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?

She's still driving me batty. She's just really thoughtless sometimes. Like I had to do something because she wouldn't just tell the people "Hey, you said we'd do it Thursday, now you're saying Friday, I can't do Friday, let's reschedule". I go to pick up the thing that I have to drop off, having called her literally TWO MINUTES BEFORE to say that I was on my way, and running really late, and she's vaccuuming, so she can't hear the door. I get to stand outside and bang on the door, ring the bell, call her cell phone, etc. @@

Good grief. I know she's always been like this, but it's getting worse, isn't it? This is a tough time for her, but I'd like her to realize it's a tough time for you too. I don't want her to see you as a substitute that does everything that your dad used to do. K and I are still out of state, aren't they? Which means teh crazy falls all on you.

I am available to act as backup if you want to stage an intervention. I am also available to consume copious amounts of alcohol with you. Whatever makes the aggravation stop.

I think that it's not so much that she's worse, it's just that I'm getting a lot more exposure.

I'm sorry. It's just shitty all around.

You know where you can find me if you need to vent. I'm not adverse to driving multiple times around the Beltway while we sing cheesy songs at the top of our lungs.