Re: what is the empty set of parentheses after a user name for?
The Mayans had a name for this anomaly. It was called Ixchela, in honor of Ixchel, the Moon Goddess of Pregnant Women. She invented weaving and, being partly waterfall herself, takes charge of downpours. Her hair is very snaky — it's made from real snakes.
Ixchel is also known as God O. Or rather, Goddess O (hence, the () in her honor). O is for Obstetrics. She is the wife of Votan and, like him, knocking on a bit, red-faced and wrinkly. She's into all the crafts: weaving, watercolors and probably bottles her own chutney.
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http://bible.cc/1_corinthians/13-11.htm