Is it midnight yet? And why can't I get the newest "Harry Potter" if it's midnight SOMEWHERE? I mean, I'm pretty sure it's midnight by now in New Zealand or Australia or the "Lost" Island. What's the point of time zones if I can't get them to work for me for a change?

This whine has been brought to you by a certified member of the "J.K. Rowling is Torturing Me Club."

A friend who owns a bookstore has had the books in her store for 3 days. She's said that it was like having illicit drugs, like she could have gone on to the street and whispered, "Hey,kid, I got some Harry Potter."

my computer won't recognize my camera.

Oh, you hate to hear about things like this, shunning and the snub direct. Obviously your camera and your computer were at a party somewhere, and your camera got into the booze and barfed on your computer's new pants and didn't apologize, and it's been a downward spiral ever since.

Did she read it? Is she interested in it?

Can I borrow yours when you're done, Kat?

He did challenge individuals by naming Barbra Streisand on the one hand and pointing out that there were three conservatives on the list-- and one had killed an abortion doctor

You took that literally. I didn't -- I assumed Stewart might be, you know, exagerrating in a humorous manner to make his point. Goldberg said there were more than three, and without reading the book, I have no way of knowing.

Plenty of people hate singers and celebrities who shoot off about politics. I think that's an idiotic tack to take -- what, does Barbra Streisand have less right to express her opinion than your neighbor the dentist -- but it is a very prominent attitude in our culture. Not many people outside the loony right hate Jimmy Carter.

I watched the interview again last night. The part up to the commercial break isn't too bad, though I don't think Stewart was talking to Goldberg as much as he was trying to win points with the audience. After the commercial break, it was total preaching to the choir.

Also, timelies.

Did she read it? Is she interested in it?

She is interested in it, but she hasn't read it. Her fiancee had her convinced that the boxes were somehow able to transmit that they had been tampered with (he's a co-owner of the store).

She also pointed out that the kids who read the original, or some of them who were the target demographic? Now in college.

Can I borrow yours when you're done, Kat?

What makes you think I ordered one?

ETA yes, of course you can. I can probably give it to you Sunday.

I think it is a jeans day here too, but NO ONE TOLD ME! I am wearing a suit. poop.

From yesterday, I don;t think anyone else corrected this:

the founder of Habitat for Humanity at number six

Jimmy Carter is not the founder of Habitat for Humanity. The founders are Millard and Linda Fuller. Jimmy was brought into the organization I think 7 years in and is , of course, the most famous volunteer for them, especially considering his Work Projects which focused blitz building on one community each year. t /ex HfH employee

I am on day four of my throat huring. One side is a bit swollen and hurty. Went to the Dr. yesterday who said she didn't see anything, which is funny because in my magnifying mirror at home, I can see a swollen area that looks white. again, I say poop.

Waiter rant on a waiter blog: [link]

Ask for the check. Sounds simple right? It's considered rude for a waiter to drop a check without the customer asking first.

I did not know this.

PAY IN CASH! – If at all possible pay in cash. The owner will love you. The waiter will love you. Why? Credit card companies charge a fee for every transaction. (Some unscrupulous owners take the transaction fee out of a waiter's tips. It's illegal but it happens.)

Nor this.

A friend of mine always tips in cash, even if he pays the bill with his credit card, for just that reason.

The Medieval Bestiary

I want a barnacle goose.

Barnacle geese come from trees that grow over water. These trees produce birds that look like small geese; the young birds hang from their beaks from the trees. When the birds are mature enough, they fall from the trees; any that fall into the water float and are safe, but those that fall on land die.

also,

The catoblepas is a four-legged bull-like creature with a very large and heavy head. Because of the weight of its head it can only look down (catoblepas is Greek for "that which looks downward). It has a long mane that hangs over its eyes, which are red and bloodshot. If the beast were ever to look up it would be deadly, because anyone who looks into its eyes will die immediately. It also has a foul and dangerous breath from eating poisonous plants.

for ita:

The he-goat is a lascivious beast, known for its lusty nature. This nature makes the he-goat so hot that its blood can disolve diamond, a stone neither fire nor iron can harm.