So I had a mammogram this morning with a tech who had the worst bedside manner I have ever experienced. I felt like a piece of meat. I know the have to adjust you here and there but she barely was interested in speaking to me. If I could have removed my breasts and handed them to her to look at she probably would have preferred it.

I'm sorry, le nubian. It is uncomfortable enough without having a bad tech.

Have you seen Idiocracy?

Nope. But now I don't know if I want to!

It is such a personal decision to make, and I find it just as wrongheaded to judge a person for choosing to have children as it is to judge for the decision to remain childless. Now if you let me decide who would be good parental material and who wouldn't the world would surely be a better place. But not my job apparently.

le n, that bites.

Yay for Nilly baby!

if the tech had bit me, it would have felt more honest.

Congratulations, Nilly family!

OK - I've run into a block on a novel I'm working that I don't think I can overcome on my own. I just can't plot that long. I have the beginning, the end, the world, the main character, some other characters, some really good scenes.

The offer I'd like to make to another writer: you look at what I've got. You come up with a fairly detailed outline (a page or two per chapter). I'll do a first draft. And when it comes to further drafts, we divide the labor the way you choose.

Question: is this a fair offer? Am I asking the other person to do much of the work? Am I monopolizing the fun of writing?

I get to bring the doggy home tomorrow after work. Tonight I need to dog-proof the living room, set up the crate, and figure out how to attach the dog car seat to the seats in my car. Also, take the tags off all the dog toys I bought.

Aw, happy homecoming, Hil.

Typo, I think what you're asking is essentially what a ghostwriter would do, but he or she would be paid. If you and a friend wanted to collaborate on an idea, that's one thing, but asking someone to outline your idea for you, for free, seems a little unlikely.

Well I was thinking partnership, but from what you are saying it is not really partnership, it is ghostwriting. So way too much of ask of in a 50/50 relationship.