Shir, that is exciting news about the big-name tweets. I'm sure he isn't going to make fun of you, and if he does, we'll smite him for you.

Seska, that's awesome news as well. Lots of good endurance vibes for your course and for your presentation.

Hil, do you have a link to that? I can't find it at Amazon.

Amazon Broadway sale: [link]

Thanks.

Congrats Shir! Given your contributions here, the recognition is deeply deserved. And must feel great!

I wish I could read every post...roughly 60% of the time I succeed. Other times? Studious skimming.

I need some perspective on something...having hit a rough patch with the half-a-country-away bff.

She's been gone for a couple of months now and, given the distance and life change, our communication has suffered/diminished quite a bit. For the most part, I'm cool with that...except that the only times she chooses to check in with me are when she's in the car, eating or waiting in an office. It's really beginning to bug me.

If you can't find time for me, please don't bother 'squeezing me in', it's not better than ignoring me, believe it or not.

So. Today, she sent a cute picture of her dogs...to a list, of course...not just to me.

I replied with the appropriate appreciation and took the opportunity to share the fact that I'd just been bitten by a dog. My neighbor, whose house burned last month, was in the yard, so I went to console and catch up. Her dog, whom I'm pretty sure I've complained about here before, has zero discipline. I gave up trying to help the neighbor because she clearly didn't want any. No problem.

But today, the dog walked up to me as I was rising from the chair to leave and clamped down on my thigh. Fortunately, I knew not to jerk away and was able to pull her off before she sank her teeth in, but she kept coming after me and I had to push her back with a tool.

I didn't freak out on the neighbor, clearly she has enough to deal with, but I did give her some stern warnings about the escalation of aggression. (she told me, as I walked in, that the dog had snapped at a couple of other people lately and then, in the same conversation said that she'd 'never seen her do that before!' Denial is strong.)

Anyway, it hurt and I was feeling pouty, so I told the bff. She responds with, "Sorry to hear How much weight loss will it contribute to? Kidding"

Now, I've gained a good amount of weight since she left, but I'm not too fussed about it and will deal with I need to. I haven't made a big deal out of it and now pretty put out that the 'joke' she chose to share was about how much flesh I might have lost to a dog bite.

If anyone else reads something else in this, I'd really appreciate a different perspective. Cuz right now? I'm pretty hacked off.

Not sure about a lot of it Bonny but as someone who is almost always on the go I'd say that 90% of my phone calls are made from my car or in between meetings and other activities. If I waited until I was sitting at home I simply wouldn't be able to call anyone or the calls would be at 2 AM. I hope that my friends and family aren't hurt by this but if they are then their other option is no contact from me, which would suck from my perspective.

For the most part, I'm cool with that...except that the only times she chooses to check in with me are when she's in the car, eating or waiting in an office. It's really beginning to bug me.

If you can't find time for me, please don't bother 'squeezing me in', it's not better than ignoring me, believe it or not.

I guess it depends on whether you used to engage in regular phone calls, but if she's calling you frequently in the car, eating, or waiting in an office, I think that means she likes talking to you. I have a few people I tend to call when I'm walking somewhere and want to use that time to catch up or just chat as well.

(Basically, what ND said.)

Anyway, it hurt and I was feeling pouty, so I told the bff. She responds with, "Sorry to hear How much weight loss will it contribute to? Kidding"

Ergh. Not the best joke ever. But it's hard to gauge without knowing her.

I totally get that ND. You work so very hard, and are away all the time.

My friend? Retired.

Living in AZ with so little to do that she's already looking for a new gig despite saying she'd never work again.

eta: What is the friend version of 'I'm just not that into you anymore?'

She keeps telling me how much she can't wait to see me at the end of the month and I think the thing I have to come to peace with is, for her out of sight really is out of mind.

It's certainly an insensitive remark, bonny, but my tendency would be to attribute it to thoughtlessness, not intentional spite. I don't say that to downplay it, as thoughtlessness is a problem in and of itself, but it's a different set of issues.

I think you are all right...and Burrell, that is the thing.

I really care about her and I don't think she's spiteful. But, yeah, the thoughtlessness piece is what's getting to me.

I've already mentioned that I'd appreciate if she'd wait until she's finished her meal to call...the crunching/gulping noises are kinda gross...but that hasn't really sunk in.