One nice thing about the Outlet Sale getting postponed, I won't have to listen to Christmas Music before Halloween! Not that I know for sure that I would have, but that's what they've always played during the sale. Of course, that was when the sale was after Thanksgiving. I think we had XMas music last year when it was earlier in November, also. Before Halloween is really going too far for me.

Good luck, askye.

shrift, are there still potential transfer options?

I mean, there are location transfer and role transfer options that I could look into. I probably could start a list of things I don't want which would be easier than trying to figure out what I DO want. But probably an ADHD evaluation should happen first.

“I’m glad to be paid and have health insurance but excited every day seems like a big stretch”

Yeah, man. My work frequently is interesting and challenging, but I just don't see myself achieving that level of enthusiasm while exchanging labor for monies.

So I dealt with this feeling a few years ago by applying for a masters degree and when I started the program I called myself a "career changer", and now when the other grad students ask why I'm in the program and I say "I'm having an expensive midlife crisis" which they all think is a joke.

One day they'll learn that it's funny because it's true.

In the spirit of the season, I came across a video of making Gomez and Morticia cocktails. The video shows how to make each and the recipe is underneath.

edited to add: There's also a Buffy-inspired Slayer's Blood.

I like the outfits they are wearing while they demonstrate. Nice attention to detail.

I mean, there are location transfer and role transfer options that I could look into. I probably could start a list of things I don't want which would be easier than trying to figure out what I DO want.

This is not a direct reply to you, shrift, but I feel like my story might be useful for everyone who is trying to figure out job stuff? I spent many years going from one similar job to another every few years, mostly switching jobs when I felt like I was failing and didn't want people to find out. At one point, I realized I needed to look at really different kinds of employers, so I started poking around, even places I thought I wouldn't like to work for. I saw this job posting that I didn't really understand -- it looked like it included the parts of my job I was good at, but not the other parts, and I couldn't quite wrap my head around how that would work. I didn't really think I wanted to work for the employer. And the posting said it required experience I definitely didn't have. I've been in that job almost five years now! And I haven't even begun to start looking for my next job!

So just to say, trying things that may not seem like they make sense can really work out.

I’m glad to be paid and have health insurance but excited every day seems like a big stretch

Take into account the fact that I'm So. Very. Much. Not. a morning person, and even a job I absolutely adored wouldn't get that level of enthusiasm every morning.

That is really heartening and reassuring to read, Jesse

I have finished sending my billions of emails and am now slacking off as hard as I can. I'm sure there's stuff I could be doing for work but I could also be sleeping so this is a good compromise, I think.

OK, not anywhere close to billions but since I took the opportunity to make myself a little spreadsheet listing all the contacts and whether I have already emailed them I can see that it is about 75. And I have been promised an updated message to go out to all of them again just as soon as it gets approved.

So just to say, trying things that may not seem like they make sense can really work out.

Good advice! My different-but-related experience when I was feeling stuck three years after my marriage to EM ended, was my realization that I couldn't keep moving the same pieces around and making a whole picture because I didn't have the right pieces.

I was stuck because I needed to change, and that meant putting possibilities back on the table that I had ruled out before. (And that's why we have Matilda.)

Speaking of Matilda, here's the followup to "Break Gender Norms Day":

Me: So, how did it go with Zane?
Matilda: It went great! I did a good job with his makeup. He has really long lashes.
Me: Do you have a picture?
Matilda: I do but not a good one of his makeup. I was too busy putting it on. [shows me a picture of a tall blonde boy in a full French Maid's outfit, subtle eye makeup visible above his mask involving various techniques well beyond my grasp with waterlines and white liner on the bottom etc.]
Me: Bold choice with the French maid outfit. The makeup is fairly understated though.
Matilda: He wanted a natural look.
Me: Anybody else?
Matilda: Oh yeah! [flips through her phone showing me pictures of several friends] Here's Shri. I made him wear a skirt and tied his shirt up so it was more like a crop-top.

Note to Buffistas: I think Shri is the Person Of Interest from various other hints dropped.

Timelies all!

Tomorrow Gary and I are flying to Ohio for an in-person convention for the first time since February 2020.(Mr. S is staying with his nanny) We’re leaving early on Sunday so we can take Mr. S trick or treating, but it’s a start.

(The convention is insisting on everyone being fully vaccinated, and all will be masked and observing social distancing as best as we can.)