Having said all that, I now need to have a "What is this deliverable????" discussion that I have no idea how to approach. Somewhere in the hourlong meeting what the tech team needed and what the design team said they'd produced totally disconnected. Or the disconnect happened in the design team. Either way, there are some nice people I don't want to embarass that I need to question. Yuck.

I think a lot of it also depends on the industry/specific department you're in.

Oh, my word, yes! I was in a social-work/direct-care job, which was NOT the right fit for me.

This is why I'm moving into a college teaching environment, because, while I am an excellent teacher, my personality is set up for more bluntness and directness than stroking soothing. I'm kind and caring, but I am not a stroker.

my personality is set up for more bluntness and directness than stroking soothing. I'm kind and caring, but I am not a stroker.

In this, Erin and I are as one.

I generally prefer that tack to be taken with me, but I don't mind soothing and stroking for someone else.

It's just that without the blunt, I feel like I'm getting mushy answers that don't allow for effective pushing back when I need it. I like being able to say, "J says it can't be done" because saying "J said she would try to do it for me" leads to constant emails about delivery dates for something that won't happen.

I've skimmed, but Nora's boss sounds... interesting. I think I've been ridiculously lucky with bosses in the few jobs I've had. I think this because I am *boggling* at the idea of a boss having a problem with a two-minute-long bad mood. (Especially since I worked for a man who had a three-year-long bad mood. He was a genius. It was no excuse. Still, it meant he put up perfectly happily with me and my tantrums.)

We're having a Secret Santa dealie at work, and my giftee is an avid knitter. Obviously, there are many knitting-type gifts in the world, but what would be a good one? I don't want to just get random yarn or something since I'm not sure what her specific tastes in yarn are (and apparently yarn comes in different strengths and thicknesses as well as colors...). Are there popular and fun knitting books? Hot new knitting needles?

How advanced is she?

P-C, check out the Make Store: [link]

I think there's some knitting projects, etc. here: [link]

How advanced is she?

Fairly advanced, I think. She's always making things for people. Hats, socks, scarves, maybe even sweaters.

I think there's some knitting projects, etc. here: [link]

Oh, cool. That travel knit kit might be useful. Unless she already has one.

You could get her really cool stitch markers, hand carved needles, gift certificate to a yarn store, I've heard good things about Zelda bags, but those may be pricey.

Knitting books [link]