Well, it came with the meal. It was pretty delicious for lentil stew, though. But not vegetarian. It was lentils with ham. And then steak wrapped in bacon. It was a pretty good night for insidious pork products of all kinds. (There were only berries in the creme brulee.)

I'm spoiled for Downton Abbey and it is absurd, but I still enjoy it. It's its own little melodrama.

Good on you, Liese. Sometimes the fun Docs and a bit of makeup are great medicine.

Why do car dealers hand you plates, at least in LA? Was that typical? I mean, they had them, and they handheld me through everything, but then he stuck that paper to the windshield and handed me the plates and left me to DO IT MYSELF. Huh.

I'm still happy with the purchase, even with the full amount come due. Drives good. Well, even. I still have issues remembering to lock the doors, and that it's my right hand that operates the window, but I do seem to be getting pretty good with the sunroof, so I'm not entirely unable to learn.

New car, yay!

I'm spoiled for Downton Abbey and it is absurd, but I still enjoy it. It's its own little melodrama.

Yeah, I had heard rumors that season 2 wasn't as good, so I adjusted my expectations downward, and I'm enjoying it for the clothing porn, but also laughing at it. I'm checking off all the cliches as we go.

Also, apparently none of these people understand about discretion. Sheesh.

Downton is total soap opera. And they are totally playing to Dame Maggie's strengths with the writing on her character, and I am eating it up with a spoon.

No kidding! Very bad at discretion! But very pretty while indiscreet, male and female both.

Yay new car. I finally (finally!) Got the van titled and registered, and I thought they would take my old plates (and thus help me put on my new ones) but it wasn't that kind of day at the dmv. Although they also failed to fine me for taking so long to register it, so I am ok with that.

I pulled a stupid new car owner trick in the Pilot tonight. The high beams you push the lever away from you instead of pulling it in, which I forgot. Which would have been ok if I wasn't also turning a corner and signalling when I was trying to turn them off for the driver at the intersection. There was a lot of flashing and blinking and turning and I'm pretty sure he's blind now. Sorry other driver, but you were pretty unexpected on my rural street late at night!

Judi Dench was on Graham Norton last week, talking about a movie she'd made with Dev Patel, and if memory serves, Dame Maggie. Judi cracked my shit up, whilst reminding me totally of my own mother, which I never would have guessed. I'd loved to have seen them together.

I also developed a girl crush on Sue Perkins who seemed pretty clearly designed to make ita ! de la O a raging lesbian.

Dame Maggie is awesome. And if your mother is anything like Judi, she is even cooler than I was picturing. Or maybe Judi is.

I also developed a girl crush on Sue Perkins who seemed pretty clearly designed to make ita ! de la O a raging lesbian.

Not that I have a good baseline to work from, but I think that's what she does. I've never seen her interviewed where I haven't left with a little crush.

Judi and my mother have met, because sis was pals with Fionnuala (Nu), Judi's daughter. Those were weird times. She was famous, but English TV famous, not FAMOUS like that Bonham Carter chick a year ahead of me.

My nail just broke off, and typing is becoming inaccurate. Perhaps it's naptime. Mmm,

Oh G-d. Maria, you and your family are in my thoughts. I'm so sorry.