Ever stage a mock-choking for comedic or self-righteous purposes, then had it turn into a genuine one? I did, last night (and not for the first time). I was viewing a press conference in which Condoleezza Rice, when asked whether she believed Bush is a Reaganesque figure, responded in the affirmative, then added that the two shared the same "willingness to tell the truth". I decided to be adorable by gagging in simulated shock on my pasta, only to indeed nearly die. Projectile orecchiette narrowly missed hitting a cat. I believe a caper remains in my sinus cavity somewhere. Goes to show: keep your indignation genuine, or risk asphyxiation.