So the power is off here on our block in Highland Park again. This time I just went to the library--my boss will text me when the power is back.

Also, the bank across the street from us got robbed this morning. Pretty boring from our perspective--just a lot of cops milling about, and "Police Line" yellow tape in front of the doors. (The robber fled earlier on foot. We didn't notice.)

Sumo's post reminds me: I invented a card game, Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock, the Card Game. I wanted to test-play it with people on this trip.

I don't really get upset at work anymore- maybe once or twice a year. I do get irritated and bitch to friends, though. Because my workplace is stupid sometimes. I am trying to get business cards for my new director. I have neither her professorial appointment information nor am I allowed to actually fill out the form for the business card. So instead of HR talking to accounting about the business card and leaving me out of it (and HR and Accounting are 2 people who sit next to each other), I have to gather the information and give it to accounting who fills out the form! I am going to lose it.

So, my cousin is engaged, and I looked up his fiancee, and she's an artist, and I really like her work! Unfortunately she seems to be doing well enough that she is probably not in my price range. [link]

Well, I like conflict. I know. But I do, so especially in my younger days, I liked fighting for something and knowing I'd won out, by the sheer skills of my amazing logic and rhetorical powers. But it had yet to occur to me that there was a loss there, and it was relational.

The last time I got really upset at a job, I quit the next day. But that was a bullshit part-time job that had been driving me crazy for months with the sheer WTFery of the manager.

Still felt good, though.

I often need to be reigned in. I sometimes worry that I'm Don Quixote in purple hair and tattoos. That and the attention span of a gnat are my two biggest weaknesses. I think I'm forgiven because if you fuck with one of my people, I'll move a mountain to make it right.

But I'm certain that I have a net loss in the "overly emotional" department.

I've been a sympathetic ear to a younger employee who started the same time as me. I can't tell if her problems with everyone she works with are her fault or not (we're in different groups). But I like to think being able to have perspective makes a big difference. Just keep your head down, do the work.

Also, does anyone know where I left my magic eraser? I had it before the summer break, I'm sure.

Those are some really engaging paintings, flea. I like and would also buy a couple if I had disposable income. And a place to hang them. And a root.

When I look at this one, however, all I can think is, "Stop staring at me!" The paintings are an entertaining Rorschach test, too. [link] (it goes to the painting after the opening flash)