Thoughts and Prayer: In the last 24 hours I have heard some wonderful news, and some less happy news. My friend Eva got engaged this weekend! I have not talked to Eva since she even started dating this man (although I knew about him through her blog) but am thrilled for her! Visit her blog for a fabulous story of the engagement (and lots of flower pictures). However, I also talked to another friend who told me his sister is in the hospital with complications from her MS. I wanted to send out my love, support and prayers for her, and ask you to do the same. I hope she will have a full recovery, but it never hurts to have lots of people talking to their Gods and Goddesses with prayers.

Back from Istria: I'm back! As I reported to several people via email, I had a fabulous time. Of course, when you travel for work, with 29 people you have never met before, there are some people you prefer to others, but overall it was a great group of people. Most were between 65-80 years old, although one couple brought their daughter and son-in-law who were probably in their late 30s and two other women who were in their 40s. The weather was spectacular (quite a contrast to the weather in Boston). The scenery was so beautiful, including the Adriatic, cathedrals, Venice, castles and so much more. I am still working on formatting and labeling, as there are more than 300!!!

Some of the highlights were:
- getting a glimpse into not only the very ancient history of the castles and cathedrals, but the recent history of the end of socialism and creation of former-Yugoslav states into countries.
- a quick, but beautiful, trip to Venice
- food food food (their vegetarian stand-by is gnocchi with truffles...need I say more)
- drink drink drink. Not only do they have wine with lunch and dinner (often on a personal label from their own vineyards) but everywhere we went we were trying "moonshine". We drink about 6 times a day!
- cooking school. We went to a vocational school for cooking on the last day and had a BLAST! We cooked a great meal, but more importantly, we laughed and laughed!

Overall, a fabulous time.

Embarassing: Ok, this is sad, but I FORGOT about my blog. Mind you, I have read OTHER people's blogs, but it never crossed my mind to, oh, post on MY blog. And now I am leaving the country tomorrow! I am going on an alumni travel program to Slovenia, Croatia and one day in Venice. I am very excited. You should see how much STUFF is on my dining room table to pack. When I travel on my own (or event for work when I won't see the same people over and over again) I pack SO light...sometimes too light. But I have to look cute for 8 days! During the day and for a dinner! Yikes! Thankfully we stay in the same hotel every night (everything is a day-trip) so I only have to drag my suitcase (well, Kathryn's suitcase) a couple of times. Anyhow...very excited.

In other news, my upstairs neighbors moved out, which is very sad. Although I will not miss hearing their 4 year old running around, I was more than happy to hear the feet, in exchange for having friends upstairs. (Not to mention someone to bring in my mail when I travel and generally "look out for me".) I met the man who bought the place, and he seems nice enough...in fact very nice...but not the same. He is an MIT grad...maybe I can solicit him (for money, you pervert!)

And finally, my event was AWESOME! Alumni and my bosses were so pleased...as was I. Of course, everything wasn't perfect (my standard) but I must admit my hard work...and sleepless nights...paid off. Yeah!

Ok, now I am going to bed. See you soon!

Need a Break: For those of you who know the insanity of this week (and the anticipated insanity of next week-- leading up to my big event) understand why I need this mindless break.
1. What is your current problem? Too much on my mind. There are so many details I am trying to remember for this event, not the mention that this leaves less space for remembering all the OTHER life things. (Yes, I have To Do Lists, leave myself voice mails, etc...)
2. What do you love most? My absolutely fabulous support network
3. What makes you most happy? Travel, good food, ice cream, loving touch
4. Are you musically inclined? No.
5. If you could go back in time and change something, what would you change? Nothing. There are things that I wish hadn't happened, but nothing I would go back and change...the woman I am today is a result of all of those things.
6. If you MUST be an animal for ONE day, what would you be? A bird with a lot of stamina and great eyesight...one that could fly much of the world in that one day.
7. Ever have a near death experience? No. I have been closer to death than I would like, but have not had a near death experience.
8. Name an obvious quality you have. Talking (not necessarily obvious in Blogger, but obvious to anyone who has been within 100 yards of me)
9. Name someone with the same birthday as you. I don't think I know anyone. But Watergate happened on my birthday, as did a stock market crash.
10. Have you ever vandalized someone's private property? Yes, but not in the last 20 years.
11. Have you ever sung in front of a large audience? Not too large-- or important. I had several solos in chorus in middle school.
12. What do you usually order from Starbucks? Skimmed chai
13. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity? When I was a kid, people said I looked like the neighbor Harriet on Small Wonder. Not a compliment.
14. Did you have braces? Oh yes! From 4th grade until 10th grade!
15. Are you comfortable with your height? Yes. Only 5'2 but I'm ok with that. I wish I had a less "volumptious" build on that small frame, but oh well.
16. What is the most romantic thing someone has ever done for you? Sent me flowers on my first day of work when I moved to Boston.
17. Do you speak any other languages? Embarassingly no.

Random Fact from PSD: On Wednesday of this week, at two minutes and three seconds after 1:00 PM, the time and date will be 01:02:03 04-05-06. This will not happen for another thousand years.

