Laga, what everyone said. An apology would be nice, but I'd bet he feels he's done that already anyway. And how much faith would you put in it if you got it? Also, the bit that's worrying me is that I feel like you've got this idea buried in there that you can somehow crack through and make him not an asshole.

You can't. You can possibly make him a politer asshole, or an asshole not-in-your-immediate-vicinity. But that's probably about all you have the power to do here. And either of those would be a big improvement, so if you can, I'd try to stay focused on that and on your sister, rather than for him to suddenly become someone he clearly is not.

Not here, but just had to quote this:

Neither my family members' spouse nor most of my family members are people I would spend time with if I weren't related to them. I avoid them if possible and drink when it's not.

Also, I just found out via email that my dad QUIT SMOKING! You have no idea what a big deal this is. The guy has been smoking for 45+ years and swore he couldn't quit (and got super defensive if you asked him anything about it), and he's been smoke free for two months! He said he went from the patch to jelly beans (which cracks me up), and he's also quit drinking beer since it's such a trigger for him (!!). I'm floored and unbelievably happy.

Also, this:

Also, the bit that's worrying me is that I feel like you've got this idea buried in there that you can somehow crack through and make him not an asshole.

You can't. You can possibly make him a politer asshole, or an asshole not-in-your-immediate-vicinity. But that's probably about all you have the power to do here. And either of those would be a big improvement, so if you can, I'd try to stay focused on that and on your sister, rather than for him to suddenly become someone he clearly is not.

Brenda is wise. This is exactly what I wanted to say but couldn't figure out how to articulate.

Daisy Jane = smart. Thank you for making my mind up for me!

Brenda is also smart with the saying what I could not quite figure out how to.

Oooh. Terri Gross has the dude from "Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me" talking about a book he wrote on "Naughty Things and How to Do Them."

Geee-ronk! Back in cube-land. Sad now. I think my fun orange office at home will start getting more use...

We saw PJ Harvey last night. Remember how I said we were seeing her on Saturday night? Well, we got ready, drove downtown, parked the car, got to the theater and the woman scanned our tix and told us we were at the wrong show on the wrong night! Bwah! This is what happens when your life is too hectic. Still, the show was great, though the crowd kinda sucked. Who yells shit out like, "I LOVE YOU!!!!" at a PJ Harvey show? GF and I are your typical indie rock snobs and we felt like "our" artist has been gobbled up by the masses. How that happened with someone like PJ is bizarre to me. She's just not that accessible.

Okay, I'll stop the grump campaign now. Three good things:

• My office phone is brand new (clean!)
• Hello Kitty in her red latex devil costume (with black hairbow) on my desk
• My seminar paper proposal got approved yesterday

Shit. The husband of the couple that are really the best friends my parents have out here (and live in their 'hood, and the wife walks my parents dog every day, and yada yada yada) had a heart attack yesterday. He's actually in the hospital by me, so I'm gonna go see him tonight. But his poor wife. This is the second one he's had in a year.

For my birthday (today) I made these cupcakes to bring in to work. I think they're really pretty, and also quite tasty.

eta Although my timing sucks. I'm sorry to hear that, vw.

GC! Have you seen this? [link]

Oh, vw. Much ~ma.

I cannot brane today. I had to go to the lab for an early blood draw this morning. I'm in there every week, so I know all the techs, though they are used to seeing me in the afternoon. But I digress. I left my purse at the lab. Dork. Utter dork. Luckily my tech noticed and tucked it away for me since I have to be back there at 4pm for another draw.

The blood lab should NOT be the place where everyone knows your name.

GC! Have you seen this?

I have! So brilliant. Does it get any better than Bjork and PJ Harvey?