No, my blamey thing was for the potential result of "It's nothing; you're just OMG FAT HOW MUCH DO YOU WEIGH?" (like Fay's taxi driver). If my abdomen is disproportionately huge simply because I'm so fat, then that's my fault and I'll be horribly shamed.

Yeah, I know that feeling. But I think that your body is not functioning properly and you know that on some level. Believing that does not mean you're in fat denial. I'm sorry that you're afraid of being shamed, that's such a horrible feeling.

Steph, you're fine. Stop. That's what we're here for. Really.

Did you take an Ativan?

Sorry; I didn't mean to kill the thread with my endless boo-hooing and Stock Conversation #871 about weight.

Nah, it's good to vent, otherwise the anxiety demons will take over your brain even more!

What is PIV sex?

It took me a minute, because I kept seeing it as "point of view" sex.

Teppy, I hope it's something that's findable and fixable. You definitely want to drink the liquids, because otherwise they'll pump it in through a catheter. This happened to me once and I do not recommend it.

I have about 30 hours of work to finish before I leave for the F2F at this time tomorrow. How's that time machine coming, MM? Also, I had to scurry around yesterday, because Mr Peabody was going to stay with the woman who had fostered him, but she called to say that there was a hole in the fence that her pack of foster dogs had found, and she couldn't guarantee she'd be able to find it and fix it by today. Most boarding places wanted to "evaluate" Mr P and have a parent-teacher conference about his personality. I e-mailed a friend who's a part-time dog trainer to see if she had any ideas, and she offered to keep him. She is now my new hero.

How's that time machine coming, MM?

Works fine.

How's that time machine coming, MM?

Not so good, I...

...wait.

What is PIV sex?

It took me a minute, because I kept seeing it as "point of view" sex.

Well, kind of.

Haven't taken an Ativan yet, b/c I haven't eaten any solid food yet today. As soon as I eat something, I'll take an Ativan. I don't want to take it on an empty stomach.

One more new vent.

SERIOUSLY?!?!?

We just got an e-mail that starting tomorrow, once a week the company will be having a 20-minute PRAYER TIME IN THE OFFICE.

Isn't that, I don't know, ILLEGAL???

It's not mandatory, but -- SERIOUSLY?????????

(Go ahead, Scola; I know you have links all lined up.)

I'm assuming that the heathens among us who choose not to participate can take a 20-minute break at that time, because I am DAMN WELL not going to be punished with more work than my pious co-workers for choosing to not PRAY IN THE WORKPLACE.

(You think I could go and pray -- loudly -- to the Flying Spaghetti Monster?)

(How long after that do you think I'd still be employed?)

How about setting up a voudoun altar at your desk, for YOUR religion. Bring in some chickens to sacrifice. (Check the Scola links - you'd need them.)

(Go ahead, Scola; I know you have links all lined up.)

You've dried up my source of links this week, Tep. Sorry.

You've dried up my source of links this week, Tep. Sorry.

Wow. That's like finding Brigadoon.

Ish.