<p>Maybe we have been hunkered down waiting for some <em>good</em> news to come over the radio and TV airwaves.</p>
<p>Gotta say, I'm applauding that decision we made many moons ago not to have CNBC in the Alley.</p>
<p>jmmom, I couldn't agree more. That and the unmentionable institutions. I think SA veered towards "the terrible thing that happened to me" from "the hilarious thing that happened to me." Hopefully this means (1) little terrible news for the Alley dwellers, aka GOOD news, but it might mean (2) no hilarity for the alley dwellers, aka BAD news.</p>
<p>Something good that happened to me: Littlest S went on a school trip this week. Discovered source of 86.3% of strife and noise in my house. :eek: </p>
<p>Also discovered source of 86.3 % of vitality in my house... </p>
<p>He returns today. :)</p>
<p>I posted these tidbits in another thread, but think they belong here...</p>
<p>1) I want to personally thank the person who is once again adding levity to our local elections. There is a guy running for re-election (unopposed) for local DA named Pat Head. Someone likes to risk arrest, but amuse the community by changing the "A" in Pat's first name to an "O" on all his yard signs! :eek:</p>
<p>2) Why don't college applications ask the student to tell (write/provide) a joke? That would be so much more interesting, and would add to the adcomm's joke repertoire. My s got asked (in an interview for an organization last night) to tell a joke. The joke he told: (Q) What kind of bees make milk? (A)..... wait for it........ boo-bees. We'll find out today if he was accepted to what he applied for. Don't know if that joke helped him or hurt him.</p>
<p>I don't know, Jym - that would hurt him in my book! Sounds like he got his mother's sense of humor. ;0 Reminds me of my D's favorite joke - when she was about 4. (Don't know if it's still her favorite or not.) Where do bees go to the bathroom? ......... The BP station.</p>
<p>My birthday is today. No 4's - for the first time in 10 years. I'll buy a round for everyone (Fresca for me, please.)</p>
<p>binx, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>Binx, happy birthday to a fellow Scorpio (mine's this Wednesday!). You're still just a kid compared with me, though.</p>
<p>Happy birthday to binx and patsmom. 50 binx? I remember 50. It was many moons ago.....</p>
<p>As for s's joke, it was to a bunch of college students, and they laughed. My jokes would have been more risque.</p>
<p>Oh, jym, you surprise me! ;)</p>
<p>binx,
The problem is, at my age, the only jokes I can remember are the rude ones!</p>
<p>You're ahead of me. I can only remember half the joke. (Either only the punch line, or everything but.)</p>
<p>Happy Birthday Binx! Life only gets better as you get older cause you lose your inhibitions and tell half a joke anyway! And people are kind enough to help you out with the rest of it. Usually...</p>
<p>In our family, we have a repertoire of favorite jokes that someone only has to mention the punch line to and we all laugh. :)</p>
<p>I had a busy weekend that included hosting 4 boys (in addition to my 1 at home) for a regional youth group weekend at the synagogue. As well as helping with food prep, cleanup, chaperoning, table/chair setup, etc. etc.</p>
<p>I was so tired Sat. night I came home and made a hot toddy with spiced (chai) tea and rum. Aaaaah!</p>
<p>Happy BDs Binx and Pat'sMon for a Libra/Scorpio cusper. D was home for my Bday weekend and everyone had a grand time. </p>
<p>W, S and I saw Jonathan Richman the night before; </p>
<p>S and I hung out at the coffee shop in the main branch of the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh while D finished sewing her dress, right up until the 5 pm deadline; </p>
<p>D and W went to D's fashion show Saturday night; </p>
<p>we all went out for Sunday bruch and somehow, even though it was my birthday, D ended up with a pair of new red shoes for swing dancing.</p>
<p>D is back in Baltimore. It was nice to have her here, but she is both a whirlwind of activity and a big fat slob, so it also nice to have the house back. </p>
<p>Jmmom, we'll be down in B'more for Thanksgiving too.</p>
<p>Also, S goes on his first official date next weekend!</p>
<p>Just returned from a week In the UK to visit DS, meet his lady love, and soak up history and culture!</p>
<p>So, Cheers!! </p>
<p>A Pims Cup or a Guinness to those of you who would enjoy it, a good single malt scotch for me (I'll have to wait a few hours to join you) and anyone else who wishes one, and there is always tea....</p>
<p>I'll take s Strongbow hard cider please and English Premiership Football and the telly.</p>
<p>^^^^ m&sdad,
My H will be happy to hear you drink strongbow. He likes the hard ciders too and we all tease him that they are wuss drinks ;) </p>
<p>** How do you spell wuss? woos?</p>
<p>... would I still be welcome if I just have a nice shandy?</p>
<p>Happy Birthday to Patsmom, and belated happy to m&sdad!</p>
<p>Since some of you seem somewhat knowledgeable about these things, can I ask a wine question? This is like wine 001 (that comes before wine 101). Since I don't drink (don't like alcohol very much), I know nothing. I may be entertaining H's German boss later this week. If I serve steak (london broil), what should I buy to go with it. Please be very, very, very specific. What words should I look for? Or brands? Or colors? Or prices? Do I need more than one kind? What kind of glass should I serve it in? (I'd ask how full to fill the glass, but I'd be more inclined to just pass him the bottle. Is that okay?)</p>
<p>I am trying to remember if he had wine or beer when we went out with him. I can probably figure out what kind of beer to buy. (German import!)</p>
<p>And if there is any left over, who would like it?</p>
<p>Hi binx-
Only have a moment right now, so cant answer the q as specifically as you might like. But, you should serve red wine with london broil. If you want a lighter red, get a merlot or a syrah. If you want a medium red, get a cabernet, pinot noir or cab-merlot blend (thats what is in french Bordeaux wines)Want a heavier red? Get a zinfandel. German red wines are not, IMO as good as their whites. Get a nice California (Napa or Sonoma valley) or Washington state red wine. No need to spend a ton of $$. You can get a decent bottle for under $25, and an adequate bottle for under $15. Do NOT buy Two buck Chuck (Charles Shaw/Trader Joes) for your Hs boss. Its drinkable, but not to impress anyone. Email me if you want more specifics.</p>
<p>binx-</p>
<p>I agree with jym, of course. I suggest you play it safe with a cabernet sauvignon. In my experience, the quality of Pinots in the low to mid-price points can vary, and not knowing the producers available in your area, I can't help you much. </p>
<p>You can go to a local store that has a wide variety of wines or is reputed to be good with wines and ask for a Cabernet "to drink now" in the $20 range. You should be fine.</p>
<p>You would serve this wine in a long stemmed wine glass. Look at the photos here to get an idea: Bordeaux</a>, Cabernet, Merlot Wine Glasses - IWA | International Wine Accessories
If you have wine glasses, I'm sure they are fine. There is a lot of leeway here, so don't worry!</p>
<p>Unless your glass is small, you would pour until the glass is about 1/2 full.</p>
<p>Wuss drinks?? Tell it to the folks in the London pubs!! The pubs I visited had at at least a few ciders on tap.</p>