Aren't You Curious: I got this long, odd list of questions from the "TMI" (too much information) website that I read all too often. How fitting that I will now give you TMI...
1. What time did you get up this morning? 7:45. It was not a hairwashing day so I got to sleep "later". But I was have a series of nightmares from about 5:00-7:45 so it was not restful sleep.
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds. Simple and not too much...but maybe I say that because I couldn't have the gaudy kind. But I am not a pearls kinda girl. Now amethyst or garnet, that's another story!
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Inside Man. I liked it a lot. I love movies that make you think but its neither deep nor dumb, potty humor. I love heist movies...Sneakers, Oceans Eleven...
4. What are your favorite TV shows? Crime and labs, with some Survivor thrown in. CSI, Law and Order, Crossing Jordan, Cold Case...and I love the new show Convictions, as it is a mix of crime and soap opera.
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Coffee with skim milk and sugar at home, and oatmeal at about 9:30 at work.
6. Favorite cuisine? Indian probably.
7. What is your middle name? Harshman, my mom's maiden name. My brother has the same middle name, as do my six cousins (the kids of my mom's 2 sisters)
8. What food do you dislike? Cauliflower, Olives, Peaches. I don't eat red meat, pork or shellfish, but I don't necessarily dislike them.
9. What is your favorite CD at the moment? The mix cd I made from my iPod.
10. What kind of car do you drive? 2005 brick red Toyota Carolla.
11. Favorite sandwich? Grilled cheese (cheddar probably) on 9 grain bread with one layer of tomato and brown mustard. Or, similarly, the Quigley at Tommy's, which is a grilled pita with 5 cheeses, green peppers, tomoato, and lettuce...with great mustard. YUM!
12. What characteristic do you despise? Mean-ness. Irresponsibility. Tardiness (related to irresponsibilty I suppose).
13. Favorite item(s) of clothing? Jeans and a black shirt.
14. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation? Thailand.
15. What color is your bathroom? White (tiles walls and floor, white shower curtain). Red bathmat and towels.
16. Favorite brand of clothing? I don't know that I have one.
17. Where do you want to retire? Depends where my friends and family are. Without that datapoint I would say the Bay Area (San Fran)
18. What was your most memorable birthday? Either my 13th (i.e. Bat Mitzvah) or 30th (when I had a fabulous Ladies Night Out and a housewarming party to celebrate buying my first house..condo)
19. Furthest place you are sending this? Well, theoretically this can be read all over the world, so... My aunt in Israel may read this.
20. Who do you least expect to send this back to you? Not applicable, since this is being posted on Blogger rather than emailed. But I would be very surprised if my brother took part in one of these exercises.
21. Person you expect to send it back first? I don't expect anyone else to do this, since everyone but me is probably sick and tired of filling these things out. Emily or Eva might do an abridged version.
22. Favorite saying? "Perhaps" "Schmintresting" "Abso-shoot-ly"
23. When is your birthday? October 20
24. Are you a morning person or a night person? Morning. Not real early, but I wake up pretty ready to get out of bed and don't hit snooze etc. I am most productive at work in the first half of the day. I am an early to bed person unless I have something, or someone, to keep me up.
25. What is your shoe size? 6.5 but people think my feet are even smaller...people always say "you have the tiniest feet"
26. Pets? Nope. Not a pet person.
27. What did you want to be when you were little? An actress. A teacher. As I became a teenager, a philanthropist or "in charge of an organization"
28. How old are you today? 32
29. What is your favorite candy? Take 5. Peanut butter Kisses. ADDICTED to jelly beans this week, but I only buy one bag each year for Easter-time...a good thing because I can't stop eating them once I open the bag.
30. What is your favorite flower? Don't really have one. Eva, want to suggest one?
31. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? April 23, when my big event is done. May 2, when I leave for Croatia and Slovenia for work. July 1, the begining of Emily and Nat's wedding weekend.
32. What is your cure for depression? Depends. Ice cream. Calling friends always plays a role. Sometimes therapy. Sometimes crying a lot. Sometimes distracting myself. Sleep.

The Earth Dedicated to Paul and Eva: I dedicate these fantastic environment, world-impact, makes ya feel very big (as in taking up too much space) links to Paul (because he sent them to me and is very "up" on these things) and Eva (because she is the most green, environmentally sensitive person I know). Really interesting to explore...this, and this, and this.

Sex in the News: Today I have learned of: an article explaing "persistent sexual arousal syndrome (PSAS) experience constant, unprovoked feelings of excitement", an article about Internet controlled sex toys, and an article considering whether or not there is a such thing as being asexual.

Famous Tomas: See the cute kid on the bottom left corner of this Filene's ad??? Its Tomas, the adorable (one of three) son of my friends Amy and Jose. A star is born!

27 Out of 50: (No not, in in the NCAA) BBC has published 50 foods to try before you die. I am 27/50. I must say, there are few things that are not on my list that I really feel the need to add. Haggis? Guinea Pig? No thanks.

Two days, ten people simultaneously on the roof, hundreds of shingles thrown from above, and $6800 later...there is a new roof on my house. Woo woo! (sarcasm)

Travelin' Fool: Lots of planes in the next few months...upcoming travel update...
March 15- Philadelphia for MIT event
March 24- Cleveland to see Rebecca and go to family celebration
April 8- Chicago and Detroit for work events (I hope to see my high school chemistry teacher in Chigago!)
May 2- Croatia, Slovenia and Venice with an alumni trip
June 2- St. Paul for college reunion
June 10- Cape Cod with MIT alumni for post-Reunion (no plane involved in this one)
June 20ish- Washington DC and NYC for work retreats

Back from LA: I returned last night from a great, non-work related, trip to LA. Some of the highlights included...
- The Huntington Library Gardens. Gardens included an herb garden, children's garden, Shakerspearean garden, rose garden (not many roses), Japanese garden, and overall gorgeous grounds.
- Silver Lake neighborhood. Cool vintage shops. Hip people. Bought a cool new "un-Kim" shirt.
- Malibu. Wow! We took a beautiful drive through Laurel Canyon, where I exclaimed "Oh my God, look at THAT house" about 300 times, and ended overlooking the ocean. We took a nice little walk to look out over the water and drove down the PCH through Malibu to Santa Monica. Love it!
- Fabulous food. Dinner at Mexican restaurant that has no written menu but a fabulous five course meal, and at a sorta Carribean/Latin tapas place. A fabulous breakfast with eggs, fabulous homefries, 9 grain toast, and turkey sausage (and a gorgeous waiter). PLUS $1 ice cream sandwiches at a place where you pick two warm homemade cookies and your flavor of ice cream!!!!!
- Wonderful company. I had a great visit with both Paul and Judi. I wish that it wasn't so far to LA, as I would go more often if I could. The airfare is reasonable and I just love seeing my friends out there. If only there weren't 3000 miles between here and there.

Sad Sad News: Dana Reeves, widow of Christopher Reeves, died of lung cancer at 44. Not only did the world lose a strong, courageous spokesperson, but more importantly, her poor children lost a second parent.

I'm All for Paradigm Shifts But...: Hood College has named a lesbian woman Homecoming King. A transgendered person I can understand, but I am not sure if we want to equate being a lesbian with being a man. Am I the only one that thinks this might send the wrong message?

Smiles: Ok, I admit that I have spent WAY too much time reading this blog today (while at work), laughing out loud, tearing up, smiling, and overall enjoying myself. This posting from last October needs to be posted, as not only is it exactly how I feel about some of my friends, but I was just thinking about this exact thing the other day...The blessing of friends who: 1) really care how you are, 2) really care to hear the DETAILS to the story, 3) know you well enough to know why the details are all important, and which details are REALLY important, 4) you want to hear their life too...details and all, 5) you hang up the phone/drive home thinking "I feel so much better after having talked to him/her" even if you were only discussing a minor detail of your day at work. As a single woman, I think I am particularly appreciative of those in my life who listen (and care) about the details of my life. Thank you!
Post from Faking It Blog
I spoke with one of my close girlfriends over the weekend and it was a very normal conversation for us:
How are you?
How are you?
But it occurred to me, as we were talking, how very lucky I am. Because, you know, she really meant How are you? As in: I want to hear everything and if life is less than fantastic, I want to hear that too, and not so I can fix it but just so I can know, because you're my friend and I love you. I got all of that with her How are you? And I meant all of it back to her as well. I've been blessed in my life: I have girlfriends like this. When they ask How are you? I can answer, "Oh, pretty shitty." Or, "I hate my husband." Or, "My kids are driving me up the wall." And they know my life is pretty good and that my husband is a great guy and that my kids are my life. They get it. I can say that Nolan keeps biting me and I wish I weren't breastfeeding and they know I mean I'll nurse this child until he is 2...and I'll do it marching down Main Street. They've got my back. I cannot possibly tell each of you what you mean to me. So I'll just say hi here. You know who you are. You who make me laugh and let me cry. You who are passionate and intelligent and insightful. You who make me think about things in new ways. You who support me and guide me. You who nod in understanding and you on whom I lean. I love you all.

