Jars, I don't think you're wrong to feel sorry for the bully who obviously has some problems interacting with his peers. My feelings are all for my nephew right now -- and I'm admitting that the feelings of wanting to run down there an break the bully's ankles don't make me much better than that bully, except I've not executed that plan -- because that's the kid I know and who played the music for my wedding.

I completely understand your viewpoint. You love your nephew, and he's in pain through absolutely no fault of his own. That's always going to be angry-making.

{{Kyle}} Quick healing and cool autographs on his cast.

I'm admitting that the feelings of wanting to run down there an break the bully's ankles don't make me much better than that bully, except I've not executed that plan

Being able to control those feelings are a huge difference. We all have violent thoughts, but learning to control those urges is what living like a socialized person is all about.

I suspect impulse control is not something the bully sees at home.

In other memememe news: I teach my first lesson tomorrow. I'm a bit nervous about it. I've taught college classes, but not high school (well, I've subbed, but that's very different). Some calm~ma between 8 and 9:30 tomorrow would be much appreciated!

My e-mail keeps entertaining me today. This came from the local Freecycling group:

Unisex Greyhound pajamas free to good Greyhound home. These will fit a regular size to small Greyhound.

Greyhounds wear pajamas? What about smoking jackets and slippers?

What about smoking jackets and slippers?

You're thinking of Afghan hounds.

Maria, those pictures are so beautiful! You're so beautiful! Is the flower girl for sale?!

I am so over the moon. These pictures are so much more than I could have ever imagined. I can't even put it into words....

I'm just about in tears.

Is the flower girl for sale?!

She might be. Her parents are the best man and the blonde BM. She just had their third 2 weeks prior, and she might like the break.

Can't believe this sailed past me....

1) is the Money there

Maybe. Maybe not. Right now I make $X. What I would like is $8000-$12,000 more than $X. But I won't know until I apply. They're not giving a salary range.

The big issue may come down to benefits. Current cost for health insurance is $100/month, going to $49/month in 2006. Other place's health insurance is $469/month, probably crossing $500/month in 2006. We would pay less out-of-pocket at the other place ($10 co-pay on everything), but there is the question of whether we'd lose our current doctors or not.

I would also drop from my current 19 days of vacation/year to 10/year. But the campus closes for all of Christmas week, and that's where I burn 5-7 days of vacation already.

2) closer is good - are they more flexible?

Hard to say. My current job is insanely flexible -- in at 9:30, out at 5:30. OTOH, when Pointy-Haired Boss bitches when you try to claim overtime, that flexibility comes back to bite you.

The other place seems more flexible.

In terms of "closer," BTW, it's actually not -- it's about a mile further. However, it doesn't require taking I-5, which is a parking lot.

3) If an MLIS is not possible at this time ( and might not be needed, but that is another issue.) are there other ways I can get the course work started - so I can comp past parts of the degrees later?

Not really. Basically, it's do the day program at work for "free," or do the evening program for $$$$$. I'm not shutting out the MLIS entirely, but I am shutting out the "free" MLIS I could get by staying.

And Plei's question:

Are you vested in your University pension plan thing already? I can't remember.

I'm in UWRP, and the best thing about UWRP is...

Vesting is immediate.

Sparky, that is craziness. I hope it all gets figured out and things get better for Kyle.

Maria, the pictures are absolutely gorgeous. You are gorgeous. Everything is just gorgeous.

I have napped. Now I need to decide what I need to do next.

Leaping to the end to tell mi sorella that I am in love with the following professional proofs:

23, 38, 40, 46, 49, 57, 75, 85, 118, 119, 123,131, 135, 138, 143, 150, 151, 156, all the food pictures and...I think they're going to catch me if I use my work computer to look at any more pictures right now, so Ima stop there.

But you're gorgeous and so carefree in these pictures, and it fills me with joy to see that there was at least one day that you were utterly happy in the hell that has been your last year.