My Mom just called me to tell me that I'm being inconsiderate for not spending my birthday with my family.

Telling her that that IS what you're doing probably wouldn't help, would it?

Oh! Speaking of marshmallows, how exactly do you make S'mores? You toast the marshmallow and then the heat from that melts the chocolate?

Yes. But my recipe involves more setting the marshmallow on fire than toasting, though ...

Yes. But my recipe involves more setting the marshmallow on fire than toasting, though ...

(Pete, I swear I am trustable. Really.)

Yes. But my recipe involves more setting the marshmallow on fire than toasting, though ...

Mine too.

I just got an email from one of my officemates, asking if anyone had taken her jacket by accident. I looked in my closet, and yep, a jacket other than mine on one of my hangers. How did I manage to not only walk home in but hang up someone else's jacket without noticing it wasn't mine? It's similar, though not identical to, a jacket I own, but that's not the one I was wearing today.

Thanks for all the well wishes from everyone.

I'm still at Universal working but I'm waiting for the lighting folks so I can tie their cues into show control.

I know the guy UCI chose. Not personally but by reputation. He's quite good. It was my friend and mentor who was on the search committee and who called me. He told me they wrangled with the decision for days so I know it was very close and had nothing to do with lack of qualifications. Sometimes it is just the luck of the draw.

In many ways I'm not in a bad place. I'm not hurting for work or on a bad career path. The shift to teaching would have been interesting and filled with new challenges but it is just one of many ways to go.

How did I manage to not only walk home in but hang up someone else's jacket without noticing it wasn't mine?

In many ways I'm not in a bad place.

I'm glad to hear that, Drew. I'm still sorry you didn't get this job, though.

My kids had them for the first time last night. Olivia bit the head clean off of one in one swift, Ozzy Osbourne like motion.

I'm kind of dreading the ensuing sugar high, but it's what? Like eating two marshmallows? Not that bad, right?

ND, I'm sorry. I know you know this, but academic jobs are such a crap shoot. Just don't start second guessing yourself, because I'm sure it wasn't anything you did or did not do.

vw, from what I've seen you make such beautiful blankets. Anything you'd make is going to be gorgeous. My favorite receiving blankets--and actually the ones the kids ended up prefering as well--were chosen based on texture as much as color. So if you pick materials that feel soft or silky or otherwise yummy, you can't lose.

Sorry , ND. I t would have had its hassles, but I think it would have been fun.

and Tom , birthdays are all about you. Other people count only if you want them too.

Now I want a s'more.

And now I'm going to bed. Because I'm seriously considering ordering this: [link]