Oh Yeah, I Forgot I Am Good at That: Earlier this week I was asked to present to a group of students who volunteer with the Alumni Assocation on "The Art of Small Talk". I recieved very positive feedback. Two weeks ago I taught two classes at MIT's Charm School, "Impressive Interviewing Skills" and "Dealing with Difficult People/Situations". Today, a colleague who I don't know too well came by my office to see if I could talk to her about some troubles her teenage son is having. Both instances were nice reminders of additional things I am good at and enjoy. It always nice to "access" those part of my being. ;-)

Fabulous!: A whole web site just about airplane meals! Its amazing that some airlines are eliminating (some are going to start charging for soda) while others (especially the international airlines) serve unbelievable, multi-course meals! I could spend quite a bit of time clicking around on this site. (I don't know if that says more about me or the site...)

Happy Valentines Day!

Smintresting (and Encouraging): Wal-Mart said today it plans to start stocking and selling the emergency contraception drug Plan B at its 44 Massachusetts pharmacies after receiving a directive from state regulators. The retailer said it is also giving serious thought to carrying the drug at all of its 3,700 pharmacies nationwide. Um, ya think so?

Everything Happens For a Reason: As a result of Jen having to work all weekend, and therefore my leaving Austin on Friday rather than today, I am at home, and not stranded in Austin or Chicago or who knows where. Apparently more than 2000 flights have already been cancelled for today! (And I just walked through the blizzard to get the paper and I confirm that planes will not be flying to Boston.) So, here I am, safe and sound, with the yummy veggie chili I made yesterday and TiVo-- what more can a girl ask for?

So, I may be home for the next 36 hours, as a huge blizzard is on its way, so I suppose I have nothing better to do than...Four Things Meme:
Four Jobs I've Had: waitress at Ruby Tuesdays (and Captain Tony's), counselor at Camp Kamaji(where I spent my summers as a kid in northern MN), Reproductive Health Counselor at Shaw High School Health Center, Associate Director for Alumni Education at the MIT Alumni Association
Four Movies I Can Watch Over and Over: Shawshank Redemption, Sixteen Candles, When Harry Met Sally (was on this weekend), Grease
Four Places I've Lived: Our nations capital, Kansas (just ask Judi), Uptown uptown Shaker Shaker Heights, Winter Hill
Four Current TV Shows I Love: CSI (regular and Miami), Law & Order (regular and SVU much more than Criminal Intent), Cold Case, Crossing Jordan (notice a trend?!?)
Four popular TV shows that I've never watched a single minute of: How I Met Your Mother (written by a SHHS grad), Entourage, Grey's Anatomy (which I would probably like but it is on at the same time of some other show I love...don't remember which), Gilmore Girls
Four Places I've Vacationed: Israel, Toronto, Palm Desert, Cancun (I am very blessed and have vacationed many places)
Four Places I'd Rather Be Right Now: Away from the incoming snow, Phoenix, in someone's arms, Australia
Four of my favorite dishes: really good pizza, Sam Camera's pad thai, Christina's coffee oreo ice cream, the chicken stuffed with mushrooms in some sorta spinich cream sauce at Tu Y Yo
Four dishes I will never eat again: meatloaf, cauliflower and olives (not really, but I would if I coudl help it), never say never
Four sites I visit daily: cnn.com, Chowhounds Boston, The Angus Index/ True Epicure Says, the registration update of my April event
Four bloggers I am tagging: you, you, you and you

Roommates in the Media: (all over!) A feature on John Legend, my brother's freshman year roommate at Penn on CNN.com (discussing that she sang at the Super Bowl, is performing at the Grammy's, has the most nominations, and generally has, shall we say, hit it big.) And to think, Kevin was with him when he was a little 18 year old.

Kudos: To Dove for its Campaign for Real Beauty. They premiered a new ad last night which was just wonderful...as my brother said "The anti-Budweiser ad during the Super Bowl." Score: 1 for good body image, 579 for skinny women who like like only the other women in the ads

Guess They Need the Business: Some background-- several years ago I got sucked into this email/web thing where I get emails from MyPoints, and I earn points for every email I open and click through. The points earn me money at stores, and over the years I have earned about $100 at Target. ANYHOW, today's add is for Blackberry! The same company that might be forced out of business (of forced to change its business) by the Supreme Court. I guess now WOULD be a good time to drum up some business with discounts etc.

Good Omen: I am presenting at today's all staff meeting of the Alumni Association about graduate alumni. I just opened a fortune cookie that said "Many people will be drawn to you for your wisdom and insights.". Excellent!

Moment of Silence: Coretta Scott King, the widow of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., died Monday night. Here's a question, what is the likelihood that Bush will make note of this in his State of the Union address tongiht, and what is the likelihood he will sound sincere?

Fascinating Fact: As always, last night's Ladies Night was fun, loving and INFORMATIVE. Little know fact-- the cheese in SmartFood is the same stuff in Annie Mac n Cheese! Now that's Good Eats!

Because I Don't Travel Enough: I have decided to go on a long weekend to LA in early March. I have frequent flier miles, and since I am cancelling my Utah trip planned for May (I still hope to go on the trip in August) I decide to go on a trip out West. I actually haven't been there for a non-work trip in awhile (although it doesn't feel that way because I usually stay on for a weekend of fun at the end of a work trip) I will go between my work trips to Austin (where I will see high school friend Jen and her wife Jackie/Jacquie) in February and Philly in mid-March.

