I could never master it.

Of course the argument alone (even with evidence) does not win you much, but if you can persuade a boss to want to give you a raise of more than that, this can be legit reason he or she can use to sell it to higher ups. As you say, probably not in this economy.

Yeah, that's a tough one even if you've got a history someplace. And while it's a completely true argument for someone like Vortex (or me at the time) my hunch is that when people see an under market salary they assume you're lower level than you're claiming.

FWIW, I've been involved in some dozen or so interviews in the past year and we never asked about current salary. Requirements/expectations yes.

Gah. Just paid nearly $400 to get my sister's phone turned back on. She didn't ask me to. She didn't tell me it was turned off. But she's been completely screwed by the Republicans fucking around with unemployment extensions. And I can guess her password. ("What don't I know about that kid?"). But I'm saving some money on this weekend due to some good things (guy who prepaid his hotel room and has to leave early) and bad (SIL too afraid to come to Arizona so no wedding celebratory dinner) so I guess it all washes out the same. I've thought of more painting/home projects for her to do for me so hopefully she won't feel too shitty about it.

Brenda, you are a lovely person and sister.

I made good progress on food tonight. de-frosted a package pf chicken and got 3 different marinades on individual servings. That finished off one bottle of marinade and made dents in 2 more. Then I had some soup and a sandwich for dinner. Clearing out one can and some perishables. Also had a beer which finished those off.

Since I am staying home tomorrow, I am going to try to make slaw (use up some mayo and vinegar), muffins (can of pumpkin and baking supplies), jello, and probably get some beans going. I think I have a good shot of getting through the canned goods and most in the fridge/freezer, but there is stuff in the pantry that there is no way I will get through, like unopened bottles of syrup and unopened boxes of hot cereal. I am going to bag stuff up in triple ziplocks, not tell the movers, pack it myself and hope for the best.

Cass is right, brenda.

I am bummed. I just checked in here and found out about the Tenant/Stewart Hamlet. Next time it airs around here is 5/9. Such a long wait!

Oh well, at least tivo will take care of me eventually.

Completely unopened pantry items should be fine in the move, msbelle. But I'd be wary of trying to move anything already opened.

And I'm in awe of your cupboard culling.

Mom and I are watching Ocean's 11. There is so much about this that makes me happy. Not limited to having Danny, Rusty, mom, me and wine in the same room.

Thanks, y'all.

I have my quibbles about how she manages her life and her money, but the truth is she's been woefully overworked and underpaid for years, and then got laid off. And she hasn't gotten an unemployment check in three weeks after all the bullshit delays - it was a couple of days in Congress terms, but the bureaucratic impact is sprawling. I get so much much from her in non-material terms, and I've been where she is in that hopeless, no-way-I-can-dig-myself-out-of-this place. This is despair. And there's not much worse in the world. I can help, so how can I not?

I still want her to get her shit together, so it's not like she's living on me, just a helping hand here and there. But I do what I can and I give her a way to make it work. She repainted my bedroom and bathroom last month which I've been dying to do but didn't have the time or energy.

(Between this and the SIL thing - she's afraid of flying to begin with, especially alone, so it's not just that, but reasonably or not the idea of going to Arizona is freaking her right the hell out - I am really feeling the impact of congressional shenanigans.)

I get so much much from her in non-material terms [snip] I can help, so how can I not?

This makes you a damn good person. There are people who ... don't. Won't. Either.

Go, good sister, Brenda!

One of my resolutions this year is to be a better daughter, sister, and friend. I have been pretty self-centered, and I don't much like it anymore.

I am making steps, and it feels really good.

You're awesome, brenda.

Anyone watching Happy Town? (Amy Acker is in it.) I think it's one of the limited run mystery/thrillers like Harper's Island, and it's not too bad so far.

I was thinking Harper's Island too, but it's not intended to be a limited-run series. The first couple episodes are mildly intriguing but tonally all over the place, and it seems like it's trying too hard.