((((Betsy)))) Egad.

Gud, I've checked. Labor law (FSLA) has an explicit exemption written into it for computer professionals. Even if you're paying a computer professional by the hour, you don't have to pay time-and-a-half.

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Sorry vw, I was in the bathroom with Kara. She's having FAR fewer accidents (none so far today!), but we're spending a lot of bonding time in the bathroom.

Labor law (FSLA) has an explicit exemption written into it for computer professionals.

That sucks.

Oh, it's totally ok. I figured it was something like that or you were taking a nap. I just laughed when I hung up the phone and realized that I'd said, "Hi, Deena. It's me" like I'd be the only person in the world calling you.

Why do I suspect racism on the part of the people who passed that computer employee law? Such. A. Cynic.

So glad there is good news about your nephew, sj!

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Ok, if they could have reattached the finger and couldn't because of the guy who found it, the guy who lost the finger in the first place should totally sue his ass.

sj, great news about James!

Betsy, that is Teh Suck.

I visited Big!Boss in the hospital this afternoon. It's hard to say that he "looks good," but I suppose for someone in his condition, he really does. But he's very jaundiced -- that freaked me out more than anything -- and he's lost *so* much weight, he looks so frail. And, while the hole from his trach tube *is* healing, it isn't totally healed yet, so he still can't talk above a raspy whisper.

He was all snuggled up in blankets such that his amputation wasn't really obvious, but once you know, you know.

And yet -- he was in great spirits, he was so happy to see us, he was cracking jokes and asking how *we* were and how everything was going back at the office, and asking if *we* had any prayer requests for him (he said "I have a lot of free time these days, so I pray a LOT,").

I didn't cry when I was there, but I suspect that I will when I get home. I can feel it, just behind my eyes, you know? Ready to burst.

And I have to give him credit on the fundie thing -- while we were there, 2 people from his church came to visit, and so we were all chatting, like you do, and Church!Guy said to Big!Boss that he was lucky to have such caring employees. Big!Boss said, "Well, they're excellent workers, AND they're Christians, and their prayers got me back home." (Which I have *no* problem with him saying, because I *did* pray hard for him.)

Church!Guy turns to us -- but to ME first -- and says, "Oh? What church do you go to?" And I said, "I...well, I...I'm between churches," and Church!Guy says "I caught you there, didn't I? I know that not-in-a-church stutter."

I just looked at him, thinking "FUCK you, buddy, fuck you hard, and if my boss weren't lying in a hospital bed 2 feet away, I'd tell you that."

Big!Boss, to whom I will always be grateful, said "Well, belonging to a congregation doesn't matter; loving God does."

!!!!!!! I surely didn't expect that from the same man who harangued me to go see the Mel Gibson Jesus movie.

In further chat, somehow diverted to the subject of our journal, Church!Guy asked about how we produce it, where it's printed, etc. I said that the printing company is in Pennsylvania, and Church!Guy said "Oh, one of those *blue* states."

The FUCK? Chatty!co-worker jumped in with a neutral comment about the free-enterprise system, I think because he could tell the exact moment I got my bitch on, and he wanted to prevent me from losing my shit.

So no shit was lost, and we made nice, and as we left, saying "Nice to meet you," to the church people, Church!Guy points at me and says, "Find a church -- soon!"

FUCK YOU, Church!Guy. I should have told him I belonged to a coven.

FUCK YOU, Church!Guy. I should have told him I belonged to a coven.

"I'm trying the Church of Satan this week. The services are messy, but, boy, do those guys know their Bible!"

Did he like the plush flesh-eating virus?

"My coven has been spell-casting for him since this began. It's wonderful to see their power at work."