My office used to have an open office plan, and contrary to all expectations of an introvert like me, I enjoyed it. It was broken up into "blocks" of 8 desks, arranged so that there was a wall infront of you and no one was directly staring at anyone else, but only a low wall between people, so you could converse with someone just by turning a little. People were generally quiet, and it was actually an enjoyable, busy, supportive social atmosphere. When they boarded it all up and put us in 6x6 cubicles like veal, I felt isolated. It took away the social environment that made me feel engaged with my job and my co-workers. That was about the same time they rolled out the new Automated Workflow Management Software, which was a near-unusable stinking pile of shit, and my job turned into paper-pushing drudgery. I was ready to leave. About a year later they instituted telecommuting, so I did. If not for that, I probably would have been looking for another job.

Last night as I was falling asleep, I dreamed that a tall skeletal winged being wearing a cape slid into bed beside me and wrapped a bony wing (and the cape) comfortingly around me and prepared to fall asleep beside me. It was rather nice. Then I woke up wondering WTF was that? if Death had paid me a visit, and if I should be concerned. Then I realized, well, it wasn't particularly scary, regardless, so I fell back to sleep.

Nora, I saw this article and thought you'd enjoy it.

Zen, I dreamed of Hubby last night, and we were walking through a museum, talking about all the exhibits the way we always did. This time he knew he was gone, but I felt like he was just checking in with me. He looked the way he did when we met. I could touch him, and we held hands as we walked. At one point a small Asian man came up to him, tsking at him about his hair, which suddenly was the wispy stuff he had when he died. He was remarkably vain about his hair.

I'm

I'm not weirded out by this dream, I'm just sad that I'm not going to see him again for a long time.

Well, you might have more dreams, but I don't think that's what you meant, is it?

No. But if I have one of those dreams every few months, I'll be content. Maybe he'll stop worrying about his hair. Honestly, an Asian guy a foot shorter than him popped up out of nowhere and took a comb to him, talking briskly in what I perceived as Vietnamese. It should have been Johnny, our town's long-time barber to men of a certain age.

Honestly, an Asian guy a foot shorter than him popped up out of nowhere and took a comb to him,

Well, at least there's someone with him, looking out for him and keeping his hair neat. Who wants to go into the next world with messy hair, right?

I dreamed of hanging out with Melisa several times after she passed. It was very homey and comforting. Once I saw her snuggled up in her old coat, with a bright halo around her head. That was pretty cool.

Seriously, it's a bad, bad, bad office plan. I mean, good for gregarious extroverts,

I am such, and I think that it's a bad, bad office plan. The lurkers are supporting you in email.

As some may remember, my 92 year old mother injured her leg a few weeks ago. It got infected, but the infection was taken care of by appropriate antibiotic and she is now healing nicely. The thing his, she has an acquaintance (soon to be an ex-acquaintance) who is overly fond drama. acquaintance, who is without medical training, offered medical advice. My mother, wisely, chose to ignore said acquaintance and follow the treatment plan prescribed by her doctors and nurses. Acquaintance instantly put 2 & 2 together and derived 2 billion. Mom is 92 yes? And infections are serious for the elderly? And Ruth decided to ignore said acquaintances wisdom yes? So therefore Ruth is dying, if not already dead.

So drama loving acquaintance has spread the rumor throughout our small town that my Mom is dying, and by now probably dead. I've done what I can to scotch it but there is no way truth can outrun a rumor. Not doubt the whole not being dead thing will spread through the same channel with time, but in the meantime I've had to reassure a number of people than Ruth is alive and well.

If it wasn't for the fact that she needs medically to stay off that leg for a while yet, I'd try to talk her into doing a zombie walk.

Oh that sounds so annoying Typo.

Connie I'm glad you had a good dream about your Hubby.

I started my day, well not my whole day just the going to work part locking myself out of the house. Luckily a living room window was unlocked and I got help from a neighbor - I used her lawn chair to clamor through the window. I felt very much like Winnie the Pooh getting stuck in door.

Then work just went kind of down hill plus I'm all bloaty and have cramps (and am weepy) from PMS. at least I think that's what it is.

I keep feeling like I need a day off from my day off and my two days off next week are packed.