The doctors took my blood. All of it I'm pretty sure. There was a row of vials sitting on the counter waiting for me as I walked into the bloodletting chamber. The doctor must have ordered every test imaginable. Ugg.

In your humble opinion, is fornication in public much hotter than plain old indoor sex?

• Yes

• No

• I'm Not Sure / Wouldn't know

Not if you're doing the indoor stuff right! Shouldn't be any need for silly stunts, this isn't an episode of Jackass.

Would you rather have a great friend you could share everything with or a great lover you can't really talk to?

• Friend

• Lover

I'm one of those people that has always bought into the whole "my lover is my best friend" line. But I'm starting to wonder if that is necessary. Maybe a relationship could be functional and satisfying without that. I just don't know. The older I get the more I'm starting to hate all those romantic movies that are giving me unreasonable expectations. But they sure are fun to watch. Dammit! Where's my copy of Charade?

We had a huge rainstorm a couple of weeks ago. It had been threatening to rain all day. Dark skies, rumbling thunder. It started right before we released the kids from class, a bit more than a drizzle, nothing special. I ran out to my car, where I had left my umbrella without too much damage. As I hit the freeway to head up to UNCC the skies opened. I haven't seen rain like that in years. Charlotte drivers actually slowed down when they couldn't see the road 15 feet in front of them. Lightning was flashing and thunder booming as I pulled into the parking deck. Feeling slightly superior for having it, I pulled out my umbrella and headed to class.

I couldn't believe how much water there was. My pants were wet up past my ankles well before I got where I was going. As I walked I watched all the other folks stuck in the gale. They moved through the rain and more or less seemed to fit into about four groups.

There were Hiders. Standing under ledges and awnings, in doorways and under stairs. Girls with their hair perfectly done and guys who spent way to much on their torn jeans and fashionably faded T-shirts afraid to get wet. They stood and waited hoping the problem would go away. It had never occoured to them to carry an umbrella or poncho.

Then there were the Runners and Improvisers. Folks darting from buildeing to building as if they could run between the raindrops. Guys with trash bags wrapped around them. Girls with newspapers held over their increasingly damp hair. They were all wet, and getting wetter. They had been caught without a plan, but they were moving on. They were being proactive. They were mostly failing.

The next group were the Planners, the folks with umbrellas and rainjackets. Lost of people dressed like they had been at work all day. My group. We walked through the rain with smug smiles on our faces looking at all the poor suckers who didn't know how to read a weather report. Girls in heels and sensible skirts. Guys with laptops slung over their shoulders. People with places to go. But we were all left worried about getting splashed, or stepping in a puddle. We planned and prepared, but we still spent the afternoon struggling with the forces of nature not to get soaked.

The last group were the most fun to watch. These were the folks who saw the rain, knew they were going to get wet, and embraced it. No umbrellas, no jackets, no newspapers. They just walked out and let the elements do their worst. Folks with wather streaming out of their hair and their clothes plastered to their bodies. At first I felt bad for them, but then I started watching them more closely. None of them were rushing somewere in a fit of anxiety. None of them were ranting into a cellphone. None of them scoweled at the world. In fact, many of them smiled as they walked along. They waved and greeted folks. They moved and live as if it were a perfect sunny day.

I envy those people. I want to see the world that way. I dont want to spend every day worrying about things I have no control over. I want to let time wash over me and realize that I will still be me when It's passed. I don't want to see only the irritants and problems of my day. I want to stand streaming and soaking and sing. I want the rain.

**lifted from my livejournal to make my completion requirement! ;) **

What makes for a better first date, coffee or drinks?

Discuss.

Edited to add an explination. I had a long debate about this with a good friend the other night. I was hoping someone would help me support my position. I don't think I'm gonna win this one.

The mark that I acquired on my neck New Year's Eve is nearly gone. I find that I miss it. I miss looking in the mirror and having a physical reminder that someone found me desirable. I do not miss, however, having to wear a turtleneck to work. ;)

Edited to Add: I'm not fishing for compliments, I promise. I'm just sharing thoughts I had while washing my face when I got home today.

New Year's Eve makes people do stupid things. I know I did. Anyone want to share their walk of shame?

I always get nervous before I go to a party. What if none of my friends show up and I get stuck with a bunch of strangers? What if I'm under dressed? What if I'm over dressed? What if no one likes the salmon dip I'm taking? What if no one kisses me at midnight?

Maybe I'll stay home with Ben and Jerry. Mmmm, Dublin Mudslide.