In an article I read at some point in the distant past, the guy who did the hot pepper research suggested heavily black-peppered chicken soup could indeed be the remedy people thought it was.

Chicken Tom Yum soup is great for colds!

This is based on a study I did, with a sample size of one.

Steph, garlic works better for infections.

I thought the early reports that he was stepping down sounded too optomistic. It was just too soon for that kind of caving.

Steph, garlic works better for infections.

Isn't that what a cold is?

t edit Or did you mean, like mince the garlic and put it on a cut/scrape/wound?

I think you're overlooking that maybe going to graduate school turns you into a supervillain.

This seems very probable.

If billytea is around (or anyone else who might know the answer): My DH is off to Beijing in a few days, and I would like to know if the electrical adapter he needs is the same one we use for New Zealand?

Sorry I missed this last night. Yes, it's the same adapter.

But I really like Neil Finn's version of "Billie Jean" too.

That's a surprisingly effective cover, given it was just for a quirky segment on a radio show. Do you have the rest of the CD too? Rolf Harris' version of "I Touch Myself" has to be heard to be believed.

I heard it was an Australian tv show, and the star of that show is playing the dog in the US version.

You heard correctly. It's on SBS here (multicultural programming for the most part. Not sure which culture features the pot-smoking dogs.)

Will do, rommytot. Or won't. I'm not sure which. I shall ponder the wisest course of action over a snifter of cognac. Typo, I am in love with your new tagline.

JZ, I am in love with your typo.

My office is giving me no cognac. They're promising cider at 4:00, though. I guess I should stick around, huh?

What's everybody doing for their Onerous Task today?

Washing all the things, packing all the things, cleaning all of the things and eating all of the perishable things.

So far laundry is done, electronics are compiled and I used the last of my bread and eggs making poached eggs on toast with a dab of Hollandaise on them. The last bit was yummy.

I am so unprepared to leave ugly early tomorrow. But I am getting closer.

JZ, I am in love with your typo.

Ha! I didn't even notice.

Maybe I should change my name to rommytot.

JZ's onerous task for today: drink that cognac!

I'm on it! (It's good.)

Tep, I do put garlic in my best get-better soup, which is chicken stock with lemon, garlic and Thai hot sauce. Plus noodles. But the hot sauce really does get your nose running, and the lemon is soothing, and the garlic is healthful.

Sox, I thought the 1-2-3 list was the programmer writing back (and quoting South Park) saying, "Uh, how exactly are you going to make money doing this?"

Ha! I didn't even notice.

I thought it was a callback to your ZJ opposite-world reference.