MachineGun wrote: <snip> > I'm thinking of terminating my job in a few months and seeing if Jim C. will board me as a > "chile picker". <snip> Rael, I have followed your travels (and travails) via this list for well over a year now and have come to the realization that you, sir, are a lost soul in search of...well, in search of a place where like-minded souls hang out. I think your last swing through the southwest didn't go far enough west. No put down to Austin. If I had to live anywhere in the state that's like "a whole other country" (which I did for the first 22 years of my life) I'd definitely pick Austin. But, you should have traveled a little farther west. Across the state line to the wonderful land of Nuevo Mexico. The state whose motto, "It goes as it grows" just screams "CHILE LOVERS ARE WELCOME HERE". I spent almost a decade in this wonderful state, but sadly, I've had to relocate to North Carolina. I do miss it terribly (though I am becoming more attached to NC each day). Your attitude, your chutzpah, your culinary skills would serve you well in the Land of Enchantment. And think of all the fresh, delicious, melt-your-mouth chile you could have. And people there love new and exciting ideas for old food favorites. If only they paid computer geeks more. Sigh! Shoot, I'm getting all watery-eyed.... Pardon me for a moment (sniff, sniff). There, I'm better. To make this an official chile-head related posting... Piggy-backing on Mark's earlier post - I too am interested in any info on NC/SC websites for those of us who hanker for a hunk of hab... TTFN, Randy NC now, NM forever!