I've gained range of motion turning my head side to side and kinda lost some looking up and down.

If you go to the zoo, stick to the crocodile pit and stay away from the giraffes.

Wow Fay, you really did make out! Kudos to you!

Ita, is there less pain?

Poker game got cancelled tonight, so I'm watching Rebel Without A Cause. First time, can you believe it?!?

Poker game got cancelled tonight, so I'm watching Rebel Without A Cause. First time, can you believe it?!?

Ooooh. I really ought to get that DVD.

Hey, that's something I can get with my Barnes and Noble gift card! (One of my tutoring students gave me a thank you note with a $100 B&N gift card inside.)

I'm in that weird in-between drugged state. Can't quite get to sleep, but too drowsy to do anything else.

Omg that's a very young Marlin Brando! I didn't recognize him till he said "mornin'" at the old mansion.

Playing who? IMDB doesn't list him.

I don't know what mistake would lead to this effect, but whenever a big rainfall is on the way, my brother's IRELAND tattoo actually *raises up* slightly, like a topographical map.

Holy crap, Tep - how awesome is that? It's like a superpower! ...I mean, grsnted, it's not the kind of superpower that would get you into a big crimefighting gang with your own cape, but still - impressively weird.

He's like Moist from Dr. Horrible!

Huh, maybe it wasn't him. Sure sounded like him.

Maria, what is it exactly that you do vis a vis the auto industry?

Without getting into too much detail and boring you all to tears, I work with the cabinet secretaries, Supreme Court justices, leadership in the House and Senate, governors and lt. governors, and mayors/county executives of locales where plant/production facilities are located. It's my job to convince them that their official vehicles should be my company's product, instead of a vehicle from one of the other two. It's done for the halo effect and to give these "influentials" real-world experience with our products, so that rule-making and legislation are not made in a vacuum.

It's non-partisan, but working with the current administration has been an adventure. And not in the good way. Let's just say there's a sense of entitlement that should not be present for those in public service. One of these days I'll recount all the juicy details over a few pints. I'm not sure things will change on January 20th. I've had experience with some of Obama's cabinet appointees when they were in the Senate, and it wasn't much better. Though the Supremes are surprisingly easy to work with.

Why yes, my job has made me cynical about our political system. The same individuals that have been the most vociferous opponents of aid to the industry are riding in vehicles made by UAW workers of a company they're trying to topple. They have a choice, and they're still choosing our products. And some of the most vocal proponents of advanced technologies, higher mpg, and alternative fuels are riding in our most popular SUV. It's for "security" purposes.

The program does introduce new technology--hybrids, displacement on demand, etc.--as soon as it's available, so I can feel good about the education part of things. Unfortunately, I can't do much if they choose not to pick a vehicle that has them.

Really glad that I decided to be a slacker tonight and not go out. I was braising short ribs for a dinner party tomorrow and I was going to set the oven to turn off a little early, what was the harm, it was a braise right? I stayed home and took the ribs out. I was glad I did, since all of the liquid had cooked away. I just made it, little bit of a burn of the edge of the pan, but just fine. Yay!

Vortex! I bow down before your cooking-fu. Knowing my luck, they would have been charcoal.

How are things with your mother?