Saturday Open Thread

I bet something interesting has happened.

Comments

[Jane]

As of 7:00 AM not, but it's early yet.

Sure is purdy out there with nearly a foot of new snow.

[PeterUK]

There's foot of snow here too

[clarice]

Good morning, Jane and JOM!

[Jane]

That's just weird PUK

[Jane]

Anyone else thing Rahmbo will be gone before Blag is?

[sbw]

Another foot of warmening.

[centralcal]

As I was listening to the newsies yesterday, listing all the reasons Illinois can't seem to be able to get rid of Blago anytime soon, I again thought that he should surround himself with security people. It is Chicago, after all. I'd be a little worried if I was him.

[peter]

Rush Limbaugh mentioned yesterday that Michelle Obama has NEVER stayed in Obama's Washington apartment in the four Senatorial years. I wonder how long before the mainstream media tires of holding the One's water and starts blabbing about his girlfriend. Lemme see, what was her name again.......Baker?

[clarice]

peter, It's expensive for Congressmen to maintain two residences. A couple of them even live in their offices, some share houses on Capitol Hill, and I expect that O's apartment is barely habitable--a tiny something used only when he's attending the Senate which has not been often.

I doubt it is a comfortable place for two.

[pagar]

Good morning to all!
We have no snow, the sunrise was absolutely beautiful, the temp 72 degrees with a nice breeze, perfect for a walk.

Those who have wondered how a Congressman could afford a pilgrimage to Hajj, need do so no longer. Jihad Watch didn't have to dig
far to get the info.

"Ellison: Hajj was transformative," by Mitch Anderson for the Minneapolis/St. Paul Star Tribune, December 18 (thanks to T.K.):"

"His expenses were paid for by the Muslim American Society of Minnesota."

"Muslim Congressman's Hajj paid for by Muslim Brotherhood front group"

"The Muslim Brotherhood "must understand that their work in America is a kind of grand Jihad in eliminating and destroying the Western civilization from within and "sabotaging" its miserable house by their hands and the hands of the believers so that it is eliminated and God's religion is made victorious over all other religions." -- "An Explanatory Memorandum on the General Strategic Goal for the Brotherhood in North America," by Mohamed Akram, May 19, 1991."

LUN

The most ethical Congress ever?

Atlas Shrugs has the story too. Plus in an 11 Dec story they noted that the Congressman was there urging Muslims to fill the 8000 jobs the Obama administration has available.

[clarice]

It seems to me O has other ideas for those positions.

[Porter]

Mornin' all-

Saturday trivia: American Gothic , by Grant Wood, was named as such for the house in the background. The gentleman on the right was his dentist, and the woman? His sister-in-law.

Don't get me started on Helga...

[Thomas Collins]

I agree, Jane, that Blago has better "hanging on" odds than RE. It all depends on how negotiations with Fitzy go. Blago is smart to hold onto the gubernatorial position as a possible trade in a plea deal.

Another interesting bet would be Blago lasts in his office longer than Zero lasts as POTUS. The odds favor Zero, but for gamblers who like long shots, Blago is a decent one.

[clarice]

NE liberals are already bitching about The One per newsbusters and ME Moslems per a Chicago paper (I think the Trib) have caught on that he's not about to turn DC into another Mecca.
Scales falling from eyes even before the swearing in.

[Thomas Collins]

The likelihood is that Zero is "stepping out" on Michelle because, although this is not a discussion for polite company, folks of all genders who have the opportunity to "step out" typically do so (the "baby looks like the milkman" line didn't develop out of thin air). But if Zero has an ounce of self control and is discreet about it, MSM won't touch this issue.

[Jane]

Another interesting bet would be Blago lasts in his office longer than Zero lasts as POTUS.

Wouldn't that be fun?

[Jim Miller]

They are predicting a nasty winter storm here in the Puget Sound area, snow and wind, with gusts up to 90 miles per hour in some places. For some reason, they are predicting that the snow will be heaviest to the west, and the winds strongest to the east in the Cascade foothills.

I've put out the feeder for my hummingbirds. I hope the little ladies survive the storm.

I suppose that I should probably tie some things down on the deck, too. And charge up my laptop and my netbook, now that I think about it.

[Jim Miller]

They are predicting a nasty winter storm here in the Puget Sound area, snow and wind, with gusts up to 90 miles per hour in some places. For some reason, they are predicting that the snow will be heaviest to the west, and the winds strongest to the east in the Cascade foothills.

