Last Night

I was at work until one in the morning: rescuing unprepared clients with their proposal (A $100 milion dollar proposal! You'd think they might try to get it prepared a day or so early. No?). Argh! Then I had to get up at 5 AM to go teach my spin class. Double Argh!

But I'm leaving early today to go home and relax. A cold front blew through last night and the weather is back to a reasonable range, and my condo is a delightful 71° again.

I may go over to the Apple Store this afternoon and look at the iMac 20" again. I could really use a new machine at home that I could actually run Bryce and Poser on. And a bigger screen than my little 17" CRT would be nice...

I hate the heat

It's 97° here, heat index of 'just' 103°

Barf. My A/C at home has been laboring the last few days, the temp creeping up to the mid 70's by the time I get home (yes I am bad, I keep it at 72° in the summer; I can't sleep when it's hot).

Tomorrow is supposed to be the last day before a cold front rolls in and the temps drop to the mid-80's. Whew.

Another busy weekend

Taught both mornings (sixteen people at my Saturday class, I think that's a new high! Six at my Sunday class, including C., an instructor who substitutes for me sometimes.) Saturday afternoon I had to go into work (bleah) then Sunday afternoon went to a going-away thing for a co-worker, then got a massage -- well deserved I think after teaching 6 classes in 5 days! It was great.

Rules for Tourists Visiting DC

Courtesy of Enviroboi, this article in today's Wasington Post pretty much says it all...

(I've added some comments of my own throughout, in italics)

Welcome to D.C.; Watch Where You're Going

By John Kelly

Hello! If you are reading this column, it's because you're a tourist visiting Washington.

Your hotel concierge might have handed this to you. Or your cabdriver. Or perhaps it was a resident of Washington, who encountered you on our acclaimed Metro system and, concerned for your well-being, thrust it into your hands.

So, what's this all about? Let's just consider it some friendly advice designed to make your stay in Washington more enjoyable. Or, more accurately, designed to make your stay in Washington more enjoyable for us , the people who actually live here. It's a little something I call "Rules for a Tourist in Washington, D.C."

1. Stand to the right. Even though Washington voted overwhelmingly for John Kerry in the last election, it is still part of the United States of America. (At least last time I checked!) And in the United States, we drive on the right and pass on the left.

That's an easy way to remember what to do on the escalators of our acclaimed Metro system. Do not clog the escalator like a blood clot in an artery. Do not stand in a big, impenetrable clump. Stand to the right so we may carefully climb past you. Hey, we have a train to catch!

And just because you are walking down the escalator doesn't mean you can block it anyway; especially if you are walking verrry slooowly in your ridiculous flip-flops (toe-removal waiting to happen) and yakking with your friend...

2. Get out of the way. The rules of physics apply as inexorably in Washington as they do where you come from. That means two objects may not occupy the same space simultaneously. When the escalator deposits you on the platform, you must get out of the way. If you stand there, congratulating each other for having successfully ridden your first escalator, we're going to run into you.

Please move aside smartly so that others may complete their escalator ride.

OMG yes

3. Let people off the train before boarding, then move to the center of the car. When the train arrives and the doors open, there will probably be people on it who want to get off. Let them. You may then board. But don't tarry just inside the door. Keep moving. This makes room for others.

There have been so many times people have tried to shove their way on as we were getting off -- and not just tourists.

4. The train is not a piece of gymnastics apparatus. Yes, those silver poles inside a Metro train look like something from the Summer Olympics, but they are not to play with. They are to hold onto. Resist the temptation to entertain your buddies by seeing how many chin-ups you can do. Do not allow your child to spin on them, no matter how cute you might think it looks.

If I had a nickel for every time I saw this action, accompanied by an ineffectual "Justin! Stop swinging on the pole and sit down!"

5. Single file please! Our sidewalks might seem wide, but, frankly, we've noticed that you're kind of on the wide side, too. And when five or six of you line up side by side you resemble a phalanx, the impenetrable Macedonian battle formation. We can't get past you on the way to our meeting with the president or, more likely, to the Starbucks.

