hello there and welcome to 2006. we sincerely hope that the 2006th year of the lord (2006 anno domini, or AD for all you ignorants out there) brings plenty of mint and relaxation to all of our members. let me start by saying that recently we have come to accept the painful truth: the mint rubbing journal hasn't been what it used to be. the one-page sorry excuses for a journal that we have seen (with a few of memorable exceptions) in the past year, is all there is to it; furthermore, this is all that you're going to get for a while.

why? because at some point we needed to start practicing what we preach; so it's been one mint rubbing extravaganza month after another for us, here at RMRA. and it's going to stay like that for a while. so let's stop kidding ourselves, shall we? yes, there will continue to be monthly updates, with featured sites, some bullshit, perhaps ancient wisdom from time to time, rmra on the web, and at times even more; but no promises, ok? rub your own mint for crying out loud.

these being said,let's start with our legendary rmra on the web section - the fresh list of new sites linking to us:

- http://www.globalimmigrant.org/gpage6.html
- http://ziualibera.blogspot.com/
- http://nocturni.blogspot.com/
- http://www.pagini.com/
- http://www.nimiconline.go.ro/laba.htm
- http://www.dimlight.lx.ro/
- http://profiles.yahoo.com/xinvisible_kidx
- http://profiles.yahoo.com/sorryn_s
- http://belmondo.lx.ro/links.php
- http://www.mint.lx.ro/
- http://spaces.msn.com/members/kittenkisses/
- http://alex.cyanad.ro/
- http://profiles.yahoo.com/andrei_r_87
- http://www.debandrews.com/

next, new forums linking to us:

- http://www.purple.ro/main/forum/showthread.php?p=2720
- http://forums.da-shiz.net/index.php?showtopic=10057
- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hazdenecaz/links
- http://www.craiovaforum.ro/showthread.php?t=8745
- http://www.calgary.ro//viewtopic.php?t=20316
- http://www.universulenergiei.educatia.ro/forum/show.php?topic=20051229223803
- http://forum.spacesheep.ro/viewtopic.php?t=37&start=210
- http://www.numbuh8.proboards48.com/index.cgi?board=Chatters...
- http://vancouver.ro/viewtopic.php?t=20316

finally, new sites certified by rmra:

- http://dimlight.lx.ro/
- http://unmicdrac.xhost.ro

with this stuff out of the way, let us present a fresh batch of rmra-recommended sites (our traditional featured sites of the month section):

- www.strandbeest.com - check out the Animaris Rhinoceros Transport and other intriguing wind-powered strandbeests. fascinating stuff. click on the first film link on the page and go on from there.

- energising the quest for 'big theory' - latest news on the 27km long 1.9 billion euro large hadrion collider scheduled for a pilot run in summer 2007. once again, pretty fascinating stuff.

- the red rain phenomenon of kerala: investigation and more in-depth biologiy analysis - more stuff from the science department. once again, very intriguing and utterly fascinating must-read material.

- gene variant may depress IQ of males - more news on the search for an IQ gene and on the study of the genetic basis for intelligence.

- welcome to mars express: only a three hour trip - finally, an article about research on a sort of hyperspace engine that could fly ships into other dimensions. i really don't know about this one, but it sounds cool enough to be presented for your review.

well, well. a pretty busy month for our science department, as you can probably see. pretty strong stuff - i hope it doesn't bore you to death (if it does, it probably means you're carrying the modified version of gene IGF2R mentioned in one of the above articles; now that's depressing news, isn't it?)

anyway, time to move along. check below several pieces of lighter recommended material:

- the cia sabotage manual - cia recommendations for bringing down the system by putting water in petrol tanks, blocking toilets, turning up late for work and numerous other fun activities.

- rudarel.com - nr 1 in muzica de distractie. learn all about everyone's favorite performer, rudarel. (romanian only; sent by vlad).

- overheard in new york - website with posts of silly, weird or interesting bits of conversation overheard in, well, new york. provides good reading material and an efficient way to waste time at work.

- how rich are you? - find out how you rank in the total world population based on annual income. since just having an internet connection automatically qualifies you for a position in the top 15% or so richest people in the world, the site is pretty reassuring.

- vote chris christmas rodriguez to replace santa - chris christmas rodriguez is the man. start with movies #1 and #2, and keep going from there. you give cheap aftershave, you suffer.

- supamonks - this is a neat little movie and it takes a while to load. it's pretty good, though, you'll see.

so, ok, this was a pretty lame rmra journal issue, but at least the featured sites section should provide entertaining and/or thought-provoking material to last for a while. whatever you do, just know that our efforts haven't been fruitless: mintrubbing.org has made page #7 on google if you search for romanian and page #4 if you search for mint. ain't that something?

finally, a bunch of recent messages from our readers:

"For a mint rubbing association we sure have to work a lot just to sing up. I mean click all those NEXT`s. It is a lot of work. But I am glad somebody finally decided to make an association like that." (adrian)

"vreau sa ma inscriu,vreau newsletter,carnet de membru si toate alea. vreau sa aduc pace in lume si sa frec menta profesionist." (andr3iuca)

"Delayed but still warm thanks for the sticker. I am proud to be one of the last rubbers fortunate to receive a sticker in the pre-free-stuff-abuse-phenomenon era. It is very hard for me to stick it somewhere since I cannot find a place good enough to deserve hosting the precious object. I think I'll just frame it and hang it on the wall. I come to you seeking for wisdom and advice. The company whose employee I still am is closing activity here and packing to go back to France by the end of this year. Until the 15 of Dec. I have no work at all to do, I just have to come to the office and sit. This is quite sad because mint rubbing, which now I practice incessantly all day long is far less rewarding. A question emerged in my troubled mind: Is it mandatory to have a job or some sort of required activity to be able to rub some quality mint? Should I start looking for another job ASAP in order to not waste my life by rubbing inferior mint without any passion? Or, perhaps the problem is of a deeper nature, and lies in me. If this is the case, and if it is just a matter of heretic thoughts and perception, then I need professional help to fight the evil. Could you start a section on the site to offer guidance and possibly treatment for the strayed souls? Would it help dipping my feet in cold water while rubbing mint with no work waiting to be done? Both allopathic and homeopathic treatments accepted. Many thanks in advance." (ovidiu)

"The funniest thing i have ever ever read in my life.Keep up the good work,i mean how in the name of sanity did you guys come up with this?FANTASTIC!!!!I lived in Romania for 19 years and enjoyed mint rubbing,probablly my favorite pass-time.hahahahahaha" (raluca)