…on the topic of marriage and relationships, The League of Melbotis has chimed in. The Leauge, and his smarter than the average pooch Melbotis, have offered their innsight into what makes a relationship work. Here’s a few distillations… To my post, The League replied the obvious: _Well, gee, it?s any and all of these factors, isn?t it? _ Gee indeed, League! The physical aspect is important to meet someone, but nobody is pretty forever. Hopefully, one day, you?ll just be able to feel lucky that this person you care about happens to be pretty. Use it as a tool for meeting somebody, but be certain, people get sick, people get hungover, people get bad haircuts.

Our man in Amsterdam, er, South Austin, The League of Melbotis has purchased a new car. He has chosen a shiny blue Honda element. I was talking to Lauren about this last night and she said, “Isn’t the blue element sort of a superman blue?” I assented, it may be a bit more electric than Kal-El’s longjohns, but it’s definitely super-ish. “Do you think he chose it on purpose”? “The Blue?” “You know, to make putting a red ‘S’ on it easier?” Knowing that our friend The League is into Superman in a big way, I thought it was likely.

The League doubted my objectification powers, he did not think that I could come up with a list of ultimate hottitude to rival his. Shortly before I fell way seriously sick (again) in late February I started this. Now, I finish it. Keep in mind, that during the 90’s I was between the ages of 13 and 23, so I’m covering from Freshman year of high school to college graduation, roughly. The early years Cindy Crawford You may not remember, but in the 90’s Miss Crawford was every-where. She was doing Revlon ads, hosting house of style with her Midwestern non-regional diction and in general, ruling every magazine cover in the grocery store rack, and, curiously, marrying Richard Gere.

Greeting any new Leaguers while The League is away I am a huge “This American Life” fan. Last year, for my birthday, The Leagues’ bought me an iTunes gift card which I promptly spent on TAL episodes. I got into it when I first moved to CA. Not knowing many people, having those stories there late on Saturday night became part of a ritual that helped me transition to living there. My absolute favorite episode is #74 “Conventions”. The first segment ( or, “act”, according to show host Ira Glass ) introduces John Connors, a man from the midwest who goes to New York City for a weekend to celebrate “Dark Shadows”.

These last two weeks have been a pretty trying time chez Roth-Harms, what with internal organs going on the fritz, and then AWOL. Fortunately during this time I had the help of my mom, who happened to be in town. It was with her help the house stayed a bit cleaner, a load or two of laundry got washed, spontaneous macro-organization occurred in the pantry and the fridge, and Lauren was greatly comforted. So, Mom, when you read this, thank you – despite the fact that I know you’ll say it was no trouble. A a first testing of her “out-of-bed” legs, Lauren made the trip down to Serrano’s downtown for the birthday of our beloved LEAGUE OF MELBOTIS himself.

Last night, after yet another wonderful holiday party chez League of Melbotis we went to IHOP for a very late-night dose of very-average fare. Lauren and I have taken to splitting most meals (cuts down on calories most importantly, and costs as a fringe benefit) so we split the breakfast sampler: 2 eggs 2 bacon strips 2 pork sausage links 2 pieces of ham n-many hash browns 2 fluffy buttermilk pancakes Now, I liked all of this meal except the sausage links. So I said to my table of grown-ups: Seriously, no sexual innuendo and all, but would anyone like my sausage?

I forgot to mention that Lauren made some wonderful guacamole for the Leaguestravaganza. En route we realized that there may not be enough tortilla chips (if you have a choice I recommend El Milagro) so we called to confirm that we should grab a bag. Given that it was 100+ degrees out and guacamole is better chilled, I left lauren in the car as I went in grabbed diet coke, chips, and a few other sundries. I returned and as I got in the car Lauren remarked: “Wow, you’re fast, you were only gone one song.” “One song? That must have been one long song.

Lauren, Ryan, and yours truly, sporting pontificatin’ hats. Ryan’s eyes are not moist with joy at being surrounded by Lauren and mine own collective pontificational ratiocinative powers, but because he was peering over a smoking grill on a triple-digit day for my gustatorial comfort. Photo credit: Jason

(I wrote this yesterday but neglected to post for lack of internet access, now it is a belated wish) I should like to take this occasion to wish a happy birthday to my friend Ryan. In this age where Facebook birthday wishes are, albeit pleasantly, the norm, I wanted to take some more time to celebrate Ryan sans Zuckerberg. Having been in Austin but a few short months before he and his better half joined us in the River City, it was great to make his acquaintance at the Magnolia Café on SoCo one fine brunch. Thanks to his swift purchase of a home, it was more often than not that we were chez lui than chez nous (and the time he did come over he helped us move heavy stuff).