Blistex Medex in the blue pot/tube!

For very extreme cases, it’s the only thing that sinks in and works!

C in Toronto

Dear C,

Thanks!Many other readers also suggested Blistex Lip Medex.Other lip-balm suggestions appear below; if I got it more than once, it’s asterisked.

C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Shine/Tint*
Neosporin LT*
Smith’s Rosebud Salve*
Bag Balm*
Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm*
Burt’s Bees Lifeguard’s Choice*
Neutrogena Lip Moisturizer with SPF 15*
Chop Saver
Carmex*
Aveeno lip conditioner*
Famous original Vaseline*
SoftLips*
Vaseline Lip Therapy*
Un-petroleum
Alba TerraTints
Rimmel lip-plumping gloss
Lush Honey Trap*
Bonne Bell Lip Smackers, especially the Dr Pepper flavor*
Labello’s Hydrocare*
Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1*
Chapstick All Natural*
Neutrogena Moisture Shine
Badger lip balm*
Aquaphor*
The Lip Scrub
Mode de Vie shea butter lip balm*
Philosophy’s Kiss Me*
Whole Foods lip balm
Lansinoh/other lanolin brands*
Trader Joe’s lip balm
Chapstick SPF 15
Mad Gabs body balms
Body Shop hemp lip protector*
Paula’s Choice Lip & Body Treatment Balm
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Vitamin E Swivel Stick*
Alba Botanica SUN
Mary Kay Satin Lips
Kiehl’s Lip Balm SPF 15
Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer*
Qtica Intense Lip Repair Balm
Intense Therapy Lip Balm from Jack Black
Blistex Complete Moisture*
Nanak’s Lip Smoothee
Elizabeth Arden 8-Hour Cream Lip Protectant*
Elizabeth Arden 8-Hour Cream*
Kiehl’s Baby Lip Balm
Neutrogena Norwegian Hand Cream*
SudsMuffin
Aveda Lip Saver*
Mary Kay Extra Emollient Night Cream
Avon Moisture Therapy SPF 15
Lush’s Whip Stick*
C.O. Bigelow’s My Favorite Lip Balm
Avalon Organics Vitamin C lip balm
Weleda Everon Lip Balm
Gap Peppermint Lip Balm
Vichy’s Nutrilogie Intensive Care
Juice Beauty Lip Plumper
Bath & Body Works Wet Your Whistle
Lucas Pawpaw ointment
Original Nivea Creme
Neutrogena Overnight Lip Balm
Blistex DCT*
Neutrogena Lip Boost
Natural Ice Medicated Lip Protectant with SPF 15
Stiff Upper Lip, Pretty Baby Herbal Soap Company
Vaseline Intensive Care lotion
Forever Living Aloe Lips
Avon Dew Kiss
Kiss My Face lip balm
Hempz Herbal Lip Balm
MAC tinted lip conditioner*

Don’t use medicated products; they exacerbate the problem
Don’t moisten your lips with your tongue*
Try products specifically aimed at diabetics
Exfoliate lips with a washcloth or dry toothbrush, then apply a thick layer of beeswax
Stay hydrated*
Look for balms that don’t list petroleum or petrolatum as ingredients*
Puncture a Vitamin E capsule and use the filling

Sars,

My family has always been horrible (think emotionally and physically abusive), so four years ago I decided that after moving away I would cease all communication with them and even go so far as to change my name and not give them my new address. This might seem extreme, but I guess you’ll have to take my word for how necessary it is.

The thing is, I figure that even after doing this, my past is going to come up once in a while. My question is, what do I do in situations where people ask me questions (even harmless getting-to-know-you things) about my family, et cetera? Do I tell white lies? Or should I just give terse responses? I don’t want to live a lie, but I’d really not have someone wonder about me or think I’m being shifty. Maybe I’m just being paranoid, but any advice you could give me would be great.

Thanks,
P

Dear P,

You don’t have to make a big deal about it; just say that you’re no longer in touch with your family, and change the subject so it’s clear you don’t welcome further discussion.In a small-talk situation, you aren’t required to get into the reasons or the details; that talk isn’t small.

Practice a matter-of-fact tone, and get some alternate topics ready to go; if your conversation partner presses, say you’d prefer not to get into details, and change the subject again.

Hi, Sars:

I’m a tech writer (but very new to the job), and I’ve
been reviewing/revising quite a bit of
mediocre-to-awful writing. One thing in particular has
been vexing me: the use of the word “leverage” in a
manner contrary to its definition. An example: “We can
leverage this knowledge to bring more business to our
company.” “Leverage” is really popular with the people
at this company; I’m finding it in nearly every
document. And lately, I’ve heard it in other circles
as well…I’m becoming a bit unsettled.

Your thoughts about “leverage”? Is it correct and I’m
clueless? Is this something I should simply accept so
that I can focus on bigger problems, like subject-verb
agreement? I’ve consulted my Garner, but he wasn’t
much help with this.

Thanks,
Next, they’ll tell me how “empowered” they feel

Dear Empowered,

According to the 11C, it’s correct; the transitive verb is the second definition listed, but there isn’t a note as to whether it’s preferred, and it entered the language in 1957, so I’d say it’s accepted usage at this point.

I use “to leverage” frequently myself, and my personal feeling is that, while it’s somewhat like obnoxious business-speak coinages like “monetize” and “liaise,” it’s also a couple of generations old and therefore allowed in 2006.

[11/14/06]

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