Is It A Bird? Is It A Plane? Is It A Harp Lady?: Emily, Eve, Brenda and I went to see Deborah Hansen-Conant, who plays the electric harp, tells rambling (usually amusing) stories, has her hair in extentions and wild ribbons, and seems to amuse herself AT LEAST as much as she amuses her audience at the tiny Jimmy Tingle's Off-Broadway Theater. Eve was able to get us free tickets through her job, and I won a CD by being a smart ass during the raffle. (Deborah had us practice screaming and cheering if we won the free raffle. After we practiced, she "read" a raffle entry (a bogus one-- we entered with only our names and she read off a long number-- as if she was reading a traditional raffle ticket. I cheered as if I had won-- to be silly-- and she gave me a CD. Even funnier was that Brenda won teh grand prize (legit!) which was a copy of each of Deborah's cd's (5 I think).

The Return of Friday Five (well, a bit more than 5): Thanks to Em for reviving this tradition.
- What were you doing ten years ago? I was entering my final semester at Macalester College, but not really attending classes, as I was student teaching in a fifth grade and then sixth grade classroom. I was living IN the football stadium (a small, almost off-campus, dorm) I was unsure of my post-graduation plan, but knew I wanted to find a job doing reproductive health education.
- What were you doing five years ago? I had just moved to Boston (well, Cambridge to be exact) after finishing my Masters in Nonprofit Management. I was dating someone who lived in Worcester, MA. I was working at Teen Empowerment doing fund raising and organizational advancement.
- What were you doing one year ago? I was going to chiropractic three days a week, in hopes of finally ailing my back. (somewhat successful) I had just gotten back from a fantastic visit in Arizona with my college pal Eva. I was entering my second year living in my condo in Somerville.
- Five snacks I enjoy: ice cream, chips & guac, popcorn, Triskets & cheese, Sun Chips
- Five songs to which I know all the lyrics: “Greatest Love of All”, “I Will Survive”, the Oreo cookie theme song (Ice cream and an Oreo cookie, go together, made forever, the classic combination…), …hmmm….struggling here… “Happy Birthday” and “Mary Had a Little Lamb”
- Five things I would do if I were a millionaire: start a philanthropic foundation, go on at least one major international trip a year, go one a couple of trips with friends (my treat), buy new furniture for my house, eat out at all 50 restaurants on my list of places I want to go
- Five bad habits: interrupting people when they talk, getting impatient with other drivers, not changing my linens as often as I should, being short with my mom, thinking the WORST when someone is late/forgets to call/etc
- Five things I like doing: traveling, eating at restaurants, having quality time with friends, sleeping, dancing
- Five things I would never wear again: my high school prom dress, ….this one is stumping me….
- Five favorite toys: I better not go there.

Another Reason...: To go on vacation more often. For the second time, the morning after returning from a vacation (Cancun with my parents and brother), my co-worker who is responsible for the MIT Alumni Travel Program, walked into my office to ask me to be the staff host on a travel program. This one is in May and goes to Croatia, Slovenia and Italy. The only minor downside is that I was planning a trip to the national parks in Utah at that time, but that trip can be postponed and I am thrilled to go on this trip. What a wonderful opportunity! Woo woo!

Meh-he-co! I leave for Mexico early on Saturday morning, to meet up with my parents and brother! It is a fast trip (returning on Wednesday), but oh am I excited! Sun. Fun. Water. Relaxation. Bring it on!

The Wierdest Ailment: I just had to share...although I don't even know if I can describe. Last night at Curves, I was simply running in place on the little square, and I turned my head to talk to Emily, who was right next to me, doing her little exercises. WELL! Apparently I pulled? strained? pinched? some nerve in my front neck, which went into a crazy, painful thing! Kinda like when you turn your head the wrong way and a muscle on the side of your neck cinches up, and sometime hurts for a few hours....but it was the muscles that go down the FRONT of my neck, and it felt like someone had punched me under my chin on my the muscle that helps you swallow! I was doing NOTHING when it happened! It hurt every time I tipped my hear higher than straight ahead, and with other similar movements. I exercised for about ten more minutes and then stopped (it was basically time to stop anyhow) I couldn't do my stretches, and, although it slowly started to feel increasingly better, it still hurts a little bit now-- almost 24 hours later! Insane!

Regisration is OPEN: The registration for my big April event went live today, in conjunction with the first marketing email that is going out this afternoon. This is the first time that MIT has ever invited all alumni with a graduate degree back to campus...and it's my baby. I am in charge of the concept, exectution, web site, marketing, speakers, venues, EVERYTHING. Check out the web site and learn more! (I know you are just dying to!)

Carry a Condom or Pay: A western Colombian town has threatening males over age 14 with fines if they fail to carry a condom. Young men in the community, most of whom start having sex at about age 15, according to a poll, should carry condoms just as they have to carry identification cards, Tulua town councilman William Pena told El Tiempo newspaper.
Those who fail to show a condom would have to pay a small fine or take a three-hour course in AIDS prevention in Tulua, where 14 people died of sexually transmitted diseases last year. -- As they say, if you don't have protection, you will pay!

Fun Sports Slideshows: I found two fun slide shows on Sports Illustrated.com...one of sports figures tatoos and one of the dreadful, soul sucking transformation that the Evil Empire (i.e. Yankees) impresses on their players, including our dearly departed Damon.

A Joke from Jamie: A man enters a bar and orders a drink. The bar has a robot bartender. The robot serves him a perfectly prepared cocktail, and then asks him, "What's your IQ?" The man replies "150" and the robot proceeds to make conversation about global warming factors, quantum physics and spirituality, biochemistry, environmental interconnectedness, string theory, nano-technology, and sexual proclivities. The customer is very impressed and thinks, "This is really cool." He decides to test the robot. He walks out of the bar, turns around, and comes back in for another drink. Again, the robot serves him the perfectly prepared drink and asks him, "What's your IQ?" The man responds, "about a 100." Immediately the robot starts talking, but this time, about football, NASCAR,baseball, super models, favorite fast foods, guns, and women's breasts. Really impressed, the man leaves the bar ! and decides to give the robot one more test. He heads out and returns, the robot serves him and asks, "What's your IQ?" The man replies, "Er, 50, I think."And the robot says... real slowly... "So... ya gonna vote for Bush again?"

A "Crappy" Gift: My boss was given a TOILET for Christmas...well, actually some disadvantaged people were given a toilet to keep them healthy and safe. Oxfam has an opportunity to "give a toilet". The ackowledgement card that was sent to my boss is hilarious. What a great idea!

