I've been enjoying my first avalanche-free week in a few years. It's quite lovely, but it took some pain to get here; I gutted and completely redid how I filtered my personal email in a last-ditch attempt to keep it under control.

I'd had a system in the past that worked reasonably well, but over time, as more companies switched to reaching me through email, my original plan no longer sufficed. I do sometimes miss the day that a single 'bacn' folder could hold all the Authorized Pork Product Email™ I received, but that day is long past.

I sent this through my work account just now. It makes me angry that such things even have to be said at all.

Here's what she sent me…

Okay, here's what you're supposed to do. Copy, don't forward this entire e-mail onto a new e-mail and send it to a whole bunch of your friends after changing the answers. INCLUDING THE PERSON THAT SENT IT TO YOU. This is just so you get to know some simple facts about your friends.

My answers follow.WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
Women In Love, D.H. Lawrence.

WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
Nothing—I use an optical mouse and don't need one.

FAVORITE BOARD GAME?
Scrabble.

FAVORITE MAGAZINE?
I subscribe to Cook's Illustrated and Fine Cooking, so I guess those.

FAVORITE SMELLS?
Roasted garlic, Chanel No. 5, and something else that I'm forgetting.

FAVORITE SOUNDS?