1.17.02 FASHION STATEMENT

While flipping through a magazine, I come across a one-panel cartoon that depicts �Afgani women�s wear� as though it were being sold at the Gap. The old woman sitting next to me on the bus points at the cartoon.

Her: I want to buy one of those.

Me: A chador?

Her: A burqa.

Me: Really?

Her: Sure. You never have to worry about how your hair looks, or if you�re getting wrinkly. You don�t have to do your nails.

Me: I suppose that�s true.

Man across from us: They never go out of style.

Her: Exactly. Exactly!

5:15 p.m.

1.15.02 OVERHEARD

Man: So, how’ve you been?

Woman: Good, you?

M: Not so good, our dog is sick again.

W: Oh, no!

M: Yeah, took him to the vet and he needs back surgery.

W: Wow.

M: Yeah, he’s been limping around. He’s 12 years old, so he’s getting on. They’re only supposed to live until they’re about 14. We just spent $600 on his eye problem. Mike and I share expenses for him. This surgery is going to be $4,000.

W: Oh my gosh! What are you going to do?

M: Go ahead with it. What can we do? The vet says most people put the dog down.

W: How terrible.

M: I know! We can’t do that. We’re just trying to give her a little more time.

W: Sure.

M: If the surgery doesn’t work, we’ll try acupuncture or something.

W: They have that for doggies?

M: Oh suuuure!

5:15 p.m.

1.14.02 MAGGIE RECOMMENDS

It’s been over a week since I saw Amelie, and I’m still in a good mood. Then again, I’m also still laughing about the guy who bet that his friend wouldn’t eat an entire tablespoon of cinnamon. (via Kottke)

5 p.m.

1.09.02 FOR EXAMPLE

I was looking into the nuances of semicolon usage when I came across this gem in the Chicago Manual of Style, 14th edition, section 5.90:

“Mittelbach had forgotten his reeds; hence he was prevented from jamming with the others.”

5:16 p.m.

1.8.02 MOMENT OF SILENCE

Is anyone else inexplicably bummed about Dave Thomas dying?

11:27 a.m.

FIT

I went to the gym this morning. Afterward, I had potato chips for breakfast.

9:08 a.m.