Giving Back: This past weekend I particpated in my sixth Christmas in the City event, this time as a Shleter Captain. CITC is an organization with one purpose: to host an annual holiday party for children and their families in greater Boston who are homeless, or living in transitional programs. Over 2800 kids and 1200 parents attended this year. Highlights include more chicken nuggets and juice than you have ever seen in one place, Winter Wonderland (complete with pony rides, fire fighters and graham cracker houses), individually selected gifts for every child, HUGE smiles and laughter, and of course, the feeling of utter exhaustion at the end of the day! Several colleagues, my brother, and others joined me in bringing holiday joy to 50 children and their parents. It was a fabulous (and exhausting) day. Although I could never do this every day, it is one of the highlights of my year. To read more about the event, read this or this (scroll down and click on Pictures of Christmas in the City) or

Randal Wins! (At Least the Apprentice): After a long, fun night staffing the MIT event about the Apprentice, Randal got the job! We had over 700 students and alumni come to cheer on Randal, TV crews, and a lot of fun (but a late night...didn't get home till close to midnight). The show was great...except maybe the last 3 minutes when the classy, smart Randal made some fairly jackass comments. But overall, the event, and the alum are a huge success.

LIMITED TIME OFFER: Check out the MIT home page today (if changes daily) to see a promo for our very own Randall Pinkett on The Apprentice tonight! Randall is one of the two finalist on the show tonight...and I will be working from 9:00-11:00 tonight as he fights for a job with Trump. (a questionable thing to fight for if you ask me but...)

Shaker Heights' Efforts in No Child Left Behind: (thanks to Marsh for this one) My home town, location of the first racially planned community , and a place of inconsitent but better than most places efforts to address racial issues, is in the news. The article is called "How One Suburb's Black Student Gain"...a lot being done well, so much more to do!

Single, and Not Unhappy. Amazing!: A fantastic article about the phenomenon of being single...and happy... all at the same time. (thanks to Em for sending the article) Of course, I wish (really wish) that I was in a loving, committed relationship, but the lack of such a relationship does not render me miserable...something that some people find astonishing, or incomprehensible. In her book, E. Kay Trimberger says that happy single women need "six supports for crafting a satisfying single life: fulfilling work, connections to the next generation, a home; intimate relationships with a network of friends and extended family, a community and acceptance of your sexuality" I am so immensely blessed that I have all six in huge amounts. The article is really quite interesting...and I can't wait until the day I can say it is interesting in regard to my single friends and not me.

Redheads in the News: Thanks to my brother (another redhead) for this newsy item about redheads. Apparently it has been discovered that there is a gene that is linked both to red hair coloring and to higher levels of pain tolerance. The research showed that redheads can withstand up to 25 percent more pain than their blond and brunet peers do before saying "stop."

So MIT: Leave it to MIT to do a video game solicitation! (Feel free to make a gift at the end if you want!)

From the Mouth's of Babes: Conversation with the 7 year old neighbor of my aunt and uncle...
Kid: "Guess the name of the principal at my school" (A school in a district that I attended)
Me: "Hmmmm....Ms. Longo?...no...I don't know, so maybe Ms........" (this actually was about 5 minutes of back and forth and guessing)
Kid: "I'll just tell you! It's Dr. Callahan! But she's not a real doctor, that's just her name."
Me: "Actaully, she is a doctor, just not a medical doctor. That means that she went to college for a very long time and so we call her Doctor."
Kid: "No, she's not a doctor, her name is just Dr. Callahan. She's a principal, not a doctor. She just tells teachers what to do."

Good Eats!: (I hope) A new restuarant has opened in Central Square (in the old Burger King no less) called Rendez Vous. It has gotten good reviews on Chowhounds. A bit pricey, but I defintiely want to try it for some yet to be named special occasion. Who wants to come?

I Wanta Go!: They are opening the world's largest aquarium in Atlanta! I love aquariums!!!! I wanta go! (At least they have virtual tours until I can get back to Atlanta for a visit.)

Kissing a Spider??? The next installment in Emily and my subscription to SpeakEasy is Kiss of the Spider Woman, which has gotten two very positive reviews in the paper. We don't go until the first week of December, but I am getting excited...

The Power!: Apparently Eva and I were in a more elite cadre than we even knew! There was an article in today's Globe about the tremendous power of the student's sitting on the Food Advisory Board at Boston University. Both Eva and I sat on Macalester's board. "It's not as secretive as Yale's Skull and Bones, and so far none of its members have gone on to become president. But in certain circles, this Boston University group possesses a similar cachet. And power." Who knew we were so cool? (Well, we did...but ya know...)

SHE'S ALIVE: Yes, I know, I have broken the number one rule of blogging...don't go away. I have been busy! I was in Denver, San Fran and Sacramento last week and Philly for 24 hours this week. Then I go to Cleveland this weekend to see Chip, Abby and Rebecca (they won't be there at Thanksgiving), DC next week, and back to Cleveland for Turkey Day. Sorry I have been a stranger.

Truck Sighting: The tagline on a truck today said "Our reputation exceeds your expectations." Am I the only person that finds this odd? Should it say "We exceed your expectations" or "Our work exceeds your expectations"??? What if they don't meet their reputation?

Crazy Upcoming Weeks: I got home LATE last night from the Girl Scout of the USA National Convention in Atlanta (radar was down in New Hampshire so I got in way late) and am now on a whirlwind for the next couple of weeks. Wanta know the plan???
Tonight: Ladies Movie Night (Proof) with dinner at Cambridge 1 prior
Wednesday: Yom Kippur with Kev and Brent
Thursday: Yom Kippur
Friday: Arrive at work at 7:00 a.m. for Family Weekend
Saturday: Family Weekend
Sunday: Apple picking and Patriots
Monday: MIT Club of speaker (may not go because I should go to Curves)
Tuesday: NOTHING!
Wednesday: Drinks and/or dinner with former colleague
Thursday: SpeakEasy Stage Company "Theater District" with the guy from NYPD Blue (first of 5 plays in our subscription) Also my birthday.
Friday: Hopefully see Marshall!
Saturday: Lesbian comic with Em (she is a lesbian and that is the premise of her show but its funny to list her that way)
Sunday: Birthday brunch at the Blue Room with the ladies
Monday: Lunch with Macalester alumni person
Tuesday: Girl Scout major event "Leading Women"
Wednesday- Tuesday: Trip for work to Denver, San Fran and Sacramento. I get to see Shelby in Sacramento.
That puts me at November 2!

Become a Republican???: A very funny, and unfortunately true, satiracal video clip from Lauren. Enjoy!

Off to the Peach: I am leaving tomorrow for the National Convention of the Girls Scouts of the USA in Atlanta. (I have been doing some volunteer work for them on fund raising and other committee stuff...I may join the Board some time.) I have never been to Atlanta, and although I may not be able to see too much of it, I hope to have a chance to look around. As for the Convention itself...well, if nothing else it will be a good sociological study. I have my Girl Scout pins, and all my other GS stuff. I am SURE there will be lots of stories to share when I return.

