I'll leave the making of functional spaceships to Lori.

OMG, Sue, no way. I've always liked her. But, yes on the Dr.

ChiKat. Right? We are so right.

Currently, I'm enjoying Chris Meloni and Ice-T. It's a good night.

how are you, Laura?

Doing good. Taking a bit of a break from my working 18 hours a day mode and pampering myself with girly stuff prior to the NOLA F2F. Doing the works this week. Facial, manicure, pedicure, haircut. It has been like about forever.

Next week is the last week of school here. I am sick to death of fighting with kids about homework and ready to vacation with them. They are off until August 10th I think.

What's new in KatLand?

I like her too.

Ok, so my parents are coming for 7 days. Because they have to share their time equally with their kids.

I think I might lose it. I have a 1 bdrm. I do not have children to distract them. Someone sleeps in the livingroom, someone in the bedroom. WHAT was mom thinking?! She knows I get nutty in close quarters. I love them to pieces and really really wanted them to come up here because they haven't been in so long, but OY.

They get the bedroom. Dad explodes into all available space and I can't deal with my LR a disaster like that for A WEEK.

I think I must push for an out-of-town couple of days. Annapolis. Eastern Shore. SOMETHING. I gotta see about boarding the sugar cat in that case.

Sara, my family came to town, and I went to NY. I advise it.

I think I must push for an out-of-town couple of days. Annapolis. Eastern Shore. SOMETHING.

That's a good call. Are you taking off work?

sara, can't you get them a hotel nearby? Sharing your place for that long will be rough!

Laura! I was just out at Indian Cove Group Site 5 this weekend, the one that we nearly got flooded out of on your 50th. It was blazingly hot there in the middle of the day, but very pleasant otherwise. We siesta'd by hanging out in the shade of the big rock propped against the much bigger rock right where you climbed. There are a ton of wildflowers out there right now.

Well, they are coming to see ME. And I want to show off B'more stuff I've discovered.

Jesse, yes, planning on taking off. I was going to take off the whole time they are here, but I might now sneak in for a day, just for a break. Which is insane, cause I hate work and love my parents, but I also know my close-relation-interaction limits.

I figure there will be a day or so in DC, a haul out to western maryland (they call the hills "mountains" out there,) and if I can get a realtor, a couple days of house looking. Plus Druid Hill, Inner Harbor (mom loves water,) a trip out to that Elk-something which is just cute, a tour of Dickeysville (a minimilltown in the city)....uhhh. Shopping? Aquarium? There is some stuff that would bore Dad silly, but mom would love (IKEA). And vice versa.

And oh god, food for more than me! Must stock the fridge with nonpickypeople food.

What's new in KatLand?

The usual. Work. Procrastination. More Work. Doctors Appointments. The Consumption of Iced Tea. The purchasing of books.

I just made yummy dinner: chicken, asparagas and pasta with a goat cheese and mustard sauce topped with toasted pine nuts. Creamy without being overly creamy.

Did I skip the part of Natter where we talked about the British MP who ripped the US Senate a new one: [link]

Mr Galloway went on the offensive from the start of his testimony, saying the committee had "traduced" his name around the world without asking him a single question.

He told committee chairman Senator Norm Coleman: "I know that standards have slipped over the last few years in Washington but for a lawyer you are remarkably cavalier with any idea of justice."

And more:

Mr Galloway said he had met Saddam Hussein on two occasions - the same number of times as US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

"The difference is Donald Rumsfeld met him to sell him guns and maps - the better to target those guns. I met him to try to bring about an end to sanctions, suffering and war," he said.

Some video (Real Player): [link]