Uh, yeah, so I missed the 6 a.m. flight. It's not that I didn't wake up, cause I did. It's just that the power chose that exact moment to go out, and as I couldn't do anything, I went back to bed. The power came back on at 6 a.m.

Buggers.

I'm on the 9, but since I'm flying stand-by, I need to hightail it to the airport right now anyway. Just want sleep.

Al- I got E's number.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Answers

Joh! I hope you have a better landing than all the ones we had.

Um, did you know that you can disassemble the washer spinner thing? It just unscrews. But you might not want to know that.

Allison, I LOVE your DSAS letter. They really are just 16-year- olds. But god, the whining. If they want to act like grownups, they need to hear grown-up advice.

I have my car! Yay! And I found a 6-disk changer in the trunk! Yay! The MATH cd is in there right now.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

T, YAY! I so excited for you!

Also, I am thrilled that you can dissasemble the spinner. Obsessive- compulsive Master V will also be thrilled.

H, have tons of fun! You should call Meredith.

Y'all, I'm sick as ass. I'm going back to bed. I hate this.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Oh, don't be sick. Are you mourning the sacrifice of H's dress? I am. That is just tragic. I would have lost many bras if it wasn't for my father, the engineer, showing me how to disassemble the spinning mechanism.

H, you could call Anna, too. 512-IAM-ANNA. "Hey, remember me? When you were 12, and Aunt Bonnie had you take all six of her kids and me to The Club, and Susan was two, and she walked home by herself?"

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Connect the dots, La la la la...

Mike, you're in at noon, right? Allison, you're working, right? Joh just called me - she's boarding her flight from Atlanta right now. We had a nice discussion about our increased fear of flying.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

I'm in. I had an appointment this morning.

Hating life, hating life. I want to quit this punk job so bad. I know y'all are sick of hearing it.

T - what sort of scary flights did you have to deal with in Spain?

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Oh, the terrifying sort of flights.

Our landing in Lisbon was done with 35 mph winds and sheets of rain. Our takeoff from Lisbon was the kind where the plane goes all over the runway and sort of teeters off the ground. Our landing in Madrid was the kind where the plane bobs up and down, sending your stomach in all sorts of directions, before it finally lands. Flights like that. My Uncle Ken is a psychiatrist - I seriously may ask him to prescribe something for me before I have to fly to DC for Easter.

And to top it off, Chris and I are trying to determine what airline we'll take to DC. Delta is cheap and there are a bazillion flights a day to DC, but their pilots and mechanics are disgruntled. In what was a decidedly un-Republican move, Bush forbade them to strike. Now, C and I are really not keen on flying on a plane that was serviced by a pissed-off mechanic. But other airlines can be a pain, and AirTran, although inexpensive, and they have a lot of new planes, has that whole ValuJet stigma. So, we'll see. Drugs for me, I guess.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Well, I flew American Trans Air to Chicago. Apparently, that is some huge airline of Chicago, or something, but I had never heard of it. Like the Southwest Airlines of that area? I don't know. Midway was all about Am Trans Air, though.

Anyway, I was all afraid of it, and got pissed that they wouldn't allow my carry on luggage, which would have fit just fine, but then I decided it was ok. Then we landed with a huge thud that caused the lady next to me to start crying. I do have to say, it was pretty scary. The captain came on and said "Ladies and gentlemen, just so you know, that was not my fault. It was the AS-PHALT."

Uh, listen Benny Youngman... let's just get to the gate, how 'bout it?

T, get the drugs.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Oh, by the way...

This just in:

Graduate Schools: 2/ Meat of Cheese: 0

He got turned down by Duke. Y'all pray. I'm worried about his artery-hardened heart. Damn the Dukies - who needs them anyway? Bunch of punks.

For those of you keeping score, that's one Bad One down (Wisconsin) and one Good One down (Duke).

Start your vigils now, and chant with me: Em-o-ry... Em-o-ry...

