»In which a confluence creates awesalaam aleikum

In honour of confluential Aram's birthday, Alberta poured drink after drink with her signature (and, indeed, award-winning) gin-and-cucumber mixes. She also threatened rabble-rousers with a stern speech that pointed out: a drinking straw has enough rigidity that if one holds a thumb over one end and jabs down, it can puncture the xyphoid process or sternum. Aram, where's the video?

Alberta's drinks have won her renewed acclaim, most recently from none other than Geo. "Tiger" Shultz:

Announcing the winner, former Secretary of State George Shultz determined: "The results are as clear, crisp and unambiguous as an Italian election."

not to be confused with Charles Shultz, really, although how can you say "I'm a big fan of your work" to Geo. without thinking of Iran-Contra, (shudder) Jeane Kirkpatrick, or Sandinista!

Happy Birthday, Aram. You will have a very good year. -- even if the only present you get is a first-class ticket with "Sixth Circle" stamped on it, in return for coining the "awesalaam aleikum" phrase that made me chortle and Alberta wince.