Please don't hog the sidewalk.

Yes! And in Georgetown, the sidewalks aren't even wide...

6. Keep it moving. Perhaps you come from a part of our great nation that moves at a slower pace. It might be common for you to stop on the sidewalk, take off your hat, scratch your head, hike up your pants, then ask an old friend how his silage is getting on.

We don't do that here. The wheels of commerce and government turn constantly. We have places to go and people to see. Bills don't turn into laws by themselves, ya know! We don't expect you to be so hyperactive -- after all, you're on vacation. We only ask that you not stop dead in the middle of the sidewalk (see No. 5, above). If you must caucus with your fellow touristi, please move to the side so we can get past you.

7. Drive carefully. There might come a day when we all laugh about how you can't negotiate a traffic circle. Or how one-way streets flummox you. Or how you stop in the middle of the street to look at your map or snap a photo of the Lincoln Memorial.

But that day isn't here yet. If you think you might be a hazard to others, consider parking your car and walking.

Don't forget the ones who cut maniacally across three lanes of traffic because suddenly they see their exit...

8. Dress appropriately. We know it's hot here in the summer. (Although, arguably, it's not the heat; it's the humidity.) We understand why the ladies among you might be tempted to wear a belly-revealing halter with spaghetti straps and cotton shorts that say "CHEER" across the butt, and the men a mesh tank top, cutoffs and flip-flops. But, please, that is inappropriate attire for many of Washington's attractions: Arlington National Cemetery, the Senate and House, our war memorials. . . . Show some respect.

9. Enjoy your stay. Really. We mean it. You could have chosen to go anywhere and you came here, to our town. Thank you.

What about strollers!?! Goddam strollers that people insist on running onto the escalator and blocking it up, or using as battering rams as they get on and off the Metro...

Oh sure, it's easy for me to make fun of the aggravating things tourists do. But there must be another side. What does D.C. do to aggravate tourists? If you've ever visited Washington and been annoyed by something you encountered, drop me a line: kellyj@washpost.com.

Subway searches

Gene laments the loss of another freedom here, but as far as I'm concerned it's not much different than the airline terminal searches.

When I was in Italy like 15 years ago, when we were leaving Rome, I was pulled aside without warning as I entered the Leonardo da Vinci airport. My friend, who was allowed to pass, turned around and had the most priceless look of "WTF?" on his face. A policewoman literally held a submachine gun to my head while her male counterpart searched my bag. When he found the little souvenir statue of David, he made a funny laugh/snort sound of derision, tossed it back in the bag, and they let me go.

I was also searched in the Zurich airport well before searches started here (1999), but as they explained apologetically while examining my laptop, there was a war going on not that far away.

So, no I'm not thrilled about searches, but I'm also a little nervous every time I ride the Blue/Orange Metro through the tunnel between DC and VA. Blow up a train in that tunnel and the Yellow line bridge across the Potomac and you'd cripple this city for weeks. And people are constantly on those trains with luggage, headed for National Airport.

I'm surprised they haven't started more rigorous security already; I'm more concerned about the Library record searches and related privacy issues.

It is nice that they killed the silly "30 minute Rule" though:

30-Minute Airport Rule to Be Lifted
Reagan National Policy Is Among Homeland Security Changes
By Spencer S. Hsu and Sara Kehaulani Goo
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, July 14, 2005

U.S. authorities will suspend a rule that has kept airline passengers in their seats for 30 minutes while approaching or taking off from Reagan National Airport, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced yesterday as he unveiled a broad reorganization of his fledgling department.

The unpopular 2001 restriction has been rendered obsolete by security improvements, including hardened cockpit doors and armed federal air marshals aboard Washington flights, Chertoff said. Calling the change an example of the department's new flexibility, officials said they will lift the rule next week after issuing directives to airlines.

The Island Movie

All this talk about The Island being derivative, and I have yet to see a mention of the movie that it seems by far the most derivative of: Parts: The Clonus Horror, which I only saw with the fabulously twisted help of Mystery Science Theater 3000.

