Sorry, insert foot. I meant specifically in the pictures, although I don't think that helps. Outside of what my camera captured, when I was actually at the event, everyone seemed happy. I'll shut up now.

You know, some family therapists actually look over family snapshots with clients and point out aspects of the relationship that is evident in body language. I mean it's one thing if ONE spontaneous snapshot hints at dysfunction (because everybody has off moments, days when they're worried about something, pain, etc.), but when it happens over and over, something is off.

Note they primarily use snapshots rather than posed family portraits when everyone is supposed to be smiling. It's those spontaneous moments when people are being themselves without the awareness they're being watched that shows you a lot.

Except, if I don't think the picture is of me, I'm not engaged with it. And my eyes are naturally sleepy and my mouth turns down a little if I'm not smiling, so I generally look either high or angry.

After I started on the anti-anxiety drugs, I really noticed how much BETTER I looked in pictures. Not that my features had changed in any way, but my body language and facial expression changed to be way more attractive.

That's nice to hear.

ION, does one just have a phone interview from one's office? That feels so creepy! And I know the walls aren't that good.

I've done it, but if there's somewhere nearby that you can step out to and do it from your cell I think that's generally more comfortable. And especially if you feel like you might be overheard.

It's those spontaneous moments when people are being themselves without the awareness they're being watched that shows you a lot.

If someone takes a bad picture of me and infers that it's because my children have rendered me dead inside, I'm pretty comfortable saying that says more about their issues than it does about my family.

I've done it, but if there's somewhere nearby that you can step out to and do it from your cell I think that's generally more comfortable. And especially if you feel like you might be overheard.

Somehow I feel like going to the phone room would be more obvious. I think my voice doesn't carry like my coworker's, and even with her, I can only hear what she's actually saying about half the time. I guess it will be fine. I just wish I had gotten the 5pm slot!

Childrearing has different effects on different parents, too. My cousins who just had kids the last couple of years are always bubbly and energetic when I see them. My best friend and his wife when they had an infant and toddler in the house? Should have been moaning "braiiiiins" at passers-by.