My family "draws names" for gift-giving for Christmas. Mostly what this means is that I compile the list of assignments, somewhat randomly. Spouses still can give to each other, and everyone can give to the kids.

Over the years this has evolved into everyone having two official recipients, plus sundry stocking-stuffers for anyone they like. It works out, mostly. I do try to rotate the people who are difficult to buy for over the years. And the people who give less thoughtful gifts, as well...

Valjean, at last, we see each other plain.

LOVE!

Also, I hate ADP -- benefit election made impossible. Thanks for not knowing who I am, stupid system!

Sigh.

Also also, one of my students attempted suicide yesterday morning.

oh no Kat. That is awful.

It's been conference week at my office, so it's been VERY quiet. Two other people here ... and both of them are taking off Friday, as is almost everyone who was at the conference, so it looks like I will be the only person answering phones Friday. Luckily, it seems that the receptionist can forward the main number to my phone, so at leasst I'll be able to sit at my desk and work.

I've earned many brownie points - I took on some tedious, time-consuming things that would normally fall to someone else, but I had time so I did them. Even cleaned out the office microwaves. yay me

And I resisted the urge to do the classic passive-aggressive note! several times this week I went into the restroom and there was a wad of used toilet paper on the seat (yuck!); rather than post a note, I sent an email to the two people who were here and might have done it asking them to make sure their used paper went in the toilet.

no explosions ... yet

I just turned on the TV to FX and Buffy is telling Giles she slept with Spike and they're breaking down into giggles. I stared, mouth agape, for a few minutes, and then realised if I hurried, I could see if they were showing eps back to back, because the end of the previous ep...but now Spike is fighting for his soul, Buffy and Willow are going mano a mano...

Wow, the stunt doubling is pretty awful here. Damned shame.

Anyway, wait for it..."I'd like to test that theory..."

Booyah! Flashback complete and crowned.

My family gifting is just me and my sister giving gifts to each other and my parents. Sometimes they pay for a hotel stay for us, sometimes they don't give us anything. My sister's particular specialty is giving delights from far off lands, and I like making her cry. When there are kids and other family members who are coming by, my sister has taken over from my mother with the tradition of dipping deep into the bag of foreign and pulling small gifts that have been bought as backup on travels (my mother had multiple age group bags from Russia for a couple years, and multiple costs--it was magic, and I wanted most of it for myself).

My headache today is the sort that makes me want to lie down very carefully stationary and breathe quietly. But my doctor has called in a (to date useless) prescription to the pharmacy which means I need to clean up and control a motor vehicle.

I guess I should call in sick. I'm just not sure to whom. I can't get anything done while my eyeballs throb. At least breakfast feels like it will stay down.

I can has Pumpkin Spice coffee. tra lalalala

Oh no, Kat.

Oh dear, ita. Seriously even a small migraine makes me want to lie down like that, so.

Oh! You guys, at my interview yesterday, I asked how she felt about adding another white woman to the team. I honestly think that will either get me the job or nix me from it, but I had to ask! The office walls are covered with pictures of black people, but everyone I saw working there was white. It creeped me out a little bit.

Hil, that story is upsetting and amazing and wow.

do the family/friends in question celebrate birthdays?

Not really. And I miss it. I think is one of those things where not having kids or an SO or immediate family just kind of sucks. I love giving presents!! We definitely still give gifts to the kids in the family at Christmas, but the second round of kids is now all grown up.

Thanks for listening!

The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious cat.

start the car, I know a whoppee spot.