Life Sherpa: Just testing the ol' system, folks. Be back at noon.

Life Sherpa: Here we go again, chatting on-line. Ain't technology grand? Since we last chatted two weeks ago, some interesting things have transpired. The Boston Red Sox failed to make the World Series, Sarah Palin appeared on Saturday Night Live and, sadly, Levi Stubbs of the Four Tops passed away. (His rendition of "Baby, I Need Your Lovin' is a classic, a standard). RIP, sir.
Like they say, you have to take the good with the bad.
Another piece of good news: My trivia column returns to the P-D tomorrow in the Everyday section, and on-line of course. So for those who enjoy that sort of thing, have fun. And don't foget to tell your trivial friends about it.
And feel free to shoot any question that happens to cross your mind, within the bounds of marginally good taste.
But enough of all that, let's move on to the first question .....

Wonderous: With all that is going on in the world and all of the staff reduction in the Post-Dispatch, how can you put this as a link on your homepage?

Amazing.

Life Sherpa: Gosh Wondrous, sounds like you're a big fan of the Life Sherpa !!
Maybe, just maybe, with all of the serious stuff going on in the world, a little humor might come as a welcome respite from the tension. But that's just me. It's possible that most people just want to be serious and depressed all the time. Sounds like a blast.
By the way, I looked at the home page and found more than enough "stuff going on in the world" stories for you to fret about.

Enjoy !!

stacey: I work in a small office, around 15 people, and although we are in a good size space I tend to get annoyed by all the loud talkers and people who constantly stop and socialize outside my desk. As with many others I continue on and try to re-direct my attention to the task at hand. The reason I am looking for help is because one person in particular has a chronic cough, and its commonly phlemy in sound. This person smokes ALOT and insists the cough is from a cold that they had months ago. How do I say something, like in one of your fits could you please go to the restroom and clear it out? btw, I am not the only one who has issues, because co-workers joke about it in the breakroom.

Life Sherpa: Maybe you and your office mates could chip in and buy Mr. or Ms. Phlegmy a box of Nicorette.
If office policy allows, put on the ol' iPod or disc player and drown out the rumblings.
Otherwise, it seems like you are in the uncomfortable position of mentioning the problem directly to him (or her).
In the extreme, conisder that if this person smokes A LOT, you won't have to put up with the problem for very long.

tony: I wish I could vote for you but your refusal to name a VP candidate makes me suspicious. What if you drank yourself to death after a particularly disappointing Rams season? What if Albert Pujols lined one down the third base line into your noggin? We, Joe Public, have a right to know who would take the reigns of power and dispense Sherpaness to the masses. Let me offer a few suggestions for your consideration: those two dudes from Milli Vanilla, proven liars therefore qualified to govern; Tea Leoni, couldn't live with a sex addict but you're no Bill Clinton; Sarah Silverman, because she's Sarah Silverman; James Coburn, sure he's technically dead but most Americans wouldn't know that and he is ultra cool.

Life Sherpa: James Coburn was ultra-cool. But I checked the Constitution and dead people, indeed, do not qualify. if they did, I have a few folks I'd pick ahead of Coburn: Steve McQueen, Humphrey Bogart, Abraham Lincoln and Mother Teresa (who could vote again her?)
I'd love to run with Sarah Silverman, but most hardcore political junkies lost their senses of humor years ago and wouldn't understand her jokes.
Thanks for saying I'm "no Bill Clinton." Personally, I never cared for women with big hair and I'm guessing that Hillary and I wouldn't last very long.
We do understand your need for me to name a VP. I'm giivng it some serious thought and will likely make my announcement in my column on Oct. 28.