Can anyone guide to further readings. I'd like to be able identify social and economic class in the 17th century, how they intersected, and the grey areas. That is I'd like to figure out what would put someone in a position where there could be doubts and disputes over whether they were a gentleman. Alternatively what would make someone a gentleman, but barely so that other gentleman would think of him as "one of us, but not quite". Or what would make someone "not a gentleman, but almost". In other words what could put people close to the line, on either side, and what would put people in a gray area where you really were not sure which side of the line they were on.

New contender in the easy bread sweepstakes: [link] This was linked in Suela's lj the other day. I think the flavor is better than that NY Times one, but what really got me is you mix up the dough but then can do the final rise and bake loaf by loaf over a few days - so, more fresh bread and less of it thrown away stale. Win!

Instead of writing, I have sorted through mail, filed paperwork, paid bills, written checks for charity, added a bunch of stuff to my Amazon shopping list while waiting to hear back from my family on what they've already purchased for Christmas, and I think cleaning the bathroom is next up on the list.

Edit: Oh, and I did the dishes.

Productive! You need to not write more often! And then later, you can procrastinate about doing the chores by writing FTW.

I'm getting stuff done, but am cranky about it. Still, I'm about halfway through swapping out the winter clothes. It's like shopping for free! I always have stuff I didn't remember, or stuff I bought off-season that I haven't worn yet.

Loaded out the van, but still have to put the gear away, and move stuff out into the woodshed. And clear the deck. And stack the firewood. And move firewood from the woodshed to the deck. And finish the dishes.

Damn. I need to stop wathching this football game, huh?

Anyway, you'll all be happy to know that I have the doors locked Right Now AIFG. Dave will be baffled when he gets home and has to undo the locks. I still don't feel like it's particularly safe; both front & back doors have significant glass, not to mention our extensive windows for solar gain. If someone really wanted in, all they'd need is a nice rock. Like the ones we use in our landscaping.

It's funny I still don't at this point in time, because I'm the one that had that drunk and bloody trio stumble in the house back in NM.

Taught this morning. Went to a cookie exchange and we will, I SWEAR, walk the christmas lights in griffith park tonight. Anyone want to join us? I'm making killer shrimp style shrimp after!

From Vanity Fair - Profiles in Panic How the Wall St. collapse has affected the super-rich.

Now many bankers, along with discovering $15 bottles of wine, are finding other ways to cut back—if not out of necessity, then from collective guilt and fear: the fitness trainer from three times a week to once a week; the haircut and highlights every eight weeks instead of every five. One prominent “hedgie” recently flew to China for business—but not on a private plane, as before. “Why should I pay $250,000 for a private plane,” he said to a friend, “when I can pay $20,000 to fly commercial first class?”

The new thriftiness takes a bit of getting used to. “I was at the Food Emporium in Bedford [in Westchester County] yesterday, using my Food Emporium discount card,” recounts one Greenwich woman. “The well-dressed wife of a Wall Street guy was standing behind me. She asked me how to get one. Then she said, ‘Have you ever used coupons?’ I said, ‘Sure, maybe not lately, but sure.’ She said, ‘It’s all the rage now—where do you get them?’”

Wacky.

I've had a twinged neck/shoulder for a couple of days. getting the tree in the stand and actually up didn't really help. it's mostly straight.

Went shopping for the new stove we've been promising ourselves today. Fun! Trying to hunt down reviews and price comparisons and suchlike due diligence when there are a million almost-identical models and none of the stores' websites quite match up to what we saw in those very same stores? So much less so.

I'm making killer shrimp style shrimp after!

RECIPE!!! I also want to do the Griffith Park walk, but alas, we have a party to attend tonight.

“Why should I pay $250,000 for a private plane,” he said to a friend, “when I can pay $20,000 to fly commercial first class?”

Months ago, my big boss asked a fancy guy to do our org a favor, and he said he doesn't get to NYC much any more... because the $30K for the jet is a little much.