Does anyone have any good recommendations for somewhere in the far east where I can get cheapish accomodations and lolly gag on the beach for a week or two? Actually, I'll even mix it up with some sight-seeing.

Israel!

What? We have the beaches (even several, what with the Mediterranean, Kineret (can't remember how you call it in English) and the Dead Sea), we have sight-seeing of all sorts, the weather is so hot and humid everybody else wants to leave, so it's perfect for you, and you'll stay with me, which is free and as cheap as it gets. We're even east of you, of you look from the correct side of the world-is-round.

In less pleasant things-that-happen-here, yesterday was a fast (Tisha b'Av), and I'm really not good with all the not-drinking-water part of the whole thing, so I still have a roaring headache a few liters of water later, and am still finding it hard to, you know, focus on work and stuff. My deadline is Thursday. Which is not helping. Sigh.

[Edit: oh, but now I got the nice post #, what with the consecutive digits all mixed up (why, yes, just like the mess in my head) and still arranged enough that 2*4=3+5. I'm going to take this as a nice "you'll feel better soon" nod from the universe, and raise my cold-water-bottle in its honor.]

Oh Nilly.

~ma

Oh Brenda, much ~ma, although I'm also kind of shaking my head in bemusement over your sister and her date.

That was some kind of relay and Matt, so with you on the sentiment you expressed. Even my husband, who's not a big swimming fan at all, was caught up in the excitement.

With the age thing, I was regularly mistaken for older from the time I was eleven or so, on, but then, by my mid-thirties, the shift began and now if anything, people guess younger, when they do.

I refuse to lie about my age because my mother used to do it for me on a regular basis-- she used to make me and my sister and brother younger in order so she could pull off being younger herself for her dates. Yeah, I have issues with that.

With the age thing, I was regularly mistaken for older from the time I was eleven or so, on, but then, by my mid-thirties, the shift began and now if anything, people guess younger, when they do.

I am Barb in this regard.

Like JenP and Barb, I was usually thought of as older through my 20s and these days people seem to think I'm younger than I am, although perhaps they are erring on the side of nice or are confused by my Peter Pan lifestyle. They do call me ma'am way too much.

Brenda - vibing for your dad.

I am amused that the US has at least two team members who have at least one parent that was on the Soviet gymnastics team. Who would have predicted THAT back in the 80s?

The 4x100 free relay was very exciting. And those suits that they wear now are just so silly looking. (And you notice how as soon as they're out of the water that guys pull the tops down? So I'm thinking - also uncomfortable.)

Brenda, I'm so sorry. You already had quite enough on your plate. I'm hoping the damage to your dad turns out to be less than you thought last night.

(And you notice how as soon as they're out of the water that guys pull the tops down? So I'm thinking - also uncomfortable.)

I've been wondering though if Michael Phelps isn't a bit of an exhibitionist because seriously, his always seems to go further down than anyone else's. And I was screaming at the cameraman when they were showing the reactions of the team during the replay, "Pull back to Cleveland, please!" because really, no ass, no matter how fit, looks good just this side of plumber land and bouncing up and down to boot. Not that I'm blaming Phelps for being excited, but really, the cameraman should've exhibited a little restraint.

ita: if you choose not to take Nilly's offer, consider Thailand. Krabi province--not Phuket, which is horribly overdeveloped, but Cape Phra Nang, which is somewhat more rural, with bungalow complexes under the coconut palms. Rock-climbing, snorkling, gorgeous white sand beaches, kayaking. It's really beautiful and pretty cheap -- or at least it was 10 years ago when I was there. Another option is the islands: Ko Phi Phi on the west coast, or Ko Samui on the east.

Winter is the high season, but I think the monsoon is probably over by now...

Brenda, I hope your dad is OK.