So first I click to open a new "correspondence". Then I have to type in the date it happened. Then I have to click on the "performed by" box. Which opens a new box. Where I have to click to enter a new line. Then click on the "last name" field to open a list of names, then find my name on that list of name (I'm on the third page) and click on it. Then click OK that yes I meant that name. Then Click on another box for the "Topic" (and click for a new topic, and for a list of topics, and then on the list of topics, which one you want). Then cut and paste the body of the email into the "comments" section. EACH AND EVERY EMAIL. It's insane.

That is very similar to my "work" of last Thurs/Fri. (Although mine isn't quite that bad.) Good fucking times.

Laura, when you finally get your Nook, email me so I can we can lend each other LendMe books!

That goes for anyone, btw. I am realfirstnamereallastname@hotmail.com on Nook.

Lee -- salt.

msbelle, hee. I sympathize. "But I showered two days ago and these jeans LOOK clean!" "Why do I have to brush my hair? I LIKE the way it looks unbrushed!"

Yeah, sucks to be you, kid.

One of the problems of me being out of work is people recount insane work stories like the above, and I think, "damn, work is insane! Why would I want to do that?" And then I never get a job. (I mean also, there are very few jobs in my field in my city, but seriously, why do things have to be so crazy?)

Money. I do it for the money. And have to remind myself that it really is important and I really would run out, if they stopped paying me...

(Also, why does money suddenly look so weird? Like it's not spelled that way?? Am I insane?)

Laura, when you finally get your Nook, email me so I can we can lend each other LendMe books!

Sure. I am anxious because I haven't played with one so I am unsure what to expect. I do have about a billion books on my computer that theoretically I can put on the Nook, but until I get it I don't know how that actually works.

I am at work. Ok, I'm at lunch at the moment. Dunno when I can leave.

But I did just buy a new winter hat. Recycled cashmere. Exciting!

Eta: I asked the store greeter for stocking caps. She didn't know what I was talking about. Is stocking cap an old fogeyism?

Call or e-me if you have any Nook questions, Laura. Just, um, not today. Because I sound like Gollum's more evil cousin.

I coulda left a while ago, but someone scheduled a noon meeting without, apparently, telling anyone. So, along with having to call most of the participants to tell them its on, I'm eating pound cake on mute at my desk.

I got JZ her favorite comfort soup - the Vietnamese hot and sour from Mai's on Clement (with pineapple and tomato). I've never been able to recreate it properly at home so I googled up the recipe and the secret ingredient is: tamarind!

Here's the recipe.

And I ate my leftover jambalaya and it was pleasingly spicy. I think everybody needs some spicy food for the new year.

Matilda's off at a playdate with her friend Norah (they were both up at 7:30 planning their outfits and wittering about it until the 11am actual Playdate), and Emmett's back at his mom's. He'll be snowboarding on New Year's Day, so that should be a blast for him. He really enjoys it and only gets to go once or twice a year.

And I got a new book to read at the Alameda Courthouse next week when I'm sorting out my car's registration ticket crap from 2011.

How do you mute pound cake?