Kat, yes -- I actually got a generous severance in accord with my ten years, plus all my vacation pay, plus 3 months of an outplacement firm. It helps a lot with the natural bitterness of the situation (I liked my job!) to have the immediate financial situation in hand, and the luxury to be picky about my next move(s).

Know what I'm going to do now? Go back to my ex-workplace and pack up my excessively pack-ratty cubicle. I'm being subtly sadistic and wearing a polo shirt with the company logo on it. If anybody cries, it's not going to be me.

Happy birthday Tom!

msbelle's list would be mine if I decide I want children.

Will selectively pimp Allyson's book.

I seem to have caught the psycho from shrift.

MsBelle--Yes! and It was wonderful and thoughtful! I am a total loser for not writing a thank you card to you both. I ESPECIALLY loved Mac's card, which is up on our fridge. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!

Jesse, were you saying at some point that you'd been to Campbell Apartment? Trying to find a bar in the area.

oh, you are welcome. thank you card NOT necessary. I am in a never ending cycle of thank you cards for all the family and friends of family who send mac things. He now likes writing his name so much he is retro-actively wanting to send more.

Happy Birthday Tom!

I am peeved that Walmart.com's music download catalog is Windows-only, and thus I'm unable to even check whether or not they have Traveling Wilburys songs for sale, nevermind actually buying and downloading them.

I think what I will do is tell a very popular former coworker who is opening a new bookshop up the road in about a month about it.

??!! Where?

Up in Old Reisterstown. "Up the road" being very relative.

ah! I thought you meant up the road from your work and was going to have to get on the neighborhood new business gossip hotline pronto.

That's cool though!

Happy Birthday Tom!