Not a good swirly

One of the reporters at my work is writing a story about a bullying incident.
This high school freshman was tied up, dragged into a bathroom stall and left there for a short period of time. There are all sorts of rumors of some really bad stuff happening to the kid while he was bound by hoodies, but the family denies those accounts.
Needless to say, many conversations have popped up in the news room about this incident and bullying in general.
A photographer asked if the kid got swirlied. A reporter says, "A what?"
Apparently a swirly is when the bully and/or bullies puts the kid's head in the toilet and flushes it. The photographer went on to give hand motions to show how the technique is performed and added in that a handicapped bathroom is better because of space issues.
Bullying completely and totally pisses me off.
I was never physically assaulted or even threatened as a kid, but I got my fair share of teasing and it was terrible and humiliating. But I can't imagine the fear of having my eyes covered, mouth gagged and hands bound behind my back by bullies. How terrifying!
And some of the online commenters on the newspaper website have had the nerve to defend the two dorks who did it saying they were just having fun.
If these two guys find this activity fun, I'm afraid of what they do to have a blast.
I'm glad that some girls told teachers and the boys got suspended. I'm glad that they got arrested. They need a harsh dose of reality. And the online commenters supporting the out-of-line juveniles need to realize that this type of behavior can lead to more heinous crimes in the future.
So there!

Weight and wine

I love wine.
I've given up beer and try not to drink the hard stuff too often. But wine. Oh wine. How I adore thee.

Despite my love affair with wine, I'm losing weight. This is not a fluke. Of course, I had surgery... but let me say. Surgery doesn't do it all. Surgery helps, yes. But I reached a plateau more than 20 lbs ago. And it's still possible to over eat, take in too many calories and sit on my butt. This behavior will have the same result that it always has... weight gain and possibly some self loathing.
I got on the scale this morning and was thrilled. 74 lbs.
Did you get that? I SAID 74 LBS!
I'm in disbelief. Today is my six month anniversary of my surgery. I have no regrets except possibly that I didn't do it sooner.
I want to keep on this trek. So many milestones are in sight, and I even bought a new (new to me) dress that I want to wear to Sarah's wedding. It doesn't fit yet... but it will. oh yes, it will.