Thanks, guys.

Everyone keeps suggesting I take a break. I'm not sure how taking a break will solve the problem of not doing work. I think that, tomorrow, I might try working on a different section than the one I've been working on -- maybe just thinking about a different topic might help.

An actual break might help you get re-started, instead of just not getting stuff done. If nothing else, I often have breakthroughs in thinking when I'm doing something else, other than the thing I've been staring at the computer about. Go to the movies or something.

Hil, when I was working on my thesis ( BS) I had a friend who would fairly regularly "kidnap" me when I descended into spirals of non-productiveness (or just plain nutsdom.) Whether it was to one of her ultimate games, forcing me into the pool, a movie or a heavy 3 drink lunch (when I was really losing it), it probably kept me sane(-er.) Maybe suggesting that to a friend might help?

It was really hard for me to motivate myself to take a break that was actually worth shit, but being bodily dragged from the lab and not allowed to talk about what I was doing (I think the phrase was "Shut the fuck up.") did me a world of good.

So barring the kitten having anything that would make my cats permanently sick, looks like I'm acquiring a third. Oy. He's got a vet appt Friday, after I take mine in to update their vaccs.

N stopped by (Miss Louise's great granddaughter) to borrow catfood for HER cat, since she'd run out. (Yes, this worries me.) Luckily, I still had leftovers from when mine weren't on special diets. She said "So you are taking Tiger?" Looks like, since the family all seems to view it that way. N is moving out, with her cat.

This is going to be Very Interesting.

(Despite all my trepidation, I really, really hope this kitten isn't a carrier of anything. I'm happy to give him a home. Even if it goes against all my plans.)

Funny after the conversation in here today, I just got an email from a friend who is opening a maternity/kids consignment boutique in NYC. At the end of her list of the kinds of things they're looking for was this:

We cannot accept gear of any kind, because NY requires a license for that kind of stuff.

I wouldn't have had the first idea what that meant before today.

(Here's the store, by the way, opening at the end of the month: [link] She's working on the website.)

And OMG. I started a diet TODAY for the first time ever. You guys are making me wanna cry about pie. Holy crap. How on earth does the diet business stay in business? I don't think I'm cut out for this nonsense. I want pie. Followed by a pizza pie.

The first couple days are the hardest. The first few months of your first diet will be easy, because it's new, and you'll see quick results.

I have never heard of Sambo before today. What's the connotation?

Alibelle, wikipedia covers it pretty well: [link]

Here's some of the art from the racially charged version of the Sambo book: [link]

And holy crap, they linked to this, which made my jaw hit the floor. It's a 2004 Japanese earthquake safety pamphlet which was only withdrawn after many complaints: [link]

Wow.

Sorry, didn't mean to kill the thread. Developing a curriculum for African American Lit with my colleague Katie a few years ago exposed me to a world of racism I wish never existed. I'm grateful for the knowledge but saddened and angered by the reality.

Wow. I really killed the thread dead.

I can haz pariah?

(Kidding! I kid!)

I can haz pariah?

This is what you get for being sad and angry at the same time. It's blocking your chakras or something.