At my present rate, I may be wearing pants by noon. It's 12:30? Another day shot to hell.

OK, I don't mind putting on a shirt, but we gotta seriously rethink this "No Shoes" policy.

Let's see. Shirt on, shoes tied, teeth brushed, hair combed. I need a nap.

Now, pop a couple Tylenol and I should get in a fairly decent walk today. TTFN!

In the early nineties, during a college exchange program on Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island, I stayed at a little minshuku in the Meiji-era seaside town of Hakodate. Most of the other guests were working men, fishermen, construction workers, or dockworkers; tourists were rare, the proprietor told me, since there were some classier hotels and real ryokan that offered more touristy accomodations than the communal table and rougher clientele of the low-priced minshuku.

As a matter of fact, the only other foreigner who had stopped at his inn during the past year was an Englishwoman, who called from the train station on her arrival in Hakodate to let him know she was waiting for her pre-arranged pickup. Since it was a nice day and the inn was a ten-minute walk from the station, he decided to walk over and carry her bags.

Even though he was pretty sure she'd be the only foreigner there, before he hung up the phone he asked her what color shirt she was wearing, just to be sure.

"I'm wearing a white shirt," she answered.

Oh great, he thought; that's a pretty common color. So he asked, "Okay, what color pants are you wearing?"

To which she replied, "Pink, but I don't think that's any of your business!"

I didn't get out of bed until 12:30 today. Still not dressed, but I have taken Advil AND Excedrin. And I'm only 33.

I got out of bed at 9:30. It's now 11:07. I've had a bagel, I have showered, I have dressed and I'm ready for a nap.

Too hot and humid in Boston today. What's the furthest north cardio care unit?

Are your parents fashion challenged?

Ha! I just taught the 'step-mom' * a lesson about forwarding me those hoax emails. I hit "Reply All" **, changed the subject to !!!BULLSHIT!!! and put in a link to snopes. She's gotta learn sometime that our family plays dirty. I think I may have cured my insomnia.

* Woman currently shacking up with my father. I think they have about 155 years between them.

** Looks like about 50 addies altogether, probably most of them church members.

Alright, who ate all the red Tums?!

Aren't Tums made from powdered granite or marble or something?

Yeah, but it's the artificial flavor and color that makes them so yummy.

Pants and shoes are overrated anyway. I'm spending my weekend in an oversized "Come on, get happy..." t-shirt and panties (grey and pink, with musical notes). Brushing my teeth might not be a bad idea, though.

Bonus: Total Recall's on the SciFi channel. I love that movie. Later I may nuke some White Castles.

Pips, that sounds like a dreamy weekend. Have fun!

I might have to call The Fella and get him to bring home Total Recall from work tonight.

I love Tums. I have to restrain myself from eating them like candy.

"I'm spending my weekend in an oversized "Come on, get happy..." t-shirt and panties"

You're married and still making us single guys horny. I'll bet you still have that giggly little laugh when you hear a dirty joke. Then Jon swooped in and stole you away from the rest of us.

Well, that's the sweetest thing I've heard in a long time, Ardiril.

I'll bet you still have that giggly little laugh when you hear a dirty joke.

You know me too well. ; )

(Course, to be fair, I was with Jon long before MeCha was born.)

I just spent the day in a medieval gown, cape, and hat. If you can't guess why, I'm not telling ... :-)
-- And Ardiril, I know exactly what you mean - an hour to get dressed up, two high-potency Tylenol to get moving, three hours to do my stuff, and an hour to get out of the outfit. What a day.