How IS everyone?

I failed to mention that a British friend reported that it was "bloody cold" there.

You need not worry about me, Mr. Clown. I had the providential foresight to be born in a place that but rarely experiences lethal weather.

Take, for example, those atmospheric whirligigs you know as 'tornados'. Here in Oregon I have seen some dust and the occasional bit of paper seriously discommoded by such a wind-funnel (we call them 'dust devils') but these could not disturb anything so large as a Norway rat. As for 'cold snaps' - in western Oregon it is news when snow falls and the thermometer dips below 32F (0C). Today, rain is falling steadily, the sky is a uniform light grey from one horizon to the other, and the temperature is hovering near 50F (10C). Yesterday was much the same, as will be tomorrow. In two weeks I shall no doubt see the first crocus, bravely poking its soggy bloom aloft.

In western Oregon, what you must watch out for is not the weather, but your own perfidous psyche - the stealthy depression that engulfs one when the skies bid fair to break the Noahan record of 40 days and 40 nights. Thank God for the Irish. They invented whiskey for just such contingencies, bless them. Next they invented the rousing all-in pub brawl; their burst of sublime invention was over and a culture was born.

Ask Me About Dr. Corn's Microwaveable Fritters.

(P.S. Sorry, my contract says I have to include that in all my social correspondence until I am paid at the end of the day.)

(P.P.S. Don't ask.)

Ohio is cold with more cold expected followed by excessive cold and snow.

The only good thing about it being this cold is that lovely crunching sound that the snow makes while you are walking thru it.

Mr Aimless,

I in no way mean to contradict you sir, but I have always heard that it was God who invented whiskey in order to keep the Irish from taking over the world.

I asked my grocer about those fritters and he said "By gum, I'll have 'em in here next week if'n the dadgum snow ain't up to a buffalo's ass!"

I've got a book on the go.
Lynskey's got an album on the go.
Jarl's got some absorbing bowel movements on the go.

absorbing??

on the go?

Everyone is fine, we're all busy trying sort out the mess that is Mark Corrins music career, and Matt's doing some colouring in.

Go back to the toilet, bowel-boy.

All is fine here in Vermont. Business as usual -37F a few weeks ago, but ain't it grand for making an ice rink? Looking forward to:
February, March and Mud Season on the dirt roads in April. Black flies in May, deer flies and mosquitos in June and July with a day or two of swimming around mid-month, frost in August & September. Snow in Otober and back to this stuff about the middle of November. Life is good...

Welcome, Vermont!

Heard about them black flies o' yours. Heard ya breed 'em to harrass the damn tourists. Had a friend who lived up they ya. Wore a diver's wetsuit coated in honey and when it was full o' flies he'd float in his pond and feed his catfish. Strange, strange folk in Vermont. Nuthin' like them in New Hampsher tho.

I meant to say "New Hampsha".

Sorry. I'm from Missouri.

Did you just say Surrey, Missouri? Can't find it.