He was the selfproclaimed captain. And a neighborhood watch volunterr coordinator with the police said they tell official neighborhood watches not to carry guns.

They're calling Zimmerman a "neighborhood watch captain". I read this morning that it turned out he was not actually associated with any registered neighborhood watch groups.

Early articles said he had tried to organize a formal neighborhood watch unsuccessfully so he took it upon himself. So yes, self appointed captain.

It is a hopeful sign that other law enforcement agencies are getting involved. It will be no replacement for their child's life, but the family at least deserves the killer to be punished.

And people need to know that standing your ground against *an attacker* is one thing, but lethally shooting an unarmed teenager is another.

Oh my Lord.

I have a co-worker who has zero tact. We all know this, and have (1) learned to just ignore the stupid shit she says, and (2) developed ways to deflect her in conversation.

So, a little bit ago, since it's in the frigging 80s here, a different co-worker brought in Graeter's (woo!). I was in the kitchen getting some when Tactless!co-worker came in. "I wish I could eat that," she said. "Do you have ANY IDEA how many Points are in one serving of that stuff?"

"Nope," I said, around my first bite of ice cream.

She sighed, and said, "I just wish I didn't care about my health."

I had a strong suspicion what she meant by this (and it was actually less blunt than normal), but I decided to play along.

"Why would you want to not care about your health?" I asked.

"I *do* care about my health," she said. "That's why I don't eat stuff like that. But I admire you for not caring."

Hello.

"[Co-worker]," I said, "that's not even close to true. Just because I don't eat exactly what you do, and don't follow the same food plan as you, doesn't mean I don't care about my health."

"No! I just meant that it would be nice to be the kind of person who doesn't make their health an important priority!"

"And you think because I'm eating a scoop of ice cream that I *don't* consider my health to be important?"

"Do you KNOW how many Points are in that?!?"

At that point I just rolled my eyes and said, "Nope. But I do know I have to get back to work."

Don't get me wrong; people can follow whatever eating plan they want. I just object to the conflation of You Don't Follow My Eating Plan So Therefore That Is Proof That You Are Unhealthy.

Stabby stabby.

BTW, why was the advice given to put hydrogen peroxide in ears? Is this standard planning for zombie apocalypse or is there a precursor for this activity?

If you feel a cold coming on, it helps ward it off. Standard planning for the zombie apocalypse involves stocking up on chocolate and things to set on fire.

Teppy, you were actually far nicer than I would have been to your co-worker. I would have said something like "Do you KNOW how condescending you sound? I appreciate your misguided concern, now stop talking."

my response

"eating a scoop of ice cream means I don't care about my health. What plant are you from ?"

"Don't worry, I plan to eat a double cone of Graeter's pumpkin ice cream at your funeral."

Mental health -- including pleasure, like a scoop of unexpected delicious ice cream -- is an important part of overall health. Why doesn't anyone understand that?

"Don't worry, I plan to eat a double cone of Graeter's pumpkin ice cream at your funeral."

Mmmm...tastes like schadenfreude. And a little cinnamon.