P-C, thanks! Very cool.

You're welcome! Are you able to listen to it? It's an M4A file.

The Name of the Rose got really interesting for a couple chapters, and then it reverted back to an overly dense history of the Catholic Church's penchant for murdering Jews. Or something like that.

This "Light 'n Fit" yogurt is all runny. I don't like it. I need texture, dammit!

bursts into the thread in an explosion of glitter, ~ma, and brackets for all

SA, it sounds like it might be time for a visit to your friendly HR department?

I have friends coming into town, so I've been trying to add "clean my whole apartment" to my list of stuff to do this week. I cleaned from 7:30 till 12:45 last night. I need to finish vacuuming and wash some dishes, but otherwise my apartment's the cleanest it's been in at least six months!

collapses artfully into a pile of pillows

did you lift your eyebrows and say"wow, that was inapprproiate , in a falt , slightly didain ful voice?"

How I wish you could have added: "I'm so glad this conversation was taped."

He's testing the waters to see if it's okay. The first week is often when that kind of stuff happens. If you get angry it makes you seem like a bitch with no sense of humor but if you join in, that opens the door for more of that kind of talk. I tend to give the person a withering stare and say something like "Dude, you SO don't want to annoy me."

I saw C yesterday when I picked up K-Bug. Got a nice hug and got to cuddle her kitten (I have the claw marks to prove it). She seems ok, for the most part. For my sanity, I don't ask too many questions.

No need to. That's a really sweet moment and I'm glad the two of you had it.

SA, you need to start keeping a work journal, and documenting all of this.

SA, what Tom said.

G'mornin', all. I'm trying to will the coffee to brew itself and then teleport into my hand. Thus far, it isn't working.

Also, a friend in another forum linked to this short (yes, work-safe) video, and I knew I needed to share.

Especially for Hec.

most expensive cat toy ever

How much do I love Dinosaur Comics? Quite a lot, I say. QUITE A LOT.

In fact, I feel like I must transcribe this strip because...I don't want to start working.

T-REX: I wonder: what's the strongest emotion? What's the most powerful emotional experience I can look forward to?

T-REX: NOBODY SAY LOVE!

T-REX: Love isn't allowed because it's TOO OBVIOUS. What's the strongest non-love emotion, Dromiceiomimus?
DROMICEIOMIMUS: Hate?
T-REX: Okay, hate isn't allowed either on account of how it's ARGUABLY the opposite of love.
DROMICEIOMIMUS: Um. Boredom?

UTAHRAPTOR: I think the strongest feeling is that of shame, T-Rex!
T-REX: A good choice, my friend!

T-REX: But, are you not forgetting the memorable emotion of hunger?
UTAHRAPTOR: Hunger isn't an emotion?
T-REX: Then why do I suddenly FEEL hungry, hmm? Riddle me that!

MEANWHILE, IN THE CHILLING "HUNGER UNIVERSE":
T-REX: Constant hunger has robbed me of all identity.

SA, what Scola and Kristin said. Start it today, with the first note being about behavior up to theis point, and the first real entry, this thing he did today.

Also, the Ministry has been put on alert.

For all of you following along at home, the verdict on my friend's fire is "it could have been worse." The area where about 90 percent of the books are is smoke damaged, but not wet. Her den, where the fire apparently started, had some books, included her "to be read" pile. They're probably goners, but she's going to pull out the more irreplaceable ones like the family Bible and throw them in a freezer until she can figure out what she's doing. The furniture and television in the den are gone, as are the windows. Most of the miniblinds melted(!). The ceiling in her bedroom is draped across all the stuff in her bedroom. The computer may be okay, but there's no power right now. Everything is covered with dark smoke stains. And, of course, the insurance adjustor has yet to call back.