He does not wear an ascot. (Indeed, his clothes are one of the things I like about him. Quite low down on the list, but definitely there.)

Ack. Have I mentioned how very much I love and cherish you folks? Because I really really do. Also, Hec made me cry.

Hec writes (eloquently) what we feel, Fay. We love you and think you are a catch and then some.

So I have a good and a bad work thing.

Good work thing: I submitted my grades earlier this week and now am pretty much done packing up my classroom--just a few odds and ends left that I'll have some time for during our meetings Monday and Tuesday. I'm completely done after the last meetings and an appreciation luncheon on Tuesday. YAY SUMMER!

Bad work thing: I sabotaged myself by being good at my job. There's this new teacher who came in midway through school this past year. She's in her 40's and means well. She's also one of the single most annoying people I have ever met. She's one of those people who constantly has to comment during a meeting (after every. single. statement. anyone. makes), is completely flakey, and has a hard time bonding with the students. The admin decided that they needed to partner her with a stronger advisor next year to help her be more successful in advisory (which meets twice a week). Guess who gets to be her partner? t weeps She sets my teeth on edge. Seriously. I don't know how I'm going to survive a year of being closely partnered with her.

yay Suzi!

great Dress sj! ( it deserves a capital letter)

Quiche is in oven

Think of her as a student kristin. Give her assignments. and bitch here.

Oh, ouch, Kristin. I hope it doesn't prove too painful.

Think of her as a student kristin. Give her assignments. and bitch here.

Boy Problem:

Horribly, painfully, amazingly beautiful boy. WORKS WITH ME.

Charming, bright, tall, funny.

Totally enamoured with girl who lives far away (whom he visits)

And he wants to be my friend. You know, like people who click in that friend way and it's all friend?

I can't be friends with someone who I want to make out with, though I like him well enough in that regard.

I hate coming to work because it distracts me all day.

And it makes me feel horrendously ugly. Why do gay men and amazingly beautiful men always seem to want funny fat allyson to hang out with? It's friggin killing me.

That's my problem. Can't someone shut off this horrible feeling so I don't pine every three hours?

Why do gay men and amazingly beautiful men always seem to want funny fat allyson to hang out with? It's friggin killing me.

Lots of people want to hang out with you, Allyson. It's because you're electrically charged, because you're sweet and kind and bright and sharp and funny. That's a silly question to ask.

I have no idea why he's not hung up on you. I'm the last person to talk to in that regard. It's not like guys get hung up on me either. But even though you're having pangs of desire you mustn't let it make you feel ugly, because that's not what it's about. Completely not. Life just kinda sucks in that regard. Sometimes too often (c'mon--look at the love lives of some people you cherish dear to your heart--is it a value judgment that some of your closest friends are terminally single? Does it make us ugly too?).

Allyson, I think ita's right about disassociating your self-image from what this guy (or any other guy feels). I know it's not easy.

And I'm certainly no good source of advice (I am much relieved I am not single because I have no doubt I'd be in the same position. I had a guy I humiliated myself for years ago who, after I asked him directly, told me, "I've tried, I just can't love you that way.")

But you're funny and a good friend to have. Your validation should be internal. I wish I could shut off the inner demons that make you feel unattractive.

The question is, is it more distracting to pine over him, not being friends or is it better to be friends with him and hope the desire to make out goes away. I always opted for the latter, myself.

kick that voice to the curb, Allyson. If someone spoke about one of your friends that way, you'd be pissed.

Obviously, you are fun to be around. I know you are smart and funny. That's why people want to be around you.

As for the pretty boy, he can't see you because there is a girl in his eye. he may never see you. ( boys are not always smart) However, he won't ever see you if you don't see him.

ION, why do our shoes insist on living in the living room?