This Is The Thread Where I Say.......Part Seven!

if you email me, I'll email you back

That's kinda beautiful, though. You should spam people right back!

I have an "office" Christmas party (faculty + grad students) on Friday, which I likely won't go to simply because it's a separate trip to campus on a day I'm not ordinarily there. I'm in one of those programs where they really encourage you to do the outside-of-class stuff -- attend the guest lectures, go to the films, to the language discussions and dinners and all -- and I've never done stuff like that. At Hampshire, I got nudged a lot for that, because Hampshire is very "committed" to the idea that most of the education they provide you with is outside the classroom; but fuck it. I'm not renting a social circle and I don't like academia. I'm just there to, you know, read some books and stuff.

(Okay, I'm there for student loans.)

(But I like books.)

my office party is tonight! but since i have no desire to consort with any of my cow-orkers for longer than i phsyically am required to, i'm there for the dinner and a beer and then back home to type up interviews. tis the season.

Ok, I'll email you, Humpty.

jesus. . .this thread has insane numbers of new posts. can't keep up.

i've been really bad the past couple of days. not getting out of bed, not eating, etc. i was supposed to go back to school today but didn't. didn't call. turned off my phone.

the only thing that sounds good to me is a frappacino but i don't think i can manage bathing/dressing to go get one.

hope everyone else is good.

much love Sam - I'm here if you need me.

It ain't much, but it's what I got. xxx

My Dad just showed up for a surprise visit as he had a meeting in town. He ended up hanging out in my office with me for over an hour! It was very good to see him.

Be strong, Sam. Have some hot tea with honey. Watch a good movie. Just feel better. I'm sending good thoughts your way. ***this is me thinking***

It is SO dark outside my window. It is rainy & cold out there. I'm thinking tonight we'll move the tv into the bedroom (since we have very little seating left!) and watch a movie. I'm thinking perhaps a historical romantic drama. Nick is thinking perhaps any movie at all that I wouldn't normally be interested in.

So sorry to hear you're having such a hard time, Sam. More good thoughts to you.

*more good Sam wishes*

I want to join the Caramel Macchiato Club. In fact, I demand to be admitted. I have full reason to do so, too, considering I gulped one of those babies down during my little lunch break. (I had a barbecue turkey sandwich and fries from Bill Miller's for lunch, made sure to request water so as not to mix caffeinated beverages [it's a peculiarity with me], went over to a nearby Starbucks, and had a grande caramel macchiato for "dessert".)

This is the thread where I say that I'll get back to you guys later. My brain hurts too much to do much aside from staring at some kind of screen passively and purely for entertainment purposes. Thank bloody God I have that Greatest DVD package to entertain me. I feel the need to watch videos I've already watched millions of times before, but in a new (i.e. almost hallucinatory) state. *sighs* On the bright side, I won't have another one of these days until five months has passed.

Huge hugs for those who either want or need them, or a combination of the two. I will be here for you... as soon as I crash out for awhile.

Aw, Sam, I'm really sorry. And what Luna said of course - I hope you know that.

When I was having some AIM problems I finally got fed up and set up a temporary username. I sort of forgot about it since the probs were resolved. Then I just got some spam today from AOL saying "Hey, jbduleswtf !".

Yes, sometimes I am easily amused.

hey sam, get better. things aren't as fun without your flavoring around here.

Hey Sam honey, I hope you are feeling better soon.

I am really worried this morning. The girl that I work with went for her first baby scan yesterday & she isn't in this morning, no phonecall or anything. I am hoping to God that it isn't bad news.

Morning all. Love to Sam - I'm sure we can organise a frappucino delivery service to cheer up our favourite Texan. Actually, this probably is possible - what happened to all the internet-based service industries that used to do precisely that?

Bit of a quick me update: a) I'm having to take an incomplete in Italian -- it's my night class on days when I teach in the morning, and so it was the one sacrificed a few too many times when my workload suddenly expanded, and it turned out the final was a collaborative project among all the students except me -- so the instructor is going to give me something else to do instead;

b) kind of accidentally related, I'm looking into the creative writing program. Creative writing programs are generally terrible, terrible ideas, but I'm old enough and experienced enough that I'm hoping I could simply exploit it as a way to buy time in which to write.

Good morning, ILXors. Nick had to leave extra early for work, so I went ahead and turned on the bedside lamp. Now I'm just typing in bed before my alarm goes off.

Both of the kitties are curled up by my feet.

I can't believe it's already Thursday. That means 9 days of this job left including today. And Nick is coming to meet me for lunch. :-)

I'm putting my macchiatto membership on inactive for a little while to save money and not become a pudge pudge (that is what we call our cat Lucy sometimes). Have no fear, I will rejoin pretty soon, I'm sure of it. But in the meantime, I bought more of those damn slim fast bars for my desk at work.

k,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,ioooooooo9

That was a message from Lucy.

So - you reckon my alarmingly embiggening belly is because of 2 full-fat coffees a day? Grr. I'm going to start a dieting support thread pretty soon, as I'm going to need it - though maybe I'll wait till after Christmas.

Last night I made the best mushroom risotto I've made in a long time - and there's still a generous portion left in the fridge (assuming Sarah, who I left in my bed this morning, hasn't snaffled it :)). The amount of butter and parmesan in it is enough to scare half of Florida, though.