Brokeback Mountain

Hmm, thank you, Rebel Prince and Towelrod for this update on a potentially fabulous movie (even if it is a western). Check out the link to the poster!

*Sigh*

Ego Boost

I subbed again for Stacy at the 1211 Club (aka 'the gay club') yesterday again at lunch time, and wow it is so different from the people out at Clarendon in VA (all of 5 miles away). The class was almost full, and some people sing along with the music, and at the end they applauded and almost everyone came up to me afterwards to thank me and tell me what a great class it was! Sigh. (Oh, and despite it being the 'gay club,' as far as I can tell only one of the guys in the class was probably gay; it's about half women too).

Oh, and my boss the Stepford Barbie (she has generally been nice to me, though I think there has been some class maneuvering behind my back) is leaving! Lots of turnover at WSC, since Mitch and Vicky are gone too, and Doug-Doug has quit to study for the Bar.

Teaching at Clarendon has become kind of a drag. In fact, my favorite thing about it now is stopping by the Whole Foods across the street afterwards for something fun to eat.

My Desk

My desk at work is total chaos, as you can see here. Papers, stacks of CDs, and no less than three computers (all Macs, thank you). My desk is also littered with funky toys and things that my co-works seem to find both fasinating and baffling. They include little models of the original Lost in Space Robot and the original Mars Sojurner Rover, numerous clipped comic strips, and other odd items. The coolest new addition is this:


Just to the right of my main Mac, it's my new Lava Lamp (or 'blob lamp' as my sister and I used to call them}. It's kind of soothing to watch the blobs drift up and down...

James Doohan has died

From Sci-fi Daily: R.I.P. James "Scotty" Doohan. Good old Scotty. He was great even in the movies; I loved the sequence in ST:IV where he and McCoy (also sadly gone) were offering the formula for transparent aluminum to this plexiglass manufacturer in return for some sheets of plexi for their Bird of Prey. Scotty was priceless interacting with the little Mac Plus: Hello, Computer!

Testing...

Doing some minor layout tweaks.

There was this guy in the locker room at the gym today... whew! Hawt.

Neither Rain nor snow...

There's something weird going on with the mail... everything is slow. I was afraid my mortgage payment was going to be late because it took a whole week to clear. Maybe they're back to checking everything for anthraax or something after the London business.

Monday

To quote the fabulous Dan Renzi,Hello, and welcome to your Monday. I hope all is going well for you.

I am doing ok after another busy (for me) weekend. Saturday: class at 10:00 am, then went to see Fantastic Four with V. Not so fantastic really. It was one of those movies where all the best parts were already in the trailer. Though extended shots of Chris Evans wearing nothing but a fleece coat around his hips, and in that skintight FF uniform (awesome ass) were appreciated. Went to bed early, after watching SG-1 (corny plot but I'm already liking Ben Browder again).

Sunday: class again at 10:00, then went to visit C. at his condo for the afternoon to hang out at the pool. Was nice to just relax, and there was actually some eye candy as well. Had a tasty dinner at a Vietnamese place. Hung around until pretty late, got home and went to bed.

This morning, argh! I opened my contacts case to find that I had forgotten to put solution in the little bucket! Contacts: dry and wrinkly. Ironic that I have never done this even after drinking, and last night I did it because I was just really tired. Fortunately a 1/2 hour soak in saline brought them back to life. I did not want to invest in a new pair of my rather expensive toric leses (no, I do not have disposables).

The Weekend

Well I'm about to head out of the office and home for the evening. It's a night of Sci-fi, but I probably won't watch anything tonight, let TiVo handle it for me.

Tomorrow morning is my usual 10:00 am spin class at Capitol Hill, my favorite group. Then I might go see Fantastic Four starring Doug-doug (I mean Chris 'hot body' Evans). Sunday is class again, then possibly going to spend the afternoon at a friend's place: he has a pool!

