Oh, Scrappy, that sucks. I recall my first week as a freshman--all the kids walking in groups from dorms to Fraternity Row and to house parties with their giant, plastic beer cups. Not the easiest environment for a recovering addict.

I hope for her sake, she realizes how easy it is to relapse and what she has on the line.

Aimee, that's so awful! I know not everyone's uncles are mean but I'm sort of surprised at all the mean stories. I'm glad my brother is so nice to Ellie. If any other uncles appear and start being mean, they had better watch out!

"Gingerbread" Battle of Helms Deep and the Gingerbread Battle of Pelennor Fields.

He would become Uncle Jack to me from that point on. Jack - Ass, Jack - Tard, take your pick. I have almost zero tolerance for meanness like that. If it is to kids, I will go from zero to in your face in about 2 seconds.

My understanding is that nearly all of the H words that get "an" are derived from French. (Honor, historical, etc. Not house.) So at least it's not totally random.

It seems to break at the voiced or un-voiced "H". And if the "H" is un-voiced you're really giving the A n to the subsequent vowel.

Gah, that's tough. Because freshman orientation and dorm life have got to be just about the hardest environment in these circumstance, I'd think. But I'm not sure bringing it up with her would accomplish anything more than making her defensive and stressing things out worse. Ugh.

Scrappy, can you bring it up in a non-accusatory way? Not mention the suspicion that she was drinking but point out the "hardest environment" Brenda mentions? Maybe (if this is possible for you) tell her she can call you and come over if the dorm is getting boozy and she should step away from it for a few hours? That way you're giving her sympathy and a tool instead of a lecture.

People slip. I assume rehab addresses that -- AA certainly does. If she did have a slip she may already be dealing with it. If in the course of dealing with it you can offer her a way to prevent another one that might be very helpful to her in recovering from this one.

Beware of geeks with bulk candy!

gah, Scrappy, that's a rough situation. I have no advice...I can see where bringing it up may be the wrong thing to do but also letting it slide could be. Could you maybe bring up what Brenda referenced in general to her. Tell her you know that it's going to be a really hard time or something? Is she involved in ongoing counseling or anything? Or AA?

Hey Susan, do you work at the hospital that starts with an H? I'll be there in the morning, getting my head checked! I will wave in your direction. Assuming I manage to get up, get there, and find the damn place by 7:30AM. BLEH.

Yes, I'm at the place with the views of the harbor. I didn't see your message until just now, so I guess you're having your tests or are maybe already done. I hope everything went well!

ftr, my uncles (and my great uncles) were and are some of my favorite people in the world! Even my great uncle who slapped me once because I'd sassed him and when he threaten to smack me I told him he wouldn't. oops! Still loved him like crazy. And the feeling was mutual.

I have almost zero tolerance for meanness like that. If it is to kids, I will go from zero to in your face in about 2 seconds.

You would have LOVED my 7th grade art teacher. Two of his favorite quotes:

"Aimee's face would make a freight train take a dirt road."

"When Aimee was born her mother said, 'What a treasure!' and her dad said, 'Yeah - let's bury it.'"

It makes me laugh and honestly, at the time, I never thought that there was anything wrong with what either of them said to me or that it should hurt my feelings. I just laughed with the rest of the family/class and went along with it.

Now, I feel like sending them the therapy bills. Jack ass. Jack tard.