I've put out the feeder for my hummingbirds. I hope the little ladies survive the storm.

I suppose that I should probably tie some things down on the deck, too. And charge up my laptop and my netbook, now that I think about it.

[Jim Miller]

They are predicting a nasty winter storm here in the Puget Sound area, snow and wind, with gusts up to 90 miles per hour in some places. For some reason, they are predicting that the snow will be heaviest to the west, and the winds strongest to the east in the Cascade foothills.

I've put out the feeder for my hummingbirds. I hope the little ladies survive the storm.

I suppose that I should probably tie some things down on the deck, too. And charge up my laptop and my netbook, now that I think about it.

But I may be able to do some more cross country skiing later, so it isn't all bad news.

[clarice]

You can say that again Jim. Stay well..My 89 y.o. mom just called for our weekly chat about the weather. ;^) It is a major pasttime in Fla to keep abreast of how rotten the weather is elsewhere. Since I'm already here (though in another part of the state, we could share her fret about how awful it will be for me to get home tomorrow.

[clarice]

You can say that again Jim. Stay well..My 89 y.o. mom just called for our weekly chat about the weather. ;^) It is a major pasttime in Fla to keep abreast of how rotten the weather is elsewhere. Since I'm already here (though in another part of the state, we could share her fret about how awful it will be for me to get home tomorrow.

[Captain Hate]

I expect that O's apartment is barely habitable

All the cigarette butts.....

[Rick Ballard]

Have all JOMers completed their holiday shopping? I finished up yesterday (very early for me) and was surprised at the amount of merchandise stacked up at Penney's and Macy's. Usually I'm kicking myself because the shelves are a bit bare or sizes a little difficult to find. Not this year.

No problem with a parking space yesterday either. All the outlying lots were empty and I wound up all of 30 yards from the mall entrance. Is everyone experiencing this or I was I just lucky?

[Jim Miller]

Sorry for the multiple posts. For some reason I kept getting server errors and thought I wasn't posting anything.

[Jane]

I finished, and just went out in the snow for my fruit and vegetables which will be stored in green bags until Wednesday. I still have to get the salmon and the tree - which I will do on Wednesday.

The presents are purchased but not wrapped. In our family the best stuff comes in the stocking, so they get bigger and bigger as the years go on.

[bunky]

Al Franken. Is there anything else to say?

[centralcal]

All my shopping was completed on Thursday, all the gifts are wrapped, mailings went out earlier in the week.

Now, I'm just sitting back and enjoying the decorations, the lights, the scents, and the sounds (music). These final few days are always the really best part of the Christmas season.

[centralcal]

Jane: I haven't yet tried the green bags. Are they really as good as advertised?

[MayBee]

My kids each one big gift this year, so shopping was really easy. It is sunny and in the 50s here, but there is snow in the distant mountains out my window.

I heard somewhere there is a nasty winter storm headed for the Puget Sound area. Anybody else hear about that?

[centralcal]

Reading around this morning, I see that Erik Erikson from RedState will be one of the occasional panelists in the new Hannity format. (A lefty, a righty, and a "wild" card).

That got me thinking about other bloggers who would be good for such a stint. How about Clarice from JOM (as the righty)? We have lots of commenters here who would also make terrific "wild" cards. giggle.

[Patrick R. Sullivan]

Oh yes, Maybee. On top of the snow and ice we PacNWers are supposed to have high winds later today. I always lose power during such because trees get blown across power lines. I've got my generator positioned outside the garage, so I won't miss the really interesting thing scheduled today; Gonzaga v. U Conn on CBS at 1:00 PM (4:00 Eastern).

[MayBee]

PRS- I think you may be wrong about where you live. I was certain you were in Chicago.

Rick- My Cookie QC program is progressing well. Cookies were still testing as "fresh" at 8:00 am. Next I'm thinking I'll make toffee. Like celery, you burn more calories eating it than it actually has.

I hold a firm belief that a home should not be without cookies between Thanksgiving and New Years Day.

[Thomas Collins]

I'm about to start my XMas shopping. I believe in getting ahead of the crowd. :-)))

[peter]

The likelihood is that Zero is "stepping out" on Michelle because, although this is not a discussion for polite company, folks of all genders who have the opportunity to "step out" typically do so (the "baby looks like the milkman" line didn't develop out of thin air). But if Zero has an ounce of self control and is discreet about it, MSM won't touch this issue. (end quote)

ON the other hand, if National Enquirer makes the MSM look bad again, ala John Edwards' love child, they could very well do so.

