[Kathy, you know none of this is directed at you, right? Just something I've been thinking about.]

No problem! Like I said, I would have given the guy my own sandwich if I had something else for me to eat at home, but I didn't. I just feel more comfortable with giving cash to Salvation Army or bringing in things to work when they have the various charity drives here. I did give a guy at the laundrymat my leftover quarters when he asked for money for the bus--he had been telling me stories about Vietnam while I was folding my clothes, and then when he asked for some change, I figured what the hell, he was an interesting guy who spun a good tale.

Paging Alibelle. I think Yahoo mail is smoking crack. I can't seem to get any emails through to you. Try emailing me at my profile addy and we'll try to get you a gmail invite somehow.

When I became a parent you know something I didn't realize I'd need a lot of? Batteries. Lots and lots of batteries. C's, D's, AA's and AAA's. Every toy I buy for the kid needs batteries.

Whoot! She just got in touch with me so it's all good!

That was quick! I'll just close my e-mail window, then.

Where's it from?

It's the fountain in the backyard of relatives in the otherwise quite unremarkable Monroe, MI. It's a very calming scene for me, which has nothing to do with its real life context.

brenda, I'm also uncomfortable when I get judgemental over spare change. My thing is, I'll give it when I have it. When I honestly don't have it and get a shitty look or a snarky comment from someone that just asked me for something, that's when it makes me really think twice about keeping that kind of policy. It's frustrating because I want to be the kind of person that gives freely when I have it.

I stick to my known charities. Not for any moral reason, just to make it less fraught for me. Selfish, but it keeps it simple. And since I'm rarely found with cash....

On my old laptop, this was my background: [link] This was a nice one too: [link]

Haven't bothered figuring out how to set this one. This is a theme. I don't like messing with computers at all.

I've always figured that if, say, my attorney were doing a lot of blow I'd pay him/her anyway-- even if they're just going to spend it on cocaine.

That said, I don't always give change and its a little random when I do.

Great colors in the Vilankulos pic.

What's the story behind the dhow caption?

Yeah, I'm with you on that Cashmere.