(Is it okay that I looked at the pictures and gleefully told my Body Image Demons to go jump off a cliff, 'cos I can tell that I've lost weight since then? Is that a shallow thing to be self-gloating about?)

You're plenty gorgeous in those pictures. If feel like you're looking even better, then I'm afraid you might break me. Those demons can fuck right off.

That's what old pictures are for.

Yes, totally okay. I noticed that you are slimmer now, too, and that you always look so polished and graceful.

If feel like you're looking even better, then I'm afraid you might break me.

I have more of my jawline back.

That's what old pictures are for.

Some day I will scan the photos of me from 7 years ago, so I can show you what ScarilyThinJilli looked like. With really, REALLY big hair.

OK, I'd have sex with Spike for demolition purposes. *cough*

In case this is useful in re the rashes discussion, there’s this ointment called “Bag Balm” that a friend uses a lot on her eyes - she has had several eye surgeries and has an allergy to preservatives in most eye ointments. Which is to say, this is how I deduce that it is Good Stuff for itchy things, etc. I’ve used it on first outbreaks of athlete’s foot when I haven’t had any specific ointments available and it works to fix that, which is great

Heh. Bag Balm is the shit! I've used it for dry skin. It's actually used for cow's udders and for relieving inflamed udders and general milking malaise.

I'm going to try Tee Tree Oil on the bit of rash I've had around my bellybotton for a few weeks. I'm pretty sure it's contact dermatitis but no idea what the cause could be. I haven't changed detergent in YEARS (Tide Free), I have no new, binding clothes, or anything else that would be touching my midriff.

Ooooh, pretty Jilli.

I have a friend here who is DYING to have an absinthe party. Is that something I want to consume?

I have a friend here who is DYING to have an absinthe party. Is that something I want to consume?

Do you like the strong taste of aniseed? If so, then you'd probably like it. I have noticed no wacky, zany effects from drinking absinthe (no hallucinations or anything like that), but I have experienced a vaguely different sort of tipsy-ness from it than, say, from chocolate martinis. Slightly warmer and fuzzier, instead of strictly giggly.

I only know it's a leisurely thing. Matt the Bruins fan had a little absinthe party at the DC F2F and it was way too leisurely for me; I had to leave to go check out some more museums before I ran out of days and hours. That might have been the night of the 'till-midnight monument-viewing; not sure.

eta: 'cause I can spell

Mmmm... Don't really care for black licorice, which has aniseed in it, right? I might be willing to at least try it.

Is that licoricey, because I really do enjoy that.