I'm confused as to what the question is. Do you not usually have guy friends, Shir?

I have, but none of them woke up out of the blue after months to start a relationship. I stand confused. It's not a question, more a thing I have to process. I wish I could have done it more naturally or on my own, but I'm me.

Happy birthday David!

and you are over-thinking , shir. if you want a friedn -- talk about food, or hiking , or other stuff you like to do . If it works, the other stuff happens. Some times people are busy and don't really notice what is right in front of them

Oh, beth - I talk. But it doesn't feel natural at all when I do, and then I get stuck and reverse back to think I know I'm good and fluent and funny talking about. Not the whole trying-to-built-a-comfort-zone thing.

I agree with beth. I also think this guy realizes the school year is ending and he wants to keep you in his life.

Daisy Jane. Start by asking for all three weeeks. Just be frank and say you love this job and don't want to risk it, so if they can't help you they can't help you. But it is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so please find a way to work it out if they can cause you would really like to do it. And you don't expect paid leave, and are totally open to working overtime to catchup before and after. Let them decide if they want to offer less time or no time or whatever.

Yeah, I agree with Typo here, DJ. That's exactly what you need to say.

Don't use the word "deserve" but at the same time make it clear you are not feeling entitled to this. You know you have not been there long enough to have earned three weeks of leave in a row, but it is something that is super important to you, so if they can make it work you are ready to do what they need from you in order to make it work.

Shir, I definitely understand the confusion. I'm always confused when new people like me, especially if I like them. I don't know what they're basing their impressions on. I'm always afraid it's just ephemeral, and after the initial few meetings, they will decide I'm not really worth knowing.

Like the girl I met last week at Theater Pub that I got into Seven Against Thebes so we've been rehearsing together. And when I went to see her in the ChatRoulette Show on Saturday, she said, "It's good to see you." IT WAS GOOD TO SEE ME. But will it be good to see me after tonight? We shall seeeeeee.

I also think this guy realizes the school year is ending and he wants to keep you in his life.

That makes sense.

The taxi driver on the way to the grocery store kept addressing me as "little lady." The one on the way back handed me a Jesus pamphlet with my change.

I've been freaking myself out by reading about Etan Patz. I'm not sure why I keep reading this.