KOEB 7/18/05 (The Grand and Glorious Return...)

[Berry Cool]

To celebrate Keith's return from vacation, let's all sing this little adaptation of an old TV-cartoon tune...



"TOP CAT!
The most effectual!
TOP CAT!
Who's intellectual!
Close friends get to call him 'K.O.'
Providing it's with class, you know!

"TOP CAT!
The indisputable leader of the gang,
He's the boss, he's a pip, he's the championship,
He's the most tip-top--
TOP CAT!

"Yes he's a chief, he's a king,
But above everything,
He's the most tip top--
TOP CAT!!!!"

Enjoy, fellow KOEB'ers!!
:loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

[Clark2008]

1. And I'm so tired, I can hardly keep my eyes open.

I may blog out tonight.

:hi: all

[SharonRB]

3. Why so tired, Clark?

Up all night reading Harry Potter?

[Clark2008]

5. No... had the National Clark Community Meetup in Little Rock

this weekend.

It was a blast!

[SharonRB]

6. Glad you had a great weekend.

I spent most of mine reading -- finish HP in two days.

[Clark2008]

10. Right now, all I have is a blurry picture of the General with me

(My film is being developed - this was from someone else).

It makes Wes's face look too bright and my hair look HUGE (and it's not) and for some reason my nose looks funny, but, you can clearly see him holding my hands. :D

[RevCheesehead]

14. I knew you'd have a great time!

hi, Lara! :hi:
How'd you do without Ramzey with you?

[Clark2008]

19. Fine. I was so busy that, while I missed him, I didn't pine.

He'd been kind of cranky, anyway. It was nice to get a break from him! LOL!

[Berry Cool]

61. Sure looks like you had fun!

and :hi: to all from Berry After the Show!

[Clark2008]

97. I found another one of me and some Clarkies

This looks more like me. :)

[SharonRB]

15. Did you get to the Clinton Library while you were there?

[Clark2008]

21. Sadly, no.

I drove in late on Friday night, had meetings and the banquet all day Saturday and had to get back on the road (8-hour drive) on Sunday. The Clinton Library doesn't even open until 1 p.m. on Sundays, so it simply wasn't feasible this time. I did get to see the outside of it from my hotel, though.
It looks like, excuse me, a huge trailer. LOL! What else would you expect from Bubba!? :7

[CC]

82. Sounds like you had a great

time. Tell us more when you catch up on sleep.

[RevCheesehead]

86. Ferrettessa!

:hi: How's it going? Are the critters all lovin' each other?

[CC]

90. Its hot and humid

but going well. I gave up on merging the two groups...they do not want to get along (Pixel, Peachy and Mysti were the worst about it) and was causing them and me too much stress. Though I need to record a ferret screaming for the next KO vacation. Sure beats a human scream. :rofl:

How are you doing?

[RevCheesehead]

91. Doing OK.

It's been horribly hot. Yesterday, we all nearly passed out from the heat in church (because we're at the lake, they don't think we "need" A/C. :eyes:)

Still missing Roo - and wondering if a new fella's gonna turn up and join the family. (No, not that! A fenine, if I'm lucky.) Oreo's mrowling around the house - she misses the chases and fights, and Binky won't play along.

[CC]

95. Sounds like you need

to see about A/C on days like that...when everyone is complaining they might vote for A/C then. Least that is how the Methodist church here in town got it installed.


I can understand the missing Roo for you and Oreo & Binky. Maybe Oreo is telling you it is time to look for a new sibling for the group. One that can romp and lay with both.
With finding out there is a ferret in the bigger group now that isn't too keen on adding more I do not think I will be adding a new ferret anytime soon. Truthfully I have enough and still recovering from all the vet bills. Had to double the weekly savings donations to the animals account.

[Clark2008]

98. Oh... I can tell you now.

I'm doing laundry - might as well. :)

We had meetings all day on Saturday - the standard Dem faire: orgainizing volunteers, key Congressional races, how to deal with the media (write LTTEs, complain, compliment, etc.), the future of media, our keynote meeting speaker was George Lakoff (this was a coup, I tell ya... if you're not familiar, go here: http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2003/10/27_lakoff.shtml) regarding reframing Republican talking points. We also had seminars on disaster preparedness, involving military families in our efforts and a tribute to military families (one of our Clarkies had a brother killed in Iraq).