I just popped in to see what was happening, and because my freaking reports were driving me nuts, and the first thing I see is a freaking C**** thread. Way to make me feel even more like ripping the heads off bats or something. I need a coffee but I'm so busy I've got to wait until lunch. At least my colleagues brought in donuts today. Mmmm, donuts.

Sorry. It's just that Nick brought up the old "Have you ever sat down and figured out how much you spend at Starbucks a year?" bit yesterday. I'm using the fact that it's fatty to try to help myself save some money. There, I said it. I WANT ONE NOW!

Oh god, I know, it's obscene - something like 5% of my pre-tax income goes on coffee. Argh! (well, it would if I had an income, but for the sake of argument I'm awarding myself one).

Hello, old-style Kate! ;)

Kinder Gentler Kate can fuck right off and finish these reports cause it's HER that didn't backdate the reporting style changes to August and September!!!

I prefer the old Kate! ;-)

I like both Kates, the angelic pop band twin and the evil sister that plays with big electronic noise machines.

I like the old Kate cos she kicks ass!! (not that the new one doesn't too, well maybe she just lightly taps ass!)

Hey Dee petal, I just remembered we had to wish you luck for something that was happening. I am not sure what it was, but I hope it went ok sweetie.

Pinky, don't take this the wrong way, but I reckon your last post would make Jess literally explode :)

Oh dear. I don't need Dara any more, then, do I, cause I'm my own evil twin sister, huh? Heh heh.

I've got some Gingerbread Latte so I feel a bit better, even if it's just for the moment. Working this job gives me enough money to AFFORD the extra luxuries, and even though it's a stupid amount of money per week, well, it makes me that extra bit happier so it's worth it. My waistline, however... Argh! I need lots of sex to work off this butt!

B-but Big Butts are in, Kate!

You have a real twin? I'm so out of it.

Well Mark, Dee has referenced it several times on various threads so despite what you or Jess think, I just wanted to give Dee some support.

Pinky, before you get too tetchy with me, I didn't mean any offence at all. Dee, I hope you didn't think I was taking your name in vain. I hope everything's going well too, and let us know!

I'm not getting tetchy, I am just trying to be kind to Dee, but someone has called me on it, again.

(That Barry's such a hardman isn't he?!)

Aw babe, I am so not calling you on it! It was just the way you put it, that's all. It was a gentle ribbing and totally not a belittling thing. I'm sorry.

whatever, Dee hun, you rock!! *mwah*

I am also starting to be annoyed with how much I've embiggened, but I'm not sure if I'm really interested in "doing something" about it or not.

Dee, good luck with whatever-it-is!

Pink, long time no see!

Starry, hope you checked your work email, as I've sent you an update.

CP, does it really disturb you? Cause it doesn't show.

A lazy Thursday for me, filled to the brim with chicken soup. Got a new colour phone, which rocks. Soon, it too will have IM.

Welcome to all the newer faces.

The USPS takes too damn long, even with Priority Mail.

Yes, Chris, you don't look at all embiggened. Though anyone wanting to eschew Christmas cookies and sweets for weight loss purposes can send them to me. I'd be happy to do the public service of consuming all those deliciously troublesome calories.

Dee was on IM for a bit yesterday and she had some hellish finals for school. Hopefully they went well.

I choose my photos carefully. And I have a very thin frame, so no one believes that I have a decent sized gut (and that my face has gotten a little too "filled out" lately) because i still have boney arms and whatnot. But I dunno, I generally don't care about this sort of thing. Much.

I have working heating at home now! Things are gradually coming together! I hope my mood will start improving from here on!

Woot! Heating is great, it keeps people warm!

Yes, that is why I hope my mood will start improving now - I was without it for nine days.

my day so far has been lots of retail therapy: backseamed stockings; red opaque (like tights) stockings; silver glittery stockings; plaid knee-length skirt; black "emily" skirt that has a red-stitched kitty face for a back pocket; black stilettos with an ankle strap. (the last three items were bought at Buffalo Exchange so you don't think I've gone too fancy.)

now to get laundry and dye hair.

Heating people is wrong!

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

I was here until 8pm last night, when I got kicked out by the cleaner cause he was setting the alarm. Gah, I feel rough. I think I'm hallucinating. And HSA expects me to go to some free wank experimentalist music thing tonight at Conway Hall? Help!

Morning all! I have started the day off with seeing pics of my friends baby (that's still in her belly!). What a great start.
Hey Nichole, how goes it hun? Tell me all!
Sam, i like the sound of that retail therapy definitely, sounds like you got soem great stuff.
Kate, awwwww hugs!

I also went a bit mental working late last night and started having a fight with my chair, which has decided to stop being adjustable. I became convinced that it had deliberately jammed at exactly the optimum height to fuck up my back, shoulders, neck and eyesight - it is eeeeviiiill. Hm, maybe I will go and swop it with a student workstation one...

Today is the last day of term and I have to say goodbye to some of our students which will be sad. I also have a presentation to prepare for my MA assessment next week which is scaring me because I've never done that in an academic context before. Is it done to read verbatim from notes or should it be more improv? What do I do if the data projector breaks down?

Good morning! I should get to bed! Arrrgh 4 AM...

Julia - get to bed young lady!!!