panthergirl

Survived a "murder board" at work. Sort of. This prompted me to find the following: http://www.jist.com/shop/web/best-jobs-lists/the-20-jobs-with-the-least-contact-with-others

Going to do a benefit for Drew at my house the 13th. What else can you do?

Been talking to Dirk's mom quite a bit. Thought folks would like to know about where his family is from, and some nice Viking history from her side:

Did I call them Torquemada's assistants before?  That was generous, kind even. It was a gracious compliment to their artistry but nowhere near the level of accreditation they should have been granted. They are the assistants to the demon DeSade would surely have become had he been part of an RPG. They have leveled up beyond Torquemada and his religious reasoning directly into the unreasoning madness of someone who has absolutely no conscience for their victim's pain or existence.

My teeth progress. On one side, they progress past the 1/4 inch of wire that was sticking into my jaw & after I cut it out scratched the insides of my cheek well into "lowered", "shaped", and apparently "final wire" status. On the other side, they progress past "chains", "pegs", and into "lowered" status.

This hurts up to 8 Advil a day even days later. 

I can eat no food besides protein shakes, and perhaps it will be dinner of bourbon for a change tonight....

Misha H O'Doyle committed suicide. Not sure who knew her, so it's on here for the old crowd. Contact Dave Dugard or Prevo.

Yesterday I made truffles. Deep, dark truffles with Callebaut chocolate ganache laden with cream, butter, and the richness of Golden Lion syrup. I tempered the Callebaut chocolate shell. I dusted them with an outer sprinkling of cocoa powder. All 25 went into the fridge because I was afraid the tempering process (2 heatings, seeding, cooling, etc) would have been incorrect.

This morning they were perfect. Delicious, edible, with perfectly hardened outer shells and according to 4 co-workers "bribes, but under $25 so I'm taking one"...

Dirk and I used to talk about Callebaut, and the inferiority of other forms of chocolate. I hope he's laughing. It wasn't the most adequate of birthdays, but the thought was there....

I remember years ago finding "I love it when you call me names" and roaring with laughter. That along with "Missionary Man" became the soundtrack to certain friends and their associations. Lately, I've discovered the hidden depths to such songs as "The Weakness in Me". She's really a talented lady.

Fairly fair NYE.

It is the misery we share that makes us all laugh. Hope folks enjoy. I've also discovered Emo Phillips. Snicker....
---------------------------------
A nice, calm and respectable lady went into the pharmacy, walked up to the
pharmacist, looked straight into his eyes, and said, 'I would like to buy some cyanide.'

The pharmacist asked, 'Why in the world do you need cyanide?'

The lady replied, 'I need it to poison my husband.'

The pharmacist's eyes got big and he exclaimed, 'Lord have mercy! I can't
give you cyanide to kill your husband. That's against the law! I'll lose
my license! They'll throw both of us in jail! All kinds of bad things will
happen. Absolutely not! You CANNOT have any cyanide!'

The lady reached into her purse and pulled out a picture of her husband in
bed with the pharmacist's wife.

The pharmacist looked at the picture and replied, 'Well now, that's
different. You didn't tell me you had a prescription!

-----------------------------------------

If you like beer and crave a deeper understanding about how it’s made and how the American beer industry works, then Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike) is the place to be tomorrow night.

The Drafthouse will be screening Beer Wars, a documentary that “goes behind the scenes of the daily battles and all out wars that dominate one of America’s favorite industries†and “reveals the truth behind the label of your favorite beer.â€

The film starts at 7:30 p.m., but an optional beer tasting will be held beforehand, beginning at 6:15. The tasting will feature local and national craft beers, including Dogfish, Flying Dog, Stone, Sam Adams, Star Hill, Heavy Seas, and more.

About Driving in Italy
1.) The driving experience was less hazardous than I had imagined. This shocked me.
2.) Italians seem to be aware of everything around them, which is what really explains their driving. You too should be aware of everything around or behind or in front of you at all times. Failure to do this adequately is likely to upset them. To understand this, your thoughts should go something like this.....What, didn't you know that I was coming up behind you going over 140kmhs in my bright yellow Ferrari? How could you miss me? What? Do I have to get an even *brighter* color? Why didn't you get out of my way? It's not as if your little Fiat Punto could keep up with my Ferrari, what were you thinking?
3.) Street lines, turn signals, and traffic signs/signals are treated much like “Captain Morgan’s Code of the Brethren of the Coast†(the Pirate Code), they are not so much rules... really more like guidelines. The ability to ignore them seems to be based on who has the most courage or the sportiest car (see Ferrari comment above). Only Polizia beat a Ferrari, and no one beats the Carabineri or the motorcyclists.
4.) Roads in Italy are at least 2 feet less in width than average roads in USA, but that's okay, because no one intends to stay on their side anyway.
5.) Fiats are designed for these tiny roads, but still will not be allowed to go into the older Tuscan hill towns, which allow absolutely no traffic at all. Did you get a hotel in town? Hope you brought your walking shoes & rolling luggage!

