Random weird writing scenario questions of the evening, these for once requiring no knowledge of the French language:

1. It's been a long time since I've been nine, and five years until I'll have a 9-year-old of my own, so I'm a bit rusty on age-appropriate behavior for that age. If a child of that age were at a procession celebrating a major event, something so rare it occurs once or twice in an average lifetime, would she bounce up and down and complain that she can't see, or is that too babyish for nine regardless of how unique and cool the event is?

2. The child in question is wearing a fairly long skirt because that's how children her age dressed then. Could an average-sized man who's in good shape balance such a child on one shoulder for a minute or two (sitting her on both shoulders not an option because of the long skirt) so she doesn't have to miss the most important part of the procession, or would that require broader shoulders or a smaller child?

I'm gonna go with 1) Depends entirely on the kid in question. Entirely. As for 2, I'm looking at this and thinking it'd take a big guy and a skinny girl.

What ita said. When I was a camp counselor, 9- and 10-year-olds were my favorite age groups because they're full of enthusiasm and not yet too old to feel shy about showing it.

As for 2, I'm looking at this and thinking it'd take a big guy and a skinny girl.

That's what I was afraid of--unfortunately, I can't really up-size the guy or shave a few years off the girl's age. Ah, well. It's a cute scene that works really well as the last thing before All Hell Breaks Loose, but I'll find another way to achieve the right playful mood.

Timelies, and morning from this part of the world.

Must. Sleep.

Sorry. So fuckin' true.

Oh, fuck you.

First of all, we have way more flavors of human than white, gay and Asian. Ever been to the Mission, canuckface! Way more than Seattle too for that matter, whitebread city with a side of soy sauce.

Second of all, San Francisco does not have a crippling inferiority complex about NY. It defers to New York until Bon makes ridiculous claims about Manhattan being gayer than San Francisco. (So Not!) If anything it has a crippling superiority complex over LA which is much more damaging.

I love both San Francisco and New York. And I have affection for Los Angeles, Boston and Philly too. And DC!

'Cept when it comes to sports. Then everyone else sucks! ('cept I root for the Phillies second to the Giants....because they've got Jimmy Rollins and he's representin' my high school. And I keep an eye on the Tigers too, since they've got Dontrelle.)

Hey, Shir! I guess that means it's time for me to sleep. Dinner ated. Stock freezered, and veggies and veggie purees (to thicken upcoming pasta sauces...wait, not pasta...something sauces) fridged.

Oh! I was told I couldn't eat aged cheeses--pretty much nothing other than cream cheese and ricotta and cottage cheese. I haven't made it to the cottage cheese side, but I am enjoying ricotta's almost thereness. Does anyone know if most goat cheeses are aged? Your standard chevre would at least have some kick to it. Cream NSM with the kick.

Hec, you do realise you're alienating your own side, right?

Second of all, San Francisco does not have a crippling inferiority complex about NY.

You just keep tellin' yourself that.

My current neighborhood in Seattle is very non-white. Of course, my once and future one is hella pasty, but this one? One of the most integrated in the whole country. Seattle had an ugly history of redlining.

Hi ita, and good night!

(And sleep for me as well, if you can...)