3 Ring Binder

Say hello to our latest addition: Sharkbait-ooh-ha-ha (or as the rest of us call him, Chum).  Chum made his debut as the pet part of the bedroom decor of our 17 year-old today. What a difference a flash makes. For those of you keeping score, Chum joins, rather than replaces, Danny in our betta household.

1. Good: this article about linguistic pet peeves.   As someone who has them, I enjoyed it, but I take issue with the author’s use of persons regarding the 5,000 fans.   Yes, the number is specific, but clearly, it is also an estimate, so non-specific at the same time.   More controversy here . 2.   Betta: Introducing our new betta,   Danny . (He’s red.)   3. Best: This “My Funky Valentine” episode of Modern Family . This is the best new sit-com I’ve seen in a long while, and this episode made me laugh until I could hardly breathe.   Oddly, this is a good thing.   Warning, the husband is often too stupid to be funny, but mostly, even he is worth watching. Give it a minute (or 22), but hurry. This episode is on Hulu for only another three days.

Not actual photograph of Bing, but could be his identical twin. Yesterday, after nearly three years of benevolent neglect, our daughter’s blue betta, Bing, finally succumbed to the ravages of living life in a liter of treated, but unheated water on the bureau in her bedroom.   We had a small but tasteful inland burial at sea moment for the crooner’s namesake, including a death mask photograph taken by my daughter. (Who could have predicted she’d want to have such a thing? My husband – she is just like him.) Three years is a pretty good lifespan for a betta.   We plan to get another one.   Soon.   Let's be Frank .  Maybe this one will be different.