Of Capering Alyssa, Workplace Professionalism, and Big Bad Ben the Foreigner Foreign Man

Hiya folks. Things haven't been too crazy-go-nuts around here of late (which you may have surmised, considering that I haven't posted for a month and a half). Alyssa's working three days a week (sometimes four) at that deaf people place she works at, two days a week doing temple stuff, and on weekday evenings she teaches a flippin' PLETHORA of flute students (I think she's up to seven or eight now), along with a fife student (and no, she doesn't play the fife, she's kind of just learning as she goes). Yeah, she's definitely related to her mom somehow (and most likely not descended from mischievous forest pixies, like I tell her sometimes when she's scampering about and giggling like Puck from A Midsummer Night's Dream and causing all manner of malarkey like putting rubber reptiles in my shoes).

As for me, I've just been working, teaching piano to Brayden and McKell, and writing two different books in my spare time (if I get sick of writing one, I just switch to the other--works pretty good, actually). Work has been a little slow lately; there are some major projects coming up, looming in the distance like big loomy things, but not much to document at this point. But, on the bright side, all of development and QA moved to the office space on the other side of our building, which has been pretty nice. No more having to share a cube with a "cellmate," like I'd been doing for three months or so. No offense, Bruce. But...you know. A fellah needs his space, so that he can read Calvin and Hobbes strips online when he's bored. Oops, did I type that out loud? I mean...did I say Calvin and Hobbes? I meant Intercom articles about the latest "tools of the trade" for the serious communications professional. Yeah, that's what I meant.

Before I sign off, I wanted to capture for posterity the following hilarious spam email I received two days ago. Alyssa was hesitant that I post this, believing that in doing so I would be mocking the language skills of "my Russian friend." But I believe I'm justified in doing so, since he's clearly trying to persuade me to leave my wife for some bimbo. And that's a no-no in the Book of Ben. Besides, it's my job to criticize people's writing skills.

Hello Good afternoon my friend,I have a friends in Russia, they are very good kind Russian family. They are have an amazing approximate daughter, Marina. She is a matchless nice, but lonely girl ?. Recently, they came to visit us and I promised to acquaint her with a foreigner foreign man. If you are interested to communication with her, please write to her first. Her e-mail is marinmam@rambler.ru
And please, do not bother don't disturb her with trifles. I hope you understand that I cannot send give, her pictures photos, because it is a private, but I'm sure that she would send photos if she will show interest to you. And perhaps one day in the fututre, we will meet us on your wedding nuptials. Who knows...?
Sincerely best wishes, J.

That's right. I'm a "foreigner foreign man." Like Fabio. So don't mess with me.