My brain doesn't appear to be fried, and I'm on the mend now. A few pounds lighter, perhaps, but nothing I couldn't stand to lose.

Fever & losing feeling is Not Good, shrift! Be careful with yourself. We needs our shrift!

Wow. That class was easily the most sexist environment I've ever been in, and I say that as a woman who's...well, me.

I was little lady from the moment I walked in (my companion said it was good I'd heeded him and changed out of my original top, but I wish I'd gone all out with glitter and a skirt) and it didn't stop. Was told about smaller shotguns (fine). Was suggested I learn rifle instead since I was female, because there were fewer things to remember. So many of the (kinda scary looking) guys were concerned about my shoulder under the recoil. I was given major points for just showing up, since women just didn't do this sort of thing.

What I couldn't get was any instructor to let me shoot left-handed. Fuckers. There's a reason I shoot handgun leftie, and it would have made the whole thing simpler.

My shoulder? Just fine. Fine enough that their concern confused me.

It was okay. I know easily how I could have had more fun, and that would have required massive machismo extractions.

The friend I went with was very "But you could kill so many of them bare-handed!" and that was nice. I think perhaps I won't take classes from those guys again, or if I do, my clothes will be hella tight, and my lipstick blood red. Fuck that noise.

Shrift, I'm glad to hear you're on the mend.

What I couldn't get was any instructor to let me shoot left-handed. Fuckers. There's a reason I shoot handgun leftie, and it would have made the whole thing simpler.

How odd. What was their reason?

Was suggested I learn rifle instead since I was female, because there were fewer things to remember.

so, did you make earrings or a necklace out of their testicles?

What was their reason?

Because the guns were made for righties. Okay, but I was using a pump action shotgun. The safety would have been flipped, but I was sucking manipulating it with my right hand anyway. Port loading would have been easier, and the slide release was central, on the front of the trigger guard. Much simpler than shooting Glocks leftie, which is what I usually do, handgun-wise.

did you make earrings or a necklace out of their testicles?

There were tense grimaces (mine, probably un-noticed) and some pointed and slow explanation of why I was interested in the class I had paid for, and not others. I have a friend teaching there, so I didn't want to be snitty during class, but he's going to get an earful when next we talk.

Not about him--he's more than fine. In fact, taking into account the crap I give him when he takes my classes, he was more than kind. His co-workers were kinda textbook chauvinists, though.

Little lady? Even were I little, I'd still want to kick ass for that.

That sounds like...not fun.

shrift, you might need a keeper when sick. Don't DO THAT.

My 3 planters are planted. I was kinda disappointed with the selection of flowers, mostly in the pastel shades when I always like to have a fair mix of really vibrant colors. But I guess I have to wait until later in the season for that (and snapdragons.) I did manage one bowl with red impatiens, a orange and yellow lantana and something called a sunblaze golden beauty that makes these agave-pointy bright yellow blooms.

I also got to meet my neighbor's pets when I carried her stuff in (she's sweet, just....she's the one convinced that the petfood contamination is the work of "the terrorists.) A huge buff tabby larger than Homer(!) and tuxedo who is like MK in temperment, and a gorgeous aloof abyssinian. Man, that is an exotic looking cat. And her three bunnies who were very excited she was home. Anyway, she wanted to show them off and the garden she has behind her apartment. It's really nice. There are low rock walls and carefully pruned dwarf trees (they are really nice. Like mini-japanese maples and giganto-bonsai type stuff), flagstone patio and mulch beds with annuals. She can't do a lot of the heavy work anymore, but one of her neighbors started doing it for her as a surprise. Awfully sweet.

Back from FCBD. We hit Earth 2 (right down the street), Golden Apple (Mignola signing!), Meltdown (50 cent back issues!), and Comic Smash. We got lots of extras that I'm going to bring to the kids at juvie next time I'm there. Of interest to us was Whiteout (we love that comic), the one with the Darwyn cover, the Josh Howard/Viper book, and BSG. We also got Batman HeroClix and some Storm Trooper thingy that made GF really excited. Tonight I get birthday cake and Boston Cream Pie martinis! Yay!

I have watched the running of the Kentucky Derby. It was very fast. Those horses are all so very long and skinny, like noodles with butts! (The jockeys are very skinny too, but have no butts.)

My 3 planters are planted

I jumped the gun this year, and ended up with petunias and dianthus in white and deep purple. Which, not as vibrant as one might hope (although I always avoid pink, so yellow and bright red are really my only other options), but I was in protest against the cold, cold April.

And then after a week of awaiting blooms, I discovered that the cat like the taste of dianthus leaves. Bad kitty! No!

(N.b. she does not like gardenia leaves, or pansy leaves, or petunia leaves, or gold-edged thyme or rosemary. But only one of the dianthus has avoided her leonine wrath.)

In fact, taking into account the crap I give him when he takes my classes, he was more than kind. His co-workers were kinda textbook chauvinists, though.

Perhaps he ought to suggest that they go take a class with this nice woman he knows. Be sure to greet them with your widest smile.