Are we all having sympathetic anger, hurt, lost, etc. proxy pains with Gwen? Hey Gwen, do ya need us? I bet she does but is too exhausted to answer. Damn, I have to think of something creative at 2:00AM. OK, I have a unique sense of humor. Do you think my car will be vandelized? I put a "Evolve" fish with legs on the back of my car chasing after a fish that has "'N CHIPS" written inside. What kind of public statements, if any, do you make?

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2001

Answers

Vicki, Depends on where you are. If I had that fish n' chips one (and please tell me where you got it!), I'd probably be kidnapped and hustled into one of the 300 bible studies per week at the Hideously BIG Baptist Church that is just 2 blocks from where I live.

About the only public political/religious/whatever statements I make are to Spay/Neuter your pets. I don't put anything on my car, except my Arkansas Razorbacks license plate holder which seems to stick in the craw of most of the UT students I pass daily. (hello, SWC dissolved YEARS ago, people, let's move on). So, that's it: Pets and Pigs. I'm a real rebel-rouser..

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2001

I wear my pajamas down to the grocery store that's in my building. Is this a public statement? Or maybe I just think it's funny. Or maybe I just feel like adding something but can't think of anything better. :)

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2001

I have a "Trees are the Answer" bumper sticker, which I'm pretty sure actually conveys the wrong message to people who are preservationists. My almost-husband is a forester. The national forests were designated as lands to provide wood for our country. Cutting down trees is not always an evil. Logging old growth is bad and should be avoided at all costs, but some trees *should* be cut down, especially when it is best for the health of the forest.

We are conservationists. We try to limit our use of limited resources, and we reuse and replenish whenever possible.

I also have a Patagonia sticker and a bunch of Beatles "Yellow Submarine" stickers. Not very political. My man has a Boycott Jane Fonda: American Traitor (or something like that) bumpersticker, but it's not actually stuck to anything. I think it's funny to have, but not to show to company, you know?

I bet your car will be fine, and I also bet you'll have plenty of people pulling up close to your rear to check it out with quizzical looks on their faces. I think it's hilarious! Maybe we have evolved from hunter/gatherers into lazy bastards who are only willing to gather pub food. If I see that combo of stickers, though, I'll honk and yell "Gwentown Rocks" and you'll know it's me!

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2001

I don't have a car, so that option is out for me.

Robyn, do you know anything about the trees they cut down for the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in NYC every year? It sounds like you or your husband might be a good person to ask. I've always wondered why it is okay/celebrated to kill a tree every year for this.

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2001

I'm not a fan of cutting down trees just for the sake of cutting them down, so the whole Christmas tradition bothers me. However, if you look around, you can by "balled" trees. The roots are wound up in a ball and after xmas, you can plant the tree. I think they are more expensive, but totally worth it! And what a beautiful thing to show your future grandchildren.

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2001

But aren't they grown for the very purpose of cutting them down? I'm not saying it's okay either way, I just always thought that they wouldn't even be grown if they weren't going to be cut down for Christmas.

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2001

I wear my pajamas to the cafe in my building sometimes too. But only if I'm wearing the kind with pants. If I'm wearing a nighty I won't. But I will wear a nighty under a bathrobe to get the paper.

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2001

Hm, public statements? I have one bumper sticker on my car. It's a solid white Apple logo sticker about the size of my fist. It's not on the bumper, but about halfway up the right side of the back of my station wagon, fairly prominent. I consider it a statement, albeit mild. Other stickers I have or shirts I wear or whatever may sometimes advocate a brand or mascot or sports team or something silly that I like, but they don't really make "statements," you know?

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2001

They probably are grown just to be sold as xmas trees, and lots of times a plot of those trees are considered an investment, like a college fund. But if I can get one with the roots and replant it, I would rather do that. They've still made their money, and I don't feel wasteful.

I would not criticizing anyone who does buy a tree and does not replant or use it for something. I don't notice any shortage of fir trees, and besides, buying that tree and decorating it in your home helps each tree fulfill it's Christmas destiny.

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2001

My husband's family had a Christmas tree farm. At first they were going to try to make money from it, but a while ago sparks from a passing train (the farm was by train tracks) caused a big fire so they decided to use the remaining trees for themselves. Last year was the first year we didn't go up and cut down a tree, but some family members still seem to find nice trees. There are a number of saplings up there, probably from seeds that fell from the trees around there. Maybe in a few years we can go back and get more Christmas trees there.

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2001

I've been thinking a lot about Gwen and wishing her well. I suppose it has made me a little more inactive. Talking about action figures or candy just doesn't seem...'right' (for me).

I used to have bumperstickers on my car, but when it died and I got the current one, I didn't bother to decorate it. It feels temporary and I don't love it like I loved th eother little car. It knows this, too, and we have a truce rather than anything else. ;)

The best car decorating I know of is a friend of mine who has a vintage hearse that was painted by 15-20 of her best friends one Hallowe'en at a warehouse party. She covered the graffiti and artwork with several layers of clear, then a layer of clear with glitter mixed in, and her hearse is a sight to behold. People's mouths drop open. She is followed, honked at and waved to all the time. She says that whenever she is in a bad mood, being in her hearse and seeing people react to it always makes her feel "warm and fuzzy" and happy.

