What's up with that?

Why is Holland used interchangeably with the Netherlands in English, but it really isn't the whole of the Netherlands?

Donkey-chain and Grassy-ass

Thanks, Simpson Thacher, for raising my salary, which will hopefully help to pay my loans off that much faster.

-- non-Simpson Thacher attorney

I...don't know what to say.

Recently the below ad showed up in my Gmail ad bar at the top of my mailbox:

NY Asian Plastic Surgery - www.AsianSurgery.com - Preserving Asian Identity Through Cosmetic Surgery. 2 NYC Locations!

Now...riddle me this. What in the WORLD can cosmetic surgery do to preserve my identity? I'm pretty good at spin, and even my twisted mind can't figure out a way to make that an accurate marketing statement.

Selling...babies?

On a recent episode of L&O:SVU, they discussed organ transplants and the sale of body parts. We do only need one kidney, so...should there be a legitimate non-black-colored market for kidneys?

Fat cat

Nico and I went to the vet yesterday, and, among other things, we are putting Nico on Atkins.

Baby, you could be a star!

We're already nine days into the new year, and I have yet to post a new Nico picture. SUCH A TRAVESTY!

So, for your Nico fix, here is some fancy shmancy picturing.

(Thanks, Mikey!)

Christmas...Hanukkah....Kwanzaa...

Okay, so I know I'm a couple weeks behind on this, but it's been marinating in this office for quite some time...and I guess at this point, it's reached some sort of larger-than-life status. So here it is for all of you -- in case you aren't getting enough YouTube from your respective *ahem* holes in the wall.

Mid-day at the grocery store...

Seriously. Why is this not a real song?

Whatever happened to...

My Buddy?


and...his counterpart...Kid Sister?

When did 9pm become early?

As I read this article about how education is connected to longer life and better health, I can't help but think that law school is the exception. Law school, after all, leads to lawyering for many of us. Putting in twelve billables means pretty much sitting on your ass at least twelve hours that day. And, if you're like me, you're sitting down in front of the computer, probably a little slouched over, getting carpal tunnel. You order food on the firm's/client's dime, and you are munching as you're huddled over your work. You are too tired to go to the gym, and, anyway, who wants to go to the gym after midnight? You're likely sleep deprived and have waning relationships with all of the people who mean the most to you because you keep having to "wait another 15 minutes and we'll know" or "finish this up; it needed to be done yesterday." Yeah, I'm a little disgruntled. Could you tell?

Bloods v. Crips, Doncha Know?

Okay, so sadly the movie channels are NOT some gift the Laziness & Boredom Gods chose to bestow upon me.

However, I continue to be amused (and, honestly, really annoyed) by email forwards such as the following gem...because, let's be honest, there is such an alarmingly menacing gang presence out there in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

THIS INFORMATION IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!!!!!!
>
> DON'T FLASH HEADLIGHTS AT CARS WITH LIGHTS NOT ON!!
>
> Police officers working with the DARE program have
> issued this warning: If you are driving after dark
> and see an oncoming car with no headlights on, DO NOT
> FLASH YOUR LIGHTS AT THEM!
> This is a common Bloods member "initiation game" that
> goes like this:
>
> The new gang member under initiation drives along
> withno headlights, and the first car to flash their
> headlights at him is now his "target."
> He is now required to turn around and chase that car,
> then shoot and kill every individual in the vehicle in
> order to complete his initiation requirements. Police
> Depts. across the nation are being warned. Their
> intent is to have all the new bloods nationwide drive
> around on Friday and Saturday nights with their
> headlights off. In order to be accepted into the gang,
> they have to shoot and kill all individuals in the
> first auto that does a courtesy flash to warn them
> that their lights are off. Make sure you share this
> information with all the drivers in your family!
>
> Please forward this message to all your friends and
> family members to inform them about this initiation
> ritual.

Tracy Zabel
Washington County Community Corrections
Probation/Parole Officer
14949 62nd St. N Stillwater, MN 55082
(651) 430-6905 phone
(651) 430-6999 fax

Marion L. Roovers
Neenah Police Dept.
2111 Marathon Ave.
Neenah, WI 54956
(920) 886-6005
e-mail MRoovers@ci.neenah.wi.us

Happy New Year!

Wishing all of you a happy new year, and a wonderful 2007 filled with new friends, new family, new hopes, new challenges, new loves, and new discoveries...like the discovery that I have 150 movie channels, none of which I thought I had and none for which I think I pay.