I used to stress the fuck out over trying to please them, but I don't have enough fucks left for that.

The AMA journals have tightened up their production schedule to a ridiculous degree. When my boss told me the article was ready to be sent to the author, she said "Do what you have to in order to expedite this." And my (un-typed) (to her) reaction was "What the fuck do you think *I* can do to make an author return their article if they're dragging their heels? Magic? We aren't allowed to threaten or insult them, so what in the hell am I supposed to do? Maybe YOU should do what YOU can to make the production schedule not so tight!"

She told me she needed to pass the completed article to the journal manager on July 6 (this coming Monday). The author told me, officiously, that he would not be able to return the article to me until today. What needs to happen after *I* get the article back is that I make the changes, upload a new Word doc to the server, production runs out a proof for the proofreader, the proofreader (duh) proofs and returns it, a proof gets sent to the author, and then the author corrections get made -- all of that BEFORE it gets handed to the journal manager.

Also? The AMA offices are closed today anyway.

None of this is my damn problem. I am doing my part as efficiently and with as little bloodshed as possible. The AMA's unrealistic deadlines and the jackass author's jackass refusal to return the article on time is NOT MY PROBLEM. The AMA's schedule and the author's refusal to return the article are quite literally not anything *I* can control.

Bullshit, man. I have a weekend to get on with and stuff to blow up.

I made a pie crust this morning for another peach pie, this one vegan. But I'm really enjoying this whole vodka crust thing, it really helps my overcaution about too much liquid in the crust.

Also went on a nice slow bike ride with my siblings -- my younger brother the bike racer had his 7-yo daughter on the rear seat of his tandem bike. She contributed nothing, and was just along as ballast. Too funny.

And now for a shower, try once again to take the door off the old dishwasher, and off to get a beer in the sun with my older brother, before getting pizza in JLS with dad.

Not a bad day.

I hope everyone else gets a good day, too.

Hey, my water regulations have changed. Instead of odd-numbered days, I can now water on Tuesdays and Fridays. That's actually easier for me to remember. All the other restrictions are disallowing things I already don't do. I don't think I'm going to cut 28% of my water consumption just by following the rules, somehow.

Trying to get things done on a holiday weekend are such a bitch.

I have asparagus, cauliflower, and lamb prepared and ready to go in their sous vide baths. Unfortunately, they all need different temperatures and different times so it won't be one meal, but it'll eventually all get eaten I'm sure.

Have made progress on other stuff but not actually finished much of anything. Oh well, two more days for that.

I didn't dust and vacuum today. I did, however, take 150 photographs, film and digital. Oops.

Is making guacamole at midnight a sign that you're too drunk or too sober?

This was all in aid of making a burrito, or course.

It's a sign that you need guacamole!

Mmm, guacomole. Mmm, burrito. Mmm, 150 photos.

Asparagus came out great and I remembered to save a bit to join an omelet later. Cauliflower also quite nice. Lamb will be done simmering (or whatever the correct verb is) around 7 or 8 tomorrow morning, I think I will not do the finishing roast right then.

I made some strawberry/blueberry/jicama "salsa" but realized I have no appropriate containers for that or for the quinoa salad I was going to make. Don't want to bring the glass bowl I tossed it in to my friend's party and maybe break or forget it. Guess I have to go to the store tomorrow.