(insert Twilight Zone theme)

Well! Hours after I ask about the status of the Voyager probes, I get the following email from the Planetary Society. Sign the petition!

Dear Member,

Two of humankind's greatest space achievements -- two of the greatest scientific endeavors of all time, the twin Voyager deep space probes and the Hubble Space Telescope -- are under attack. In an incredibly misguided decision, Voyager is facing imminent shutdown, while Hubble is being prematurely threatened with destruction.

With swift action, we can save these treasures...but to do it, we need help from you and from every Society Member.

Consider the Voyager probes. After three long decades of travel, passing Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, Voyager 1 has just now reached the heliosheath -- the very outer edge of our solar system -- with Voyager 2 close behind. Shutting the program down at this moment is pure folly, the worst kind of false economy: it will save a pittance...but irretrievably lose us the opportunity of a lifetime.

As for Hubble, there are deep and legitimate questions about the cost and safety -- even the feasibility -- of how to mount a necessary service trip. Nonetheless, there is no reason to give up yet: the observatory should work for another two years or more before it must be serviced...so no decision needs to be made yet! As with Voyager, so too here, this "rush to judgment"
is purely false economy, one that will close our options off prematurely.

Fortunately, these decisions can still be reversed. But -- with the U.S. Congress preparing its final action on next year's budget right now -- our window of opportunity will close soon. Voyager and Hubble are world assets, so this is a global effort. That's why we need Society Members from all over the world to take action -- now -- to convince those responsible
to preserve these crucial projects.

Specifically, I'm urging you to take two vital steps to join the battle and make a difference:

ONE: Sign our petition.

TWO: Make a generous contribution to the Society today.

Our goal right now is simple: we must convince the U.S. Congress to make sure the annual budget provides the funding necessary for both the Voyager and Hubble missions.

Launched in 1977, the Voyager 1 spacecraft is now more distant than any other human artifact. Voyager 1 is twice as far away from the Sun as Pluto, just crossing the boundary to interstellar space. We will not get another chance to explore so far from home for, literally, generations.

Now the probes are watching as the solar wind encounters the interstellar medium, sensing this unknown substance
for the first time. True to form, they are reliably broadcasting their findings to us...and will continue doing so until some time around 2020, when their nuclear power sources finally die.

Despite all of this, NASA Administration accountants have imposed the death penalty on Voyager...all to save a little -- literally, just a little -- money from NASA's multi-billion dollar budget.

As for Hubble...for most people, the argument for keeping it in operation is obvious: no space mission has produced such spectacular and publicly accessible findings.

In reality, the issue is a complex one. Hubble's benefits have been enormous...but the costs of a service mission will be enormous, too, and there are legitimate concerns about the risk. The problem is, no one seems to have even considered Hubble's benefits when they decided to toss it into oblivion. In fact, NASA failed to even consult the scientific community before the decision was announced.

It was a cavalier and dismissive decision...one that was made despite the fact that Hubble has been described as "the most successful scientific instrument ever built" and the most scientifically productive space mission in history.

To be sure, our ability to service Hubble in time is far from certain. To do so will require a costly shuttle flight which, by current measure, is considered unsafe. But -- again! -- the decision did not have to be made now! Hubble can continue in operation for two more years, maybe longer, without service. Two years from now, such a service mission might be considered safe (even prudent); if not, then is when a sad decision should be made to terminate Hubble...but not now.

The truth is that Hubble and the Voyager probes really are among humanity's greatest assets. They are beloved by the public and the scientific community -- worldwide -- alike. They each continue giving us a rich flow of new knowledge...they continue to earn their keep each and every day!

The U.S. Congress needs to know this. Congress needs to know how you and I, and millions of people around the world, feel about these missions. And, these leaders need to know that we ARE watching. Because right now, too many of them think that space is a "minor" public interest. Even NASA sometimes forgets that these ventures are part of a PUBLIC program.

