Thanks to Bifurcated Rivets, I read through the site for the Institute of Metahistory.

_The Institute of Metahistory unites people who believe that the existing ideas of the past of the human civilization can be wrong in many respects, since they were evolved on the basis of data which can hardly be considered exhaustive, and bear the imprint of a vast number of stereotypes.

We think that as a result of closer cooperation between different sciences, the renunciation of biased opinions and the arrogant confidence that modern science, at least basically, knows everything about everything, a fuller and more reliable picture of the past of the human civilization could be reconstructed.

We are aware that all the suggestions must be substantiated and verified, and all the assertions - proved. And this we will do.

_ I especially enjoyed reading their theory of Atlantis: that it was an ice-age civilization located where the North Sea is today. Go see!

I’ve seen quite a few mentions of Hormel’s nice letter to spamcop.com clearly accepting the slang use of “spam” as junk e-mail. Yes, it’s great that Hormel’s being so nice to spamcop by not threatening to sue like most companies do. But let’s not forget why they’re being so nice.

They sued Jim Henson Productions for naming a big pig muppet Spa’am. The district court ruled in favor of the muppets. Hormel appealed to the New York Federal Court of Appeals, who again ruled against Hormel. So now, after having everyone short of the US Supreme Court tell them to lighten up, all I can say is it’s about time. Good for Hormel

Used a big chunk of my mozarella last night making Prosciutto Calzones. I don’t mean to keep going on about this, but the $20 I spent on that kit was one of the best-spent $20 I’ve had.

Here’s the recipe I used, adapted from the book that came in the kit.

Went and threw darts Wednesday night for a dart league I’ve joined. Had a lot of fun, too. This week’s game was at a bar called “Foxxes” in Normaltown (an Athens neighborhoorhood). The bar’s patrons are usually roughly half rednecks and half militant lesbians, all drinking beer together, and Wednesday was karaoke night. Man, I love Athens!

Mmmm…..

My cheesemaking supplies came yesterday. That quick! In less than an hour, I’d made a pound and a half of fantastic mozzarella. It cost under $2 a pound to make, and would have cost about $7 a pound to buy. And boy, is it good.

I heartily suggest you head on down to www.cheesemaking.com yourself and give it a try.

New newsletter from the Landover Baptist Church, featuring this story:

Hundreds of Corpses Flown In From Turkey’s Earthquake For Use In This Year’s Halloween Hell House! To scare the living Hell out of unsaved children on The Devil’s Birthday, Landover plans for authentic Christian Haunted House. “Real blood! Real Corpses! Real Guns! You’ll wet your pants and beg for salvation!”

I’ve never really been interested in abolishing the electoral college, that quirky part of our presidential elections created by those men in powdered wigs. Now, however, after reading this article, I’m a firm supporter of the system. Of course, as the election draws near, this’ll be a hot topic in the media. And now I’ll be ready.

This weblog has a section titled “Overly Dramatic Morrissey Quotation of the day”. This, I like.

Cheesemaking again. Of course, I didn’t check the obvious url, and it seems to be the best. www.cheesemaking.com is home to the New England Cheesemaking Supply Company. I just gave them $20, and now they’re sending me everything I need to make 30 pounds of fresh mozzarella. There’s no stopping me now!

I want to make cheese. Fresh mozzarella is so very good, but so very expensive. Here’re two links I’ve found: The Cheeze Wizard and the meta-link from about.com Cheesemaking.

I need to find a local source of cultures and what-not, and then I’ll let you know how it goes.