He is, in fact, only human

The unfathomable wingspan that is Michael Phelps has returned to competition. And he lost!

I do ponder whether people of wondrous ability that gain fame like his are ever able to adjust. I feel bad for them. The man can’t order dinner without it becoming news.

But from this NYT piece, which also explains his bong-induced trip-up (I don’t think it’s a downfall) and subsequent return to swimming, Phelps has a lot of potential beyond the pool. I hope he’s able to achieve great things for the sport.

I’m off

S . P . R . I . N . G . B . R . E . A . K

Not that I have loyal readers or anything. But I’m taking the week off from the blog.

This had better not be a trend

I got my first text-message spam today.

No, not a junk forward. Actual spam. I assumed at first that is was simply a mix-up due to overcrowded networks on inauguration day. But when I tried to figure out who it was from, the only Web site listed that worked … is a supposed Canadian pharmacy that sells erectile dysfunction pills.

Verizon better put the kibosh on this REAL quick.

Anyone else ever gotten text spam?

My Christmas gift to you

More than a few people call me Mom, though I have no kids of my own. Part of this stems from my unflappable urge to stuff people full of tasty desserts.

In the spirit of giving, here’s a recipe for a Christmas favorite. It’s my grandmother’s “chocolate-peanut butter meltaways,” but I call it “Cheater fudge” because it’s just too easy to make.

16 oz. chocolate bark/candymaker’s chocolate

16 oz. white chocolate bark/candymaker’s chocolate

1 Tbsp. Crisco

20 oz. creamy peanut butter

Melt chocolate and shortening in the microwave until smooth (I use no higher than 75% power, to be safe). Stir together, then add peanut butter so it’s evenly distributed. Pour into 13×9 glass baking dish that has been coated with cooking spray. Put in the fridge to cool; cut into chunks and enjoy!

See, I told you it was easy.

NASA’s non-space specialty

When do astronauts have to dodge alligators?

When they go to work in Florida.

While we all watch another NASA mission to the international space station, thought I’d share something you might not know about the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. The land NASA operates on is also a wildlife refuge complete with gators and even nesting bald eagles.

I captured these images on my last trip to the space center, more than two years ago.  Enjoy.

Quote of the Day – somber Madiba edition

“If only I could make Nelson Mandela come back. If only I could feed him a potion and make him young again.”

-Monica Xangathi, a resident of the Diesploot Township outside Johannesburg

New York Times, Oct. 5, 2008

Post-Apartheid South Africa Enters Anxious Era

Joao Silva for The New York Times

Snail mail still matters

I have a bump on my right ring finger, just above the nail, on the left side. This is because I hold my pen oddly. It’s barely noticeable now, but in middle and high school it was massive and graphite-stained.

My script is less distinct because I don’t take notes every day anymore, but I still value the written word. Random cards to family and friends. The all-important handwritten thank-you letter.

I got a postcard from Taiwan the other day. Good friends Emily and Anna, whom I aim to visit next year in Hong Kong, had weekended in Taipei. I’m adding it to my wall (send me postcards and you’ll be up there, too, hint hint).

My stairwell is filled with the travels of others

What a joy to get something other than a bill or junk. What a joy to know that across the globe, my friends were thinking of me. They took the time to select a postcard, buy a stamp, pen a note, recall my address and find a mailbox.

With communication getting easier and easier, old-school mailing lifts the spirits of the recipient even more.

Send a card or letter. Make someone’s day. Don’t have anyone to send to? I’ve got a friend serving in Iraq and another in Afghanistan, and I’m sure they’d love to hear from you.

Those shoes rock

Last week I ordered three pairs of shoes from DSW.com for mad cheap. They’d sent me an e-mail with an extra clearance coupon and free shipping.

This may be the start of a problem.

These people have figured out exactly what I want. I ordered shoes at 1 a.m. when I was randomly awake, and within a few days they were handed to me at my door. And lookie!

They came wrapped in nice royal purple tissue paper

These people know me too well

Don’t try this at work

I’m a moron.

Tried to save time by microwaving dinner and popcorn simultaneously. Fail.

Delta doesn’t own it all

“This is terminal D … as in David.”

I’ve spent a good amount of time in Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. I like to walk between terminals for the exercise, but last time I took the tram.

I rode from terminal A all the way across, listening to the electronic voice explain each terminal as we were approaching and leaving. “A, as in Alpha…. B, as in Bravo. … C, as in Charlie. D, as in David. … E, as in Echo.”

So they don’t use the military phonetic alphabet for D. I guess the airport doesn’t want to confuse people who are looking for Delta flights. Either that or the company, which has a hub there, refused to pay for naming rights.