Believe you me, there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth amongst the other members of the class. But I happily wallowed in my slanhood.

The first time I had niku udon was at a Japanese convenience store, now long closed, near Columbia University in the mid-1990s. For about $5, the attendants would plop a handful of freshly boiled udon into a Styrofoam cup and add a ladle of dashi broth seasoned with soy sauce and mirin.

I heard through the grapevine that Jim will be leaving soon.

He had two assists in the game.