The baby's dad. My dad has some pretty uncouth friends, but thankfully none of them are that gross.

Thank goodness for small favors. I was even more creeped out when I thought it was a friend of your own father. Ugh.

It makes me really sad when I hear horror stories about hospital births. Being present as a caretaker during such a profound event is a privilege, and that part of it shouldn't ever be forgotten by MDs or RNs or anyone else, no matter how complicated the medical situation is.

I had great and horrible (with "horrible" = the babies and I were fine and healthy when it was over, so not truly horrible in any real sense) experiences while giving birth, in the same hospital, using the same OB/GYN practice. Most of the people though really did seem aware of the import of the event.

That and a full-body scouring.

Yeah. Would it be unhealthy to bathe in a bleach mixture? How about Lysol?

Ack! My boss is stuck at home due to rotting corpse issues.

That's terrible. I feel for the guy who didn't get found -- it's one of those universal nightmares for people, isn't it?

But, maggots in my apartment? I wouldn't be home. I'd be OUT OF THERE.

((sj))

Go, Jen with the younger fella!

Ask me what I bought myself this morning, Bitches.

Oh god, now my coworker is reading her info on maggots over the phone. It sounds like she's this close to a total freak-out.

But, maggots in my apartment? I wouldn't be home. I'd be OUT OF THERE.

She has to wait for the exterminators.

It sounds like she's this close to a total freak-out.

Well, yeah. Maggots, flies, Dead Guy . . . I'd be in a corner (not a corner in that house) rocking back and forth, pouring rubbing alcohol over my head.

She has to wait for the exterminators.

Ew.

And the A/C should be off, to avoid bringing more in.

Which causes its own problems.

Just, ew all around.

I promise.

I am holding you to this promise, Nicole.

sj, better to try than not try at all. And we'll all be here to hold your hand whenever you need it.

Thank you.

There have been a couple of tricks that have worked for me to some extent, sj (I am fighting anxiety, myself). One way is to try to see the anxiety as the same sort of feeling I would get before I went on stage (I did some singing and acting in high school and college, if you've never been on stage, this might not be useful to you). That's the sort of thing that energizes a performance, so when I'm going somewhere and start to get that "Oh I'm dying, really, I need to curl up in a ball" feeling, I've started to treat it the way I used to treat pre-appearance jitters--as something that was going to make me more alert and energetic.

This is kind of brilliant. I will have to try it. Thank you.

I am trying to remind myself of all the ways my life is different now than any other time I was in school: Before I was living at home, which meant there was constant noise and interruption to studying. Now I live alone, and if Teacup Guy is here I know I can say "I have to write a paper/study please go do something quiet in the other room," and he will understand, respect, and honor that request. I didn't have Dave in my life last time I was in school, and his support in my life is immeasurable. Before I wasn't in therapy or on antidepressants. The antidepressants help with the anxiety and I know I can e-mail my therapist in between visits and he will be there to help. And lastly, but of great importance, I didn't know about the buffistas when I was in school before, and it should be very helpful to have a wonderful group of people for support, proofreading, reality checks, and the occasional ass-kicking. Love you guys.

What did you buy yourself this morning, Sparky?

{{sj}} I hope your nerves turn into excited anticipation!

brenda, EW! Just... EW!!