My friend K has a placard because she's an amputee, so it's kind of neat to drive places with her because we always get to park up front. Of course, some people don't realize she's an amputee, at first-- my mom didn't when she first met her, and asked why she had the medical single on our hall, not having noticed the artificial leg with the really nifty-looking knee joint. I kind of wonder if that's ever been a problem for her, though I've never asked.

My parents' van has a disabled plate (I'm driving it tonight, as a matter of fact), but I'm pretty conscientious about not parking in handicapped spots unless Dad is getting in or out. I've had friends ask me why I didn't take advantage of it, and my response is that I only use the plate to justify running over snotty teenagers that park in handicapped spaces without a tag and run into the stores. That way, they can legitimately use them afterwards and everyone's happy. It's the circle of life.

When parking in a big lot, I'd rather park farther away from the storefront. Easier to find the car, easier to exit the lot, and you get more exercise.

We've talked about my sister before. Well, my mom has an ADA tag for her van. When my sister is in town, she not only uses it whenever she drives the van, if she knows mom isn't going out, she'll grab it to use in whatever car she happens to be driving. Yes, she's an asshat.

DH mocks me for not parking in the handicapped spots when stopping at the ATM at 4AM when there is not a single car in sight and 4 blue spaces. Hey, it's a habit. I use my turn signals when no one is around too. I figure it can only help to have some wholesome rule-following behavior to offset the Evil.

I use my turn signals when no one is around too

Me too. I consider it practice for when people are around.

If they have floor mounted air conditioning vents guess where I'll be standing.

In the shrink-to-the-size-of-a-toddler zone?

gah! Can we all agree to turn the prom suite thermostat down until frost forms on the windowpanes? I was planning to wear a frickin' black three-piece suit for Saturday night.

No! It's summer, and time for summery dresses. Summer is warm. Dress for warm weather, dammit.

This is a pet peeve of mine anyway, along the lines of Ronald and Nancy Reagan turning up the air conditioning so they can have a pretty fire in the White House during the summer juxtaposed with their attitude of if you've seen one tree, you've seen them all. Where do you think the cold air comes from? Where do you think the electricity comes from? Then this is the one that just kills me - and so to keep generating the electricity to run the air conditioner to keep you cool, you're going to burn or split things that generate heat. GRRRR. Plant a few zillion sycamore trees in your cities and wear short sleeves!

I need to call the hotel and let them know what time we want the PA in the Penthouse suite for the Prom. What time will the Prom start? ND -- how much time do you need to set things up? By the way, the PA is $150 for the day (I mentioned this earlier, but I think it may have been missed in the budget-making).

Java Cat's rant is mine. Nothing I hate more than having to wear long sleeves and pants inside in summer. Reverse that for winter.

I do think it's *strange that women's formalwear is geared to 80 degrees and men's for 50.

*in that not really at all surprising way; insert feminist tirade about objectification here.

DCistas, if you're looking for something for the Prom, may I recommend the Loehmann's at Friendship Heights? LOTS of pretty dresses ... and not wildly expensive!