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.

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?"

Vogons are building a hyperspace bypass as we type.

This is cool. I love the part about Office Depot. Don't you think the contents of their stores has already been "donated?"

SOME MONETARY DONATIONS

-- Chevron: $5 million.

-- JPMorgan Chase: $3 million.

-- Citigroup: $3 million.

-- Walt Disney Co.: $2.5 million.

-- Pfizer: $2 million.

-- Abbott Laboratories: $2 million.

-- State Farm: $1 million.

-- EDS: Will match employee contributions up to $1 million.

HEALTH CARE DONATIONS

-- Eli Lilly: 40,000 vials of refrigerated insulin.

-- Wyeth: antibiotics and nonprescription pain relievers.

-- Merck: antibiotics and hepatitis A vaccines.

-- Johnson & Johnson: Pain relievers, wound care supplies and kits containing toothbrushes, soap and shampoo.

-- Abbott Laboratories: At least $2 million in nutritional and medical products.

SOME OTHER DONATIONS

-- Nissan: 50 trucks for Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.

-- General Motors: 25 cars and trucks to the Red Cross.

-- Sprint Nextel: 3,000 walkie talkie-type phones for emergency personnel.

-- Qwest Communications: 2,000 long-distance calling cards.

-- Kellogg: Seven truckloads of crackers and cookies.

-- Culligan International: Five truckloads of water.

-- Anheuser-Busch: more than 825,000 cans of water.

-- Office Depot: Contents of its five New Orleans stores, valued at $4 million.