You, Society Members, have proven time and time again that space exploration belongs to the people...and time and time again, you've made a difference. Help us make a difference in this case, too. Again, the two immediate steps you can take today are easy, straightforward ­ and powerful:

Sign our petition...and help the Society with an emergency special contribution so that we can afford to wage this fight. http://planetary.org/voyager_hubble

Your direct involvement really is essential to winning these crucial battles. As I said earlier, these missions are important for all of humanity. Which is why it is so crucial that people all across the globe make their voices heard to save Hubble and the Voyager probes.

Whatever else, do not delay in acting. These bad decisions will be irreversible if the U.S. Congress doesn't act quickly and decisively.

We're counting on you!

Thanks.

Sincerely,
Louis Friedman
Executive Director

P.S. If you haven't received it already, you will probably be getting a letter about this action in the mail. If you have already sent in your petition and donation we thank you.

Contribute now at:
https://planetary.org/donations.html

Voyager Funding Status?

I can't seem to get the latest on the funding for the Voyager probes. There was a report that their funding would be cut, but then I heard they got an extension.

Anybody know?

Behind the CIA Leak Case

Could this finally be it? Could the arrogance of the Bushites and their repub allies finally have gone far enough to trigger public outrage? Karl Rove obviously lied about his petty retaliation.

I hope the media doesn't let up on this one. Full backstory here.

Rodney Rowland

Just because

Astronomers detect 'Tatooine planet'

Ooooh! Three suns!

WTF!?

After watching the somewhat entertaining latest version of War of the Worlds, I had a hankerng to see the old 1953 version again, so I headed over the Amazon and...

Holy S**t!! $108!! Apparently the DVD is out of print or something, since Amazon won't even let you backorder. This seems really stupid on someone's part, as I'm sure there are a lot of people like me who want to go back and see the older version, which has been compared favorably to the Cruise/Spielberg effects-fest. Money was to be had, people!

Unless of course a 'special edition' is on the way. Wouldn't put it past them.

Rupert Everett as Sherlock Holmes!

I have loved the openly gay Rupert Everett ever since first seeing him in one of my all-time favorite movies, Another Country.

And now he has done one of my favorite fictional characters, Sherlock Holmes, and the production will be coming to Masterpiece Theater! There is talk of more episodes as well.

Granted, Jeremy Brett's interpretation of Holmes really was wonderful, but I'm excited to see Rupert give it a shot.

I learned about this in the Washington Post this morning, in Lisa DeMoraes' column. here's a funny-as-ever excerpt:

Rupert Everett will star as Sherlock Holmes in the BBC's latest incarnation of the Victorian super-sleuth. The adaptation of "Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking" will air as part of "Masterpiece Theatre," PBS co-chief programming exec Coby Atlas announced Wednesday.

Sure, this poses a challenge for PBS, which must now find a "Masterpiece Theatre" production starring a homophobic actor to preserve that perfect "balance" demanded by Corporation for Public Broadcasting chief Ken Tomlinson. And yet we were thrilled to hear that Everett would take on the role held for years on PBS by Jeremy Brett and hope Everett does several more episodes.

Here's a shocker... not

CNN.com - Study: Drivers on cells more likely to crash

Though it is interesting that hands-free phones are no better. I would have thought there might be a slight improvement, but I guess it's all about the distraction of yakking on the phone.

Hellish

GOD it's horrible outside. It's only 84° and 77% humidity, but it's unbearably stifling. Five minutes outside and I'm soaked with sweat. And the cattle-car metro wasn't much fun either. It's supposed to get to 95...

Well, This is reassuring

MedPage: Brainy kids more likely to keep their wits in old age

This is me!

