Um. I wonder how many kids they had? Either way. HILARIOUS!

I don't remember if it was four or five. But not none.

There is a guy who sits near my cube who LOVES to randomly sing bits of songs at full voice. Today it is Bon Jovi - You Give Love a Bad Name. He has a decent voice, but still, kinda startling.

Um. I pretty much do that ALL DAY.

Every day.

Um.

...yeah, there's a reason that I thought it would be a good idea to have a Sing Along A Sound Of Music evening.

Anyhoo...vw, seconding the James and the Giant Peach suggestion - I'm reading it to my kids at the moment (they're seven and eight years old) and they're thoroughly enjoying it. I'd also suggest The Wizard of Oz or other Oz books for classic American kidlit fun, if that's not too obvious? The Spiderwick Chronicles are also pretty good for that age range?

"My wife is a very stupid woman. She cannot be trusted with things like this. I take the Pill!

rolls eyes forever.

My new favourite song? "Oh yeah it's FRIday, it's the WEEKend, oh yeah it's FRIday, it's the WEEKend!" (repeated indefinitely, while doing various victory dance moves of joy. As demonstrated by Year 1 in their assembly this morning, and then taught to all the school. Best. Song. EVAH.)

Oh, Hil. You get so much of my sympathy on this one. I don't get much of this shit since I'm only 23, but still, as the daughter of a Jewish woman (even though she's an awesome Jewish woman!), I just can't help to think from time to time she just wished to see me with someone. Male, female, doesn't even matter to her at that point*. When she talked with me once about it she told me she sure I'll get to it in my own good time and it's just a matter of priorities, and this is the woman who worried sick for me when I was in elementary school and junior high for not having friends and tending to spend the time among myself. Well, yeah, did you get a look on the supply on fuckheads that were in the same class as me? I'd rathar read another book.

(*Now, my tendency to advocate for gay rights really comes off wrong with this - I'm straight as you get them, but I'm kindda completing every "one day, when you'll have a man" tips with "or a woman!" and it doesn't exactly help.)

Hee. Shir, that sounds exactly like me and my mother. Except that I'm going to be 28 in a month.

(My mother also thinks I'm "too picky" because I refuse to date a guy who physically recoils at the word "math.")

You're not too picky.

And yes, I guess that Jewish Mamas are alike everywhere.

And oh, speaking of Jewish Mamas et al, remember how I asked some long time ago in Natter how to handle "do you have a boyfriend?" questions from relatives at family gatherings? I couldn't help notice that once I upgraded my wardrobe and looked happier (and better), they were gone. Am I exaggerating, fearing it's because they presume I look better because I'm in relationship? Not that I don't loving not having those embarrassing questions anymore, but I'd hate to think it's because of this.

(My mother also thinks I'm "too picky" because I refuse to date a guy who physically recoils at the word "math.")

On the other hand, you'll be the one to appreciate today's XKCD: link

Why am I awake at 3AM??

I mean, I know part of it. I was hanging out with this girl until 2:30AM. (And clearly we are dorks, because only like five minutes of that, at the end, was kissing)

And then I got home and my ear was making weird noises (not ringing, like...weird rhythmic swooshing bad noises, it was freaking me out--I think Teppy is contagious, over the internet!).

And now I'm still awake. wtf??

Am I exaggerating, fearing it's because they presume I look better because I'm in relationship?

No, you're not exaggerating the fear. However, be prepared-- after this brief honeymoon period, they will then begin to not-so-subtly ask "So, when are you going to be bringing someone by?"

Jewish, Cuban, more or less the same flavor of nosy relatives.

On the other hand, you'll be the one to appreciate today's XKCD

giggle

Well. I'm awake. Got to go help give a quiz, then tutor, then either grade papers or do some research. Don't really want to do any of this, except maybe the tutoring.

question for the group. Has anyone ever been a poll worker?

You mean working at the polls election day, not polling as in calling people for their opinions?

In that case, yes, and it was pretty awesome to be part of the process, but also boring and long and low-paying. It's pretty much dull clerical work -- checking people in, making sure everyone's in the right place -- and it tends to be an early day. But I'd do it again if I didn't have to take time off work to do it.

Check with your city/county board of elections (probably county? But it may vary in different places) to see if they need any people. You can also check with a campaign you're interested in to see if they need volunteers on the day -- that won't be in the polling place (can't campaign there) but might be driving people to the polls, calls, or other getting-out-the-vote kinds of things.