-t, I only understood about half of that description (different industries, similar treatment), your overall reaction definitely felt super familiar, and I'm sorry you're dealing with corporate bullshirt. Hope that ice cream or other panacea finds you soon.

Ha, Epic! Yeah, I could explain but it would be super boring. But thanks and I hope your situation is improving and/or changing!

I got a 3 Musketeers bar but it's n ot magic. Alas.

Ha, Epic! Yeah, I could explain but it would be super boring. But thanks and I hope your situation is improving and/or changing!

Unfortunately, not much. I've gotten some help so I'm not so overwhelmed, but still taken completely for granted (except by the woman who was added to my dept [at a higher position and pay than me - don't get me started], who gets what I do and how screwed they'll be if I leave). While dealing with the drama at the house, and then my shoulder, I've pretty much back-burnered the job hunt. Now that things are more or less back where they belong in the rest of my life, I need to kick start the job search back into gear. I'm holding out faint hope for annual review time, but very much not holding my breath for things to improve.

I got a 3 Musketeers bar but it's n ot magic. Alas.

Yes, I can see where a 3 Musketeers bar, in and of itself not a bad thing, would be a bit of a letdown if you're craving a pint of Ben & Jerry's.

edited to close parenthesis - not paying to air condition the whole paragraph!

I went to Inman Oasis after work and had the community hot tub to myself for 15 minutes, so there was a very serene soak had. We still don't have hot water at home, but it's scheduled for some time this week. Then on to the next home project that will cost thousands of dollars and yet hardly change anything visible.

Oh god, Theo, that's terrible.

I'm sorry you guys are undervalued at work, -t and Epic!

I was kind of into the idea of going to my 25th college reunion, but my two best friends from college aren't going, so I guess I won't either. Oh well.

I was wondering about your hot water situation, Theo. Glad you had a nice soak!

It's my 30th college reunion this year. I kinda feel like I should go but probably won't.

Yikes, Theo, that's crazy! I'm glad you've got a decent workaround at least. When my water heater went out spectacularly last January I paid WAY over market because I needed to get someone out next day. I'm amazed how well you're dealing with this!

I skipped my 30th high school this year. About the only person I'm actually still friends with wasn't going - and I realized that though I'm reasonably content with my life, if you actually go down the checklist (which I assume is how these things are done), I look like a loser. No marriage, no kids, living in the house I grew up in. Being an adult I at least have the choice not to voluntarily subject myself to these peoples' judgement. So I noped out. No regrets.

No marriage, no kids, living in the house I grew up in.

Twinsies!

Honestly, people. I'm trying to set up a meeting with five people. I was on a separate email thread with two of them, so I asked when they are available. They were like, "It's better when you offer dates." OK, so I offered four. None of which work for the two of them! And then one of them says he's not available two days of the week! Grrr.

I really don't want to go through the whole explanation of why I am living alone and don't have kids and will never ever be able to retire. There are a lot of people I went to college with that I wouldn't mind hanging out and chatting with, that could be fun, but I don't think our reunions are really like that? I only went to the 5 year and it was weird because we had barely been gone, so I really don't know, but it's a whole weekend and comes with a schedule of events. Also costs money, and I should not be doing anything that costs money right now.

Finally home and have a glass of wine and there's lamb in the Instant Pot so eventually I will have dinner and I'm sure everything will seem better then