[Jane]

I haven't yet tried the green bags. Are they really as good as advertised?

Yeah, I think so. I bought a bunch of asparagus 3 weeks ago, 2 more bunches today for Christmas dinner and the first bunch is as fresh as the ones I bought today. Since there is only one of me I throw out a lot of vegetables. Far fewer with green bags.

Watch the price. They are about $10 a box typically, but I found a bunch at the Christmas Tree shop that were something like 2 boxes for $4.00. I think a lot of people are making them now.

[clarice]

narciso, your name is in lights. (This just went up and therefore I just noticed the typo which I've asked the 4editor to correct.)

http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/deep-throat-too-late-the-hero/

[narciso]

Al Franken in the Senate, 'lord love a duck' or put it another way, Jar Jar Binks wasn't available. It's going to be a loong
four years. Actually SNL should stop writing
Blago' speeches, at least be credited in part; except for the Goodfellaesque swearing
it mimicked what he actually did.

Sorry, for the freakout yesterday, over the Wasilla dustup, it looks like the Simpsonesque 'nothing to see here' sign was posted at Memeorandum, and even the tabloids obliged with only inside tidbits. It just seemed like the last straw that broke the Camel's back. For at least eight years now, too many principles have been reviled or distorted, too many heroes and heroines have been demonized. Too many pretenders have been held up as genuine. I used to think that some of the religious right claims about persecution based on faith in this country were overblowned; than came his superstorm gale upon the Governor of Alaska. The fact that Caroline
and Mark Felt are held up as heroes, while
others are 'run over by a reindeer' was too strong to avoid.

[BobS]

Nice piece of Felt, Clarice. Sadly I'm afraid you and our friend Narisco won't have your accuracies accepted for another 100 years or so. Not unlike the evil mischaracterizations by Dems with their BDS.

[MayBee]

(This just went up and therefore I just noticed the typo which I've asked the 4editor to correct.)

perfect.

[clarice]

HEH

[Thomas Collins]

Actually, narciso, given how MSM has treated Palin and her family, I would say that was a measured reaction

[clarice]

Thanks, BobS..It was narciso's brilliant observation that formed the basis of the piece.
And the editor, Rick Moran luckily caught the typo before I did.

If I am ever beset by partisan pygmies I want narciso at my back.

[narciso]

Wow, I feel pleased to have provided any assistance in the matter. I guess I've been pondering Felt since I came across his now long out of print memoir; "the FBI Pyramid"
in a public library, where he pshawed any speculation that he was Deep Throat. The more interesting and infuriating part came
from a NY Times piece that referenced Cuban
govt assistance to the SDS figures like
Hayden, Rudd, and of course Ayers; which would later become the Weather Underground.
I didn't make the connection at first, to what Felt had done, and the failure to bring
to justice that crew.

One wonders if later in life he meditated on what he brought about. The Woodward book
(anyone who buys Woodward for insight is buying a pig in a poke) and even his own
bio, evinces no awareness of this. For his foes were really worthy of his efforts. He didn't elaborate but they were following the
classic foco strategy pursued by Guevara
refined Marighela; the consequences of such were outlined to Grathwohl. It didn't seem to matter, that particular strategy gave the Brazilian junta a decade or more lease on life, empowered similar regimes in Uruguay and Bolivia; and brought untold hardship in Chile and Argentina.

[narciso]

Ah, well, tell Rick thanks for noticing my mistake, and to consider by commentary as suggestions on how to improve the show. You know when I'm writing in this Type Pad box, I might as well be in Rick Warren's 'cone of silence'

[tropopels]

Ïî ñðàâíåíèþ ñ ïðîøëûì ïîñòîì, íåáî è çåìëÿ.

[centralcal]

Life in the 1500's

This was fun to read on a boring Saturday. Lordy, am I glad to live in the 21st century!!

A sample:

Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.

[Fithian]

I see the Luciferians are posting in tongues, now. The newly spare style is a definite improvement!

[DrJ]

CCal, yesterday's email didn't come through. Would you try again please?

[DrJ]

JMH, check your email.

[PeterUK]

"This was fun to read on a boring Saturday. Lordy, am I glad to live in the 21st century!!"

Not for long,if the Algorobama has its way.

[Thomas Collins]

The Target and Shoppers World in Framingham are pretty busy, Rick Ballard. I guess a lot of folks in Boston and surrounding areas are slackards (such a I) who delayed XMas shopping.

