I have been humbled and made teary-eyed by the support and good wishes I have received from this beautiful community...well, always, but especially...today.

Thank you to Erin and everyone else who has reached out in this scary but determined time in my life.

I got word from the doctor that she has connected with the surgeon who she most respects, and who has the most experience with this kind of surgery. After she explained my situation, he offered to do it for less than $3,000. Some less, anyway, and that is a welcome surprise.

I am posting this in Press because I came up with a potential fund raising scheme that I will be sharing in my blog and elsewhere, but you are hearing it first.

I delivered a workshop last week on 'the perfect apology' in a customer service setting. It was extremely well received and, in the middle of the night, it occurred to me that I could help individuals get hurtful things off their hearts.

Benefiting Bartleby, and reducing the pain in the world at large, feels like a win to me.

If YOU would like something in return for the unbelievably thoughtful and generous support Buffistas have spearheaded, I will gladly work with you via email to craft the right apology letter or script for your situation.

This would, of course, be totally and completely confidential and all records of the work would be destroyed on my end, whether you decide to use the material or simply want the relief of putting it together.

One thing I want everyone to understand is that I am not undertaking this medical procedure to extend a failing life. As much as I love Bartleby, I could never do that to him.

Medical opinion is that his body has managed this particular affliction for the last 5 years. Removing the problem would give him at least another, robust 5 years. He is healthy and strong right now, but NOT doing the surgery could change that fairly quickly.

I want to thank each and every person who is helping me to give him the better outcome. I can never say thank you enough.

eta: my profile addy is good for letter writing inquiries.

The Division of Continuing Studies, UW-Madison is looking for an Asst. Director for the Odyssey Project: [link]

The job posting is here: [link]

It's a great program. Emily, the current director, is a powerhouse, but as the pool of donors keeps growing with the years it's becoming harder and harder for her to both develop content and handle donors. This position is for someone to handle the fundraising half of the job.

Insent to everyone in on the Deena gift. If you are in on the gift and did not get an e-mail from me, please let me know. I'll respond tomorrow because I'm off to bed now.

I posted about this (semi-cryptically) in Bureaucracy: I'm doing a collection for a Buffista, but I've communicated with that Buffista's SO, and they want to keep it a surprise to the degree that we can, so I'm not saying exactly what's going on, but I would like to get as many interested parties participating as possible, so please email me at my profile addy if you're curious/think you might be interested, or if you already have, this stands as a reminder if you're planning on giving but haven't yet.

Thanks, lovely Buffistas!

My latest on Grist - The politics of guilt and personal virtue. [link]

Hi, I'm in this anthology, edited by former Buffista Deb G. It's about music, multi-genre, and I'd like it if you'd buy one. [link] thanks!

Now that the cat's out of the bag, I can say: I was (and am) doing a collection for Daniel. Andi had wanted it to be a surprise, hence the cryptic. But I know that there are still a few Buffistas out there that were planning on sending me donations, who haven't yet, and some who might want to now that they know what's going on, so please don't feel like you've missed the train just because I sent what I had to Daniel last night. I just wanted him to be able to use what we had collected as quickly as possible, and also get it as close to his birthday as possible. But let the donations continue to flow if you are so inclined! My PayPal addy is my profile addy.

But, as always, no pressure, no guilt. Buffistas are kind and generous to each other in many ways, when and how we can be. I like to think that's what we're all about.

Feel like doing a scavenger hunt? Amy posted a link to Misha Collins' The Greatest International Scavenger Hunt the World Has Ever Seen over in the SPN thread, and I thought it would be fun to have a Buffista team. If anyone would be interested, shoot me an email and I will add you in when I sign us up.

eta: oops I jumped in too fast, and it doesn't look like an official Buffista team would work, so we are working on it.

Let me know if you are interested though, and we will work out the details.

Apropos of erika's recent post, I have to note as one of the editors of said anthology that it contains a very nice roster of excellent writers but erika's story is still easily one of the three best in it. And if, like many Buffiastas, you're strapped for funds and can't buy a copy, you can still help her (and me and Deb and the whole press) out by requesting a copy from your local library.

But, however you do it, you gotta read erika's story.

Okay, let's see if I can be more organized with this one.

A while back some of us in Natter had been discussing doing a gift type exchange based in large part on TJs holiday seasonal goodies, which are just starting to appear on the shelves, at least where I live.

What I was thinking is that if people emailed me and told me if they a) had a TJs near them, b) if they didn't have a TJs but had some ideas for things to send in exchange or c) did have a TJs but had some ideas of things they would like to send instead, I would try to match up group a) people with group b) and c) people.

If you would be interested in participating, please send me an email with your mailing address and what group you are in and if you like sweet or savory or a mixture of the two.

I already have emails from a few of you from earlier, but if you could send me another one just to confirm that you are still interested, that would be awesome.

If people email me by Friday, I will send out emails next weekend.