Like, lady, so many things wrong with that. It's not a dirty word. I can still hear you because you're sitting right next to me. And the bit where you looked at me did not help your attempt at subtlety.

Oh ma gaaaaaaah. That is worse!

And I'm sorry about the steroid saga.

My sympathies, Sara.

And I'm sorry, -t.

And general hugs from your friendly, neighborhood lurker!Pix. I've been generally overwhelmed this school year and not around much as a result, but I skim as I can and still care a lot.

Oh dudes, I just almost got phished -- it was an iTunes invoice! And I've had so much financial fraud I was automatically like, "NOPE" and clicked through... and then I saw the site was a .ru so noped back out of there, too.

Oh lords, that reminds me of a moment in the locker-room a bit ago that turned out different ( & I thank Hanne Blank for even putting this into my head once so I had the words): wee girl, maybe 5, with her mom in the women's showers (not supposed to be, there's a family room, but it happens.) sees me toweling off. Pipes up with "she's fat" Mom looks mortified. It happens.

Wrap my towel around me and squat down. "I'm a little fat, but you know what else? I'm strong. I can swim for AN HOUR without stopping. I'm also smart and I take pictures of planets and stars (slight exaggeration, but 5.) I like being smart and strong! What do you think?" She was grinning like a fool. "I'm gonna be smart and strong."

Up in the lobby, I encounter them again and mom grabbed my hand and squeezed, didn't say anything. Now, I did this spiel because I was fed up at the moment & being kind of an asshole, but I'm glad it found a better mark for mom. Who was heavier than me, so maybe she needed to hear that g-rated rant too.

Nice one, sarameg!

Ugh, Dana.

Talked to my parents, they are as at a loss as I am, but commiserated and compared notes and agreed that while it feels a little weird we will do the race tomorrow we had planned (Dad is running the half-marathon! Been training pretty seriously) which means I all need to leave around 5 am. Ergo, I will now feed the cats et al and go to bed.

I read the news story with a little more comprehension than my initial "oh shit" reaction allowed and according to witnesses she deliberately ran the guy down, which is a whole new level of disturbing than I had absorbed. Damn.

Jesus, -t. I think you just go run. The rest can just..rest.

Yeah. Thanks for that.

Holy shit, -t. I agree with sarameg. Go run. Not running sure isn't going to fix anything.

ccording to witnesses she deliberately ran the guy down

Holy crap, -t. That's extreme.

I hope running takes your mind off it for a bit (go your dad! I'll be there in...uh..six weeks or so?? EEEK!)

I'm sorry for your loss, Sarameg. But that was a great locker room story.

-t, that's awful. I can't imagine what one would do in that situation. I hope the run can take your mind off things for a bit.

Sorry the Best Healthcare in the World(TM) is letting you down, Dana. I hope they'll be able to do something before you leave town.

I'm on my last day of antibiotics and feeling much better. Today I'm going to do All the Things. Or at least as many of the things as I can manage before my energy gives out. Tipping the contents of the fridge into a dumpster are top of the list. Such a waste.