You fail to understand how major companies can add layers of paperwork to any project, no matter how simple; and the American way of life involves lawsuits as a matter fo course. We'd end up with lawsuits - not from someone getting accidentally shot on the job, but from ergonomics complaints of poorly fitted holsters.

...Then we'd need training on the guns. And some of the folks in my office building would need *acres* of kevlar. I don't think they make vests that big.

We have regular exercises in our office building just like fire drills, where we're supposed to pretend someone is in or near the building with a gun. At the last one of these there was a long discussion on ways to use our office supplies as methods of self-defense. My personal favorite was when we compiled the list…

I'd sleep in one of these. I absolutely wish they had them for my office. Mid-day nanny nap.

Anyone else thinking of the scene from Fifth Element? These things will absolutely be used for office sex.

Really? You might be right, though. It definitely broke the genre conventions. But in the end, Batman is a crime story, and a story about pain. About the impact of crime both personal and societal, and the rage we feel at these violations of ourselves and the societal norms, and the things we wish we could do to…

:) No worries. You intelligently discussed a reading matter that was obviously dear to your heart. That's the basis of all excellent debate. And I agree on the themes she tended to use. I do admit to not having read quite as much of her specific work, per se. But your note that you would personally recognize her work…

:)

I like the pantsuit on the left but the color draws the eye too much. Her hat or scarf should cary more of the same color, to balance her outfit out. Or maybe it's just the background making it look that way. Nice classic design, though.

I may come read here more often. This was a wicked awesome article.

Dissection of what bothers me. Because breaking things down to their component parts is one way of soothing my soul.

I tend to assume that anything I say or do for someone else, unasked, will be met with silence. This way, when they're silent it doesn't bother me, and when they're polite and say "Thanks!" it makes my day. I'm going to do the courteous thing no matter what they say or don't say - I'm not actually doing it for them as…

And here I'd assumed you were from the UK based on your name! :)

It's kind of an odd comment to make all around.

Absolutely. You end up wondering if the person is simply socially awkward or actually lacks any sort of boundary at all, which feels threatening. You might be justified in wondering if they don't realize that saying this is wrong, do they realize that actually coming to my house would be wrong? Do they know where to…

The idea of needing a spreadsheet to manage all the girls you're dating is comedy routine fodder at its best. The fact that he trusted this girl enough to send her this is sweet. The fact that she shanked him in public with it is mean.

Thank you, I was confused for the same reasons. :)

Incredibly well-thought-out, courteous, articulate response, sir.

Which league is he out of, exactly? And what puts him there? That statement might be realistic, in a social setting, but it's sort of unkind. We've all wanted someone we weren't in the same league as. Someone too good for us. Kindness, in that situation, is valuable. Not so much kindness you let yourself be used, but…

I've been creeped out by people touching me, but I know it's just me - most folks don't freak quite so hard on casual physical contact. I never initiate casual physical contact unless I've known the person more than a year and I'm pretty sure it'll be received in the manner it's intended (casual, kindness, non-sexual,…