Awesome pics Gary and Jeremie! I absolutely love seeing everyone's photos. All of us, being at least of the same mind set in one area, I can totally understand what each person was feeling, thinking, or wanted to capture with each pic.
Let's see if I can win this bad boy by default.
"Gear"
I spent a lot of time this summer and fall hunting cool running mountain streams for Cutthroat and I found myself absolutely reliant on two special things whenever I went out. The first being my 3 weight Scott that casts like a dream and fought my personal best Cutthroat to date, and the second being my German Trenker Hat. Nothing makes one feel more at home in the mountains than a slick looking mountaineering hat. I stared into the eyes of paradise many a time, always with this gear by my side.
I definitely understand what Hydropsyche and rehsifylf are saying here. In a just world you would definitely be entitled to all of it, but if it becomes a huge issue it really just comes down to whether or not all the extra time and effort is worth the other half of the bill to you. It's stupid in situations like this, but you've gotta do whatever you feel is best by you.
I have one of the 5 weights and it is a beautiful rod. Still haven't cast it yet (stupid winter), but I'll hopefully hit up the Bow or Stauffer within a week or two and take it out.
Maybe you missed the scenario. He's gone for long periods and is just looking for someone to help his wife out with the 3 kids. They aren't ignoring their responsibility and getting a nanny to raise the kids.
If it's anywhere near as serious an issue as the majority of the scientists believe (rightly or wrongly and I know you don't agree) than cost doesn't really matter. Furthermore, I mean, *hit will get more expensive and everyone will complain, but they'll still have their flatscreen TVs and pickup trucks. I don't think the world is going to come crashing down because people have to make some sacrifices.
I think that purchasing a good piece of meat is probably more important than how you prepare it. Ensuring that you have a quality piece of beef easily makes all the difference in the world. Preperation, on the other hand, is really all personal taste and as long as you do it properly (ie. overcook) it is likely to turn out fine. Ensuring the quality of a steak is also just as much about where you buy it from as which specific cut it is. My personal favorite is a thick New York Striploin.
Avalanche, I think I speak for everyone who wanted to get a hold of that rod when I say we expect a bit of a review from you when you get a chance to try her out.