Dagny

Disregarding the questionable validity of the story, I have to wonder how Bush's inflamed response serves as a measure of his morality? I hardly think Biden was physically intimidated by Bush, especially considering that he reports responding similarly. It seems to me that it wasn't a threatening gesture. So, at the most, I would say his foray was unbefitting the position of president, but hardly a moral deviation. Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Ummm, dude. You live in Colo-frickin'-rado. Step outside, enjoy the view, and take in a deep breath of that sweet mountain air. Some of us are stuck in auditoriums getting lectured to all day long and then moving to a different desk in a different location to study all night long and barely even know that there is an outdoors, let alone be able to enjoy it! Seriously, do some zenification in your life, drink a beer, transfer your money, blow up the bank, and have a great day!!! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Good luck, Stacy!! Sounds like the perfect job...even if you have to take Galen to dinner one night. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

It was taking a 75 question test on pathology. Now it's struggling to stay awake through the next 6 hours of lecture on pathology (more. Sigh.) and pharmacology. I'd rather be skydiving!

Things must just be different in CA. I worked on ambulances in three different states and people were NEVER charged for the ambulance they didn't call. That happens a lot, by the way. People see accidents and call for others frequently. The only time I charged someone was if they didn't refuse until I'd already utilized my equipment....say, not refusing my services until after I already started an IV, got them on a spineboard, and had them on O2 and a heart monitor. They have no right to charge you for responding. If all they did was check your vital signs and no equipment was used at all (other than a BP cuff) then I'd fight it. However, something tells me there is something more to that story. How'd they arrive at $579? Because in a country that boasts its inalienable rights, healthcare is still not considered one of them. It is still debated over whether healthcare is a privilege or a right. As it is still a privilege of those with money and/or employment, there are millions who are uninsured in this country today. I'm not just talking about the poor on medicaid. I also refer to a growing number of middle class citizens who cannot afford the rising costs of medical coverage. And, I am referring to the largest risk group for being uninsured...adults aged 55 to 64. Healthcare is an issue that everyone in the US should concern themselves with. While your coverage may be adequate right now, as you age you should think...will medicare be there for me? As for my personal health, I tore my knee up during a botched AFF landing. Now I need surgery, but my student insurance (which I pay $1100 a year for) won't cover outpatient surgery over $5000. Meaning? Put up with a knee which buckles and hurts until I can afford to get the ACL reconstructed and the torn meniscus removed. I look forward to hours on my feet in surgical and ER rotations with a funky knee. Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

I don't think there should be any hard and fast rules to buying a ring. Buy what you fall in love with whether or not its a diamond or other precious stone. You're buying something that will adorn the finger of your lady for a long, long time. A good woman will love you for who you are rather than the size of the stone you place on her finger. But, a good man will put some time and energy (and quite possibly money, I suppose) into buying something as beautiful as the woman he proposes to. I would never want to see my man go broke or into significant debt for a ring. The love that is symbolized by the ring is far more important and worth more than any stone. Honestly, I would rather have a good man by my side who loves me with all his heart than the most beautiful ring in the world. I think most girls would agree. Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Congratulations!! And... ...welcome to the club! I've had a very good year, too. I passed all of my classes in school. It was no small task, but I succeeded and am on my way to fulfilling my dream of being a doctor. Passing my classes after struggling academically reminded me that hard work and a little luck makes things possible. I started skydiving a year ago. What an awesome sport! I've lived my dreams in more ways than one. I am spending time with my grandma (who helped raise me when I was a kid) before she dies. This will most likely be the last time I get to spend with her before the cancer takes her. I feel blessed for the time I have with her. I held my newest niece this week. Now I have three little girls to love on. They are they all beautiful and loving and full of energy and life. I love them so much!! And, I've fallen in love! I've met a man who makes me happy and treats me well and that's not an easy find in Missy's world. My life feels richer with him in it. Overall, and despite some ups and downs, I'd say this past year has been a good one. As for personal changes, I'd say that the big ones for me are having faith in my own abilities and intelligence and opening my heart to love despite the fear that my dating past has instilled. I'm looking forward to another good year! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Damn!! Back to the drawing board. Hey, anyone wanna buy a Hefty 170? Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

This is wrong. Both spiders are shy and nocturnal, but are defensive. The black widow bites are painful and contain a toxin which can cause dizziness, weakness, nausea, sweating, shock, coma, respiratory failure, and death. The old and the young should be hospitalized and antivenin is needed to counter the toxin. (Black widows are recognizable as black spiders with a red hour glass on the underside of their abdomen) The brown recluse confers a painless bite which contain enzymes that digest tissue. This causes necrosis (or death) of the tissue local to the bite and can result in rashes and gangrene. Skin will slough off (or fall off) and it can be physically disfiguring. Steroids are needed to treat these bites. (Brown recluse spiders are recognizable as having a violin shape on their thorax) Of course, the severity of the bite can vary on location. Both require medical attention, but the black widow bite poses the greater life threat. (sorry, just studied parasitology not too long ago. I will try hard to restrain the nerd in me! ) Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Perhaps. But, immoral just on the basis of being an unwed, young, single mother? I think not. So true...well, let me amend my previous statement. American Idol is about picking the best singer of the pre-screened best material for a pop sensation. You're right, anyone who doesn't fit the cookie cutter mold for stardom (or come close) is usually eliminated before making it to the stage. How right you are! I MUST watch the 2 hour finale tonight and then my life can return to some sense of normalcy until the next season! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Idiots. You would think they wouldn't need the door open to jump. Who wants to sit on the crowded plane watching someone struggle with the door as you blow over your spot? Silly. As for chivalry, I like it. I think it's respectful and sweet. Hmmmm, but then again.....when your man opens the car door for you is it to be nice? Or is it because he really wants to ensure you aren't going to be driving? Gotta wonder. Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

