I like your rollercoaster version... I think I've had it backward... forgetting the part that it does have to go back up! I'll hang on to this thought!

I think you have a point about the whole 'less excess energy' thing. Seriously, it really does seem to make the pendelum swing a whole lot lower on it's way down, which makes the way back up seem even longer.

I seem to be having an "Ah-ha! moment" more often these days. So either I'm learning a lot here lately, or just forgetting day by day, and learning things all over again..... Either way, I guess it kinda makes life surprising... don'cha just luv surprises?!?!

Hey Cheri, BTW, you had helped me out more than you probably are aware. I posted some replies to you on the "Crumbling" thread. But that thread is pretty old, so you may not have gotten them. I'm going to just half-time next school year. It is such a sense of relief, as hard as it was. But, for me, it was the time of year to make that decision with contracts coming out. Anyway, just wanted to say thanks!