Somewhere in this city is a xhosa language class. That's one of the african clicking languages. That's kinda cool. It's taught by a white Afrikaaner who was raised bilingual/cultural xhosa/english during apartheid.

(I love local public radio programming. It can be so random. Up next: the dialect coaches from The Wire who get the cast to speak proper Bawlmerese.)

Shorter sleeves would drive me nuts. Also maybe teeny lapels. But close fitting is fine by me.

I have worked out how to wash my face around the lip that ate Manhattan, but I'm putting off actually brushing my teeth today for the longest time. I used to have a non-electric backup toothbrush, but no longer.

I should probably eat again, while I'm dallying.

I like magnetic save-the-day thingies. But I think everyone should put magnets on all my mail, because that makes my fridge fuller on the outside.

Well, I'm briefly caught up, and feel the need to share comments on things that probably seem oh-so-ancient to the rest of you...

So is practically any state, although as you know, because of my religious beliefs I'd have to live within walking distance of an Orthodox synagogue. Which makes some states, i.e. the Dakotas, a long shot.

I guess Alaska is out of the picture then. Bummer. Since AnotherAlaskan stopped posting, I've been feeling a little lonely up here.

as DH says, you don't need luck when you've got PLANNING on your side).

You ALWAYS need luck. Planning is critical, but some things you just can't plan for. This by way of adding my good luck wished to Allyson, even though she's probably frantic busy and can't see them at this point. It's funny. I never used to be superstitious until I moved to Juneau. I blame the rain.

and on the baked potato and microwave saga...

my favourite baked potatoes get nuked first (for speed) then thrown on the barbeque in foil

My dad, who's actually a pretty good cook, spent years with no real kitchen, just a microwave, refridgerator and sink inside, and a gas grill outside. Eventually, he got a hot plate, but he did pretty well even without. Thus, even a small deck or spot of ground can make a big difference.

I have a monstrous huge microwave that I got at a garage sale. I almost didn't get it because of the lack of counter space, but my mom, who was visiting, pointed out that it's fan/vent was only on the back, not the top. So, I pretty much use the microwave as more counter. It's no good for chopping vegetables, but it does hold all of my non-appliance counter things. Might something like this work? Not that the suggestion will do any good for now.

I thought of you especial.

You are too kind.

Is the key to shrunken the not closing in front?

That's part of it, but the shrunken jackets I've seen also have smaller-than-usual lapels, and are are barely waist-length.

You left out the fact that the sleeves are too short, too. So yeah, ill-fitting alone does not a shrunked jacket make. It needs to be ill-fitting in precisely the right way. (Sorry Alibelle, I calls 'em as I sees 'em.)

I have no idea what I'm going to wear after this pregnancy. I grew out of some of my maternity clothes months ago, and yet am still wearing some of the transition wear I bought after the last pregnancy. I suspect I will be spending the summer in exercise/sweat pants. So I'll be a big fashion cow.

I will be spending the summer in exercise/sweat pants. So I'll be a big fashion cow.

Juicy Couture. Or, to translate, LA has the trendiest exercise clothes I ever did see, and they're worn so often.

Just get Juicy iron-ons for your existing stuff. You'll be golden!

You left out the fact that the sleeves are too short, too. So yeah, ill-fitting alone does not a shrunked jacket make. It needs to be ill-fitting in precisely the right way. (Sorry Alibelle, I calls 'em as I sees 'em.)

I don't know. I'm not offended. I mean, my sleeves are the right length, but it is otherwise pretty fitted, and just goes to the waist. And I like it, even if other people don't. I mean, I don't understand the seventies, and even a lot of the eighties, for that matter, AT ALL, so it really takes all kinds.

I don't understand the seventies, and even a lot of the eighties, for that matter, AT ALL

It's because you're twelve, sweetling.

Wait, no, I don't get them either.

Alibelle, I sent you email.

My memory of the 80s was that a lot of the fashion was considered a deliberate joke even then. But my memory may be tainted.

I also really disliked the grunge of the nineties. I mean, it was called grunge, for heaven's sake. Eww.

It's because you're twelve, sweetling.

So?

Wait, no, I don't get them either.

Exactly.

Alibelle, I sent you email.

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