I want to amend something I said last night.

[Redstone]

I am, actually, not the toughest son of a bitch in the Valley.

TomInTib leads by a mile, closely followed by Wetzelbill's brother.

Given such competition, I am proud to ring in at a far, distant third.

Redstone

[bluethruandthru]

1. That's okay

We like you anyway!

[Kali]

2. Hey - I've been told I'm a pretty tough old bitch, myself.

Oh you said "son of a"...pardon


<Emily Latilla voice>: Nevermind.

[Redstone]

3. The "son of a" is not required. This is open to all genders.

And I'd be only to happy to slip my rank to fourth or lower. And suspect that I should anyway; there are some real survivors here on DU.


Redstone

[crim son]

4. That's true, and we are fortunate they share their stories.

We gain perspective, and we know we are not alone in our pain. Not by a long shot.

[Kali]

6. aahhh I was just joking around, I am very very very

lucky not to have survived much more than regular life, childbirth and a few minor health items. I am pretty tough though. One gets that way around livestock and teenagers

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. You come in first in my book, my dear Redstone.....

Always.

[Redstone]

7. But Wetzelbill's brother fistfought a BADGER!

That, I've never done.

Redstone

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. I know he did.......

But I have my loyalties.......

[Redstone]

11. And your loyalties are appreciated.

Do not ever think they aren't.

Good Lord, the wind is blowing at about 60 MPH out there. We've lost electricity for about eight blips tonight, and I'd not be surprised if we end up with a long-term outage this night.

So if I'm not here later, well, you'll know how to find me; I'll be the one with the flashlight, lighing up the Alladin lamp.

Redstone

[Gormy Cuss]

9. Well, I knew that

The competition is pretty fierce.
You are one of the tougher sobs in the valley, though.

[ScreamingMeemie]

10. MrG, given his childhood and what happened with his father,

would provide some stiff competition.

[Redstone]

14. Then he gets the rung above me on the ladder.

With a handshake and a manly clap on the back.

Acknowledging others' toughness does not diminish mine (and how many guys do you think would be willing to say THAT in public?); you'll be sure to pass on the above to MrG, won't you?

Redstone

[ScreamingMeemie]

16. I think you two could share a rung for those reasons.

You're both tops in my book.

[merh]

12. You'll always be number 1 in my book

you fought and continue to fight much tougher foes than a badger.

Not that Wetzelbill's brother's efforts aren't admirable (as, I am sure, are TomInTib's) you have
fought valiantly and you carry the scares of your battles, yet you stand strong and allow others to lean on you.

Nope, got to agree with CAPeg - you are number 1 and that is that.

[Redstone]

15. No, damn it, YOU are the one.

Don't argue with me here, OK?

You Katrina People are the ones who deserve the praise.

Period. I stand in awe to this day of your ability to prevail.

Redstone

[merh]

17. Sugah, I haven't prevailed at a blessed thing

Another thanksgiving & christmas in a tin can on wheels, barely able to pull myself out of bed most the time and alienating friends because they don't know how to deal with my moods or to help me, those are hardly signs of prevailing.

425 days and just as devasated on day 425 as I was on day 1.

I am worthy of no awe.

[Redstone]

19. Bullshit, m'dear. You and your fellow Katrinans are worthy of

all the awe the rest of us can muster.

Just re-read your message.

Good God, I wish there was something I could do for you personally and for the others around you.

Any suggestions? Besides telling you that you can leave that trailer and come live with us for as long as you'd need or want to?

Redstone

[BarenakedLady]

13. I think you rock.

Maybe some tough will rub off on me.

[Redstone]

18. First, you have to be willing to walk away. From ANYTHING.

And be willing to burn everything down behind you.

Once you get to be that ruthless, the rest is easy. Though the first part isn't.

And yes, you CAN buy me a drink.

Redstone

[BarenakedLady]

20. I'm not that strong

Not even close.

But I'll still buy you that drink.

[Redstone]

22. OK, mine'll be a shot of JD with a Rock to wash it down. Yours?

Because you know the second and subsequent rounds wil be my shout.


Redstone

[BarenakedLady]

23. Cheers!

I'm currently working through a bottle of Shiraz, which I will no doubt regret tomorrow among other things.

[Redstone]

24. Regrets are pointless, not to mention counterproductive.

Tomorrow will be what it will be, notwithstanding what today was.

Redstone

[Generic Brad]

21. Glad to see you back

You will always be tough in my book.

[Redstone]

25. Thank you.

Redstone