Hell, I might as well jump in the jobma pool. Amy's DH's department is looking for a new administrative assistant. I need to get off the endless phone center grind. He asked Amy if she thought I'd be cool with him mentioning the family angle and the near sole support of a perpetually ailing hubby, and I finally said, "Yes, dammit, if it gets me some brownie points, play up the bizarre twists of fate." They're taking their time making decisions, but I could do this job. The pay has to be more, but while that's a real biggie I'm not expecting twice what I'm making, just a chance to get out of the endless rut. So, good thoughts, both for my prospects and the bizarre mental deviation that says I'm tempting worse catastrophes for trying to improve my lot.

Hi all, I'm refinancing my house in order to consolidate bills. Please send housema that I'm doing the right thing when I sign tomorrow.

Also, my unemployment runs out in three weeks. If people could refresh the jobma, I'd certainly appreciate it.

My regular email service is down again - so anyone trying to contact me, please use reallygoodname@hotmail.com

OK. This is my first attempt at dipping my toes into the waters of 'ma'.

I have a job interview for a position at the Office of Workplace Relations (Industrial Relations) in exactly 12 hours time. Please direct some of the famed Buffista jobma downwards to the Southern hemisphere in 11-12 hours time, it would be very much appreciated.

Asking for jobma for approximately three hours hence. I'm interviewing for the position in Sydney I've been chasing, and I'm getting the interview jitters. (Of course, packing for San Diego doesn't really help on that score.)

Just got back from the doctor. I'm going to have a baby on April 9th.

A postcard from Rome (only I'm not there anymore, I landed in Israel yesterday). Welcome home, me.

Off to San Diego. Will be dark until Saturday. Have fun, everyone.

Hello from the dark life and times of me. How I've missed you all.

The Good News: I became a proud homeowner in July! Cute two bedroom with garage.
The Bad News: 1. My home computer died the day after new phone line was hooked up. 2. I was (so unexpectedly) laid off on Aug. 11th.

So, the current news is that my computer, so far, is alive and kicking again and although I have had six interviews for various Administrative Assistant positions in the last two weeks....no job offers as of yet.

I guess I need to look at this in a positive light....now I have a computer again and loads of time to catch up on Buffista reading!

May I request a bit of -ma?

Galleys of "The Weaver & the Factory Maid" are now in the hands of reviewers and bookstore owners. If there's too much feedback in the nature of "this is great, but it's too unusual to really be called a 'mystery' novel" it could kill the rest of the series deal.

Ed Kaufman at M is for Mystery, on the basis of the PR and synopsis, is reading it this weekend and deciding whether he wants to host an "event" at MifM.

Requesting "love this book!" -ma, pretty please?