Dana, I hope you have a wonderful time! You definitely deserve some fun and relaxation after this week.

a larger percentage of men than women tend to fall apart.

There are many values for "fall apart." During my sophomore year, there was a dorm fire early Sunday morning. I did fine during the actual crisis -- woke my roommate (even though he only had 2 hours of sleep after working Saturday night) and got us out of the building. Once we were out of the building, I fell apart (capped by a 2-week bout of insomnia).

He then read an address of a quality more appropriate for an Arbor Day celebration: a long laundry list of pounds of ice, generators and blankets delivered to the stricken Gulf Coast.

Blankets? BLANKETS?!?!?!?!?! In 90+ heat??????? Even if the one in charge should be reading off laundry lists, there are a lot of higher priority items needed right now.

BARNES: But last year, when there were two hurricanes, and I got a new roof, I paid my part. My private insurance company paid the other part. The federal government and taxpayers paid no part.

Well, except for the part where the National Flood Insurance Program is part of FEMA. And that, if he got a federally-related mortgage on that house ("federally-related" defined so that, for practica purposes, that should read, "if he got a mortgage"), federal law required him to get that insurance.

If you hear of someone getting arrested for licking Jamie Bamber, that might be me.

Don't lick him without me!

That... well, I suppose that didn't come out wrong after all.

I'm leaving work in a couple hours. See you tonight!

a larger percentage of men than women tend to fall apart.

Really? Do you have a number? Some statistics to back it up?

Then she explained she's going to start learning to play an instrument. Either a violin or a harmonica. Based on which looks prettier.

God, I love kids. I need a new job -- I should totally go back to childcare.

Really? Do you have a number? Some statistics to back it up?

I've worked with two immigrant populations and lived in three heavily immigrant neighborhoods. It's pretty commonly observed. I've seen articles over the years with studies describing the phenomenon and I'll poke around and try and find one now.

Although I'm not a fan of living in a house that is likely to be destroyed in the short-to-middle term, it is also the case that, if private insurance doesn't offer the insurance you need, then, um, federal government beats no insurance at all.

Also, you know? What kind of shmuck says, Hey, disaster? Brought that on yourself, dude. Even when it's true, it's still unbelieveably rude to say.

Dana, I hope you have a safe trip, and get some much needed and deserved R&R.

I got a Full Metal Jacket/Thunderdome/Waco vibe off that lj, too. Visting the User Info page and looking at the interests and communities didn't lessen it: [link] I also wondered about a hoax. I know it's probably not, but I can't shake that feeling. I didn't watch the webcam broadcast, but I don't think I will. I don't understand what's going on.

Blankets? BLANKETS?!?!?!?!?! In 90+ heat??????? Even if the one in charge should be reading off laundry lists, there are a lot of higher priority items needed right now.

I agree with you about the laundry list angle, Fred Pete. That said, blankets have a lot of uses. People in shock need them. They can be torn and used as substitutes for bandages, slings, tourniquets, ropes, etc. They can be used to carry stuff. People need something to lie on. They can be strung up for a modicum of privacy. I can see blankets right there after water, anti-biotics, and food.

And of course, when the Earth is destroyed by some cataclysmic disaster, the aliens will be telling us, "Dudes. You chose to live on such a dangerous planet. And you just expect us to save you now?"

10:01 A.M. - (AP) -- The military plans to increase the number of National Guard troops on duty in Louisiana and Mississippi from a combined 7,400 to about 18,100, the senior commander in charge of military relief and rescue efforts said Thursday.