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Baby, I've been chanting "Em-o-ry" for like three months, now.

I think that pilots have lost the ability to land during the past few years. I didn't hate flying before, but I haven't had a good landing in the past three or four years. Maybe two or three out of thirty flights. Not fun. Now, even turbulence breaks me out. And asphalt, my ass. Asphalt doesn't land the plane. The pilot does.

My Uncle Bill was a Captain with American foe about thirty years. He has explained every noise that a plane makes, and that turbulence is little more than a car driving over a bumpy road.

But see, I control that car. I do not control whether the turbulence causes the wing to snap off of the plane.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

I know, I know - but you have to chant it louder, T. They clearly cannot hear you over there. C has become more and more enamored of the idea of Atlanta lately. Even without my constant campaigning. I have this weird feeling though, that he's going to get into, and go to Iowa.

Yeah, the landings are awful lately. What's with the INSANELY loud "wwwhhhhhhhooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHH!" that happens when you land? I always feel like, "ah...we made it... but now I guess we're going to explode?!"

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

YES! I feel like once you're on the ground, the plane should slow down. Not the really, extra fast WWWWWHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHH!!! thing. No way.

I actually think (and have some information from one of our crack informants) that most domestic fleets should be grounded. I mean, I'm not comfortable driving my 1991 car, and I'm in a plane, thousands of feet from Earth, that's like forty years old?

I will drive by Emory and chant mantras for the MOC. Also, this looks like a job for St. Jude, y'all.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Just got to Austin. Love it. Going to meet Pam. I think Stee's gonna get me an interactive pass. Yay!!!

Call me!

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Joh, I left a message on your cell phone voice mail. But I'll call you. You call me, when with all those cool folks who have never met the T in MATH.

I'll probably be in my car.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

H! I can't find your cell numbah! So glad you found pamie and stee! SWWEEET! Can't wait to see you!

Oh...

You're not going to read this...

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Al, I'll email her number to you.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Thanks, T. I just got it. Left her a message. I'm so jealous! H gets to spend two days with pamie and E and the MOC! And RAY! Sad, sad, sad.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

T - I want to hear all about the Cabrio. So, you have it now, in your possession? When do we see pictures? Are you stylin' and profilin' all over Smyrna? Playing the MATH Club and looking cool?

Tell all.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

I CAN'T WAIT to hear about Ray. And the Texan. So many worlds, so much potential for collission.

Did I tell y'all that I love my car? It's no Hawaiian Orchid, but it ain't bad.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Actually, the mechanic I took it to this morning was actualy in downtown Smyrna. He was German, though, I I am assured that Smyrna does have some international flair.

But really, I live in Atlanta. Which has all sorts of flair.

C's sister and her husband are coming down this weekend. They know all about the living arrangement, but I don't think that Edna has any idea. But, as I lugged a huge-ass Lladro piece all over Spain for Edna, I'm in real good with her.

The Cabrio. Where do I start? It's a 1999, black with a black top and tan leather seats, power everything, cruise control, tilt steering, cup holders, and many other amenities that shouldn't thrill me, but with the cars I've driven, they're a big deal. Like a rear view mirror.

The top is six layers thick that were hand-stiched by a lovely German woman. It goes up and down automatically. The trunk is pretty roomy, for a convertable, and it has a super-secret six-disk changer. It proudly plays MATH real loud.

It goes real fast, and is all zippy. I may ruin my speeding-ticket- free record. It's extra cool. And with the windows up, it's not even that windy on the interstate. The heaer and the AC are both exceptional, which is good, because that means that when it's chilly out, I can still drive with the top down.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Hi all. Finally in. 6-2 tonight. Bleh.

Updating later.

What else? Allison, tell Chris that I welcome him to the wonderful world of Duke-haters.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

See, I'm trying to write a resume, and I put "actually" twise within five words, and I manage to misspell it once. Shite.

Is AB alive?

