But you can't get unemployment if you are bringing in any income, like freelancing, right?

In the places I've been, it depends--you just have to report what you're making, and if it's less than your unemployment would've been, you still get some of that (whether it's the difference, or even a little more, depends on the state).

In the last week, I colored my hair for the first time ever, bought a hot iron/roller thing, and got my hair cut into a long-ish angled bob. (I think.). Anyway, I love my haircut and not having Greyson hair all around my face!!

Eta: I meant gray hair. Greyson hair sounds like it should belong to Robin. Although is he Grayson?

Oooh, I'm thinking about dyeing my hair as well, Nonian! I've got lots of grey, and I'm turning 45 this week, so it's probably a good idea to try and look a bit younger. I'm heading out to my mom's for a few weeks in April, and her salon does a great job with her hair color, so I'm thinking about asking her to make me an appointment to see what they can do for me.

{{{{Laura&Mom}}}}}

{{{{Erin}}}} Vibing for that awesome-sounding writing job.

My grey hairs are (for now) strategically placed such that I can pretend at least to myself that they are blond streaks. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I read some statistic somewhere that said that 80% of American women over the age of 20 color their hair. I was aghast until...oh, wait, that's me.

Better living through chemistry.

My grey hairs are (for now) strategically placed such that I can pretend at least to myself that they are blond streaks.

If my white hairs grew in streaks, I would be thrilled and not slap color over them. But nooooo, they are scattered everywhere, and I HATE my "natural" color. In my world, the blue-black is the color I was supposed to be born with, and that mouse-brown shade is some sort of accident.

Sending coping ~ma to Laura. I'm glad you are able to be there for your mother, sorry that it has to be so hard.

Also sending job-landing ~ma to Erin. I hope That Place snaps you up.

In terms of unemployment, if you don't know if you qualify, call the unemployment office to make an appointment to talk to someone. People in unemployment offices vary like any other workplace and are usually under a great deal of stress and overworked, but a lot of them will go out of their way to help you with eligibility questions. They know the system is tough to navigate, and many of them will try to help you find your way through it.

I'm very tired. We drove to London and back to have a three-hour meeting with lawyers yesterday. Now I'm going to do a twelve-hour day at uni, followed by two days in Leeds (there's a great speaker giving a talk at the Centre for Disability Studies, where I did my MA), followed by another long day at uni, followed by a protest march in London on Saturday. Oh, and then wedding dress shopping with a friend on Sunday - but that will be fun, if also tiring. Then I might get some sleep.

The Girl pointed out to me yesterday, when I was ranting about the power of the beauty myth (I'm doing a lecture on women and popular culture next week) that I dye my hair. "But I'm only 32 and I'm going grey," I protested. "Quite," she said.

But I do love being a redhead. And that involves chemicals. I'm waiting to re-dye it until just before my wedding, this time, or it will get expensive.

Erin, wishing you the snarky writing gig, and whatever kind of work you want next.

Thoughts for your mom, Laura.