I don't have to BE anywhere today.

So why is it I don't feel like cleaning the living room?

EDIT: Just noticed while reoganizing the crap-storm that is my living room that the strapping tape on the okey-dokey-daiko is stretched from the tension ropes. Looks like I'm going to be spending this afternoon checking, re-taping and re-roping drums so they'll be in some semblance of useable order for A&S. And I need to pick up some lumber and clothesline to make stands for the baby shime-daiko while I'm at it. And a 5 gallon paint bucket so I have something to drum on in the unlikely event I get a full class.

All of which means that there's no point in vacuuming just yet.

EDIT The Second: Run to the OSH in Berkeley is done. Picked up some linen for a new under-kosode at the discount fabric joint across the road because I noticed that my favorite white linen under-kosode is showing signs of wear - unsurprising given that I'd live in it if I could. Headed home on local streets through Emeryville so I could do a research visit to Best Buy. THIS looks like a very sweet deal for a 6 GB desktop: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9999110800050003&type=product&id=pcmprd110900050003 

Before James starts emailing me with pleas to go Mac or go home, it's a 6 GB (!!!!!) desktop for less than the Mac Mini, WITH a new monitor and printer. I will also be able to load and use my PC software instead of having to replace it all with Mac versions. Given my track record of using this Presario for over ten years and the fact that Mac refuses to support machines older than five? 

Anybody out there have HP machines? Do you like them? Pros? Cons?

DVD: "Hana" aka "Hana yori mo naho"

Despite a phone call in the middle which required a significant pause, I spent the evening in a down at heels Edo slum with some engaging characters, including a samurai turned schoolmaster. Don't go to IMDB to look this up because some moron posted a HUGE spoiler filled plot summary and it's on the main page. You can, however, enjoy the trailer here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAPnbgdPNS0

This story about a reluctant young samurai and the choices he has to make about avenging his father's death was full of all sorts of wonderful surprises. As one of the characters said (in subtitles), it's about finding a way to turn crap into mochi. (Auree, you should rent it just for the privy scenes!)  Written and directed by Hirokazu Koreeda and starring Junichi Okada and Rie Miyazawa, this is well worth renting - and almost makes up for the one-on-one I've been forced to have with a Purveyor of Stupidity on a board I moderate this evening.