[Rick Ballard]

Thanks, TC. Lots of people are crossing their fingers over this weekend. From NY to Beijing.

[Pal2Pal (Sara)]

Today I'm doing something exciting, at least for me.

A friend of mine turned me onto a luxury highrise apt. building that caters to those like me, who are living on low fixed retirement incomes and are over 55 or over 50 with a disability.

The building is about 6 blocks up the hill overlooking San Diego and the SD harbor. My friend has a 12th floor apt., with a wall of windows facing the Bay and a million dollar view.

The problem is they are quite small, studios and 1 BRs, but the rent is based on your income and the maximum is $484 mo. My friend pays $210 a mo. The building has full amenities like a computer room, gym, card and TV rooms, Jacuzzi, etc. We figure with my income an apt. like his would cost me between $330 & $400.

I'm worried about the size, but then remember that since losing my house last year, I've been helping the kids and my 1/3 share of the rent is $750 and all I get is my BR and, of course, the benefit of a house with pool and spa, although going up and downstairs kills my back. I hate living here with the kids, so I'm quite excited at the idea that there is an out for me that is well within my budget and might allow me to have money left over for actual living and having a real life and get my independence back.

They have shuttles that you can take to the grocery store or if you have mobility problems it will take you downtown or to any of three medical centers that are in the area, which means I'd rarely have to use my car. The shuttles are free for residents. For those of you familiar with SD, the apt. is about 3 blocks above Western School of Law. The building diagonally across the street are high-priced condos that start at about $700,000 and go up over a million, so the neighborhood is decent.

So keep your fingers crossed for me that first, the place will be big enough that I could live there without feeling claustrophobic and that they have a West facing apt. available. I understand that once you are approved, you have the right to refuse up to 3 places until the right one comes vacant. It can take up to 6 mo. to get in. The right of refusal is good for 1 year. Brett got in about 45 days after his application was approved. He says everyone in the building is nice, clean, and quiet. No bums allowed. Very social. Lots of bridge/card games at all hours in the card room, someone almost always ready to shoot pool, and football watching parties on the weekends. He says he is always getting little treats left at his door, but I figure a single good looking older man is fair game for the widows. :: grin :: Oh and highspeed Internet is available as part of the rent. Brett says his only extra expense is electric $25 a mo., beats the $400 a mo. we pay here and I have to contribute to, and his phones. He even sold his car, takes the train or trolley almost anywhere he wants to go or rents a car for the weekend if the train isn't convenient.

If I can qualify, like the place, and can get the right apt., I might even have enough money left over to take the next cruise. And having someone who I've been friends with for over 30 years in the same building and who at one time was a business partner and as another plus he is as big a computer geek as I am. They used to call me, Brett and our friend, who retired with his new bride to Costa Rica, the Three Musketeers. We have an easy going friendship that goes back to our coming of age years.

[clarice]

Sara, That sounds perfect. I have everything crossed for you.

[narciso]

Nothing says Christmas, like untranslatable Russian spam.

[DrJ]

Sara, best wishes with apartment! It sound like you are excited!

[pagar]

Sara, that sounds great, hope it works out for you.

[PeterUK]

Looks like Armenian.

[peter]

Joe Conason wants to know What's Obama Hiding about Blago? LUN

[centralcal]

Sara: Congrats on the apartment find. Sounds terrific.

Dr. J: I tried again and found my problem, I think. The email link that you gave me ended with %20 (what is that?). I deleted that part and hopefully, an email will arrive!

[DrJ]

cc, it did come through. I navigated your spam blocker; look for my reply.

[Rick Ballard]

Conason is going to appear even more stupid than usual when Blag gets the tapes and Rahm 'snippets' start showing up in the press. I wonder if he kept his Clinton knee pads in anticipation of this moment?

[Extraneus]

Fairly pithy, whatever it is.

[Porchlight]

Sara, good luck with the apartment! It sounds terrific.

[Rick Ballard]

Perhaps Conason could email these two AP reporters for some help? It appears that they might have some actual real live sources for their story - rather than Conason's resort to style points for artful lying.

Stay tough, Blag! Fight 'til your last stinking, rotten, fetid, Chicago sewer redolent breath!

[MayBee]

Good luck, Sara. I think you will be surprised how quickly you can adapt to a smaller living space. Especially in an apartment building with lots of common area. The Hong Kong apartment our family lived in was half the living space of the house we moved out of, and it took us no time to adjust.
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

[matt]

did someone say that there was big storm coming into Seattle?

