Yeah, pretty much.

You guys are certifiable.

::aims antenna at their unprotected-by-tinfoil heads::

I do. We were running late getting out the door (missed the school bus, so Mother was driving us in), and she was watching it on the TV in the kitchen. They'd watched every shuttle launch, and had a picture of a shuttle on the dining room wall.

I remember this very distinctly. Nick and I were leaving French on our way to Earth Science when Robbie came up to us and said "oh my god, you guys, the Challenger blew up." We said "whatever, you're full of it" and went to class. And there was Mr. Hicks with the TV showing it over and over. I remember turning around to look at Nick and he had a pencil that he mimed a launch and then made an explosive sound. but not in a mocking way, in a "holy shit, this couldn't have happened way".

My eldest sister just called and asked me to borrow money. WTF? Seriously. This woman is nearly 50 years old, her husband makes decent money, her daughter and son in law are living with them (and working as well). Why can't these people (who only have a $400 a month house payment) keep their fucking electricity on without asking me for loans???

I don't mean to judge, but this isn't the sister that's the mom of the nephew/stripper mom?

it is cool to have a President that I do want to listen to.

yeah, I pretty much didn't watch the news with any regularity for the Bush years. I happily watch CNN in the mornings.

I once took out a *friend's* contacts when she was drunk

I had to do that more than once in college, sadly.

Challenger: when I was a senior in high school, I was the accompanist for both school choirs since I wanted to play piano, and didn't want to sing (they made me sing during the a capella stuff, the BASTARDS! Then I learned to like it...)

In between 1st and 2nd period, I was sitting back in the conductor's office reading, waiting for the second choir to start so I could start warming them up. I walked out to get my music, and came back to one of the other students saying, "The shuttle blew up." I pooh-pooh'd it - "No, things like that don't happen" - and then we learned it was true.

The whole school reacted; classes were cancelled, we were sent home after a couple of hours, the vice principal gave a speech on the PA explaining what had happened and that class was over for the day since we were all so upset.

It was terribly wrenching to me. I grew up assuming I'd be in space before I died. Challenger convinced me otherwise.

And then Columbia happened, and I had flashbacks for days.

Challanger:

Working retail , Living with now DH. Day off -- doing laundry at Mom's with cable TV. Horrible. esp. since I was all excited to be watching a launch after so many years of missing them.

I don't mean to judge, but this isn't the sister that's the mom of the nephew/stripper mom?

Ding ding ding. One and the same.

My other sisters are self-sufficient and can take care of themselves. They also do not have children. Idiot Eldest sister had three kids, none of which can take care of themselves or their kids (of which there are seven). Drives me fucking crazy.

I need to make it clear that the Bank of Lisa is closed except in cases of dire emergency/life or death situations. This does NOT include bailing stripper baby mama out of jail (yes, I paid for that one--but was paid back). I can't pay their bills knowing my niece spent $300 on fireworks for the 4th--they're living with her mom and not paying rent.

My first class junior year in high school was a science class (marine biology) and we were actually watching Challenger live (probably because of the teacher who was aboard). We were all rapt and quiet with the take-off, and then it blew up. It was surreal. We sat there numb. And then our teacher walked to the front of the class and told us that we could all go home; school for the rest of the day was cancelled. I don't know why they didn't send a counselor or someone to the room (I think we were the only class actually watching the take-off live), but they didn't. And it was just our class that was told to go home early.

I recall very specifically listening to "Eleanor Rigby" again and again on my Walkman walking home.

Say just that, Cash.

I very spitefully said (likely just muttered under my breath) that it was a shame we hadn't nominated my algebra teacher. One of the worst things I have EVER said or thought. It still turns my stomach to have snarled that. The stupidest thing is, I liked him mostly so I have no idea what brought on that awfulness. I mean, beyond being 14 and an unfit human because of the 14ness.

I need to make it clear that the Bank of Lisa is closed except in cases of dire emergency/life or death situations.

This. I mean, you are very generous and helpful but, especially knowing what they *are* spending money on, people need to take some responsibility.

Cash, you gotta go all Tough Love on 'em, or you'll just be financing their stupidity and drama.