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2009 in Review

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Steve Kramer

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Jan 1, 2010, 7:43:15 AM1/1/10
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-- skramer remarks

Happy New Year to all!

It is with great pleasure that I report to you that I know of no one that
we've lost during 2009. Of course, we can never know if some have actually
passed away, but at least none were reported here.

We have had some 50 new members drop in during 2009. Only 13 are known to
be diagnosed during 2009. The others were either diagnosed during years
earlier or they just didn't tell us yet. Some lasted one or few visits. A
couple were trolls. About 180 members posted during 2009 - not bad.

What do we have to look forward to this year? Only Provenge and
Abiraterone!

And then, in the next decade (which starts in about 365 days) it is my
fervent hope that this newsgroup will be canceled due to lack of interest.
Many of you, my friends, will see a time when Prostate Cancer is no more
than a chronic condition. That year will be a happy one indeed.

PSA 16 10/17/2000 @ 46
Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c
RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3cN0M0 Neg margins
PSA <.1 <.1 <.1 .27 .37 .75 PSAD 0.19 years
EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47
PSA .34 .22 .15 .21 .32 PSAD .056 years
Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 and every 4 months there after
PSA .07 .05 .06 .09 .08 .132 .145 PSAD 1.4 years
Casodex added daily 07/06
PSA undetectable since. Next Assay 02/02/10
Illegitimati non carborundum


Colophony

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Jan 1, 2010, 10:59:18 AM1/1/10
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Steve....HAPPY NEW YEAR . Keep up the good work!!
Colophony

"Steve Kramer" <skr...@cinci.rr.com> ha scritto nel messaggio
news:hhkql4$vrq$1...@news.eternal-september.org...

jloomis

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Jan 1, 2010, 11:22:27 AM1/1/10
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Hi Steve,

Thank You for the report.

What we need to do is go for some "Cruise" and leave our troubles
behind.....
john
"Steve Kramer" <skr...@cinci.rr.com> wrote in message
news:hhkql4$vrq$1...@news.eternal-september.org...

I.P. Freely

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Jan 1, 2010, 3:12:15 PM1/1/10
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jloomis wrote:
> Hi Steve,
>
> Thank You for the report.
>
> What we need to do is go for some "Cruise" and leave our troubles
> behind.....

I'd LOVE to leave the troubles behind, but I don't think a ship ride is
going to dry out my pants or give me an erection. ;-)

I.P.

Sue Mullen

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Jan 1, 2010, 3:37:33 PM1/1/10
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I.P., a cruise can't help with with these problems and it sure won't
help the cancer. Still the minute we step on a cruise ship, the stress
melts away instantly and we will come home ready to deal with the next
chemo session or whatever else is ahead of us.

Happy 2010 to everyone here!!

sue - leaving on a cruise the end of Jan!!

Lud

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Jan 1, 2010, 6:30:49 PM1/1/10
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Good Health to All for the New Year!!1

Steve, I join your bandwagon to get rid of prostate cancer ASAP.

Add to the useful tools coming down the pike - MDV3100, Alpharadin and
some miracle cure that no one expected.

Happy New year!!!!!!!!!!!1
Lud starting my 12th year fighting this beast.

Steve Kramer

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Jan 1, 2010, 9:48:14 PM1/1/10
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"jloomis" <jlo...@ocean.net> wrote in message
news:hhl7g...@news3.newsguy.com...

> Hi Steve,
>
> Thank You for the report.
>
> What we need to do is go for some "Cruise" and leave our troubles
> behind.....

the last time I did that (the only time I did that), I came home to an RRP.


jloomis

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Jan 1, 2010, 11:09:24 PM1/1/10
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I think I vaguely remember that in this forum concerning going on a cruise
and then surgery?
(maybe it's oldenheizmers)

john
"Steve Kramer" <skr...@cinci.rr.com> wrote in message
news:hhmc5g$sam$1...@news.eternal-september.org...

Steve Kramer

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Jan 2, 2010, 7:53:16 AM1/2/10
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"jloomis" <jlo...@ocean.net> wrote in message
news:hhmgt...@news3.newsguy.com...

>I think I vaguely remember that in this forum concerning going on a cruise
>and then surgery?
> (maybe it's oldenheizmers)

-- skramer remarks

Yeah, sometime about December 1999/January 2000 I made reservations for our
25th anniversary December 2000. On November 1, 2000, I had my
PCa-confirming biopsy. On December 13, we docked in and flew back to
Cincinnati from Miami, Florida. On December 15, I was getting gutted.

Message has been deleted
Message has been deleted

Sue Mullen

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Jan 2, 2010, 11:13:58 AM1/2/10
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Gogarty wrote:
> In article <JGs%m.80$Ef7...@newsfe07.iad>, fuhghed...@noway.nohow
> says...

> Well, then, you are obviously not sufficiently in love with ships.
>
> Try this: http://www.kroooz-cams.com/


This is one of my favorite websites.lol

sue - who is addicted to cruising!!

Sue Mullen

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Jan 2, 2010, 11:18:15 AM1/2/10
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Gogarty wrote:
> In article <7q74oc...@mid.individual.net>, kjmu...@comcast.net says...

> What ship, Sue? I can follow you around with the ship cams and Google
> Earth.

We will be on the Granduer of the Seas, but only for a 5 day cruise
which is way too short, but it fits our purpose for now. Once we are off
the ship we are renting a car and going to visit our friends in The
Villages. Since this is where we think we want to move once Kevin
retires, it is about time we check it out in person.

Are you a cruiser or do you just like watching them? This will be #22
for us.

sue

I.P. Freely

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Jan 2, 2010, 12:11:07 PM1/2/10
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Gogarty wrote:
> Well, then, you are obviously not sufficiently in love with ships.

That's the understatement of whichever decade we're in today, but to
each his own.

I.P.

Message has been deleted

Sue Mullen

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Jan 2, 2010, 2:30:39 PM1/2/10
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Gogarty wrote:
> In article <7q99u6...@mid.individual.net>, kjmu...@comcast.net says...

> Been a ship nut since infancy. Except for Barefoot Windjammer cruises never
> actually took a cruise but have crossed oceans by sea, including an 11 day
> trip from Naples to New York on our honeymoon. But some freinds have been
> doing a lot of it lately -- bucket trips, I guess. So I have been following
> them with ship cams and Google Earth. Our cruising tends to be local and
> seasonal -- on our 37' sailboat.

37' sailboat, very nice!! For us just steping foot on a cruise ship and
not having to do any work is what makes it so relaxing.

sue

Alan Meyer

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Jan 2, 2010, 6:44:05 PM1/2/10
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Lud wrote:
...

> Add to the useful tools coming down the pike - MDV3100, Alpharadin and
> some miracle cure that no one expected.

F77 is the miracle I'm hoping for.

Happy Holidays and best wishes for the new year to all.

Alan

Mikayla M.

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Jan 3, 2010, 8:09:40 AM1/3/10
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skr...@cinci.rr.com (Steve Kramer) wrote:

> A couple were trolls.

I was called a troll just for using some frank language and going
against the grain a little. Perhaps like cable TV i should have begun my
posts with a TV-MA rating.

--
Mikayla M.

chazjac

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Jan 3, 2010, 8:52:46 AM1/3/10
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> sue - who is addicted to cruising!!

Apart from the day cruises to the GBR and a few ferry rides on the Great
Lakes, I know nothing of the water. But now that the boys are in college,
my lovely wife would like to do an Alaskan cruise. Any advice?

We're nerds -- luxury is lower on the priority list than education.

--charlie


chasjac

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Jan 3, 2010, 9:49:59 AM1/3/10
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On Jan 3, 8:09 am, mikayl...@webtv.net (Mikayla M.) wrote:
> I was called a troll just for using some frank language and going
> against the grain a little. Perhaps like cable TV i should have begun my
> posts with a TV-MA rating.

Using OE to block senders work! Thanks for the suggestions. I
checked with Google today, though ... *sigh*

Mikayla, I will not presume to speak for others here, only for
myself. I do not object to levity, controversy,or coarse language.

But I strongly object to willfully disseminating misinformation. Men
who come to this group arrive scared, confused, and overwhelmed by the
diagnosis, and above all, they need honesty from each of us.

The regulars on this newsgroup know stuff. They are empowered
patients or loved ones who have read up on the disease and keep
abreast of the current treatment trends. Even folks on the B-team
like me know -- because of our personal experience! -- basic stuff
like the side effects of surgery. Your ignorance on this point made
it clear to all of us that you have most certainly not been living for
nine years with a husband who has had a prostatectomy.

So, as I said before, either you are lying to us, or someone is lying
to you. If it is the former then you are a troll and are no better
than the 'herbal treatment' posters. Be gone! If it is the latter,
then you need to clear the air with your husband.

I'm going to stick with OE.

--charlie

Sue Mullen

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Jan 3, 2010, 11:11:52 AM1/3/10
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I have not been to Alaska yet, but hope to do it soon after Kevin
retires. Most of my cruising friends say HAL is the best cruise line for
Alaska, I would also look at Princess cruise lines.

I would go to a web site like travelocity.com and look at what itinaries
different ships do, also you can get an idea of cost. I think when we do
Alaska we will look for a cruise that does a round trip, starting and
ending at the same port, that usually saves on airfare.

Another good resource for information is rec.travel.cruises, my other
home.lol

Once you have looked around a bit and want to book a cruise, I would
find a good "cruise only" travel agent to book with. I can give you a
couple of good ones if you are interested, people we have booked with
and also cruised with and consider friends.

sue

Message has been deleted

Sue Mullen

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Jan 3, 2010, 12:26:05 PM1/3/10
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Gogarty wrote:
> In article <hhq7fd$fls$1...@news.eternal-september.org>, cha...@live.com
> says...

> The Travel channel yesterday did an entire hour on an Alaska cruise.

Was that the show on the Radiance of the Sea? I recorded it, but haven't
watched it yet.

sue

I.P. Freely

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Jan 3, 2010, 2:27:00 PM1/3/10
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chazjac wrote:
>> sue - who is addicted to cruising!!
>
> Apart from the day cruises to the GBR and a few ferry rides on the Great
> Lakes, I know nothing of the water. But now that the boys are in college,
> my lovely wife would like to do an Alaskan cruise. Any advice?

Yes: July.

Many sources have told us that's about the only month with neither too
much snow or too many of the state bird: the mosquito.

We'd love to drive up there for a few weeks, but that's prime season for
my prime activity at home, so it'll have to wait until I'm too injured,
ill, or decrepit for sports.

Also, the smaller cruise ships get further back into the glacier fiords
than the behemoths do.

I.P.

Sue Mullen

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Jan 3, 2010, 2:32:54 PM1/3/10
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When we are able to book Alaska, it will only be on a ship that goes to
Glacier Bay. Almost everyone agrees it is the best of all the glaciers.

sue

Heather

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Jan 3, 2010, 3:12:35 PM1/3/10
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"Sue Mullen" <kjmu...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:7qc9n5...@mid.individual.net...
>

> When we are able to book Alaska, it will only be on a ship that goes to
> Glacier Bay. Almost everyone agrees it is the best of all the glaciers.
>

It is minus 24C here with the windchill..........Alaska would NOT be #1 on
my list. Probably warmer there.

On the other hand, (veg), you could go visit that good ole gal, Palin. Now
that would be a treat.......snicker.

Glaciers!! Shudder!!

Have fun tho........Heather


Sue Mullen

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Jan 3, 2010, 3:33:57 PM1/3/10
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NO WAY do I want to visit Palin.......shudder!!!!!!!!!!

Kevin never wanted to do an Alaskan cruise, we both prefer warm weather
cruising. After seeing pictures and hearing about our friends Alaskan
cruises, we both want to go someday. Once we move to Florida, Alaska
will be a nice breat from the heat and humidity.lol

Remember you could always move down this way, it is now 26F, feels like
12F, much better then your temps.lol

sue - will the wind ever stop gusting!!!!!!

Steve Kramer

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Jan 3, 2010, 3:48:20 PM1/3/10
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"chasjac" <cha...@live.com> wrote in message news:05dde16f-7b96-466d-8e56-

But I strongly object to willfully disseminating misinformation. Men
who come to this group arrive scared, confused, and overwhelmed by the
diagnosis, and above all, they need honesty from each of us.


-- skramer remarks

That was a great paragraph!

Steve Kramer

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Jan 3, 2010, 3:51:50 PM1/3/10
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"Sue Mullen" <kjmu...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:7qcd9j...@mid.individual.net...

> Remember you could always move down this way, it is now 26F, feels like
> 12F, much better then your temps.lol

I woke up to 5 degrees F and -6 windchill.


Lowen

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Jan 3, 2010, 4:45:38 PM1/3/10
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I highly recommend the drive..we bought us a truck and trailer when I
retired last year and Drove cross country from May to Sept. and Hit Alaska
on July 4th week with record high temps in the 90's..

Check out our Blog of our adventure at http://lolarsroadtrip.blogspot.com/

Will probably do the east coast to Florida and back for our next adventure,
not sure of this year as we are in the process of moving back home this
spring ..

Oh by the way Steve my last PSA checkup was in Nov. and was a <.01 the
lowest one yet , all the other readings have been <.04 So I'm very pleased
and have been putting it out of my mind of late..and not worrying any more
after 6yrs since my RRP. I think I've got it licked !!!
Still have mild stress leakage mostly in the afternoon or later. nothing a
pad can't handle or least when I remember to use one..The impotence is about
the same , around 80% with Viagra..We are very happy with that..
Well I'll go back to lurking till later,,Everyone have a great year..

Owen

safire

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Jan 3, 2010, 5:28:32 PM1/3/10
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I.P. Freely wrote:
> chazjac wrote:
>>> sue - who is addicted to cruising!!
>>
>> Apart from the day cruises to the GBR and a few ferry rides on the
>> Great Lakes, I know nothing of the water. But now that the boys are
>> in college, my lovely wife would like to do an Alaskan cruise. Any
>> advice?
>
> Yes: July.
> Many sources have told us that's about the only month with neither too
> much snow or too many of the state bird: the mosquito.

Where did you get that information? On Fox? May is just as good. You may
have a little bit of rain, but no mosquitos and you won't pay
excessively high high season prices.
>

safire

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Jan 3, 2010, 5:35:15 PM1/3/10
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Search "Hubbard Glacier Glacier Bay" and you'll find that about half the
people think Hubbard is just as awesome.
Message has been deleted

Sue Mullen

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Jan 3, 2010, 7:42:06 PM1/3/10
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Brrrrrrrr.......

21 months and we will leave winter behind us!!

sue

Sue Mullen

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Jan 3, 2010, 7:46:46 PM1/3/10
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My information comes from people who have cruised to Alaska, some many
times and they all say Glacier is the best. Hubbard is also good, but if
someone is only going once, Glacier is a must see.

sue

chazjac

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Jan 3, 2010, 7:48:55 PM1/3/10
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Thanks to everyone. I don't know if it will be this year, but I'm going to
get her up there one of these years.


Sue Mullen

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Jan 3, 2010, 7:52:19 PM1/3/10
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Gogarty wrote:
> In article <7qc29c...@mid.individual.net>, kjmu...@comcast.net says...

> Yes. Our friends' "bucket" cruises took them to Alaska, Antartica, Bermuda and
> the Baltics, in one year.

