Evening, Bitches!

I'm very annoyed at the Sprint store. Also, at the fact that for like, the first time ever, I've gone over my minutes. And I still have 2 weeks left in the month. How the heck did THAT happen??

However, I talked to the HR woman, and she signed off on the referral bonus form (I got someone to come join the company so I get money!) finally (she'd LOST it, I was supposed to be paid a couple months ago), so...I went and bought a new TiVo! Wheeee!!

Ok...I'm off to have birthday cake for breakfas

Oh, I did that! Well, it was just cake. No birthdayness. I brought it to work, and my coworkers were happy, rather than cursing me for breaking their diets. I think it's cause two of them are pregnant, now...

I think VW should ask future roommates if they are the President of Burundi.

I think Toto was about to hump the poor guy's arm

Ooh, perhaps not the best way to meet a roommate...

So I decided to be a guinea pig and got the Photo Finish color correct in green this weekend.

Excellent! THanks for the report--being a very pink person myself, I was quite curious! I may have to try this...

Cripes, are my motives that transparent? (thinks about it) Eh, they probably are

Heh. That's OK--I'd be all wanting to go out gothly with you, even knowing your motives, Jilli!!

Also, Cindy is as ever, wise. Even if I don't always agree with her 100% (I've been catching up in Natter on the abortion stuff, fascinating reading!!!) I always see her point and am intrigued to read about it, and I usually DO agree!!

Then there was the very very pretty Oz-like boy in a black wifebeater and black Utilikilt. Mmmmm. We wanted to take him home with us

I liked ALL the pretty boys in skirts. It was AWESOME. Though I already had a pretty girl to take home. Or, to take me home. As the case may have been. :)

As for P-C's situation...heh. Well, my advice would be to move home, and know that that'll definitely kickstart a big fire burning to get a job the hell away from there...worked for me!!

I think vw should ask potential roommates if they iron their jeans. That will help separate the demons from the humans.

P-C, I'm not sure if this is going to be depressing or reassuring, but I'm probably your parents' age and I still have times when I feel I suck at being an adult. We all think our parents somehow coped better, but it only looks that way from the child's perspective. As others have said, you're at the point at which you need to define your relationship with your parents. Your parents went down a well-defined path dictated by their culture, and in many ways, the simplest thing for you to do is to follow the same well-worn path. If you don't think that will make you happy or fulfill your obvious potential, you have to have the courage to choose another way. If you do, your parents will be unhappy. It's not your job to make them happy.

Beth, if it's a medicine contest, I win. The important thing is that you're taking care of yourself.

P-C, just dropping in to second a lot of the advice above. And to repeat something Ginger said that deserves to be repeated:

It's not your job to make [your parents] happy.

Oh, PC, I'm so sorry, man. I don't really have any other advice to offer, but I've been reading and I feel for you. I hope you're able to figure things out without a lot more pain and suffering.

I just got home from dinner with the parents. Dinner was wonderful. I got this HUGE prime rib with wonderful sides. As far as presents go, I got the beautiful picture I've been wanting for my living room and a gift certificate to my favorite store. Plus, my parents had found the cutest card to give me from Toto. It's got a little westie terrier on the front of it holding a balloon that says, "I love Mom." Then on the front it also says, "It's your birthday, Mom, and I'm hoping you have a great day." Inside it says, "Because when you're happy, I'm happy (and much more likely to get what I want)!" Then it's signed, "Love, Toto George xoxoxo." So damn cute. It about made me cry.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes today, guys. I really appreciate it. It's been a rough year, but as my wonderful roommate pointed out to me last night, I've come a long way...even if I don't always feel that way or can see it. Here's to hoping that next year will bring even better things.

Oh, and MUCH ~ma to Stephanie. I'll be thinking of you lots, girl. Good luck!

That's so sweet, vw. I'm glad you had a wonderful night.

My mom used to send me cards from the dogs and the cats, and wrestle them out into the yard to get their paws all muddy so they could "sign." For animals who seem to find great joy in muddying up the rugs and furniture and everything else at a moments notice, it sometimes took a lot more wrestling than you'd imagine. No fun if they want you muddy, I guess.

"Because when you're happy, I'm happy (and much more likely to get what I want)!"

Is anyone around?

{{Sunil}}

{{Beth}}

May you have abundant joy to balance the struggles

Happy Birthday vw!! It sounds like a good day was had.

I'm sorry I've been absent, work has eaten my head and I've had no brain leftover, but I've been reading and ~ma-ing like crazy.

I feel for Steph and boundary issues and the wedding (relatives) from hell; vibing for Stephanie and the bar exam; ouching for PC and his parents; meara so needs her umfriend to be closer. JZ needs to have a splendiferous day just because. Robin still has the best advice and Cindy has an amazing ability to say things both honestly and kindly. I'm glad vw had a happy birthday and right in thinking that sj is disturbingly hot in gothy-wear. Sending vibes to Fay for safety and wishing good things for everyone else. I've been missing my peeps a lot.

Nick said something disturbing that I had to share--and who else can I share things like this with? (Yes, I'm using you.)

Nick, happily playing his guitar suddenly looks up at me and says, "I bet being a jazz musician would make you a better lover."

Not enough shudder in the world.

Also, last night as I was taking Kara up to bed, she suddenly turned on the stairs and grabbed the front of my shirt. "Oh no!" I said, "I'm captured! Whatever shall I do?"

She looked at me funny and said, "No, but I know it's hard for you to walk up the stairs so I'm helping you."

Of course, her kindness is not unadulterated. She told Nick a freaky story about a flower eating a bug and they all died at the end; and then she fed the goldfish all the food in the tin. She's also flirting with all of Nick's friends.

It's time for me to go to bed. Love.

Hi Cass!

I'm here, but tired and somewhat grumpy.

Hello Cass! and why are you grumpy, Laura?