Dear Kathy,
Here are the answers to your questions-

• 1. I keep my hands in my pockets.
• 2. I like my suit very much. I was raised to believe it is always important to look your best. Maybe that comes from working so long as a mannequin, though.
• 3. I have lots of friends who are girls. Girls are ok and all. But I know what you mean, I don't go out on dates or kiss or anything (e-yuck). I once got a letter from a girl asking me to marry her, though.

Bud:
I think your hiding something about your limbs. In the bohemian days listed in the journal you are pictured nude and without arms. I think this is the reason for the long sleeves and hands in pocket poses. We all have skeletons in our closets. Tell me about the accident. You look nice and professional in the suit.
- Kathy

Dear Kathy,
You are right, my arms are made of crinkled newspaper. The story of what happened to my arms is just too embarrassing for me to tell you, though. I can't understand those TV shows where people tell the whole world the most awful things about themselves. I think some things should remain private, don't you think? Thanks for your concern, though, and you sure do have sharp eyes. Are you a detective?
Sincerely, Bud

Bud:
I certainly didn't mean to pry into any painful areas of your life and agree that the details of a persons life need to be private. We live in a not so perfect world. I admire you for overcoming the missing limbs in the pursuit of happiness and success.
No, I'm not a detective. I'm a Marketing Manager at a growing software company based in Palo Alto. I live in Chicago and travel alot. You would make a great software sales person - you have the "Will Travel" attitude and the dazed look of a district manager. I would love to see you pose with some of the titans of the industry - Larry Ellison or Bill Gates for example.
Regards, Kathy

Dear Kathy,
Oh, that's ok you couldn't know. Anyway, I only need arms to keep my sleeves from flapping around, I don't use them for anything else, so it's really no big deal or anything.
Getting paid for traveling a lot sounds like a great job, congratulations! I don't know Larry or Bill but if you do, tell them I'd be happy to pose with them. I could put their pictures on my web page and they could tell all their friends they posed with me and they could prove it by showing them the picture on my page.
Sincerely, Bud

There is so many things to see and do in Aussie land where should he begin. If landing in Sydney he should make sure he visits the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. If venturing further; Ayers Rock is always a sight to behold. Especially in the summer. They are a few of Australia's iconic landpieces, but there are many more.
Cynthia

Dear Cynthia,
Thanks for the suggestions. I will try to make it out to Ayers rock. I will want to find out who Ayer was and why he had such a big rock. I think opera is ok.
Sincerely, Bud

Hi BUD.
I loved your web site, it was very entertaining and educational too. I am sorry that your mother June has been wandering the road (she is probably soul searching and it may take her a while). I am glad that you have it together even though you are locked in that 12 yr old body.
I think you should put your hometown on the site, I have never been to Baltimore but I have heard some wonderful things about it. I think another place would be Albuquerque and Santa Fe NM. Then Ft Worth and we could put you on a cow or a horse or dress you in cowboy gear. I am going to be watching your web page for more exciting adventures and having a chuckle at some of the wonderful correspondences that you have received. ( My favorite picture of you is in your scuba gear, I hope no sharks came close to you during the filming of that adventure). Well take care and thanks.
signed Robert a fellow traveler

Dear Robert,
Thanks for your nice letter. I haven't gotten a letter from my mom but I know it's tough to write when you're busy seeing new places. I should know!
Baltimore, Maryland is a great town. But I think everybody thinks the place where they live is the best. We don't have a lot of horses in the city but Maryland has lots of race tracks. I've never ridden one, though.
I'm really glad you enjoyed looking at my site and I hope you learned something about the world you didn't know before. Learning is fun!
Sincerely, Bud
PS- No sharks came by. I wasn't afraid because I don't think sharks would like how I taste. I was a little worried about my friends, though.

Bud,
I think they must have slipped you over the border, maybe when you were drunk or something. In your photo labelled "Niagara Falls, New York, USA.", of course anyone who has been there knows that you are actually in Niagara Falls, Ontario, CANADA!!! The land behind you (on the other side of the river) is Goat Island -- that's in New York. But you are definitely standing on the Niagara Parkway in Canada. Add that to your travel log.
Good luck, Bud.
P.S: Maybe next time you can "ride the falls" in a barrel. Now, that would be a photo!
Your Pal.
C.A. Charles.
Mississauga, Ontario, CANADA

Dear C.A.,
Thanks for the correction! You have sharp eyes. I have fixed the title page information. It was a rushed day and I didn't remember crossing the border into Canada. Riding the falls in a barrel sounds very exciting but I think it is also dangerous. I'm not much of a daredevil, really, I just like to see new places. It would be a great photo, though.
Sincerely, Bud

Bud,
Darryl from Austin, Texas here. Just checked out your site, wonderful idea. We once kidnapped a yard flamingo (pink plastic one) and took him to a Dallas Cowboys game in New Orleans. He was a hit on Burbon Street. Any plans on coming back to Texas. If you are, you'd have a great time at a Texas Longhorn football game.
See ya...

