Embarrassing questions

I'm a personal fan of anonymity when it comes to health care.

If I had my way, my doctor wouldn't know my name, what my face looks like or where I live. It would free me up to ask some potentially embarrassing (and probably kind-of dumb) questions.

When it comes to asking embarrassing questions, I think most people would adopt that same stance.

But since none of that happens in real life, I'm going to offer readers a one-in-a-million chance to ask those questions - anonymously, of course.

The plan is for me to compile all those anonymous embarrassing questions - for women, men, tweens, teens... just about everybody. Then I'll take them to area physicians and get them answered for the Health page.

To do that, though, I need your questions! They can be about anatomy, sex, noises, drooping, farts, discharges... just about anything! If you're too embarrassed to ask your doctor in person, I'll ask for you.

So send them in...
ONLINE: Post a comment to this blog anonymously.
ONLINE: Use the "Talk Back" feature on shelbystar.com. (It's just above the weather.)
E-MAIL: Send me an e-mail to emilykillian@shelbystar.com.
CALL ME: (704) 484-7000 x 122
MAIL: P.O. Box 48, Shelby, NC 28151
BRING YOUR QUESTION BY: 315 E. Graham St., Shelby

Remember: You have nothing to lose - I'll never mention your name and you'll get that burning question answered.

Transformers

Does anyone remember the Transformers cartoon or have any of the old action figures? We're trying to put together coverage for the upcoming movie and wanted to do a little vintage throwback... Leave info. in the comments section or send me an e-mail. Thanks!

In the meantime, here's a link to the movie's site.

Play this... play list

My sister sent me to a cool site for creating your custom playlist....

Here's mine for now... I'm sure it's bound to change soon.

The war just hit home

The paper normally goes to press around midnight. When it does, those of us who are here check over it one last time before it is delivered to homes and racks around the county.

For some reason, I noticed a story at the bottom of the very last page in the A section. It was a story relating to the Iraq war. I normally skip over those, but for some reason, I began reading the headline: "Roadside bomb kills Hickory man in Iraq."

I'm originally from Hickory, so I read on: "Army Spec. Darryl Wardlaw "Ward" Linder, 24, died Tuesday...."

I know this guy. A few months younger than me, we worked together for a while at a grocery store -- our first high school job. He was a sweetheart. Tall, kind of skinny, a regular guy with an easy smile. I remember him as someone who stood up for other people and for what he believed in -- he got in a fight once in the store's parking lot for that very reason.

I drive through Mountain View a couple times a month, and each time I do, I think to myself that I ought to look him up and see how he's doing.

I guess I should have done more than think about it...

Ward is survived by his father and mother and a 3-year-old son, according to the story.

I hope his son will be told every day for the rest of his life that his father was a great guy who is missed.

Here's a link to the original story.

On the map

Girls Club awards ceremony

The Girls Club YMCA held its annual awards ceremony last week. Here's a look at some of the girls who were given awards.

We need your help!

WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Lifestyles has a lot of stories planned for the next few weeks, many of which need input from you.

Although I'm not sure how much of it will work out, here's a look at what we have planned, along with various pleas for help.

1. We're trying to have more content on the Web, like video and audio recordings. If you see something in the section that you have video, etc. of, send it in to starlifestyles@shelbystar.com.
   
2. Hair products – what do you really need? When’s enough enough?
   We're also getting samples of products for people to try out. You interested in being on the panel? If so, leave me a note in the comments section.
3. A tall, cold glass of sweet tea - all about the favorite southern drink. How do you like your tea? Leave your notes in the comments section.
   
4. Sounds of summer - what songs do you think reflect summertime the best?
5. Modern wedding gifts - What have you given/received that was really clever?
6. Summer skincare
7. Summer menu changes around the county - Do you know of any places with summer menu items? Leave responses in the comments section.
   
8. Drivers Ed - How parents and students can deal with each other. Got any tips? Leave them in the comments section.
   
9. We need July 4 happenings.
10. Does your church use a unique way of delivering the message?
11. 200 years of marriage - how four siblings have made it an average of 50 years. Do you have any tips on staying married? Put them in the comments section.
12. We're also looking for someone to test out the Snoopy Sno-Cone maker. Any volunteers?
    

Harder than it seems

We tried the Sno-cones and realized why our parents didn't like the contraption... it's too darn hard to put together, as Graham demonstrates here.

Here's video of the experience.

Sno-cones!

When those of us in the newsroom get the chance to bring back a pleasant part of our childhoods, we jump on it. Such was the case when we found out the makers of the Snoopy Sno-cone machines were bringing them back.

We determined that most of the younger crowd had one - Joy Scott, The Star's interactive editor, reporter Cherish Wilson and I each had one.

Allison Flynn, the assistant lifestyles editor always wanted one, but her mother never would buy it.

So we contacted the company that makes them.

After a week's waiting, our Snoopy Sno-cone machines have arrived!

I called my mother at work and hassled her about the one I had as a kid. She wouldn't let us use it. She claims today that our ice cubes were too large to go through the grinding mechanism. Lame excuse, mom. (Just kidding) I suspect that it was really because the darn thing was so messy.

In either case, we're going to break this thing out!

Oh yeah, we got a second one to give away to a lucky Star reader. So, if you're interested in winning one for yourself (or your kids), use the following requirements:

Did you have a Snoopy Sno-cone Maker as a kid? Do you want your children to experience it?
Are you willing to share what you or your children think about the reissued machine? If so, send us a card or e-mail telling us about yours as a child or about how you wanted one. We’ll give one away so you can review it.

Remember to include your name and phone number with your reason.

E-mail: starlifestyles@shelbystar.com

Mail: P.O. Box 48, Shelby, NC 28151, attn: Lifestyles Sno-cone

Freedom communications associates and their families are not eligible to win.

Memorial Day

When I left The Star Friday afternoon, I wasn't particularly looking forward to Memorial Day weekend. I anticipated a lot of family drama...

But to my pleasant surprise, I had a fabulous time.

The weekend was filled with family dinners, meeting new people and learning a lot about what it's like for soldiers in Iraq.

My cousin who just came back from Iraq brought her new fiance with her for my aunt's wedding. Mandy (my cousin) is an Air Force nurse and her fiance is also in the Air Force. They're both a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to a lot more family get-togethers with the future cousin-in-law.

The two of them put together a slidewhow of pictures they took while they were in a hospital in Balad, Iraq. Highlights of that photo show include a thermometer that read 120 degrees in the shade, a giant scorpion made out of scrap metal, patients' before and after photos and pictures of what it's like to work in a tent hospital. It's fitting that we watched the show on Memorial Day.

I also had the chance to have a few brief, but frank talks with my little sister about her future job and future husband, and got to have a little fun with my littlest sister.

We also had two births while I was home. One was a new cousin, and the other was a horse. I'm not sure which is cuter...

Overall, a good time... I wouldn't mind doing that about every weekend...

Anyone else do anything for Memorial Day they'd like to share? Post it in the comments section.