I have to quit - without nude pictures.

---

One of my students just read a poem based on her oceanography-based knowledge that sea slugs have both male and female genetalia and form a "congo line" of sorts to reproduce. If you're having that kind of slug day, it might be more of an excuse.

Banana slugs have an evn more difficult time of it. They're all born hermaphrodites, but the first time they have sex using their man-bits (so to speak), the penis gets stuck. They have to chew it off, and are forevermore female only.

"Sorry Jilli, we're just having a bit of a-AAAAAAAAAARRRRGH!!! slug day here. We may not be able to make it. Oh, and could you call us an ambulance? Ta ever so."

Is it still Cindy's birthday? Happy birthday, Cindy.

How sweet of Juliana to make a bunch of us GAY for Cindy's b-day.

Sydney Mardi Gras is on this weekend. IJS.

Kristin, I hope things work out. I'm sorry to hear you're having trouble.

---

Oh! Where's the bracelet!

You have to "use" the cocaine while talking to them to give it to them.

But you don't see me, I'm asleep already...

---

Thanks again for the birthday wishes.

billytea, as far as I'm concerned it is birthday weekend, and since dh's birthday is in the 2nd half of the month, truth be told, we each take 15 days as our "birthday" and skip the Ides ('cause, you know, Ides!!!!).

Sydney Mardi Gras is on this weekend. IJS.

Fat Tuesday is on the weekend? And I thought it was funny that your water went down the drain backwards.

How are you doing, William? Long time, no see.

Emily, I'm tempted to COMM all your posts about [whatever that is], and never look at your link.

---

billytea, as far as I'm concerned it is birthday weekend, and since dh's birthday is in the 2nd half of the month, truth be told, we each take 15 days as our "birthday" and skip the Ides ('cause, you know, Ides!!!!).

applauds.

---

How are you doing, William? Long time, no see.

I'm getting by. I'm starting to feel like I'm staying on top of the new job. There's a lot of it that I really have no experience in, but as long as I still feel like I'm speaking the same language it's ok. Sharing an apartment with my brother is working out so far too. Today we got rugs, and a functional vacuum cleaner. Our vacuum has never looked more spotless. Oh, and our housewarming is on April 9, and you're all invited!

Other things, I now have orthotic inserts for my shoes, which help my feet. But I find I have to wear sneakers most of the time (except when visiting clients). I wear them whenever I'm at home too. Yesterday I went to work in a suit and sneakers, and I'm good with that. There's a brand of business shoe by Cole Haan, that has Nike Air soles. I want to get a pair of those, but they don't ship outside the US.

My older brother is still causing my father grief. I'm worried about him, he doesn't have M to support him anymore. I miss her too, of course, but I'm coping better than I thought I would.

My other younger brother, Keiran, once went out to a bar with some friends, and while there (and after the imbibing of a certain quantity of malt beverage), they started mocking the people at the table next to them (I think it may have been mutual, but I'm not sure about this). This went on for a while, until finally one of the people at the other table got fed up and threw a pint glass at Keiran. It smashed on his chest, leaving him momentarily stunned. The following thoughts then went through his head:

"I just got hit with a pint glass!"
"And it didn't hurt!!"

Whereupon he turned to the other table, struck a bodybuilding pose, and bellowed out "IRON CHEST!!!"

Anyway. Except for the bellowing, I feel a little like that. I may not be terribly happy, and I may not feel my life is the way it should be, but I do feel damn near indestructible.

Oh, and I just watched Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle. I was not disappointed. (Neil Patrick Harris was hysterical.) On the downside, I need to do something with my taxes. Boo.

So how's everyone else?

---

I'm getting by. I'm starting to feel like I'm staying on top of the new job. There's a lot of it that I really have no experience in, but as long as I still feel like I'm speaking the same language it's ok.

t not Buffista lube job You're so very smart, and so personable, I'm fairly certain without knowing you in person, or even net-knowing your co-workers, you're going to catch up, and probably leave most of them in the dust, once you've had enough time to adjust. I'm glad you're already at ok stage.

My older brother is still causing my father grief. I'm worried about him, he doesn't have M to support him anymore. I miss her too, of course, but I'm coping better than I thought I would.

I am glad you're coping. It has not been very long. Coping at all is realy something. I feel for your poor dad. Your mother's death is more than enough to handle right now.

Anyway. Except for the bellowing, I feel a little like that.

You know, walking around bellowing "IRON CHEST" at random, might not be bad therapy, except at work, at least until they know what they have in you.

So how's everyone else?

They're all out looking for you. We sent out a search party. They're set to arrive March 9, so you'd better put that vacuum to the test.

applauds.

It's a delicate balance, Nora. You have to learn how to lord it over the non-birthday half of the monther, just so, while still taking full advantage.

Are you feeling any better--get used to the antibiotics, etc.?

---

Oh, and our housewarming is on April 9, and you're all invited!

Dang it. That's the same day as my going away party.

I'm glad you are feeling on top of things, Billytea. Hopefully it will all get better from here on out.

---

Love the iron chest image.

There's a brand of business shoe by Cole Haan, that has Nike Air soles. I want to get a pair of those, but they don't ship outside the US.

Someone stateside might agree to ship them to you. IJS

---

Ok, so a nature program is currently telling me that reindeer and caribou are the same thing. Not just related or similar, but two names for the same thing. Can this be so?

I had a pair of those Cole Haan/Nikes years ago - they made girl ones too - when I was waiting tables. Quite nice. E-bay, maybe?

---