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.

Of course it varies by location and industry, but right now in NYC temping is pretty dead. Most places seem happy enough to have the rest of their staff suck it up when someone is out sick rather than spend the money.

If it matters, she works for the University of Virginia, a public school (which is an awesome school and should not be judged by the actions of this particular group of unpleasant humans.

I was going to say, that's a large institution and hasn't she looked into transferring internally but it sounds like she's not motivated to find a job. How frustrating.

Happy Anniversary Jilli & Pete! Happy Birthday Daniel!

I'm quiet on the board due to ridiculous October events, but reading and nodding along. We decided, due to above mentioned ridiculous October, that the best thing to do this weekend was to leave town, and head for the ocean. There was a Halloween festival, which was perfect for getting our minds off of things. We made it back in time for TorT with our neighbors. HKFan wore a ballerina outfit [link] that was mine sometime in the 19mumbles and wings that were in her dress-up box, and had a really great time. I saw a sign for a 5k run during the festival, thought 'hey, maybe I could do that," and then 'to hell with it, I'm totally going to try.' My legs are aching this morning, but I ran the whole way and am a little chuffed. Also, we have Too Much Candy now due to all the TorT-ing that went on, but we're all much more relaxed due to getting away. Now all I need is for November to be much better than October, and one more item to turn out a-ok, and then I'll be very relieved.

Shir - a belated way to go on the site. {{Cashmere}} on DH's job situation.

Hubby told me an amusing story from his last hospital stay. He likes to play with puns and such, and he was toddling around the floor they way they like patients to do. One of the nurses asked how he was doing, and he made some convoluted reply and continued on. Halfway around the floor, another nurse runs up to him. "Sir, we need to get you checked out." "Czeched? But I'm Norwegian." "Sir, come over here and sit down." "What do you need to check me for?" "We're afraid you're showing some signs of impairment, it may not be too bad, just let us--"

And he realizes they think he's had a stroke and are taking his wordplay as a sign that his brain is going. He finally convinced them that his mind was fine, he just likes playing word games. I've told him he'll get in trouble for this one day. I guess a cardiac care ward is not the place to not be fully coherent.

"Sir, we need to get you checked out." "Czeched? But I'm Norwegian."

I've told him he'll get in trouble for this one day.

This strikes me as a case where the phrase "too smart for your own good" applies.Wordplay is yayfun and all, but he's gotta know that 95% of the people he comes in contact with aren't even going to get it with the help of a dictionary.

I think he enjoys having everyone he meets stare at him and go "Huh?" They just rarely have the means to have him committed or brainscanned.

I was going to say, that's a large institution and hasn't she looked into transferring internally

This actually might be good. Last I heard, they were only allowing internal transfers, not new hires, so other depts. might be really happy to get her.

They just rarely have the means to have him committed or brainscanned.

That's where it backfires. FOILED!

My mother and sister are coming today, mostly to see my cousin one more time. I am not ready.

Note to self: Clean more than once a year.

Daisy Jane

Since Dallas is a passport processing center and you are so close to your departure date, you have the option of making an appointment with a rep at the center who can help you locate it. I know it means taking time off work but the both people I know who did it said that just making the appointment lessened their anxiety and both walked out with their documentation.