> > > 611 is supposed to be a repair line, so that can be useful if 
> your 
> > > problem isn't no service.
> > I was thinking ... . But what's the point of it if 
> > you do have service?
> I'm not quite sure.  Mine was out for days and we had to use the 
> unreliable cell phones.

Which couldn't have been as unreliable as 611 that you
couldn't use, as the service was on the fritz.

> > > I heard Vietnamese immigrants had pretty well taken over the 
> > > shrimping industry at one point.  No idea about now.
> > They certainly are fond of their shrimp.
> Me too, so can't blame them.  

There are lots of factors in an immigrant group filling
up a niche: they're hungry, they're less established, the
smarter, more resourceful, and energetic ones don't have
the wherewithal to go to law school, and so on, so they
work in what they can find employment at. Also, if they've 
banded together, they have a support system that has broken 
down among long-term populations that have been around for 
a few generations, as there's nothing holding these latter 
together except the bridge club or maybe church.

> > > > A pity about the pressure changes. Most people 
> > > > can get used to them, though.
> > > My ears don't "unpop" for days. Sends the tinnitus nuts too.
> > It takes practice. Dealing with tinnitus, well,
> > maybe it takes booze (though I have more often
> > gotten tinnitus through booze).
> I got it from bad sinuses.

I read that you got it from B minuses. Then on second
reading I read that you got it from bad sins.

> > > In the story, it wasn't a delusion. In real life, it gets 
> > > interesting.
> > Was he a saint or depicted as such, sort of like
> > Anthony of Padua?
> More like a veterinarian. 

I read, well, skimmed the book just now.  Not my kind
of thing. Of course we should be circumspect in viewing
art and literature from another era through our own
filters, but despite the author's looking askance at
English customs and attitudes of the day, he himself
reflected a lot of them. And it's a really dumb book.

> > > I just don't want to end up in the orange, tan or stripes.
> > What's the likelihood? Slim and none, I presume.
> Unless they catch me using plastic bags in supermarkets. (LOL)

On another subject, is the Asian composer you were
referring to Somtow Sucharitkul?

Green Papaya Salad
categories: Issan, Thai, New York, starter
servings: 4 to 6 servings

1 lg clove garlic, peeled
1/4 ts salt
1 Tb dry-roasted salted peanuts, more for garnish
2 fresh bird chiles or serrano chilies, sliced
1/2 ts raw sugar or white sugar
1 Tb dried shrimp (optional)
2 Tb fresh lime juice
1 Tb fish sauce (nam pla), more to taste
2 plum tomatoes or 1 lg round tomato
- or 8 grape tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1/2 lb long beans, trimmed, 1 1/2" lengths (opt)
1 small to medium green (unripe)
lettuce for serving (opt)

Som tum

In a blender or mortar, blend or pound garlic, salt, 
peanuts, chilies, sugar and shrimp (if using) into a 
paste. Transfer to a bowl and mix in lime juice and 
fish sauce. Use a spoon (or the mortar) to lightly 
crush tomatoes and beans (if using), then add to 
bowl and mix lightly.

Peel and coarsely grate or shred papaya, discarding 
seeds and inner membrane. There should be 4 to 6 c.
If green papaya is unavailable, use an equivalent 
amount of coleslaw mix (shredded cabbage and carrots).

Add papaya to bowl and lightly but thoroughly toss 
together. Taste for seasoning. Mound in a bowl (if 
desired, line bowl with lettuce leaves beforehand). 
Sprinkle with peanuts and serve.

Julia Moskin, New York Times
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