Aw man, I love holding tiny babies! Need to do more of that.

Thinking about it, calling me happy makes me question what happy is. Because, lord knows, I've got issues. I guess I see it as still finding joy in stuff.

I didn't get to do overmuch holding because she was cranky, but still. Teeny tiny baby! She's just 7 lbs now at 6 weeks.

I consider myself a happy person. Though I'm not happy now, and haven't been for months. I still find joy in things--it's just that my default operating level is severely compromised. I try not to let my knowledge of the letdown to get in the way of my good moments while they're happening. I mostly succeed.

I don't see it as related to my distinct lack of optimism, however. I try to live in the moment as much as possible. And I think I can change my outlooks, but it's hard work, and really not something I have energy for right now--my sister's suggestion that since I'm low-energy I should just not react to things that annoy me is weird--it takes me energy to maintain an even keel, to prevent irritation.

Speaking of teeny babies. Cutie gawky pie.

Cutie gawky pie.

Oh, so adorable.

And no pregnancy belly for Gwen. Color me NOT surprised.

I'm not optimistic, but that doesn't mean I don't sometimes hope things work out well. I'm somewhere between cynical and realistic. I used to be caustically cynical, but I had to give that up, else I'd burn out. I don't know how Dennis Leary does it.

Dat's a big boy!

I stand very close to sara on this matter.

Which is probably why I go pollyanna when you are cranky, and vice versa.

Looks like the wee-est Stefani is a hurler (based on the towel.)

I don't see it as related to my distinct lack of optimism, however.

Since the general guidelines are just that, general, it isn't mutually exclusive. I'm not dealing with the shit you are, but lately, I suspect most outside viewers would describe me as depressed and angry. But I still say, happy. Because despite the other crap, it feels not me.

I can't imagine you not reacting to annoyances. I hope this doesn't sound wrong, but you are very exacting in defining and clarifying the world around and in you. You get something in pinning things down and drawing them out. I've always envied your energy in pursuing that. Me, I'm too lazy. I end up handwaving in frustration and writing it off.

I can't imagine you not reacting to annoyances

Yet, at work, I'm assigned problem people because they never make me twitch. I have a bunch of friends who ask me how I'm feeling if they want to know--otherwise there's no way to tell.

And then there are people who think I'm hair-trigger with little regard for appropriate time and place. Or, say, here, where I'm less trigger and more splitter.

I also don't see it as you twitching, just more... I dunno...attempting to extract what exactly people are meaning. Maybe that's why you get the problem people? I don't know.

Splitter works here. But then, I see you only in this venue and I really don't know how you react elsewhere.

Me, I tend to be really fuzzy online. I've learned that while I can be a complete hardass when it comes to confrontation, it isn't something that I like sustaining every freaking where. I want to smooth the edges, even at my cost, online, though I still get impossibly frustrated as people caving. It's easier for me to let things slide than bother correcting. But that's me online. Work, I've got a small rep as the hardass peon. And lord knows, my family history is littered with me not budging. The rental office dreads my appearance.

Electrons versus molecules, I guess.

Oh, just tazer them, declare yourself a god and be done with it.

Note for beginners: this is not an appropriate strategy for proposing marriage.

...the plant may offer another opportunity. Now would be a pretty good time to dump a dead body in the botanic garden.

Bugger. Looks like it won't still be in bloom when I reach NYC. Incidentally, I note that its scientific name is Amorphophallus titanum. Seriously. "Huge, shapeless penis." Let me just say how glad I am that this is the name of this plant, and not a medical condition.

Was there a Janet Jackson cavewoman?

Yep. Name of Janet. Miss Onk-Kraa if you're nasty.

I'm getting more and more mad that more people aren't mad (about the stupid carry on restrictions.)

Hey, I'm pissed off. I have ten flights to, from and around the US in the next four weeks.

Yet Americans work longer hours per year than any other industrialized country, and get less vacation time.

Not true. Australians work longer hours. Of course, we do get more vacation time.