Oh, that was my most painful experience ever. I was about to have TMJ surgery, so right before they knocked me out they had to put a tube through my nose into my lungs (in case my face swelled up so much that I'd otherwise be unable to breath). So the doctor took a long cotton swab that was dipped in liquid cocaine and shoved it up my nose.

It's very uncomfortable, isn't it? I did a bunch of studies with tubes and wires down my nose into my stomach, and even when they're very gentle with the Q-Tip it's no fun. This is why I found the undercover PETA video about Covance's treatment of lab monkeys more disturbing than some other people -- they just ram those tubes down their nose in one motion and the monkeys don't even blink.

It's so lovely that we're sharing stories of miserable pain. I forgot to mention the time I had dry socket, and the dentist packed it. It felt much better in about an hour, but at the time, I wanted to kill him.

Disabled actors: Jim Byrnes, who was on Wiseguy and Highlander.

The worst pain I had was nasal related. I had to have a tube pushed down my nose, the second worst pain was when the pulled it out.

testicular trauma

At the Sydney Olympics, one pole vaulter managed to land, crotch-first, onto his vaulting pole (not a euphemism), which had swayed at a leisurely pace under the bar while the vaulter gracefully sailed over the top. He was less graceful by the time he hit the mat.

I don't know what my worst pain ever is. But I bet that guy knows his.

At the Sydney Olympics, one pole vaulter managed to land, crotch-first, onto his vaulting pole (not a euphemism), which had swayed at a leisurely pace under the bar while the vaulter gracefully sailed over the top. He was less graceful by the time he hit the mat.

I can't believe I've never seen video of this. It's an all time legendary crotch whack. Where's Bob Saget?!

I once had a mountain biking accident in which I gashed my labia. Fifteen stitches, I think, and I bled like a stuck pig. That was fun. Even more fun, actually, was the anesthetic, since it was the same series of injections they give you for an episiotomy. Definitely the most pain I've ever felt in my life. Which means I'm never giving birth, since my sister tells me that the anesthetic was just white noise during L&D.

As it was, I couldn't wear jeans for a month. t winces in recollection

I can't believe I've never seen video of this. It's an all time legendary crotch whack. Where's Bob Saget?!

It is available on video as part of a highlights montage on H.G. Nelson's and Roy Slaven's The Dream.

Huh. The Space Shuttle fleet has been grounded again, due to foam falling off the new and improved external fuel tank.

The Space Shuttle fleet has been grounded again, due to foam falling off the new and improved external fuel tank.

Including the one up in space?

Including the one up in space?

No. Although NASA is still looking at photos, footage, etc. to make sure it's safe for it to come back to earth. Plus before it docks at the International Space Station tomorrow morning the folks on the station will conduct an inspection as well. But at this point they think that the only damage the shuttle suffered was the small chip that fell off one of the tiles - they don't think that's serious enough to worry about. (Pretty much every shutttle mission has suffered some damage to the tiles.)