I tweeted about Ralph Stanley, msbelle, even though I think you are my only follower in the area.

I appreciate it. I am travelling to Phoenix next week, so in theory I could take him to someone there.

Happy Anniversary, JZ and David!

Hmm, I've discovered I have a couple-three autoimmune issues, lost a child, lost a parent, given up my cats, given up my writing groups and spiritual circle, and moved cross-continent. It's pretty much up from here, right? Right?

It's pretty much up from here, right? Right?

I think the move turned out pretty well. That was a good choice. So the things you chose to do are on the plus side.

Timelies all!

Happy Anniversary Hec and JZ!

2004 was a good year for weddings, huh? Gary and I were married in August of '04. Other major events? Bought a house, lost a cat, adopted two more and became an aunt for the second and third time. Otherwise, still at the same job, parents are fine and still doing the snowbird thing.

Happy Anniversary, JZ and Hec!

Since 2004... got new feet, got a girlfriend, ditched the crazy girlfriend, started working from home, got a cat, lost my mom, moved to Virginia, bought a house, bought a brand-new (!) car, got another cat, gained some weight, lost some weight, got a lot closer to my sister, and made a couple new friends but alas none here. Overall I am happier than I ever thought I would be, but still not content.

Amazing recovery in a steeplechase.

That's AMAZING, and he won the race too! Horse was totally like, okay, get back up, dude, I'm busy here.

Does anyone have a good rec for a place I can order eyeglasses from? I need new ones so desperately, and everything looks ugly.

Does anyone have a good rec for a place I can order eyeglasses from?

I like Zennioptical.com.

I'm watching National Geographic TV, and there's a show called Amish: Out of Order, and there's a 16 year old girl who wants to become Amish because there's no peer pressure about how you dress.

Isn't there kind of all the peer pressure about how you dress? You're going to leave your family at age 16, learn Pennsylvania Dutch and move in with strangers and adopt a new religion so you don't have to worry about what you wear to the prom? My first reaction is that it seems kind of weird that no one is telling her that she's looking at a drastic change yet it's still only a bandaid on the issue. Especially since she's in low cut camisoles and skinny jeans and makeup the whole time.

On the flip side is a young kid who left the Amish, and has decided he will have two million liquid by age 25. They show him applying for a house loan and not getting it because even after he joined the English he stuck to his cash-paying ways, and has no credit report. And again it feels kind of sad that there's no one who's giving him perspective and big picture advice here.

I am an mean old dream deflater, but still. I do kinda want to yell at them both.

The difference between science advocates and scientists: [link]

Makes perfect sense.