MadDog

One of the goals I've set for myself is to travel to Australia before I turn 30. Knocking on 28 right now, and so it's time to get everything set in motion.

I'm going to aim for Feb/Mar 2009. I plan to go along the Boomerang Coast... Sydney, Melbourne... may start at Brisbane. I've a few friends there.

Any must-sees along the way? I've never been out-of-country before. Do I need any vaccinations? How long does it take to get the visa cleared, and how much does the visa cost?

I wish I could tell you... how often I see this in answers to questions with male rats being housed together. As soon as there's any question of rats squabbling, or even if someone just mentions housing rats together, the responses invariably are calls to separate them.

So I must ask, those of you who answer the male rat question this way: why do you think this? What experience have you had that will generalize that solution?

Maybe someone will surprise me, but let me tell you what I know and have learned about housing male rats. Male rats can get along just fine in a cage together, as long as they are introduced slowly, preferably with some contact in neutral territory outside the cage... and when the rats have an ample-sized cage with enough food at all times.

If you have male rats that fought, they were introduced too fast, the cage was too small, the food wasn't plentiful enough, or you have that occasional rogue rat that just doesn't do well with others. (add-on coming)

Hey folks. I just started a trial for WoW (only what, 4 years slow, right?), and I'm going to be playing an orc hunter. What skills would you recommend learning? Also, what beasts/pets would you recommend? Do they have rats, wolves, bears? Any other tips you can think of?

Yes. I'm that new.

I know, such a cheery question.

But I was looking for a quote for something I'm writing and I'm trying to find one that's funny. I know there're a lot out there.

Basically, what I'm looking for is something similar to... well, to quote the one I can think of off the top of my head from the Disney film Mulan...

"I'm gonna hit you so hard, it'll make your ancestors dizzy."

Similar formula, having to do with beating someone up so thoroughly that [insert funny consequence here].

Most humorous in my humble opinion gets the 10.

I find myself returning to the vet's every month or so to get more Baytril for my rat who has myco flareups. Now, I was given a lot of Zithromax and told I could freeze it to use later. Can I do the same with Baytril the next time I get some?

Seems like this is going to be a lifelong thing with Splinter, he always did have the weakest immune system of the brothers.

Help appreciated.

Perhaps it's because people don't know what to say, but this really bothers me because it seems to be what a lot... too many... people fall back on when paying their respects. It feels meaningless and hollow.

It could also be that whenever you see a story in the press about death, the quote comes up.

What do you usually say when someone passes on and you want to extend your sympathies?

My friend and I were going to look into teaching English as a second language overseas. She'd like to do so in Japan, as would I, although I would certainly consider other countries.

I've heard they pay for your accomodations. How much do they pay? Do you usually have free time to sightsee, meet with friends?

What about pets? I have ferrets and rats. Would this be a problem for, say, Japan or China if I went to teach? What special clearances would I need for the animals?

I realize I just threw a lot of questions at you, but whatever help you can offer is greatly appreciated. Please - if you don't know, don't guess.

I own three male rats, one of which is much much fatter than the other two. He gets the same diet and exercise, and his brothers are pretty much the proper weight. Obesity gene, glutton for food? Hard to tell. Anyway.

I noticed today he was holding one of his hind feet close to his body. It looks a bit swollen. There's no redness or unusual color. It's not bumped or blistered or anything. It doesn't seem to hurt him when I examine it or even flex it a bit. I don't think it's bumblefoot.

Before I take him to the vet's on Monday, those of you who know rats well... any ideas what could be wrong? A sprain, perhaps? Anything else that would cause his leg to puff up and cause him to avoid using it?

He's 21 months, btw.

Yahoo has changed its pages recently. I used to be able to click on most programs and get a summary of the episode. Now, the programs don't have a highlighted link to do that where they did before.

(The one I'm looking for specifically in case anyone felt like looking is Timon and Pumbaa, on Disney Channel at 2:30am. It used to give the episode titles... now it doesn't.)

I had a 3.51 and very good GREs. I'm looking to pursue a Master's in Social Work at UCONN.

Money remains the daunting factor to me. I'm still handling debt from my bachelor's and I want to minimize cost as much as possible.

I had the misfortune of fishtailing on an icy road last winter and scraped the front of my car on a guardrail. What I didn't realize until a few months later is that it scraped my front license plate holder and plate off.

Am I breaking a law by driving without it? I still have my back license plate.