About Italian Food
1.) All gelato is good gelato, but some gelato is better than others. "Artiginale" is another word for "we didn't make it but we want it to sound good". It's still not "produzione propria," which is always best.
2.) I like living where the really good champagne is $28 a bottle, Laurent Perrier, and fantastic wines are $10 a bottle.
3.) Bistecca can be ordered "cruda" which is raw. This will cause the locals to lecture you about your health loudly in rapid-fire Italian for a good five minutes even if they know you only have a limited understanding of most of what they are saying. However, this will produce "medium rare" which is what I was after anyway, totally worth it. Bistecca is also served slathered in olive oil w/ lemon wedges, in case the $9 "barely fits on the entire plate" piece wasn't caloric enough for you. Seriously yummy.
4.) Whatever "Pavlomel" is I want more. Must find a source for Pavlomel....tasty tasty tasty...
5.) Yogurt in Italy is still better than anything I can get here; it's actually edible and not bitter.
6.) Some price fixed menus are actually labeled "fatto". One of these included a large soda, a large slice of pizza, coffee, what looked to be an eclair, and chocolate. Yes, fatto is what I'd be if I ate that for breakfast every day.

About Italian Everyday Life
1.) It is not difficult to find our fellow Americans in Tuscany – They’re everywhere. So much so that it took me 2 days to find a restaurant that didn't have any in it, and where the menus weren't printed in English. This does not mean that the natives will forgive you for assuming they speak English without first asking. They won’t, I watched it happen.
2.) Walking, hope you *love* it.
3.) Cotton is too hot for summer in Italy. You will broil, and even if your hotel has AC, nowhere else does. Linen is king for a reason, and no your sneakers really are not going to let your feet breathe. Go buy some leather sandals & linen clothing before you pass out.
4.) All roads in Rome lead to the ancient city, the coliseum, & the forum, if you are me. No matter how many times I check the map, and the extra roads, I end up in the Forum. There is very nice opera there at night on the weekends.
5.) A five star hotel in the heart of the shopping district in Rome is $75 Euros per night if you let the nice nuns (in whose convent you happen to be renting a room) make your reservation. Even locals will not believe this rate & will kindly check it for you about 3 times.

I confess to blasphemy, since non-Catholics cannot confess to heresy,
"...for punishment does not take place primarily and per se for the
correction and good of the person punished, but for the public good in
order that others may become terrified and weaned away from the evils
they would commit." (1578 Handbook for Inquisitors)

Vanity, I have committed the sin of vanity.

I'd like to think my tolerance to pain is pretty good.
Good enough that there is at least one broken bone in my foot
that has never been set, on which I spent a whole season continuing
to play basketball & run track. Good enough that it usually
takes the flood of adrenaline hitting my stomach for me to register
that the immediate desire to puke is tied to what must be pain.

Torquemada's assistants, otherwise known as orthodontist's
technicians, swiftly brought me to this state today. There are
things that just should not go together...2 technicians, my teeth,
and a torque wrench.

Tonight, the inebriation shall commence.

On a better note, two of my girlfriends set me up with a very pretty
fellow last weekend. Well done ladies.

The information is everywhere; however here is a compendium.

her lawyer is an extremely good one I'm sorry to say....
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/general/2010/03/30/cara-cottle-girlfriend-of-dirk-smiler-charged-with-slain-goths-murder/

Here are some articles
http://mobile.dcist.com/2010/03/girlfriend_charged_in_dirk_smiler_k.php
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/local-breaking-news/dc/girlfriend-arrested-in-death-o.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/cotmlntent/article/2010/03/30/AR2010033002111.h

I have a massive crush on someone. He was always around, in the background, and I never really noticed him until Dirk’s death. I like the way he handled things, quietly taking care of what I needed to be done. I can’t believe I never really noticed how awesome he is before this. I can’t believe I didn’t really pay attention to him. I can’t believe how well he takes care of me, always knowing exactly what to say & do.

He’s interested. It’s kinda hard to miss.

However, unlike my friends who took a different guy home each night of the wake, I’m not going to act on this. Why? Why deny myself? Why not go for it and be with someone who seems to really know how to make me feel better in this trying and sad time?

That’s easy. It’s called transference. Any graduate of a psych 101 course knows what this is. That’s why historically humans had “mourning periods†after the death of a beloved spouse. It’s why dating the susceptible after they’ve had a bad breakup is so ridiculous. Please, let me “be his friend†and wait around until he’s vulnerable. Please.

I’ve been through death. I get grief. I know what this is. Yes, he’s totally awesome, but it isn’t him. It’s what I felt for Dirk transferring onto him. It’s that I miss Dirk, and if I did act on this, and he went for it, I’d lose all respect for him and myself. I’d like to think that this one has intelligence, integrity, and EQ smarts. I’d like to not shatter the illusion for a while.

Besides, it’s such an easy time to get a guy. There are lots on the scene who are sad and hurting, and whichever one is the most susceptible and doesn’t know what transference is, makes a great sucker right now. I can hear the mocking laugher of my three best friends as they read the top paragraph even now. At least they like me enough to keep me from making an ass of myself.

