Speaking of wants vs. needs, today I got my tickets to see Cyrano de Bergerac with Placido Domingo. (We weren't sure if we would get them or not because we're new subscribers and they weren't part of our series.)

I think having to move can help clarify the difference (for adults). Having to fit everything in a small place or pay to store it and/or having to hire people to move your stuff because you cannot physically do it yourself can help to make clear what you need vs. what you want. Also - having to sell the stuff you're not taking with you and seeing how little $$ you get for it and how much you need to donate or give away because you can't sell also illustrates how much unnecessary stuff we accumulate.

Predict the Future Using Your Fingernails (and other weird methods)

Another thing cats are good for:

Ailuromancy or felidomancy. Simply observe the way your cat moves or jumps to determine the future – especially weather. A black cat crossing your path being a bad omen is an old piece of ailuromancy. Did your cat lick her ears three times? Company must be on the way. Right ear? It’s a gentleman caller. Left ear? Expect a lady.

...

Onychomancy. Believe it or not, your fingernails are very powerful. Fingernail clippings were once used in spells, healing rituals and superstitions. In fact, many of the superstitions are still floating around out there – Japanese girls are told that biting their fingernails will result in a difficult childbirth later on down the line. The white spots on your fingernails are supposed to be a sign of good fortune – a spot on thumb specifically means that a gift is about to be bestowed upon you. Greedy people are said to have crooked fingernails, and the half-moon shape (“lunula”) at the base of the nail indicates your lifeline – the bigger the lunula, the longer your life will last. Ever bend your nail back? Bad news: not only did it probably make you use a few choice words, it also means there’s a difficult time ahead of you and it could last for a couple of months.

I've heard a white spot on your fingernail means you told a lie....

Yeah, I guess moving about 15 times in the last 20 years has helped me clarify that. Although I'm still finding things to sell via Second Spin and Amazon.

That sounds aggravating, Jen. I have to advice to offer, but I support you in not caring about his hurt feelings in this case.

Oh no, my poor babies. I just got an email from the summer camp saying that the field trip was canceled because the bus broke down on the way there. Second big field trip of the summer to be canceled.

Oh well. Maybe we'll make it a family outing afternoon.

Thanks, -t. It's just so intrusive. I think that's what has my hackles up. Do I have hackles? If I do, they're up.

Speaking of moving, I've been going well beyond my physical limits for more than a month now. Now that I'm here (but not unpacked) it must be unraveling because I'm exhausted and all I've done is read 'net, newspaper and make breakfast. I'mma sleep 'til Farmers Market.

Spidra, ND and I live in Pasadena. He's recovering from gall bladder surgery this week, but maybe next week.

I have a job hunting etiquette question:

Monday afternoon, I got a voicemail from an office I'd interviewed with last week saying that the Executive Director would call me Tuesday for a second interview on Wednesday or Thursday.

I called back that afternoon(there had been an indication to do so "call back the office if you would like to.") and left a voicemail, stating I got the message, and I looked forward to hearing from Ms. S at her convenience.

Waited by the phone all day Tuesday. At the end of the day, I sent an email:

I just wanted to check in- I'd gotten a voicemail yesterday saying that you were planning on calling me today to set up an interview for Wednesday or Thursday. I left a voicemail on the NPN line yesterday afternoon confirming I got the call... (just in case.)

Anyway, I'm terribly sorry to bother you, I know how busy you must be. But I wanted to let you know that you could call me in the evening if that was better for you. My number again is: 617-515-3948.

A quick thought on my availability- I have availability tomorrow afternoon (though since I'll be on the go for most of the morning, I'd need to speak with you about that tonight) and, at this point, all of Thursday.

Again, sorry to bother you, but I wanted to make sure that I didn't let the communication get derailed, if there was something I should have done after getting your intern's voicemail yesterday afternoon.

So anyway, here we are on Thursday afternoon. Should I call again? Should I just accept the fact that it's New Orleans and shit sometimes takes a while and just relax and wait?

Thoughts?