I think I am 5b. Thanks, that's so useful.

I plan on going to the local nursery -- there's a really good one about 5 minutes from our house, Soil Services, that my gardening girlfriends like -- but I want to have some ideas of things I would LIKE to ask about, to see if they would do well.

How do you know if your soil is acidic, or well-drained?

The extension service probably does soil tests for a nominal cost that will tell you whether your soil is acidic and what nutrients it needs. You get instructions for how to dig up and mix samples.

As a rule of thumb, heavy clay soils drain poorly and sandy soils drain well. However, clay soils hold moisture and sandy soils can drain too well. If you have areas of standing water, the soil probably drains poorly. The answer for both of these is digging in organic matter such as compost or whatever the soil amendment of choice is for your area. For example, in the Southeast, it's bagged ground pine bark. People from the Northeast are used to adding peat moss, which simply disappears in Georgia clay. (Note: I have heard the garden area people at big box stores recommend peat moss. Do not listen to the people at the big box stores.) I would avoid peat moss anyway, because, like cypress chips, there's no way to ensure it's sustainably harvested.

Cool. My country does free soil testing. I will dig up a sample and send it in next weekend!

You guys are so helpful!

Not drunk either. I have however been enjoying my Danger Days. Status report: the lesser tracks are growing on me with repeated listens. I prefer "Sing" on the iPhone to the TV. "Planetary (GO!)" is the most dance-around-in-your-chair-esque song I've heard in possibly years. So that's nice.

Pretty much my feelings exactly about that album. The song I disliked upon initial hearings I only like less than the rest now. It's a very "growing on you" album. Just don't play it while you're driving.

Just don't play it while you're driving.

Unless of course you're even now on your way to bust out a moppet from the clutches of The Man(droid).

OMG. I have 5 minutes to post here, to tell you I have missed you like you don't know what.

What kept me from posting was mostly Evil Bureaucracy that took full control of my life. I try to kill it; it survives. It seems that if you try to order a single paperclip in my campus, at least 2.5 departments have to approve said purchase. And what my center is trying to order, well, is a bit more than a paperclip. Anyway, the motherfuckers will continue to hunt me down for another 3 weeks or so. I'll try to bring the best of my nervous breakdowns here for your amusement. The highlight, of course, is people who are trying to convince me to buy their product using words and expressions such as "top of the line" and "performance". IN ENGLISH. I had to cover the receiver so they won't hear me laughing. But I have learned a lot of the strange world of people who try to sale me things I never asked for, and that when it comes to handle bureaucracy between 5 different departments in the university, it's best to lie through your teeth, compromise on shit you never asked for instead of things you really need and try not to wonder why, on earth, they care so much about spending money which isn't theirs or the university's, but an external fund's.

Phew. I needed that. They're driving me nuts.

Oh, and you also know what else I learned a hell lot about? The history of the U.S.! I'm taking a wonderful history seminar on the U.S. between 1820-1920 (mostly the South). And, well, I'm kindda ashamed to tell you how little I knew about American history. No, really. But I'm learning now, and all of the sudden, some things you say make sense.

My 5 minutes are almost up. Will update more later. But for now, my bitches, may I say how much I love you and missed you and my God, why don't I have enough time to post here regularly?!

We miss you too, Shir!

(Not to speak for everyone, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's true.)

But I'm learning now, and all of the sudden, some things you say make sense.

Like what? I'm curious. It's not like I know much about Israeli history. Or the histories of most countries.

I've always found that the more I study about US history the less it makes sense.

Say, what's the big deal with the debate about centralized government, or the different concepts of liberty, freedom and citizenship. Or the federal system. Or the place of religion. Not to mention that some states are much, much younger than I thought they are.

It's cool, actually, to learn all these stuff (I'm coming with a lot of knowledge of and about European and continental history and philosophy, so NSM American history). This is one of the times I'm happy to be ignorant about a subject. Studying is The NOM.

(Not to speak for everyone, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's true.)

That sentiment was a safe bet. I certainly agree. We are glad to see you whenever you have a chance to stop by. The same goes for you, Laura.

What kept me from posting was mostly Evil Bureaucracy that took full control of my life. I try to kill it; it survives.

I'm imaging you feel like Angel saying to that demon that just wouldn't die, "Oh, come on, I'm holding your head!"

And, well, I'm kindda ashamed to tell you how little I knew about American history. No, really.

I have only a vague outline of the history of Israel since 1949 (sadly, I confess to having not carefully read the assigned book on the subject for the "British Empire" history class I took at uni), and before that all I've got is bits of the Crusades, however much of the Tanakh and Jesus' life might qualify as history, plus a smattering of early Christian church history. Well, and that the smattering of whatever I can remember of that miniseries about Masada [link] from way back when I was 11.