I'm afraid that picture reminds me of this weird thing: [link]

Also, I love that clock.

Happy birthday, Dana!

Is shrift writing a porn for you?

It won't be ready today, but it's certainly on order.

Stephanie, thank you so much for posting these pictures here.

Allyson, you too.

t meMeME

My best friend is leaving tonight for the USA for two years, with her two boys (2.5 and 6 months old), who are the closest thing I have to nephews. Yesterday I spent half the day taking care of them and helping her pack. Then I had to run to the university to teach, and had to leave. I ran to catch a bus, in order to arrive to my lesson on time, while she was on the phone, running the 1,717 errand of the day. So I just knocked on her door, waved her a quick and silent goodbye, and left.

Today she's so busy, I can't even find out whether she needs me to come over there and help her now or not. I miss her so much already, it's silly. I'm not going to go to the airport - it's going to be full of family members, both hers and her DH's, including lots of kids and mess. I'm not going to be able to say goodbye to anybody properly this way anyway. She said I shouldn't come, and I think she's right.

And, frankly, nowadays, with the internet (especially Skype and the like), I'm really going to talk to her soon. And it won't even sound like she's on the other side of the world, too. And even if she were the person for mushy conversations, she's so busy and tired now, that they won't work anyway, you know?

And it's not a thing that requires comforting or brackets or even chocolate (well, not more than anything else in life, which is quite a lot, by definition, if you're me, but still). It's a good thing - a wonderful opportunity and I'm sure they'll get so much from it, both the grownups and the children. And it's not going to be easy on them, but I know them and trust them - they're going to be completely OK, you know?

But all these mature and reasonable words can't make me stop wishing I could smell A's baby-head just one more time and have that little thing - even that - make him shine with his smile, or take N to the park and have him ask me to watch him while he's on the slide, for just one more round.

t I'm not even going to pretend that this meMeME thing is going to be closed anytime today

So, um, that's why I especially appreciate adorable baby-and-toddler pictures today.

I am so thoroughly creeped out right now...take a night of disturbing dreams and cap it with the robot link and then those hands? I want a do over, but am too scared to put in an order.

What, Jesse, you're saying I shouldn't have registered for the Zakys?

eta That's it! If I had enough money, I'd by a Zaky for each of you.

Nilly, your friends are going to be completely okay, apart from missing you, and home, but even then, you will be talking to them lots and lots, right?

Are they going to Stanford? I seem to remember you saying that. If they need someone local to talk to about where to find stuff or whatever, please feel free to give them my email address.

Nilly, doesn't matter how rational reasons may seem. Emotions just are irrational blips. I'm sorry you're feeling blue today.

Happy Birthday, Dana and Ellie!

I capped off a great day yesterday (swimming, moviegoing, steak dinner) with a migraine that sent me to bed before 11. But at least I managed to be unconscious for most of it, only feeling slightly fragile and eggshell-skulled this morning.

your friends are going to be completely okay, apart from missing you, and home, but even then, you will be talking to them lots and lots, right?

Oh, absolutely. I mean, I know they're going to be completely OK, and thanks to that internet thing I'm sure I'm going to have lots of communication with them, all the time. Well, at least with B. The older boy, N, still doesn't really understand the whole concept of phone, but he's going to, soon, I guess. So I hope I'll be able to have some sort of connection with him, as well. The baby, A - well, I'll have to win him all over again when they're back (or when I get to visit them). So the majority is still on my side (because, of course, her DH is already fluent with phone-use, as well).

Are they going to Stanford? I seem to remember you saying that.

Yup, you remember correctly.

If they need someone local to talk to about where to find stuff or whatever, please feel free to give them my email address.

Thank you, Lee. That's so lovely of you to offer.

Kat, seeing pictures of you and lori and Allyson and holding and Noah and Grace is doing lots to improve my poor-me-ishness.

Aw, Nilly, it's hard when friends move.

What, Jesse, you're saying I shouldn't have registered for the Zakys?

SCARY.