Oh, Raq, ugh! How much longer do you have to stay there? (or do you even know? I don't know anything about diplomatic posting.)

that's just so wrong... not people Mallory needs to meet yet.

going back to read Raq's post in a minute

Ants: A perimeter of dish washing liquid works great. The soap destroys their exoskeletons = quick death, no poison and the word gets passed down the line (Do NOT PASS!!) faster than you'd imagine.

Masons: What a great fez! The men in my family, however, did not ascend quite that high. They wore plumed admiral hats, sashes with loads of patriarcal bling and carried trowels.

UnAmerican for text messaging

This.

I was literally shaking with rage when I heard about this, and typing it up made me angry again.

I thought it was going to be Greek kids at first also, some kind of anti-American thing. But it was a multi-national group from the American School. The kid who got beaten up can be a jerk, but nothing that deserves this...but it's the asshat parental response that's making me seethe.

deep breath

Anyway. We technically have 20 more months here, but we are exploring other options (this is the unspecified job/life~ma request). The other options have extreme downsides, but so does staying.

not people Mallory needs to meet yet

I'm not sure it would be good for him to see me tear these folks apart either.

Here's wishing you all possible ~ma in getting a good post.

~ma that one of the other options works out perfectly for you and your family, Raq.

Raq, that's awful. I hope you can get re-posted soon.

I get some sort of ant infestation about every 18 months or so. Ant traps usually deal with it. It doesn't help that I have plants that go outside in the nice weather and inside when it's freezing. I might as well put out a sign that says, "Ant-friendly bus stop".

There's a house in my neighborhood that has the Masonic compass inscribed on a tile on the chimney. I have fun coming up with Super Secret Conspiracy stories about it.

Thanks guys...maybe I should get my dad's Masonic stuff my step-mom just sent me and pile it on the Powers-That-Be inbox, in case the conversation-intersection reference will help.

No fez though. It probably won't work without a fez.

Raq, that's awful. Much ~ma headed your way as you try to decide what to do.

Aimee, I'm glad Emeline is feeling better.

I have achieved nappage. The headache is not gone, but is a little better...hopefully well enough to get a few hours of work done.

Gosh yes. Best possible choices ~ma Raq.

God. How awful.