Almost forgot to mention: on Friday, in the run-up to the Spumoni Invasion, I finally got back to the emissions-testing work-fare site to have my new gas-cap tested for environmental hazard. The verdict: the gas-cap is kosher. The state employee printed out a receipt for me certifying that I had finally wasted enough time and fuel and was now authorized to log onto the state motor vehicle site and spend another 93 dollars and change for the honor of renewing my jalopy for another two years.

Fuckers.

Well anyway, at least I got that out of the way. That freed me up for the rest of Friday to shop for the rest of the food we'd need and get the ribs in the oven so they could slow cook until the time of Mastandrea Arrival -- which actually occurred slightly ahead of the flight's scheduled arrival time. Sweet! We got back to Berea-Rose and feasted. See for yourself.