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Mike, you're here!

I need to update today, too. I did register T Goes To Spain, so that will need to go up, too. After I finish my trip journal.

Duke, schmuke. Does anyone like them?

Would it be bad if I ate pizza and chess pie for dinner?

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

There has been no sign of AB since this morning. She's all sick in bed or something.

M! You're in. But, why? You're not on until six and you had to come in an hour early? Poor baby. Down with basketball, yo. I feel for you.

T - reviewing the res. Will send back asap. Have to edit some stupid thing first.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

I am here! But now I'm going to ride the bike. I'll be back though.

BTW, T, I think you have a typo in your DSAS, unless you meant to write "Near New Car"

Once a copy-editor, always a copy-editor.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

God, T - I love me some chess pie. Is anything more simple to make and yet, so damn tasty? My dad looooves them. So do I. Sugar, butter, eggs, done.

Puke on Duke.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

DAMMIT! I cannot type worth a damn today.

I think I will have to make the chess pie. Or pecan. I told Chris that I'd make him a pecan pie before I left for Spain, and then I forgot, and he was T-less AND pecan pie-less while I was gone. And I love me some pecan pie. I brown the butter before I add the karo. Oh, it's so good. And sticky. And delicious. Ooh! And we have girl scout cookies! Peanut butter ones!

But oh, how the chess pie calls my name. I use the recipe from the progressive farmer cookbook - all the JL ones call for lemon. There is no lemon in chess pie, dammit! Just butter, eggs, and sugar. And vanilla. And a little cornstarch to make the top of the filling crispy, while the filling is all chewy.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Ohhhhhh, T... I cannot believe you just busted down the stupid Amber Starcrazy and her Internet Lovah... BWA ha!

So, so funny. I love that you put it in parensthesis.

Yes, yes, the chess pie is the bombassest. We use a recipe from Calling all Cooks. But who even needs a recipe? A kid can make it. I don't like them with lemon, either. I am sort of anti-fruit flavoring with all deserts, anyway, unless we're talking like, fruit pies or cobbler or the like.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Well, it IS beautiful here. No delays, and certainly no cancellations.

I'd love to hear her response. That girl is whack. I just read some of her journal entries. What I want to know, is who is the guy from squishy who is going to meet her??

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

I have no idea, but she keeps calling him "Soul" which is making me laugh. And I guess he's uh, actually not going to meet her...

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

I know! I'm picturing Barry White. Really, he's one of the only people alive who can justifiably be referred to as "Soul."

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Um, Al, Wendy just started a thread with your name on it. Something about having a lot of options.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Okay, folks, I'm out of heyah.

Time to go to the gym for the first time in a month. I have to justify the monthly fee, and all.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

And T heads out to work out just as I come back from mine ...

Alabama-Seton Hall tonight on ESPN.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

I'm stil sort of here - I'm IMing Kathleen.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

I'm going to work out in little while, too. It's the only thing that would make me feel better after this unsatisfactory day.

AL - Seton Hall... really? I'll watch it. I think I've seen like, one game all season. Will you be watching?

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

We'll probably have one TV on that, and one on the NCAA play-in game.

I chat tomorrow, y'all. Tune in! Allison, ask a question about why Alabama didn't get in so I can vent.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Ooooo, I will... stupid hosing NCAA...

I'm oot for a while. M, I'll check in on you later.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Now, see? I'm already checking in. Who loves you, Berman?

Y'all, I'm so happy to report that I think L_L has effectively squashed the fuzz thread with her Latrell thing. I've been wondering where they were for the last two days, and I just looked and Mangy Kat posted something tonight like "This is just bad *walks away.*"

HAHAHAHAHAH! Go, L_L, you thread-KILLAH! Using her powers for good.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Good. Screw 'em all. That's why IM exists. Or e-mail.

L_L is like one of those X-Men types that has this special power, but can't decide if she's good or evil -- like Wolverine in the movie.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001