A week ago yesterday, I had a cyst excised from my wrist.  Today the bandage came off, and it is great to be able to use my hand more normally again.

The day after the surgery, I was up and around.  In fact, it so happened that I went car shopping with Robert and my friend Zenobia. My Nissan Maxima was 13 years old, and has developed an almost unsolvable "evap" problem that makes the engine light go on and makes it extremely hard to pass a smog test.  Robert found an online group of other Nissan owners suffering from the same malady. Too bad.  I really liked my car and was prepared to keep it forever.  

Anyway, long story short, I bought a 2007 Toyota Matrix.  It's a silver hatchback.  I wanted something used, low mileage, small, reliable, and with practical cargo space.  I'm very happy with it! 

I received high praise from Robert on my negotiating skills--an unusual accolade from him.  As you may know, he's from New Zealand, and he tells me that they NEVER buy anything new there--you know, it's an island and all that.  One must make do.  Of course, they are entirely right and ruggedly green I should think.  By the way, New Zealand is found to be the least corrupted country (government) in the world, right in front of Switzerland and Denmark.  US is # 17.

I spent over an hour tonight printing off about 20 of Chef Anne Burrell's recipes from the Food Network.  We record her show Secrets of A Restaurant Chef, and have watched almost every episode.  She's the best--funny, wry, talented, and her food is great!