Narciso;

one of your best posts yet. Unfortunately it's as if there are two universes these days. The Left and the Rest of Us. The Left is firmly in control of the media, and that's what we get. Obama, Caroline Kennedy, Al Franken, Blagojevich, Dodd, Jackson Jr., Rangel get free passes and Palin's future MIL gets the 3rd degree.

Bill O'Reilly spoke at the Nixon Library last night and pointed out a pair of Op/Ed pieces last week; one in the NYT, the other in the Wall Street Journal, on torture. You would think they were written in different planets.

History will be the judge, but the culture of the West is dying fast....feels like it may have in oh, AD430 or so.....

[caro]

Sara, that sounds great for you. Trading a bit of space for your independence will be well worth it. Consider the outdoors your living room. Do you play bridge? I just love it and it is one of the reasons I live where I do. Well, that and the skiing.

[clarice]

My husband and I just took a walk on the beach/It's almost sunset on the Gulf of Mexico and the beach was lined with rows of sea birds as if they were paying homage to the setting sun. Although I'm sure they were just scanning the horizon for the evening meal---esp the littlest ones looking for scraps from the gulls and pelicans.

[bgates]

Palin's future MIL
It's not even that, it's her daughter's future mother-in-law. Try to imagine the 5th graders in the press suggesting Hillary would be unfit for office because Chelsea? Was going to marry this guy? And his mom? Abused painkiller medication.

[DrJ]

I just love it and it is one of the reasons I live where I do. Well, that and the skiing.

With respect, Caro, but you seemed to pop up around cruise time. Where is it that you live?

Welcome!

[narciso]

I would hope not, Matt, although I sometimes fear that we may be reaching the time of the Social Wars, which occurred a generation after the Jugurthan wars, a fitting parallel to the our current adventures in the Near East and South West Asia. There factions gave up civil politics as generals became warlords, proscriptions became law, and the Roman Republic took yet another step toward Empire.

I don't care about Kathleen Johnson's fate that much, she appears to be a detestable human being and a pathetic parent. Some of Levi's more idiosyncratic behavior maybe due to her upbringing. I am concerned about
the Alaskan authorities, who have loath to discipline their ranks, and actually defended unethical behavior trying to get back at Sarah, through pressure on Johnson
to tarnish the Palin family name. Why couldn't they have waited a day, in order not to make unwarranted associations. As we've seen it doesn't have to be true, or even plausible it just has to be in print somewhere.

[caro]

Dr.J. I have lurked for years and it was Jane on the cruise who said "You should post more!" so I am. This brainy and fun group was very intimidating but really is so welcoming and friendly.

I live in Park City, Utah. I was going to pop up and say to you that my daughter and her family live in Chico so I pass through your area when visiting her there. Loved your tree and altitude comments. I find the oaks growing in the foothills very beautiful.

[caro]

Dr.J. I have lurked for years and it was Jane on the cruise who said "You should post more!" so I am. This brainy and fun group was very intimidating but really is so welcoming and friendly.

I live in Park City, Utah. I was going to pop up and say to you that my daughter and her family live in Chico so I pass through your area when visiting her there. Loved your tree and altitude comments. I find the oaks growing in the foothills very beautiful.

[caro]

I have just learned that when I hit reload it posts again. Darn!

[clarice]

Caro..My former partner, now a theatrical producer lives in Park City and loves it. His little brother is the mayor of Salt Lake City--quite a distance from the D.C. they both grew up in and the St Alban's crowd they were part of.

[MarkO]

Duke won. Nothing else matters.

[PeterUK]

THis OxyContin arrest looks like the Limbaugh stitch up.Seems a bit overboard for a medium painkiller.

[caro]

Clarice, I absolutely love Park City. It is, unfortunately, a blue island, but otherwise has everything going for it. I have been here for three years, tomorrow. I hope you mean the new mayor of SLC and not the old one, Rocky Anderson.

[clarice]

The new one. Their parents were Republicans (in fact, their mom in her nineties I believe ,still is.)Their dad was a former Ambassador to Honduras.He was instrumental in the creation of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Wolf Trap Farm park before which there was little cultural life in D.C. at all.

[Caro]

Clarice, is your former partner involved in our local theater?

[bad]

Sara, best of luck with the apartment. It sounds wonderful.

We are still Christmas shopping but we never start until mid December and just need a few things. Most everything is wrapped with a few bows to make. All of the stuff to mail was sent least week. Monday is shopping day for Christmas dinner.

