Shir - my experience is that, even if you don't end up writing policy papers, knowing how to speak the lingo means the powers-that-be are more likely to listen to your comments in discussions/arguments. A frustrating but necessary skill.

I hear you. It's a bummer, because I feel certain that the policy you would propose would be the good stuff, but I can see how that would grind you down.

Returning a day late for an important tequila update:

Tequila + Cointreau + grapefruit-flavored La Croix over ice is a very tasty, much-less-sweet Paloma-like thing. If you let it get warm it doesn't taste very good, but over nice cold ice it is a low-sugar thing of beauty.

Next time I may add fresh orange juice (for more sweetness) or lime juice (for more tang) but it was pretty dang good as it was.

Shir, it may not be what you want to do long-term, but it's good to have the knowledge. When I was in college, every single student was required to take a course for which we had to write a two-page paper every week. It was universally loathed ... BUT I appreciated it when my job required me to write articles for our magazine. Being able to write coherent, gramatically correct English was a great advantage.

Now I will respond to things.

scones just fancy shortcake?

Yes, I think this is fair. Scones are sweet LAYERED biscuits, while shortcake is sweet DROP biscuits.

I want scones, biscuits, or shortcakes now.

I hate my boss. And so now I hate my job. That's all. Just spectacularly tired of being demeaned and dismissed all. the. time.

This is the worst.

Gris for some sort of leadership 2020!!

I respectfully decline, but appreciate the sentiment. Tequila yoga for all!

I took off my fitbit to charge it last week but the cable was wonky so it didn't charge and now I don't know where I put it. It'll turn up. I should really make more of an effort to move regardless.

My off-brand fitbit (mi band 4, which I quite love!) has been mad at me for weeks.

I have two meetings left, then my laptop is getting shoved under something for at least a week while I recharge, camp, and visit family. I will still have my phone to suck all my brains out of my eyes, of course, but one screen is better than two.

I have been waiting for the 'Rona testing for an hour and a half. Still probably an hour to go. I should have packed a lunch.

Tequila + Cointreau + grapefruit-flavored La Croix over ice is a very tasty, much-less-sweet Paloma-like thing. If you let it get warm it doesn't taste very good, but over nice cold ice it is a low-sugar thing of beauty.

Ooh. I'd been drinking grapefruit soda with tequila and lime, but may have to try this variation. Especially since I ran out of rum and the nearest liquor store is in the new Autonomous Capitol Hill zone (Aka where the police abandoned their station and protestors took over the block, I'd be surprised if it's open....but the Trader Joe's only had their own brand of rum, which I didn't want)

Oh, yes, I absolutely see the other advantages of this skill. It's just, if I can choose - and I started this MPA thing so that I will be able to choose better jobs - I prefer to be the one who gathers the information and data and helps to think of the strategy to present the argument with. Not the one who needs to write the damn inhumane argument of why cities should be more culturally competent in their services and access to information of said services.

Maybe I should have joined that debate club 10 years ago, back with the idea seemed a bit intriguing.

I'm sorry to hear that, Cashmere. I waited like 10 minutes for mine, but I noticed there were marks on the ground and ropes across the courtyard for long lines, so I imagine that might have been the benefit of a late in the day appointment.

That totally makes sense, Shir, and I am heartened to think of you doing the background thinking, researching, and strategizing.

I almost got my BBB store orders clean for shipment and one item got deallocated on me. So close!

That is probably complete gibberish to everyone who isn't me, sorry. I just needed to complain. It's not at all interesting, you aren't missing out on anything