Request for KC-area -ma: friends of mine's 2 1/2 month old baby boy, Max, died of SIDS yesterday. They had this baby after a dangerous ectopic miscarriage, chemo and fertility treatments.

He was a healthy baby, who stopped breathing at his infant day care. My friends are devastated.

Thanks.

After reading the last few messages, I'm almost embarassed to ask for any ~ma.

One of my nephew's is in Iraq. Until yesterday we thought he would be ok, his unit had been in northern Iraq in the Kurdish area and lately has been in Kuwait awaiting transport back to their base in Alaska. Then he was going to get out altogether.

Now, his unit has been diverted to Bagdad(!!!). So I'd ask for some saftey-keep-your-head-down ~ma for him, some strength for his mother, and some calmness for me so that I don't ram the next car I see that has a Bush/Cheney sticker on it and I don't go ballistic on the few Republican I work with.

Thanks,

Toni aka quester

The Aussie is coming! The Aussie is coming!

As you know, our beloved billytea will be visiting our fair country for several weeks. He begins his journey by arriving in LA this Thursday morning, and he heads towards the Pacific NW on Monday.

Anyone in SoCal who'd like to join a group of us as we head down to the San Diego Zoo and/or Wild Animal Park with him this Sunday, drop me a line or discuss in F2F. If you have other plans or ideas or would like to steal him away, that's fine too. I don't think he'll have a cell phone, so you can email or call me. Or just take it to F2F. Whatever works.

I sent out a quick email to localistas whose emails I had handy. If you're local and want to be involved but didn't get my email, let me know.

Will be going dark until next week as I'm off to enjoy this unbelievably nice August in Maine. Must be the puppy days right now or something, but it's the damndest weather I've seen in this part of the year (usually if it's less than 80F on a regular basis it's because we're getting rained on).

Thanks. Nebbermind.

If any of you have a moment, would you mind reading and commenting on this blurb about women and traditionally male-dominated sports. Thanks.

eta fixed a setting thing so comments are now possible. der. am stupid.

Our dear Billytea will be in NYC on August 28th and 29th.

Time to get festive, AUZZIE STYLE!

Hey there! Have been dark for several days and will continue to be for the next week, most likely, but am in Bangkok safely and all seems to be well. V. well, in fact. Cat Daniel arrived with absolutely no bother and is in a cattery at present - hopefully by end of week I shall have a flat, but am presently residing in swanky 5 star hotel. Yay!

Also, is my 33rd birthday today (20th August) and I have just welcomed it in by clubbing my socks off in Patpong, with various coworkers. Which is a bit of a tangent, but anyway - yes, dark, but will hopefully be back soon.

(also somewhat pissed at present, as is half past three on my natal day and am full of vodka. apologies for any infelicities in preceding post)