Gentlemen, all of you are correct! Pattern, as we know it, may well have reached or is about to reach the "cross roads'. I eluded to many of these problems in another thread here in the pattern forum of RCU and there were others who elected to either laugh or ignore what I had to say. In the words of an outspoken politician, "the rent is too damn high"! Now, what can we do about it? We can either join forces and solve some of our problems or lay down and take it! If you elect to do the latter, then please keep the wining to yourself! It's not a matter of me saying negative things, I'm sorry to say, it's the TRUTH! No one wants us to take a more positive approach to resolving the parts we can control than me. Never forget, this is a hobby and it has to be affordable or you will find yourself attending a contest in your District and competing with just a handful of other contestants who, like yourself, could afford the high costs of the planes, etc., gas, food and accommodations. BTW, I can hardly wait for the 2012 National Elections! I feel it's time to flush the commode! Regards, Everette