Alan would like the record to reflect the following, which I have agreed to stipulate:
1) It wasn’t his idea to get me a Scum Buster for V-Day. For years, I have asked for one. Recalling our experience with the Black & Decker Snake Light (underpowered, broke almost immediately), he always thought this was a joke. Finally, after about three successive Christmases when I said, “I guess Santa forgot my Scum Buster,” he said, “You’re serious, aren’t you?” And I replied, “You betcha.” He said, “Maybe for Valentine’s Day.” (He wasn’t serious.)
2) V-Day was not particularly romantic in our house because I was working the 6-9 news-farming shift and was unable to make a fancy dinner or even buy a bottle of wine. Nevertheless, as 9 p.m. approached and Kate went to bed, I said, “I guess I STILL don’t get my Scum Buster. I guess I’ll have to buy it MYSELF.” And on and on until finally he brought out the brand-new deluxe model with on-board cleaner reservoir and nine-count-’em-nine attachments. It was a very exciting moment.
To those who believe this gift shows a lack of romance, all I can say is this: While a clean bathroom doesn’t exactly get me hot, a filthy one is a real buzzkill.
(For our first V-Day, Alan bought me pearl earrings. I wore them at our wedding and still wear them several times a week. One had to be replaced after Spriggy the Puppy possibly ate it, or maybe it went through the vacuum cleaner. So it’s not like the man doesn’t have any romance in his soul.)
(And what did I get him? I baked some cupcakes. What do I look like, Venus?)
OK, then. Off to get my car tinkered with. I’m taking “The Looming Tower” and at least one crime novel, and plan to switch back and forth between them.
Talk amongst yourselves. I’ll be back later.
brian stouder said on February 16, 2007 at 10:03 am
I’m taking “The Looming Tower” and at least one crime novel, and plan to switch back and forth between them.
a GREAT book!
Tell me your impression of Sammy bin Laden after you finish. (the Qutb guy – the scholar whose name I am probably mis-remembering – seems cut from the same cloth, too)
Ayman al Zawahiri comes across like the Dick Cheney of aQ; nominally #2 – but probably more the ‘evil genius’ who bet on the right horse, and co-opted his way into controlling events
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Emma said on February 16, 2007 at 10:37 am
Our romantic Valentine’s Day gift this year? Jeff and I bought each other self-sustaining shoes, made entirely out of garbage. (They’re made by Simple.)
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brian stouder said on February 16, 2007 at 12:10 pm
This woman’s story would make a fine Disney-style movie. In fact, it is so odd as to raise questions…
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17185299/
an excerpt –
A German paraglider was encased in ice and blacked out after being sucked into a tornado-like thunderstorm in Australia and carried to a height greater than Mount Everest. She survived. “The glider kept climbing, climbing and I couldn’t see anything,” recalled Ewa Wisnerska. “Then it got dark.” The 2005 World Cup winner was lifted 32,612 feet (9,940 meters) above sea level by the storm …
and then there’s this – tucked into the end
A British team member earlier this month survived an attack by two wild eagles which sent her canopy plummeting while flying in the same area ahead of the championships.
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brian stouder said on February 16, 2007 at 1:10 pm
Well, short of a terror attack on Renaissance Center, I cannot imagine bigger news in Detroit than this breaking story about GM and Chrysler
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17186447/
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Joe Kobiela said on February 16, 2007 at 2:34 pm
I kinda doubt she went to 32,000 ft. She would have about 15 seconds before she passed out due to lack of oxygen at that altitude. Anything above the mid -20-25 thousand and you have maybe a minute. I was thinking a work last night. Due you have any songs you have to play in pairs. Example would be, heart breaker followed by livin’ lovin’ by Led Zepplin, or Whamma Jamma followed by hard driving man by JGeils band, or Black Magic woman followed by Oya Como Va, Santanna. Weird things you think of at 4 in the morning.
Joe
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ashley said on February 16, 2007 at 4:37 pm
I feel guilty for calling him “a romantic sumbitch” now. Thanks a lot, NN.
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MarkH said on February 16, 2007 at 9:14 pm
Joe, top 40 DJ’s (as I once long, long ago fancied myself) made their living doing that, thinking up and putting together all sorts of segues for air play. It’s how they made their rep. So you’re onto something and have some good ones there. I agree, a nightowl nature can spawn all sorts of, um, interesting ideas.
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alex said on February 17, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Best segue ever: Arcane ’80s dance music:
Frankie Smith’s “Double Dutch Bus” (“Gimme a Ho if you want your funky bus fare — Ho, Ho, Ho”) and Divine’s “Jungle Jezzabel” (“Yo mama, yo mama, yo mama”).
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Dave K. said on February 18, 2007 at 9:54 pm
Joe, H’mm, I think that “Hot ‘Lanta” and “In Memory of Elizabeth
Reed” would probably qualify, even though we’re talking about an entire album side. (I think I’ll listen now!)
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Joe Kobiela said on February 19, 2007 at 3:11 am
Got that right “bro”
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