for you... I've decided that I want a cat (haven't
convinced Ben yet). I had a Himalayan before (1/2 Siamese, 1/2 Persian).
Extremely sweet but shedded like crazy. Her hair was also very fine, so
it stuck to everything - and floated around the house. How is Sophie's
shedding? Just as bad?

Steph

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
03:57 PM 1/26/2004

Hey Stephanie -

A Cat! Thats great, I am so excited for what you get! And im sure Gus
will be thrilled. (?) It took Floyd and Sophie both some adjusting, but now
they love each other. They keep each other company. We took Floyd to tahoe the
other weekend and when we came home Sophie was waiting at the door and then
followed him around the house from room to room. It was hilarious, she
totally missed him. (and not us, aparantly.)

ANYWAY....yes. She sheds. A lot. Luckily (or unluckily) for us the dog
sheds more, so really its like we dont even have a cat. But I remember
finding litte balls of fur in the corners, back when I was in my own
apartment. We get her furcuts quite often, which helps a lot. I have
another friend who has her Persian on permanent cuts. They actually like it, I
think they feel less weighted down or something.

But the temperment of Persians is just so wonderful though. They love
affection, and purr constantly. Sophie purrs when you look at her.

Its a trade off. I image one of you selling points to Ben has to be less
fur floating aroud the house.... But one other perk, Persians dont scratch
furniture, so you wouldnt have to get them declawed.

Love Claudia

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
02:04 PM 1/27/2004

Hey Dave,

Random question for you... I've decided that I want a plane (haven't
convinced Steph yet). I have been flying a Piper Arrow (4 Seat,
retractable gear). Extremely easy to fly, but not quite fast
enough. Kinda a pig on take-off - and floats the landings under
power. Any suggestions? Maybe a Cessna Cardinal?

--Ben

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
03:06 PM PST, 01/27/2004

Hey Ben,
A plane! Thats great, I am so excited for what you get! And im sure Gus
will be thrilled. (?) The Piper Arrow takes some adjusting to, but you'll
get used to the sluggish takeoffs. And with 4 seats you can have lots of
company. I've never taken a Piper to tahoe for the weekend, but flying it
around the mountains from valley to valley would be a lot of fun. As long
as you miss the peaks. (and not the run-ways, obviously.)

ANYWAY....yes. She uses a lot of fuel. A lot. Luckily (or unluckily) for
us we don't even have a plane. But I remember riding one to all the
corners of the U.S., back in my travelling days. We take commercial
flights quite often, which helps a lot. I have another
friend who has a Seneca 2-engine. He actually likes it, I think, it feel
less weighted down or something.

But the operating temperature of Pipers is just so wonderful though. They love
to heat up, and the engine will purr constantly. Pipers purr when you turn
the engine on.

Its a trade off. I image one of your selling points to Steph has to be less
driving around.... But one other perk, Pipers don't go into cold climates
well, so you wouldn't have to get it de-iced.

Love Dave