I would have assumed that Anna is her first name and Claire was her middle name. It sounds that way to my ears. It's not personal.

Yes

Yes. It's one of those things that makes me think, "Wow. I hope that foreigners don't see stuff like this and think that THIS is what Americans like!" (But, really,.....apparently a lot of Americans DO like this crap or they wouldn't keep coming up with more and more of it. So ashamed right now. Ugh. Yuck.) :glare:

To me it seems a lot like making fun of those less fortunate, but, in this case it is hard to articulate what makes them "less fortunate". It's like they don't have the good sense to be embarrassed or something? :001_huh:

:iagree: This.

Ooh, I just remembered. Inside a Blockbuster Video, in the Action/Adventure section. ;)

Strangest place? On the roof of a pizza parlor. New thing since 50 Shades? None, but I am starting a P@ssion Party business soon! :tongue_smilie:

:iagree: The "teacher" sounds like she wanted to prove a point-that she could gently intruct even a snotty kid. It backfired and she should have known better.

We have an Old Town Vapor (mine and I LOVE it!) that we bought used for $200, I think. And, we have one that is a bit larger, can't remember the name of it, but it was around $300? at Bass Pro. (they have a military discount and it was on clearance.) They don't come with paddles, you buy that separately. I like them small so I can pick them up and carry them. You don't need a helmet unless you are going to kayak in rapids. (In which case you would want a tiny snub-nosed one.)

I would think separate activities. There isn't much to learn with kayaking, at first. You put your right foot in, you put your butt down, you put your left foot in. (not so much shaking all about, though.) Then you paddle. Those are the basics.

That is awesome!! I just called the hospital. Her nurse said that she is very lucky, considering how far she fell and that she has been stabilized and should recover. Through choking tears I asked, "Do you think that if she makes it through this she will still be.....Jessica?" He said yes.

Wow, nmoira! Her speech in the last few phone calls was pressured and she was clearly altered. Closed eye hallucinations, I believe, as well as intense euphoria. I'm supposed to get her kids, but her ex has $$$. I don't. I don't know how I could even make that happen.

Our entire friendship has been characterized by deep, intense connection (the good) balanced (or imbalanced by) terrifying, manipulative romps through mental illness. It has been like a terrifying roller coaster. The good was amazing, the bad was horrifying. I had finally started to really reinforce boundries with her. She called me at 1:28pm. I didn't answer because I was busy with the kids. She jumped right after. :crying::( We met when we were neighbours in Panama (on base). We helped her leave her first husband (abusive). She lived with us until she could get out of the country. We just 'got' each other. I've written (most of) a novel about her. Our connection was uncanny. WAS.

Her calls this week have been increasingly erratic and chaotic, sounding crazy. I didn't know that she was drinking entire bottles of Robitussin at a time. This is what it does: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recreational_use_of_dextromethorphan I'm stunned, sick, confused, angry. She called me right before she jumped. She landed on a rock. (boulder? not sure.) Major head trauma, drug-induced coma. Did you ever have a friend who just 'got' you? That was her. One of my last texts to her was, "I love you so much. You live inside my heart!" She kept saying, "it's gonna be okay. It's all gonna be fine. You just wait and see". We were never supposed to end this way. She has three children.

I wonder why it makes you glare? They pay many US taxes. I'm confused as to why this is a bad idea. Reagan and Bush were both in favour of it, too.

:iagree: She is being inclusive. If someone is confused she likely clears up the confusion.

I did it!!!! I went on-stage Saturday night and got a gig for two weeks from now. I am the back-up act for the intros for a convention. I'm being paid my admission ticket, which is $10. I will spend at least $100 in hotel fees, food, etc, but I don't care! I'm counting this as a paid gig! :lol: It was so much fun and I can't believe I didn't do it before now!

No. Never. :lol:

One year I took a frame and mat that I bought at Michael's and altered it. I decorated the mat with cut out pics from magazines that depicted his interests. (Reeses pb cup ad, Superman, etc.) Inside the photo part I created a collage of pics. (I didn't put a ton of stuff on the mat, so it wasn't as cluttered as it probably sounds.) He loved it. Another year I took one of those crayon tins from Cracker Barrel and altered it so that it was a place to store pics of the kids. I decorated cardstock to match the tin and glued the pics to the cardstock. (it kinda looked like a very flat deck of cards.)

Thanks! I never even thought of Mom's Night Out! That might be a great place to practice. (our mom's night outs are ten people or so.)

Thanks! I'm not trying to make it big, just do some local stuff. My goal is not fame, fortune or even a regular job in comedy, just to get up there and do it. (even though it scares me) :eek:

I'm working my way through my bucket list and one line item is to write and perform stand-up comedy. I'm so nervous that I'm literally biting my toenails. :001_huh: I have been writing and writing and drinking a lot of wine and writing some more. I looked into some Improv classes that a local venue offers. Their classes were in March and April, but with my time machine on the fritz I can't take those. I emailed the owner to see when/if they are offering some more. I am literally pacing the floors these days. I want to do it. I'm so nervous, but seriously want to. My friend and I are working on some Youtube videos on homeschooling. VERY tongue-in-cheek. I will post them when I get them done. :tongue_smilie: So, anyone else considering this crazy idea?

So true, huh? I mean, IRL we never "hear'' someone's discussion from months or years ago as if it were current date and then start some sh!t over it. :tongue_smilie:

It's a Steel Cage Death Match. If the anti-tat ppl lose they get tattooed against their will. If the anti-xian ppl lose they are forcibly converted. (No one ever expects the Inquisition....) :lol:

Yes, it was really said. (And, no, I didn't read it and think that it represented all of xianity.)