PLFXpert

Or better, the ex-combat-military, successful-business old man who is best friends with the city commander and very clear about his gun and his rights to use it. We are very good friends with him and good acquaintances with the rest of our neighbors. It is not something I thought about before--the neighbor factor--but a very valid consideration. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

I agree with this much more than your previous post about alarm-system responses. Having said that, I do not go with "proper bushes". I do not much care for the big, prickly bush with the seasonal red berries we had growing outside of every window of my childhood home. We had beautiful landscaping, but I hated those fucking bushes. I am willing to risk having the soft, fun foliage I have around my current residence if it means not having to deal with the maintenance of a spikey, bushy mess. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Well, you were in love with a man. Sometimes I feel pretty stupid for letting that happen myself. I was going to be that warrior princess ruling the world with no ties or attachments. Damn the man. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

No need for details. Just my own sociological curiosity. FWIW, I think the now-ex-whom-you-thought-you-would-marry is far less stupid than several other common scenarios.

I am biased, but I think that is a good plan. My father had a lot of guns; most he kept in a safe. The ones he left out (BB gun in the garage and pistol or some sort of handgun in the master bedroom) he made me very aware of, and also made it clear never to touch them. I was an only child and home alone more than not. I think boys might be more curious than girls, though. I was happy to leave the guns alone. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Angry as in "pissed off"? Sure. Angry as in "vengeful"? Never. I try not to spend much time in the negative. For me, it took no more than a couple times being so mad at something only to realize later my anger changed nothing and I could have spent that time and energy more wisely toward achieving my goal. If I really want something, I will get it. But, it will take longer if I am pissed I do not have it yet. So, I smile and move on. I am curious, though, with whom did you buy a house? (Business partner? Friend? Spouse? Loved-one?) Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Yes. Some people cannot pay all. Others (who can afford to skydive regularly) should be able to (be it through insurance or...). It is the latter that is the problem because more often they do not pay all, because they can not pay all, because they have some sense of entitlement to have been skydiving regularly and such despite their circumstances. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

I have a security system and a will to live. I live in a respectively-safe area, but I was raised to always lock a door behind me and keep my head "on a swivel". The fore-mentioned are so ingrained, I have locked loved ones out impenetrably on more than one occasion (who were just outside for whatever reason) in which case they must wait for me to emerge from the shower or pause the stentorian, classical music. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Pissed off at your remark? Not at all. It is reasonable to believe if you are of the position going for a jump is more important than paying a credit card bill, that you might also maintain such priorities when it comes to your medical expenses. In either scenario, if you do not pay, I do. And, "OMFG" that is what pisses me off. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Um, no. There are many more important things to pay for first in life, than expensive hobbies. If I remember correctly--when I was in college--you once said I was not a "real jumper" for paying my bills (including medical insurance) before paying for a jump. We agree to disagree. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Then, hopefully they are not skydiving--or involved in any other expensive, potentially-dangerous hobbies. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Clearly you are rich, then. Surely you have the money to cover the extent of anything that could happen, otherwise if you do not pay up in time, who does? Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Happy Birthday, Chris!

Well said! Also, I would add the "understanding" of basic reading is so important. I find the lack of that is also very sad. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

I have to say--while I have never before heard of either brand you speak of--I think they are correct. If my name were Specialty and I had a cookie, it would be "Specialty's cookie" (though I have to agree, it is rather annoying to be named Specialty. I mean if I have more than one specialty, just call me Specialties. But then--no--that would make it Specialties' cookie. ) Likewise, if my name were Mini-Moo and I had cream it would be "Mini-Moo's cream". So, I think they're legit here, but bothersome nonetheless. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Damn that Krisanne for always catching me when I RARELY click the apostrophe with my pinky by habit. "Whoa! Holy cow! I can't believe it; here comes an 's'." Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

I admit, the your/you're thing royally bugs me. I have acquaintances who have master's degrees and are very successful, yet--right-or-wrong--I can not help but think less of their intelligence when I receive emails from them incorrectly using "your" in place of "you're" all the time. You know some of those same people forward me emails they could have easily checked themselves on Snopes and will add a comment like "I cannot believe this shit!". It is such an enigma to me. Maybe they're too busy texting to break from whatever and check their facts. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

I rarely text. When I do, I insist on spelling out words. I also do not understand the need to text all the time (especially while driving). I always get a shocked look from people both younger and older when I tell them I do not text, I do not have an iPhone, or iPod or pay to listen to the radio. Those same people wonder how the hell I get done in a hour what takes them a day. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Agree. I am not sure how much of an impact it would have, however, in-between scenes from 90210 and Gossip Girl where teens are involved in all sorts of illegal and risque activities. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Disclaimer: I like Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs, never seen either Kill Bill and think that Mexican-werewolf thingie was reedickulous! I would like to see Tarantino make another type of film. I mean, I get him but I do not always like him--not even often. I would like to see his spin on Steel Magnolias. I.e. something without all the Hollywood special-effects and action scenes--just pure storytelling. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Depends on the charity. I am a royal bitch in that I never give that dollar everyone is asking for me to tack on to my bill at the checkout counter. I write my checks once/year (also in-between if at a specific charitable event I support). I encourage people to research and seek out any charities supporting their desired causes. For example, I support breast-cancer research but I will only donate to X vs. Y because Y tests on animals and I am a sucker for animals (and think the testing is useless). I do not believe the organizations I support largely financially and also through other means are profiting from my all-inclusive donations. "The proof is in the pudding" as they say. I can see first and foremost where my money is going and what is being done with it (when I donate it voluntarily). I do not agree with all of it, by any means, but if I am liking the majority than that is good enough and I am willing to take the "ehh" with the awesome. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

I want to go on a ride-along! Seriously--it is another thing on my list, and I have wanted to for a while. I would have loved to been there for the homicide-autopsy description. I am so thankful to some of those who do the important jobs I would never wish to do (but would if I had to). Marg: Neat post!--very cool of you to read a post and give the idea a whirl!

I think we are doing a great job of that, ourselves. I hope I am wrong, but my position is most people today (still hoping for a majority in the opposite direction tomorrow) do not care about how long humankind on our planet survives as long as "the end" is not within their lifetime. I believe if we are going to survive and sustain past any other potential advanced life in the universe, we need to understand and respect the importance of all beings and all life here on Earth and their relevance to our survival. I have always found it silly we would rather set foot on the moon than put that money and energy into exploring our oceans. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

This is the first installment of a proposed trilogy. It is complete as is, however. The trilogy is a progression, not a series. The second installment is not more day-to-day footage of regular practices in our food, clothing and entertainment industries, but rather explores "the unifying consciousness found in nature, animals and humankind" (from the Earthlings website). I, myself, am really looking forward to seeing it because it is right up my alley. I am not sure if it will be as graphic or not. It does not seem like it will be. My feeling is if you have seen Earthlings and are upset, Unity will further delve into a deeper understanding of the relationship between humans and animals. As someone who believes in God, it is especially interesting to me to study such things (see my post here for further explanation). For those who do not wish to click on the documentary website link (or just press pause on the trailer and then read the information), I would like to highlight the following: "In 1999, writer/producer/director Shaun Monson began work on a series of PSAs about spaying and neutering pets. The footage he shot at animal shelters around Los Angeles affected him so profoundly that the project soon evolved into EARTHLINGS. The film would take another six years to complete because of the difficulty in obtaining footage within these profitable industries. " (emphasis mine) It is another reason why I recommend the film. A profitable industry does not want me to see how they operate. Why? The very fact someone making a lot of money does not want me to know how they make it makes me suspect. And I want to see. Rather, I want to know. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.