Flea, I totally believe you could do it. Those examples are great, if you reframe them as things you HAVE done ("managed a team of volunteers at library") vs haven't ("I've only handled 5 and did most of the work myself")

Meanwhile I am hella frustrated--I've been super overworked the past few months, to the point where even though I'm working way over 100%, I still can't get everything done. And they kept promising they'd add someone to the team. Who is brand new in this role...and a couple weeks ago I had to do the sign-off visit and say "no, she's not ready". Tuesday I did her repeat visit and STILL have to say "no"....even though that means I'm still on the hook for all this stuff I thought I could give to her. :(

Suzi, no surprise here.

Ugh for all the work frustration.

Who knows if/when it would ever happen or if upper management would concur, but the fact that he thinks I'm capable is kinda cool.

Meanwhile, IT still can't figure out why my computer microphone won't work. And I have to pack up my cube cause our group is moving yet again. I've been in the Denver office for 7 years and an currently in my 6th cube with number 7 later this month.

Wow flea, very flattering and I agree with everyone to not sell yourself short!

meara, that's a PITA. Someone needs to speed up her training.

Dosesn't sound wrong to me, Matt. Kind of a bummer when work is a relief, but not wrong. And I totally get you on the A/C front, at least - I do not have it at home and the office is very climate controlled.

Yep, that sounds like desperation, Ginger, which is super scary.

Neat, Suzi! I can't believe you've been in Denver for 7 years.

Man, meara, that's rough having to say she's not ready when that means more work for you.

Five Year Plan was pretty interesting, and not very Soviet-esque at all.

Well, my parents have air conditioning but it's set in the mid 80s for my dad's benefit, so I can break a sweat while lying down when I'm staying there. And I'd left the thermostat in my apartment at 79° since yesterday morning, so showering and dressing before work provided no relief.

At least the cats seem to be fine with the warmer overnight temperature.

I can't believe you've been in Denver for 7 years.

Me neither. 7 years, 2 months, and 4 days to be exact. This is also when I have to pinch myself over having one kid completely out of college, one in college, and I own a house. When did all that happen?

IT has pretty much given up on my computer and is now seeing about transferring my hard drive from this machine into another machine. Crazy!

Meanwhile I am hella frustrated--I've been super overworked the past few months, to the point where even though I'm working way over 100%, I still can't get everything done.

This is me, too, meara. I'm sorry you're going through it, too. ::fist bump::

What everyone else said. About everything. I'm out of spoons.

Took Lucky to the vet yesterday. They did a full CBC. It's either hyperthyroidism or kidney disease. The vet is supposed to call me back today. She's 15, she's older, but she's also one of the last links I have to Rob. I'm not sure I'm ready for this.

And the local BLM groups are becoming more vocal in my area. One of my good friends is the director of communications for a community action group. She just texted me that they've blocked a few white allies because they "don't understand the narrow prescribed role for whites in this movement... we don't need anyone but strong black people." I'm trying really hard to understand how this is going to make anything better. I cannot fathom what their lives are as POC, and I can only try to support them in whatever way they need support, but I'm struggling with this. I understand they're angry, but how is alienating people who want to help helpful?

To people who color in those neat grown-up coloring books--do you use Crayons or pencils? If you use pencils, what are good pencils?