My impression of a lot of kosher/religious practices is, "Well, to make 100% sure we're following the rule, we'll go like five steps beyond, just to be on the safe side." Is that fair, you think?

Yep. There's even a Talmudic term for it: building a fence around the Torah. So, for instance, if you're not allowed to hammer in a nail on Shabbat, it's safest to set your traditions up so you don't even pick up the hammer.

Right, right, that was the kind of thing I was thinking of. Glad to know it's an actual Thing.

Man, I'm all about religious ed.

This time I'll just point at amych's answer, as I am too late for an actual x-post.

I just got off the phone with Dh's friend - a buddhist monk. He has seen the light and understands the joy of Joss. He saw firefly and serenity.

Also, our friend the buddhist monk, suggested that while being grounded is good ... perhaps the velocity with wich I apprached being grounded was not so good

The days are getting noticablly shorter. I am not sure the last time I time-shifted, but the morning was significantly darker at 5:30 this morning than it was the last time I did this. I think it is about an hour behind where I remember it. I enjoy my seasons, but dark mornings and evenings are sad-making.

Yay, Emily!

Congrats, Emily!!

I noticed it being darker yesterday evening, too.

I don't mind the dark, because I love autumn in New York so much. I can't wait for it.