My landlord just came by to see if my apartment was in suitable condition for showing it so that she can get a new tenant when I move out. That went better than I'd expected. She's usually a total neat freak. She pretty much said it looked fine, and that all she wants me to do is wipe down the kitchen surfaces and clear some of the clutter out of the front room, so that it makes a good first impression. I was going to clear the clutter anyway, and the kitchen will just take a few minutes. She also thanked me profusely for keeping the carpets in such good condition. I really didn't do anything with the carpets -- I guess it helps that I pretty much always take off my shoes as soon as I get in?

Ugh smonster, it sounds like you are being very supportive and yet careful to set your own boundaries. Sending ~ma to your family.

And Steph, Tim looks wonderful in those pics! How great for both of you to have such wonderful photos (I am thinking here of the ones they took of you as well). Awesome studio, may I say?Also having total make up envy. I want someone to do me up all glam sometime. (Okay I did have great make up at my wedding, but that's the only time. A girl should have proper make up once in a while, right?)

Tim is very appreciative of his fan club, and said (I quote) "you have awesome friends."

He also said "Take away that hair and makeup, and that's what every day is like at Stately Beckmeyer Manor." Which is basically true (although he's wearing a miniskirt and flippy-floppies right now).

Tim's pictures look awesome.

I'm watching TV, and getting tempted to start writing to TV writers with "This is how you write scenes of 'hacking' so that viewers who actually know something about computer security don't throw things at the screen." Because, really, it does not involve typing nonsense very quickly.

Zen, insent.

Hil, how photogenic would real hacking be compared to TV/hollywood hacking?

Hil, how photogenic would real hacking be compared to TV/hollywood hacking?

They could at least have people stop and think for a second and then look like they were typing something deliberate, rather than just smashing their fingers against the keyboard.

Possibly the worst "hacking" ever: [link]

Gar, backflung.

smonster I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this. It is incredibly difficult to go through, especially with a loved one. I don't have direct advice about the root causes aspect. But regarding suicide prevention, I always recommend ASIST. It's an intensive, two day training, intended for "front lines" folks like us, not professionals, but the people living, day in and day out with someone in danger. I have taken it myself, and I have sent colleagues and former students through it, and it has literally saved lives of some of those folks' circles. The next one nearest you isn't until September, and it's simply marked "Louisiana" so I have no idea how near you it will be, but I suggest checking it out. [link]

You can poke around that website for more info about the course. They have a simple one that's just for learning to talk about suicide and this two day one which goes into prevention.

I'm sorry, smonster. If you ever need to come up here to help with anything and amyth's spare room isn't available, you are always welcome in mine.