she'll be hard-pressed to surpass the excellence exhibited in the infamous "man-date" story that she wrote for the times. she will if she can explain to me one of the great mysteries of life involving the chinese...

why the hell do the the chinese have a penchant for bum-rushing the doors of a subway train before passengers can exit when the train's in the station?

What's the story with that frigging middle name anyway?

@cajunboyinthecity: You've never been to China; it's a free-for-all. It's a fucking zoo at feeding time, I swear. I live in Chinatown in Vancouver and you can tell how well people have adapted to their new home by whether or not they line up for the bus or simply endure the pointed stares of everyone else and the quiet lecture from the bus driver, who keeps them at the front of the bus, making up confusing conversation just long enough to ensure that everyone else has the seat of their choice before letting the queue-jumper go. "Oh, I see you DO have a transfer after all..."

@Chief Wahoo: I asked the same thing here like a year ago, and no one's gotten back to me yet.

I thought 8 was supposedly a common name in Chinese, a way of passing luck to a child. I think she has Americanized it by using the number 8 and the English word for it. She's good at that ya know? Taking normal things like say two dudes having dinner, and twisting it all up to meet her needs for "unusual".

Even if it is a Chinese tradition, using it as a byline seems kind of attention whorish to me. You want some attention? Write a story that doesn't suck.

The ocho strikes again.

I believe the story of the 8 is that, as a child, she wanted to be different in an annoying way so she chose a number as a middle initial.

Prediction - this magnum opus will be in the bargain bin before you can say "no MSG."

"not too red, not too yellow."

I ruv you, Galkel.

If I remember correctly, Jennifer's dad is/was a mathematician. Little Digit was going to follow in his footsteps, but instead she chose a life of blowhardism and thoughtful writing at The New York Times. Anyone else remember that time she used mirrors to symbolize the 'vanity' of a boy from Queens who was trying to reivent himself as a barber?

Also, how does such a curious dresser (plaid pastel pants?) and 'like'-peppering public speaker manage to be the 'hostess of the mostest'? Is it her fried dumplings served in aluminum tins? The Costco cutlery? Or dear God, her smoke machine?!