Doh, Ginger! That sucks a lot, how even if the car is fine, you're all tense and un-aligned!

d, there's sometimes a minimum temperature, but rarely a maximum one, since they don't usually require air conditioning at a workplace, and nobody thinks that in the winter someone is going to pay to heat a place that much, because that's crazy (even though it happens, clearly). One year we were pissed because it was always freezing, and then we got a newsletter about health that included an article about hypothermia and keeping it at least XX degrees in your house, and we blew that up and stuck it on the wall in protest

Tshirt Hell doesn't have my favorite gift wrap anymore. Does anyone know of sites selling wrapping paper of questionable taste? The stuff I wanted had Jesus on the cross surrounded by presents and festooned with ornaments. Yes, I know I'm going to Hell.

Sounds like something Colbert Christmassy.

Ginger, I hope the damage you've done to yourself is the worst part, and that the car is ok.

Vortex, would it work to develop a formula for discussing your availability with your mom - something like the old "say two positive things then say no" to soften the blow of the refusal. For example, "Mom, I'm happy to help you with ___, and I love spending time with you, but unfortunately I have a prior appointment, so I have to say no." Or perhaps offering a counter proposal, "That particular time does not work for me, but I'm free _____." Also you could combine them. I almost hate to suggest this, because I don't see your relationship with your mother as codependent, but it might do well for you to read up on codependency issues, particularly setting boundaries. I say this, because some of the books out there give some nice strategies for kindly but firmly saying "This is what I can do for you, this is what I can't do. Even though I cannot do everything, I do care very much about you." Everyone has a right to set boundaries, even with our mothers.

Laga, I think Fay might have the wisdom tonight - if letting your mother know about S collecting his stuff will get her upset enough to help her stand firm, then even if it will hurt, it might be important for her to know.

Yikes Ginger, hopefully everything is ok with you and the car.

Laga, no clue what to advise, but hugs for ya from Texas.

So I just finished watching a rather sureal movie. I'm playing with streaming Netflix on the xbox, and came across a title in foriegn films that sounded interesting. "Sex & Lucía", a Spanish flick. Sure I chose it for the title and cute girl on the cover. But wow, kinda trippy storyline. Anyone else here ever see it? It came out in 2002?

We're watching the last season of the L Word to prepare for the soon-to-start season (cheesy gay fun). DW is making a yummy shake of vanilla ice cream, peppermint schnapps, chocolate syrup, chocolate chips, and ice. YUM!

That sounds very YUM, GC.

They get some great actresses on there, too, GC. Sometimes I wish the writing were a little snappier, but I have a weakness for banter, straight or gay.(Does that make me bi-textual?) Wrod, WS.

I have a new tagline.

"Santa Claus singing on naughty snow, Reindeer ringing in the mistletoe. The manger's on fire, The holly's a-glow. Hear the baby Jesus "cryin' ho! ho! ho!" -Stephen Colbert, Another Christmas Song

Yummy treats and L-word! I wanna go to GC's. Sounds better than goldfish crackers and Friday Night Lights.

Laga, I'm with other people here. Maybe I'm biased, since usually I'm the side that people are not telling the whole story to, fearing that might upset me, and that's usually what hurt most. From my POV, it seems like they can't trust me to handle certain things, hence assuming I'm a fragile porcelain doll.

Humm. Now I wonder if it might be, after all, a good idea to tell some of them about some of the shit I had to go through in my life. Maybe I won't look so fragile anymore (and here comes the irony - I only have 3 other people in my life, very best friends knowing everything about me (besides my nuclear family). I don't tell because this info seems to continue to distress and hurt others, and that distresses me).

Also, there's kick-ass music in the online radio station I usually listen to, but I can't listen to it at the moment because there's a sleeping person in my room (my CouchSurfing guest) and my headphones are far away (I won't get up from that chair, dammit!). I'mma good host. Well, not good enough to also clean the kitchen, but good enough to consider it.

Humm, maybe I'll do it either way. My place is starting to lose shape.

Morning, all.