Steph, I have heard from those in the know that the most impressive stage manager's resume in the book of resumes at actor's equity in New York simply says "Production Stage Manager on Broadway for Thirty Years."

Your one job for eighteen years says basically the same thing.

All day I've been freaking out because I sent an email meant for my assistant to my Editor in Chief. Nothing bad, just joking because he called me "the best editor ever" at the same time he misspelled my name. I felt awful. An hour ago he emailed me joking that he'd just been testing to see if I was really paying attention. I apologized, and he replied that it was a "perfectly normal email." And now I feel like an idiot for freaking out so bad. But I never sent an email to the wrong person before! I need a drink.

Other have said it better but i'll say it again: 18 years experience at the same job is GOLDEN. That's miraculous in our generation and proves that you are a trustworthy and utterly capable employee. Not to mention wise beyond explanation but that's more difficult to fit onto a resume. Make a resume and a few cover letter drafts with Strix and start sending them out to anything that looks even vaguely possible. Start putting out feeler to anyone you know who works for a company you might want to work for, get the 'networking' thing working for you. I suppose it would be odd to put on wedding invited that job offers are a welcome gift option? Maybe Jilli can figure out a way to word that which would make Miss Manners proud.

When I was job hunting a few years ago I was astonished at how impressed HR people were with my (very simple) resume and covers letters. Having a working understanding of the English language is a valuable job skill anywhere. (Of course now I'm working in a job where we essentially use coded text speak but hey, we get places via all kindsa weird paths.)

Pix, such a lovely update. I had been seeing the photos of your houseguest and wondering all kinds of things given most of the Dalzell relative stories. Glad to hear this is an great one!

ION, coconut oil is apparently a rather good personal lubricant option. I never would have thought of that.

I use it on my skin because I sit so much...Dr. Oz intended it as a tip for chapped lips, but Mom figured skin is skin. It seems to help.

I use coconut oil as a moisturizer all over. It's cheap and surprisingly effective. Percy the Emo Cat likes to lick it off my hands, which is not weird.

Pix, I meant to say, becoming a runner is cool, and glad you've "discovered" a wonderful family member.

askye, your poor feet. I hope this is resolved quickly and easily.

the self-loathing demons are having quite a party with me today.

Harvey's best purrs to you, erika. As in, he is sitting in my hand, purring, resting his forehead on the corner of my iPad, and I'm typing with the other hand.

Usually he leans on me more, so that's why I figure he's purring for you.

Love that! Purring is so cool...I used to pretend to be a kitty a lot as a kid and it was always disappointing that I couldn't do it.(In a different way than being disappointed that I couldn't cause pain with a wave of my hand like Lord Vader, of course.)

Steph - do you read Ask a Manager [link] ? She has good advice and she has a free guide to preparing for an interview [link]

That's going to be really helpful, askye -- thanks!!!