Utilities; Sushi Bar Corner; "Tom Cruise Sets the Record Straight." ; "Skip Bagging"; Spies; Prince Charming; A dark green ornament in the shape of a large pickle

Did you know that Windows XP has a build-in text-to-speech reader? I was not aware of it until I came across a reference in "Practical Internet." Click and hold down the "Windows" key. (The one with the Windows logo on it.) Then click the "U" key. The utility offers three options: magnifier, narrator, and on-screen keyboard. I can see how the first two would be helpful for the sight impaired, but I'm not certain of the purpose of the last. However, you could use the magnifier with it and that might prove useful.

The help screen contains the following statement: "The accessibility tools that ship with Windows are intended to provide a minimum level of functionality for users with special needs. Most users with disabilities will need utility programs with more advanced functionality for daily use."

I'd thought about doing the laundry, but decided to just drop off some shirts. By now, I'm sure I've paid about ten times the cost of the shirts in laundry fees. I guess I could take them down to the river and beat them on rocks.

The Japanese restaurant was crowded, but there was a space or two at the bar. There was even one in the corner which I grabbed - the space, not the corner. I wonder what the bar etiquette is in Japan. Is it appropriate to chat with strangers? I usually will not initiate a conversation UNLESS the person attacks my imagination. Even then I might hesitate. And there's always the fear of being drawn into someone else's life story. Hence you should never go anywhere without a magazine or newspaper. Great props that give you a number of alternatives. You can read and ignore everything. If you do become engaged in a conversation, you can judiciously withdraw to your reading. And if events become really frightful, you can tightly roll the magazine around the silverware, bop the person on the nose and run for the door.

Next stop was the post office. Two magazines had come in. "Details" with Tom Cruise, and a headline that said "Tom Cruise Sets the Record Straight." Has anyone else noticed that "Details" always has a guy of the cover. Always! It is definitely aimed at an audience of men who are ambiguous about their sexuality.

There was also a copy of the newest "The New Yorker." I read somewhere recently that "The New Yorker" may be the only mass-market mag that has never had a photographic cover.

I've learned if I drive to the far end of the store, it is much easier to park. I entered through the plant section because I thought they might have a holly. But no holly.

Inside I encountered one of the staff who is very assertive about offering her help. If you come with a hundred feet, she cries out, "Do you need help?" I jokingly told her she needed to not be such a shrinking violet.

I needed some type of fastener to hold a mobile from my ceiling. It recently fell, so I knew I needed something stronger. But the ceiling is old and will crack under the slightest pressure. I must have spent 20 minutes staring at screws, hooks, nails, tacks, etc. Finally, I grabbed a package with several plastic screw-in anchors and matching screws.

When I finished shopping, I rolled my cart toward the self check-out lines. There's usually only one or two people at these registers, so it's the speediest way get out. However, there is a trick you have to know. For some reason, the machine will frequently not scan an item unless you press the "Skip Bagging" icon. I think the next time I check out, I'm going to observe what actions cause what response. There is something that I'm missing.

When I finished, I swipped my credit card, and a message came on the screen that said "Verify ID of Card Holder." I waited, but no one appeared. Then after several minutes, the message vanished. Is a message flashed to a clerk nearby?

Their distaste for the English class system, and their repulsion at fascisim, left one alternative: communism.

They managed to pass secret after secret to the Soviets. So as Churchill tried to figure out ways to convey information to Stalin without revealing that the Enigma Cypher had been broken, Stalin already knew.

I sat and read "The New Yorker" that came yesterday. It's the "Cartoon Issue." Inside there's a two-page cartoon about people at a gay wedding. Each person is spouting off something about gay relationships. "At this stage of our relationship we should stick with adopting a highway." "But I'm waiting for a Prince Charming to sweep me off my feet. I don't want to have to BE a Prince Charming." "Of course I support the legalization of same-sex marriage. I'm a divorce attorney."

I'm not sure what to make of this. It's interesting. But it's not particularly funny. Almost dreary.

Up and down the aisles I went. My main intent was to find something for momsy. But did I want whimsical or practical? I pawed through the merchandise. Got down on my knees and moved boxes on the bottom shelves. Stuck my hand into places I could not even see. (I'm sure the left hand will regenerate quickly.)

Selection one was a set of stackable mugs that when stacked form a minature lighthouse. (Practical and whimsical)

Number two, a jumbo square wooden pencil cup. (Practical)

And number three was a dark blue mesh bag containing a dozen rubber stamps. "A Great Big Bag of Stamp designs for hours of crafting and designing fun." (Whimsical) Besides when was the last time, you gave someone a bag of rubber stamps.

As I meandered I noticed boxes and boxes of Christmas ornaments. And I noticed the perfect one for a gay friend. It's a dark green ornament in the shape of a large pickle.

PAX!