gladly beyond any experience

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the icon overhaul is completed. If you're interested in a list of the new set and reasons they were chosen (so...only Sylvia if she's feeling particularly gracious), ( click here )


Okay! Finally I got some top five requests and now I'm going to answer them!

First Jasa's.
Top Five Gas Stations In My Town
1. The Citgo between The Peddler and Applebee's. Main reason: their cappuccino machine is the best in town. I had many a wonderful cup of overly-syrupped beverage before and/or after Chick-Fil-A shifts back in the day. Also their employees always seemed really intelligent. Not to stereotype. But yeah, to stereotype.
2. The Citgo right before the road to my house. Main reason: There are these two employees, one dorky freckle-covered kid with a heavy Southern accent and one older Hispanic gentleman who speaks in broken English, who know me because I'm there so often, and they get all happy when I go in and talk to me for a while. It's adorable. And even though I banged up my baby's door there, at least I can say it's an exciting place.
3. The Scotchman (I don't remember what the gas actually is) below Staples. Main reason: $.99 32-ounce fountain drinks. I mean, are they kidding? I could never even drink that much soda but it's amazing to know it's there. The only problem is the guy who works there most often is a complete jerk.
4. The gas station on the left when you pass the turn to 194. It might also be a Citgo. Main reason: every time I'm there I see someone I know, and it's almost always someone very much from here (read: Southern and friendly). Also gas is cheaper there than most places, usually.
5. The Raceway. This is last because it's not really in this town so it doesn't count so much. But it makes the list because I bought my first lottery ticket there, and won $2. With which I bought my second lottery ticket, and lost.

And Sylvia's:
Top Five Favorite Things About England
I'm not counting Doctor Who. Or Monty Python, Keeping Up Appearances, the Beatles, Billie Piper, or anything/anyone entertainment-wise. It wouldn't be fair. It's not something I have to go to England to enjoy. Plus it would end up monopolizing the list completely.
1. Covent Garden. I think Covent Garden is one of those places that most people don't even like that much but it's my favorite place in the world. It's just this market in West London where there are street performers and cheap cool clothes and little quirky cafe/restaurant places. It's so English-busy. It's fantastic.
2. Accents. I love Northern English accents, I love Southern English accents, I love Cockney. No further elaboration necessary.
3. Monarchs. England has the greatest history of royalty...in the history of the world. Literally. Okay, well, Ancient Rome was pretty neat too. But seriously. I love Elizabeth I more than any person in history, and I hate Bloody Mary more than any other person in history but she's so fascinating; the Tudors alone would be enough, but everyone else was brilliant too. The history is so rich, in general.
4. The towns. From London, which I adore, to Ipswich, which is so charming and where my Dad grew up, to Manchester, which is glorious in its unity (haaaa pun)...England has the best places of anywhere I know. I'm literally in love with the whole country.
5. The people. Okay, so some English people have prejudices against Americans. But I don't count as an American to them because my family just one generation back grew up there and I openly hero-worship them, so they love me. And when they don't hate you, Englishmen (and women) are the kindest, most helpful, most easygoing, and most hilarious people you could ever meet. Native Londoners, even, are just really really fantastic to be around.

Note that being number 5 on a list of favorite things about England is kind of like being number 5 on a list of most amazing things Billie Piper has ever done. There's no last place.

My roommate for the upcoming school year came over tonight, for dinner and just to hang out. Her name is Jessie and she's really grand. She's sweet and funny and happy and loves just hanging out and talking and hates drinking and smoking and parties and I think it's really going to be great. I'm excited. She's a God-send no question.

I was going to post a huge sad rant but it turns out I'm in a better mood than I thought. :-)


Seeing this at the top of my firefox browser was so funny to me. Now I'm not so sure why.

Look! Mood icon matches my layout!