Ooh, I just saw my first tv ad for the new Joe Kennedy running for Congress, and he looks good -- redheaded, not too Kennedy-ish. He can get it, is what I'm saying. Not my vote, because I'm in the wrong district.

Learn to read, ita ! coworkers. She doesn't need you to add to her misery.

It certainly looks like a hell of a storm, and with the kind of wind they're predicting, there will outages. The good news is that there's plenty of warning, so other utilities will have crews prestaged to help.

The main effect predicted here is that it will push arctic air this way, so I need to pick the last of the basil. It's pesto time!

A local weather person has a geeky explanation of the storm: [link]

OK, I actually got all of these right, but it's a little scary how similar they are:

Islamic Fundamentalist or Christian Republican?

[link]

flea, I will try to post it when I get home...

I am hoping Irene and the derecho took out all the weak links in my grid. Hoping. But I will do all my laundry and vacuuming this weekend before the fun really starts.

But I guess it is time to bring in the plants and deck furniture for the season. I need to wash it before I prep it to restain and oil, but that can wait until I get back.

I'm listening to the annual reading of The Raven on my local PR station.

Suzi, Out Of Print Tees has great literary t-shirts.

Consuela, ISTG, I would have stood at her desk and loudly eaten pumpkin bread, complete with open-mouth smacking noises and moans of pleasure. Fuck her.

I am ready for more travel! I'm going to London in two weeks (??!!!!!), we're going to Cardiff and Edinburgh also but not Ireland. I imagine I'll happily go back!

I've been thinking about an Alaska cruise for a while. I want to see Alaska. I wouldn't do a cruise (aka StuckOnABoat) unless I was with some people I knew and liked, though, because you cannot get away. Buffistas cruise sounds great.

Mexico and possibly South America sound good. I missed my chance to go to Mexico with meara this year. *sadface*

Alas, I do not like Texas. Or amusement parks.

I am hoping Irene and the derecho took out all the weak links in my grid.

Me too. At least if I lose power for days this time, it won't be in 90+ degree heat. I almost lost my damn mind.

I would totes eat the pumpkin bread of my nemesis. Because pumpkin bread!

London! Awesome. Sad to say no travel plans here.

Safety wishes for those in the path of the storm. Fill up the tank if you drive. Water. Booze. It is still windy here. We even had a storm surge, but nothing like the stuff to come.

My exciting plan for the weekend is Early Voting! I am really hoping it is as much fun as the early voting line 4 years ago. We went first day last time and it was a blast. Hours in the queue, but fun company.

Cruise ships are big enough that you can get away....from people, at least. In my experience.

Alaskan cruises are amazing! I've been on two (one with my mom and gram back in 2001 and one as a tagalong with ND for work a few years ago), and I had a great time. So completely beautiful, and you get to see a lot. I would recommend flying into Anchorage and cruising all the way south to Vancouver rather than doing a loop out of Seattle, fwiw. You see more ports. But honestly, both routes are excellent.

Oh, also, if possible, I'd definitely spring the extra money for an exterior cabin (window or balcony). There are amazing things to see all the time.

ETA: meara, any chance you'd be willing to wait until the last week of March for your Mexican getaway...?

Do they still dress for dinner on cruises? It strikes me that that would be more fun with buffistas than just about anyone.