It's Not Paranoia

What year is this? In a week that must be making Mel Gibson smile, neo-Nazis march in Missouri, Jews in Hungary are warned to stay indoors during next week's national holiday (which has become the modern equivalent of the pogrom), and Finland still wants to kick our guys out of Eurovision.

It almost isn't worth getting out of bed...

The strategy of pain: Nolad Lirkod (Born to Dance) contestant Yulia Eiglenick takes home the big prize despite her badly injured foot. Yulia, a 21-year-old aerobics instructor who had never formally studied dance, continued to wow audiences with her energy and amazing flexibility. She may not have been the best dancer of the four finalists, but she clearly won the sympathy vote by gritting her teeth and going on with the show, though without any spins or leaps. Going with her to New York for a year's dance scholarship is the ever-hunky Tom, who managed to dance passionately without looking effeminate.

Spring has sprung: The balmy weather continues and the birds are active. Nadine is tormented by an obnoxious pigeon who struts, coos, and otherwise taunts her from the safety of the bedroom window ledge. My poor girl can only stand and chatter in frustration. I am forced to administer grated Parmesan to sooth her.