Ah, breathing through the nose - you don't know it's a privilege until you lose it. I now have it back, and am resolved to be grateful for that fact. Also, balm tissues are the best invention ever omg. 

I was looking up stuff about fairytales today, because I just watched Pan's Labyrinth (and can I just say, oooooooooooh), but was completely sidetracked by this: Optimizing Bi-modal Signal / Noise Reduction: A Fairy Tale, by Maj. Dan Ward, USAF. (Opens as a pdf.) Best title ever. This is what Sam Carter would be reading to her kids. 

(Also, apparently in the original version of Rapunzel, she gave away the fact that the prince was visiting her by asking the witch why her (Rapunzel's) clothes were getting tighter - i.e. she was pregnant. That Rapunzel... not a very bright girl - but then I suppose she was locked in a tower all her life. The prince, on the other hand, has no excuse for his droit du seigneur behaviour.)

To completely disprove all my rantings the other day, I had a lovely meal out with my parents and A on Friday. My mum was fired up about recent doings at her work (and I'd tell you about it, but I don't know how interested you'd all be about political shenanigans in the world of UK mental health user-led research), my dad was happy and interested and helpful because he's getting a new car, and A was on form and relaxed, and gets my sense of humour with just a glance, when the parentals are just too daft. So I should stop and think before I rant.

I'm still about 50% unprepared for Christmas in a week. This may mean shopping this weekend. Oh noes!!!

Last season 1 redial_the_gaterecap discussion tonight.

*uses new icon for no reason other than it's new*

That is all.