I feel bad about not tipping my mail carrier and newspaper delivery person, but there's no way I could do it unless I was right there to hand it to them. Cash in an envelope taped to the door would last about ten seconds in my neighborhood.

ita gives the best xmas presents. mmmmm.... wetmen

It's A Wonderful Internet -- a Christmas story.

Cash, they said on the news yesterday that Amazon has some sort of deal with T-Mobile where you get the phone for $200 with a one year contract - and $275 worth of rebates. I'd definitely check it out.

I've been with Cingular for five years now--and just upped us to the family plan with DH's razr phone. I'm afraid we're locked in for two more years.

More good news:

After meeting with both sides through the night, state mediators have devised a preliminary framework for a settlement of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority contract dispute that would allow strikers to return to work later today, according to four people close to the negotiations.

The people emphasized that the details of a final settlement would take at least a day or two longer to be finalized, although buses and subways would be running before that.

YAY for returning workers!

Booh for lack of heat at Casa Gullo and Shiriashi.

YAY for wetmen calendar.

Boo for waking up too late to go to yoga. I could still go if I didn't shower and I HUSTLED (not likely to happen).

Wired interview with the creator of Pastafariansim (The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster): [link]

WN: Why do you think so many people have responded to this, so many scientists?

Henderson: I think it's just because they have a better understanding of what the ID nuts are trying to do. I think part of it is that the science community, itself, is pretty quiet about the issue. Their strategy is to ignore the "debate" so that the ID people don't get the forum.

WN: Do you think that's a mistake?

Henderson: Yeah, totally. They need to be out there calling these people retarded all the time. Nonstop. The ID people are winning because the scientists think if they ignore the issue, it will go away. Plus, I'm sure it would be therapeutic to make fun of the ID people. I think it's pretty amazing that these people without scientific backgrounds -- or really any education at all -- think they have the right to decide the science curriculum. And it blows my mind that they are getting away with it.

...

WN: I understand that all proceeds from the book will go toward a pirate ship?

Henderson: Yeah. Seriously. As well as all proceeds from the other FSM merchandise.

WN: What's your plan for this pirate ship?

Henderson: It will be for missionary work mainly; also occasional scientific use related to pirates and global weather, etc.

WN: Do you plan for this to be a land-going pirate ship? Or a floating pirate ship?

Henderson: Ha! Floating. As huge and bad-ass as we can afford. The fund exceeds $100K at this point. Pirate ships are expensive though. Plus cannons, etc. The first several months will be cruising around, spreading the Word to others. Probably in a tropical locale, where they need converting, I assume.

WN: What about those cannons?

Henderson: Cannons are for defense, that's what I figure.

WN: Once you've spread the Word in a nice tropical locale, what will the pirate ship do next?

Henderson: It will be open to all Pastafarians. We'll cruise around and do missionary work, I imagine. It's like a floating church. It's not just a toy for me. Although I am the only one who can use the cannons. Probably.

Boo for waking up too late to go to yoga.

YAY for how much Allyson loves your cutiepieloveface.

It's like a floating church. It's not just a toy for me. Although I am the only one who can use the cannons. Probably.

Hee.

I'm so on edge reading all these "preliminary steps have been taken" and "a framework has been devised" articles. I don't want anyone to publish another article about the strike until the trains are running again. Got that, media? Good.

Re: The NYT rumor

My high-placed source confirms it. He says probably not by evening rush, but we'll likely be rolling by tomorrow morning.