I have a slight touch of insomnia. But, however, I came across a Reuters UK article saying that the military tribunals in Guantanamo have come to a screeching halt:

U.S. military judges dropped all war crimes charges on Monday against the only two Guantanamo captives facing trial, rulings that could preclude trying any of the 380 prisoners held at the U.S. base in Cuba any time soon.

The judges said they lacked jurisdiction under the strict definition of those eligible for trial by military tribunal under a law the U.S. Congress enacted last year.

"It's another demonstration that the system simply doesn't work," said the tribunals' chief defence counsel, Marine Col. Dwight Sullivan.

You know, when the judges are throwing up their hands and saying this is unworkable and illegal, the whole enterprise is frelled.

Anyone want to bet that BushCo will just try to get 'better' judges?

Kind of abrupt after the judges but I wanted to say thanks for all the birthday wishes for Ellie. She had, I think, a great day. She ate a huge dinner (spaghetti) and earlier in the day, had a great time at daycare playing for a few hours.

I woke up early again this morning, and may actually make it to work early this time! It's "clean up day," so we get to wear casual clothes, but I still have a ton of Actual Work to do, which is kind of annoying -- one government deadline, one (phone) meeting called by people outside our org. But I'm still wearing capris and a t-shirt!

Huh. I really did fall asleep after all that time awake! And now I feel materially better than I did before.

I'm torn -- should I keep The New Practical Home Repair For Women book, pub. 1966, 1972, with a foreword by the wife of the author? There's a blurb from Modern Bride on the cover!

I do love Hell's Kitchen - I felt sorry for Julia (the waffle house cook) - she COULD fry an egg properly. And what was up with Aaron - he kept crying - I don't think he's going to last long. But they keep promising that something really, really dramatic is going to happen this season - aside from setting Gordon Ramsey on fire, or going after him with a cleaver, I think they've already done about everything they could.

Toddson, maybe somebody will be swept overboard by a rogue wave?

Man, I love Gordon Ramsey. The thing this ep reminded me, and that I'd noticed in other seasons, is that for all the shouting and berating - when someone's really on the edge, or actually injured rather than belly-aching about tiny kitchen burns, he switches gears instantly and 100 percent. And no passive aggressive "fine, now I have to take care of you" overtones. It makes the rest a lot easier to watch because it makes it so clear how much of these people's distress is their own self-indulgent BS.

It's kind of amazing to see in action. He's very, very good at pulling people back, calming things down, getting to the bottom of things.

I don't know what the fuck was up with all that nastiness towards Julia, but I was very impressed with how Melissa handled things. She's got a decent BS detector her own self, it looks like.

Brenda I agree with you about Gordon and I think if someone had made comments about Julia not being worthy to be on the show because she worked at Waffle House he would have ripped that person a new one. Also I think the "fireworks" promised are the guy who called him a Shar Pei getting cocky with Ramsay and trying to "give back". Ramsay's arrogant and rants but he's earned the right to be like that. This guy hasn't earned that.

&*&*(&#(*@@)!!!

I had a Dr. appt. with E this morning that I COMPLETELY FORGOT ABOUT!!

It is and important consult and I have a call in to see if we can get squeezed in later today or re-schedule for soon.

OMG not enough suck in the world for me right now.

Anybody around who speaks German?