Safe travels, Nora!

Ari Shapiro is wicked smart, from a wicked smart family. I'd love to be at a cocktail party with him, Dalhia Lithwick and Gail Collins.

Happy birthday GC!

When I have had the click, it's kind of blown my mind, because I'm used to getting to know people slowly.

I have to say, most of my longest lasting relationships have happened with people who I didn't really like on first impression, or who didn't really like me. I think I have anti-chemistry.

Ooh, were you at Tupelo?

Of course I was, Nora! Have a safe flight, and successful trip!!!

Ari Shapiro isn't only cute & smart, he actually guest-sang on the most recent Pink Martini record. Being as he has been friends with the band principals since college.

So far I'm doing a good job at not freaking out too much about today... I'm going for an all-day "tryout" faux-project at a website company.

Top baby names of 2009 are out (in time for Mother's Day). These are official social security data. [link]

Michael has dropped to #3 (it was #1 for 40 years until recently) and the new #1 for girls is Isabella! Casper is up to 39!! and Dillo down to 191.

Good luck, Theo!

Top baby names of 2009 are out (in time for Mother's Day).

Whoa. Matilda jumped from not even in the top 1,000 when our Matilda was born to #368 now.

Name cycles are weird and fascinating.

massive amounts of goodness vibing to Theo.

I had more to comment on, but now I can't remember, I need more coffee.

Today's the last day my boss is out, am sad.

I think mac is having a hard time with Mother's Day this year and both his therapist and I think he is about to confront some scars from his past that we are expecting to be big and painful. I am kinda collapsing under the expectation, I know I need to be ready and non-emotional and supportive whenever he breaks through this - that is leading to me crying a lot of the time I am away from him. ugh.

Sophia, this is so exciting. I could not be happier for you.

Now, about the money... wasn't there talk the other day about university policy on raise caps at 10% or some such? I'd think, and I don't know, but I'd think that one reason to talk about the money might be to address that. You say, "can I have a raise?" and they say "no we just can't right now." If your career there is taking a major turn (and it could be) maybe at a later more major point when they HAVE to give you a raise you can look back on the earlier discussion (i.e. now) and get a bigger than the 10% at some future date.

Did that make sense?

Good luck, Theo!!

And good luck dealing with all that, msbelle. Being non-emotional when you need to be for him must be terribly difficult.