TGIF1905

I use my gmail account frequently and have just started using g chat once in a while. I'm finding though, that I don't want to have to chat with people just because I happen to be reading my emails. I don't want to block these people, but I'm confused about what the etiquette is. Are there settings I can switch on so that I'm not available for chatting, or so that it looks like I'm not in my gmail account when I really am?

I currently have a mild sore throat and am getting over a cold. I'm traveling on a 6-7 hour flight in 3 days. I'm hoping I'll be better by then, but I'm not sure if I will be.

I was wondering if anyone knows how flying will affect me if I'm under the weather. Will the altitude make my symptoms worse? Or maybe nothing will change? Is there something I should do to prepare, so that I can help myself?

Serious responses would be great, especially if you've experienced this.

Thanks!

I'm registering for Henckels knives. However, there are many different types, and I'm not sure which to go with. Any suggestions? Or tips as to what the differences are between the types? Thanks!

I'm really curious and am trying not to write this question in a snotty way. I would like to know why many people write with such incorrect spelling, grammar and punctuation. Is it because:

1) You don't know any better

2) You're trying to be "cool"- i.e. all your friends write incorrectly and you want to fit in

3) You're lazy

4) Another reason?

I'm genuinely insterested in knowing the answer to this. Thanks a bunch!

Let's say you were forward enough to ask a co-worker you hardly know if you would be invited to her wedding. Let's say you asked her through email and she wrote back "sure :) "

Then months pass by and you and her never discuss her wedding, since the two of you don't know each other on a personal level anyway, and never say anything to each other besides "Hi."

When it comes time for the co-worker's wedding, and provided you even remember about the wedding, would you be insulted if you didn't receive an invitation? Would you expect at least an explanation from the co-worker as to why you won't be getting one?

(Details from the co-worker's point of view. She only wrote back "sure" because she was so caught off guard. She had not planned at all to invite co-workers to her wedding. She is not sure how to handle this situation- should she just ignore it, or say something to the person ahead of time about "oops, can't invite you after all due to budget" or whatev. Yes, she's me!)

Are these shoes cute? If so:

Which color would you choose to buy, thinking of which color would go best with all your clothes? Click on the swatches to see the 3 colors.

Can these be worn with pants OTHER than skinny jeans/pants?

Here they are: http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7357738/c/72.html

Well thought out responses are appreciated!

Ever since I was little, I have had this weird "thing" about the Statue of Liberty. It (she?) kind of creeps me out. The ending of Planet of the Apes seriously terrifies me. And the other day, I tried to watch a clip on You Tube of David Copperfield making the statue disappear. When they showed a close-up on her face, with dramatic opera music playing, I had to run away from the computer! I have more strange stories like this; I could go on and on...

When I was a child, I was fascinated with her, and I still am. But she creeps me out. I have even been to her twice, and 10 years ago I climbed up into her head, like you used to be able to do. For some reason, that didn't scare me at all!

I think in general, I'm creeped out by larger than life statues. Can anyone else relate?

I brought a tupperware container with a meal in it for lunch at work today, but now I find out that our bosses are bringing in food to celebrate a birthday, and I'm sure I'd rather eat that.

I HATE wasting food- it bugs me. My question is, if I leave my tupperware in the fridge here and eat it on Monday, meaning it will sit for 3 1/2 days, do you think it will still be fresh?

I can't take it home and eat it tonight because before getting to my house, I have to go somewhere for 4 hours. I can't leave it sitting in my car...

Here is what is in the tupperware: (and please don't laugh if this sounds weird to you- haha)

Cous cous (rice type stuff)

pieces of fried chicken that are already pretty old but have been sitting in the fridge and taste fine

shredded cheddar cheese

basil, salt, pepper

If this sits from Friday morning till Monday afternoon in a fridge, will it still be fresh?

If anyone really takes the time to answer this I will be very excited :-)

I have a Bank of America Visa credit card, and I have the option to upgrade to a Rewards American Express Card. It sounds fine except I've never had an AMEX card, and I was wondering if they are really accepted in most places. I want to be sure that I can use them anywhere, or almost anywhere at least. Does anyone know, or do you know of places or types of places that often don't accept them?

I have been friends with Chrissy for 5 years. She is a sweet, sensitive person. However, everything else about Chrissy is almost impossible for me to deal with, and I don't understand how or why we are still friends. She is extremely socially awkward, very immature, and has no sense of self. Quiet, not a good conversationalist, etc. With her, I always feel like I put a lot of myself out there, and don't get much in return. When we get together in person, everything about her annoys me. But for some reason, we have always remained friends.

Recently, she did something that really made me mad, and I took steps to start phasing out the friendship. However, she confronted me about my actions, and we ended up discussing everything, and she apologized. She asked me if I still wanted to be friends and I said yes.

This seems ridiculous- I know the best thing would be to let go of this friendship, but something is holding me back. What should I do? Anyone been in the same situation?

Has anyone hired a window decorator or interior designer to pick out and then hang curtains for you? I'm talking about installing all the rods, panels, etc. Can you tell me how much you paid in total to that decorator or company? I want to see how my experience compares to others. Thank you!

The lady who cut my hair told me my hair is split all the way up to the roots, and that Biolage Tonic spray would "cure" this. I never thought anything could really fix split ends. Is there a product I should use for this? Is the Biolage stuff a good fix? Or should I not bother? I use a CHI flat iron about once a week.

I mostly use cheap shampoos and conditioners like Pantene, Dove, and most recently Sunsilk. Stylists always tell me how those brands are so awful because of the wax. One time, a stylist even showed me the wax on my hair, but I felt like she was just tricking me to get me to buy expensive Biolage, etc. (used that stuff before too) So can people tell me, is it really SOOO bad to use the cheap brands? What does the wax do?

I was stupid enough to buy this crap today at Michael's... it was cheap, I was seduced by the dumb commercials, etc. I don't know. Anyway, I can already tell it sucks. And I just read online reviews about how horrible it is.

But still, can someone tell me, how do you actually get it into the condition so that you can mold it into shapes? Right now it's disgusitng and goopy. I mixed it up, but it's still not right. What do I need to do?

I got him Polo Ralph Lauren Blue once and I didn't much like the way it smelled on him. I want to get something different. Please recommend a good, affordable cologne for a 25 year old professional guy that he can wear to work, out at night, etc. Preferably something I can find in the mall or at a department store. Thanks!

I'm trying to find good websites that will give me all the pros and cons of both Jim Davis and Charlie Crist. I can't find anything. Anyone know of good websites, or can you give me some pros and cons? Don't just tell me who to vote for for no reason. And yes, I'm aware that I should think for myself.. just kinda desperate right now for some input!

The card I'm giving with my present says "Showers of wishes for your bundle of joy! Happy Baby shower". Should I just put the parents names on the envelope? Or also the baby's name. (They know what they'll be naming him) Any ideas for what I should say in the card? I guess I'm mostly wondering if I should be addressing just the parents, or the parents and the baby.

I find that hardly anyone in my city uses his or her turn signal. I personally feel it's a necessary and courteous aspect of driving. Please tell me reasons why you don't use yours, if you don't.

We're celebrating 2 of my friend's bdays tomorrow night, Jane and Meg. Meg picked the restaurant and Kelly and I are the other 2 people going. I am bringing gifts for both Jane and Meg, and they are both giving gifts to each other. I don't know if Kelly is giving either of them gifts, since she came to my birthday dinner empy handed. Since all these gifts are being exchanged, do Kelly and I have to pay for Jane and Meg's dinners too? It's not like we invited them out for dinner, Meg arranged it. Any advice is appreciated.