Hello, all.

It's been a while. Let's see if I remember how to do this properly dusts keyboard.

It's the holidays here, which means I have time to read here a bit and post. Post with updates (my own version of Goodbye and Good Riddance) will come up later as it's getting late here.

For now, I'll start with a question: Mom and Sister will fly next week to the U.S. for some well deserving vacation time (after my sister's competition thing in MIT). They will mostly be in California (driving route 1) and Arizona. Map is available here, you might need to ask for permission: [link] They are wondering which mobile operator to choose that will allow them the best coverage during their adventures. Any advice, locals?

(If you're wondering about the route my sister had planned, it's the "avoid humans, see nature!" route).

(I am a bit excited about clicking that "post message" thing again. Truly am. It's been a while...)

demonology alternative (common cold cause by an unseen creature that invades the person and takes over the machinery of the body until it can be destroyed or expelled).

I'm totally behind a demonology grimoire describing germs and viruses as demons.

The demon "germ" that causes the common cold can't be effectively expelled; you just have to wait until it gets bored with you and leaves. It's recommended that the possessed sleep a lot and watch television, and be as quiet and boring as possible. It dislikes oranges; consuming these may hasten its departure.

Hello, Shir! Always good to see your pixels! I have no advice about the southwest, myself, but I hope your mom and sister enjoy their vacation!

Shir, about the only advice I have for mobile carriers is "not Sprint". I recently changed from AT&T to T-Mobile (for BS billing and corporate politics reasons, not coverage. But the one thing that everyone agreed on when I was shopping around was "not Sprint") - I think they both do okay for coverage. But that's only around San Diego County, and to a certain extent, LA and Santa Barbara, I've spent very little time in Arizona or inland California.

Side note, I was very excited when I saw Ted Williams Pkwy on their itinerary - that's super-close to me! Then remembered that they don't actually know me. So never mind.

Looks like they have a lovely trip planned, Shir. I would also concur with the "not Sprint" vote, but I'm sure others have more to add.

So my colleague and I turned in our grant proposal today. From our point of view, it's all done. Now we cross our fingers and wait. Won't hear until March. I may be a stress case then.

I just had an absurd work conversation about panties and sexy nuns.

There were moments here that involved a priest and nipple clips.

Congrats, Burrell!

I just picked up a ton of produce, and came home and ate pimento cheese on potato chips for dinner. Eh.

Shir! I got nothin' on the phone coverage, sorry. But it's nice to see your pixels. I hope your family has a nice trip, whatever carrier they choose.

I just picked up a ton of produce, and came home and ate pimento cheese on potato chips for dinner. Eh.

same. Am supposed to be doing a 10 day whole food restricted diet cleanse with friends....just ordered wings and fries for dinner.

I just bought a bunch of veg from the farmers market, but if TCG hadn't cooked dinner, I would have had a bag of doritos and a glass of milk.