Then, that evening was cocktails and the banquet. We had virtual musicians from LA, including musicians from Yes, Duran Duran, Sound Garden and some other bands. The Clarks were there, of course.

When Wes walked in, he shook everyone's hand and, as he got up to me, I said, "We miss you in Tennessee!" and then he stopped (the picture above) and started telling me some folks I need to get in touch with who are, ahem, "working for us" in Nashville (yeah, yeah... he's running... he's running!). I told him I was working on Harold Ford Jr.'s campaign and he was THRILLED. I mentioned that SOME people think Ford's a DINO (and I had to explain what that meant) and Wes got ANGRY and said, "I don't think THAT!" and I said I didn't either - he was just a Southern Dem. So... my mission, should I choose to accept it (and I will) from Wes was to GET HAROLD FORD JR. ELECTED TO SENATE IN TENNESSEE. He said if Tennesseans elect him then Wes thinks we're on the road to recovery. :)

He also remembered little Ramzey. When Ramzey's picture came up on the screen, he was overheard telling Gert, "There's Lara's little boy!" :7

It was great. I hate missing the Clinton Museum - there was a tour scheduled for us a 1 p.m. - but I had to hit the road. It was a long, but fulfilling trip!

[CC]

101. Sounds like a great

time and how are Ford's chances looking in TN? (And how much work did you just get yourself?) I thought Clark pretty much let everyone know he was running a couple months ago. (Least that is how I took it)

How could he not remember Ramzey? He cute and smart, betting he leaves a good impression on everyone he meets. (Maybe a bit hard on Mom once in a while specially when feeling threatened but that will pass with honestly and attention.)

I would not want to make Wes angry. He seems to me to be the kind that does not anger easily but when you do get him there best to watch out.

As for rephrasing repuke talking points, beyond the LTTE I have been doing it on an individual basis. Being in a red county and on the border of another red county I figure it I rephrase and lead those that think they are repukes to the right conclusion on their own it does batter than just arguing. It has worked with 1 so far really well. He isn't dem yet but he did go change his voter reg. to independent. And he was a real bush-bot before.


Hope Ramzey is happy to see Mom back and maybe settled down a bit. He might of been having separation anxiety before your trip. If it is your first time with him him then has to be his with out you.

[Berry Cool]

111. You had George Lakoff??

Lucky you--I just bought his book "Don't Think of an Elephant!" this past weekend. Great, great book. Once you read that you see right-wingers in a whole new light. You also see progressives in a whole new light...and it's not always flattering.

What he has to say about the power of words to "frame the argument" is so true. As long as progressives keep on letting conservatives frame the argument, they will never win a damn bloody thing, because they will always look like the bad guys and the conservatives will always look like the good guys.

Just may make people think twice about how often they call right-wingers "stupid" or refer to those who vote for them as "sheeple." It certainly did me.

Anyway, glad you had fun.

[babylonsister]

2. He's now in my favorites; haven't been here for awhile;

good to see Keith! :hi:

[RevCheesehead]

18. Hi, babylonsister

Good to have you back with us! :hi:

[babylonsister]

44. Hi, Rev! I like Allison, but I love KO!

Nice to be here!

[Clark2008]

4. Bush is such an asshole

And why was the whore media laughing when he said, "There is a serious investigation going on here."

What's so funny about that? :wtf:

[SharonRB]

7. Even JK Rowling called him Wretched

I LMAO in the second sentence of the book.

[Clark2008]

34. What's the second sentence in the book?

A lot of Clarkies bought the book in Little Rock for their plane trips, but I haven't had time to read a label, much less a book.

[SharonRB]

38. She is talking about the Prime Minister waiting for a call from

the President of a far-off land. And then she calls him (the president) a wretched man. No doubt in my mind who she's talking about. Gotta love it!

[Greylyn58]

9. Howdy All

Hope everyone is doing well. :)

I was wondering why the media was laughing also. It seemed rather weird to me for some reason.

:loveya: KO Glad to see you back!!!

[RevCheesehead]

20. Hi, Greylyn

:hi: and "woof" to Sheridan, too!

