Hey, all.

Just want you to know I haven't fallen off the edge of the earth.

I was sick for week, and then the annual SAD/El depresso Nino effect hit. Better now, but mea culpa for anyone I ignored because of my descent into the mental Mines of Moria, with added Balrog mental torture.

Stupid winter; stupid holidays; stupid cat nuking my laptop with a full cup of tea when I have projects due.

I still love you all and miss you, even though I am typing on the slowest, oldest laptop unearthed and tweaked by my darling techy hubs.

____________________ ALSO: Shameless plug: anyone interested in a pristine (used briefly twice, bought brand-new as Xmas gift from Mom for 2013. Cloth, navy genuine Coach bag with logo. Perfect for going-out clubbing or dancing bag, or as gift for young woman. Retailed brand new at $98; selling for $50 so we can afford gas money for Xmas travel. (Consignment shops turn their noses up since it's not leather or 2014._

If no takers, no hard feelings. I'm just exploring options.

Pics available at owltlet@gmail.com ___________________________________

Don't hate me for being desperate. I'd love to keep it (my MOM gave it to me) but pride goeth before fall.

Now, onward to working on freelance project so I can buy my stepson a plane ticket to KS for the Chrismannakah. Jeez, mornings before my 2nd cup of Irish brekfast are doleful.

Also --Christian Kane's fauxhawk in The Librarians is HAWT.

That is all, my darlings. Except I will be walking in the cold and returning to yoga practice to improve my SAD Vitamin intake and lower my stress levels.

I've missed you all, and much love to those who are also struggling.

But odds are the customer service rep would just go "Huh?"

Odds in favor of "Huh?" are indeed strong, but there's always a slender chance you'll get a rep who not only gets it but has been slogging through call after dreary call hoping for something like this, who will forever remember this as a service call for the ages, the crown of a service rep's career, a call of pure and glorious magic. And parrots.

Much, much love to you, Strix. If I had it to spare I'd give it to you and not even take the bag, but we're having a direly lean week here too.

Laptops and liquids are a hazard. Matilda has done to mine what your cat did to yours several times, once with a bowl of cereal.

I can't remember the other one I've seen recently, but this Star Trek customer service log is pretty good: [link]

Oh, JZ, you doll. Everyone local I know is broke. I posted in case some Buffistas know anyone with disposable income. (It was hard for me to post since my mom got it for me, and I am shamesles, but horribly sentimental, but needs must...)

The laptop FUBAR was my first, at the worst possible time. THAT DARNED CAT!!!

I've had good results selling "luxury goods" on eBay, for what that's worth.

Is that construction used anywhere else? I never saw it until I moved here, and I was told that it's a western PA thing.

I had more than one co-worker in NE Indiana who used it. It bugged me a little, but I've since heard it coming out of my own mouth. I prefer "needs verb-ing"

Kate, if you're ever looking for a higher-level Cumberbatch-y gift, you might try acquiring video that is not available in the US for her, possibly including Fortysomething (where he plays Hugh Laurie's son), the Stephen Hawing movie he was in, and/pr Third Star (which, kleenex warning). When I went looking, there weren't US DVDs, though that may have changed.

Heard back from mechanic, alternator needs replacings, and the car should be available later today!

well, this isn't a Pallas Cat, but I think it's funny ... maybe mean, but funny.

The grumpy cat article has been modified to say the amount is false.

I sympathise with the aching buffistas. My job rides on a drop of pee and how they react to medical documentation. I hear today, and I can't calm down.

And I need a dilaudid day tomorrow whether I start work Thursday or not.

I'm a broke bundle of anxiety.