From time to time, we ask our readers to particpate in a worthy cause. This is such a time. Our dear friend, and indefatigable blogger, Basil is campaigning to have his own honorary night at the August 25 Columbus Catfish game. The proposed name is “Basil Night,” and we think that’s a fitting name for a night honoring Basil.

But it won’t happen unless we all help make it happen! We’re asking everyone who reads this post to help Basil by not sending any e-mails to anybody about it, because every e-mail sent in support of Basil actually hurts his chances of success. We won’t send any ourselves, and we know we can count on you to do nothing too. With your cooperation, August 25, 2006 will be “Basil Night” in Columbus. Thank you.

UPDATE: Okay, now Basil wants people to send in e-mails again. He’s even giving away prizes. We say, go for it.

The German minister of consumer protection announced plans to ban smoking in all public places, sometime next year. No timetable has been set for annexing Austria and invading Poland.

…but I kind of like not having to worry about chilblains. In Oklahoma, we don’t get those.

We happen to have the very first pilot episode of Blue’s Clues on tape, and the kids watched it today. It was obvious that they didn’t have the concept totally nailed down yet. Just for instance, instead of three clues there were 36. And at the end, instead of the Thinking Chair, Steve sat in the Big Puddle of Dog Spit. It was still good, though.

Well, whaddya know, look who’s blogging again. It’s me!