[Berry Cool]

62. Glad to see you and Sheridan back too, Grey!

:hi: and WOOF!

[Greylyn58]

77. Howdy All

:hi:

[Botany]

17. Drive by blog .....

The press is laughing @ him ..... Scott "puffy mcmoon face" used
the term "ongoing investigation" 70 + times in his last 3 press conferences .....

Even the press is now standing up to him ......

IT IS NO LONGER A ? OF IF HE IS GOING DOWN ......
IT IS A ? OF WHEN HE IS GOING DOWN

:bounce:

nice pic of my Fav EDV!

[RevCheesehead]

23. Hi, Cuddles...

Did Miss Stephanie comment on your "infidelity" today? :evilgrin:

[Berry Cool]

63. Bot, you forgot to say

"...and not on Jeff Gannon either" :rofl:

[gkhouston]

120. sounded too much like a variation

of the oft-repeated "no comment during an ongoing investigation" excuse that Scotty's been giving out would be my guess. They've only heard that line about 25 times per press briefing in the past week.

[RevCheesehead]

8. Now that's what I call journalism!

Try as they might, this story is NOT disappearing!

Hey, everyone, Happy Keith-day! :hi:

For Keith: :loveya:

[Berry Cool]

65. Did you catch that Wall Street Journal loser

on Hardball who tried to call it a "summer scandal" and a "tempest in a Teapot Dome"?

Boy, they know how to frame everything, don't they?

[RevCheesehead]

70. Yeah - I thought Hardball sucked tonight.

Monica Crawley makes me :puke:, she felt it was her duty to challenge everything put out for discussion. Did you see her "interview" with the Wilson/Plame lawyer? Pure bullshit.

[Berry Cool]

88. Well, David Gregory was at least good

but there were way too many jokers on it tonight.

[RevCheesehead]

92. He was one bright, shining exception.

David :loveya: Gregory

[Catchawave]

11. Hi Everybody....

Lots of Keith threads tonight in GD and P, whew.

:loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

[RevCheesehead]

24. Hi, Catch

Great night, isn't it? :toast:

[RevCheesehead]

12. Craig says: "Bring back Puppet Theater for this one"

That would be sweet! :)

[SharonRB]

13. Karl Rove Puppet Theatre!

[RevCheesehead]

16. Hi, Sharon

You've been a busy reader this weekend! :hi:

[SharonRB]

22. Yes, I have

I figured it would take the rest of the summer, but I couldn't put it down and had lots of free time, so I got it done. It was great!

[RevCheesehead]

26. When does school begin for you?

Here in Cheeseland, they passed a law - no school before Labor Day. Do you go back before, or after the holiday?

[SharonRB]

31. It depends on the school district -- but since I have no

school-aged kids, I don't pay much attention (my daughter is 28). I just read in the paper over the weekend that they're trying to pass the same law here -- no school before Labor Day. They think it will be better for the economy if people can stay on vacation longer and spend more money.

[Berry Cool]

68. Rev, you're a lucky one.

I swear I have already seen a back-to-school ad in a store window. I HATE it when they start those things in mid-July. Sheesh, let the kids enjoy being OUT first!

What am I gonna see next week--a Christmas ad?

[RevCheesehead]

73. Oh, the stuff is in the stores.

Parents and screaming, crying children, too. It's during this time I wish they'd replay the Staples commercial, with the father smiling, and music playing "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year." :)

:hi: How ya doin', Berry?

[Berry Cool]

89. I'm doin' OK, Rev

but seriously, I can wait for the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year" ad until AUGUST at least!! Sheesh!!

How are you?

[RevCheesehead]

93. I'm wondering where the summer's gone.

All the stores have their summer clearance sales, the school stuff is everywhere,... but the tourists are around, too, spreading their money around. We had 5 visitors in church Sunday!

[Gogi]

99. Yes, you are!

I hate Christmas in July sales! I think they ought to call it the 'Let us take your money early' sale.

[Berry Cool]

112. In my part of the world, summer is so short and winter so long

that I REFUSE to let the retailers speed things up.

I am not READY in July for fall and back-to-school and Halloween. I refuse to pay them any attention then.

In March, it is not anything LIKE spring yet. They can't fool me into pretending it is or that it is just around the corner. I know it will take at least another month, so in the meantime don't tease me!