I'm glad you are posting Caro. Every point of view is another chance to expand understanding.

[Caro]

Sounds like a huge cultural gain for Utah. Just too bad about the politics.

[Fithian]

Clarice's sunset on the Gulf sounds loverly, but I must admit, what I envy is Thomas Collins' weather:

It's quiet. The misty snow is swirling around the Custom House Tower. The office heat is working.

Must be those ancestors from waaaaay up north.

[Caro]

Thank you so much, Bad. When one is a conservative and an artist, it causes a disconnect with a lot of people. I find the philosophies completely compatible.

[DrJ]

Jane on the cruise who said "You should post more!" so I am. This brainy and fun group was very intimidating but really is so welcoming and friendly.

Please do post continue to post -- who would argue with Jane?! Hit would mudwrestle for you, and that is a good thing.

Park City is lovely -- almost as good as NorCal! *grin*

[clarice]

Not to my knowledge. As far as I know most of his work is in LA, Chicago and NY.I can't tell from what you sent the full list of people involved in your theater..I'll take a second look.

[sbw]

Sarah Palin's daughter's future mother-in-law is so not news.

[Antimedia]

The email link that you gave me ended with %20 (what is that?).

%20 is a space. You'll see if sometimes in web urls that have spaces in them (usually done by Windows users who are unaware that you're not supposed to use spaces in web urls.) For example, http:/www.mywebsite.com/my%20pictures/

[Caro]

As far as I know most of his work is in LA, Chicago and NY.

This is the amazing thing about Park City. We have a 30 minute drive to the airport which has direct flights to all major cities. Yet it is a small mountain town. It is pretty easy to work elsewhere and lots of people do.

[clarice]

I think that's a major reason they moved there. They were continually on the road, love skiing and figured they might as well move there and enjoy it. (I think they are also considering a pied a terre in L.A. as work takes them there a lot and as Park City sometimes seems a little confining.) But they love it there.

[bad]

Blago Nude Painting:

The scene imagines Blagojevich handcuffed and wearing an orange jumpsuit pulled down to his knees.

Among the onlookers is a guard, with a look of grim determination, pulling on a rubber glove.

The painting, which is taking Elliott a little over a week to finish, is titled: "The Cavity Search."

That perfect gift...

[Porter]

Anybody done any checking on TeamSarah? I just tripped across this post (LUN) and the facts are spot on. She's just missing the Axelrod/Daley/Wilhelm stuff and the Hyde Park gang but you really need to be immersed to know that angle. (or be a political junkie ,who, me?!?)

I'm pretty familiar with all this story, just curious if it's worth digging deeper into her stuff.

Back later.

[Porter]

Sara-

Your apartment find makes those of us over looking Lake Michigan quite jealous, especially facing -2 temps tomorrow.

Bon Chance!

[Porchlight]

When one is a conservative and an artist, it causes a disconnect with a lot of people. I find the philosophies completely compatible.

Ditto being a conservative and a librarian, Caro.

[Extraneus]

True, sbw, but the weird hatred for Sarah Palin certainly is news, and seems worthy of analysis and reflection. It suggests an ugly and potentially dangerous force in our society. Even if I were a "liberal," I'd be concerned about this predilection. The paintings bad linked are just more evidence of the danger.

[narciso]

It does seem silly in retrospect. You know a sign of absurdity, when you see a piece in the National Examiner, and you have to dismiss it because it's based on the old discredited 'towel and Africa is a country' memes of Newsweek and Carl Cameron. By the way isn't there a touch of similarity between Kathleen Johnson and Kathleen Parker; much more than the Marge Gunderson/Sarah one.

[DebinNC]

Sara, the apartment sounds wonderful. FWIW, the average dorm room (for 2) is around 10x14 with one window.

No green bag? The waxy, inner bag cereal comes in works well for me in a pinch.

[glasater]

Just got home from an afternoon of photography out in five degree temperatures. I had so much cold weather clothes on that I could barely bend--but the sun was shining and it was stunningly beautiful with about two feet plus of snow. The temp is officially minus one degree at the moment.
The storm clouds were gathering up as I was coming home and a snow storm is headed East from above the Seattle toward our SE corner of WA state. The Palouse area is due to get ten to seventeen inches of snow--quite a spread there to cover the bases I guess--and know we will get our share of this storm.
The weatherman has been surprisingly accurate in recent weeks.

Good news about the possibility of your new digs Sara. Wish I were in SD right about now:-)