Blue trapeeze top, brown capris, brown flip flops.

That sounds adorable!!

I'm in limey green cargo pants that roll up into capris and button (if that makes sense?). And a brown scoop neck 3/4 sleeve shirt. And barefoot.

I was totally disappointed in Ikea. They had no desks that I liked at all. BOO. But I still ended up spending $100, of course. $50 of it on a great little table for my balcony that folds down into nothingness.

And then I went to Target and spent ANOTHER $100! Most of that on a HAMMOCK! Because I have always wanted a hammock. But can't put up the hooks for one, and don't want one of those big enormous hammock stands, because they take up so much room. And then I was wandering Target, and they had a camping hammock, that has a stand, that folds down into a carrying thing like those captain's chairs do!! I'm hoping it doesn't suck, but figuring if it does, I can surely return it. Fingers are crossed. How awesome will this be if it doesn't???

And then I went to Target and spent ANOTHER $100!

I call Target "The $100 Store" because I can't seem to manage to walk out without spending $100. As a matter of fact, I treat myself to Starbucks if I spend less than $100. Craziness.

It's true, Target is definitely a $100 store most of the time.

So tortilla chips and salsa count as breakfast/lunch, right? I realized I hadn't eaten anything yet today, and i really wasn't in the mood for hot dogs left over from the BBQ last night.

So tortilla chips and salsa count as breakfast/lunch, right?

Absolutely. I'm calling Twizzlers dinner, so why not?

I hate capris. Also, my work won't let me wear them. But what do I see in all the stores? Capris! What about skirts, people? There were skirts last year!

Brown short-sleeved tuxedo-style (ruffles!) button up shirt, jeans, green flats.

meara, look around on e-bay and Craigslist for a computer desk. I know that ChiKat first looked at Ikea for hers and was disappointed in the selection, and ended up finding a very neat 50s-era desk at one of those sites for a really reasonable price.

I luvre my capris so very much. I can wear them with heeled sandals to work, which is part of my love. The main reason I love them, though, is because they cover the spider/varicose veins that seem to be emerging on my thighs (thanks, Mom) while still looking cute. I like skirts, but they tend to make me look even shorter than I am (even at varying lengths) in a way that the right length capris don't.

P.S. I am procrastinating. I need to write the last five feedback emails to my online summer students, and I'm utterly unmotivated to do so. I'm so glad I stuck to my plan and finished five on Sunday and five yesterday so I'm not as overwhelmed as I was last week.

Target is only a $100 store for me around Halloween. And even then it's not, because Pete has this habit of taking most of the spooky decorations out of the shopping cart because he thinks they're too cheesy looking.

Oh for the love of...

You remember how I had to fill out pages and pages of an online application for the online Johns Hopkins job after I had already been offered it? Well I was wondering why I hadn't gotten any tax forms to fill out yet--I'm more than two weeks into the job and am was, in theory, supposed to get my first paycheck a couple days ago--so I emailed my supervisor. He apologized, had no idea I hadn't gotten that paperwork yet, and forwarded my info onto their payroll person.

I got this email in reply:

Hello [my real name],

Thank you for your interest in careers with Johns Hopkins University's Center for Talented Youth.

To process your information, I will need your signature on the attached release forms to give us permission to check background, employment and education. To expedite processing, please fax these to me at your earliest convenience.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call or email me.

[human resources lady's name]

Attached? Four MASSIVE pdfs that require NOT just signatures, but all kinds of information about my education and current work that I have ALREADY given them so that they can check to be sure I am qualified to teach the class I have already been teaching for two weeks.

And guess what? No tax forms. Apparently they have to process all the rest of this bullshit before they can officially hire me and put me on payroll.

For fucksake. I really hate university bureaucracy.