Anyway, what should I know about keeping an open bottle of wine good for a couple of days? I need bottle-stoppers, yes?

Bottle stoppers will help, and I read recently that all open wine should be kept in the fridge if you want it to stay good longer, even ones that you serve at room temperature.

ETA: We have also found that the bottles that come with the new rubber corks are easier to get back in a bottle for a tight seal.

Damn it. I called my mom hoping for some sympathy and reassurance about my back, but instead got called out on overreacting (for me) and focusing on a whole bunch of scary 'might have beens' for a lot longer than I would normally. In short, she knows me and my sublimating ways all too well.

To make a long story short, I've been a weepy mess for the past hour, and realizing that I need to (and don't want to) take a good hard look at why I have been unhappy at work for a while now and why I've been in denial about that.

Edit: And my back still hurts.

Sorry, I don't really know what the answer is, omnis.

I do not like the job-search process. I do not understand it, either. And I'm stressed out, and I have two big things to do this year -- job and dissertation -- and both of them are kind of stalled right now, and I just want this to be over. And I want to go get some greasy comfort food, but the restaurant that I'm craving is a pain to get to from here.

{{Anne}} Good luck with the looking hard. I never like that, but it feels good when it's over and you know what's what.

We love our VacuVin. Best thing EVER.

What a weird day. Good news at work (it's review time, and I got some inklings today on how that will go) but getting a bunch of emails from my BF that clearly demonstrate how lonely he is in Boston and how much he misses me, the dogs, California, etc. Oh CA 15% unemployment, how I detest you!!!

And I am having F2F withdrawal too, and am bummed that I didn't get to see more of bride and groom but at least they don't live too far away for visits.

I quite liked the Cupcake chard I had this summer, and I am not a big chard fan.

Jilli, bottle stoppers work well, but you know that quite a few wines comes in half bottles? When I lived on the Plaza, the gourmet shop down the block sold quite a few wines in half bottles. See halfwit.com.

Oh, Sophia, that is such a kind and generous offer! I really appreciate it. I think I am going to go with fresh flowers, and I would feel bad, since you already work your ass off with work and the theatre.

Erin, I know. (Yep, typing that is a trip!) It's so weird to feel so self-referential.

Bev, do you mean like spirit bottles? (I have always loved that idea and wanted a tree in the front yard so I could hang spirit bottles from it.) I think the photo idea is supercute for an anniversary, but I already feel weird enough at the the idea of being the center of attention my my wedding day. Photos of me and Dan all around would make me laugh and laugh. In a hysterical, high-pitched, madwoman-in-the-attic way.

My friend Nikki is a mad crafter, and I am already planning on asking her to make an awesome guestbook. She made me a journal a few Xmases ago, and it's so damned cute I can't write in it.

Since it's September in Kansas City, I am thinking about getting paper fans from Peal River for the guests, and some paper parasols for my mom, sister, maid of honor, Dan's mom and stepmom. I can't afford them for everyone, but I might link it on my website and invite interested guests (especially my close girlfriends, who I can say, "Hey, go it together and get one; they're cheaper in bulk!" without fear of rudeness) to indulge.

We had fans as favors for my Sister's shower (in July) and they were a big hit. We bought white paper ones for a buck or two each and stamped them with daisys and strawberries (the shower theme). Several of us used them for YEARS.

We got them at Pearl River too: [link] [link] They come in a bunch of colors too.

There are also sandalwood for $1.75. These come in a little box with a glass top. [link] You can get similar ones without a case for a dollar [link] That would also make a nice (and practical) favor. They're rather classy looking and hearty... I tend to carry one for two or three years before it persishes. And they give a faint sandalwood smell when you fan yourself (handy on NY Subway platforms)

There are also fans you can get printed (the lollipop shaped kind). They're pretty much one-use and not as pretty (which is why we opted for the folding ones.)

And I'm stressed out, and I have two big things to do this year -- job and dissertation -- and both of them are kind of stalled right now, and I just want this to be over.

I can sympathize. I have two big projects at work that are weighing heavy on me but aren't going anywhere (some of it in my control, some of it not), and I just want it DONE.

In other news, I can't stop crying. This conversation with my mom shook me up, and I really don't want to deal with all of this.

This gentleman's manpony appears to have given him swayback:

[link]

And, dude, that site is giving me frenulum shock. I suppose if you are an male underwear model, genital piercings are not gonna get you mainstream bookings.

Also, whatever ad person who came up with "man pouch" should be shot. That is about as unsexy as "Le ScrotSac." Jeez.