As you are describing it, never. Really. If I already know they hold the 100% opposite opinion, what good can possibly come from the conversation? There might be a rare exception to this, but I would say VERY rare. ETA internet is different. I enjoy the chance here to ask those of differing opinion questions to increase my understanding. In casual live conversation, I don't know if that can be accomplished non-confrontationally in *most* situations.

So, malpractice because the doctor recommended cataract surgery at such a young age when it wasn't really necessary? And you think that caused the subsequent detachment? Just trying to clarify..

:seeya:

I think the patterned would be okay. I don't think a patterned skirt is inappropriate for a business environment. Length and cut are more important than pattern in my book. I agree with the poster that said they are trying to avoid shorts - and jeans. DD attended a hospital orientation, where they said the dress was casual. But this was a JOB ORIENTATION at a hospital. There were teens there with too-short shorts, as well as ripped jeans. Not a good impression. DD wore dark, solid color jeans and a nice shirt.

Ugh, that's why I hate group texts! I received a group text once and my phone was going off all night with other people's responses. Another "reply all" hater... It does sound like she was basing her reply on who else was coming.

How do you plan shopping?? I have a DD who is a fashionista and would love to do some shopping if we visit NYC, but I wouldn't even know where to start. Are there certain places that are *must go* for shopping?

I certainly don't need bigger, but I need the lift. I prefer bras with padding at the bottom, not for the size but for the shape. Things aren't as perky as they used to be! Regarding the sharing of size, I'd be happy to trade some bOOk size for some booty size... anyone?? ;)

I took DH's name. I wish I had kept my maiden name as my middle, but I didn't. Meh. No big deal. I have two friends who kept their names, and their children do they hyphenated thing. My only opinion about it is that it is really inconvenient for the kids. I have a SIL who kept her name, very much as a statement. When people would accidentally refer to her as "Mrs. DHlast name" she would FREAK and go off on them with a lengthy rant. I think that was uncalled for. I could see being annoyed if someone knew and refused to address you by your legal name. But as someone else mentioned, it's normal in some circumstances for people to just assume.

I'm kind of surprised by your story. Your dog is inside at night and they are still complaining she barks? We had a neighbor whose dog would get right up under our bedroom window (on her side of the fence, but about 4 feet away) and bark, literally, all night. We would have been in heaven if she would have taken the dog inside. ETA or are you getting the shock collar so you CAN leave her outside?

We went with several kids from a competitive science team DD belongs to, and all were very pleased! They now want t-shirts that say, "I'm going to science the sh*t out of it!" That probably won't happen though! ;)

Oh dear god I'm never eating cod again... http://www.foodrepublic.com/2011/05/11/learning-about-cod-worm-the-hard-way/

I second that!

GAHHHHH!!! No way in a million years... I am ASTOUNDED that there are people who would even consider it. I don't care if I was 100% guaranteed it was perfectly "safe", makes no difference...

DD had 8 baby and 4 adult pulled. We chose that route rather than go with a palate expander, which we still believe was a good choice. I had about the same done when I was young. And yes, DD does hate dentists. The number is not unusual, but the communication seems to have been a problem. I also was surprised at the roots on some of the baby teeth. It's not always easy just because they are baby. But deep roots on baby teeth at 12 would be unusual I think. :grouphug:

I was reading a book last night about how radically law enforcement changed when the FBI created national databases to track violent crime. We now have national fingerprint and DNA databases available to law enforcement, so they are not limited to only the information they have locally. It has made a HUGE difference in the ability of law enforcement to track criminals. I'm sure there are plenty of people who thought (and think) that is a violation of privacy. After all, just because someone committed a crime once, did they give up all their privacy rights? But look at the difference it made in keeping the community safer. Owning a gun does not equal committing a crime. BUT, the possibility of a gun being used in a crime and the *consequences* of that possibility in my opinion argue in favor of guns being registered in a way accessible to law enforcement and mental health professionals. Owning a gun is a responsibility. If your gun is stolen or given away, or sold, part of your responsibility as a gun owner should be to report that information so that the future gun owner can be held responsible for actions related to that gun. A gun is a deadly weapon. I can't even get freaking chemicals delivered for a science experiment without my information being tracked. And yet, guns are much more likely to be used for a crime than my chemicals! It is the only dangerous item right now that is somehow immune to any kind of rational tracking or followup. It makes no sense. Regarding possible privacy violations, of course that should be addressed. But will anyone ever have a guarantee of *any* information (health, insurance, anything) being *guaranteed* not to be hacked or violated? No. There are no guarantees. But that has never prohibited the collection of data before (health data, tax data, all sorts of things we would not want violated).

Whenever gun control is mentioned to address violent crime, the answer from anti-gun-control folks is "it's mental illness, not guns". So we are not just making an imagined leap there. No, it does not mention guns. But it offers some ideas about how to address mental illness in specific ways that might prevent possible acts of violence. To be honest, this is the first time I've actually seem something useful in an attempt to address that. The portions of the bill regarding privacy laws as they apply to potential violence could have a very positive impact in preventing violence, gun and otherwise.

Wow. A bill that is actually reasonable, makes sense, and might accomplish something. Which is why probably nothing will be done with it. (Yes, I'm very cynical.)

Quote from TechWife: I assume that would require a crime to be committed, though, which puts us right back where we started, using mental health treatment as crime prevention, which, it seems to me, is inappropriate because we cannot predict who will and who will not commit crimes. There are no easy answers. Sorry, quote didn't work right.. I'm just curious then, why when there is a discussion about violent crime, those that are opposed to gun control often say the main problem is the mental health system and the mental health of the offenders. If we are not talking about making sure mentally ill who are potentially violent get help *before* they become violent, then what are we talking about in that context?

I am deeply concerned about adults who are seriously mentally ill being allowed to refuse treatment until they either hurt themselves or others. "We can't do anything until they actually DO something!" I know it got to this point because supposedly there was abuse where people tried to get others committed, etc without real grounds. But now it has gone the opposite direction where people know someone is dangerous but no one can do anything about it. I don't know what the answer is.

All I can say is, thank goodness I have remained married to my DH and neither one of us has children with anyone else. What a hard road...

Fun! I love hair color. Go for it.

Yeah, because catching vomit with our hands just isn't enough proof of motherhood... Ah, the things we do... ;)

This is what I was thinking. Especially if there is a history with this woman, a 13 yo would have to be unusually mature to be confident and socially skilled enough to handle that situation effectively. I would coach DD on avoiding sitting near this woman, but I would say something as a parent, please don't correct my child in public. (in a nice, non confrontational way, not a "don't parent my child" way). I would have DD let me know then if it continued to happen. If you prefer to still have DD handle it, I would use 6pack's suggestion.

I can't wait to see The Martian, I read part of the book but didn't get all the way through it. The details were a little hard to follow to me. I'm also interested in the Will Smith movie Concussion. Stacia, I thought the same as you about Everest. DH and I both LOVED Into Thin Air, and although I really liked the visuals in Everest, the story was told very superficially I thought, and would not give a full picture to someone who hadn't read the book. All in all, it was "okay" but I was disappointed because it could have been so much richer. That story had so many angles and so much depth to it that was not reflected in the movie.

I agree, whatever your feelings about pot use for adults, use by minors has been shown to have adverse affects. I live in a state where pot is legal. For minors it is illegal and can be detrimental. Also time for a discussion about the habits we pick up from our friends.