That photo is wonderful.

Okay. Going to bed for real now. I would take one of the dogs to bed with me if I didn't think it would result in massive jealousy from the other dog, and fur and drool in the bed.

That photo is wonderful.

It was one of those total lucky shots. She's laughing, her husband is looking devious and cool, and Tim looks like he's holding hands with his brother. His other brother, on the other side of his dad, looks like "I'm not sure I want to claim them as my family or not, so I'll just stand here and look cool!"

In that picture, Tim is 42, and the brother next to him is maybe 44 or 45. DAMN they are in good shape for their age!

Wonderful family shot, Tep. Happy. This is what everyone needs to remember, they were very happy. This is a sad time. But they were clearly a family full of love.

And, wow, yeah they all look damn good for their ages.

Beautiful pic, Teppy. Much love in hard times.

Q for the CareerMa: I've been...irked...about my job title. It's not what I want it to be (I'm a "[myjob] II", rather than a "Senior" [myjob], which I really should be, due to various stuff for when I got hired, and how I was classified, and not realizing it, etc). I don't really have a beef with my pay, though of course it would be nice to make more.

A year in, I was told by my boss that he wanted to get me on the track for promotion, and made some plans on things that should happen for that--the idea being it would likely then happen at the interim review in six months.

But then I got transferred to a different part of the company, and a new boss, and that never happened. So at two years in, new boss said "would love to promote you, but last year there were no promotions [in this part of the company], so now they have to promote some people who really deserved it last year. But they tell us maybe at the six month review this year they'll let us do some"

So last week I had the six month review and he says no, sorry, no go, but here's hoping. ...at the three year mark? Puhleaze.

Meanwhile, I noted last night that there is a job opening for a "Senior [myjob]" in my area (pointful because there aren't often openings up here...more common elsewhere) with the required experience being RIGHT up my alley.

I've been working on a single project for the past year and a half--and it's only got six months to go. So eventually I need something new anyway. And my thought is, if they promoted me they could bill me at a higher rate to the client anyway, no? So how do I tell my boss "I want THAT job, rather than you hiring someone else, and you should just find someone else to do the project I'm on for the next six months"

Because my current plan (...which I think is pretty clear to him) is that if I don't get the promotion next review, I'm out.

Meara, that post would be an excellent e-mail. Or at least say to him:

"I want THAT job, rather than you hiring someone else, and you should just find someone else to do the project I'm on for the next six months"

ION- idiot from work is now asking if I have a wireless mic for cameras. Again. This time with a link to some gear. @@! It amazes me how professors can be so clueless.

I just had to get up and make fried eggs on buttered toast at 2:30 am because I couldn't sleep because I was hungry. I hadn't eaten dinner, or much all day.

NOM NOM NOM.

Ok, hopefully I can go to sleep now.

That is all.

Venting:

Remember Dana's legendary post,"Fandom Through the Years: The Dark Side?"

Let it just be said that now I can suggest an academic view of it: Paradigm Through the Years: The Realistic Side.

"I'm a Know All With a Revolutionary Vision Who Can't Be Bothered to Check the Basic Facts! Love Me!"
"My Mythical Persona of Study is Good and Shiny and Noble and Don't You Dare Write Him Any Other Way!"
"I Don't Care How Much of Your Time and Money You Put Into This Thesis, Because I Have Unending Corrections"
"Unreadable Writers I Have Read"
"Hey, Isn't Conflict Theories Just Porn, Anyway?"
"Who Says You Have to Know Sociology to Write Papers About It?"
"If You Criticize My Writing, I'll Sue the Faculty and It'll Be Your Fault!"
"Why Should I Spell-Check -- It's Only A Paper"
"Hey, You Look Helpful. Can I Ask You Inane Questions?"
"I Could Have Obviously Developed a Better Theory, But I Would Never Waste My Time Doing That"
"You People Who Put Political Female Characters in My Ancient History are Just Evil"
"But It's Okay To Talk to Textbooks If I Really, Really Love Them, Right?"
"I Am the TA! Get Out of the Way; Here Comes My Ego"
"Unreadable Print Guaranteed to Make You Gouge Out Your Own Eyes".

OK, I'm done plagiarizing other, nobler, Buffistas.

Steph, Tim's mom sounds amazing. I'm in awe of all of you.

That is a glorious photo, Teppy.

Shir, it's good to see your font.

That is a great photo, Steph.

When my mom was dying (at home, under hospice care, and God bless hospice because Mom hated hospitals so very much), she had about a day where she was unconscious, with the low vocalizations. My dad, sister, and I took turns sitting with her, holding her hand and talking to her. We didn't know how aware of things she was, and we didn't want her to feel alone. It was hard, but I'm glad we were able to do it.