[gkhouston]

119. and here, summer is so long, I resent it when they

pretend "fall" is just around the corner. It's gonna be brutally hot until the middle of September, at least.

[Berry Cool]

66. Now I would LOVE to see that

except there would be one problem...in Karl Rove Puppet Theatre, Rove has always been the puppeteer!

[RevCheesehead]

75. We could rename it -

to "Turd Blossom Express" or something like it. :7

[gkhouston]

118. to be fair, though

isn't blivet** the puppet?

[CC]

85. Way to go Craig.

Maybe we should all suggest that he could then sell the puppets on Ebay for his fav charity afterward and they should go for a lot more once the indictments come.

[WolverineDG]

25. Bay-airs!!

:)

good show so far. i need to get back to the front room so i can see the story on the london bombers...now they place them at luton airport, another place my cousin & i were at last month, as well as being in & out of kings cross & russell square..... :cry:

dg

[SharonRB]

28. I thought about the bombings while I was reading Harry Potter

when they left from Kings Cross Station to go to Hogwarts, as they always do.

[WolverineDG]

59. Yeah I forgot they leave from that station

since in the movies, they use shots of the more impressive St. Pancras station which is right next door.

dg

[Berry Cool]

69. I thought about the bombings

in the first chapter.
Terrible things happening in England, and the prime minister doesn't know why...all he knows is, he feels blamed.

[RevCheesehead]

30. Hi, DG

Thanks for the popcorn in the other thread - it goes well with Keith snark. :popcorn:

[WolverineDG]

60. no problemo

popcorn is one of the few snacks i can have now :)

:popcorn: mmmmmm

dg

[bleever]

27. Happy Keef, everyone.

All this, and the words to "Top Cat", too! Thanks, Berry.

:hi:

[RevCheesehead]

32. Bleever!!!

Where have you been, darlin'? We've missed you! :hi:

[bleever]

43. Had me a little vacation to Oregon. Got back to lots of work and

no Keef, but now all the planets have aligned again, including juicy news for KO to serve up with insight and snark.

How are you? Thought about you earlier while rereading the "Things not to say at The Passion" when someone used your M&M's joke.

:hi:

[RevCheesehead]

49. Well, it's just not been the same without you.

Arrgh! ;)

Would that "someone" be you? :evilgrin:

[bleever]

102. Say, Cheese, if you're giving me the eye,

I could use one!

:7

[RevCheesehead]

103. If you keep showing up every night,

we'll arrange for an array of various body-parts.

Oh, yeah - we're giving you workman's comp, as well as full pension and insurance benefits. We are, after all, a progressive clubhouse. :)

[Berry Cool]

71. You're welcome, bleev.

It just seemed appropriate for tonight.

And I picked one of his smirkiest pictures, in which it's quite obvious that he KNOWS that he's "Top Cat."

[bunny planet]

29. MyGawd, he looks yummy tonight.

I always love the purple combo with the dark pin stripe suit.

Can't watch the second half, but saw the first 15.
I'll watch the rest when I get home from taking my kids to
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

I love Johnny Depp, but I am not in the mood, just keeping my promise to the offspring to take them tonight.

I sent KO the Waxman letter about KKKarl potentially having violated the agreement he signed as a WH employee not to disclose classified information. I hope he follows up on it for tomorrow. We really must push for some kind of indictment, or firing, or both and keep this on the front burner no matter how much Smirky wants the SCOTUS nomination to kick it off the front page. At the very least, Rove can not be allowed to have any security clearance, that must be very publicly revoked.

We need a praying smilie. I am constantly praying for this long national nightmare to be over and working overtime to make it happen. If they get away with this I just don't know what to think. Please let the teflon presidency be over.

Hi everybody. I'll check in with ya'll later.

Oh and floatacular devices for Keef.
:loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

[SharonRB]

33. Hey, Bunny

Good to see you. I really want to see that movie -- I'll have to go alone or find a friend to go with, though, as Dave has absolutely no desire to see it.

[SharonRB]

37. Hmmmm, very strange

Wasn't KO wearing a very pink shirt when the show started? Now he's wearing white. Guess the stand-up about Iraq was pre-taped.

