Court is a formal occasion, Tommy. They're looking to see that you're cognizant of your transgression, et cetera, and that you're sincere about not doing it again. Therefore: interview suit, hair combed nicely, sober mien, "Your Honor" and "Sir" and "Ma'am" as appropriate. You want them to perceive you as a Good Guy Who Screwed Up rather than a Reprobate. Sometimes they will reduce the fine if they think you're sincere -- obviously, being sincere helps, but sincere in a good suit won't hurt.

Thanks for all the support and advice....

Hmmm.... I wonder if the courtroom has WiFi?

Huge, rambly, nonsensical, yet perhaps helpful e sent backatcha!

Thanks everybody. I'm very happy to have roof over our heads, even though, ironically, the family home has never been the home of my dreams (except of course in the sense that many of my dreams have taken place in it).

I like to call the Frankie-sib William, but I have no idea why. It's certainly not actively encouraged by the mother.

I promise he won't be named William, or any variant thereof.

How 'bout Johnny?

(except of course in the sense that many of my dreams have taken place in it).

Oh yes, on the congrats, Burrell!

I celebrated my Snow Day by napping through 90% of the afternoon or nearly. Had a dream and all, so I was really out, too. Except that now I'm still sleepy....

How 'bout Johnny?

Nah. And I hear Gavin is taken, although I do like the name a lot.

Okay, this made me teary.

You are so sweet. I actually meant it in another way. I meant that I often have dreams that take place in my house, which makes sense given the fact that it's been home for as long as I can remember.

Right now I am making my students write a paper about their dreams, so I have dreams on my mind.

My cat is the most docile cat ever, but my vet has a particular fear of white cats, and treats him with caution.

Your vet is wise. My white cat is Satan incarnate.

Congrats, Burrell!

Gavin is also walking!

He skipped crawl. My nephew had no time to be messing around with crawling, no. He went from wobbly lifting himself up in his crib to wobbly stumbling from object to object and can now get himself pretty well across a room with the toddler drunk-walk.