Consuela, have you had your chimney swept and checked? If not, that might be a good thing, if you've not had a fire before.

I had the chimney completely rebuilt about eight years ago, and hadn't used it since. So that wasn't a concern.

I made my fire, and although it took a long time to get going (not enough tinder/kindling), it was very pleasant later in the evening. And I had roasted brussel sprouts for dinner, nom.

Today I'm at work, boo. But at least my desk is clean.

And, frankly, Gatsby would be improved with a few well-placed explosions.)

“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the BOOOOOOM.”

I just want to see things blow up on the big screen. And, frankly, Gatsby would be improved with a few well-placed explosions.)

I like to see movies that do what books can't: explode. In the case of Gatsby, an explosion that kills the whole lot early on would be an improvement. The Great Gatsby is one of the classics that could be improved by vampires.

I have a wood stove that came with the house that I have had a fire in maybe once. It's in an awkward position in the room to appreciate. Maybe if the room wasn't filled with bookshelves...

I like winter. I'd like it better if, like in Narnia, it was never Christmas.

I would like a wood stove in my office because it is roughly the temperature of the North Pole in here. Outside in the hall it's perfectly fine, but apparently there is some sort of heat-repellent force field that's preventing it from coming in here.

It is true that The Great Gatsby has quite a few people who aren't very likeable. When I read the book the first time (in hs), I was even hating on the narrator.

I like to see movies that do what books can't: explode. In the case of Gatsby, an explosion that kills the whole lot early on would be an improvement. The Great Gatsby is one of the classics that could be improved by vampires.

I second all this.

Dear boss,

When you send me notes on a document at 4:49 on Friday, and you have made it clear that you do not want me working overtime, the chance that the document would have already gone out by 9:30 on Monday morning is slim. Especially since in your note on Friday (at 4:49) you said it needed to go to you for final review.

Furthermore, when you have had me in a meeting on Monday morning prior to 9:30, it should be clear that I would not have yet had time to work on said document.

no love,

me.

Oh, man, my coworker has been out a lot in the last few months because her soon has been sick. I know he was in the hospital over new years for almost a week. She is in today and said he has a brain tumor. He is, like, 5. They are trying to schedule surgery for sometime soon. How terrifying. He's being treated at Hopkins so at least I could talk about the great care Bob had there and could tell her to let me know if they ran into issues navigating the system there because I could get my friends to help them out.

oh god that is horrible. poor her.

oh msbelle- I sure have had bosses like that. I always feel they are expecting you to work the overtime and lie about it.

I don't really care one way or the other for The Great Gatsby, but I love The Hotel New Hampshire, which references GG a lot, so I am glad I read it.