Welcome Back! indeed. Not having the Signs for a few days was not too pleasant. I really missed the informative "food for thought" and Ark's Quantum Quirks and the refreshing humor in general. Right as I was beginning to feel "starved," I decided to go back and read and re-read some things on the Cass & QF sites which I hadn't done for a little while; and ended up starting to re-read the Adventures Series, the first thing I read here, after the intro to the Cass site, over two years ago. I got through the first three chapters which will make me continue to re-read the rest.
Joe, I didn't think your humor was too subtle, and enjoyed it as usual, but then I have a habit of reading the quotes, etc. in members' signatures, some even though I've read it a dozen times.... Many of them make an important point that I feel I should always keep in mind or are just inspirational.
On that note, rs's quote from the Matrix is a good reminder that what the agent of the Matrix says is not true. "You can't win. It's pointless to keep fighting." Well then why bother to mention it. Any control system, any form of oppression must make those oppressed believe just that. If resistance is futile, then the system would not bother to discourage it. But the remark "Because I choose to," has so much meaning as well. It implies "because it's who I am," regardless of whether your persistence will succeed or not.
I read Laura's BBC interview transcript. It was so funny when the interviewer would start stammering at a very salient comment Laura made. This happened several times.
Welcome back, it's great to have you back!