So the talk started like this...

Me: I just wanted to have a talk with you because I feel like our work relationship has gotten strained lately. I feel like you've been frustrated with me and I know I've been stressed.
She: I know! I'm sorry. I've been really stressed out too and under a lot of pressure and I'm sorry if my recent emails to you were curt.

And then it wasn't bad at all. I went in prepared to specifically address the stuff she's been dinging me about, but it didn't go there. We talked about the problem areas mostly in terms of "this is what didn't seem to be working, but now I think the adjustment we've made has taken care of this issue," and "I think it's a good idea to do that binder to track the expenses" and like that.

She actually gave me positive feedback in a couple places which was nice to hear and I feel very relieved. And very tired since I've been up since 3am stressing about this.

I think the key was I just rehearsed the discussion in my head so many times that I finally found a way to broach it in a way that was neither defensive or accusatory, but focused on mutually resolving stuff and positive changes. And she was more receptive to that than I expected.

So. Much better than a stroke or having your ears glued.

Hooray, Hec!

I'm glad to hear that, Hec. Now go have some gelato and a martini, not necessarily in that order.

I'm now ready for pictures of Teppy's and vw's new haircuts.

Now go have some gelato and a martini, not necessarily in that order.

That's actually the usual order. Late afternoon gelato (when I get one) and early evening martini.

The last two days I've had very pleasant lunches by taking Muni to the Virgin Megastore, going to the Citizen Cupcake they have upstairs (a tiny spinoff of Citizen Cake), getting a yum grilled panini sandwich and reading books and magazines for free. Today's lunch I read Edward Gorey's The Willowdale Handcar and the book on Shakespeare, Will In The World.

Yesterday I read the collection of Gorey interviews titled Ascending Peculiarity and it was fascinating learning about his life. He was of the opinion that George Balanchine was the supreme artistic force of the 20th century. And I have to say, watching one of Balanchine's ballets was one of the few times I felt like I was witnessing true genius at a kind of Mozart level.

Hec, that's great. Not having a stroke = always the best option.

That's actually the usual order. Late afternoon gelato (when I get one) and early evening martini.

Get outta my head!

Oh, I'm so giddily happy. Mutual martinis this evening, possibly?

Yay, Hec!

Mutual martinis this evening, possibly?

Maybe at home. I'm too tired. Just want to have some televisual comfort viewing and let my heart return to it's regularly scheduled ba-dump-bump-bump.