ASK AMY

ASK AMY
Friday, July 1, 2005
Dear Amy:I've never heard of this before.
I am an educated 36-year-old teacher and mother. I have a bad fear of calling people on the phone.I can make 'non-personal' calls to doctor's offices and whatnot, but I dread calling other people -- even those who are expecting my call.I've practically lost touch with friends because I don't call them, I've missed getting babysitters, and I've neglected getting RSVPs in on time because I hate calling people.Sometimes I call people when I know I'm going to get an answering machine. I'm good with people in person, and I don't mind when they call me, but I have this paralyzing fear of picking up the phone and calling people. Any advice?
Phone-a-Phobic in Chicago

There is a name for your pain. Yes, it is actually called: 'Phonophobia.'This fear is not unheard of, and according to Dr. William Callahan, a psychiatrist in Irvine, Calif., it -- and other phobias -- might have a cause unrelated to your actual paralyzing aversion. You should seek professional help to explore what the base cause might be. You don't have an actual fear of telephones, but you might fear intimacy, for instance, and you will benefit from talking this over with a therapist.Unfortunately, Dr. Callahan says, 'Once you start the path of avoidance, it can get worse.' You've probably seen this already. Fortunately, Callahan adds, 'Once you face the things you're afraid of, it can extinguish your fears. You meet with success, and your self-esteem and confidence will rise.'"

I think I've mentioned this before, but this is the first time I've read about someone else having that problem. I am like this at work and at home, which is a drag because at work I often have to call people about their project, or to place orders for equipment and supplies. I use the web instead whenever I can, and when I have to call, I often put it off. I much prefer emailing people to calling them, or answering the phone.

Monday Morning

Was (as usual) vaguely depressed and drained after a full day of being social. Watched three (three! episodes of Crossing Jordan before finally going to sleep. Still haven't figured out the appeal of the show to me -- besides Jerry O'Connell and the funny sidekick team of Nigel and Bug.

And now I'm seeing another week stretching ahead of me. At least I got a sub for that awful Wednesday night class.

Bizzy Weekend (at least for me)

Yesterday: Class (good group, numbers are rebounding from the beginning of summer slump) then had to go into the office to run out a big presentation for an architect client. But I managed to put together a couple of the Shadow World Monopoly games while I waited. Then grocery shopping, came home, did a little writing, then to bed.

Today: Class (again, more numbers, did more time off the bike and tried to 'connect' more) Then met V. and a co-worker of his to see War of the Worlds. (It was okay. Effects good, but the only character I cared about was the son, and he was a little crazy. And Speilberg ripped off a lot from the 1950's movie.) and now, going out to dinner on a sort-of date... with a guy I went out with once many years ago when we lived in Dupont. Will be interesting.

Think it will be an early night for me; I'm feeling a bit run-down.

Aliens Favorite Quotes

Ahh, gotta love the Datalounge...

It will be dark soon and they mostly come at night. Mostly.

Interesting Site

AfterDowningStreet.org | For a Resolution of Inquiry

Wil Wheaton:

Still Cute.

Prince Harry

Just because Blogger will let me.

Sniffle

I think I'm getting a cold. It's hard to tell in the summer with my rampant allergies (though the latest prescription meds from my wonderful doctor seems to have reined them in). But this morning I woke up to a major runny nose and sneezing fits.

I may have overdone it in the exercise dept, since I subbed a 45 min class at 6:30 am at Georgetown (which means waking up at 5, which means I don't sleep well worrying about waking up) [and ironically, when I got there, the regular teacher was there; it seems like her plans had changed and she'd forgotten that she had asked me to sub. She went home to bed]. Then on Wednesday I agreed to sub Doug-doug's hour-long class (apparently HE has quit teaching to get ready to take the Bar) at 7:30 pm. Then on Thursday I taught my regular 6:30 am class at Georgetown (more not sleeping well) and my regular 6:30 pm class (attendance was back way up this week, yay!). So last night I was pooped.

Today I'm going to try this Zicam stuff that Ken swore by.

What a hoot

I get a kick out of reading Toby's Blog, mainly because the depth of his laughable naivete is only slightly exceeded by the height of his stupefying arrogance.

30 Days

Last night I watched the gay/str8 episode of Morgan "Supersize Me" Spurlock's series 30 Days.

