Gunpowder, Treason, &c.

The good news: Surgery went well.  They extracted a little-bigger-than-pea-sized stone at relatively little damage to the gland.  I can feel that something happened, but it doesn't hurt.  I went in for the follow-up this morning; apparently it's scarring over nicely and the gland is operating well.

The bad news: The stone showed signs of some weird bacteria or another, so I've got a super-long period of antibiotics coming up - the weird bacteria does not die easy.

Chicago: I've been trying to schedule a trip to Chicago for over a month now -- want to visit Kyle & Janet and meet the baby.  It looks like I may finally be able to sneak in a long weekend about the 16th.  And I should be able to get out for an evening with other Chicago area friends...

Random:

A Tale of Werewolf maybe ruining hackfests, via Our Friend Faisal, who did indeed try to get a great big game of Werewolf going at his wedding.  If you ever play this game, ignore Mr. Harrington.  Lex is not the werewolf and should not be lynched first.

DC granted the first exemption to the smoking ban, not to the crappy basement bar, but to a place right down the street (and owned by the same folks).