L'Shana Tov: Happy New Year! Wishing all of you, Jews and genitiles, a year filled with sweetness, happiness, peace and health.

Weekend Review: Friday night I started the evening at Em and Nat's, from where we went to Blue Ribbon BBQ for a super yummy pulled chicken sandwich, mashed potatoes and collard greens. We then went to Robbins Farm Park, right up the street from their house, to watch the Red Sox-Yankees game on the big screen! It was really fun (lots of kids, people screaming and clapping as if we were at the game, and even some illegal fireworks when the first run scored) but very cold. We bundled up (including hats, fleece blankets and layers) and stayed until the seventh inning. We then went back to Em and Nat's house to watch the conclusion of the game. Saturday I went with Em, Nat, Eve and Brenda to the Topsfield Fair, the oldest fair in the country. Junk food, live stock, the largest pumpkin in MA, and tons of fun! Not to mention, it was a perfect day to be outside...upper sixties and sunny. I went to babysit on Saturday night, and kinda lay low on Sunday. (Of course, that included watching the Partiots lose and the Red Sox WIN!!!!) Watched some other tv, went on a walk, ran a few errands, and now here I am back at work.

Combining Business with Pleasure: The cousin of my dear college friend Eva has been promoted to Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education and Assistant to the Chancellor of MIT. Karl Reid has been seen as a super star since I arrived at MIT (and also a great partner with the speaker program I run) and it is so nice that he has been further recognized for this contributions to MIT.

See, Obsessive Baseball Watching Cures: Researchers at Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School here found that ER visits citywide rose and fell in direct proportion to fortunes of the Red Sox in last season's (successful) road to the World Series. "The public health finding here is people use discretion in deciding when to show up in the emergency department." I love it!

Heart Warming: Charlie Weis, former offensive coordiantor for the New England Patriot (who won a heart wrenching game yesterday) made a heart warming visit to a Notre Dame fan recently. With all the meanness and selfishness in the world, I love to read about people who are truly good people.

ALC: Today begins ALC, the Alumni Leadership Conference. (Alumni begain to arrive yesterday.) Once I get through this weekend, I will try to be back to my verbose self. Wish me luck with my big meeting and three workshops over the weekend.

Wow!: A 14-year-old student was expelled from a Christian school because her parents are lesbians. School policy requires that at least one parent may not engage in practices "immoral or inconsistent with a positive Christian life style, such as cohabitating without marriage or in a homosexual relationship."

More In Character Posting: An article in the Boston Globe with the headline "Teens should abstain from sex, not sex ed". Duh! Ya think? Opening paragraph..."This summer, the American Academy of Pediatrics, a group of 60,000 pediatricians, revised its guidelines on sex education, emphasizing that it is crucial to teach teens to use contraception, and saying that the abstinence-only programs touted by the Bush administration are unproven and risky." It is actually an excellent article.

An Odd Re-entry into Blogging: First of all, sorry for my absence. I had a wonderful vacation (WONDERFUL!) and came back to the last week and a half of preparation for MIT's Alumni Leadership Conference, at which I am presenting at three workshops and hosting a planning meeting for my big spring Conference. Anyhow!! I found this listing of the ten most dangerous jobs. Not only are the jobs interesting, but they are paid PITIFULLY! I wonder what the danger is for accountants?

Bye Ya'll: In case I get busy (or more likely, distracted with anticipation) this afternoon, I wanted to say "bye" to you all before I leave on my trip to LA and Palm Desert. I'll report back later...

More from An Article About Timken:
Joanne Hinton, whose 16-year-old daughter, Raechel Hinton, is eight months pregnant, said she believes the school's abstinence-based sex education program isn't enough.
"It's time to take the blinders off and realize that these kids are having sex," she said. "Obviously, abstinence is not working. If we have to, just give them condoms."
Abstinence-based programs have been growing nationwide at schools over the past few years. In Ohio, the Bush's administration and the state's health department have awarded $32 million in grants to Ohio agencies for abstinence education since 2001.

I Will Never Be Without A Job: Thirteen percent of the female students at Timken Senior High School in Ohio are pregnant. That's 64 of Timken's 490 female students - 13 percent - are pregnant!!! Um yeah, dear President Bush and your ignorant regime, just tell em to keep it in their pants, that sex is a wonderful sacred pleasurable thing but wait until you are married, you don't need to worry your pretty little head about STD's and birth control since I *know* you wouldn't have sex, and other such empowering, realistic and knowledgeable messages...I am sure that will solve all of our problems! (Thanks Marshall for sending me this uplifting information.)

5-4-3-2-1-California: Not that I'm counting, or at all excited, but its five days until I leave for my NINE day trip to California...Los Angeles and Palm Desert! (We won't discuss the fact that it is in the 100's in Palm Desert.) Vacation, here I come!

Now We're Talkin': Finally, MIT students work for the real common good...a new way to make ice cream! Yes!

The Right Wing Get Caught Doing Wrong: The federal government suspended funding to a nationwide program that promotes teenage premarital abstinence through skits and music videos, because the group did not adequately separate religious components from its abstinence message. I am particularly fond of the seemingly unbiased language in the last sentence, stating "The Silver Ring Thing has said that more than 30,000 young people have committed themselves to premarital purity after attending the program's three-hour multimedia presentations." Um, yeah.

Good Spinal News: I went to my five week follow up appointment at the Spine Center this morning. The good news is that my MRI was basically ok, and just showed some minor swelling between two of my cervical vertebrae (neck). She said many people have this type of swelling, and that mainly what I have is soft tissue problems. She asked about my physical therapy (which, I must say, I have been kicking ass at!) and which exercises they are having me do etc. She asked what size weights I have been using for them. I told her 2 lb, and that even that was often very hard for some of the exercises. She said it sounded like I was doing well, but she would like to see me work up to 6 lb!!!! Admittedly, over time, but that seems incomprehensible right now. I am very proud of myself with how consciencious I can been in doing my exercises every day (maybe even too much...I made my arms/shoulders very sore over the weekend.) I think that, unlike the chiropractic care I have been doing for the last year (with good stretching at home) where I felt like I was passive to the treatment, I am working REALLY hard at the PT with the mindset that if I work hard enough, I will stop hurting. I am having trouble being patient, and want to feel better NOW. Anyhow, I was glad to get a good assessment from the Spine Doc and be on the right path with PT. 6lb....eee gad!

Parenthetical Weekend in Review: Friday I "went home" with my friend Kathryn (all the way to Arlington...maybe 1.5 miles from my house). We changed into sporty gear and went on a great walk on the bike path. We went back to her place where she made up a yummy, fresh dinner (whole wheat pita filled with a salad of feta, cucumbers, lemony olive oil, and fresh basil, with garden fresh string beans and red grapes). We then walked to the new ice cream place in Teele Square (we sampled the coconut sumin' or other, mocha almond fudge, moose tracks, and black berry and then ended up with mocha almond fudge and moose tracks). We walked back to her place, chatted a bit, and then I went home.

