I asked Juulie about this about a year ago because I had just finished the book and remembered that lawyers were sometimes (maybe always) referred to as "rainmakers" if they brought in new business. I also thought it might have to do with Portland/rain.

Some of the programmers at my office would tell you that Star Trek is never off topic. In fact, today one of them was wearing a "Quark's Bar & Grill" t-shirt. This is the same guy who has a "Star Fleet Academy" decal on the rear window of his van.

Speaking of off topic...way back when I was involved with a computer graphics project. One of the software guys brought in a scanned picture of the Enterprise, we tested my hardware and his software by displaying it over & over & over & over....I HATED that f@cking thing...and that SOB knew exactly where every last pixel was supposed to be...only my calm, get along with everyone, live & let live attitude kept me from planting a soldering iron where the moons of Rigel 7 don't shine...

OK, back to the original off-topic thread...