I totally can. But I'm also backing up my computer, which I accidentally launched from a desk today and now am afraid to shut down. So I'm being like liese and backing up all 91 GB of crap. I really really really don't want to grade. I'd much rather write essays than score them.

Linda Holmes wrote a lovely piece on feeling upset when your show t insert show here jumps the shark. [link]

She's so smart and so lovely and this is so so true. Well worth the read.

And better than my stack of papers.

I hit the jackpot for the 15 yr old on the way out of the store with The Art of Discworld. He'll totally be into that.

I've also got an 18 yr old boy on my list (Birthday and Christmas) but I don't think reading is much of a priority for him any more. 18 is probably a good time to move to gift cards, right?

happy birthday Consuela

Thanks, beth!

And now to bed...

Right. I get why no one does the dork handslap with my sister. Boobs! She's got a rack--why is she gung ho about smacking them?

Happy late birthday Suela!

I know I complain about this every year, but I get so annoyed at the idea every year. This is our "Holiday Offering" to the housekeeping staff. Every year we are solicited to give cash, which is divided amoung our 3 housekeepers and the facilities worker. Because there are so many people in the building, they usually get around $400 each. Except I think it is kind of insulting. I think it implies we think these poor housekeepers need charity in the Christmas Season. But they make the same as the secretaries and they have a union! No one gets us a cash "offering"! And we are expected to give at least $40 to the offering Also I hate that we call it an offering.

ETA. I think it also bugs me because all of the housekeepers are black, and none of the professors and only 2 support staff members are not white. It just seems icky and condescending and more about making us feel good and better than them through charity

Oh, thank goodness -- I slept well last night and am feeling muh more able to face the world. And my cat. Which is a good thing, because I'll be on the sofa bed at my parents' tonight.

Do you get a present from your boss, Sophia? The place I worked that solicited cash for a gift for the housekeepers, the assumption was that for staff in the building, bosses would buy gifts (and mine did, but generally in the $10 range, not $40). (Also our housekeepers were not unionized and they did make less than the building staff.)

Tons of birthday wishes, virtual Scotch, and a better and gentler year ahead to you, Suela, a year worthy of your awesomeness and of the year you've been enduring (and an appreciative job, to boot).

Skippyness made me miss the birthday, but I'd like to echo the wishes above.

I suck at presents. When I see something right during the year I will get it and pass it along. But when faced with a list of people to do for, totally no clue how to proceed. The employees get bonuses. I wish I could be more personal or inventive, but so it goes. I remember a couple friends that were in a play directed by Burt Reynolds here in Florida. They were delighted when the show closed that each person in the cast and crew were given super personal and just perfect gifts by Burt. He just apparently paid close attention and took notes during the run of the show and got it right. I'm envious of that ability. My MIL has this talent too.

I'm not good at the family gifts either. I do stuff for them all during the year, but holiday specific gift giving is an issue. I need to use MIL or a gift inspired friend or something.