biodork

I saw a rock while hiking last weekend that looked like a whale breaching!

Hope she continues to improve, Swamp! That's some serious weight loss. :( BOO doctors who care nothing for their patients' schedules. My dad has been dealing with something similar for months, and it sucks. My complaint is lame, but I'm just really effing tired after putting in outrageous hours the last two weeks just to try and keep my head above water. I'm exhausted and unmotivated right now, but the list is so dang long that I'm trying to power through and keep chipping away at it.

PUPPY! Good on your friend for adopting him, and hope he gains some weight soon!

Well this is apropos: How Dumb TV Can Ease Your Panic Attacks

:lol: Awesome, Jo!

There's an option to pay for it interest-free over 2 years ($16-ish/month)!

For anyone with an older Nexus phone already on Google Fi (or anyone looking to switch to Fi), they have a great promotion going on through Oct. 5th if you trade-in an existing phone for the new Moto X: https://www.droid-life.com/wp-content/cache/page_enhanced/www.droid-life.com/2017/09/20/google-pixel-trade-in-program-details/_index.html https://www.blog.google/products/project-fi/project-fi-welcomes-android-one-moto-x4/

It sounds cheesy, but there are some free mobile apps that can help with relaxation, too... I have one called "Relax Lite" that includes 2-5 min. exercises that have soothing nature sounds and force you to focus on your breath, which is really helpful when I can't turn off my brain and sleep.

It's definitely an unpleasant experience, and while I don't wish it on anyone, I'm kinda glad to hear it's happened to other people, too.

The lump in the throat thing is legit! I experienced this last Jan., and I thought I was crazy until I searched and found it's an actual thing: https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/digestive-disorders/symptoms-of-digestive-disorders/lump-in-throat https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cricopharyngeal_spasm It was awful because the position of the lump would make me feel like I was gonna hurl, and also like I was going to choke on food. Thankfully it only lasted a few days, but not fun. And like you, I've always kind of thrived on stress (i.e. I didn't think I found it stressful), but apparently my body thinks otherwise. :( I suspect Jo can probably relate to your original post quite a bit. Anyhow, I'll second the suggestion that physical activity (whether that's jut plain old exercise or getting outside and wandering around) helps a LOT. But if that's not your thing or there aren't good places to go nearby, making time for any other activity that you find enjoyable should help with relaxation. I'm much better at giving this advice than taking it myself, though!

I wanted to get out for a "fall colors" hike today, and the aspens did not disappoint. I didn't really mean to hike almost 15 miles, though... :blink:

;)

Jo beat me to it, but smoked gouda is probably my favorite anytime cheese. Excellent on a sandwich or for snacking. Muenster is another favorite sandwich cheese, and yeah, provolone, too. But man, if we're talking about the kind of cheese you'd put on a cheese board, we're going next level. Too many that I've enjoyed and not remembered their names, but Humboldt Fog and Gjetost are standouts. And anything port wine. I dig most any cheese that isn't Swiss or stinky/moldy.

No maple, but found a bar in Breckenridge last night where the bartender took great pride in preparing our old fashioneds. Rye whiskey from a distillery near Vail, lemon peel, and Luxardo cherries in a heavy glass without ice. Fantastic.

Dang it, I keep forgetting! Definitely going to seek out some bourbon at the hotel bar this evening... Going to need it to prepare for this stupid work retreat tomorrow.

Glad to hear it, Blue!

:lol:

Worst winters ranked by state ???? https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/states-with-the-worst-winters-worst-us-states-for-winter

Gallbladder should only bother you with higher fat foods, but I hope the new doc can suggest something useful. My guess is if it were something way worse (like Crohn's or ulcerative colitis) you wouldn't recover on your own after a few days, so as awful as it is, here's hoping it's something that can be helped. And thanks for the laugh, Liger! :lol:

Yikes, man... I hope this fixes the problem and everything heals up good as new! Sounds painful. :( Yeesh lady... you be safe and take care of yourself. No driving, either! Hopefully good news from the tests.

By virtue of the exclamation point and a glitch in my brain, I hear Pink Floyd every time I see the name of the new Jennifer Lawrence film. :doh:

Awesome, indeed. Happy anniversary!

The scoring really varies, but this is the article I'd seen yesterday: http://mashable.com/2017/09/16/mother-movie-cinemascore-f/#MDw.0AY1haqP

Black Swan was good, although pretty weird.

I literally just read something online about how it's getting killed by the critics and came here to see if you loved it. :P :wub: