(no subject)

[vicarz]

40 days until this is over.

Last night a girl mentioned she drove a humv, and for an instant I was done with her. Turns out she was joking, but my reaction was visceral. Why? Someone just posted about the reality of a SUV vs. a car, but I admit some of the reaction is emotional - waste makes me sick (I understand needing a big car, but Humv's are worthless with out the armament).

It made me think about a trait that is a friend-deal-killer: selfishness. There is no point to making friends with a selfish person. They might be fun, a great friend, and even loyal - while times are good. But they are selfish, so not only do they ultimately only care about themselves, but ultimately that selfishness can be exhibited to the detriment of others. It might never be, but when the going gets tough they get going. If you have interests in common that relationship may work out, but then you essentially have a coworker rather than a true friend.

A selfish friend might be like having a dog, according to some. Animals go through the same emotionally similar behaviors, but many argue that a dog or pet ultimately doesn't care for you any more than a snake - who isn't sure if you're a creature or a warm rock, and doesn't really care as long as you're warm and food is plentiful. I will continue to try and live in that world where the bond is emotional and real, where the dog is your companion and not a tool, where sacrifice may occur, and where loyalty is borne not out of convenience, but out of love. You can't get that from someone who ultimately cares about themselves. Unless there is a zombie invasion, that streak of inhumanity will not benefit anyone - and might not even help then. If love isn't real, then the hell with humanity.

Just heard a boom in the distance. Construction, funeral, or attack? No following 20 booms so 1 or 3 probably.

I understand my breath is hideous while I'm dieting. Not sure if that is due to diet, current stress, or some other factor. Not sure what else I can do about that - ideas? Why would diet or stress make my breath stink? My hygiene is measurably good. This makes me nervous as the last time my breath was bad for a period of time my tonsils dissolved with some flesh-eating-bacteria and I needed surgery.

Comments

[transentient.livejournal.com]

Hummer = minivan.

Argue technical details all you want, or the fact that they aren't actually filled with a family. People buy SUVs for the same set of domestic/territorial reasons their parents bought minivans and their grandparents bought station wagons. They fit the same archetype in the psyche.

[vicar.livejournal.com]

I disagree! SUVs are status symbols, used by many as exhibits of power - they argue about pushing people around with their big cars. Both minivans and station wagons were family cars, things people made fun of and used the term immasculated (sp?) towards. I agree than a hummer serves the same purpose as a minivan, as does a suv, but I think they are far more humble - and better on gas (station wagons are way better, aren't they? Not sure they still make em)

[transentient.livejournal.com]

This isn't evidence or anything, but for the past two years or so it has really seemed to me that minivan drivers are among the most aggressive on the road. So there is that.

[pastor-saturn.livejournal.com]

Bad breath can be caused by a dry mouth. When you eat less, your body produces less saliva, and since saliva helps keep your mouth clean its absence can create a bacteria-friendly environment. In your pie hole.

I remember reading somewhere that when your body starts to break down its fat stores, your digestive system produces an odor that comes out in the breath...but I don't know how true that is or what part of the process could cause that reaction.

So, drink a lot of water to keep your mouth hydrated (or maybe chew sugar-free gum?). If it actually is true that your body is metabolizing fat and that's what's causing the odor, maybe your diet is working!

[vicar.livejournal.com]

Wow...all that work and discipline to be pretty, making me stink. The irony is just too much!
(thanks for the info including the maybe kinda dunno factor)

Aw I see someone walking a scottie dog outside. It always looks like a cute sidewalk-sweeper!

[unapologetic.wordpress.com (from livejournal.com)]

It's called "ketosis" -- the process of turning stored into ketones for fuel -- and it's usually more associated with people who go on the low-carb to force their bodies to start it up. But burning ketones leaves behind acetone, which then has to be excreted through either the lungs or the kidneys.

So while José's breath may be off, he can remove his nailpolish by pissing on his hands.

[pastor-saturn.livejournal.com]

Aha! So I almost sorta knew what I was talking about for once! Excellent. I feel smrt.

Personally, I can think of so many ways it would come in handy to have a renewable acetone source. (Whoops, back to not know what I'm talking about!)

[sparklypoof.livejournal.com]

if your breath is not the best, try having some yogurt. the bacteria in yogurt will combat the bad-breath bacteria and freshen your breath. if you wanna go all-out, get some fresh garlic, mince it up, and put it in your yogurt [probably along w/some granola or berries so you dont notice the texture]. by putting the garlic in there, it creates a greater neutralizer [in addition to adding all sorts of good things for you body that fresh garlic does] - and the yogurt hides the garlic taste so you're not eating something totally gross. ;)

keep an eye on the bad-breathe. if tricks like the above dont help after a while, then 'd see a doctor/dentist and see if there's something more serious going on. let's hope its nothing! 0_0

----

also, re: the boomings, there's a funeral happening this morning at quantico somewheres for a coworker who died last saturday - but that one's probably too far away to hear boomings from. so, prolly construction or attack. *nod*

Yog-hurt, yog-kill!

[vicar.livejournal.com]

Thanks - I could always eat more yog-hurt. The dentist I see every 6 mos thinks if anything I brush too much/hard, and I use mouthwash twice daily too.

Re: Yog-hurt, yog-kill!

[sparklypoof.livejournal.com]

*nod* my dentist keeps yelling at me too, saying I brush too hard. 'm like, how is that possible!? it is a SOFT brush!! 0_0 crayzee teefs.

have you tried that listerine orange flavor kind? it's WEIIIIRD. it is first burny like it should be, and when you spit it out, it's all BAM! ORANGE! 0_o

[dhairya.livejournal.com]

[Error: Irreparable invalid markup ('<a [...] dog,>') in entry. Owner must fix manually. Raw contents below.]

<A selfish friend might be like having a dog, according to some>

This is because I fucked up the dishwasher, isn't it ;P

[http://users.livejournal.com/_blackjack_/]

If your breath stinks, it means you aren't eating enough carbohydrates to maintain proper brain function. Seriously. Diet after your exam, not before. Your brain needs carbs. It can't burn fat or protein, which is why your body starts producing ketones. Ketones, however, only provide about 2/3 of the necessary fuel for the brain. They put epileptics on low-carb diets deliberately to slow down the electrical activity in their brains.

[vicar.livejournal.com]

I'm not dumb - I'm malnourished! I'm actually not trying to diet so much as just not eat crap, but if I keep losing or stinking I may need to eat more.