The problem is, last year my assigned "goals" didn't get completed. One, because I never understood what the hell she actually wanted; everything I handed her, she gave back, telling me I should do something else. I've had stress nightmares over that project. (She doesn't know that I know that it was her project, given to her by her boss, that she didn't want to do. So she gave it to me, and I don't have the background knowledge to do it.) And two, because the one person who had the data I needed didn't give it to me until November, which was rather past my deadline of August. So I should be more proactive in getting information. From people in other departments who don't respond to my emails or calls. So it got done, just late, which wasn't my fault but apparently it's my fault.

She had to give me a Superior rating in my performance of my actual job, because it was superior, dammit, and I still got rated in Full compliance with the goals, so... like, whatever, okay. We are not actually in high school, and I know the raises have already been processed and the reviews have little or nothing to do with them.

Next week we have to meet again to set my "goals" for this year. I hate this process so much. I'd like to find the gung-ho go-getter in Harvard Business School who came up with this sales-based ratings process for all jobs whether sales or not, and kick him repeatedly in the liver.

I'm applying for another job today.

Woo hoo! Autocorrect tried to change that to "woo boo" which sounds passive aggressive.

I'd like to find the gung-ho go-getter in Harvard Business School who came up with this sales-based ratings process for all jobs whether sales or not, and kick him repeatedly in the liver.

I will provide the steel-toed boots.

It's been the single best thing I have done for healing and my skin.

Thanks for the advice! Nobody else is having an issue with the aftercare ointment from the tattoo studio but me, so I suspect I am a special snowflake. Also, I've never gotten a tattoo before so I don't know what's normal for me.

Were you encouraged to use A&D? I have a dermatological reaction to petrolatum products, so I quickly tossed my A&D for cetaphil (also a solid choice for healing) and vitamin E. Ultimately I prefer vitamin E because of its wonderful effect on skin and no reaction. You can rinse off your tattoo every couple of days (more after the ink has stopped weeping) but I would use the vitE at least 2-3 times a day. No such thing as over-moisturizing with freshly inked skin.

Mmm, talking about this is elevating the itch in my veins for my next tattoo even stronger. I finished my sleeve in July, after 5 years of sleeve work. I can't wait to move on to the next one.

Also, I prefer the vitE cream, not the oil.

I'm thinking of putting my next one on my forearm, seems like an easy to cover up but also easy for me to see spot. Have y'all run into any drawbacks to that placement?

I second SA's rec for vit. E cream for healing tattoos. I also like Bee Magic , which is olive oil, honey, beeswax, and propolis.

I'm thinking of putting my next one on my forearm, seems like an easy to cover up but also easy for me to see spot. Have y'all run into any drawbacks to that placement?

I haven't had any problems with that placement, and I've got three different forearm tattoos. My only warning is that the closer to the elbow a piece is, the more it will sting during the inking.

My left arm is fully covered with forearm tattoos, my right has a prominent one on the interior. I elected to keep about an inch free of ink between my wrist and the start of my tattoos for professional reasons, and I've found that's worked well, particularly when the full forearm is inked. The interior is fleshier than the exterior, though it is also more sensitive, so it's pretty neutral for me in terms of pain (though I have a very, very high pain tolerance; I can sit through about 6 hours of tattooing, so YM will most likely V).

I'll second Jilli, though. Avoid the elbow unless you're doing a sleeve. Not only does it sting, but being tattooed over your funny bone is the single worst pain I've ever experienced.

Incapable of catching up. Dropping in to say hello. Hello!

In my world: The front tires on my car are bald and thus it won't past state inspection (now a few days past due), so I am experimenting with online tire ordering and having them put on at the AAA Car Care Center. We'll see how that goes.

In the operetta I'm in (with lines! no solos, but lines!), I now have a bit of extra stage time that I didn't have before, and also I've decided to caw like whichever bird it is that says "Ca-caw ca-caw!" If such a bird in fact exists. (I've been instructed by the king to summon his people without delay, so I just caw and then they come on stage.)

Work continues to be stressful and I'm taking the GRE tomorrow at 9 am.