I know rice flour makes a good pancake.

Clearly, the gluten-free pizza that my co-worker loves should make it to your side of the pond.

Ooh, it should. There's a 'free from' range in the local supermarket which includes pizza bases, but they're corn based and not very nice.

Have you considered going to the press with it? Because if they're endangering your life like that, it's something that needs to be brought to light.

Well, I went and complained as soon as it happened, and they claim there are procedures that I haven't followed (I'd argue that they haven't communicated them to me, but there you go) with regards to making contact with a departmental fire rep and organising an evacuation plan. So I'm not sure I'd get far there. It's the principle of how little support I'm getting that's irritating me. I feel like refusing to come in until I have support workers. Alas, I don't think anyone would notice but me!

And with that, the postgraduate research students are going out for dinner, so I am off to wander the streets of Derby till I find the restaurant. Food!

Steph, it occurs to me that you could probably make a pretty damn delicious gluten-free waffle batter.

Oh, totally. I have a really good mix, actually. But I'm at work and went out to lunch, and unfortunately, no place around here makes a gluten-free waffle.

Had to hold back from commenting on a post that made light of people who are upset at the election results (esp the likely coming gridlock in Congress). The guy has a 6 figure salary and has thus likely been pretty insulated from the worst of this economic downturn. I really hate how people in that bubble act like if it's not bad for them, it's not bad for anyone.

Seska, what a PITA. How can you follow policies you don't know about? I know you already know, but document document document. Keep a journal of all your requests and what you find out when and how. Does the university have an ombudsman or mediation department?

The Fresh Makers are off getting a house tour and it is blissfully quiet. Ahhh... We did lose one yesterday, he left town. He was my biggest PITA, so I feel sad and a little relieved. Nothing I could do, though.

Quick-healing~ma for your mother in law, bt. That beautiful boy of yours surely deserves as many adoring fans as he can get.

Seska, ugh, what a misery to deal with. And what smonster said; obsessive documentation is your friend.

Quick and easeful healing~ma to bt's mother in law, and the swiftest possible return to her little Emperor and his parents.

Spidra, that piemaker is a thing of utter beauty.

The pink link didn't work for me?

“I think parents need to beat the crap out of their kids … I think the whole spanking and how it’s all gotten P.C. is just for the birds. … [My father] put me through a wall. It’s the only reason I’m still here. It’s the only reason I’m still alive."

Hmm. Plei, I looked up the permit, and am still confused/concerned. Apparently they need my consent because it'll be all up in my space--but I'm anxious to hear if they actually think they need to USE my space or if it's just that since the possibility exists (the property runs up to about a foot of the line, so fixing the basement could erode stuff). They also want to add something to the second floor--but that's in front.

meara, don't agree to anything unless it is in writing, including every contingency you can think of, and if they're talking about erosion, they can damn well pay for the civil engineer of your choice to come out and tell you whether or not s/he thinks their plan is a good one.

signed, lawyer, daughter of a civil engineer, sister of a civil engineer, niece of a civil engineer (HI SOX), etc...