If you are not following american idol, here is the short story. Two contestants left. One, a 16 y/o WF, student. The other a 19 y/o BF, single mother. Listening to the radio today, a surprising (to me) number of people emailed and called in to voice their disgust about the possibility of a young, single mother being voted as the winner of Americal Idol's third season. It surprised me because the commentary seemed archaic, at best. There were comments about how the single mom, Fantasia, was immoral and how her up-and-coming stardom meant that she would be a bad mother to her little girl and that she was not an "idol" they would want their children emulating. There are a few issues that really bothered me about this whole thing. One - American Idol is a contest to determine the best singer and grant that person a contract and publicity to launch their career. It is not a format for injecting your social and political opinion. People are so judgemental! Where is the support for a single mom that elected to take responsibility for the life she created and the praise for her ability to seek out her dreams and a better life for her and her daughter? Two - If people honestly feel that she is immoral and should not be made an "idol" because of the impact it may have on impressionable children, I have to ask...why are you allowing tv and its personalities to impact your children that significantly? If you haven't raised your kids to think critically and make "moral" decisions, then your parenting skills are to blame, not the sexual history of a young girl blessed with a strong voice. And three - Who do the American public think they are to presume that someone can't be a good mother because they have a recording contract and a busy, high profile life? There is no perfect way to raise your kids. Who is anyone to make a judgement like that with no fact to back it up? What are your thoughts? Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

So, Philly snuck one in. I don't think they're ready to go home just yet... Edit to chant: Let's go Lightning! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

I ate lunch at Costco yesterday. You know the kind of meal, the sample buffet? Some tortellini, a cracker, top it off with cranberry juice, and flan. Great meal. Cheap, too. Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Now, here's where I say....See, THAT'S the problem. Tips are expected, because that is what my salary is based on. It's not my employer that redudes my wages, it's the federal government. The minimum wage for servers is $2.13 an hour. Servers are paid less than regular minimum wage on the expectation that tips received will make up the difference. Every two weeks, after taxes, I bring home about $50 on a paycheck. I pay my bills with tip money. I have to claim at least 10% of my sales as tips to the government for taxation. I pay for serving you. Tips are not included in the bill and when you walk out without "rewarding" your server, they pay taxes on your meal and get really upset about it. 20% tips (or more) are "thanks for a great job". 10-15% is expected for having food delivered to you and having your needs met and having the table cleaned up behind you. You're kidding, right?? Do you honestly think that when you pay $12.99 for a rack of ribs with potatoes and corn, that I get paid for that?? Really? Servers, at least in the United States, do not receive wages over bare minimum. You are, in fact, receiving a service and payment is expected. Unlike other services, though, it's not included on the bill. Sometimes, that works in a server's favor, but mostly it doesn't. There is nothing I hate more than providing good service, working hard for a table, being friendly...and getting stiffed. Especially when I have to claim 10% for taxes and "tip out" 2% of my sales for the bartenders and hostesses. In the end, I pay more than I get tipped on some tables. It's federally mandated minimum wage. And I agree. How could I forget that one?? LOL! Makes me crazy! I work at Applebees. It makes me appreciate my future salary as a physician more than ever. Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Damn, girl, you've got 91 jumps!!! Good job, mami, keep it up! I have some jumping to do, I think...Wasn't it just....yesterday....or something that you were working on your A? Glad to see you're getting out there and having some fun! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Yeah. Seeeee...that might be true if you tipped BEFORE you sat down to eat. You know, just last night I discussed with another waitress how I couldn't understand the inconsistent tips I received. I left the restaurant with 12% of my sales in tips. And I gave the same service to everyone, I was friendly, I was attentive, the food was delivered hot and as ordered. I wish you cheap blokes who don't want to tip servers what they deserve would just let me know before you sit down so I can adjust my service accordingly. Oh, and here's a few things I'd like to suggest. (Of course, I realize the original post was a joke...I mean this in a similar fashion) Even though your conversation is very important to you, I could care less about how Aunt Martha got married for the sixth time last week. Please acknowledge my presence at the table when I ask what you'd like to eat. If you aren't ready, fine, but don't make me stand there for a minute and a half while you ignore me. I know there are a lot of words on the menu, but if you hate pico de gallo and your meal comes out with it because that's how it's made and you never read that it came that way, don't blame me for it. I'll be more than happy to fix it, but I am not at fault because hooked on phonics didn't work for you. If your bring your children with you, and yes, they're cute and andorable, please keep them from running around the restaurant like it's a nursery, lower their voices (and yours!) to a dull roar, and try to minimize their destruction. I know it's fun for them to pass the time by emptying the sugar caddies, but it's not as fun for me to pick it all back up when you've left. I'm not asking you to clean the floor, after all kids are messy little things, but maybe you could remember that the crushed up saltines, crayons, napkins, and sugar packets don't get picked up by themselves. Yes, this is a restaurant and, yes, we'll do our best to accomodate your dietary wishes, but is it really necessary to do so many substitutions that your meal isn't even similar to what the restaurant puts together? Also, if you want steak cooked well done, that takes time. I know people live in a world of fast cars and have an "I want it NOW" attitude, but meat can only cook so fast to the desired browness you request. Time does not move faster in a restaurant. I know you THINK you ordered your food an hour ago, but the truth is, it was ten minutes. Remember, if YOU experience a time warp, than WE ALL experience one, too. You're not alone. I know how long it's taking to get your food and I'm bitching at the cooks to step it up for you, but I can't complain if the food takes its normal cooking time. And neither should you. Please remember that I don't expect you to suck down three diet cokes before I even take your order. While I don't mind hooking a thirsty brother up, do a girl a favor and sip a little. Your table is not the only table being served by me. I know you need extra salsa and extra dressing and a lemon and another fork and a few more napkins and another damn refill, but would it kill you to ask for more than one thing at a time? I can multi-task. Try me. I know your money is precious to you. My money, my time, my attention is precious to me. For a whole $2.13 an hour, I get the pleasure of being your beck and call girl. Try to remember that the good server you neglect to tip today becomes the bad server that ignores your needs tomorrow. Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

