I want a responsibility-deprivation tank.

WANT

I am not a cuddler, in general, but hugging a Buffista is a good thing.

My problem with that dragon cake pan is that I read a story once in which a person was looking at what seemed to be a pile of rock, but then he saw a glittering eye and the rock pile uncurled into a dragon of the bitey, mean-tempered variety. That cake looks like it could uncurl.

My mother was having trouble understanding what was going on with her Medicare supplemental policy and suggested that the representative call me. It turns out that AT&T stopped offering medical insurance to its retirees last year and instead is giving them a lump sum in an MSA and setting them loose in the wilds of the insurance market. She didn't understand that because 1) she's 89; 2) she's been on AT&T's plan for 22 years; 3) she can't see very well; and 4) apparently everyone she's talked to until this rep has spewed jargon about the plans without emphasizing that she would be without coverage if she didn't choose a plan. I feel like I would have caught this if I had been able to get Nashville.

That cake looks like it could uncurl.

That's part of why I like it! Dangerous desserts, yes.

That's a damn shame your mother's insurance is getting changed and so cryptically, Ginger. Argh.

I'm a hugger by nature, much more than a huggee, frankly, though I enjoy hugs from people I know, or just met who don't seem odd or strange.

Speaking of touch-starved, when I was in middle school, Sunday School class was separated, girls and boys. Our teachers probably decided as long as we were quiet, you know? Because we would always comb and brush and braid each others' hair. It was the most relaxing thing, so safe and free of having to behave in front of grownups. We actually listened and responded to the lesson, too. I missed that touching interaction later on, when our hair became a thing--"It took me giant rollers and a ton of Dep and four hours of comb out and teasing to get it this way--don't touch it!"

trying to catch up ... Hubble photos, with quotes from people about their favorite picture.

And something science-y. Also a TERRIBLE waste of Cadbury eggs.

And making the bed with cats; low on efficiency, high on entertainment.

Yes, I totally love doing peoples' hair! One of my good friends I barely knew at a conference but we were all really drunk and I was like 'OMG I want to French braid your hair so much!" and she was like "OMG you know how? Will you? I love having it done but don't know how!"

Wow, I wish I'd known that about you when we were in the same city, meara! I love having my hair brushed, especially when it was past my waist, which it was then! Sigh, missed opportunities...

Timelies all

My car recently passed 115,000 miles, so I brought it to the dealer for routine maintenance/tune-up. Turns out my right brake line is leaking something awful(I'm not surprised, given that I've had to top off the brake fluid a number of times in the last few months) and the left line isn't much better. Also, the rear brake shoes need replacing as do the rear struts. It's going to cost a good chunk of money, but I'm going ahead with the repairs.(Still cheaper than buying a new car) With luck I'll get another five years with this car, which is 15 years old.

Meara, I don't generally have a lot, but you at welcome to do most anything you like with my hair whenever we're in the same area. I love having people brush and play with my hair.

Hey everyone! I will never be caught up in Natter again. Turns out having a job I actually care about means no more internet time.