msbelle, would it be way outside of your office culture to talk on the phone, then send an e-mail summarizing the phone call (i.e. a cover-your-butt email)?

Sometimes, I find emailing/texting back and forth, when people don't understand each other, fails as a way to get to an answer. The more people don't understand each other, the more formal they get (and so there's less meaning in their words).

I HATE the phone for work stuff. Really hate and it is too late to do today. Also I am not sure if I can control my voice. The sarcasm and anger kinda ooze from me currently (maybe all the time).

I think if you are the one introducing jargon into a discussion - the impetus is on you to be clear about what you mean by that.

My old boss kept using the term "editing online," which sounded like a collaborative Google doc. It was not. She meant "editing on your own computer using Word." (She also frequently asked -- with all seriousness -- "Do you have internet on your computer?" I started answering "Yes, but not all of it.")

So, my dad's initial appointment with the geriatrician is tomorrow, and I am taking him to that. I need to call my brother tonight to go over the appointment with Dad's primary care physician that my brother took him to, so I have all the info to share with the geriatrician.

I'm stressed and resentful about it,* but I'm not going to just ghost my dad in the middle of sorting out his hallucinations. When there's a treatment plan (even if the "treatment" is "taper off Zoloft, start Prozac") and it's all sorted, then Operation Get Someone Else To Assist You With Care Issues Because 28 Years Has Been Too Fucking Long will be under way, so help me god.

*(I'm stressed and resentful, but I'm not going to be a dick about it. I can just be stressed and resentful internally and then dump my feelings on Tim and my therapist afterward.)

That sounds like a good plan and I wish you well of it, Tep. I hope the geriatrician is very helpful and the hallucinations can be got under control and Someone Else can do the taking care of toot sweet

What -t said. I hope all goes well with the appointment and you find the geriatrician communicates well.

Oh, good luck, Tep. It's so hard.

And much sympathy to esse; I'm so glad you were all there for him.

Teppy, that's a solid plan.

*(I'm stressed and resentful, but I'm not going to be a dick about it. I can just be stressed and resentful internally and then dump my feelings on Tim and my therapist afterward.)

So's this ^.

I HATE the phone for work stuff. Really hate and it is too late to do today. Also I am not sure if I can control my voice. The sarcasm and anger kinda ooze from me currently (maybe all the time).

I gotcha, msbelle. I don't have great poker-voice, myself. I'm sorry this is all so ridiculous and frustrating.

Esse, all sympathies for your loss. I'm so sorry.

msbelle, I'm also in deep empathy with the linguistic didoes between your boss, the other boss in the equation, and you. Sometimes an in-person sitdown with a pad and pen will force the issue. Being me I'd push for that, but it may not be your best method. I wish you well with it.

meara, I hope the pup's adorableness makes up for all the work. I'm gonna be he'll be a fantastic loyal companion for years to come, once you both get past this part.

Laura, all best wishes for your son. He's awfully young for heart trouble, and it's wonderful he and your DiL are on top of it.

Tep, I hope your dad's appointment went well, and yielded some answers that will be helpful.

My condolences, esse.

Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes.