Can I just say that this is an annoying time of year to have to think about, well, anything other than getting my Black Friday orders supported, but specifically making changes to my W-2 or insurance elections or what not. But this is when it happens. Every year. So it's not like I can tell myself I will give myself time to really think about what I need next year.

It's like having a job you hate and not getting paid for it and also carrying around a giant ball of stress. Extreme sympathies, PMM.

All of this!

Sheryl, I still can't believe your little guy is already a toddler!

shrift and Plei, I'm so sorry about the work woes and the ugly crying and all of it. Absolutely what sj said about Buffista spicy brains.

much sympathy, meara -- dating is a freaking minefield, and I've only just started testing it out. Also, I would like an actual *date* at some point, with someone, rather than just offers to hook up.

Jesse, at least the landlord isn't breathing down your neck for the rent? ;-)

I'm feeling like a giant failure on pretty much every front today, and have managed to give myself a vicious headache. But I made dinner, and cleaned up, so I'm giving points for that, and planning on chocolate later.

Job~ma to all those who need it.

I just got done packing half of my wardrobe into a suitcase for this trip, thanks to the Magic Castle's dress code and uncertainty about what sort of shirts I'll need. If the TSA agents decide to open it up I hope they don't have heart conditions, because it's going result in a snakes-in-a-can situation very quickly.

Less terrible things are that I brought my coworkers TimTams. Yesterday I bought a pork shoulder at the butcher counter and made adobo pork in the slow cooker, and that turned out really well. And I'm going to stop checking work email now and start reading a library book.

Major points, Amy!

I am enjoying the image of your luggage exploding (should use a less alarming word, I suppose), Matt!

I should definitely go to Tai Chi tonight, but I don't want to. Little bit of a headache and I am, as always, tired. Oh, shoot, would I have time for dinner? Oops.

ETA all the less terrible things sound pretty darn good.

Yesterday I bought a pork shoulder at the butcher counter and made adobo pork in the slow cooker, and that turned out really well.

I just put pork shoulder on my grocery list! There are few things I love more than having pulled pork in the freezer.

Job hunting sucks. I hope you find something good, quickly, PMM.

You guys, Pumpkin just stalked a sand cat stalking bugs on tv.

I'm sorry about all the job woes. I'm really working on getting out of the really negative headspace the past couple of years under CompletelySuckingCompany and work crisis mode since spring, but it is hard. I've always been the dept eyeore, but I got seriously dark and I need to check that.

Apparently when you do something and nothing goes wrong, nobody notices. Blah blah branding and visibility blah blah.

It sounds like they're encouraging you to make mistakes and be loud.