...overheard in starbucks (reprise)...

Says the gossiping daughter to her also-blonde mother (both in Uggs, sweats tucked in, Thornhill styles) about the couple, Danny and Amanda, who they are discussing, loudly: "Ma, I don't *know* if they are a couple yet. It's not Facebook-official".

The new reality metre. Only when it is written, so it shall be.

...policy decisions...

For some reason, I don't think it's coincidental that this happened on the same day Condoleeza Rice stated US forces would go up against any country who contributed to destabilizing Iraq.

Then of course there is Bush's pledge last night to commit 20,000 more troops to the conflict in Iraq. On the one hand, it doesn't appear as if American policy makers are as willing this time around to accept Bush's military calls unquestioningly. Several figures on Capitol Hill and elsewhere called for Bush to clarify his intentions. On the other, even a few well-intentioned protesters may not be able to change the course of Bush's... shall we say, vision?

...for once I had the knowledge...

Frankie Flowers told me a secret today. And by me I mean anyone watching Breakfast Television this morning. Next week expect overnight lows of -21.

Sara, honey, I'm sorry. But Martha... TOBOGGANING WHEEE! Get on that, man.

...swoony little school girls...

I've lost faith in Phil Booth. The Stars predicted neither my raise or the offer from my prof to come on as a research assistant. I'm left to wonder how many other times the horoscopes have led me astray. Hmm.

...love the fresh air, you know...

Dear redheads (all both of you),

I'm sorry I dissed Modest Mouse in the car that time, and made you change it to K-OS on the way to the beach. New single is making my insides sing. Dance party to "Dashboard" in my pj's.

...it might seem, but not truly so...

We all need something to bring us through, comfort in uncertain times. Christmas lights in my bedroom and carols in my stereo, imagining snow outside; drinking hot chocolate late at night in white woolen socks, pretending I feel a chill, and forcing myself to feel the spirit (it passed, I know, but I am not yet resigned). My year didn't feel complete somehow, without Christmas. It's usually a comforting, cozy, happy time for me and this year, it drifted past like smoke, intangible. I almost blame it for the fact that right now nothing is like it's supposed to be. As the second week of January approaches, there is still no snow and it's 13 degrees outside. That's all it would take for me to feel honestly happy for a little while, is waking up to one white morning. I'm very easily contented, I promise. Like in high school, when I fell in love with high school finite math, all because of factorials. Because of the exclamation marks, you know? It wasn't just math anymore, it was math!

Something else not like it was supposed to be? He did come home, after all. He just didn't come home to me. Sixteen days, still nothing.

...three times, before this one...

I can't even describe what reading this book is doing to me tonight. I wonder how many of you are familiar with musical terms - Guy Gavriel Kay's books are full of these gorgeous subtle grace notes that drop in to visit; not substantial enough to deprive new readers of something missed, but a lovely treat to those of us well-traveled through his worlds, reunions with old friends. I admit, even after the wolves, I did not see it coming. And then suddenly, Kim! Here I thought she had been an only child. What else lies in store for me? I'm spinning in anticipation, trying to stop myself from trying to predict what will come next. I'll stop doing that now, and just listen to the story.

I will see everyone in two days, ssssh no disturbing until then.Ysabel and I are on a date, long-awaited.

...quite a career...

Nothing brings home to me the diminishment of English grammar with every subsequent generation as the writing in The Toronto Star. Scroll down to the last sentence in this brief article.

"Both boys have not been named".

GAH! Can this paper not afford a decent copy editor? "Neither boy has been named". Is how it should read. For the love of God.