LISA!!!! Happy birthday! Oh, you are lucky, lucky, lucky that I'm not there to bring a cake. I'm thinking of eeneR's happy-birthday-here's-a-cake-in-your-face celebration. I'll owe you one. And you look so good with icing in your hair, too!!! Well, only a few more weeks of class and exams left and then I'll make another trip to Sebastian. We'll have to have a belated beer toast... Hope it's a great day for you!!! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

My nieces rock my world! Two girls, (almost) 3 and (not quite) 2. Oh, and a newbie expected in early June. Can't wait for that arrival and to see my girls again! I don't live near home, so I get to see them next-to-never. But, I talk to them all the time. I was talking to my sis via IM one day and the oldest saw my pic on the computer and said "There's Mimi! She loves me and I love her, too!" I melted when I heard that... Now the youngest, she doesn't remember me that well, but she's still funny. She's a harry potter fanatic and every time my sis puts the movie on for them to watch, she starts walking around the house nodding her head saying, "Yeah! Potty! Yeah!" Can't wait till the next harry potty, errrrrr, potter movie comes out. Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

I saw some funny looks from doctors in an E.R. I used to drop patients at all the time. It wasn't because of discreetly groomed hair-down-there. Instead it was for the piercings one guy had...a prince albert, among others. And there were some strange looks for a phenomenal looking chick who came complete with a penis. If you don't fit either of those categories, I'd say you most likely won't raise any eyebrows with your doctor! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Absolutely! Even though I don't live in N'awlins anymore, I watch the games and wear the jersey (87 - Joe Horn!) and support my boys back home! Used to be that the sports bars wouldn't play the games for me, but I found a New Orleans bar that tunes ALL the tvs to the Saints and life is good again. Love to see 'em play a good game, especially if they're taking down the Falcons (or the Bucs!) . And if it takes another voodoo ritual to get 'em back into the playoffs again, I say bring on the priestess with the snake and the liquor! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Dude. Get a beer, chill. This thread was started to honor the memory of a man who made a commitment that many of us can hardly fathom making. He had the easy road laid out ahead of him, but he took the high road instead. His memory, along with the others who have died and are dying for the oath they made to the U.S,. deserves our respect and the utmost dignity. You've said your piece. If you've got more to say about the U.S. and foreign affairs, feel free to start a thread elsewhere. And, for those of you who were watching the draft, I thought the tribute they made to him and all those who have lost their lives while wearing the uniform was befitting and well done. Like those who have fallen before him, and those who have yet to fall, his sacrifice will not be forgotten. Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Cool...Will Smith to N'awlines. Good pick, we need a stronger defense. Our offense steps up, but the defense keeps crippling any forward movement. And with two second round picks, I'm hopeful that the next season won't be as abysmal as the last. Not too much to ask, right? And, Vernon Carey to Miami...well, there's one hometown boy who won't have to move very far... Okay, stepping away from the draft until the second round.

You know, WW, it's a good thing we're (*snicker*) adults now and don't make fun of people's (*giggle*) names, espcially when said name (*snort!*) rhymes with certain nicknames for certain anatomical (*LOL!!*) parts. Damn, I tried, couldn't hold the laughter in. Guess I'm not too far separated from the kid in me after all! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

LOL!! New career, anyone? If you can't actually drive a sports car, this sounds like the next best thing... Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali