A possum and I scared each other the other night. Be both squealed, and I'm pretty sure it was the same exact sound.

Did you end up climbing anything? Like a couch or perhapse a few friends?

I understand this is a common response.

I understand this is a common response.

I was in a hot tub in Pasadena one night when a possum scurred along the top of the wall. I stared at it, it stared at me, it continued on to the garbage cans, I continued with my book--but I left not long after in case nothing at the garbage cans looked appetizing and it came after my plate of cookies.

P-C, there's supposed to be a Matri Con in October: [link]

Oh, dear. The whole thing just freaks me out. I don't want to get married, dammit. I've never even had a fucking girlfriend.

What are the three best traits I have to offer a partner?

Loyalty, honesty, emotional support.

What am I looking for in a relationship partner?

The same.

What have I learned from past relationships?

Relationships without all the above don't work.

But that's just me.

I don't measn to add to your stress, P-C. I just think it might be a useful thing to drop into conversation with your mom on occasion.

following the advice of an unnamed sparkily buffista

::bats eyelashes::

Zenkitty, I hope the tests come back with some answers for you. Preferably answers where the treatment is easy.

Gris, Zenkitty is wise.

Gnarfl.

Have spent 25 minutes on the phone with various subdivisions of Medical Records at my workplace, trying to get someone, anyone, to cough up a bit of written information on my admission over the weekend that they can fax over to the sonographers who will be scrutinizing my placenta tomorrow. This is my workplace, and in fact this is a byproduct of my job, transcription, i.e., the act of generating written medical records. If I weren't on fucking bed rest I could log into the system, pull up and print all of my own progress notes and my discharge summary in about 90 seconds. My boss could do the same with my lab results in 30 seconds.

But, no. Round and round. Call here. Call there. Call this other person. We can't do it on your say-so, you're only the patient. Your doctor has to call and request the info. I relayed this info to my doctor's office, who called and was told that the records couldn't be released without written authorization from me and that processing would take 15 days. HORSESHIT. I could do it in 90 seconds myself, and I'm not even especially computer-savvy. There's no fucking reason they can't find someone to push two buttons and do the same thing. No reason. Assholes.

Finally I called my boss on his cell and whined at him about it. He got all shirty on my behalf and promised to "see what he could do." Translation: He's now on a righteous rampage, everyone who gave me the runaround is going to be very, very sorry, and some of them may be reduced to tears. Fine by me.

Shit!

JZ, years ago I worked for a big HMO. All admission notices went through my department. I ended up in the hospital with an asthma attack and missed work for about a week.

Even though I promptly filled out my disability paperwork and had left my boss a message, when I came back she acted like I had faked the whole thing. Even though I was able to pull the documentation of my admission from a pile on HER DESK.

I believe I left that job a couple of weeks later.

That being said - BREATHE. Relax. Go look at pictures of fuzzy kittens.

To quote Allyson, HOLY ASS!

I just found out that the girl I trained at SoulSucking Place of Employment is "leaving" on the 18th. I use quotes because it wasn't her choice. She was replaced by ANOTHER PERSON FROM WELLS FARGO!!! They interviewed this chick less than 12 hours after I gave notice! AND the new new girl is the Quiet Cow-orker's friend! AND AND AND they are MAKING L TRAIN THE NEW GIRL!

They told L in her interview that this could turn into a permanent placement for her. They changed their tune when she started and now they've just up and gotten rid of her.

Well, the Assoc Bldg Manager has also quit and upper management (noone in my old office) is quite upset, since the firm prides itself on having a very low turnover.

does the dance of just enough joy, but not too much so I won't fuck my karma

I didn't understand a lick of that, but I gather it's good.