This Could Have Been an Alarming Development

I was surprised to wake up to Clock #2 this morning, which is set for four minutes after (and located on the opposite side of the room from) Clock #1. I wondered if I forgot to set the latter, but...nope, it was flashing 2:53, which means 1) the power went out at least briefly during the storm, and 2) the backup battery finally gave its last after years of service. (And that, my friends, is why I have a Clock #2 in the first place.)

Baristas Say the Darnedest Things, and I Respond in Kind

Just a typical recent coffee order... BARISTA: And what's the name for that order? ME: Kevin. BARISTA: Ok. I don't have to ask you how to spell that, do I? ME (laughs) I hope not. (pauses) Actually, I spell it with a Q... BARISTA: (laughs) ME: I would be so mad at my parents if they'd done that. (I suppose that, considering all the viral posts about misspelled names at Starbucks, they have to ask almost anyone whose name is more complicated than "John" these days.)