The week after New Year's was spent on my second-favorite island in the whole world, St. Croix. It is mostly filled with all things decidedly unprickly, with a notable exception: THE UUURRRCHIN! I guess if I were so, so creamy and tasty I'd be sure to grow a very sharp coat of armor, too. But man does it hurt to step on one. Island wisdom says the best way to take the sting out is to, uh, have someone pee on you. I'm pretty sure a wily fellow from the olden times just made that up, because nothing really soothes flesh that's been pierced by multiple giant needles, but you'll always find willing volunteers.