I'm trying to just let this go and put it behind me, but I'm having some trouble getting over the fact that between them, the University of Massachusetts and my former school district essentially cost me $260 because they just couldn't mail back a damn verification form on time. This is on top of the $300 I spent in California on a test which doesn't help me in any other state.

I suppose if Massachusetts just used Praxis instead of their own special test I wouldn't be in quite such a pickle, but I'm still irritated. Seriously, is math in Virginia harder than math in Massachusetts? Oh, and I also have to take a new reading and writing test. Because sure, I may have several degrees and already passed a reading and writing test, but you never know! I could have forgotten English since then!

When I was in Maine in the summer, I loved how in even the littlest town shop, I had about thirty different local/microbrews to choose from. Mmm, beery. Ireland's yet to really catch on to the whole microbrew thing.

What else don't you guys like?

Snow.

People who say "How's it hanging?" as a greeting.

I guess if his name actually was Shaugnessy Keegan, you could call him "Sean" for short. As it is, you've got to call him "Keeg," which is less melodious.

He's wicked cute, though.

My current obsession is Sierra Nevada's Celebration Ale.

If you can get ahold of Anderson Valley Winter Solstice Ale, it KICKS ASS.

People who say "How's it hanging?" as a greeting.

You can always answer this with "To the left" and shift your weight a little. Makes them less likely to ask again.

(Signed, "Celtic," as in the basketball team, pronounced SELL-tick, and used as a noun.)

I was watching BBC World News on BBCA this morning, and found out that they also pronounce the football (soccer) team the same way, which surprised me--I'd assumed that they would get it right ("Kell-tic").

Is that at North Station or Salem, Frank?

North Station. It's on at both, but Salem has gotten Draconian with their policy (no more than two Herc and if you have a Herc you can only have one more beer unless they are familiar with you and/or the manager comes by and talks to you). They are serving it in a slightly larger glass (14 oz tulip over the 12 oz tumbler), but not enough to get that crazy. I had 3 (possibly 4 - needless to say after 3 things get fuzzy, especially with other beers in the mix) last Friday at Canal Street (granted, it was two different beertenders and I went over and had dinner with a friend in between) and nobody said "boo".

If you can get ahold of Anderson Valley Winter Solstice Ale, it KICKS ASS.

Oh my doG, YES! I had my first of the season last Saturday. So good!

Snow, how's it hanging?

I'll just start running now, shall I?