Ginger, Mr. Peabody is adorable.

Yeah, I definitely believe this. It's just a more active neighborhood, very dog-oriented. Lots of people, kids playing, moms walking strollers down the street. He's very happy. Just very barky.

ETA: Ugh. Sorry about all that. I think I just needed to see it all laid out so I can feel better about what I'm doing.

Not at all. You need to realize what you’ve been doing. In your resignation letter, make sure that you say how badly you feel about the lack of notice, but you could not pass up the opportunity. If you really feel bad, offer to come in on the weekend (for a defined amount of time) for a few weeks to help with the transition.

A BAT spokeswoman said it was its policy to approach anyone using a design that closely resembled its brands.

In all fairness to the cigarette people, they really have to pursue this. Part of maintaining your trademark is defending it against all potential encroachers. If you don’t, when someone actually does encroach on your trademark, they can say “well, look at all of these situations where they didn’t defend it”

I would have been damn glad of one less thing to smile through before the wedding.

That’s the truth. My best friend did not want me to throw her a bridal shower because she was too stressed out and she was afraid that another event or obligation would make her head explode. She said that to me, and I understood and I said okay. Unfortunately, I didn’t impress that on other people and her sister in law insisted on throwing a lunch. I intervened and tried to have her do it super casual, but of course that didn’t really work. I had to look the woman in the eye and say “do you really believe that if she wanted a bridal shower, I wouldn’t have done one for her? There is a reason that I didn’t plan anything, and if you don’t respect me, respect her” She was appropriately chastised,but the die was cast.

"after our discussion of the position and all the responsibility it entails, I have considered my salary request and think it would need be closer to the XY side of the range."

I think that this is the right way to say it. You don’t want the recruiter to do all of the work, and then turn it down when the salary that you gave them is too low. This is particularly important if you don’t want to negotiate, or don’t think that you would be comfortable doing so. It’s all well and good to say that you’ll negotiate later, but you don’t want to end up saying “oh, I guess I’ll take it, I don’t want the hassle”

ION, today is ON THE LIST

Went to bed almost an hour earlier than usual because I’ve been tired. Woke up, listened to the radio for a bit, glanced over at the clock and FUCKING FUCKSTICKS, IT’S 9:44!! Jumped in and out of the shower, ran out the door. Started to make coffee in my one cupper, noticed that the bottom was a little gross, wiped it off, started the coffee. Glanced over at the corner of my desk to see . . . my coffee cup? And yes, fucking fuckballs on a fucking platter, I’d forgotten to put the cup under the motherfucking spout. ON THE LIST.

Started to make coffee in my one cupper, noticed that the bottom was a little gross, wiped it off, started the coffee. Glanced over at the corner of my desk to see . . . my coffee cup? And yes, fucking fuckballs on a fucking platter, I’d forgotten to put the cup under the motherfucking spout. ON THE LIST.

I have done this with the entire pot before. I should not be allowed to make coffee until I've had it.

I set it all up the night before, then in the morning I just put the sweetener in the pot and flip the switch (seriously, how is it I never thought of putting the sugar in the coffeepot before my dad mentioned it? Genius!).

In dog-related news, Bulldogs made the top 10 for the first time since 1935.

You're working with a recruiter, Nora? Then I'd definitely send the note you drafted above.

One of the most stressful things about job hunting IME is that feeling that you can't make the teeniest misstep or do or say anything that might come across as the least bit uncooperative or whatever that might put you in the "too much trouble" pile. Even things that are totally reasonable. It's so much easier when you have a go-between for things like this.

x-posted from Natter, 'cause this is really a bitches sorta question:

Hivemind, how do we feel about at-work baby-shower games? I made a very silly quiz for my coworker who loves (like, loooooves) Barack Obama last spring and it went over well. Now I am being encouraged to do some activity for today's shower. All I can think of is a simple "name that baby" thing where I give out slips and pencils and ask people to make (anonymous, and I hope funny) suggestions. Too lame?

One of the things I like least about my job is that by virtue of being the admin assistant, I am the de facto social director for my department, a position for which I am SO TOTALLY UNSUITED.

You're working with a recruiter, Nora? Then I'd definitely send the note you drafted above.

It's not a recruiter, it's the HR director for my School within my Uni.

I set it all up the night before, then in the morning I just put the sweetener in the pot and flip the switch (seriously, how is it I never thought of putting the sugar in the coffeepot before my dad mentioned it? Genius!).

I tend to not plan when I'm going to bed, I just end up finally laying down and passing out (usually far later than I should). Making the coffee before sounds like planning.