I used to know how to make that symbol.

Oh, man, I tell a lie. I used to have a typewriter with a key for that symbol. I am Jack's obsolescent technology.

I'm making pretty decent progress on cleaning up the kitchen and talked myself into not really needing to do much laundry (because a lot of what needs washing is summer-weight clothes that I'm not going to be wearing any time soon, so they can wait until that mythical day when I have more time and energy). And convinced myself that not going grocery shopping is maybe even the more responsible option. Now I just need to talk myself into cutting the grass and I'll be pretty satisfied with my productivity.

So no one told me that Nurse Woo had been in a car accident and wasn't supposed to come this week either. Which meant I called and disturbed a sick woman, but come on! If someone's filling in for her they're later than she is when she's later than she normally is late. And someone should get back to me in an hour, the operator told me. Oh, yay?

Please let it be last week's nurse. I don't like gambling, and this has been a suck-assed week for my headaches (and clearly for Nurse Woo--but in her interest, the entire planet should be shucking off the need for medicine any time now, so that should clear up her concussion).

People have been detained for weeks in Dubai for over the counter drugs and poppy seeds. Some of them weren't even going to Dubai, just connecting through that airport, or even on planes that weren't supposed to go to Dubai but got diverted there because of bad weather or engine trouble. [link]

Skipping way too much and way too belated (this beginning-of-the-semester thing, it can really eat up the time, each semester all over again), so apologies, but better-late-than-never, according to the Buffista Calendar, I've missed several birthdays:

According to Jon B. "If the Apocalypse Comes, Beep Me" Oct 18, 2011 8:09:00 pm PDT two days ago was FAQBaby (or is it FAQToddler by now?) second birthday. And yesterday was another of these lovely double Buffista birthdays, both Burrell's as well as Calli's.

Happy birthday, FAQNot-baby-anymore!

Happy birthday, Burrell!

Happy birthday, Calli!

With lots of wishes for a great day and a wonderful year!

Hi Nilly!

Belated Happy Birthday, Calli!

and Happy Birthday to you to, Burrell, even if I'm a day late.

Way to get started on Year Three, FAQToddler!

Was everyone aware of the prescription drug regulations for the United Arab Emirates?

Yeah, I'm totally scratching out Dubai as a place I'm ever going to visit. Sorry, coworker who suggested it as a place for a global summit.

Birthday happies!

How do the airlines keep their personnel out of trouble in Dubai? I could see that reaching a point where it isn't worth doing business there.

I still don't have a nurse! Not even an ETA. Jeez. My last contact was a confused call an hour ago from some sort of administrative person, but come on!

I did suggest Belize nurse, because a girl can dream, but please--a nurse would be fine.

Hil, Dubai is wacky scary. You have to get the freaking Secretary of State to say your asthma drugs are okay?! You get detained for weeks over poppy seeds on your bagel? Marking the UAE off the list of places I'll ever visit.

he doesn't trust the Garmin and has an innate need to be able to see the big picture about where we're going in relation to where we've been

Juliebird, I am your dad with regard to physical maps. Even with a GPS and directions printed from Google, I want a map in my hand.

§ ita § Good luck in getting a dang nurse there sometime today.

Jesus Christ on a Pogo Stick. I cannot believe how poor pain management is. Fuck.

Hope you get good news soon {¡§_ita_§!}