Calli, if you're okay buying online, LL Bean or Lands' End are almost all under $50. I was just looking at Lands' End backpacks because my BABY BOY is going to school in two months.

In stores, JanSport is widely available (like, at Dick's Sporting Goods.)

Thanks for the good luck for getting this (or any) job, guys.

Oy. I need to step away from an argument about Helen Thomas on another forum. There is no point in arguing with people who have already decided what my opinions are before I've actually stated them, right? (Someone just told me that people like me think that all criticism of Israel is antisemitism.)

I had a Classic Continental Rucksack from LL Bean for many years through hard wear (fieldwork, etc.), and it only died in a tragic washing machine accident (my fault.) [link]

REI has backpacks, and duffle's. [link]

Lots and lots of ~ma, Hil. And I prefer to think of your current status as being Primary Understudy. If either one of the two people cast has a conflict or a crisis or just washes out, it's all you.

Not that I want to wish conflicts or crises or washouts on anyone else, but if the universe wanted to gently and nonviolently nudge one of the other two in a different direction, that would be lovely.

Not entirely unrelatedly, the editorial assistant position I applied for last June was just posted on the uni website--I have no idea if the person who got it flaked or got a better offer or what, but I just applied, again.

Not that I want to wish conflicts or crises or washouts on anyone else, but if the universe wanted to gently and nonviolently nudge one of the other two in a different direction, that would be lovely.

This would be nice.

Argh. Someone on other forum just accused me of lying, because I described something that once happened to me, and he doesn't believe it because it's never happened to him. Must stay calm and step away. I do not need to get stressed about stupid things.

The solution--in my head--is that one of the other candidates gets accepted for their first-choice job and takes that instead. Everybody wins!

Job~ma, Hil. Being third out of thousands, as someone has said above, is fantastic. Here's hoping one of the other two decide not to take the job. Also, I hope your dissertation's going well.

Hang in there, Shir. That sounds VERY irritating - but you really will get to the point where the rest of your classmates catch up with you. If only at post-grad level (but I hope it happens for you before that).

Someone on other forum just accused me of lying, because I described something that once happened to me, and he doesn't believe it because it's never happened to him. Must stay calm and step away. I do not need to get stressed about stupid things.

You really don't. Go have some ice cream!

...That is pretty much my solution to everything.

...this is new. Beginnings of a panic attack, and my feet are getting numb. Usually it's my hands.

I'm not sure I can keep anything down at the moment, but I've got ice cream for later if I want it then.