ita,

There is an app named after you!

[link]

Okay, who has worked phone support before and can confirm for me that sometimes, if things aren't going well, you "accidentally" disconnect people.

I actually never have, though I occasionally wish I were the sort who would. It's grounds for a lot of trouble if such is suspected at my work.

Fascinating short story about, well, us. Sort of: [link]

It's strongly worded and its message is clear: the Vatican's intrusion is "excessive". Here's the full text released yesterday morning. It is, as James Martin puts it, "fathers and brothers coming to the defense of their sisters. " It's a nuanced and respectful defense of core Catholicism, asserting that the current Vatican's insistence on total control over all issues, even those where there can and should be "courageous discernment", is actually against Catholic teaching, as expressed in the Second Vatican Council.

Schism! Schism! Schism!

Thanks for the Giants Math, tommyrot. Looks like a mix of the pythagorean method used to calculate wins based on runs alllowed vs runs scored (some teams win above or below their pythag, but the pythag is a better measure of their True Talent level and better predicts what they could do going forward) and a Strength of Schedule calculation.

I think that pug just never learned how to coordinate its front and hind legs. You see that sometimes in puppies where the back end starts drifting forwards or to the side.

It's kind of amazing that Sterling's story was written ~15 years ago.

Isn't it, though? That whole pay-it-forward element reminded me of Reddit's annual Secret Santa thing.

That was a great story, Consuela. Thanks for the link.

He's also the sort of guy who deliberately and pointed reads every word he can see on your screen, and will even flip idly through windows if you let him use your keyboard.

I have every confidence in your ability to condition him against doing that, ita. Use your superpower in the cause of Good!

I renewed my driver's license today and had the most shocking experience! It took all of 15 minutes from walking in the door, the picture is acceptable and looks like me, the MVA clerk was friendly and chatty and we talked about all sorts of stuff (where we were from, etc) while he processed everything. Yay Parkville MVA extension office!

I should say that this was also true of the one that used to be in Towson. Now the main city MVA that was in Mondawmin, now Reisterstown Rd....uhg.

of the 7 things I listed on ebay, 3 sold and I netted over $50. happy with that. Unfortunately the biggest item did not sell. I am relisting and lowering the reserve, maybe get 5 more things listed this weekend. maybe the eggs.