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

Finding a time to have a meeting that works for everyone is the worst

Finding a time to have a meeting that works for everyone is the worst

Hi, my name is Shir and I actually love coordinating and scheduling stuff because it brings some sense of order into this chaotic universe. But even I have some red lines.

So my rule says that if I tried to offer some dates and time slots twice (usually with a doodle, bless this tool), it's now the other side's responsibility to come up with alternative dates. In the scenario where it's somehow still my role to continue chasing the elusive meeting window, I will separate and conquer with individual "kill them with kindness" emails to each reluctant participant with the bottom line of "everyone else can at X, Y, T, you can't, if it's OK we'll have the meeting and send you the notes".

97% of the time, this works and the accept one of the dates.

(Thank you for coming to my TED talk.)

I just want everyone at work to use their calendar in Outlook. I would like to open Outlook, use the scheduling assistant, and find a time! About half the people use their calendar, a quarter do not and get upset when you don't individually remember that it is their clinical day or ask them individually, and a quarter who have secretaries that get mad if you don't call them and discuss the best time. Usually, if I have a meeting to set up with a person with a secretary, I try to get that secretary to do it instead of me!