Hi, James!  Recently you wrote in a message to Ardith Hinton:

[re nerves which are apparently confused]
AH>  It itches, I instinctively rub the affected area,
AH>  and then I notice the moisture on my fingers.

JB>  That sounds logical, Pavlov. 


           Yes, that's exactly the problem!  Salivation is normal & I
need all the saliva I can get in the right place at the right time when
only half of my mouth can put it here.  I don't know how to turn it off
selectively... (sigh).



AH>  The problem occurs almost invariably while I'm
AH>  eating, and most commonly a few days either side
AH>  of a new moon or full moon.  I suppose if the
AH>  moon influences the tides it can influence the
AH>  balance of moisture in our bodies as well.  :-)

JB>  Curiouser... Not *when* the moon is waxing and
JB>  waning, but when it's *about* to do either. More
JB>  accurately, when it *starts* doing either. And,
JB>  curiouser....


           I should have said "within a few days either side".  I
use whatever calendar in the household... usually a freebie from some local
business... has the phases of the moon on it.  I figure the reckoning might
be out by a day if the new moon or full moon occurs near midnight & the
calendar was printed back east.  But for this research project a 24-hour
window is close enough....  :-)



JB>  [RE: MD's a keeper too! P-)
AH>  actually enjoys working with weird people like us...
AH>  [chuckle].

JB>  Can I bother you for his number? 


           Unfortunately, he's in Vancouver & you're not....  ;-)



JB>  What tipped my scale, was a provincial fund raiser
JB>  slogan that moved to, "Fighting breast cancer is
JB>  hard. Walking isn't." Now, I can't speak to the first
JB>  assertion, but the second....


           Ah.  Dallas & I both objected to this same slogan.  We wrote
to the organization explaining our point of view.  They made conciliatory
noises, but essentially the campaign was bringing in lots of $$$ and they
weren't about to change it.  Fighting leukemia is hard.  When one of Nora's
teachers had breast cancer she said "Now I know what Nora went
through!"  I'm not unsympathetic to people (BTW... men also get breast
cancer) who have breast cancer.  However, I don't feel this particular
organization has much sympathy for people who can't walk very easily.  As
if that weren't enough... when Nora's rehab aide offered to join the walk
they told her the event was so popular they wouldn't consider letting
anyone participate who didn't have at least $2,000 in pledges.  I will
gladly help people with cancer, but I will not support this organization. 
:-(



JB>  Remember how I grilled you if this was an appreciation
JB>  echo for a song? "Survivor" was what I was looking for!
JB>  The term might rub me the wrong way, but the moniker is
JB>  almost foolproof.


           Often imitated, never duplicated... [chuckle].



AH>  Maybe we can't make a silk purse out of a sow's
AH>  ear... but maybe we can make a nice pigskin wallet,
AH>  which would suit my style better anyway.  :-))

JB>  Huh... Pig leather has more bumps, unless they stamp a
JB>  football with them. It would be harder to pick-pocket.


           I hadn't thought of that!  Okay, pigskin is fine with me... [grin].




--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+