We have been to Bermuda a lot of times, twice as land packages in the
70s, long before we knew about cruising. I think we have cruised to
Bermuda 4 times and I would love to go again and again. I would also
love to do some of the Scandiavian countrys and Russia. I also would
love to do a complete transit of the Panama Canal, but will be just as
happy taking lots of Carribean cruises if money or health don't allow us
to wander too far.

sue

Sue Mullen

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Jan 3, 2010, 7:54:07 PM1/3/10
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chazjac wrote:
> Thanks to everyone. I don't know if it will be this year, but I'm going to
> get her up there one of these years.

Just one more comment and that is to go whatever month it works for you
and your wife. May and June may be a littloe cooler then the summer
months, but with Alaska you never know what the weather will be.

I hope we both get to Alaska.

sue

Mikayla M.

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Jan 4, 2010, 1:30:34 AM1/4/10
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cha...@live.com (chasjac) wrote:

> you have most certainly not been living
> for nine years with a husband who has
> had a prostatectomy.

It will be ten years this may.

> So, as I said before, either you are lying
> to us, or someone is lying to you. If it is
> the former then you are a troll and are
> no better than the 'herbal treatment'
> posters. Be gone! If it is the latter, then
> you need to clear the air with your
> husband.

Just remember, none of us exist in real-life. We are all nothing more
than words on screens.

--
Mikayla M.

Steve Kramer

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Jan 4, 2010, 5:27:49 AM1/4/10
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"Lowen" <lo...@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:hhr362$fp$1...@news.eternal-september.org...

> Check out our Blog of our adventure at http://lolarsroadtrip.blogspot.com/

-- skramer remarks

That is a pretty impressive coverage of the U.S. I always wanted to do
something like that, but have not been to nearly as many states, yet.
Interestingly, I think I could color in most of those you've missed.

> Oh by the way Steve my last PSA checkup was in Nov. and was a <.01 the
> lowest one yet , all the other readings have been <.04 So I'm very pleased
> and have been putting it out of my mind of late..and not worrying any more
> after 6yrs since my RRP. I think I've got it licked !!!

Never stop checking, but I'm with you. I think you beat the bastard!

Steve Kramer

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Jan 4, 2010, 5:31:44 AM1/4/10
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"chazjac" <cha...@live.com> wrote in message
news:hhrdtl$ac6$1...@news.eternal-september.org...

> Thanks to everyone. I don't know if it will be this year, but I'm going
> to get her up there one of these years.

--
skramer remarks

We ought to all go - 12 months after the cure comes out.

Alex

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Jan 4, 2010, 10:30:57 PM1/4/10
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"Mikayla M." <mika...@webtv.net> wrote

> Just remember, none of us exist in real-life. We are all nothing more
> than words on screens.
>

> Mikayla M.

Damn, Mikayla, that's good news! It's not me (or my prostate) that has
cancer. It's that guy who is just words on my screen.

"Sorry, dear, I can't take out the garbage. I'm just words on a screen, and
lack an opposable thumb."
(Sounds of a ladylike hand slapping upside the head of my off-screen self.)

Alex

Mikayla M.

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Jan 6, 2010, 9:11:26 AM1/6/10
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tuchasoffentisch@_NO_SPAM_gmail.com (Alex) wrote:

> "Mikayla M." <mika...@webtv.net>
> wrote

> Just remember, none of us exist in
> real-life. We are all nothing more than
> words on screens.

> Mikayla M.

> Damn, Mikayla, that's good news! It's
> not me (or my prostate) that has cancer.
> It's that guy who is just words on my
> screen.

Mind over matter.

> "Sorry, dear, I can't take out the
> garbage. I'm just words on a screen,
> and lack an opposable thumb."

I have the luxury of an incinerator chute right down the hall. I can
take it out myself.

> (Sounds of a ladylike hand slapping
> upside the head of my off-screen self.)

A little S&M play is good for everyone.

--
Mikayla M.

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