Theo, parrots live FOREVER, 80 years in the wild. Some reputable breeders won't sell to you unless you made arrangements in your will to provide for the bird's care after you die.

I don't know how I'd feel about a pet that I knew would outlive me.

I don't know how I'd feel about a pet that I knew would outlive me.

My mother has two parrots.

I hate birds as pets.

I've told her she'd better make arrangements for them because I will not take them.

My sister has an African gray parrot, a rescue I believe. Very pretty bird, and the grays are less neurotic than some of the others. I can understand the charms of bird ownership, but I have no desire to own one myself.

Timelies all!

An ex-boyfriend had an African Grey named Prestor John. (Don't know if he still has the bird, since I don't keep in touch with him)

Yeah, the long lives of parrots is so very important to consider. I'd contemplate getting a parakeet but I think they're small enough that the cats would not leave them alone.

Otoh having tweety and sylvester play out in your house might be priceless.

Theo, parrots live FOREVER, 80 years in the wild. Some reputable breeders won't sell to you unless you made arrangements in your will to provide for the bird's care after you die.

I had a cab driver tell me how he and his wife rewrote their will after they got a parrot to make sure it was cared for after they died.

Theo, parrots live FOREVER, 80 years in the wild. Some reputable breeders won't sell to you unless you made arrangements in your will to provide for the bird's care after you die.

One of my friends' mother has a parrot, and has repeatedly told him that he's going to have to take care of it for decades after she passes away.

Another's dad bought one for some outrageous price (like $5000 back in the mid-90s) and discovered it sprawled out on the floor of its cage with its feet sticking up when he took its cover off after the first night. Turns out it wasn't dead, it just sleeps that way for some reason, but it nearly did him in with shock thinking he'd just thrown that much money away.

sprawled out on the floor of its cage with its feet sticking up

There's a parrot with a sick sense of humor. I like that.

For anybody trying to keep track of the Senate, JZ and I had to look up a current scorecard. Currently the Dems have 57. In sum:

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Three Senate races from Tuesday's voting were still unresolved Friday, and in all three races, Republican incumbents are leading:

• In Minnesota, Norm Coleman leads Democrat Al Franken by less than 300 votes, with a recount coming.
• In Georgia, Saxby Chambliss is preparing for a Dec. 2 runoff against Democrat Jim Martin, as required by state law when no candidate receives a majority of votes.
• In Alaska, Ted Stevens has a lead of less than 4,000 votes over Democrat Mark Begich.

Even if Stevens wins, however, he will not be welcomed back in the Senate. He was convicted on felony corruption charges just before Election Day, and even Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has called for his resignation. The Senate could also vote to expel him. And under Alaska law, the governor would be required to call a special election within 90 days of a vacancy, and Palin, the state's chief executive, who was McCain's running mate, would be well positioned to win such an election, despite the unflattering reviews of her vice-presidential candidacy.

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Also, there's strong sentiment to kick Leiberman off his committee chair for endorsing McCain.

Both Obama and Biden's seats will be filled by the governor of their respective states. Biden may not resign from his position until after he's made veep, which would allow a Dem governor to replace him.