My office was 62 degrees this morning, as were some other parts of the library. It's been like this all week, and the building supervisor seems to be ignoring us. I'm guessing that he's already left for his winter vacation and he turned down the heat before leaving.

It's time for Slate's Explainer column to answer a question they ignored, so go vote: [link]

I actually like this question: Are all languages equally lip-readable?

Holy crap.

Craigslist is a strong possibility, but that involves me figuring out how to get photos from my camera into the infernal laptop device, which, it should be easy but I suspect it will involve a lot of hunting for lost cables and swearing, and right now I'm tempted to just drop it off at Goodwill and write it off my taxes

The upside of Craigslist is, you can make the other people deal with transportation. But I feel you on the effort. I still have an extra dresser in my not-that-big apartment, which is slowly filling back up again.

Erika, Christopher wants to know the temp in Phoenix.

My co-worker is finding some weird and/or wonderful old Xmas cards:

May you be as happy as kittens: [link]

Bulldog Xmas: [link]

What happens when frogs try to skate: [link]

I don't know what the heck is going on here: [link]

More here: [link]

grr I have this big review thing at the govt agency who is our client today and had the hardest time finding out I was supposed to bring for it and someone just came in and was like do you have the blah blah blah? NO NOBODY TOLD ME I NEEDED THE BLAH BLAH BLAH!

And I probably don't actually need what she was talking about but now I'm all stressed out.

And a bunch of the internal tools I need are effed up and grrr.

Stupid having to work! I prefer last Wednesday -- lying on the beach, reading magazines, napping, drinking tropical drinks.

I'm browsing vacation packages to Puerto Rico. Because there's really no better time to crave a beach vacation than right before having a baby and adjusting to being a one-income family, right?

Well, the craving is certainly understandable!

Fruit Sip is a berry fruit juice (the recipe calls for apple-cherry, but I use Berry Juicy Juice or a cran-something something) that you heat up on the stove with 3 sticks cinnamon, 1/2 cup raisons or dried cranberries or both, 1/4 - 1/2 cup dates, and 2-3 whole allspice (optional). heat on simmer for a while. drain out all the stuff. YUMMY GOODNESS that makes the house smell yum.

January 2, my niece moves to the Virgin Islands to start her new job.

This means I can go to the Virgin Islands, and sleep on her couch.

mmm. Warmth. Beaches. Umbrella drinks. Cabana boys. Warmth.

Doesn't hurt to look, Jessica!

Good luck on your drive, aurelia--be careful out there!

It's sunny again today. They've done a good job of cleaning off our sidewalks and parking lot here at the apartment complex, so when Dad comes up and we head out to the movies, I'm going to drive. (Oh, and my seatbelt is already looser than it was!) The only movie playing near me that I can imagine he might like is Unstoppable.

I'm wearing my smaller pants right now, and ITFG!!! They're still a tad snug, but totally wearable. They'll fit perfectly by next week. I tried on a new shirt I'd deliberately ordered last month in a smaller size, but that'll have to wait until mid-January, I think. I can put it on, but it's skin tight across the belly.