Oh, bonny, you're having such a tough time. I'm so glad you and Niki have had each other in your lives. Peaceful passing~ma to her, and peace to you.

Bonny, smonster said this earlier, and I just want to echo her good words. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Yay Hil for good review and taking a stance against electronics in class! Yay Barb for snarky-sneaky-sweet interview-age! Yay Omnis for teaching (fuck "instructing") important stuff!

Sean, I'll have you know that I kept breaking into completely inappropriate giggles during yoga because I kept imagining tattooed vajayjays which then led me to the JLove Bedazzled Vajayjay (TM) place, which was Very Bad.

You're welcome.

I was able to reschedule my dress fitting today, and I am pleased to announce that my wedding dress is no longer just a bolt of silk on the floor! It isn't nearly complete, but it was nice to see some progress happening.

I half expect her to tattoo (C)(R)(TM) all over her vajayjay next, and then send out a C&D letter to all 3.5 billion women on the planet.

When I saw that posted in COMM, I had to come see what it was about. I was betting it had something to do with Lady Gaga or Christina Aguilera. I was wrong.

Good onya, Barb!

Sean, I'm with you on the commercial-hating, at least the type you mention. Actually I think commercials use some of the most innovative and effective cinematic and editing and CGI out there, and I like those elements. But stupid commercials aimed at stupid people are anger-inducing, and abrade my patience.

Bonny, my deepest wishes for peace and comfort for you.

So I sent CfCWG (Cute former CoWorker Girl) a text saying "Hope you are staying warm and dry" (she works for the mouse in the park). She responded with a "Ha, I like the rain..." Let's see if that prompts a call when she gets off work.

ION- watching the Yankee game on DVR. I'm craving some of the Butter Pecan ice cream in my freezer. But last time I had a bowl, Texas won! (Pecan tree being the State Tree of Texas). I know the game is already over, and my eating a bowl can not have any effect on it. But. But. It's baseball, which seems to exasperate superstitious behavior.

eta: Crap, Texas just took the lead. See! Even considering the Pecan caused a problem.

Is there a back up plan if things get too difficult at your parents place?

I anticipate a big yelling showdown to occur at some point, and, honestly, it needs to happen, which is one reason I'm going. If things get too ridiculous, I can always go stay with my brother.

I skived off uni yesterday and watched The Girl build a self-assembly sofa. Occasionally I helped. Mostly I watched. It took her nine hours and she is a total star. We have a lovely sofa now. (I am avoiding work and feeling a bit crappy about myself and my ability to do a PhD, and it's a good thing I have a meeting with my supervisor today. And a clothes-swap party up in Leeds with friends from former uni, who usually talk sense into me. Hurrah.)

Man, it took everything I had to not run away the first time the first chance I had after he kissed me on that fateful day.

Heh. I was the one who did the asking out. The Girl practically disappeared for nine months - before changing her mind. (I love our 'I asked her out and she said no' story, and will be telling it at our wedding. Often.)

You held my hand and advised me and proofread my emails in English. Thank you!

I am secretly enjoying the English lessons. Glad it went well m'dear! May you have more success in the job.

Huge congrats on the teaching evaluation, Hil!

Or move to a motel for the week, and limit your visit to a bearable number of hours per day.

This is sensible advice, and what The Girl and I have done in the past with her crazy family. Wishing you solutions to the family stuff, PC. I can relate, believe it or not. TG's family is that crazy.

LOVE your interview summary. Barb!

Staying in a hotel can be a very good thing. I adopted that policy for trips to San Diego a few years ago and it has made time with my family a bit more bearable.