Of Bald Men and Bears

Grant,
My grad school mentor (and UCARE professor) advised me that grad schools look favorably on applicants that can meet or are well on their way to meeting the foreign language requirements for history doctoral programs. Since I'm planning on studying modern European intellectual history, I need to be able to read German and French. I already have a working knowledge of German which I'm supplementing with evening readings from "Hoffnung für alle," my contemporary German translation of the Bible. ("Mein Gott, mein Gott, warum hast du mich verlassen?") I have no experience with French, so it's time to get going. The first day was quite enjoyable, and I'm looking forward to becoming Jacob's codetalking wingman. Plus, it'd be flippin sweet to go to Europe and be able to speak a little of both German and French.

Jacob,
For the record, I've been prodding you for the last year+ to watch The Godfather. Until now, you've been disinclined to acquiesce (go French!) to my request, often overlooking it in favor of "You've Got Mail" for the bajillionth time. Now I may rightfully say, "Told ya so."

Andrew--
Why do you come to me on this, the day of the semester's commencing? You want credit for my watching this movie; that, I cannot do. We've known each other for many years, but this is the first time you've come to me for credit, for acknowledgement. I can't remember the last time that you invited me to your house for a cup of coffee, even though we lived together for two years. But let's be frank here. You never wanted my friendship. No. You were afraid to be in my debt.

You didn't need a friend like me. But now you come to me and say "Don Gerber, give me justice." But you don't ask for my respect. You don't offer friendship. You don't even call me Godfather. Instead you come into my house on the day my semester is to be started and ask me to do justice.

What have I ever done to make you treat me so disrespectfully? If you had come to me in friendship, then the scum that ruined your ego would be suffering this very day. And then, if by chance a man such as yourself would make enemies, they would become my enemies. Then they would fear you.

Some day, and that day may never come, I'll call upon you to do a service for me. But until that day, accept this as a gift on my semester's commencing day: You indeed did encourage me to watch this movie.

I was wondering the same thing as Grant. Jacob, if drinking more tea is your aspiration, I would suggest that you expand your collection beyond Mint Medley to such things as Mandarin Spice and Tension Tamer.

Lindsey--
Who makes those teas? I have a friend from New York who is a tea afficionado--you can name your tea specifications (caffeination, sweetness, black/green/white/red/herbal, etc...) and he can give you several options for teas. He introduced me to Lapsang Souchong (takes like a campfire...people either like it or they don't) and several other good teas. I'm going to have to consult him for a good list the next time I see him.

If you have any others that you like, let me know. Also, I'll need a link to a web site, because the only other tea distributor I have to work with is Wal-Mart.

Jacob, I would suggest your local Super Saver. If you can't find your way ...

Local businesses? *Gasp* I might shrivel up and die without my friendly, corporately-tweaked-out Wal-Mart associate. Besides, Wal-Mart is the land of milk and honey. Maybe, though, since I'm looking for tea, I can branch out...

Jacob, you knew that I live in the global epicenter of Wal-Mart, right? Our health complex is even named after Sam Walton. Someone as attached as yourself should come visit this proverbial "land of milk and honey", though it is more likely "land of winding roads and chicken dander."

If you have trouble finding your teas at local brick-&-mortar distributers, may I suggest Quixtar?