brenda, believe me, the temptation was huge, and he even said something snotty this evening about how they really could get someone else to do it in a week's time...the temptation grew.

Not in THIS town and for less than the entire rest of the wedding is costing.

I'm still doing it because the bride is a good friend of mine, to whom I feel an obligation of fealty. She contributes to the quality of my life and should not suffer any more than she will being married to him.

Ironically, he and I have been friends...or people who know each other...for 15 years. She came into his life (and mine) about 5 years ago. When I was sick last year, she was there for me in a lot of ways.

I'll feel better when I get my hands in the buckets. It's a huge...HUGE amount of work...but I enjoy doing it well.

In the meanwhile, I've set up boundaries that make sure I don't have to deal with him. I'll be cordial, but I won't be trusting.

What, he wants you tell him you're doing it out of a Ghandiesque sense of compassion and therefore it's ok that he such a rude asshole?

It kind of came off that way.

I didn't let him in my house, but took him out to walk Bartleby. (who has visible wounds all over his body and is wearing an e-collar...and I kept having to keep him from rubbing his eye...yet friend never even acknowledged his presence. Right. He's a dog. But, seriously, he's wounded and you can't offer a good wish.)

I was proud of myself for standing ground, acknowledging his effort and then stopping the conversation before it could go back around to acrimony...which it would have.

An exercise in restraint...let me show you it.

bonny,

good for you. Hopefully he is just being groomzilla and this bullshit will reverse itself in the near future.

sox, my best to your family

Nora peace to you and Tom

maria the ma ~~~~ is headed you way

ease and peace of mine to smonster and bonny

Hopefully he is just being groomzilla and this bullshit will reverse itself in the near future.

I have NEVER understood why throwing a wedding is such a societal excuse to act like an asshole. (Not saying you were implying this, le nubian.)

I mean, organizing a big event can be stressful, but GET OVER IT. You are planning a party and getting married, not going to war. People do not get a "act like a douche and get out of jail free" card because it's a wedding.

I know family politics can amp up the stress, but, damn, some of the antics people get up to and expect to get a pass on because it's THEIR WEDDING is just ridic. Take a couple of Xanax and grab hold of the perspective bar, y'all. It's a wedding; it's supposed to be fun.

{{{Sox & DH}}}

{{{Tom & Nora}}}

{{{Maria & DH}}}

{{{FredPete & Hubs}}}

{{{ita & family}}}

I wish I had better words.

You speak for me.

For Groomzilla's bride I wish a happy and healthy life. For Groomzilla, I wish that his vehicle be filled every morning with bunches of wadded up newspapers that take 5 minutes to clean up on days when he has plenty of time, and 20 minutes to clean up on days when he is in a hurry.

Erin,

I get you. I like to see a glass as half-full, so that is my attempt.

I had a nice dinner tonight, but OMG was so full I barely ate any of dessert! Not sure how that happened. Met a guy at an alumni event a while back who travels as much as I do (he works for a coffee importer, so he does more international travel--jealous!), so we had a nice foodie dinner and geeked out over frequent flier miles and upgrades and so on. Much fun! We're planning to do it again sometime...in December, since we're both that busy. :) (And if only I were straight, I'd totally consider dating him, but no. I'm thinking of introducing him to my roomie, though)

bonny, how absolutely atrocious. Patience to you, and swift healing to Bartleby.

I went to a birthday party, and hung with the Americorps volunteers, and carved a pumpkin and had a couple of drinks. Texted StW and went by his house on the way home. We just talked for a while and caught up, and I confirmed that he still does want to see me in whatever spare time he can find. That was enough to put the insecurity demons back at bay. I still really like him. He still wants to hang with me. I guess we'll just keep seeing where it takes us.

(And if only I were straight, I'd totally consider dating him, but no. I'm thinking of introducing him to my roomie, though)

You are an awesome giver, meara.

First world problem - can't get my charger to plug into my phone. Not drunk anymore. Wtf.