In my cave today. Hope other folks are doing well. Wednesday is going to be a pain sandwich, not the least because Tuesday is another "adventure in orthodontics". I wonder if there are milkshakes available near the Funeral Home? Real ones, made with ice cream & milk & vanilla?

This is going around, it's a video of Dirk dancing at a concert. Really awesome "Thank you" to the folks who put this out there. It deserves to be sent around to those folks who love it.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=322997686121&ref=nf

Dirk was pronounced dead between 10-11pm last evening due to a sustained gunshot wound to the head, he was killed instantly. Cara is in police custody. To recieve information, email Skot Braunfeld - Ripl and put in "Dirk's Clan" in the message. Also, Stephen Balazs was his roomie.

Because I know he would have liked it.

"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee." John Donne's Meditation no. 17 from "Devotions upon Emergent Occasions" (1624)

It started because I was able to secure an emergency appointment due to a broken wire for ½ hour at 10:30am last Wednesday, which worked as it was after my earlier planned doctor’s appointment. Once there, the orthodontist decided that my teeth were rapidly progressing enough to skip ahead 8 wire sizes (what would normally be 12 week’s worth of treatment) – mind you, treatment was already running 3 months ahead of schedule- my teeth move fast…..

How fast, we were about to discover.

The orthodontist next looked at my front teeth, noticed there was a ¼ inch gap, and suggested that a “chain†be put on the two of them to bring them back together. Fine. A chain, new studs & rubber bands, 2 new wires, and over two hours later, I take 4 Advil and leave to get a milkshake as everything else will hurt to chew. While I’m having my lunch-of-milkshake, my two front teeth move. All the way move. They move together and then start overlapping each other like relatives during the holidays. So, I call the orthodontist, do they want me back? Yes, at 2pm, since now they are all at lunch.

At 2pm, they cut the “chain†off, put 3 teeth together with figure eight wires, and add a chain onto two other teeth. They also asked me if given how rapidly my teeth moved this time, would I like another appointment for 4pm? or would I like to come back 3x’s a day for the next month so I could be completely done with the entire treatment?

As I’m leaving the office, the wonderful nurse/technician hands me lots more Advil. She advised me not to take any more after the four I’d taken earlier, as “You’ll get a stomach ache.†At which point she looks at me and not-so-subtlety recommends, “Do you drink?â€

These are always fun, and this compendium includes several that about put me onto the floor laughing at work. From the "Intimidate Dating Service" to the symbol for "Locum" enjoy:

http://www.i18nguy.com/translations.html

At work we were discussing what the new motto for the Institute should read. One of my clever co-workers (they are all clever, but this is a standout) googled these suggestions. As far as Latin grammar goes, I'm not making any guarantees, but it's the thought that counts, yes?

bonitas non est pessimis esse meliorem
It is not goodness to be better than the worst.

si post fata venit gloria non propero
If glory comes after death, I'm not in a hurry
(If one must die to be recognised, I can wait)

Minutus cantorum, minutus balorum, minutus carborata descendum pantorum.
A little song, a little dance, a little seltzer down your pants.

Ad eundum quo nemo ante iit.
To boldly go where no man has gone before.

Postatem obscuri lateris nescitis.
You do not know the power of the dark side.

Sit vis nobiscum.
May the force be with you.

Monstra mihi pecuniam!
Show me the money!

Noli me vocare, ego te vocabo.
Don't call me, I'll call you.

Te precor dulcissime supplex!
Pretty please with a cherry on top!

Magister Mundi sum!
I am the Master of the Universe!

Estne volumen in toga, an solum tibi libet me videre?
Is that a scroll in your toga, or are you just happy to see me?

Recedite, plebes! Gero rem imperialem!
Stand aside plebians! I am on imperial business.

Cum catapultae proscriptae erat, tum soli proscript catapultas habeunt.
If catapaults are outlawed, then only outlaws will only have catapaults.

Caesar si viveret, ad remum dareris.
If Caesar were alive, you'd be chained to an oar.

Si hoc legere scis, nimium eruditionis habes.
If you can read this, you have too much education.

Cogito sumere potum alterum.
I think I'll have another drink.

Lagunculae leydianae non accedunt.
Batteries not included.

Hoc nomen meum verum non est.
This isn't my real name.

Me oportet propter praeceptum te nocere.
I'm going to have to hurt you on principle.

Nemo hic adest illius nominis.
There is no one here by that name.

Conlige suspectos semper habitos
Round up the usual suspects

Pretium iustum est
The Price is Right

Nescio quid dicas
I don't know what you're talking about

Machina improba! Vel mihi ede potum vel mihi redde nummos meos!
You infernal machine! Give me a beverage or give me my money back!

Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt.
When catapults are outlawed, only outlaws will have catapults.

Antiquis temporibus, nati tibi similes in rupibus ventosissimis exponebantur ad necem.
In the good old days, children like you were left to perish on windswept crags.

Neutiquam erro
I am not lost.

Not sure if this is abuse or proper use of scientific brain power.....but I still want one....

mlhttp://www.physorg.com/news156423566.ht

A little something about Reciprocity....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikz9fLl1BYQ&feature=PlayList&p=BF32718996212B86&index=21&playnext=22&playnext_from=PL