Now that everybody who is anybody has been told, I guess it’s all right to mention that KS is with child, which means that there is a little Rusty on the way. Well, at least I’m hoping it’s a little Rusty, KS, of course, is hoping for a mini version of herself to dress up in tutus and little frilly things. I’m hoping for a hockey player. The semi-official due date is Aug. 27, so she and I have a lot of work to do between now and then. And no, since everybody has been asking, there isn’t a shotgun wedding planned any time soon. Thankfully, KS’ father doesn’t own a firearm.

In any case, nervousness and, let’s be honest, sheer terror, have given way to excitement. KS and I are really, well, excited (for lack of a better word). We know we have a big task ahead of us, but we’re in it together. To be honest, I can’t imagine anyone else I’d rather be here with.

Me, KS and my new father-in-law

All right, enough of the mushy stuff, back to being my normal self. I have like 849 videos to share with you, as well as some stories and links. Turn down the volume on your computer if you’re at work, while not horribly objectionable, they still may be a little NSFW.

First, the stories…

I found this this story from the BBC about a study that claims Nigerian sex workers who regularly washed their, ummm, well, what they use to earn a living, were more susceptible to HIV. The study claims that women who washed with soap were four times more at risk, while those who washed simply with water were three times more likely to contract the disease.

The doctors believe that the vigorous washing may cause inflammation, which is a fine enough theory in and of itself. I believe, however, that a different conclusion can be drawn from this study. Imagine, if you will, that it’s cold and flu season, and you’re at the grocery store. Being a germophobe, you’re worried that by touching things that other shoppers have already touched, you could catch the flu. Walking through the produce section, you decide to get some oranges, after all, vitamin C helps fight off colds. Anyway, you walk up to the counter and you see two crates sitting there. To your left is a crate of beautiful, shiny oranges, while to your right is a crate of dull oranges with a kind of greenish, dullish hue to them. From which, do you think, you are more likely to catch germs when you start feeling your way around in the box (of oranges)?

The answer, of course, is the polished, clean oranges, because if given a choice, everybody is going to choose clean, well kept fruit. That means, of course, that there have been more hands in that box feeling around before you, hence more chance of some kind of virus being passed on. Look at that, I got through an explanation of a story about Nigerian sex workers without once saying the word vagina. Ooops.

I know I promised some thoughts on the religious right last week, but I’m still working up the anger that those people deserve. Until then, satiate your thirst for news about religious zealots bonking people over the head with their Bibles with this story about a Virginia state lawmaker who wants to make it illegal for single women (read: lesbians) to be impregnated through artificial insemination. At what point will people in this country decide that they’re sick of choking on the Bible that these wackos keep trying to shove down our throats?