Now, I don't think the word "blog" is unnecessary or ugly. But here's one neologism that's both: "blogpack." It was coined by some other internet denizen, but I suspect that Mark Liberman at Language Log wasn't aware of that when he used the word yesterday and today apropos Easongate:

Well, perhaps blogpacks have their role to play in maintaining a healthy intellectual ecosystem, just as the wolves are good for Yellowstone. Or so I read.

That first time, he was continuing a metaphor from a quote. I thought it was a one-shot deal and I'd never see the word again. What's the term for that kind of word? Google says "hapax legomenon," but I was looking for an I-word. It's back today, though.

Of course, amateur lexicography is only one of the reasons people flock to my page by the thousands. There's also the Lawrence gossip.

I usually don't make a big production out of my birthday, and this year was no exception. Today's the actual day, but everyone is gone.

So yesterday: Our Bold Hero went to dinner with Alan, the Politician, Ben, and his girlfriend at a high class German restaurant called the Old Bavarian. Very good, though pricey. I had soup, spätzle, and schnitzel smothered in sauce, swine, and spargel. They also had German beer, but at steep import prices; I paid dearly for my Salvator double bock.

Because it was ostensibly my birthday, I got a free shot of high-quality apple schnapps. Probably the tastiest shot I've ever taken.

The proprietors are from a small town in northwest Bavaria, so of course I couldn't help but wonder what their politics were. Those tiny Bavarian villages are notoriously myopic.

Back at the dorm, we started up a game of King's Cup with special guest Zack, who seems to have at least a dozen different nicknames at this school. I'm loathe to choose one. Would calling him "Zeustis" diminish Our Bold Hero's glory?

One of Jinx's friends ended up drinking the cup after joining late in the game. Highlight: the Politician's "Alan can only speak in Chinese" rule.

Though we were running out of alcohol even then, a decent-sized group had gathered. Jinx and Rock Show Girl came over with a few others. Jubb and his climbing buddy reappeared. Had to do something.

We watched Josie and the Pussycats and played the simplest drinking game we could think of: send three drinks everytime you're the first to spot a new product placement. Ran out of booze before the movie was over.

Incidentally, the Alan M. subplot is a lot easier to endure when you're drinking. It's like all the misguided dramatic scenes just faded into the background.

The alternate movie was Labyrinth. I still want to see that at some point.

Out of booze, we walked back to the Bavarian, which doubles as an expensive bar. We took over what appeared to be a large picnic table. I had the Spaten Optimator — in one of those thick glass mugs like they use at Oktoberfest — and pontificated about Germany.

The biggest thing to come out of last night was a decision to have more theme parties. Remember our theme parties? I'm thinking it's time for "Goth" or "Germans: You can't stay mad at them" or that one we've been saving since last year, "That doesn't fit you."