billytea, IS it an engagement visit???

I have a hernaiated disc between the L4 & L5 vertibra.

That's the most common spot for a disc to herniate. Which is no consolation, I realize, but you're in good company, AND because it's so common, doctors have gotten better and better at treating/fixing it.

It's fun when the doctor looks at the MRI report and says, "Wow. You're younger than I am with a back like this? Were you ever in an accident?" *sigh*

Pfft. I was 31 when I had my surgery. My feeling is -- you recover more easily and more quickly when you're young, b/c your body has only started to fall apart a little bit.

The good thing is that she whipped out her prescription pad and I've got some good painkillers and some flexeril.

HELL yes. Now, then. Take them 'round the clock, even if you get to your assigned time and don't really have any pain. The point is to keep a steady level of drug in your body so that the pain can't return.

Pardon the pontificating, but I literally feel your pain, and all I can do is recommend what worked for me. Until you know how the specialist wants to treat it -- traction, steroid shots, physical therapy -- the most important thing is pain management.

And now I climb down off my soapbox and go unpack from the F2F.

Speaking of robots, some vending machines have been caught with the Blaster worm on them. [link]

My favorite quote:

"If you clarify the network traffic properly and keep an eye on [it,] then suddenly when your vending machine starts surfing the Internet then it will stick out like a sore thumb," he added.

Ok, so, maybe not *always* scary is the best I can hope for.

The school's administration is hanging pictures of all the Deans in the library. At least one of the portraits is of a Dean who had to leave town because he sexually assaulted a student.

I have suggested that we place a Sharpie next to the pictures, and hope that someone takes us up on our implied invitation to deface them.

I should assume that the reason I can't get in touch with DH is because he is at the doctor trying to find out if he broke a finger yesterday , right?

{{vw}} Not!Emily so clearly deserves smiting. I think he should have to put up with landlords like yours for the rest of his life. They are a match made in heaven.

ouch, beth. Hope Matt's finger is only bruised and not broken.

Daniel! Want. Pictures!!! Now!!!

hokay...

It worked!!! Thanks much, Daniel. Also, ded of the cute. I just adore the sweater, Andi, and Harvey as well. I must admit I was a bit skeptical, but no more! And I'm so jealous of your garden. You'd think we'd be able to grow everything here, with all our rain, but we actually have too much water for many plants, especially the types that seem to be standard for gardens.

ouch, beth. Hope Matt's finger is only bruised and not broken

same here , but will we ever know...

To be fair , he did just promise to make an appointment ...he just called and will be going in tomorrow. so I don't have to yell.

I'm watching Dirty Dancing on cable yet again. Every. single. time. it's on cable, I have to watch it. I can't resist. It's like my kryptonite.

I'm watching Dirty Dancing on cable yet again. Every. single. time. it's on cable, I have to watch it. I can't resist. It's like my kryptonite.

Yeah, I get that way about The Incredible Mr. Limpet The Princess Bride.