My boss has been using strike-anywhere matches to heat up some shrink tubing for an electronics project. So the office has a strong sulfur smell that's bringing back all these childhood memories of fireworks and setting stuff on fire.

We used to call strike-anywhere matches "farmer's matches"--anyone familiar with that phrase? My boss says they're illegal in New York.

Hey, have I mentioned to y!all that I'm going to South Africa? I am! Out of spite!

I put in a bid at a silent auction for a 7 day deluxe safari trip. And won! But I really only bid because my work nemesis is super snooty about having been born there and going on safaris and twice has somehow gotten permission for 3 and 4 week trips which the rest of us have to cover. I was laughing about putting in a request for 11 weeks PTO. And then I won.

That's so awesome Brenda!! When are you going??

Awesome, brenda!

Dunno. I have two years to use it. It's 7 days/nights here: [link]

brenda, that's so cool! And the spite is just icing on the cake.

Hey, have I mentioned to y!all that I'm going to South Africa? I am! Out of spite!

Ooh, spite vacations! Maybe I should try that! A deluxe safari definitely sounds exciting, though.

I had my performance review. It was not terrible, so at least there's that. I also just had a quick chat with a hiring manager about a position. I feel like I should have been more prepared since it barely took 15 minutes, but I basically just needed to about the job level and whether I should bother applying.

My sister and her wife once won an African safari trip by calling into a radio contest. They had an amazing time.

They also once won a Volkswagen New Beetle. They enter a lot of contests.

Six, rather:

6 days and 6 nights luxury accommodations for two people at Zulu Nyala Safari Game Lodge, Heritage Safari Lodge & Luxury Tent Camp, these luxury facilities are situated in the heart of Zululand and St. Lucia/Sodwana bay Marine reserve – one of the richest wildlife conservation regions in Africa namely Hluhluwe, and Kwa Zulu Natal.

Includes: Full board, which is three delicious meals per day, prepared by our finest chefs – with an African flavor of course.

Two Game viewing activities per day, guided by our professional game rangers in open game viewing vehicles, on Zulu Nyala Game Reserve. (The filming location of “I dreamed of Africa” starring Kim Basinger)

I got a really good deal, so I'm not too freaked about the airfare.

And the spite makes it extra delicious.