Huh. I feel like I know at least as much about the 1918 Flu than any other plague. But then, I don't know much that's not modern American history, and mostly urban at that.

Not at all, Hil, nor any of the rest of you. And likewise, if I've caused any offense to any of you, let me know.

I feel like I know at least as much about the 1918 Flu than any other plague. But then, I don't know much that's not modern American history, and mostly urban at that.

Well, I speaking in some pretty broad generalizations. There's always going to be exceptions.

Anyone see Mirrormask yet this weekend? I saw Serenity again last night and am probably going to see Corpse Bride in a couple hours, but I'm worried about Mirrormask not getting much of an audience -- then again, I've seen no publicity whatsoever, so there's that.

Nilly, your annual Yom Kippur post means so much to me. Thank you.

And Nilly, Sheryl, Allyson, Hil, amych -- nothing you've said or done has offended me.

In the US, for instance, religious groups are gearing up to oppose vaccination, despite a survey showing 80 per cent of parents favour vaccinating their daughters. "Abstinence is the best way to prevent HPV," says Bridget Maher of the Family Research Council, a leading Christian lobby group that has made much of the fact that, because it can spread by skin contact, condoms are not as effective against HPV as they are against other viruses such as HIV.

"Giving the HPV vaccine to young women could be potentially harmful, because they may see it as a licence to engage in premarital sex," Maher claims, though it is arguable how many young women have even heard of the virus.

That's so completely ignorant. Or perhaps that goes without saying.

I have a friend from high school who I always had the HIV testing argument with. He intended to not have sex until he got married (it had nothing to do with religious beliefs, actually, and, AFAIK, he achieved said goal), and therefore *he* wouldn't need to be tested for HIV. I said, well, what if you marry someone who *has* had sex before? Or are you only going to consider virgins as your future wife?

He said no, that was unrealistic (you think?), but that his future wife wouldn't need to be tested for HIV, because he would *never* marry someone who had put herself in a situation where she could have been exposed to HIV.

I think I didn't talk to him for at least a month after that, if not longer. And we agreed to never discuss it again, because it was clear that his mind was made up on this matter. IGNORANT.

(I remember when everyone was home for Xmas a few years ago -- so, keep in mind, we were in our 30s -- and I was bantering with my best friend, saying "How long has it been since you've had sex?" She said about a year, and I said "Ha! Six months for me! I win!"

And this same guy looked at me, and asked, disapproval dripping from his voice, "Why does that make you *win*?" )

At least he applies the same jackass standard to men as to women, so I feel equally oppressed. Woot.

Sheryl, Allyson, Hil, and amych, none of you have offended me this year.

What Perkins said, with a side of Wolfram.

Oh, and -t.

I think that covers everyone.

What Plei said.

(Hi Plei!)

Hi, Perkins!

I dropped my laptop yesterday! At least I didn't drop the baby.

I have minor cosmetic damage in one corner, but the Fredlet still runs.

Poor Fredlet. I've dropped my laptop before, but so far there hasn't been any real damage.