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.)

First, I am boosted! Glad to have that off my list. Just call me invincible.

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.

In the early days of my working life, I used to completely fabricate my resume to fit the job posting, including adding years to my age to fit in the experience. I had an abundance of confidence that I could do the job. It worked out. Do I feel guilty? Nope.

It sounds like Matilda is having a most excellent school year!

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.

75 x 2 is a lot of emails! Yikes.