Javachik, I always separate the words when I am in doubt. It seems to work out.

Or at least no one calls me on it.

Which reminds me, I called Brokeback Mountain slash this morning in the Fanfic thread. I need to go correct that. Doesn't fit with my personal lexicon.

A friend was diagnosed with Emphysema today. "OK" she asked "what do I do?"

"Quit smoking" the Doctor replied.

"I don't smoke and never have" she said.

"Don't start" said the Doctor.

OK, to start with its a shame that "he had it coming" is not a legal defense in homicide cases. Also, even fuckin House has better social skills than that.

But aside from ill-wishing this Doctor is it really true that there is *nothing* that can be done to improve the lives of Emphysema patients?

Wow, that doctor needs a smiting.

According to about.com (grain of salt implied) [link]

There are, however, medications available to treat emphysema, which can help to reduce or abolish symptoms, increase exercise tolerance, reduce the number and frequency of COPD exacerbations and improve overall health status.

OK, to start with its a shame that "he had it coming" is not a legal defense in homicide cases.

Well, it might be for lessening the charge.

Scott Roeder tells court: I was justified in killing abortion doctor

I also learned the art of phrasing a question (that I already knew the answer to)in such a way that fellow students (and later, colleagues)would be helped.

Ha. Me too. And now I am a tech writer.

Is reading in the bathroom normal, or is it just my family? My college roommates thought I was nuts (for that, among other reasons).

If I'm stuck anywhere for more than 20 seconds, I'm going to read something. Anything.

I nearly died laughing when I first saw Owen reading a comic book while sitting on the toilet. I stifled said laughter.

There is no mindfuck quite like being special needs AND gifted. That constant pendulum between "You're great and special and inspiring." and "Fuckin' freak,"

It's a lot more common than you think! We were pleasantly surprised to find out we can include the gifted and talented teacher on Owen's special education team to help set goals for his IEP. Which is nice.

My day, it is completely fucking insane and hasn't backed off yet. Tuesday, STOP being Monday!

My fervent hope is that one day I will learn this and not NEED to be the one who always has The Right Answer.

It hasn't happened yet. I'm not sure why one of my teachers didn't kill me. It did not help that we moved to several different small towns with poor school systems, in one case to a class with a math text I had used two years before elsewhere. I had an English teacher in high school who was less sentient than an aspidistra. I still remember the fight I had with her when she insisted that "dowdy" was pronounced "doo-dy."

I still remember the fight I had with her when she insisted that "dowdy" was pronounced "doo-dy."

Did you tell her she had dowdy brains?

That was also the class in which I insisted on reading the real, and not the condensed, version of Great Expectations.

Aims, fwiw, my nephew that is just around the same age as Em loves books but is not reading yet.

I had many of my books memorized at 2 so people thought I could read, but I couldn't. I think Mom mostly taught me to read by reading street signs and highway signs, but I don't remember when I actually learned to read on my own. I think sometime in 1st grade.