Dead Lobster

Nick, Janey, Cindy and I had dinner last night with the brother-in-law. For the first time in recorded history, Janey and Cindy were talkative and vivacious during the meal. Too bad most of their conversation revolved around bodily functions and the earthworm Janey had dissected that day in science class.

I has a lolcat (lolcats on wikipedia).

Even though I'm a language person who is privileged to share my home with four cats, varying in their loquacity, I am not at all confident I could quickly learn kitty pidgin. To be explored further, perhaps with digicam in hand....

Anil Dash: Cats Can Has Grammar

Honk if you're married and can't cope with anger - 04/22/2007 - MiamiHerald.com

Cindy helpfully points out examples of the AMP (Anger Management Problem) of various family members, and reminds us that she's working on hers. She is, too.

Honk if you're married and can't cope with anger - 04/22/2007 - MiamiHerald.com

Fruity cocktails count as health food, study finds - CNN.com

I suppose sangria would count, too. Or red beer, which I could never bring myself to taste.

Fruity cocktails count as health food, study finds - CNN.com

MacMe

This is just so I can have a more recent and less serious profile picture.

Company: Toilets Might Catch Fire

My God. The dangers of modern life.

My mother was born in 1919 to a family of sharecroppers in the North Georgia mountains. She was a grown woman before she ever saw a flush toilet, and it scared her. I can only imagine her reaction to a toilet that lit your ass on fire.

April 16, 2007, 7:29 AM CDT

TOKYO -- Japan's leading toilet maker Toto Ltd. is offering free repairs for 180,000 bidet toilets after wiring problems caused several to catch fire, the company said Monday.

The electric bidet accessory of Toto's Z series caught fire in three separate incidents between March 2006 and March 2007, according to company spokeswoman Emi Tanaka. The bidet sent up smoke in 26 other incidents, the company said.

"Fortunately, nobody was using the toilets when the fire broke out and there were no injuries," Tanaka said. "The fire would have been just under your buttocks."

The company will repair 180,000 toilet units manufactured between May 1996 and December 2001 for free, she said. A manufacturing defect is thought to have led to the faulty wiring.

Toto has been a pioneer in high-tech toilets fitted with pressurized water sprayers -- a standard fixture in Japanese homes.

The popular Z series features a pulsating massage spray, a power dryer, built-in-the-bowl deodorizing filter, the "Tornado Wash" flush and a lid that opens and closes automatically. Prices range from $1,680 to $2,600.

The model is not sold overseas.

Copyright (c) 2007, The Associated Press

Everybody Loves Litcrit

When He Learns the Word "Affinity" His Life Will Change Dramatically

Guy: I have an unnatural hard-on for post-modern dystopias... I have an unnatural hard-on for I Dream of Jeannie!

--Milon Restaurant
Overheard by: LBC & The Imbiber

via Overheard in New York, Apr 17, 2007