80 lbs? Good grief. Yeah, it's gonna take at least that much in dough for a years tuition.

Oy, Suzi. I hope there's at least one in there that's just right and not so expensive you have to sell CJ to pay for it.

It was all very, very helpful, especially with the 'I am uniquely rotten' thing I had going on.

Hah! I just remembered a few minutes ago that I still have some DVDs of yours. I've had them for... like a year, I think. I honestly can't remember.

Man, I suck. Payday. They will go back to you on payday.

Grrr...

WASHINGTON — The Senate brought the country one step closer Thursday to drilling for oil and natural gas in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge after it narrowly defeated an attempt to kill drilling in an amendment attached to the deficit reduction bill.

Fuckers.

Lots of health~ma to meara's father.

AmyLiz, I'd love a pair of those Converse, as long at they're under $20. If they've got youth sizes, I'm a 3 1/2 or 4; if not, then 5 1/2 or 6 in womens sizes. (I think 3 1/2 youth or 5 1/2 womens would be best, but pretty much all I know is that 3 youth is a bit too small, so I'm guessing at sizes here.)

You know, I may regret this, but AmyLiz, if you could find another pair of 10s, or a pair of 10W, then I'd be interested too.

Heading off to bed momentarily -- the headaches are catching, I think, because mine has been pounding since about eight o'clock -- but I've got hightop requests from JZ, Hil, and Deena. Have noted sizes, and am heading to Marshall's tomorrow, and will report in when I get home.

I know they were under $20, Hil, because Stephen was trying to convince me to get a pair. I think they were $16.99.

'night, Bitches.

Health-ma to meara's father.

Deena, if you're still looking at that proposal I can take a look at it if you want.

Night shift serial posting.

I am employed again.

They want me to come in on Monday to sign papers and set hours.

I am in a flat panic.

Calm-ma would be appreciated.

Also, along the lines of Anne's "Am I unique in this? If not, how do you deal?" question: This job is something that I used to do, but have not done for 5 years. I've remained tangentially aware of the field, but I think I've forgotten all the jargon and procedures and stuff. I sold myself as competent in the interview, but now I'm panicked that I won't be able to perform and they'll see through my charade.

I keep telling myself that I used to be good at this, and they know I haven't done it in 5 years, and there's a ramp-up period built-in for me to re-train, but I'm still freaked. It's like stage fright. I won't be surprised to have that dream where I have to take my calculus final, and I haven't been to class in 12 years.

Does anybody else do this? Once you've quit doing something, do you jettison knowledge of it? Or do you worry that you have?

Deep breath. What I should be worried about is finding a nanny for something less than my hourly pay.

Raq, first, congratulations on the job!

Much calm~ma coming your way. I know *exactly* what you mean. Being out with disability for a couple of years where I had memory loss made me very concerned that I'd be able to go back to a job anywhere near the level that I was at before. Granted, I'm still not at the same level, but I'm at a decent level in the academic world, which is different than what I was doing before.

I have been surprised, though, how much comes back...and how much of what I used to do that I was just figuring out as I go, which I'm also pretty good at. You will do the same. I have great confidence in you.

So, yes, I get it, and also, yes, you'll be fine. You're exactly right. They know it's been five years, and there will be a ramp-up period. Try to just keep breathing. You're going to be just fine.

By the way, what is it? Can you tell us anything about the job? Are you excited too?