Hell Drawer

[Bapopik at AOL.COM]

   Greetings again from Sinaia.
   Bran Castle is disappointing.  First, you're told that Dracula didn't own it.  Then, you're told that Dracula didn't even visit there.  Then--and this is the killer--you're told that "Buffy is not here, either."

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HELL DRAWER

   There are plenty of tacky gifts opportunities outside of Bran Castle.  One woman said that something was good for her "hell drawer."  She said that a "hell drawer" is for stuff where you say to yourself: "Why the hell did I buy this?"
   She said that she had first heard it from an Italian guide.

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THINK PINK

   "California Free Thinking" is here.  It's some climbing group that began in Yosemite a while ago.  I don't know if they accept pink dollars.

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WHINGEING

   FYI "whingeing."
   Below a picture of Vlad the Impaler in the Romanian guide book (LONELY PLANET) is "Can't I even enjoy my meal in peace without you lot whingeing?"

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SAFIRE (continued)

   I'm madder than ever.
   Honestly, Gerald Cohen is far too kind.  It's been eight years.
   The New York Times corrects the spelling of a person's name immediately, but my name took four years. John J. Fitz Gerald hasn't complained yet (he's dead).  Doing this to a dead person's name and words is gutless.
   I have not been contacted and will assume that my letter to the editor (about my own words) will not be printed this Sunday, either.
   Any other suggestions?