More babies to spoil--yay, Allyson!

I'm going down to see my dad tomorrow, and before than, I'm going to head over to the jewelry store he bought my sister's and my Xmas gifts at. Sis already sent her necklace to the store to exchange it for something else, and I'm most likely going to do the same. Thanks, Dad, but it's not really my style, and going by how much Sis's credit is, it's too costly for me to feel comfortable wearing it enough to make it worth keeping. I think I'll exchange it for several pairs of less expensive earrings that I know I'll wear much more often. (I'd get a nice watch instead, but with me dieting, a watch or ring would be stupid to get right now.) Sis wants me to call her from the store so I can describe the earrings they have available in the price range; she had selected one pair based on the salesperson's description of it over the phone, but when she was told it would cost her an additional $300, she decided to have me look at the more affordable ones instead.

Sunday is going to be just vegging and finally watching my Netflix disc (Syriana). Tonight will probably involve TV or movie watching, too.

I think I would like a niece this time. Though, you know, I'll be happy if it turns out to have a dangly bit as well.

Pretty much how I feel.

If I actually had my brother's phone number at the office, I'd call. Alas, I don't.

Congratulations, Sue and Liese! Woo-hoo property! ANd, Liese, I am both interested and nosy.

I almmost bought Rose's yesterday, but I looked at the ingredients list first and that put an end to that. Coincidentally, I did buy limes.

This weekend is my husband's birthday, so I'll be doing whatever he wants to do. Which so far is a movie (maybe Pan's Labyrinth) on Saturday and Tea hereon Sunday. And baking a cake.

Hooray for impending auntieness, Allyson! Additional auntiness, I should say.

I ordered an Artisanal plate from Fresh Direct, if you want to copy me EVEN MORE!

Bah! I totally would, but then I can't have it tonight. CURSES.

The lack of a receptionist and the constant stream of clients are causing me to twitch uncontrollably, due to the constant rattle of the door as they try to get inside without bothering to read the posted signs.

I should probably warn my roommate not to rattle or knock on the doors in the apartment when I get home, because suddenly I'll be all FLYING NINJA DEATH FROM ABOVE KYAH, and she won't know why.

Yay, Liese and Sue on real estate ownership!!

Yay, Allyson on more auntiness!!

Warning - stupid audio and video starts playing automatically: [link] But you might want to check out this website anyway, as it has Important Information about the End Times:

As a paranormal investigator, ordained minister, demonologist and authority on supernatural phenomenon, I have been enlightened on a wealth of fascinating End Times information which has been relayed to myself as well as the ministers of The Light of Life Ministry by the Cherubic Order of Angel's Messenger. “Chosen" is the autobiographical account of my personal experiences and existential journey of enlightenment and discovery that God has anointed me to perform a very important task for Him in these End Times as His Chosen One.

Don't believe her? But wait - she has photos:

The images supernaturally appeared on a regular sliding plate glass door. All of the photos were all taken and deciphered by the Messenger to the Cherubic Order of Angels. Each image depicts a visual message that the Cherubic Order wishes to relay to mankind in these End Times. Beneath each photo, is an explanation of the visual message depicted of what each vision means.

Kewl.

Tomorrow we will be showing off The Matilda to friends in the south bay.

Then in the evening (while juliana slounges with JZ), I'll be crossing the Bay Bridge to see "Everything's a Dollar In This Box" - the songs of Tom Waits played on cheap instruments. There are seven or eight acts involved.

Other than those diversions I'll be holed up in a cafe working on the book as it is an Off Weekend for Emmett stuff.

I'll be getting cat food tomorrow! And trying to return the busted hard drive, and getting a replacement, and then trying to replace all my lost music files! Such fun that I'm almost vomiting!!!

Man dressed as The Joker gets Dutch national ID card.

A Dutchman dressed as the unpredictable master criminal The Joker from Batman managed to get himself a national ID card, despite supposedly stringent new rules which outlaw grins, funny faces, and head coverings from passport pics.

To avoid confusing facial recognition scanners, travellers in Europe have been ordered not to look too happy in their passport photographs. Eyes must also be open and clearly visible, and there must be no sunglasses, tinted glasses, or hair across the eyes. In the Netherlands, these rules were introduced last August.

But a 35-year-old man from the Dutch town of Hellevoetsluis decided to paint his face black and dress up as Batman's goofy trickster-thief rival and was astounded that his new appearance was accepted without a hitch. Initially, the man was asked not to wear a hat, but when he argued it was because of religious beliefs, he was allowed to leave it on.

The incident has stirred quite a controversy among Dutch politicians. Interior minister Johan Remkes now has to explain how this could have happened. "We don't think there are many people dressed up as clowns in this country," his department said