Saturday I went to the Boston Harbor Islands (George's Island to be exact) amid UNBELIEVABLE fog. We couldn't even see the people in the front of the boat! We found a great grill and site on the un-busy side of the island to set up camp. We grilled (thanks to Kevin for the chicken sausage), ate lots of junk food (Triskets, Wheat Thins, cheeses, Pringles, animal crackers, Reese cups, potato chips...) and a few healthy things (carrots, hummos, grapes, blueberries). Some people played Frisbee, some flew a kite (so fun!), some read a book, some napped (ME ME ME), and some played games (Uno and Scrabble). And some got a sun burn when the fog went away (ME ME ME again...stupid stupid stupid) We got home around 7:00 (thanks again Em and Nat for the ride) and I just chilled.

Sunday I read the paper, Kev and Josh came by to get the stuff Josh was storing in my basement (we spent 40 minutes trying to extract the box spring from the basement!!!!!), I went to the grocery store, made my contribution for the potluck at work today (green pasta salad with spiral pasta with pesto, spinach and peas), and met Kev, Josh and Shana for dinner at the Forest Cafe. Oh, and I also watched the movie Raising Helen (C+) And here I am...back at work. Actually with quite a bit to do finally. And only 12 more days till my vacation to LA and Palm Desert!!!!!!

People Watching at Lunch: Walking across campus on my way back from lunch today I saw:
1) A man jogging around the track as he juggled three balls. As far as I saw, he never dropped the balls, and was simply exercising his arms as he ran by juggling. Quite impressive.
2) A man that was straight out of Nerd Central Casting. He was wearing knee-length shorts pulled up to his mid-chest, a polo-ish shirt with a pocket and pocket protector, LARGE glasses, black "sneakers" with kneehigh socks. Rarely am I so acutely aware that I work at MIT.

More from the Gaza Strip: My cousin is on USAToday.com. Go to the photos from the Gaza Strip and go to the 5th photo. He is the one on the right with his head down. What a moment in history, especially as someone who went to Israel to join the Army from Ohio to support Israel.

Good People Watching: Last night on the T (riding back from my last Fund Raising class!) I saw a couple and their 5-ish year old daughter sitting next to me. The girl was sitting in a stroller and watching the world go by. I had noticed the family because they looked like they came straight out of the 70's, with long hair in braids (mom AND dad), a tie dyed shirt, and that general VERY crunchy look. At some point the little girl said something to her mom and her mom pulled the girl onto her lap, lifted up her shirt and began breast feeding her. I thought it was an interesting phenomenon, but you should have seen the faces of some of the other people on the T. Shock! The mom was very discrete, but there was no missing what was happening.

Straight from the Gaza Strip: This is an email my aunt Janet (who lives in Israel) sent to her sister Judy today. Judy's son (my cousin) Daniel is in the Israeli army with our other cousin in the Gaza Strip at this historic time. "Dan just called me a few times. He's in Kfar Darom (where we were, Mom) and it's one of the extremist settlements where people are on the roof of some building. Dan is really a part of history here. He's standing outside one of the homes with all the soldiers who are so cute, so special, so young!!!! Can't believe how they must be suffering in probably 105 degrees or more. They send girl officers into these homes first ? if you can watch any of this today, Jude, on your satellite it's unreal. Dan sounds ok, just had to take out an old man with a baby or something."

Prayers with the Soldiers: Two of my three cousins in the Israeli Army are stationed in the Gaza Strip today, as settlers leave the area. I pray for no violence...and peace... for them, the Israelis and the Palestinians.

I'm Not Trying to Be Mean But...: On Boston.com people have submitted photos of themselves, claiming that they look like a famous celebrity. In almost all cases, I have to say I disagree. The particularly funny part is that most people think they look like a very beautiful/handsome person...all the more tragic when they are way off the mark.

Another great use of MIT minds: Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are developing software for cell phones that would analyze speech patterns and voice tones to rate people -- on a scale of 0 to 100 percent -- on how engaged they are in a conversation. The best part is that is is being called a Jerk-O-Meter.

What An Idiot: An 18-year old (need I say more) decided to TEST whether the net behind home plate at Yankee Stadium would hold him and so he JUMPED from the UPPER DECK to see. What a fool!

Miracle of Miracles: Are you ready for this? The Whybunts WON last night...in the playoffs! (Well, it was an elective playoffs...anyone who wanted to play could enter the playoffs.) We won 10-9 and have another game tonight. Alas, I have class tonight but will join them for the post-game celebration/commiseration. When my dad asked what I contributed to last night's game I replied "Spirit...lots and lots of spirit." But hey, that's my best asset to offer! We have so much fun!

Mazel Tov: More babies! (well, one) Congratulations to Debb and Neal on the arrival (finally! after a 7 day delay) of Joseph Bennett (JB) Klinman. It sounds like mom, dad and baby are all doing well, and he appears to be cute as a button. :-)

I Got Me Some Smart (and teacher-ly) Friends: As wrote my last post about talking to my law professor friend, I realized that I have friends who teach at Tufts University, Case Western Reserve University, Tulane University, U of Washington, and UC Berkeley...in areas ranging from law to Central American anthropology to molecuular biology to postmodern theater studies. Did I forget anyone? Makes my brain hurt.

Overheard from My Living to the WWW: Just this weekend I was having a discussion with my favorite law professor, and tech junkie, about the legality of using someone else's wireless signal. Seems as though I am not the only one thinking about this...

The Cat is Out of the Bag: So I was waiting until after Emily and Nat's party yesterday to post anything on this blog, but now the news is mostly out... EMILY AND NAT ARE ENGAGED! (or, as Emily put it, they have decided to get married) Sendng my cyber and real life best wishes to them for a lifetime of love and happiness.

Unexpected Sadness: I just saw that Peter Jenkins passed away last night. Somehow this has saddened me much more than I ever would have anticipated. I truly felt that I knew him after all the nights I watched him deliver the news. :-(

Brilliant: A web site where you can get a log in without registering for the web site...called BugMeNot. I think that hilarious. I already used it to log onto the Dallas News web site to read an article that was suggested to me, without having to register.

OH-MY-GOD: Bill Brochtrup, who played John on NYPD Blue, will be starring in the SpeakEasy's first play (Theater District) of next season! Em and I aleady got our info for re-subscibing for next year and thought the schedule looked fabulous. With the news about Brochtrup, they have outdone themselves!

