No, I'm not dead. However, my Internet access here is so poor I might as well be for the next few days. (It's basically limited to wardriving and a 28.8 modem connection on my mom's laptop.)

btw, the techies in the crowd may want to friend brentdaxuseperl.

Oh, and it turns out I'm allergic to my iPod—or more specifically, the nickel in the earbuds. I'm using tissue paper to keep it from touching my ears. Ugh.