It was somewhat predictable but interesting, and the 24 yo str8 guy ('Ryan') they managed to convince to live in the Castro for a month was cute and sincere. His discussions with the lesbian minister were revealing, though I was disappointed in her inability to make a better case, since his whole objection revolved around the bible condemning homosexuality. The scenes with him and his older Castro roommate ('Ed') were cool, and the roommates's asides were sometimes pleasantly frank and funny.

The weirdest part was when Ryan's supposedly str8 friend from back home in (Michigan?) shows up for a weekend and they and some of the gay guys immediately go off to this bar where Ryan previously got in an argument with the owner. What do they do but get several drinks in them, take off their shirts and climb up on a dancing block, where the 'friend' is seen making a particular effort to hike his jeans down so we can see the waistband of his underwear. Then they smile and kind of dance around (badly). WTF was that all about? Ed apparently thought the same thing, becuse outside he berated them, saying something like "You say you don't want gay guys to touch you or hit on you, well about the worst thing you can do is take your shirt of and get up on a dance platform and wiggle around!" Ryan later seemed penitent.

Yikes

Been listening to the coverage of the bombings in the Underground in London. It's a bit scary to be in downtown DC right now. And looking at this pic, I can just imagine what it would be like trying to get out of a disabled Blue/Orange line train stuck in the bottom of the Potomac River tunnel. *Shudder*

It's also a little weird hearing the names of Tube stations that I've been in not so many years ago.

ZapWizard's Wood Ipod slideshow on Flickr

Wow. Nicely done I must say: A Wood Ipod

Ooof!

Your Libra Drinking Style

"I'm jusht a social drinker," you slur, "it's jusht that I'm so damn social?" You love nothing more than to party, mingle and relate to everyone. Whether dipped in favor of Good Libra (with Insta-Friend device set to "on") or heavier on the Evil Libra side (you are little instigators when bored), you can really work a room. Charming as you are, you are notoriously lacking in self-control. And this can get you into all sorts of trouble -- including wearing their wobbly boots waaaay too early in the evening. You may end up flirting with you best friend's sweetie or even blacking out the night's events entirely. Oops!

Your Signature Cocktails

Aesthetic Libras like pretty, pouffy drinks like a pink lady or a brandy Alexander. That's the influence of Venus, your ruling planet, which also gives you a horror of crudely named potions like Sex on the Beach. You're fine with "normal" guzzles like apple martinis, but every Libra secretly just wants champagne... and lots of it.

Your Celebrity Drinking Buddies

Eminem, Simon Cowell, Avril Lavigne, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Usher, Gwen Stefani, Hillary Duff, and Will Smith.

What's Your Alcohoroscope?

Though I do like my celebrity drinking buddies Usher and Will Smith!

This is hardly surprising!

You Are 32% American

America: You don't love it or want to leave it. But you wouldn't mind giving it an extreme make over. On the 4th of July, you'll fly a freak flag instead... And give Uncle Sam a sucker punch!

How American Are You?

Lord Chancellor

Call me an Anglophile, but they have cooler titles in the UK. Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain just sounds more impressive than, say, Speaker of the House. But I guess that kind of thing, with the bowing to Kings and Lords and walking backwards, was what the Founding Fathers rebelled against. No, wait, it was over taxes, mainly.

And the UK has Harry and William. We have, what? The Bush twins? Barf.

A Man for All Seasons

Thomas More was executed on this day in 1535 (Though the History Channel site says it was July 7).

Adm. James Stockdale Dies at 81

Remember Him? "Who am I? What am I doing here?" That's the way I feel today.

He had quite a life; the story of his time as a POW is terrifying.

Made in Brazil

Yum

And we're walking... Part II

Good morning, gentle readers.

I have a Friday poll for you who have a regular commute to work. Do you drive? Take publc transportation? If the latter, how far do you walk as part of your trip? I walk a total of 20 minutes and ride the Metro for 10 (most of it in a tunnel under the Potomac River). Thursday is the exception, when I walk a total of 45 minutes in, including over the Key Bridge to Georgetown to teach my 6:30 am spin class.

Others? The Synaptic Discharge thanks you in advance for your responses.