Please to check out my husband's fab new column, on Forbes Online! He gets paid by the page hit, so if you visit early and often, our pets can continue to eat.

Bookmarked! And I even clicked on an ad.

When I was down in L.A. Phil gave me an old, very gorgeous, polished cherrywood wood case of poker chips from the old World Poker Tour to give to Emmett. He's petting it and cooing over it and saying, "Oh my god! It's so fucking gorgeous. It's so cool."

Last time I called Time Warner Cable, they asked me what my channel lineup was. So I asked them what my channel lineup was. They said it depended, and I should tell them. He got quite defensive about it.

How is that not weird? How can they not know what service they're providing me with?

WHERE ARE MY COOLING THUNDERSTORMS?

Been promised all day. There are storms to the south of here. But nothing here and no cooling. I have my swim in, it can storm now.

So I crashed this last weekend with some old family friends: a pal of my brother from high school, who married my sister's college roommate. He's a fire chief, she's a software developer, and they live in a lovely house he built near the water in New England. They put me (& my sister & BIL & niece) up for the better part of 4 days, very graciously.

However there was never any time to get them a thank-you gift while I was there--we were ridiculously scheduled all weekend.

I want to get them something, and I will be sending a card, but I don't really know what else to send. They're very athletic and down-to-earth (although their daughter is a budding fangirl and dancer). Anyone have any suggestions?

le nubian, I had borked the user ID. It's spidernurhouse

Crazy, crazy people.

How is that not weird? How can they not know what service they're providing me with?

Yeah, that's ridiculous. I have no idea what my channel lineup is.

Consuela, the traditional gift in my family would be your local candy (so, Ghiradelli, I guess), but that may not work for them.

Now I feel stupid for cancelling plans, but whatever....

I think gifts of food/wine are lovely.

The sexual discussion is fascinating. At the moment my ideal would be either: 1) someone I could guarantee was safe, that I don't know already, and find attractive to have sex with and nothing else expected of me or 2) someone who I enjoy their company and would help with the house stuff, be an emotional support, but had no interest in anything physical.

I am not even sure I could handle either of those options without a magic "off" button to make them go away at my will.

You sound kinda aromantic there, msbelle. I think...

I'm reading the aromantic thread at AVEN, and most of them I'm not. I'm not grossed out by most romance. I just...not prepared for that emotion, and I don't think I need it.

I think gifts of food/wine are lovely.

Oh, there's always baked goods! Homemade, that is.

I do have a long weekend this weekend, and it's supposed to rain, which is good baking weather for me.

But that's just me right now, I love big sloppy romance, and I love the idea of it for me, but OMG the idea of someone wanting to do stuff with me and for me to be attentive to them and blah blah blah. Right now in my life that sounds like a chore and a drag.