I love that sense of disorientation you feel when you write the number of the New Year for the first time.

After a long intermission, FadeIn is back on the air. Did you watch the commercials? Did you channel surf? Maybe some of you went to the kitchen and made an extremely large sandwich. Well, your number one source for web-tertainment is back!

Hi.

Yeah, so: Washington DC. You know, some people will always bad-mouth their hometowns. If memory serves, the SurlyGirl has told me on occasion of her loathing for the Nation's, and, let's face it, the world's capitol. But, it's really not such a bad place. In fact, I rather like DC and Virginia and Maryland what with their almost European style narrow and cobbled streets. Pretty, it is. Surreal, as well. At times, as you wander to and fro, you can't help but think 'The President lives here! Wow! There's the Watergate, where Sally's friend works! Wow! If I see George Dubya Bush, I'm gonna punch him in the neck! Wow!' (Tip: DC is indeed an old city, but to smack yourself in the head with the cold, red brick of perspective, remind yourself that there are beers that have been being brewed longer than the official life-span of our nation. Rinse. Repeat.)

Sal's Friend introduced me to 'Iron Chef' which, if you haven't yet seen, you are commanded to seek out. It's a Japanese show in which a challenger competes against one of the house chefs to create four or five original dishes in one hour. There's always a secret ingredient they must use, which can range anywhere from live squids to pumpkins to bananas. At the end of the hour, the two sets of dishes are sampled and judged and a winner is declared. It's all dubbed expertly into English, and the translations are sometimes hilarious. Sal's Friend and I joked around all weekend, mocking some dialogue from the show. This will be funnier to those of you who have actually seen Iron Chef. The rest of you, you have your assignment. Go watch.

Me (as Oto): Kui-san!

Friend (as Kui-san): Yes, Oto?

Me: Hello.

Friend: Oto, that is inappropriate. You are fired.

Me: Kui-san!

Friend: Yes, Oto?

Me: You can't fire me, I quit!

And so on.