I've just returned from taking Pee Wee to visit his grandparents. A few random thoughts I've accumulated:

1. Thurday's WSJ had an interesting article "Outsiders Get Smarter About China's Tastes" (sorry, no link b/c subscription required) in which it chronicles efforts by KFC, McDonald's, and others to tailor their offerings to Chinese consumers' preferences. Who knew that McD's offers red-bean sundaes? So much for the ravings of the anti-globalization/cultural imperialism crowd. And, although I've only read reviews of his book, the article reminded me of Tyler Cowen's Creative Destruction.

Speaking of Prof. Cowen, hat tip for the DOL mention on his Marginal Revolution blog.

2. Congratulations to co-blogger John Moser on his first batch of "Moserbrau." I've been brewing for about 7 years, primarily because I'm fond of beer styles (stout in the winter, hefeweizen in the summer) that are difficult to find commercially. Alas, my supply store, Marietta Homebrew, has gone out of business; it was never really the same after it's founder Dennis Smith died a couple of years ago.

3. Speaking of things alcoholic, I never really saw the point in the silly drinking games that some people play. After all, if one wants to consume large amounts of alcohol then why bother trying to bounce a quarter in a cup or listen for how many times John Kerry says Vietnam during a speech? Nonetheless, for those who enjoy such games, I offer up a new one. Replay Maureen Dowd's appearance on "Booknotes" last night, taking a swig any time she refers to anyone as "charming." (That seems to be Ms. Dowd's only adjective in response to Brian Lamb's questions about the last 3 presidents.) By the end of the hour, one should be besotted and find the seemingly rather unpleasant Ms. Dowd to be more tolerable.

4. The Iowa Electronic Markets show a small lead for President Bush. Looking back over the past few weeks, Kerry gained on and briefly overtook Bush by the beginning of the Democrat convention, but fell back after the first day or two of the convention. My hypothesis--the space suit photo is the culprit.