One thing two friends of mine did was get married at the registry then have a celebration party six weeks later. Six it was a "party" and not a wedding or reception that left them free to do whatever they wanted to pick and choose from various tradions. For instance if you were legally married at the registry, then you could get married by Batman in party without needing to worry about whether the Batman was a minister or anything - not even the need to buy an ordination from the Universal Life Ministry. Cause the ceremony at the party would be for emotional purposes and have no legal significance.

Although I was going to ask him if he'd get ordained online and marry us. (Of course, if he doesn't want to, then I'm back to looking for a Batman.)

If you want to get married out here in CA, I'd happily hitch y'all! Sorry, don't have a Batman outfit.

Meara, hope all goes well in the follow up. Don't stress. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

Sumi, tons of housing~ma out to you! You doing ok over there?

So funny thing at work. Well, at lunch. So it's me and co-worker, about 1.5 miles away at Chipotle. We are done eating, and neither of us jumping up to return back to campus. Finally I say, "well, I suppose we should head back" (rather unenthusiastically). He responds (in mock child whine) "I don't wanna. And you can't make me". To which I say, "No, but I can leave you here, if you wish". He looks towards campus, does the mental math, and jumps up gathering our trash and saying "well look at that, you CAN make me! Who knew!"

It was funnier in the moment. Possibly the difference in vocal inflections.

Anyhow. Must work late tonight. Don't wanna. Whine Whine Whine. Helping out professor that is a royal pain in everyone's ass. Somehow, he got to host a big fund raiser where the dean of our school, and the chancellor of the university will be there. So. I have to. Blargh.

meara,

I have learned that people in the healthcare profession, specifically those scheduling appointments, have very few people skills. I don't know if the job burns them out or not, but it can be worrisome and wearying on the patient side. Hang in there, I am sure it is nothing, but you get 'ma from me on that order as well.

I'm guessing it's most likely the dense breast tissue thing. That's happened to me before, and as with you they scheduled my follow-up for the soonest day possible.

That does make me feel a bit better! And thanks everyone. I, too, am pretty sure it's just the dense breasts thing, but between my moms thing (hers was diagnosed at her first mammo at 40!) and a childhood friend (whos not hardly okder than me and has fewer risk factors!) having it recently, it freaked me out a bit more than I thought it would.

...and when this plane just loaded my boss had sent another "call me when you get to your hotel" email, but thankfully added "don't worry it's good stuff". But now I'm so curious!!

Ive seen a couple places Ive liked - I fear my crappy credit history trumped my stable work history and the 17 years Ive lived in the current spt. This makes me think Im going to have maximum trouble finding a place at all.

Breast~ma, Meara.

When I had my "Huh, I'm over 40, I should do this" mammogram I got a call back. They were kinda pushing a rushed follow-up and I told them, "My dad's dying, can this wait a month?" Suddenly they found it a lot less urgent. When I did make it in for the follow-up there was a five minute ultrasound, and they said, "Yep, it's just a cyst." So not all pushiness = important.

sumi, that's rough. I hope it all works out quickly.

Boobie ~ma, meara!

One variant of the money dance has people pinning money to you.

Or the wedding reception I attended where the bride came around to each table collecting envelopes of money from everyone. I was horrified. Where I come from (imagine nasal haughty voice) where *I* come from, even talking about money at a wedding was dreadfully tacky; no one would have dared ASK for it.

A quick piece of news: last night, Biyi gave her tenth speech at Toastmasters. (It was a tribute to her former English tutor; he and his wife also invited Biyi to stay with them when she was in need.) This means that she has now completed the Competent Communicator manual. I'm particularly proud of her because of course English is not her first language.

Biyi gave her tenth speech at Toastmasters.

Yay Biyi!!! I've heard good things about the Toastmasters.

Brava, Biyi!