I just have difficulty making it soft while also making it come from the back of my throat.

Well, the actual proper way to pronounce it (which I don't do) is from the upper part of the throat, and it should be very soft indeed, like something between the "kh" the way I pronounce it and an "h". Hardly anybody pronounces it properly these days, though.

[Edit: thanks, Kristin. Your subconscious could be possibly thinking in British pounds, perhaps?]

Postage rates to the Land of Nilly. Not bad at all for a keychain.

Hi, Nilly! Hey, did we send you a snowglobe a couple of years ago? I'm having this memory, but I'm not sure if I was making it up or not.

It's cold and raining, there's nothing but football on TV, and I've watched Toy Story 147 times now. What should I do? (Really, I want it to be dinner time so I can eat leftover tacos!)

ETA: I remember somebody sending Nilly a snowglobe.

Sorry I was too busy to post there. Back now for a few moments.

How did you manage to get past the first barrier, to get to the purple, so to speak?

Well it was much as you said. I learned so much about myself when I locked horns with her, and she is such an intense and interesting person, and she's smart and funny and loyal (and a lot like Allyson in those ways now that I think about it) and somehow all that added up to becoming friends.

Oh, stories, please! And could there be pictures? I think I've only seen the one of Isaac, when he was a very wee baby, and I can't even imagine how grown Franny is.

Ah yes, I am so bad about posting pictures. When the semester gives me a chance to breathe I'll post a backlog. Meanwhile just imagine Isaac as VERY BIG and VERY SMILEY now and that will be about right. And picture Frances as taller and with a honey colored, wavy haired bob.

Goofy things my parents saved: silly valentines to each other, lots of old artwork by us kids (including a hand print from when I was 5). Short stories I wrote. Notes that we kids wrote, especially things like apologies and notes of appreciation. And I am now the keeper of my Mom's wedding dresses (one for the elopement, one for the big reception my grandma insisted on). The reception dress is LOVELY and PINK and I could just possibly squeeze into it. And it has a wee felt hat with fur on it that is to die for.

I got up at 6 am and drove into San Francisco with the family to do the Run to the Far Side in Golden Gate Park (I waved virtually at the Zmayhems and DebG, since we were in the neighborhood). Quite a production for a 3-mile run, I have to admit. But now I have a spiffy t-shirt with a Far Side cartoon on it.

There were lots of great costumes, including the entire bus of dogs from the comic "Dogs Go to Work". And a "Meaties" box, with the dinosaur about to eat the fat kid.

I ran with my 13-year-old niece, which was great until the end -- at the finish line they channel you into lanes so they get your time right. And she decided to change lanes at the very last minute, cut me off, and I tripped and fell down and knocked down the stanchion and her too. Lots of fun, but no real damage.

I need to run more often. Juliana, if you're still running, there's a half-marathon in GG Park on Superbowl Sunday...

On edit: Silly me, I forgot to say hi to everyone, particularly Nilly. ::waves::

Timelies all!

Just got back from Darkover convention.It was basically a relaxicon with music for me. I am very tired, though...

Hola, Natter.

I'm recovering from my birthday with a bloody mary at the bar. In addition to my beautiful black iPod, my girlfriends, Linz znd Sarah, got me a silver necklace from Tiffanys. There may have been tears at the sight of the little blue box. They also tried to surprise me with FE.

What should I do?

Watch Toy Story 2?

::waves back at Consuela::

Emmett and I are back from playing tennis, playing catch, stopping at the French bakery for a Quiche Lorraine and a PERFECT almond croissaint. Now we're back at home watching the 18th consecutive hour of Zim. All Zim all the time.

Also I have discovered a brilliant new plan to vary my turkey sandwiches. Serve them on toast! Bow before Zim! the sandwich!

We're supposed to get the laundry together but despite my fervent efforts at telekinesis it refuses to assemble itself while I jam turkey sandwiches into my face.