And I am far too honest and admitted that the conference ends on Saturday

That's the thing. Both amy and beth give you good advice.

There are so many flavors of honesty, and being less-than-forthright and noncommital are but the thinnest slices of dissembling. It's built into the social equation to such a degree that often asking a direct (challenging) question is somewhat rude.

Relationships aren't governed by logic so much as poetry and metaphor. So, use your poetic license and strategize. "Elision" is your new mantra for the year.

Admitting when the conference ends -- fine, but you have plans for Saturday -- even if the plan is not to spend time with your parents.

Seriously, if plans 'change ' and you can spend more time with them , Do you think they will be unhappy? Esp. if you decide to change them to spend more time with them.

and if things get pushy -- you can always say -- I was going to have lunch at Restaurant X , would you care to join me.

In our case, we didn't think we would be joined, but it was our favorite when we lived in CT. DH's parents now have a new favorite restaurant.

Skipping to ask: when emailing a professor for the first time, do I start the email with "Dear Dr. X", or just "Dr. X,"?

Edit: nevermind now, but thanks.

Calm~ma for Hil, and best of luck with job-searching and dissertation-writing. I know I'm not at your level, but I have an unhelpful (and often obstructive) dissertation supervisor too, so I can relate. Much job~ma for you.

I'm skimming on account of still being determined to finish this dissertation chapter sometime before the Apocalypse. (Though I have discovered the assistive technology area of the library at the university whose facilities I'm borrowing. Cue much excitement and remembering how great it is to have everything read to me in a Sat Nav voice.) Health~ma and job~ma to all those that need it.

Just finished giving the little man his late-night feed. I pick him up out of his bassinette and hold him up high, he takes one look at me and spits up right in my face. Well played, tiny person. Well played.

I pick him up out of his bassinette and hold him up high, he takes one look at me and spits up right in my face.

Y'know, I got to "hold him up high" and didn't need to read any further. I just knew what words were about to follow.

Y'know, I got to "hold him up high" and didn't need to read any further. I just knew what words were about to follow.

To be fair, I could see "peed in my face" as a viable end to that story.

bt, new(ish) parent though you may be, I don't see you as quite clueless enough at this point to do something so obviously asking for trouble.

bt, new(ish) parent though you may be, I don't see you as quite clueless enough at this point to do something so obviously asking for trouble.

You'd think, wouldn't you? But he does so enjoy the flying baby game, it doesn't seem right to tell him bathtime means he's grounded.

Oh, people make tactical errors all the time, even clueful ones.

ETA: Or should I say, people, even clueful ones, make tactical errors all the time.

P.S. I haz teh gronk.