Ooooh.. a Monday Mission!

1. Do you get sick very often? What illness do you find that you've had most frequently?

I always seem to get sick at least once in the winter with some upper respiratory issue or a sinus infection. The last couple of times I've been sick though, it has just been a matter of feeling " blah" with a slight fever or something. My most frequent illness that is not self-inflicted, has got to be sinusitis.

2. I know a man who flat out refuses to go to the Doctor's office. You'd need an ambulance to get him near a hospital. Not me, I'd rather go as soon as I feel sick so I can get better. Do you mind going to see the Doctor when you get sick? Do you know anyone who just refuses to go to a Doctor when they get ill? Any idea why they are like that?

I hate going to doctors. I hate going and getting prodded and judged. However,I make sure to get my yearly checkups. I don't know anyone currently alive who refuses to go - but I do know that my father was like that. I think he thought it was unmanly to admit to having a medical problem. But come to think of it, his reluctance to go and get himself checked out probably lead to his current condition.

3. How about visiting the Dentist? Do you go get a check-up every 6 months? Or do you dread going?

Yes and yes. I dread going, but I go every 6 months and do what I'm told. My mother lost all of her teeth before I was born, and I have always been kind of freaked out about that. So I try extra hard to keep my own teeth in good health. I am a total pain weenie when it comes to my mouth though, and have passed out from the Novocain needle.

4. I've heard about a diet pill called "Thermolift" that allegedly gives you quite an energy rush (oh boy mentioning this will surely bring us all a ton of Google hits won't it?). Although I've thought about getting some of these pill for the times I need a boost, I'm probably not going to take the plunge. Have you ever taken any diet pills, energy pills or energy drinks? How did they make you feel? Do you still take them? How come?

Oh yes. I discovered Red Bull in grad school. It is chock-full-o' vitamins and guarana, taurine and caffeine. It is a smooth pick me up. Plus, it has the added benefit of mixing well with vodka. I haven't had a Red Bull in a few years, I guess because I'd rather sleep than bounce off the walls, and I don't pull many all-nighters anymore. Besides, the half-life of that stuff is about two hours. I can't handle all the crashing and burning.

5. Have you heard about "Gastric Bypass" surgery that many celebrities are doing to loose weight? (The process reduces the size of your stomach to facilitate weight loss) What are your thoughts on this procedure? Would you ever consider it? How would you feel if a relative were to decide to undergo the procedure?

Personally, I think that is gross. But then again, I think surgery is gross. If someone were to want to have it done to themselves, I would be ok with that, providing the risks were pretty low. It seems a whole lot more involved than a nose job, that's for sure.

6. What do you think the opposite sex needs to experience to fully understand what it is like to be your gender?

I think they'd pretty much have to lop off that pesky "y" chromosome and replace it with a nice, uncomplicated "x".

7. And to lighten things up a bit before we go...What's the most worthless gadget, infomercial item or "looked like a bargain" item you have ever purchased or owned?

Without a doubt this would be the "Buttoneer©" - a gadget by Ronco no less, that was supposed to sew buttons on with a press and a twist. I got it at Walgreen's for the must-buy price of $10. When I got the Buttoneer©" home, I saw that you had to thread the machine with an inch-long, "transparent",plastic piece, put it through the button and shoot the plastic into the garment. Not only could you see the stupid plastic, but it was uncomfortable because the ends of the plastic piece were pointy, and the button didn't stay on for very long anyhow.

BONUS: Why can't every day be like Christmas? You know, I'm not sure that every day Can't be like Christmas. Lord knows the shopping season gets earlier
and earlier each year.