I guess that should be rephrased? The fact that I am out to find a good woman goes without saying, what else would I be looking for? The fact is maybe I'm just tired of hearing the same things over and over and nothing ever coming of it. "I like you" "I'm really interested in you" "I really want to meet you" .. Well guess what, I'm tired of hearing it. If you like me, prove it. If you're interested in me, act like it. If you want to meet me, do something about it, make an effort and stop just saying it. And if you're just going to keep on saying these things and not do make an effort, don't be pissed off or upset if I stop talking to you. I'm not looking for talk, I'm looking for reality. I'm sick of the talking, I'm sick of the women that stop talking to me the second they find out I'm on SSI and don't drive, and I'm sick of the one's that say they want something serious with me then go off the next day and hook up with some guy thats a total ass. I'm not saying I'm perfect, but at least I am honest about what I want and I don't judge, so why is it too much to ask for the same in return. Don't judge me, Don't look to me for perfection, and don't play your games around me cuz I'm done playing them. And no this is not directed at any one woman. It's directed at the woman I have been talking to in general as a whole. Im sorry I dont work, Im sorry I dont drive. If you stop judging me and make an effort you might find out that I am worth it. Like I said, I am not perfect but I like to think I am a pretty decent guy, A little better than the average guy. No I dont have money for you, sorry I cant support you. If thats all you want then go away. There, It's out, I said it. I won't even mention it again. Why waste my breath?

Communities to open cooling off centers

Many libraries and communities centers around the South Sound are open and available to people most vulnerable in hot weather.

Community and senior centers across Western Washington are opening their doors all week long to serve as so-called cooling centers, giving people another place to cool themselves as they wait out the heat wave.

"Because Western Washington residents aren't accustomed to such heat and have less access to air conditioning, such heat waves are especially dangerous here. Be certain to check on the elderly, the ill or disabled and certainly children," said Renner. "It goes without saying that no people or animals should be left in cars; even with the windows slightly lowered, temperatures can rise to unsafe levels in minutes."

Hot weather records for the region

Numerous hot weather records could be broken the next few days. Here is a summary of some of the records for the region from the National Weather Service:

For record hot streaks, the number of consecutive days with highs at least 90 degrees includes the following:

*5 days...8/7-11/1981 and 7/14-18/1941
*4 days...7/21-24/2006, 7/16-19/1979, 8/9-12/1977, 8/8-11/1971, 7/29-8/1/1965 and 6/30-7/3/1942
*3 days happened 8 times, the most recent 8/14-16/2008

There have already been three days so far this year with highs in the 90s (June 4, July 17 and July 27).

Drownings

Many people will head to Washington's lakes and rivers to cool off, but the water has already claimed a few lives this week and officials are urging people to be careful on the water.

A 48-year-old Seattle woman died Monday night after being rescued from the Skykomish River near Monroe earlier in the day. In Seattle, a body washed ashore Monday evening at Lake Cottage Park on Lake Washington, and divers on Tuesday recovered the body of a man who drowned while swimming Lake Washington near Seattle's Seward Park. His friend says he went underwater and never came up. And three people have drowned in Oregon rivers this week.

Washington officials are so worried about more drownings, they issued this warning: "If you are swimming, please swim at a beach where there is a lifeguard and if you are not in an area where there is a life guard wear a life jacket."

People forget that while the air temperature may be in the 90's, the water temperature may be 20 to 40 degrees cooler, shocking the body. And the murky depths and moving water can make it hard to find you if there is trouble. 

NASCAR driver Carl Long says he lost his appeal Tuesday of a 12-race suspension and penalty.

The National Stock Car Racing Commission denied Long's appeal without explanation at a hearing, the driver told The Associated Press.

"I'm truly disappointed in NASCAR,'' Long said. "The sport I love and grew a part of has really given me a sour taste in my mouth.''

Long was penalized for having an illegal engine at Lowe's Motor Speedway last month. The 12-race suspension, 200-point penalty and $200,000 fine - all stemming from a non-points event - are NASCAR records.

The commission isolated Long's suspension to the Sprint Cup Series, Long said, meaning he can find work in one of the sanctioning body's lower levels. The problem with that, though, is Long's full-time job is working with the Front Row Motorsports No. 34 Chevrolet in the Cup series.

Long said team owner Bob Jenkins was working on a solution.

The commission, which is expected to release its ruling later this week, also told Long the $200,000 fine levied against crew chief Charles Swing would not fall to Long if Swing can't pay it. Long initially thought the fine would revert to his wife, DeeDee, who is listed as the car owner. But the commission said that wasn't the case.

That might seem like good news for the Longs, but it wasn't.

"How's it good news when your best friend's kicked out of the sport?'' Long said, adding the Swing can't pay the fine and won't be able to get his NASCAR license renewed without coming up with $200,000.

Long, who made 23 races between 2000 and 2006, bought the engine from longtime builder Ernie Elliott and said all the paperwork showed it was within NASCAR specifications. It malfunctioned May 15 during practice for the All-Star race, prompting the team to change engines.

Under NASCAR rules, any engine removed from a car is subject to inspection. The owner, though, has the option of turning the engine over to NASCAR or loading up his car and leaving the track. So had Long even suspected the engine would fail NASCAR's exam, he said he would have left the speedway.

Instead, he turned the engine over without hesitation.

He failed to qualify for the All-Star race with a backup motor, and later learned how costly the entire trip turned out to be.

NASCAR measured the engine at 358.17 cubic inches, .17 more than the legal limit. Long and his wife were suspended and docked points they don't have. Long, his wife and Swing also were placed on probation until Dec. 31.

It was the first oversized engine NASCAR had found since legendary car owner Junior Johnson and crew chief Tim Brewer were suspended 12 weeks for violations at Charlotte in 1991. Their suspensions were reduced to four weeks on appeal.

Long was hoping for the same leniency.

"I had a feeling that some stuff was gonna be changed,'' Long said. "That's what I was expecting. But they're being bullies, big bullies.''

Long could appeal again, taking his case to the National Stock Car Racing Commissioner, Charles Strang. Long hasn't decided his next step.

"If it works just like it did in this one, then it's a waste of time,'' Long said.