without any assistance i destroyed:
1. one fritatta
2. one pot of beef burgandy
3. 3.5 beef tenderloins
-- one half of one of the tenderloins was salvaged during the second cooking

note: the tenderloins were the replacement for the beef burgandy.

the champagne was brilliant, though.

oh, and did i mention the kitchen fire?

merry christmas, all!

off to mt. rainier tomorrow.

if i don't post photos by, say, the 31st would someone out there call the forest service and initiate the search? thanks!

personal ads, london review of books style.

the first five from the current issue:

..................
Wreck needs salvaging. F, 60. Please help. Box no. 24/0
..................
Attractive charming smart leftish woman 50ish seeks lover lucy2163@hotmail.com
..................
The Oxford branch of the LRB Readers Dining Club meets monthly. The LRB Readers Dining Club? What could that possibly be? Contact lrbrdcob@yahoo.co.uk and I'll tell you.
..................
Anybody seen in a bus over the age of 30 has been a failure in life." M, 43, failure, seeks F anywhere on the Arriva 333 route between Oare and Maidstone, for evenings cut short and diesel-choked embraces (the last bus leaves the Chequers Centre at 1817 and it's a long walk). empty_to_terminus@hotmail.co.uk Box no. 24/10
..................
In laboratory tests, this ad made seven mice blind. The remaining three, however, developed extra-sensory powers and the ability to levitate. You could too, by replying to ex-communicated biologist and psychic-mouse groomer (M, 39) at box number. 24/01 Or you may just go blind. It’s a 70-30 shot but you can’t halt progress.
..................

file this entry under bad haiku.

ice pellets flying
abandoned metro buses
warm up the brandy

"Happiness is always a by-product. It is probably a matter of temperament, and for
anything I know it may be glandular. But it is not something that can be demanded
from life, and if you are not happy you had better stop worrying about it and see
what treasures you can pluck from your own brand of unhappiness."

- Robertson Davies

Next book to re-read.

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