Hope people had fun trick-or-treating last night! I had a migraine, so my lights were all off, so the kids all went right past my house. This is a shame, although I had nothing to give them, so probably for the best. I'd have disappointed some small people. That's never good.

I went to a Lutheran church service today (for Tim's nephew's confirmation), and it was my first Lutheran service. Since today is when they celebrate the anniversary of the Reformation, the liturgy was different than normal, with all kinds of language that came across to me as very very VERY melodramatic, about how "we are miserable sinners who are not open to the word of God," etc.

Heh. That's funny, because us Anglican types celebrated All Saints' Day yesterday (and All Souls' Day tomorrow). Which is a festival that rather makes the opposite point. I hate the 'you are but a worm' stuff, and have had some major arguments with various clergy about it.

Have managed to get in early (for me) to the research student office. I am going to get through hundreds of books today, yes I am. Hundreds.

We had an early batch of trick or treaters last night, panicked that we might not have enough candy, bought more, and now have ALL OF THE CANDY IN THE WORLD left. I brought piles of it in to work this morning, but so did everyone else. So much for day one of my post-Halloween pre-Thanksgiving diet.

Zenkitty, is there a decent temp agency in your niece's area? If there is, that could be a good possible safety net. It would mean income, and some flexibility while looking for other work. The intermittend down time might not be a bad thing, either. Getting over that kind of protracted job trauma can take a while.

I'm sorry your uncle's doing poorly, Steph.

We didn't have any trick or treaters last night, but that's not unusual due to my apartment complex's location.

There was a time in my life when I would have poured the boiling water over it anyway, and made myself at least try it. This is how gronkified I am this morning: after opening the packets of instant oatmeal into a bowl, I got out a mug, opened a packet of hot cocoa, and proceeded to open into the bowl, on top of the oatmeal.

I dunno, Andi, chocolate oatmeal might be an improvement over the regular version.

Zenkitty, is there a decent temp agency in your niece's area? If there is, that could be a good possible safety net.

I'm sure there is, and that's a good idea, but I doubt she'd go to one, and I doubt anyone would hire her if she did. She has a good work ethic, but a crappy attitude - which is why I've no trouble believing her current employers want her to quit. Also why she needs to find a job she likes, stat. Kim's no good at just dealing with it and getting along - if she can't do it with her whole heart, she can't do it at all.

DJ, what's going on with the trip?

Our visas still haven't shown up (along with our passports we had to send them to get the visa) we have a number, but it just says "in processing." I also haven't gotten my renewed DL from the DMV. I'm pretty much having a nervous breakdown over the whole thing (In addition to the OMGWTF India feelings) I got no sleep last night because of anxiety and nightmares. Jon talked me down a bit yesterday, but I know when I get home today, if there are no documents, I'm going to have a massive flip-out.

Because it does not belong in my angst ridden post above.

Happy belated birthday to DCJ, and happy belated anniversary to the Reasons!

Also happy 44th anniversary to the Saints!

I actually think it would be very helpful for everyone involved if a town strongly suggested a time frame for trick or treating. While I generally like giving out candy to little kids in costumes, I don't like to be continually "on-call" for 4 or 5 hours with smatterings of kids.

Most communities do have something like this, but it's organized by local parents' groups, not law enforcement.

In terms of qualifying for unemployment, this may vary by state, but there's an important distinction between being fired with cause (i.e., stealing stuff) and being laid off (i.e., reorg, downsizing, "just not working out" etc). You only qualify for unemployment if you're laid off.

A bit of catching up:

Belated Happy Anniversary, Jilli and Pete!

Steph, that attitude (even if not exactly those words) was pretty much standard issue in the Lutheranism (Missouri Synod, one of the more conservative branches) that I grew up in.

We didn't have many trick-or-treaters last night. Probably because our front porch light isn't working. Which reminds me, I have to call an electrician.