This evening has started out wonderfully. I was leaving work at the same time as my boss, who had to stay to the end because she was interviewing. She offered me a ride, at least part way, in her all wheel drive Subaru (there's a reason Subarus are so popular in Alaska). The part way ride became all the way, because the roads didn't seem as bad as we had heard (I think the highway is, but we hadn't gotten there). She made it up the hill to my place, and slipped part of the way down, but not too bad. After she dropped me off, it looked like she made it the rest of the way down with no trouble, so no guilt for getting my boss in an accident!

Since I didn't have to slog home through the snow, I shoveled the walk and stairs for my landlord, who has been having a crappy week. It didn't take long, and now I release any ~ma I may have earned, if ~ma can be earned, to any buffistas who need it: wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On top of all that, I got a DVD in the mail from Netflix, so I can watch something lovely while curling up with kitties and knitting! I don't even remember what was coming next, so it's a surprise too! It's just like Christmas, only without the angst that so often comes with holidays.

I'm also a big fan of Avatar (and, arguably, an adult). I think Iroh is very funny, but Zuko's story is very intriguing. I wonder how much, if any, redemption he might get by the end .

Hey Teppy, I think I ask you this every fall, but which Ray is your Ray? [link] Also, have you started using Ray, yet?

Cindy, my Ray is the Lightbox Jr. A more youthful Ray, if you will.

And I started using it sporadically about 7-10 days ago, which is later in the year than I normally start using it. However, I've been dragging recently, which alerted me to the fact that I need to use it every morning until my levels of vim and vigor are back up to normal.

Ailleann, I'm already bracing for the tears when Zuko takes the throne as Fire Lord.

Ok, ok. I now have Avatar on my queue, even though for the most part I don't like anime. On my queue that is now nearly 200 items long. I may actually see it in about 2-3 years.

odd hivemind question: For those of you that smoke, do you have a particular brand you smoke? Do you have a lot of brand loyalty?

On my queue that is now nearly 200 items long. I may actually see it in about 2-3 years.

Well, by that time, it should be all done and ready to mainline.

For those of you that smoke, do you have a particular brand you smoke? Do you have a lot of brand loyalty?

Oh my gods, yes. They have different tastes, different strengths. I don't know any serious smokers who would pick up a pak of any old thing at the store.

That said, you sometimes change brands after a while. In my lifetime, I've smoked Marlboro Lights, Benson & Hedges, Merits, and Marlboro Medium 100s (my current nicotine delivery system). Also 100s for me, too. No idea why.

Lee, when I did smoke, years ago, I was generally brand loyal.

I migrated from Bensen and Hedges Ultra Light 100 Menthols (in the box, please) to Marlboro Mediums, to Marlboro 25s, to those weird Camels in the silver pack, to Chesterfield straights with the occasional pack of Old Golds when I couldn't find my Chesterfields.

And then I up and quit. Which is good, because Chesterfields are a bitch to find.

See, that's what I thought, but a co-worker was trying to tell me otherwise.