Sherri

So are buildings.

A thought for those who are on the bench with foot injuries(Muffy, Knottygirl?): a hardcore-runner friend of mine who was derailled by injuries this year found that Bikram yoga went a long ways toward filling that void that was created when she lost her running. Seemed like the workout was intense enough to feel satisfying in that way that running makes one feel, as compared to the way biking or swimming feel like obvious "substitutes" (making one miss that running buzz all the more.) Having not tried the Bikram myself, though, I can only relay her experience with it. She said it also really helped with the healing and detoxing, so turned out to be a win-win for her.

'bout the same number as Dru's post count.

Go into the light, Zim Zam!

Hey thanks, JayB. That puts it in perspective, for sure. (Back to watching for the snakes. And taun-tauns.)

I would have just ordered the hamburger.

Hoes are aid.

Thanks, MisterE. Good to know that it's not as prevalent 'round these parts. I'm probably just extra wary of the possibility, seeing how profoundly it change a person's life. Hard to believe that a tiny little bug can do so much damage.

My mom's health has been completely debilitated by Lyme's Disease, from a tick bite about 8 years ago...guess she missed out on the fun part.

Lucky dog! Oh, and you, too, MisterE! Did you see any sssssnakes?

Yes, that's a good point...but when you've climbed there for a couple of years without seeing one, it's easy to become complacent about the likelihood of encountering one. Honestly, I was watching more closely for ticks that day. Last thing I was expecting was to be chased by a rattler instead. That'll teach me.

You're in luck! It just so happens that I did one extra lap yesterday. It's yours, hun. Good luck on the skin re-generation.

So true, so true. Hang in there, girl. You'll be back in those running shoes!

...looking for feet, no doubt.

True. They'd get stuck in the belay device.

I had never heard of this "recipe" until just today, when my climbing partner was describing how he had whipped it up at his campsight this morning. I thought he was being a little cavalier in his culinary combinations with this, but apparently it has a following. Best, healthiest breakfast I remember eating was served to me by a family in Germany; they soaked oats overnight in milk, then stirred in sunflower seeds, wheat germ, sesame seeds, yogurt, fresh, kiwi, banana and strawberries before serving in the morning. It was like a cold, hearty porridge. Good eats!

But you should have seen those shoes climb! It was a sight to behold. You get an "A" for effort, High!

A little rattler was intent on getting up close and friendly with my toes while I belaying at Clamshell Cave this weekend. I caught his movement out of the corner of my eye, thankfully, but not before he was too darn close for comfort(about 18" away). And he didn't give up the chase even after I took a couple big, s-l-o-w steps out of his path. Finally distracted his fatal attraction to my feet by flicking the rope at him a couple times. Watch for them. They're baaaaack.

Well said.

Doesn't seem to matter if the individual woman is Muslim or not, if the government is, then the laws seem to apply to women across the board. Wikipedia: Saudi Arabia Human Rights Excerpt: "Women's rights Saudi women face severe discrimination in many aspects of their lives, including education, employment, and the justice system. Although they make up 70% of those enrolled in universities, women make up just 5% of the workforce in Saudi Arabia [1], the lowest proportion in the world. Implementation of a government resolution supporting expanded employment opportunities for women met resistance from within the labor ministry[2], from the religious police [3], and from the male citizenry[4]. These institutions and individuals generally claim that according to Sharia a woman's place is in the home caring for her husband and family. In the legal system, women face discrimination as the criminal laws of Saudi Arabia adhere to strict Islamic precepts. An example of this is are the requirements for testifying in criminal proceedings; The witness must be deemed sane, the age of an adult, and a Muslim. Non-Muslims may not testify in criminal court. Women may not testify unless it is a personal matter that did not occur in the sight of men. The testimony of a woman is not regarded as fact but as presumption. The reasons women are forbidden to testify in criminal proceedings are (quote): 1. Women are much more emotional than men and will, as a result of their emotions, distort their testimony. 2. Women do not participate in public life, so they will not be capable of understanding what they observe. 3. Women are dominated completely by men, who by the grace of God are deemed superior; therefore, women will give testimony according to what the last man told them. 4. Women are forgetful, and their testimony cannot be considered reliable. As a result of these laws women are particularly vulnerable in cases of assault and/or rape, as their testimony is treated as a presumption, while that of their attackers is accepted as fact. Women are not allowed to drive or ride bicycles on public roads in large cities. However, most women are capable of driving, and some do so on rural roads illegally.[citation needed] Women are allowed to fly aircraft, though they must be chauffeured to the airport.[5] Education, although limited, has become an important aspect. Religious police enforce a modest code of dress; foreign women are also expected to wear abaya, violators may face caning, harassment or fines. There are numerous legal restrictions of what kind of jobs women can do (as to prevent their direct contact with men). Progressively over the decades, many foreigners residing in the Kingdom have reported that enforcement of dress code laws has become slightly less strict.[citation needed] Institutions from schools to ministries to restaurants are always sex-segregated. Women cannot be admitted to a hospital, examined by a doctor, travel abroad or leave the house without the express permission and/or company of an immediate male relative. After their first menstrual cycle, women must cover their entire body in a long black cloak (abaaya) as according to tradition.[citation needed] Failing to do so results in severe punishment."

Excellent point. The logistical limitations imposed by the wearing of the burqa seem to be a tripping point(literally and figuratively) when these women attempt to transition toward non-traditional activities. Given this, one could say that the mere requirement of the burqa acts an insurance policy against the attainment of complete physical freedom. But then, again, perhaps similar arguments could be made about the stereotypes perpetuated by fashion standards in western cultures, such as make-up, tight jeans, fake fingernails and high heels, although these accoutrements are worn voluntarily? I remember seeing a young (Mennonite?) woman jogging on a hot day while wearing a full headscarf and an ankle length, long-sleeved dress; I could just barely see the running shoes poking out from beneath her hem with each stride. In contrast, I was sweating away in a sports bra and skimpy nylon shorts, feeling the interplay of warm sun and soft breeze on my skin. Here we were in the same country, in the same neighborhood, at the same time, doing the same sport, but we were having completely different experiences. I assumed mine must be better, or more comfortable, at the least but I don't know how if I came to the correct conclusion. I was hot, but she was the one smiling. I am not really sure what you are trying to get at except that you don't like to run. too bad for you. I do not feel like i have to wear tight jeans or heals. those are things that i like and wear because i like them. I do not feel like i have to wear makeup and i often don't. we have a culture of freedom in this country. our government was founded upon the principle of individual rights (granted then it was ment for white men, but you get my point) i would not be caught dead trying to climb in a coresset and a bustle, but those are not longer FASHIONABLE now are they. I love to run. But that wasn't the point. My point was that governments, religions, or cultures that require women(not men) to wear inherently restrictive clothing are ensuring more than female modesty by doing so. But given that some women in these circumstances still manage to achieve so much deserves noting.

"1000 women and not one of them would sleep with him again? Or is it 1000 women not one of which he would sleep with again? I'm not sure either one sounds that great." I think you've hit the nail on the head, so to speak.

Are you assuming she only slept with one of the two guys? Interesting.

The answer to this version is easy. You just ask the woman .