We Filipinos eat with our hands, drive crazy on the road, point with our lips

Yes, I was analyzing your comment gringo, because it merited analysis. I am still hoping you will decide to give your thoughts on it. :)
— March 22, 2010 10:24 p.m.

To Stella from Mica: Tales of Beyond the Front Door

"His end came because of pesticide poisoning from a defective Hartz Flea-Collar." My god, LPR! Did you report this? Every shelter and vet possible should have been alerted. I wonder if the CDC has a division for pet issues?... Right on, Cuddle and nan. It sucks that pet fees have risen so high, but it is true that some damage is inevitable, to carpet especially.
— March 22, 2010 10:20 p.m.

Satire Saunters into the Reader! A word on Walter Mencken’s February 24 installment of “S.D. on the Q.T.”

Oh and PS to #36: The editors chose wisely of title, and the dateline should have clued people in, yes. Emphasis on "should..."
— March 22, 2010 10:11 p.m.

Satire Saunters into the Reader! A word on Walter Mencken’s February 24 installment of “S.D. on the Q.T.”

re: #36: Darn, Mr. Mencken! You shoulda just copped a mysterious pose and pretended you knew it responded to the brouhaha, because it does add that much more complexity to your piece--and a serious right hook to your detractors! Anyway, thanks for responding, and I look forward to more SD on the QT. ;) re #35: I think the Stooges go well with Keystone cops. re #34: Meaning, we should remain British this balmy morn? re #33: Hmm. I would take care to liken myself to "humours." re #32: Harbor seals, like you and children, are also needy of instant gratification. ;)
— March 22, 2010 10:09 p.m.

Africans, Asians, Hispanics...and Hipsters: Changes in City Heights

Jerome, with all respect, people are referred to as "Asians," and objects are "Oriental." For example, an Oriental carpet or vase. :)
— March 22, 2010 noon

Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore

Aww, poor magics. Is it still bothering you? Did you ever tell me whether or not you got a sexy cam walker on that foot? And what's the alternative to an HMO, besides POS or PPO, which do little more?
— March 22, 2010 3:36 a.m.

None

"Here, an admirable move mustache straightener kit with purple color from getbetterlife.com can help you crack your worries. whether it be for straightening your long unruly ugg boots salelocks or taming your short wavy hair" Heheheheheee. Gotta love the poetic possibilities of instant translation.
— March 22, 2010 3:22 a.m.

Satire Saunters into the Reader! A word on Walter Mencken’s February 24 installment of “S.D. on the Q.T.”

Really? I did not find it funnier--I found it to be rather shallow, an example of the kind of flattened satire you see everywhere now, more of the mass 'consumptive' type. The "Policeman Poet" allowed some actual figurative layers to be unpacked. My question for you would be: So..what do you have against harbor seals? To quote you: "But" I would much rather you answered that on the thread for the Children's Pool controversy. Let's not start another one here, shall we? :)
— March 22, 2010 3:02 a.m.

What's the worst way to die?

Yeah magics, we could get into some major diseases, and Huntington's is definitely right up there. As for Catwoman, I like your little cat icon! Whiskers, too! ;) Catwoman is describing a death that many Americans suffer, because the family structure has disintegrated. Not just through divorce, but through an emptying of meaning, a lack of will to maintain family relationships. I love the idea that one can make one's own family, and that we have many freedoms in the wake of the disappearance of oppressive familial obligation, especially forced marriage and ridiculously gendered roles... but what is happening now to all of these grandmothers and grandfathers, ending up to die alone as Catwoman eloquently describes? I've been in that hospital bed, and can tell you--if I had not had wonderful family caring for me all the way--I'd definitely want it to go quickly. Especially in a home for the elderly. Nursing homes can be things of horror--the hospital is a much better proposition in comparison. The question is, can we find a way to reintegrate the elderly in our society, and find the use and benefit of their presence in our daily lives? In Mexican society, European cultures, and pretty much everywhere else in the world, people keep their elderly close, and treasure their wisdom. Their final job in this life is to teach grandchildren a few things. Otherwise, they should be able to enjoy the sun and breakfast, and a good book or television, and the company of loved ones. Can we do this still, without putting them in homes? The problem is, we don't have the same family support we used to--sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, etc. etc. --all of these people who used to live together and create a unit that could handle care of the elderly. Without this kind of structure, it doesn't seem likely we'll ever be able to provide the elderly with a meaningful life closing, outside of visits to the home. Sorry for such a long post on a depressing topic, but it's been bugging me...
— March 21, 2010 10:31 p.m.

Hobnobbing at the Hob Nob

"John Brizzolara has been through awful situations long ago, worse than this, and recovered." That's good to hear, Eric. John has surely had many good friends, but none as good as you, that is for sure! Obviously, I hope for recovery for John, but I also send good wishes and thoughts to everyone connected with him. I hope Xian is not impressed upon to become your counterpart here in SoCal. I hope his son is well cared for in his absence. Like gringo, I am not the praying type. But I do something that is like prayer, and constantly send forth positive thoughts for all.
— March 20, 2010 11:36 p.m.