Dear Darryl,
I'm sure the Flamingo's owners were very worried, though I guess the Flamingo probably had a better time with you in New Orleans than just standing around the yard. I'd like to go to New Orleans. Want to kidnap me?
I'm not planning a trip to Texas soon but you never know. I have some friends who live there and I do owe them a visit. I'm glad you enjoyed your visit to my website and thanks for writin!.
Sincerely, Bud

Australian sites to see:
Kangaroo Valley / Tallowa Dam - beautiful bush sites
Jenolan Caves
Sydney 2000 Olympics site
Walk over the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Good luck
Graeme

Dear Graeme,
I'd like to walk over the Sydney Harbour Bridge but I'm not sure if they let mannequins do that. I guess there's no harm in asking right? I've never heard of the Jenolan Caves, are they really neat?
Sincerely, Bud

Dear Bud,
There are two ways to walk over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, one is to actually walk via a walkway / bikeway from one side to the other the second is a tour over the arch of the bridge with bridge climb see www.bridgeclimb.com/for details. The guy who got the rights to organise the climbs is on a winner. Neat photos at the top!

Dear Bud,
I'm just curious where you call home base? You travel so much, I wonder where you are from. And which place has been your favorite to visit?
Sincerely, Elaine

Dear Elaine,
I live in Baltimore, Maryland in the 'good old' USA. It is a nice place and the nick name is 'Charm City.' Isn't that nice? The people who live here are very friendly and aren't snobby or anything.

My favorite place to visit? Wow, that is a really difficult question. Each place is so different from the others, it is tough to compare them. I mean, like, Disney World is really cool in one way and Botswana is really cool in another way. Both are great but totally different. I guess I like every place I've but for different reasons. I guess that doesn't answer your question, though. The most 'different' place I've been is probably scuba diving underwater.
Sincerely, Bud

Hi Bud,
Well it's been some time since i wrote to you.Nowadays the navratri festival is on tomorrow is the dussehra or tenth day,the day when Durga the goddess of shakti had killed the demon mahisasura.The nine days preceeding dussehra are called navratri,meaning nine nights.People dance whole night to the beat of drums,with sticks.The dance therefore is called "dandiya".In hindi stick is called "danda" so the word dandiya.Another dance with just the clapping of hands is called the garba. It's fun to watch people dancing with abandon and everybody just gets carried away with the tempo of the music.
padmaja.

Dear Padmaja,
I'm not a very good dancer. But it is fun to watch other people having a good time, though. India has a lot of festivals I think. I'm sure the drums sound pretty cool.
Sincerely, Bud

Hi Bud,
Of course, you must not miss the Great Barrier Reef, Ayers Rock, and the Opera House. These sights are well known as tourist spots.
However, it is important to know and experience the lovely multi-cultural influences in Sydney, with its China Town etc.
Have a good time!!
Ayesha.

Dear Ayesha,
Thanks for the tips! Those are now on my 'gotta see them' list.
Sincerely, Bud

Hi Bud,
I just saw your site... quite funny.
Bud, I was wondering, have you ever been to Israel? I did not see any pictures from "the Holy Land" on your site.
I live in Tel Aviv and think it would be a trip to add a photo or two to your site, if of course Bud would have it. :)
How exactly do you go about setting up such a thing? How many people have to travel with Bud? What costs are associated with the journey?
By the way, I linked to your site from my joke list today ... I hope you get some visitors from it. :)
Cheers,
Yasha Harari
The DAILY DOSE! (the oldest Clean joke list on the 'Net)

Dear Yasha,
I'm glad you enjoyed my travelogue. I have not been to the Holy Land but some of my friends have and they tell me it is beautiful. I will go when I have the time and my friends have the money. I only need one companion to help me get around but I like company so sometimes I travel with a small group. The big cost is the airfare but there are good deals on the internet now. I try to stay with friends when I travel and I don't eat much. Of course, I always have to buy lots of film for all my pictures! Thanks for writing.
Sincerely, Bud

Hey Bud!
Here is a list of some great places to visit in Western Australia. Pink Lake in Esperance(thats down south), the Tree top walk in the tingle forrests outside of Walpole is must if your in WA. Another good spot is Wave Rock in Hyden where you can see Aboriginal paintings and see one of the worlds largest monoliths as well as a weird rock shaped like a wave, as the name suggests. Another great place to go is up north to the Kimbarly ranges. The landscape is spectacular and is a great palce to visit.
Anyway have fun in Australia bud!
regards
Kee-lo

Dear Kee-lo,
I like your name. Thanks for all the great advice on places to see! I know I will have a lot of fun.
Sincerely, Bud

dear mannequin minder and mindee...
so - you're coming to australia?!?!?!?! uh oh!
i'm just writing about your site for a web picks newspaper column we do and wanted to let you know we would be most honoured to host your esteemed self for a morning tea at Yahoo! Australia & NZ.
be well bud!
Anna

Dear Anna,
Thank you for your very kind invitation and I have forwarded it to my friend/minder. You can expect us in late February/early March. This is a very exciting trip for us and everyone in Australia has been so incredibly nice. I don't drink tea, though. Cookies are nice.
Sincerely, Bud

Bud should photograph the Alice Springs boat races! I understand they actually have boat races in/on the dry river bed, at least once a year and it is supposed to be quite an event. I would love to see your photos, especially since I am unable to go with you. I actually visited Alice Springs during their winter of 1974; also saw the sun rise on Ayer's Rock. Did you know what you pay for an item in Sydney is the same as you'll pay for it in Alice Springs and/or in Darwin?
Doug

Dear Doug,
They have boat races in a dry river bed? That's pretty weird! But people have called my travels weird too, so maybe I'll like it a lot. Ayer's rock sounds very beautiful. No, I didn't know that things cost the same in Sydney as those places. Sincerely, Bud