She's holding her hands in some random position meant to be photogenic. Most likely neither she nor the photographer had the foggiest idea that this is a sign in ASL.

Guess what, deaf people, the world does not revolve around you. Most people do not sign.

This guy seriously needs to get a life.

You'd be hard pressed to find someone who dislikes this administration and the criminals who run it but to accuse the First Lady of "signing vagina" is just stupid silly. *If* that were the case, you'd have to demonstrate to me that she knows ASL before she "signed."
A damned silly distraction and a waste of Amy's time. Of course if you were a ruder person Amy, you'd have ashcanned the original e-mail and devil take the hindmost.

Sorry - insert "as much as I" after "run it" above.

So, what kind of drapes do you have? Do they retract side-to-side, or do they pull back with a holder thingy (don't know the term for it, after all, I'm a monkey!)? Are they flammable, or inflammable? Or is that the same thing? English is so hard for lower primates like me!

I was on Facebook for a while, and then dumped it. I guess if I were a writer I'd maintain a presence there out of business necessity, but the way my life is now I see no need for that kind of exposure.

My first serious* girlfriend got in touch with me on FB. She would only contact me through her work email, and was evasive when I asked if her husband knew about her getting in touch. It looked like a setup for an affair, and I chose to not do that. I gradually just stopped replying, and the messages stopped, although yesterday she sent me a powerpoint show (do you have any idea how long it takes to download a powerpoint show?!) which I won't be acknowledging.

If someone sent me a message on FB that started with the insinuation that I was incontinent, I'd have bundled myself off to bed with nary a thought as to my email reply responsibilities.

* The first woman with whom I had sex like frustrated minks.

Yup - time to stop engaging with people like him who 'came here for an argument'. Tell em to stop and then stop interacting indeed - rather like a stalker.

On the subject of "too nice guys..." Amy, grow a pair. I realize that's impractical, but seriously...your first response could have simply said that you weren't interested in this topic, and that you wouldn't be responding to anything further on the subject.

Then, keep your word and ignore any future missives on the subject. It takes two to have a discussion, Amy, and you held up your end. Don't complain to us about it, because you didn't nip this in the bud.

Big vagina? Huge vagina! Gigantic!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfHqv8YAA9w

I merely post links to some blog items from here there,

Then you're missing out on the true essence of Facebook, knowing what your second cousin twice removed is heating a Lean Cuisine for dinner or that your best friend from elementary school is glad it's Friday (or was putting on his shoes and wanted to remind everyone that toes go in first).

==============================

I just got an e-mail at my work e-mail address with this as the opening line: "Could you refer me to the person who runs email marketing for [my company]?"

No "hi" or "let me introduce myself."

In the second (and last) sentence of the e-mail, the sender went on to state that her company has a new product that makes it easy to get data on e-mail addresses and that "it would make sense for [her] to speak with someone at [my company]."

So this what modern cold call sales has come down to? Spamming random people to do your research for you?

Why don't I just do your product pitch for you as well? That way you won't have to get off the sofa and actually do something.

Actually, I've used Facebook to help people and to get help, and it's pretty cool to do that. I got Scott Barry Kaufman an apartment for his sabbatical using Facebook and hitting up my friends in a post. And I just messaged a writer to see if she knows anyone at Pravda -- need the op-ed editor's name/email. She's boarding a plane to Instanbul but says to email her in 24 hours. Pretty damn cool.

(I don't personally, in-person, know this woman -- I just read and respect her work, and sometimes link to it here.)

Unfortunately, Conan is correct about the essence of Facebook...friends bombard you with the minutia of their lives...whether you like it or not. And if you don't, your options are 1) endure, or 2) commit the devastating insult of "unfriending" them.

Almost all of my "friends" posts are hidden on my facebook feed. That button is the best ever.

So we've got two examples today of someone intentionally mis-stating what someone that they don't like said. Amy, have you ever thought about a book concerning rudeness in politics? You wouldn't be short of material.

I'm with Patrick on this one. Just don't answer and don't worry about it. I have a couple of friends who text me then call half an hour later. Duh, if I didn't have time to answer before, what makes you think I do now?

If I send you the occasional email, I don't expect a response. If you're not interested, you're not. Doesn't worry me.

I *hate* Facebook.

At least a lot of people liked the photo, though. Can't say I liked hearing a couple of co-workers in the next cubicle today having an explicit conversation about one of them having her vagina photographed during childbirth. What's the sign for "wildly inappropriate"?

"Yuckorama!"

I'm still laughing. Thanks, Amy!

The Y sign is handy for covering your eyes and plugging your ears, too.

Goodness. Can't believe people email you this garbage. Also can't believe that he just couldn't stop. I've felt some fear that I've been annoying the two or three times I've emailed you a question about writing, or an article, but I've stopped after perhaps a "thank you" second email at most....there's one exception, but that had to do with a correspondence with that idiot site Jezebel...and I know I stopped as soon as it was appropriate and the subject was finished.

And I'm not looking for approval or reassurance. Don't bother, I understand to the extent that I can (not knowing you personally) how incredibly busy you must be. I just wanted to express my sympathy and support regarding such an annoyance.