[Berry Cool]

74. It was a pale lavender (lilac) shirt through the whole show

but the extremely harsh lighting in the part of the studio where Keith does his Iraq standups washed it out and made it look white.

At least that's how I saw it.

[Clark2008]

121. Here it is:

[bunny planet]

35. btw, I noticed you all speculating that Matt Cooper was wearing Keef's tie

(our tie). This is not true, much wider stripes, much further apart, NOT the same tie.

:-)

[RevCheesehead]

36. Hi, Thumper

:hi: Keeping Keith well-informed, eh?

In lieu of a praying smiley, I use this one: O8)

[ewagner]

39. Okay.....

when KO starting quoting Animal House he said

(can't rmember the names of the first two:)

soandso.....dead!
soandso.....dead!

Neidemayer................

okay so how many shouted DEAD! ?????

I did......

[RevCheesehead]

41. Hi, Ed

:hi: First one was Wermer (Dean Wermer of Faber College). The second one, I think Keith flubbed - I may be wrong.

Everyone wants Neidermeyer dead. :)

[ewagner]

42. Hi Rev

:hi: :loveya:

hope you don't mind my lurking....the KOEB is about as entertaining as anything on TV....and watching KO through your threads is a lot of fun....

[RevCheesehead]

45. ATTENTION: ALL LURKERS

Time to show yourselves and be counted! :)

(We don't bite - unless, of course, you like that sort of thing..:evilgrin:)

[Berry Cool]

78. My goodness...

we're flattered, ewagner!! :blush:

[Berry Cool]

76. "Niedermeyer--DEAD!" is actually

one of Keith's old SportsCenter catch phrases, so of course he couldn't wait to use it. He had the perfect excuse.

I loved how tonight's show gave him the opportunity to be impish.

[Berry Cool]

72. He did indeed look yummy, didn't he?

A sight for sore eyes...and deprived ones...

They will not get the SCOTUS nomination to bump this off. They only wish they could.

I would love a praying smilie.

I float on Keith's floataculars. :loveya:

[Gogi]

100. I don't get it.

They go on about how the Bushies will use the Scotus nomination to push Plamegate out of the news, but other times you hear how they have to fill a 24 hour news day and imply how difficult that is! We've got all this capacity so why can't they cover both stories equally?

[CC]

87. Here you go

Bunny, found this one out there on the internets.


edited to add the right smiley.

[RevCheesehead]

40. Great - we've created an Iraqi Civil War.

All for non-existent WMD's. Why the hell are we still there? :grr:

[babylonsister]

50. I think this admin has made enough moola for their

lifetimes from oil, but they can't figure out how to get out of Iraq now, because no one figured out the ramifications of going in to begin with. It's really very pathetic and is costing lives daily, and some days many. :grr: :grr:

[Muffstser]

46. Just got home!

Love that tie...this almost makes it worth sitting on a bus in 85 degree heat next to some er...um..."hygienically challenged" individuals.

[RevCheesehead]

47. Hi, Muffster

You'll love the first part of the show. It certainly is good to have Keith back!! :loveya:

[SharonRB]

56. Hi, Muffstser

Glad you could join us tonight.

It's all Rove, all the time on MSNBC tonight.

[Muffstser]

48. Great Keeping Tabs!

"the same name as a crayon." I LOVE IT!

Dang, I've missed him.

[RevCheesehead]

51. I know what you mean...

When I heard Keith's voice saying "Which of these stories..." I got all goose-pimply. That doesn't happen too often.

[Berry Cool]

81. You get goose-pimply...

...and I get RELIEVED. As in, "Thank God I know he's not on vacation today!"

[Berry Cool]

80. Haven't we all?

He's just pitching out the snark at us because he just knows it makes us happy!

[Muffstser]

52. A thought re: the naked gal to come...

Why, why, WHY is it that the only people who go nekkid are ugly as all getout!?! (I live in Fremont, where we have a "nude bicycling brigade" during every solstice parade each year. Yet another reason why I don't want to live in Seattle anymore.)

[WolverineDG]

64. she didn't look 24

she looked much older...... :scared:

dg

[RevCheesehead]

53. Florida again?

Poor Patsy. The most interesting things happen there.

