You are a champion, Andi. I totally respect your professionalism and equanimity. Who knows, maybe you will get great service. I hope the young one really does enjoy himself.

A really good friend...the one who came to give me acupuncture treatments every day for the weeks following Bartleby's death, called this evening to tell me he has esophageal cancer. He talks about how badly he beat up his body before going into the healing arts with a certain pragmatism, but my heart just breaks for him.

I'm honored that he wants me to be part of the process and will do everything I can.

I married he and his wife last year and adore her for being the best person in the world for him. She is, however, really struggling. I think a big part of helping him will be helping her.

Here we go.

They just got married last year, bonny? How hard for them. I so feel for both of them.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't feel comfortable with the statement that there's some sort of moral taint to strip clubs. I'm not sure if that's what you meant, WS. I totally get the annoyance at being voluntold to take someone out to somewhere you don't want to go, however, so maybe that's what was behind your comment. As for Hooters, it's really just a sports bar/restaurant with an unfortunate name. And not very good food.

bonny, I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. He and his wife are lucky to have you in their lives.

And not very good food.

So. The whole, "I'm just going for the wings" excuse?...

Well admittedly bonny, I'm really not their target customer. Some people probably love their hot wings.

Thank you, dear ones.

Yeah...he was married to another friend of mine (they divorced in 2006) who ended up disowning me for marrying them because that somehow meant I somehow 'betrayed' her.

To be honest, he really was a terrible person at one point. But, in his mid 50s, he got his shit together and built a beautiful life for himself.

I'm praying that this is a character-building bump in their road.

As for Hooters, it's really just a sports bar/restaurant with an unfortunate name. And not very good food.

Too true. And, the one time I was dragged to a Hooters, I couldn't help but notice all the servers were "well endowed", in a manner that seemed, statistically, unnatural. Our server was very chatty & friendly, and not shy. The topic came up, and she said, "Oh, most of us stuff to help the image. Most guys don't notice it, they just see big hooters, and love it" (paraphrase). The food left a LOT to be desired. I'm also not a fan of wings, so can't comment on how good/bad they are. On the whole, it's a sports bar with frat boy decor/atmosphere, bleh food, and tight outfits for the female workers. Short shorts, that are tight, and tight, white t-shirt.

I would not be comfortable going there for a work thing. Or rather, my perception of whoever chose/insisted on it would forever change. (See also Twisted Kilt, or, "Hooters for guys who don't want Hooters showing up on their expense report.")

If the women working there don't mind it, I've got no issues. I've never been to Hooters, but I've been in similar places, and the waitresses seem pleased to chat with someone who isn't there for the "decor." Most of them seemed content to use what God--or whomever--gave them to get bigger tips out of foolish men.

Hubby's biopsy is day after tomorrow. Then the results and a treatment plan a week and a half later. Stress is high in Chez Neil.