And now for some earth-shaking revelations to hit a city in Minnesota, today:

Drug-sniffing dogs had never found contraband at Chaska High School until a random search recently turned up six student vehicles containing marijuana or other illegal substances. The sweep was the first time the student parking lot had been searched for drugs.

Drugs? High school students? I'm shocked! Shocked!

If you could take one class right now, just for yourself, what would you study?

You're an evil man, Hecubus. Like I could limit it to just one. Something more intensive in Chinese is an obvious direction, but I'd really like to take up French again as well. And I want to know more about Chinese history. Post-election, of course, I'm in for something on political theory or economic development. Then there are the old staples, like philosophy (probably philosophy of mathematics) and of course the life sciences.

So thanks to you, I'm now trawling the Melbourne Uni website, checking out course availability and the texts they're using that I could profitably pick up and go through on my own. Check this one out: [link] I know what you're thinking: how is that not an echidna on the front cover?

Andi, it sounds like this woman needs therapy herself. I daresay, that's probably how she was treated so she just does it. I'd hate to be her family. She really needs to unlearn that shit.

please tell me I'm not the only one who has heard of and/or follow the philosophy of "Golden Mean". Office worker bees had never heard of it before. Even most favorite boss. Sad.

heard of it, seems basically sound, but I wouldn't say I follow it, exactly.

I just looked it up. I'd only heard the term "golden mean" used in a mathematical context before. Seems similar to the Middle Way?

I just looked it up. I'd only heard the term "golden mean" used in a mathematical context before. Seems similar to the Middle Way?

I'm with Hil here. The Aristotelean Golden Mean reminds me of the tale from Greek mythology with Artemis accusing her brother Apollo of preaching moderation, but then letting his own passions run away with himself. Apollo replies "I preach moderation in all things, including moderation."

From which we can conclude that Apollo was a pretentious jerk, and Artemis really needed a hobby.

Random House has been reorganized, including disbanding Doubleday.

This makes me sad. Doubleday is older than Random House. Doubleday was Kipling's publisher. Doubleday Page solicited Booker T Washington to write his autobiography.

After all the crazy insomnia, I called my doc for a sleep med prescription, so tonight I have an Ambian generic. Wish me sleep....

Rest well, Suzi.