I ASK YOU TALK: Elvis Impersonators talk health care

This past week, I was able to see some of the best Elvis impersonators in Dallas sing their hearts out for a grand prize of $1,000. It was a great night in Oak Cliff - extreme swooning from ladies who love Elvis, large ectoplasm green margaritas, and a whole lot of sequins. Not to mention a semi-creepy electronic "Bust of Elvis" that was up for raffle. Oh, and did you know that Elvis died with 60 lbs of poop in his intestines?

The performances were extremely passionate - almost as passionate as the town hall meetings that are occuring around the country about health care. So I asked some of the Elvi, as well as some attractive Dallas professionals at happy hour, some important questions about their health.

Name: Roger

What was the worst illness or injury you've had? Pneumonia when I was little.

What is your medication of choice? Antibiotics, especially Z-pac. I had bronchitis recently.

Do you have health insurance? Yes.

Name: Aaron
What was the worst illness or injury you've had? Busting my chin open in a fight over a girl.
What is your medication of choice? Tums - I take them all the time.

Do you have health insurance? No.

Name: Danny
What was the worst illness or injury you've had? A boxer's fracture - I had a fight with the wall. It took 5 weeks to heal.

What is your medication of choice? Adaptex - it's an appetite suppressant and I take it once a day. I'm not into hardcore drugs.

Do you have health insurance? Yes.

Name: Katy
What was the worst illness or injury you've had? 1. C-section - knocked me on my ass for weeks. 2. Freshman year in college - the doctor misdiagnosed me as having strep throat, but it was really tonsilitis.

What is your medication of choice? Alka Seltzer - for so many things - sore throat, upset stomach, hangover!
Do you have health insurance? Yes.

Name: Scott
What was the worst illness or injury you've had? Arthroscopic surgery on my ankle. It was a basketball injury.

What is your medication of choice? Mushrooms, under the right circumstances.

Do you have health insurance? Yes. Thanks to the government, my COBRA is now being subsidized!

Name: Bobby
What was the worst illness or injury you've had? I broke my ankle wrestling in high school. I was in the 108 lb weight class sophomore year, 135 lb weight class senior year.

What is your medication of choice? Vodka.

Do you have health insurance? Yes.

Name: Michael
What was the worst illness or injury you've had? Last year, I fell down the stairs and cracked my head. I got three staples, a major concussion and minor brain trauma.

What is your medication of choice? Vicodin. It makes me relax.

Do you have health insurance? Yes.

Luckily, the worst illness I had involved a tainted chicken pizza from UNOS and some puking at a hipster club and on subway later that night. It was more embarrassing than anything.

Post your worst illness/injury or medication of choice here.

I ASK YOU TALK: Looking Sexy When It's 105 Degrees Out

Having grown up with the nickname *Sweaty Betty*, I desperately fear summers in Dallas because of the frequency of 100+ degree days. Between the months of May and September, it's not uncommon to see me wearing a big ol' sweat mustache.

How does a girl (or anyone, for that matter) stay even remotely cute when it's 105 degrees out?! I asked the advice of some moviegoers/workers/organizers at the Magnolia Theater, where I volunteered for the Asian Film Festival of Dallas this weekend.



Name: Josh
Years in Dallas: 24 years
On a scale from 1-10 (10 being the max), how sweaty do you get? 7 or 8 - I'm above average sweaty.
How do you stay sexy when sweaty? To stay refreshed, I take showers. I love wearing dark clothes, which isn't good for the summer, so it's tough.
What is your favorite icy treat? Bubble tea!

Name: Nguyen
Years in Dallas: 4 hours (visiting from the Bay Area- holla!)
On a scale from 1-10 (10 being the max), how sweaty do you get? 7 - heavy, but not a 10.

How do you stay sexy when sweaty? I just work the glisten! It's 2009 so matte is out, glow is in.

What is your favorite icy treat? Frozen yogurt from the Pinkberry in Soho. It's the original and has the best customer service, bar none.

Name: Alicia

Years in Dallas: 23 years

On a scale from 1-10 (10 being the max), how sweaty do you get? 6. I'm fairly sweaty, especially when I play tennis.

How do you stay sexy when sweaty? [laughs] Multiple wardrobe changes, showers and good deoderant.
What is your favorite icy treat? Bubble tea.

Name: David

Years in Dallas: 10 years

On a scale from 1-10 (10 being the max), how sweaty do you get? 10! I'm a big guy and I work out a lot, so I get very sweaty. My clothes are always drenched. I can't stand it.

How do you stay sexy when sweaty? I strategically plan my wardrobe - you don't want to wear long sleeves when it's this hot. I minimize my time outdoors.

What is your favorite icy treat? Vodka tonic, with extra lime (ed. note: a man after my own heart!)

Name: Shawn

Years in Dallas: 24 years

On a scale from 1-10 (10 being the max), how sweaty do you get? 10! I get so hot I could cook an egg on my chest.

How do you stay sexy when sweaty? I try to find an air vent and stand on top of it, a la Marilyn Monroe. I also carry a hankerchief.

What is your favorite icy treat? Natsumi's sorbet [plug for a sponsor of the AFFD]. I'm a vegan and sorbet is strictly fruit.

Name: Angie
Years in Dallas: 38 years
On a scale from 1-10 (10 being the max), how sweaty do you get? 7. I'm moderately sweaty.

How do you stay sexy when sweaty? A lot of blotting. Also, wearing things that are cool and catch the breeze. No black because it soaks up heat.

What is your favorite icy treat? Grande green tea lemonade with mango from Starbucks.

When it's 105 degrees out, I don't think any amount of wardrobe preparation will keep me from looking like sweaty pile of poop! But I definitely say yes to the vodka tonic.