This students problem was these teachers deliberately sought him out on campus and he felt very uncomfortable by their "overwhelming concern." He went so far to say it felt a little like harassment.

Can't say I disagree. However unintentional, that's way over the line.

At that age I'm not sure how I would have responded, but it sure as hell wouldn't have been by shaping up.

(I think I'd feel better about a birthday gift because at least then you're not asking people to chip in when they're already almost certainly strapped for cash. But then, in my office, most birthday collections are a couple of bucks for a card and a cake.)

Back to the boss discussion - this is an interesting distinction that I think we've left out. An individual gift to the boss is a totally different thing than a group collection for a gift to the boss - the one is personal, reasonable, and very often, IME, merited. It's the group thing, which is almost always subtly if not overtly coercive that draws all the ire. Anyhoo, I'm sorry if Drew and other bosses around here feel like they're getting hit by shrapnel. I know you understand it's not directed at you but I know it can still sting.

I got a gift from one person who works for me, but told another directly (the criminally underpaid 24 year old one) that she should never feel like she has to give anything to anyone she works for. And I've given presents to bosses! But it's like other people have said, I was giving it to the person, not The Boss. I think the group thing becomes a gift to The Boss, not a gift to Joanne or whoever. If that makes any sense.

That sounds like a nightmare, Jess. I'm glad you're all home safe. (I do realize that the suckfest you describe was days ago.)

Jess, I'm glad that the travel went so well, all things considered. But I am so sorry for your loss. I know it's always hard to lose someone you love, but it's so very hard when it's around the holidays.

I am not incontinent.

I had turned on the heating pad for my feet and forgotten about it.

Later, I sat down on it without realizing it. And had this horrible hypochondriac fear .

But no, I was just sitting on a heating pad.

Man, that would have never occurred to me when I was younger.

Ha! The first time I got in a car with heated seats (without knowing it), I thought I was having a stroke or something.

Oh god. Heated seats. I'm too econocar familiar for that. I'd think there was an accident of one variety or the other happening ALL THE TIME.

Hah! I used to do that to people in my (heated-seat) car all the time. It's too common now to get away with.

That happened to Mr. Jane the first time he rode in my Volvo.

So much happening while I've been gone. Hugs and well wishes to everybody. I'm never going to catch up with work and the holidays, so I'm just skipping and skimming until they're over.

heading to bed. I am at 34 cards done, I have 11 more physical cards to use up and then I will be free from them, but I will get to them tomorrow.

Unexpected heated seats make me have naughty thoughts.

Reality TV shocks: Perez Hilton is on TV? Who thought that made sense? And who are these bad girls and why are they so nasty?

It's all gotten much worse than I'd thought. Watched Confessions of a Dangerous Mind over the weekend and laughed at Chuck Barris being slammed for the junk he put up in front of us. Yeah. Gong Show. A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila. He totally started it.