How I Met Your Mother

So this month has been a whirlwind, though it's not over yet. On Monday, How I Met Your Mother ends its long run with the final reveal: why is Ted telling the story? How does he meet the mother? There have been clues in this final season, which has had some great episodes some very lame ones. But overall, it's been an endearing show, and the chemistry of the cast is wait-for-it legendary.

I hope there isn't a sad ending, though all hints are that there is some element of the bittersweet. Who wants the mother to be dead, or Ted to reunite with Robin? Or some other twisty ending? Maybe for once, there can just be some happily ever after?

At least there is some other television to look forward to: I'm still enjoying The Americans and I am very eagerly awaiting the first half of the last season of Mad Men. Though I still think it's a cop out that the season was split. But that way you can savor it longer, right?

The Week...

From a snow day on Monday to jury duty on Tuesday and Wednesday, to crazy work time these last couple of days, it's been a very busy week. And the weekend is solid, too. But phew. I feel like I can breathe a bit over the next few days. And the luxury of a weekend away is nice, too.

New Orleans was good. I think I enjoyed SBISA as much, if not more than, August. Their cocktail list was outstanding and had all of our favorites, literally, on it, like a Blood & Sand and Mary Pickford. And you can never go wrong with redfish. Sweetbreads and veal and rabbit aside, the Hors d'oeuvres at August were as delicious as anything. But I'm glad, so glad, for a weekend at home!

Lost

I don't think JJ Abrams could have written a better script surrounding the mystery of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH 370.  I mean, this disappearance and the conspiracy theories abounding are right out of Lost. A TV script writer could barely have made this up:

Scenarios abound. Did the plane disintegrate at 35,000 feet from a mechanical failure and sudden decompression? Did the pilot commit suicide by flying it straight down into the sea? Did terrorists blow it up? Did a passenger plant a bomb so that his family would collect life insurance? Was the plane shot down by a jumpy military? Could it have crash-landed in a jungle somewhere, where the passengers are now fighting to survive?

From a long list of possibilities that range from the unlikely to the extremely far-fetched, the truth about what happened to Flight MH370 will probably emerge eventually. For now, it’s the mystery of the year — and a source of immense anguish for the families of the missing passengers and crew.

I think there was even a theory that a meteor could have it. A part of me thinks that someone, some government entity, does know what happened. How could it not, in this age of surveillance? It's better than a mystery, or a terrorist conspiracy. Or incompetence or a suicide mission. And I cannot imagine the uncertainties of the families. You must be clinging to hope, a tiny sliver, that the passengers are stranded on some very, very remote island, ala Lost. 

Goodbye Edna Krabappel

I thought this was a lovely tribute to Mrs. Krabappel and Marcia Wallace. I don't watch the Simpsons much anymore, but this is class. Poor Ned Flanders, too.

Jean confirms that “out of great respect” for Wallace, Bart’s sharp-tongued teacher is being retired, and the March 9 episode will serve as the last time you will see or hear from Edna on the show. “She wouldn’t be in a background, and obviously we don’t have any more vocals,” he says. “What we would never do is say, ‘Here’s Mrs. Krabappel,’ and voice it with someone else.”

Ten Busy Days

How is it March 10? We've had a busy week that continues with more travel. Birthday weekend was fun, with great meals at Le Grenier, Acqua Al II, and an overrated brunch at Georgia Brown's. Big Board worked fantastic for the party--more food than we needed, but good service and the space worked very well. It flew by, as it always does. We also saw Capitol Steps, which had its clever moments but it grew less funny with each skit. I think some fresh material about our president is needed.

This weekend was Gainesville, and I met Aunt J at Devil's Millhopper for a picnic and a short hike down the sinkhole. Then on to the University of Florida and the symposium. Spent some time at the Swamp catching up with some usual suspects. Then home. Of course, we had the craziest airport experience ever, where we ran into Romney and Ryan as we boarded. Um, yeah. So I may not have gotten the best selfie ever, but I will take one picture, that turned out quite good. We were so excited about that. The entire flight home was full of VRWC types, like Kristol and Barone and SE Cupp. Ridiculous.

Oh, and there was a pesky birthday somewhere in there. We just had sushi at Kabuki which was nice, mellow. Quiet.

Now it's New Orleans, right. And life must settle down of course. But it's been a fun ten days. Now if I can just figure out how the power outage affected the garage.  As tired as I am, I'm grateful for one extra hour of daylight now. I can use it. And I can run after work, finally.