Thanks for the spoiler font, Amy, I get sick at animal abuse stories. There are days on Facebook where I just cry.

I'm right there with you. I cannot handle it.

That's pretty awful, Amy.

In happy coincidences, DH had to drive the kids all the way up to school because they missed the bus (by only moments!), so he stayed for assembly. And it just so happens Franny won student of the week for her class! First time too at this school--which makes a way bigger deal of it than the old school did--so she is very happy.

Happy birthday, Laura!

I have to go to a luncheon with students in a few minutes, but I thought if anyone was interested in the cutting through some of the noise on the Oscar Pistorias case, a SA consitutional law professor is blogging & explaining some about SA law: [link]

I made the phone calls! For those of you who were waiting with bated breath to see if I womaned up and took care of business. I did. It was fine. It was an automated system; I didn't even have to talk to anyone. (Note to Ally Bank: I would totally use a blender to get my drycleaning done if that would mean I wouldn't have to make small talk about what event I was at where I got a stain on my silk dress. Aren't there confidentiality laws that cover these things?)

Okay, onward. What's next? Oh, yeah, remote deposit.

I went out to a cabaret show and dinner with a good friend last night. I was leery since my new medicine knocks me on my ass, but it turned out to be a great decision. I need to get out more.

Oh, and we're looking at houses this weekend. This should complete the misconception that Kristen and I are gay married. Which isn't a bad idea. What if we are both single for the rest of our lives? Who would speak for us at a hospital? If I was a dude, we'd qualify as common law by now.

This should complete the misconception that Kristen and I are gay married. Which isn't a bad idea. What if we are both single for the rest of our lives? Who would speak for us at a hospital?

Well, if you don't want your parents doing it, you might want to make a medical power of attorney. ...not that I've done this, but I'm not too worried about my parents, and know my sister at least can tell them what I'd want.

I was leery since my new medicine knocks me on my ass,

What are you taking?

but it turned out to be a great decision. I need to get out more.

Right on for the therapeutic effects of getting out!

Apparently the people I need to pick my sleep pulse ox measurement thingy up from called my emergency medical contact about scheduling the pickup.

The fuck? How is that an emergency?

When I spoke to them, I asked them why they'd done that, and her response was "We called the numbers you gave us." "When did I give you these numbers?" "What?" "*I* didn't give you any numbers, otherwise we'd already have been in contact. If someone else is giving you my emergency number to call, it's them I'll talk to, but clearly I didn't give you anything."

And then she was put out that if I pick it up today I can't return it until Wednesday. Uh, your hours are 10-4:30. You just so happen to be near my office, but the next time I'm in the office is Wednesday (Monday and Tuesday are Pasa-fucking-dena)--how can you not have issues with people getting to you all the time?

This is like the physical therapy I never managed to set up because they only had afternoon (not evening) hours for a one hour session involving a pool which would be hard enough to squeeze in at lunchtime if they were right nextdoor. Which, unsurprisingly not.

I do wonder how other people approach some of these medical issues. I'm still waiting for someone to tell me how much the neurostimulator costs, so I know if I can afford it or not so I can decide once and for all. It's been months, and no one is getting back to me with that info. Apparently it's hard to work out. I know I'm paying 20%, but I have no idea of how much. None at all.

Just went off on the other BA about the meetings where I am expected to say which developer will work on which issue I wrote up. I'm trying to explain that I don't have the power to assign work to the developers (since at least one will balk pointedly) and I don't know who has the know how and who has the capacity. He says that I need to suggest a developer so the developer can say no, and then that will start a conversation.

Uh, why can't it be a developer's job to start the conversation? Or someone to whom they do report to start it? Why the exact person who's worst suited for it?

Because, apparently, the developers are shy. MAKE IT THEIR FUCKING JOB AND PENALISE THEM IF THEY DON'T. I am totally boggled by how something can be made my responsibility to discuss, but can't be made theirs.

Happy Birthday Laura!

Good on you for the getting out and having fun, Allyson, and on the house. Where are you looking?

It's Friday! What are people doing this weekend?