All I _could_ say is that this is an urban environment and people just need to be careful.

Telling people to be careful doesn't make for punchy news blurbs to run every 15 minutes to pimp the newscast, though.

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I was just interviewed for a newscast and was surprised that the reporter seemed to want me to say that I'm scared in this neighborhood.

So much for reporting the news, and not creating it. Ugg, the state of the media these days.

t /former communications major who was taught fair & balanced reporting

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Telling people to be careful doesn't make for punchy news blurbs to run every 15 minutes to pimp the newscast, though.

No lie.

After they turned the camera off, I was chatting with the man who asked me to do the interview in the first place. I mentioned that, no matter what time of day or night, there are _always_ people on the street.

The reporter squealed, "That's what you should have said!!" They turned the camera back on and I said that. It will likely be all of what they use, if anything.

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bonny that's so horrible.

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Will and I had a nice day to day. We ended up driving all over back roads of VT and it was pretty - it was a cool day. We ended up at the Burger Barn and had 2 wonderful burgers. Yummy.

We also talked about ideal future home - it would have acreage, meadow, stream through it, nice view, and a house set back from the road. We didn't actually talk about the house but pointed out ones we liked.

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Askye, that sounds like a great day.

I've been avoiding the heat. I have the a/c on, and really don't want to go out and shop. I need to return some stuff to Home Depot, and maybe get a hair cut. Maybe tomorrow will be curtain shopping. I just hate shopping so much. Blah. It's fine when you know what you want. But browsing. So not my thing.

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We wandered the mall today--it was uncomfortably warm in there, with the skylights and all the people--and I think I may despise retail. I know it's their job, but I hate having salespeople hover over me or pounce as soon as I walk in the door. One girl: "So what brought you to the mall today?" I did not say, "We're looking for someone new to dismember in our basement of terror." But I thought it. We're there to look at your stuff, lady, and debate buying some of it!

We've got a Teavana now, and I wanted to browse and fondle the tea pots, but every time I paused to look at something, this obsequious nimrod would blither about its health benefits or how it was handpainted in Japan or how that one was his personal favorite.

Then I asked if they had black tea--as I find herbal infusions with dried fruit and flower petals to be horrifying--and the girl insisted on showing this wonderful black tea and chamomile blend and explaining all its health benefits. This was after I said, "Just black tea," and she said, "OK, but first I'm going to show you this."

I understand that there are people who would say, "Oh, you're right, that is lovely," which is what keeps me from snapping at the salesfolks, but it's a hard thing in store after store to convince them that they'll get a sale faster if they leave me alone rather than hovering. Hubby said it perfectly to the guy in Yankee Candle, when he said, "Oh, that's one of my favorites" as I opened another jar to take a sniff. Hubby said, "She prefers to let the product sell itself." I congratulated him on the diplomacy of his statement. He said he's seen the way my fists clenched.

Maybe the state of the economy isn't indicated by how many people were touring the shops but by how desperate the salespeople are.

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So I found out who Wink Man is. Is that bad? He changed his username to his real first name and last initial, and he's studying Classics for a PhD and he lives right here so he was obviously at UVA... giving out that much information, it's like he *wanted* me to go look him up. And I really do want to meet him. I wish he'd message me already, geez. That's all the stalking I care to do.

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Zen, I would encourage you to go on and send him a message, but since this is such a delicate matter for you I understand why you wouldn't want to.

Almost twelve hours, no reply to my text. So possibilities would seem to be 1) he's pondering 2) he's sexing up Other Chick right now AIFG 3) he didn't think any response was required 4) he's just done.

I guess I'll text him around lunch and see if he still wants to go to the movie. Don't worry, Nora, I may have someone for the other ticket if he doesn't come.

I just spent a delightful few hours hanging with R and her roommate. They fed me and helped keep the brain weasels at bay. I introduced them to Cute Animals, Bad Dates and found further proof that its creator is One Of Us - [link]

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askye, meant to say - I'm so glad y'all had a lovely day together. Sounds like laid back, comfortable with each other fun.

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