This just in: raspberries work very well in pancakes. I threw them in as an afterthought with little hope that their delicacy would work. But, cooking makes them come alive! t /Frampton

JZ spent the night at Faire since it's the last weekend and they have parties and such. I think Emmett and I will ride bikes through the park and then play some tennis.

My sister went to the Faire today. I wonder if she'll see JZ there. JZ is a puritan, right?

because most people will underestimate tax/tip

OK, I hate this too. I try to tip well (if deserved), not only because half my rent was solely based on tips for about a year.

I plan on enjoying the nice weather while it lasts and go for a walk after the movie, Bev. I've kind of let the plants on my balcony go. They don't look half bad considering I haven't watered them since I went on vacation. Hee.

I went for a walk with the daughter, yesterday, after we went humidifier shopping. I'm going to miss this when it's gone. Truly, fall is my favorite season in the midwest and it always seems too short.

Off to the movies! Enjoy the balminess, for those of you who finally aren't getting rain.

I'll dissent and say that I really dislike when people try to go the "but I ordered less!" route when the bill comes, because IME the result is that 2 people at the table (generally the ones who have worked in food service) end up throwing in an extra $20

Certainly that happens, and I've frequently been the one throwing in the extra $20. The problem is that there are a few people I hang out with who have a tendency to order a bunch of expensive appetizers for the table or to keep ordering bottles of wine. If it's a big group and they're at the other end of the table, you find yourself with a $60 bill when you were prepared to spend $30. I enjoy going out with them and I'm not going to stop, but I resent feeling like I'm the party pooper who wants to nickle-and-dime everything.

This just in: raspberries work very well in pancakes.

So do chocolate chips.

JZ is a puritan, right?

She is indeed. She'll be at the front gate in the morning and evening haranguing people for their sins. Also, she'll be toting her Wee Oaken Lad.

Susan and Dylan, did you see that Freddy Garcia had a complete game win for the White Sox?

Teppy, why for to make out with the gay boy?

Because making out is fun, gayboys are cute, and no one is expecting it to go any further?

Heh. I've known him since high school (so, just about 20 years). When I saw his outfit -- and he really went all out to be Purple Rain-esque Prince, including brocade frock coat, ruffly shirt (or possibly an ascot, or both), and satin breeches -- I told him "Damn, M., this might be the first time in over 10 years I've been attracted to you!"

He just laughed, and I said "Maybe we'll have to make out later." (This was right when I got there, so I was totally sober.)

Much later, many many MANY drinks later, we were both standing in the back hallway talking to people, and I mentioned the make-out-with-M. comment, and all the gay boys in the hallway thought it was funny and egged us on, and so we made out.

This shouldn't be surprising to anyone who knows me -- I am a kissing fool.

And have a bit of a hangover. Not much, though, which is really surprising.

So do chocolate chips.

Bleah! I hate chocolate chip pancakes. Nutella on crepes is okay though.

David and I are as one.

The crepe place near me makes one that's loaded up with Nutella and slices of pear. Yum.