My day has been craptastic, too -- no particular reason, just crappy.

Beej, that's so interesting about Valium exacerbating needle phobia. When I had that bump removed, the doc RX'd one Valium (no idea what dosage -- only time I'd taken Valium) and I was ok. Still nervous, but able to deal. And at the dentist, I'm cool with novocaine -- I just ask for nitrous beforehand, and warn them they I cannot CANNOT see the needle.

I wonder what meds are indicated for needle-phobia, then?

she said it was the fact that the Director fostered opportunity.

Seems like you've got to go with the "I love to learn new things and improve myself" theme in the interview then...

Cashmere has pretty red hair!

Cash = Beautiful.

That's what I did. And it's easy because it's true.

Erin, The prof I talked to didn't suggest meds because of the fluky nature of the fear response (plummeting blood pressure, potential for random violent outbursts...which I'm ashamed to say I've had).

He recommended avoidance, saying that niether chemicals or desensitization works with this 'orphan' phobia.

These days, if I absolutely HAVE to have a blood test, I've trained myself how to hold on until it is over. So I tell the tech,"Here is how it will go. Do what you do best and as quickly as you can. Do NOT ask me if I am okay because I am not and I will not respond. I will make noise and I will cry but I will NOT faint and I will not move. Let's do this thing and get it over." I then ask them to make sure they leave me alone as quickly as possible and to take all the equipment with them.

Then I shudder and cry and feel just about as ashamed as an adult can that, despite being a professional problem solver, this is simply a problem in my life that will not be solved. It is what it is and I just have to deal with the consequences.

ION, I'm so inspired by Cashmere's red, I might just have to jump in the color pool myself. That's gorgeous.

I'm jumping back into the Red pool, myself.

I'm going to grow out my hair [cue: sound of a thousand Hec's crying], but am getting a cute, razored bob with bangs first. Fire engine red with blonde streaks in the front.

I'm also changing my make-up.

I love Perscriptives. What's another line that's a little more funky but around the same price?

Cashmere is just Gorgeous!

I'm cracking Emily up...or driving her nuts, one of the two.

I'm actually thinking of getting out of the red pool. Maybe a sable brown, or even my natural color.

AHAHAHAHAHA.

Okay, not that last one, but something different.

Fire engine red with blonde streaks in the front.

I prolly should have gone with blonde streaks instead of the black--but I'm pretty pleased with the way the color turned out.

I don't know why I even bother trying to grow my hair out--it just feels so good when I finally cut it all off. Maybe it's the feeling you get when you go a week or so without shaving your legs and then when you finally do, the difference feels incredible.

Cashmere, you're so beautiful. I love you haircut too, and the color is fantastic. No more baby blahs on you, baybee.