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.

{{Anne}}

Trudy, the balloon flowers at the shower were made of awesome. I totally want to learn to do that.

I did manage to find two articles that were based on two (out of five unpublished articles) of them. Not bad, when you're trying to find something that doesn't freaking exist.

I get authors trying to reference unpublished articles fairly often. They're usually articles that the authors have put up on their own webpages, sometimes theses, sometimes incomplete works. I have trouble explaining that "appears on a probably temporary webpage" does not equal "published".

Does anyone else experience the fear of saying something that could get interpreted wrong or accidentally reveal something about yourself ...

I decided I don't care if anyone thinks I'm a psychopath. At least then they'll leave me alone.

International Male changed its name to Undergear. I haven't looked at an International Male in yonks. There's a cock in my eye!! ARGH.

On a whim, I popped over to ogle. The first photo made me laugh out loud. Next season: codpieces!

Anne, would a quick trip to the gym help at all right now? Is it too late for a brisk walk around the block?

I'm so sorry about the freaking. Ah, I see you have another remedy at hand. I hope it's helpful, and that you move beyond this as quickly as is practical. And also? ((((You)))).

Erin, the spirit bottle tree would be fun, but no. These are all empty, with labels removed. I just set a short emerald green glass bottle next to an ovoid olive green glass bottle on a shelf next to a plant, and over there on the table, a tall, waisted, pale green bottle next to a cobalt blue glass bottle. The greens of wine bottles do vary, and there are blues, ambers, and even a red or two. I just set them out randomly, in groups of two or three, among the plants and statuary to catch the sun and make a pretty for the eye to rest on. Dump them out after it rains, is about all the upkeep they need.

Job ma ~~~ to Jilli, omnis and my DH for tomorrow.

hair pats for Anne and Hil

as for the rest, I am not much help right now .... maybe after I get over being home