{{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.

Anne, cry for a while. Sometimes you need to have a big jag. I'm sorry; sumblimation is ok, in the short term, but them when you freak, you freak HARD. I'm a sublimator.

Do you have a pet, and some booze or tea? A long hot bath or shower? I like to sob surrounded by water.

Thank you, Erin. I think I'm going to have a whiskey and soda to help me fall asleep. I normally don't do that (alcohol as sleep aid), but I think it's justified tonight. Not sleeping will make things much worse.

But yeah, when I freak, I freak HARD. The good news - which is hard to see as more than abstract right now - is that once I'm done freaking, I will most likely move forward with a vengeance when it comes to fixing the problem. Right now, though, I just want to cry and get hairpats and "there, theres" and all that jazz.

And boy, draining those wine bottles between now and September will be a freakin' CHORE, I tell ya. OK, we have enough now, BUT THE LABELS! MUST! MATCH!

You could always make your own "Our Wedding" self-stick labels for the bottles.