Thrash, I have plagorized an essay and will now give you something interesting to ponder while you await your next encounter Why do we build ice palaces ? these massively fragile, magically preposterous, strangely magnetic structures of frozen lake water? Well, I'm glad you asked that question list cuz be prepared to be dazzled by the brilliance and baffled by the sheer logistics of ice castle construction. So an ice palace is magically impermanent, a glittering moment in time, and a thing of precarious creation involving extraordinary effort. See it now, or you may see it never. fun fact: The first "ice palace" ? meaning an elaborate structure of ice as opposed to, say, an igloo ? was erected in Russia in 1741 on the orders of Czarina Anna Ivanova. It wasn't very large, but it was incredibly elaborate, with carved chairs, curtains and even a garden with carved plants and trees, Anders said. The first ice palace in North America was built in Montreal in 1883 and became the model for the Medieval-style castle built in St. Paul in 1886. After that, St. Paul, MN became the world center for ice palaces. They actually are pretty trippy cuz they put lights and sound behind the ice so it looks not unlike one of the gawdiest of orb shows. I mean, a giant spherical projection screen is just one step away from an Ice Mansion. Isnt there an ice hotel you can stay in over in Scandanavia. Riveting isnt it? If you want to watch the workers down the road haul ass and build the castle in the 9 days left, check out this stunning web-cam link. (back by un-popular demand). http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/special_packages/winter_carniv... There you go Kris, nothing beats a good ice made temporary structure. This is only the 2nd one in 14 years cuz the last one I saw (as a wee chile) was a financial scandal (despite the fact 2.5 million people waited in freezing temps to view its luster). matty _________________________________________________________________ Let the new MSN Premium Internet Software make the most of your high-speed experience. http://join.msn.com/?pgmarket=en-us&page=byoa/prem&ST=1