Ok, Deena - I'ma gonna go now. Will report back later.

MG, I'd probably stop at the bookstore/library on my way to the ER and think of it as a chance to indulge myself in a little uninterrupted reading time.

Congratulations on the job, sj! (Isn't all lingerie "little" sort of by definitition -- smaller than other things I wear, for certain)

Cool, sj. Go you on the employment. Whoa...will we both be at f2f? That'll be bitchin, babe.(Cool accidental punnage)

will we both be at f2f?

You'll be there? Yay!!!

Whoot! Good job, sj. In more than one meaning of the word.

Suzi, sorry for the owies. Cat scratches can be very nasty things. Better to get it checked out now, than later after somethings had a chance to get infected.

Yay for Employed!sj

Yay for Annabel's elbow being back where it's supposed to be.

Yay for no cancer.

Boo for cat injuries.

In mememe news, one of our friends just got a very big award ($10,000 big). We found out about it because she sent a couple huge and fancy LeapFrog toys to Mallory. I'm still trying to figure out what I did to deserve such sweet and generous friends.

Okay, I have a question that I'd love some input on.

How do you react when someone pulls the "Can't you take a *joke*?" line after they do/say hurtful, asshole-ish things?

This hasn't happened to me recently, but something I read last night reminded me of it, and of the fact that I never, ever know how to shoot them down and tell them that no, it's *not* funny; it's abusive. I try, but it's kryptonite to me.

Jerk: "What -- can't you take a *joke*?"
Me: "That's *not* a joke. Jokes are funny. That was hurtful."
Jerk: "I can't help it if you don't have a good sense of humor."
Me: "I have a great sense of humor, actually, which is how I know that wasn't a joke."
Jerk: "Jeez, lighten up! I just meant it as a joke and you took it the wrong way!"

For me, that's a no-win situation. I can't think of any effective way to respond.

Thoughts?

Those types never learn, Teppy, because to accept what you're saying would mean they'd have to rewrite long-held and cherished beliefs. About all you can do is sneer and walk away.

I don't think that there is any way to knock sense into someone's head like that, Steph. They're obviously oblivious to their "sense of humor" being hurtful and assholish. A situation like that always gets turned aroudn on you and it's "you're too sensitive" or whatnot.

Unless you want to go into detail why the comment was hurtful (which may just open you up for more ridicule) I don't know how else to make the point.

About all you can do is sneer and walk away.

That's what I figured, but I wondered if I was missing some effective, Incredibly Strong(TM) way to respond.