Though it occasionally freaks me out to realize that my stepdad is only 8 years older than my boyfriend. Or that, when my stepdad started dating my mom, he was 5 years younger than I am right now.

I have a friend who's been in similar situations. Her mom's only like 20 years older than we are, and was in a long term relationship with a guy who is at least 10 years younger than she is!

Beagles are sooo cute!!

I'm reading this really fascinating interview with Karen Abbott, the author of Sin in the Second City, which is mostly about the Everleigh Club, the most famous brothel in the world at the turn of the last century. A couple of interesting clients at the Club:

There were some other “unique” services. One of my favorites was an Everleigh Club client by the name of Uncle Ned. Once a year, around the holidays, Uncle Ned would pay enough money to rent out the entire club just for himself. He didn’t want wine, or gourmet food, or a bath, or even to climb the stairs. He requested two buckets of ice, into which he thrust his bare feet. He drank a tall glass of sarsaparilla, and then shouted, “It’s a wonderful day for an old-fashioned sleigh ride,” while the girls danced around him singing “Jingle Bells.”

Another odd bird was a guy nicknamed the “Gold Coin Kid.” He always brought a bag stuff with — you guessed it — gold coins, and requested a courtesan named Doll. She would recline on her bed and let him toss the coins between her legs. Every time he hit the bull’s-eye, he let Doll keep the gold.

Another odd bird was a guy nicknamed the “Gold Coin Kid.” He always brought a bag stuff with — you guessed it — gold coins, and requested a courtesan named Doll. She would recline on her bed and let him toss the coins between her legs. Every time he hit the bull’s-eye, he let Doll keep the gold.

That would have fit right in on Deadwood. Except Al then would have taken the gold.

Free lunch is California Pizza Kitchen. YUM.

shrift, do you get monthly free lunch or weekly? either way AM JEALOUS!

hilariously it appears that later today at my office we will be playing Guitar Hero. And some people seem to think that i will be some sort of expert at it because I'm in a band.

Did you read the Carrie Brownstein article in Slate about Rock Band? How GH and RB are nothing like being in a real rock band and are therefore inferior?

My very nice boss just phoned me to make sure that she spoke with me on my anniversary day, which I had completely forgotten was today. I've been here fifteen years--hard to believe!

How GH and RB are nothing like being in a real rock band

This seems like a point that doesn't need making.

This seems like a point that doesn't need making.

Maybe people have been complaining because they can't find the drugs and sex-crazed groupies.

Wow, belaboring the obvious much?

I'm done for the day, but tomorrow is the 8-hour programming class,so it's more like getting my weekend by the installment plan.

Right, Gud? You'd think so. But that was her big critique: [link]