I can see how ebaying can absorb time. I'm sitting here, with 15 minutes left on an auction, waiting to bid until the last minute, but strangely not wanting to leave, for fear of getting absorbed into some other project, and then missing that golden minute of bidding.

Headlines from the lunatic ninja 'roo link:

Hero in underpants tackles a 'roo

FROM OTHER NEWS SITES:

Sky News Oz Dad Fights Off 'Lunatic Ninja' Kangaroo - 2 hrs ago

Guardian Unlimited Australian fights off kangaroo in home - 4 hrs ago

Telegraph Australian man wrestles kangaroo intruder - 6 hrs ago

CNN Man beats up kangaroo home invader - 6 hrs ago

Channel 4 News Roo jumps in on family - 7 hrs ago

in addition, SEE ALSO:

Dog rescues woman from kangaroo

I find the differing takes on the incident sort of interesting.

Today's Two Lumps is soooooo not right. [link]

Also, ita, I hope you found some relief, and are able to go see Watchmen today, as planned.

Anne, I'm sending you all the strength and successful coping vibes I can muster.

Oh, poor Em, and poor Aimee. I hope both of you get help and relief. Which will help and relieve MM, who is staunch, though worried.

Continued good health and recovery thoughts to Ellie, and all wishes for Stephanie and Joe for strength and courage.

vw, comforting thoughts to you, and hopes that you're able to settle and accomplish necessary things, despite the pain of your fall. Also? That desk is a real piece of luck--it obviously was meant for you to find.

Sparky, I'm so glad you got Sass back and she's okay, but I'm really sorry your plans got borked, and you were upset. Not easy. But I am glad your mom's surprise was salvaged.

Windsparrow, we keep a batch of one cup white vinegar, one cup hydrogen peroxide, and one cup warm water into which 1 Tbsp table salt has been dissolved in a clean glass bottle. We use it for mouthwash, or on a cotton swab for superficial cuts, insect bites, mild ear irritation before it worsens to infection. Costs pennies, saves hundreds in doctors' and 'script costs. As long as you're doctoring your tonsil, you could gargle and reduce the germload in your mouth and throat. Gargling in hot salt water also has a mild antibiotic effect, kills a boatload of germs, and also soothes an inflamed throat.

I'm not a doctor, but my urgent care guy puts his stamp of approval on all the above, if you can't get to a clinic or doctor's office overnight or over a weekend. Or if the infection isn't severe enough to merit ABs.

And Todd, I'd love to have been with you to overhear those conversations. It's wonderful to be mysteriously present but unacknowledged and to steep in the culture of one's own species. Fun!

I find the differing takes on the incident sort of interesting.

He fought a 'roo in his underwear! More headlines should mention the underwear bit.

He fought a ninja in his underoos!

Hey Bev,

Author's note, updated February 2008: The question I get asked most by readers is, "Can I mix the hydrogen peroxide and vinegar into one sprayer?" The short answer is: EEK - No! The longer answer is: never mix hydrogen peroxide and vinegar together in one container. The resulting chemical, peracetic acid, can harm you when mixed together this way if you accidentally create a strong concentration in this fashion. Peracetic acid also has entirely different characteristics and properties than either hydrogen peroxide or vinegar. Additionally, we don't know if peracetic acid kills the same group of pathogenic food-borne bacteria when used this way as a spray - it very well may not.

Peracetic acid! Where's DXM to explain the chemistry when we need him...

Full link on vinegar and hydrogen peroxide as disinfectants.

...Huh. Well, we do cut it heavily with water. And the salt might neutralize the chemical reaction. We've never had a problem.

...but maybe we should rethink this...(don't want an earthshattering kaboom or anything).

ETA: Oooh, thanks for the link. (Johnny Five voice) Mooore in.put.

Of course my favorite use of white vinegar is dumping it down the drain after pouring in some baking soda. My own sinkbound giant alka-seltzer!

Apparently hydrogen peroxide and vinegar do kill 99% of all germs when used one on top of the other, but she does recommend separate sprayers.

Then again, if you've been gargling with it for years and don't have an ulcerated throat...

Yeah, the aeration might be part of the problem, though she does say "never combine in the same container."

Kids, listen to the person paid to advise, okay? My results are far from empirical.

And you can easily combine salt (soda) and peroxide; toothpastes and commercial mouthwashes do so. Apparently it's just vinegar and peroxide that don't play well with each other.

My kids swimming coach recommended 2 drops rubbing alcohol and 1 drop vinegar in each ear after each pool session to prevent swimmer's ear. Vinegar does have myriad usefulness.