[RevCheesehead]

54. Aww - and Keith is blushing at the nekkid stories!

Here comes the Hall of Fame again!

[Muffstser]

55. I LUUUUUUUUUUUV the Hall of Fame!

It's really sad, how I never get sick of this...

[SharonRB]

57. What, did he run out of things to talk about

that he had to show the Hall of Fame yet again?

[Berry Cool]

83. I have to admit, I was a titch disappointed.

But it's possible that his interview with the people from the "We Are Not Afraid" Web site fell through at the last second (note the plug on the MSNBC Web site), and he had nothing else planned for the time, so he had to find something to fill it with quickly. Hence yet another trip to the Hall of Fame well. (Otherwise, it would have been another trip to the Countdown Apology Hall of Fame...only no one seems to be apologizing for anything lately.)

on edit: Even Keith may have been saying to himself at the end of that, "Get a roll of stamps and mail that ending in." The cameras cut him off really early tonight too--before he even had time to pitch a second paper wad. Too bad. Oh well, when he waves goodbye to us for a long time, it means vacation, so...

[Berry Cool]

113. another correction...

Didn't realize, Alison had already talked to the "We Are Not Afraid" people last week.

No, Keith has no excuse. *shaking head*

[CBHagman]

58. We've got to nominate Tancredo for Worst Person in the World.

If you've been around GP tonight, you've seen the threads about Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO) musing about bombing Mecca in the event of a terrorist nuclear attack in the U.S. Yeah, talk like that ought to calm things down around the globe...:sarcasm:

[RevCheesehead]

67. Sounds like the guy is on testosterone overload.

Go ahead and send Keith an e-mail - you might get a reply! :hi:

[Berry Cool]

84. Sometimes people are just such boors

and there's nothing else to be said about it...

[CC]

79. An after the show hi to all, celebrating tonight

Had to actually sit and watch and enjoy the man during the show.

[Berry Cool]

94. Love your new smilie!

so of course I have to steal it!!

[CC]

96. They are for everyone

that wants to use them. Only fair to do a happy one after the protest one. I should of made the shadow larger then smaller though.

[crispini]

104. Hi ladies! I'm here for the rerun!

and MY, doesn't he look lovely in pink?! :loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya:

Edited to add: Cooper was SO wearing The Tie on the day he went to testify in front of the grand jury. :rofl:

[CC]

105. Hi Crispini

You'll love the show tonight.

BTW Gen. Westmoreland died tonight. (Just annouced on Nightline.)

[crispini]

106. I just heard it on the news bite on MSNBC as well.

Dude, that's the THIRD person tonight I've heard comparing the Bush evasions to the Clinton evasions. :rofl: You KNOW the Bushes just HATE THAT. And one of the people making the comparison was JOE SCARBOROUGH!!!! :rofl:

Migod, this is better than a soap opera. So. Much. Fun!!! I just hope Fitzgerald indicts SOMEONE before October. I can't wait that long!

[CC]

108. Just saw this

and ouch how can you watch Joe for even a minute.

Am loving the comparisions to Clinton though do not always agree that Bill was that bad. lol

I will be happy to see the indictments come out before the 2006 elections.

Off to bed now. Night

[crispini]

109. Nighty night!

I jusst watched Scaryborough because I wanted to check out the spin. I hated hearing him diss Joe Wilson but it was worth it to hear him rag on Shrub!

[Berry Cool]

115. You mean he didn't spend all his time

having people talk about how eeevul Harry Potter is?

[CC]

107. off to bed here

falling a sleep on the keyboard. If you didn't see the DS try to see the replay. I am so enjoying watching the WH go down.
Have a good night and great day tomorrow.

[Berry Cool]

114. It's not pink

it's lavender.

[crispini]

116. Looked pink to me.

Ah, the wonderful differences in TVs....

[crispini]

110. OMG! "What's not to love about a woman who can weld?"

I'm claiming that as a shoutout to MOI! :rofl: Because not only can I weld, I am quite confident I have posted about it here. And it's very nice over here in my alternate reality, thank you. :7

[gkhouston]

117. indeed you have

I remembered it because I was thinking I hadn't done any plumbing work with copper pipes, so the only sort of soldering I'd done was with wires. And then I started thinking about what in the house might need replacing. ;-)