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2001

We use to have the Jane Fonda bumper sticker on our car, but somebody stole it. At Burbanks (a popular rib joint - the original one) in Cincinnati they use to have a picture of her in a target in the men's urinal (my husband and brother told me about that, I did not see it for myself).

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2001

this is a little OT, but my uncle has a large collection of anti-Jane Fonda stuff that takes up 1/2 of his basement. (he was a pilot in the Vietnam War). When I first saw it, I was 10 and I thought he just really hated aerobics.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2001

"Thought he just really hated aerobics." Hee!

I don't know, Milla. I think Gwen would want us discussing action figures and other things. It's an indication of our faith that soon things will be better for her. Or something.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2001

Gwen is not alone...almost all my friends (and myself a little bit) are going through some very weird shit right now. Is it the full moon in Leo or are we all just very dramatic?

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2001

I think we all have a little drama in us.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2001

"Just thought he hated aerobics." Heheheh. You're precious, Gardana. I used to have a bumper sticker that said "Eat mo' possum" but my wife thought it meant something vulgar and razored it off. (I don't know what it meant - I just thought it had a certain panache.) Years ago I had one that said "SUPPORT THE ARTS - Sleep with a Writer" but I sold the truck. I'm in the redneck part of the word where a person's whole philosophy is often summed up in a bumpersticker. Mine is: "CAUTION: Driver only carries $20 worth of ammo." I like the one that says: SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH (or I'll kill you.)

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2001

Actually, I'm okay, y'all. I just like to complain. You know.

I never buy bumper stickers or anything like that. I guess my website is the only venue I use for expressing my views.

Well -- that and my big mouth.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2001

Personally, I think the best bumper sticker I've ever seen has to be: "What if the Hokey-Pokey IS what it's all about?"

-- Anonymous, February 10, 2001

stumbling across this forum, i thought i might add something to this bumper sticker discussion. years ago i had a friend named doug who was kinda goofy or "wacky" or whatever you may call it...but the point is- he used to cover his car with all this crazy junk, and once he cut up one of those stupid "STAY OFF DRUGS" bumper stickers that they give to little kids (despite the fact that most grade school kids can't drive....) and made it say "stay on doug"...i just thought that was funny...but maybe you just have to know the guy...he's a nut...

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001

My favorite has always been:

Witches Parking Only. All others will be toad

It always makes me laugh. I have a little sticker on my beer mug that says "I Hate Everybody". I carry it to the weekly revolving party that we go to.

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001

my bumper sticker says "Jesus is coming, look busy" which strikes me as very funny, but offends some of my neighbors. I don't like to be sacrilegious, but I do like to make people think.

Why are folks worried about Gwen? Every thing I read by her makes me wish I knew her personally, so I could tell her I was proud of her. Strong and funny and smart and brave. And, now, with a bad-ass bod to boot. Who could want more?

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001

We're not really "worried about Gwen--it would be more accurate to say that we were feeling empathetic. :) Gwen's a strong woman and doing very well for herself, and her attitude has been excellent, but everyone has a bad day once in a while. Personally, I have every confidence that she will triumph over any adversities and / or challenges. She's just had a bit more on her plate than is really fair lately, that's all. I'll gladly second your Gwen compliments, too. :)

(Vicki, the "N CHIPS" fish just cracks me up whenever I read your header post. I thought I'd seen every variation on the Jesusfish theme, but apparently not. :) That's a stitch.)

-- Anonymous, February 12, 2001

The big thing in CA was taking an In-n-Out Burger sticker and making it say In-n-Out Urge. I'm sure kids are still doing that.

-- Anonymous, February 12, 2001

Susan I would LOVE to have that hokey pokey sticker...haha!!! I have a little 1950's go go girl on the back window... I'm putting an Eddie Izzard sticker up as soon as I make one.

-- Anonymous, February 12, 2001

i have a floosie on bord stiker on my car. my freind made it for me. guyz all ways honk at me. i dont no why its not that funny

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2001

Floosie-that's awesome, did you have it made?? Email me, I'd love to have a "Luchina on board" sticker.

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2001

Shelly, In n Out stopped giving out or even making the In n Out Urge stickers because it was offensive to some old prude in San Fernando or Glendale or someplace. Damn her. It was way cool to have. I saw a sticker the other day on a warzonemobile that said," This duds for you". It was a crackup. The guy didn't even look "that" bright. Are you in SoCal by the way? Me and Vthon are trying to get all the CalGals n Guys together for some serious Gwenning. Where are you? James

-- Anonymous, February 17, 2001

No, I don't live there anymore. I am a card carrying Texan now. I haven't lived in So. Cal since 1993. My parents live in San Juan Capistrano.

-- Anonymous, February 17, 2001

The "In-N-Out" burger folks (family) probably pulled the bumperstickers themselves. They are so far to the right, they could make John Ashcroft look loose and liberal. I think their letterhead even has a statement like "The American Way is God's Way" or some such thing. .

-- Anonymous, February 19, 2001

Didn't the owner die in a plane crash a few years ago? Is it still owned by the same family?

-- Anonymous, February 19, 2001