Hey! It's time for the rare roundups.

1. The new household help (yes, after almost two years of going at it alone, the wife and I decided we could use the help because, heck, we're too busy) can take anyone in a supah songbird slam showdown. Name the place, date and artist.

2. She can also do MS Word. She doesn't like Excel because, she said, it's all "spreadsheets".

3. Got a Windows Mobile device (had it for a month now; HTC Hermes). Apparently, Windows only looks good if it fits in the palm of your hand.

4. Took the protective case off my ipod. Now my ipod looks like an ipod. Aylabit!

5. Is Jon Estrada still alive?

6. Had one night of high fever then three days of ragged bowel. Better than sitting in traffic I suppose. (My associate has been out for days with similar symptoms.)

7. A shout out to all my peeps from the 049! Somehow reading my blog reminds them of home. I hear you.

8. Saw all of Rome. Then, saw Mighty Aphrodite again. All highly recommended. For a while there, I was talking in iambic pentameter in between cursing the gods. (Zodiac was also good. Jake's nice.)

9. My back hurts constantly. I think it's something I have to live with now.

10. Just about everything can be made better with chocolate. And a little Copeland.