I am a complainer. I have expectations, and when they are not met, I let those who let me down know in a polite and rational way. I try to be assertive and remember that I am not angry at the person (usually) but at something else that can be fixed. And I try not to complain about unfixable problems.

@FontWhore (the Great Nubling Hope): My ex and I split 5 years ago today. And we've certainly moved on with our lives. I've blocked him on Facebook, not because I don't want him to be able to find me but because I was tired of Facebook suggesting he ought to be a friend of mine, based on our mutual friends.

@Brooksie: I feel absolutely the same way. The only things I really expect food-wise from a wedding reception are wine and cake. And I know the vegans manage magical vegan cakes, and there's no meat in wine, so I figure a vegan wedding reception would be a-okay by me.

@lemdi: The thing about charity is that people want to know where their money is going. They don't want to just throw cash at a never-ending problem. It's impossible to feel like you've done good in such a case.

@RousseMacabre is a little bit CRAZY: I used to play Barbies with some fundamentalist Catholics (they do exist) who lived down the block from me. Although we were not allowed to put the dolls away naked (because that would be scandalous or something), mine generally made a point of screwing every Ken doll in sight.…

I don't mind that this woman wants to bring her kid to a bar, if the kid is well-behaved. I imagine it might be boring for the kid, but many adult venue things are anyway.

In a year? A faux-denim bikini with rick-rack trim seems pretty stupid RIGHT NOW!

@whereismyrobot: And my friend once bought a video game from Target with the product keys ripped off the disks. It was a nightmare replacing it.

@SweetIo: I like to answer that sort of question with detailed clinical answers. In as casual and scientific a manner as possible. It generally horrifies the offender into regretting the question.

@maude_flanders: Where did the person who put them on ebay get them?

@lalagirlie: When I was in college, a friend had a copy of Justine. And we'd play a drinking game wherein everyone would guess what sort of sexual act would be going on when I flipped the book to a random page and read aloud. If you guessed right, you didn't drink. If you guessed wrong, you drank.

@neuronerd: See, that's the thing. I *almost* like them. I think they'd be really cute if... they did not have cut-outs.

@Feverlady von Nippon: Personally, I feel that skin-colored socks are an affront to humanity. I think you'd have to wear meant-to-be-seen socks. Which would, in turn, lead to an even more distracting look.

I admit to being a little taken aback at #11. What is the point of boots with holes in them? You cannot wear them with socks to prevent blisters (and the barf boots look like they'd cause some fantastic blisters). I guess you could wear them with tights. Barf.

All I can think of is the Terry Gilliam film, "Tideland." Creeeeeeepy. And sadly, quite damaged.

@Hannah: I substitute taught for a friend who had a Unique L. and a Unique W. in her class. Not so unique in the end!

Maybe it's just Yankee boys? I know that here in New Orleans, the men are delighted to swarm the sweets (and fight over the last wedge of king cake). Here, we eat, and I am unaware of any cultural biases against men eating dessert.

@Gnatalby: I suspect (I hope) that there was a lot more running amok in the park that was not caught on camera. Generally, kids are pretty happy to dress up in silly costumes and read lines if they're also given the opportunity to be silly as well. Most of them look like they're having fun, at least, though something…

Once upon a time, after an ill-advised but pleasant hook-up, the sun was coming up and the dog wanted attention. Moreover, he wanted in the bed with me and the boy. So he poked my hand with his doggy nose and snorted, and I said, mostly asleep, "GO AWAY I DON'T LOVE YOU."

So I saw this in the theater as like an 11 year old (I think it was a summer matinee special or something) and I thought it was awesome then, and I think it is awesome now.