I didn't get all that much done yesterday EXCEPT I replaced a washer in my kitchen sink faucet, eliminating a drip and also a much more expensive plumber visit. As is traditional, it took two trips to Home Depot, the first to get a wrench big enough to remove the faucet housing so I could get at the washer to compare with the washer I needed to buy.

At least if it happens again, I'll have the wrench. And also, the washers come in sets of two, so I'm Ready.

Well done, Theo!

In my Chinese history course, the professor just stated that a Chinese friend once told him, defying the usual Western impression, that what he admired about America was your lack of individuality, while the Chinese are too individualistic. I'm rather looking forward to finding out what goes behind that statement. (I'll be asking Biyi about it when she's awake.)

One tangential observation: China's first emperor oversaw a draconian system which harshly punished anyone for stepping outside their own role and the state's demands thereof. He's the guy who was buried with the terra cotta warriors. Every single terra cotta warrior looks different. They went to the great trouble of giving each one their own unique, individual features and even hairstyle. That is the army this most rigidly conformist state produced for its emperor.

I think definitions of ideas like "individualism" and "conformity" are more culturally-based than we realize. Someone from a different culture might have something in mind other than what we mean by those words. If you ever find out what prompted that statement, billytea, I'm very interested in knowing it.

brenda, I'm sorry about Gracie. How lovely that she passed so peacefully.

After my boss retired, I applied for his job and in sounds like I may finally get to hear the outcome of the search process soon. It's been the weirdest process ever (Lee may be the only one who appreciates this, but my interview was 1 hour long.)

Also, a friend of the family is in her final illness in Flordia, so good thoughts for a peaceful passing would be much appreciated for my Auntie Del.

Good thoughts for Auntie Del and job~ma for Sparky!

Random question: Do you pronounce the 't' in 'often'?

I switch back and forth--neither sounds right to me.

Mostly no, but when aware of my surroundings with people who have better pronunciation than my Texas regular speech, yes.

see also almost all soft e pronunciations and my general accent.

I grew up saying it without the 't'. That seems wrong now but when I pronounce the 't' sounds like an affectation.

offen.