Wow, brenda, that's a little OTT and presumptuous. I wouldn't blame you if you did.

I will not be nearly as demanding if I should ever work with/for you.

(Speaking of companies, mine is trying to do business with yours. We seem to be making some headway. Consolidation in my industry has not been good for the companies who are being acquired. It's been great for us.)

Wow Brenda. That's definitely over the top.

And I feel many of us should win the lottery and have a roving travel-theater-cute animals-good food plan.

My job is also usually fine, and he last couple days were a nice relief from some stress of the past few weeks...but today was a reminder that it's just going to be worse for the next two weeks. That said, in theory late August and September won't be SO bad?

-t, what headphones did you get? I'm always on the lookout for good, yet affordable ones.

That would be awesome, Maria!

It is, though it's not my account. Despite my unhappiness and difficulties lately, it's a good company with a good culture. You'd be a halo account for us.

Anyone have good de-stress mechanisms? Just got a pisssy email about the latest situation, and while it had valid points, and the dude is going to follow up with my manager (in an "it's out of my hands" way, though I expect he'll complain about me too--but this part is not my fault). Am planning to work out, and maybe get a massage. Am trying not to turn to food, as recently a few of the pounds I lost have crept back on and I don't want that. I feel like some "mindless" things just make me stress about the situation in my head and don't actually relax me? I need ideas.

Maria [link] they were $10 cheaper a couple days ago. I love them so far.

Work out and massage sounds like a good idea, meara. I can't think of destressing strategies - I must have some. Hm.

I have been playing Hearts on my computer lately to get out of my head and it has been working well. There is a version on every computer, I'm competitive enough that I get into it, and since the game isn't over until a player breaks 100, there are enough rounds for me to come from behind and win (or at least not be the loser who ends the game) which keeps the frustration of losing at bay. All in all, it is a good way to take a fifteen minute break in situations where I can't physically get up and leave (i.e. SO MANY TELECONFERENCES!!)

Meara, walking is what I do for stress relief and exercise. It's almost 5K walk home from work and on the bad days, putting on some good music and walking fast usually means I've forgotten the worst of work by the time I've gotten home.

My other stress relief is baking...usually trying new recipes...which may be not so good for you right now.

Oh shit, brenda! Definitely rescind that offer -- you do not need that person on your team! Eesh.

Did I post here about the recent grad who told my boss in the interview that she didn't want a support role? Yeeaaahhh.

I feel like some "mindless" things just make me stress about the situation in my head and don't actually relax me?

A big part of why I like to go to the movies so much is that I find it so immersive I really don't think about anything else. Which is relaxing. Not that it's always a good time to go to the movies! But it's in the work out/massage category of things, I think? As opposed to the walk around the block/take five deep breaths category of things.

What is relaxing me right now is looking over the shoulder of my coworker's son, who is sitting at a spare desk in our office and planing the Game of Life on a tablet of some kind. He keeps shaking his fist in the air! Adorable.