Adult Content: Today's Savage Love column (a repeat) is further proof of why we need sex educators, not sex teachers. More power to the sex educators!

Kim's Soapbox: A pretty pregnant white woman goes missing and it is "breaking news" and on the front page, a pretty pregnant black woman goes missing and no one even mentions it on the news until it can be filed under "cool new uses of blogs".

HOT: It is frickin' hot here today! I left my AC on all day, even though I won't be home until 9:30 p.m. because I would never be able to cool my place to sleeping temp otherwise. Tomorrow, for the last day of softball, it is supposed to be 73! Yeah! I feel justified complaining about this heat to everyone but Eva, who is TRUELY hot in Phoenix...but then again, I'm not the one who decided to move to the desert. (then again, I don't question that she moved there come winter)

Movie Friday (Thursday) Five: Since I won't be at work tomorrow, I thought I'd post my Friday Five a day early.
1) What is your favorite movie? Probably Shawshank Redemption.
2) What movie have you seen the most times? I think The Sound of Music.
3) If someone made a movie about your life, what would it be called? "Kimpossible Strikes Again" of course! Or maybe, "The True Adventures of a Redhead Named Bo". Or "Quirk".
4) Who would you want to play the role of "you"? Sandra Bullock
5) Who would be on the soundtrack? Lili Anel, Becky Chace Band, Vance Gilbert, Queen Latifa, Ani DiFranco, and Gloria Gaynor singing I Will Survive.

Excellent Theater: Last night Emily and I went to see The Syringa Tree at the American Repertory Theater. It is a one woman play, performed by the playwright, about her life growing up in South Africa during the mid-1960. She takes the persona of over 20 different people, "from a six-year old girl to dour Afrikaners and fearful black servants", sometimes all within five seconds. It was a tremendous experience!

BODY Friday Five: I have been extremely focused on my body the last two weeks because of my poor back (neck to tush)...lots of sleepless nights, walking around, stretching, moaning, and uncomfortable-ness. I now have drugs (the legal kind) and am going to a spine specialist next Tuesday. Another friend has been having a bad few weeks with his GI system, so I thought this week would be sponsored by BODY.
1) What is your favorite part of your body? I don’t think my hair counts, so I will say my upper abdomen (ya know, between your breasts and belly button)
2) What is your least favorite part of your body? Interestingly, right below my “upper abdomen”, my pot belly.
3) What is your favorite part of a/your partner’s body? Shoulder and upper arm. I find this part of the body very sexy if well toned...and perfect for leaning/laying on.
4) What part of your body causes you the most pain? My back!!! But my migraines suck too…they just don’t happen as often as my back hurts.
5) On what part of your body do have/would you pierce or tattoo? I only have my ears pierced..one on the right side and two on the left. I thought about piercing my navel for quite awhile, but decided that it was silly to draw attention to the part of my body I least like (see above). I don’t have any tattoos, and don’t think I will get one. But if I did, I think I would put it on my right hip bone.

Friday Five: It has been a long time since I have done a Friday Five, but I found one on a web site today so I though I would post it here as well.
1. How much money is in your wallet right now?
$40. Just went tot he ATM and am going to try to make this $40 last through Monday night...which means it needs to buy lunch tomorrow, maybe dinner tomorrow, movie on Sunday night, a drink after the Alumni Association retreat on Monday.
2. How much money would you need in the bank to feel secure? Rich?
I am very blessed in that I feel secure no mattter what because I know my parents could/would help me if I needed help. That being said, I would feel most comfortable if I had $4,000 in the bank. (I don't) To feel rich (as in don't need to worry about where I go to eat, where I travel, what I spend) I would want $30,000 in expendable savings. To feel like I am a rich person, I would need $1 million.
3. If someone gave you $100, no strings attached, what would you do with it?
Save it for a really nice dinner when I am out in Palm Desert (not that $100 would pay for the entire meal, but with an extra $100 I would go to a fancier place.)
4. If someone gave you $1 Million, no strings attached, what would you do with it?
Oooo...that's just not fair to hypothesize. I would...
- put $600,000 away immediately in some "smart" investment strategies
- pay off my credit cards
- give a few friends $20,000 each to put toward their student loans
- buy a bed room set and a new couch for the living room
- take several friends out for a fancy and great dinner at one of Boston's nicest restaurants
- go to Germany and New Orleans
- buy a new suit and a few other items of clothes
- put $5,000 away for a trip somewhere next summer
- put $200,000 in a saving vehicle to buy a single-family house in a year, when there is no penalty for selling my current place
- see question 2...put the rest in an account for use in the "rich as in don't need to worry about where I go to eat, where I travel, what I spend"
5. How much does something have to cost before it starts counting as "real" money, as a purchase to be considered and evaluated, but below which you'll buy without really thinking about it?
Around $20.

News from Your Favorite Foodie: On Chowhounds, someone posted that he/she is trying to compile a list of all of the restaurants/coffee shops/ ice cream places in Cambridge, with the goal of trying to get to them all. After looking at the list, helping him/her refine it with missing/incorrect info, I have thus far counted 92 (!!!!) places just in Cambridge that I have been to. Should I be proud or slightly concerned?

Bad Luck- Apparently former NYC mayor Rudy Giuliani was in London during yesterday's bombing. It seems as though he brings bad luck to a city. (I am not trying to mkae light of important, and serious, world events....it just struck me as interesting.)

Parenting Gone Awry: (In my opinion) A new movement, called DiaperFreeBaby, is promoting parents to begin potty training as early as possible, sometimes as soon as four DAYS old. I have to laugh because a co-worker was potty training his two and a half year old this weekend. I guess he was two years late. Scary!

Looking Forward to a Dip in Lake Me: (as my friend Amy says about needing personal time) In early September, I will be going out to California for ten days (well, two are mainly travel days). I will begin in LA for a day, and then drive to Palm Desert. After a week, I will drive back to LA for a day. Hopefully one, two or three people will be joining me for some of the week in Palm Desert, but I anticipate being there alone for a few days at least. As I have thought about this, I have realized that I am actually really looking forward to this time. Although I live alone, so obviously have “alone time”, when I am at home (which is not very often) I feel the need to get things done, run errands, hop out of bed when I wake up, get to bed in time to get a full night sleep, and, in true Kim fashion, be efficient in all that I do. The idea of being completely without schedule, commitments, obligations, and tasks is so very blissful (and foreign). Of course, I can do this when others are there too (and plan to) but I have been thinking a bit about this idea of getting away with just ME. I have ordered books to read, will find shops to wander, ice cream to eat, massages perhaps, pools to lounge by, and all without a schedule, priorities or pressure. Delightful!