I thought ita ! was talking about Whitey Bulger as well, but living in MA it's hard not to.

Birthday happies Vortex!

I think it's more that when you're 5, and less than 4 feet tall, everyone looks big, and the difference between 11 and 39 is reduced.

Although, you know, Casper is only about 6 inches shorter than one of our (adult) neighbors.

K-Bug reached her current height when she was in 5th grade. Though CJ is still growing. I should really do another height check on him.

He has officially been a part of the search and rescue team for a year now. The new class of probies have their orientation on Saturday while CJ takes his second brown belt test (there are 3 levels of brown before you test for black).

I'm 44. And much happier than I was 10 years ago. 20 years ago I think I was too young to realize I was pretty clueless. I am much more comfortable in my skin now. Are there things I'd like to change, sure. But I don't feel like "OMG my life isn't worth it unless x".

Annoying at 35, rather more charming at 72.

Also, charming from a 10-year-old, less so from a 20-year-old!

I'm still reeling about the revelation that one of James's killers is apparently being kept in prison at least partially because he keeps admitting to the crime, and it's put him in jeopardy. That's so...wack.

Oh, speaking of w(h)ack, is it "put through the wringer" and nerve-racking is just as correct as nerve-wracking? That doesn't seem right.

Yesterday I read an interesting post by John Scalzi on a gaming metaphor for white male privilege, although I had to get one of the gaming concepts explained for me. Today I notice it was also posted on kotaku, and whoa, nelly! There's a reason I'm not just unstarred but also unapproved on that site. I do not want to share electrons with most of them. It's the largest collection of "Wah! Bad things happen to white men too! Why won't anyone be sorry for me???" I've seen in one place. Jesus.

I bought a book of alcoholic ice cream recipes, and I can't decide--do I make one of the listed recipes first, or do I dive straight into trying to work out a good egg nog ice cream recipe? Here are some of the recipes in it:

• Vanilla with Brandy
• Chocolate with Grand Marnier,
• Cookies and Cream with Vodka
• Caramel with Spiced Rum
• Maple with Bourbon
• Jasmine Tea with Sake
• Manhattan
• White Russian
• Whiskey Sour
• Mojito
• Lemon Drop
• Strawberry Daiquiri

Cannot decide...oh, my sad life.

K-Bug reached her current height when she was in 5th grade.

Wow. When I was in 5th grade the girls were taller than the boys. And I was only average height for a boy.

I had my huge growth spurt in 9th and 10th grades.

•Vanilla with Brandy

That's half way to eggnog anyway.

I knew which Bulger ita_! was talking about.

Also - promos for new CW shows are here - there is one with Mamie Gummer i.e., Meryl Streep's daughter.

K-Bug reached her current height when she was in 5th grade.

I haven't grown a centimeter since 7th grade. Well, not up anyway.

I had a distressing age-related thing happen on Sunday. I was out to supper with some friends, who are all in the 30-38 range. Our waitress asked if I was the mother of any of them. Dude. I am 44. And, until Sunday, I didn't think I even looked 44. Seriously. One of the worst dinners ever.

I haven't grown a centimeter since 7th grade. Well, not up anyway.

My body was still growing when I was 20. I know this because my orthodontist took advantage of that to expand my upper jaw. (I had this little tool I used to expand my upper jaw a little bit every day.)