Would the world seriously grind to a halt if we just took off from Christmas eve until after the New Year?

That's what I have this year, AIFG. Today, I am revelling in the fact that I don't have to go anywhere or do anything or talk to anyone. Tomorrow will be grocery shopping and a motorcycle ride (weather permitting).

Is there anyone around who knows a lot about government expense lingo? I'm trying to confirm that "travel status" just means anyone who is away from their home base, not a status that needs to be assigned to specific people. If that makes any sense at all.

I work on a Federal contract, and typically "travel status" means you are either over 50 miles from home on a day trip or you have spent the night somewhere on a trip. There are also limitations on time of day and meals allowable. But "travel status" is more a matter of where you are than who you are.

Awesome. Thanks, Suzi! That's what I said, but I don't want to screw anyone by having us charge travel costs to federal contracts on people who aren't qualified or whatever.

Owen's naked, playing a bongo drum. He's like a wee, Matthew McConaughey without the weed or the receding hairline.

Jesse - if you need specifics, here is the FAQ page for Federal travel.

Yeah, I got there -- it's just that someone else here was convinced the "status" was a person thing, not a location thing. I think I convinced her we're OK.

Owen's naked, playing a bongo drum. He's like a wee, Matthew McConaughey without the weed or the receding hairline.

Is it wrong of me to want to see a picture of this?

Not wrong, Steph.

I want one so I can compare it to the picture my brother took of Emeline yesterday wearing only a tutu, panties, and roller skates.

I tried. He's obsessed with the camera so whenever I pick it up, he wants to take the picture, rather than be the subject.

I need to get some clothes on him, anyway. It's too cold to be running around starkers.