How about Li-Li? 'Cause that’s cute and she’s cute - it makes sense to me! And since it’s my OP, my vote counts double! 
This country is going to hell in a handbasket and soon. You young kids! You don’t listen for sh–.
I (we, that is my kids and husband and I) are meeting my parents, brother and sister in Paris (France!) to inter my sister’s ashes. Then we (us, but no my family of origin) are going on to London for 5 days of frivolity and fun.
See-I was going to offer to bring you with, but since you haven’t paid attention…<sigh>
Just kidding you there, Rifty --I know you wouldn’t leave any ways–the books and physics labs, they call to you, like Sirens from the shore.
Anyhoo, I am having some pre-trip jitters and am somewhat panicky when I think of all I have to DO. Off to Target soon with #1 son to pick up odds and ends for trip. Everything is for the trip–gah.
I’m sorry I am so uni-topical and boring this week. And to think, next week–NO SDMB for me (I may need medication for this!)
Anyone know how to change my log in password here? I don’t remember what it is!
rigs I think emailing a mod about your forgotten password would solve the problem. Much as they are called jackbooted thugs and such, they’re actually kinda nice folks. Just think how much you’re gonna enjoy England and how educational it’ll be for the kidlets. I mean, what a cool spring break! You should be reveling in cool mom status right about now.
Oh, remember my post about the former co-worker and the call about a reference on him? Turns out the [del]fool[/del] poor misguided soul actually gave them my name as a reference. :dubious: OK, time for a refresher course in who does and who does not make for a good reference. Ready? People whom you made a point of pissing off as often as possible - bad reference! People who are part of the reason you got fired in the first place - bad reference! People who just plain out ol’ do not like you - bad reference! People whom you were really nice to - good reference! People who would go out of their way to help you out because they think you are a nice person and wouldn’t want bad things to happen to you like getting fired - good reference! People who actually like you - good reference! Any questions? I have decided to attribute former co-worker’s [del]idiocy[/del] lapse in memory to forgetting to take his meds.
So, swampy, you gonna torpedo him? Or be tactfully truthful?
Wow! The sad thing is (and correct me if I’m wrong), you can’t be all nasty in references. So, I guess it’s a matter of what you DON’T say.
Rigs, I’d be just about hopping up and down now if I was going to Europe. I mean, granted, the first part doesn’t exactly sound fun, it will still be Paris.
I would love to be able to go back Germany for a visit. I lived there for a time as a child. I’d also love to see Norway, Greece, Italy and few other places. The sense of long history there is what draws me.
Okay, so the “counseling” went well…I hope. We’ll see come mid-term review and next October when my performance appraisal is due.
Off to check my e-mail.
Good luck on the pre-trip stuff, rigs. I always go through a pre-trip period where I have a good intentions list that eventually gets narrowed down to “things I absolutely have to do before I leave.” Inevitably, I forget to take something with me and have to buy it there. Remember that there are stores in both France and England. It’s kinda cool to have miscellaneous little stuff from Europe. Besides, you’ve still got all kinds of time: you’re not leaving for just about two whole days!
As for the password question: what swampy said.
I was craving something sweet and wasn’t sure what I wanted. FCM’s post reminded me that there is a superyummy source of ice cream just around the corner. Going to go acquire some. I really really want some ice cream RIGHT NOW.
GT
Yay for the good counseling Taters!
FCM, I didn’t do anything. I forgot to say I got called, that’s how I knew he actually gave my name as a reference. All I said was the dates he worked and said I had nothing further to add. My boss (his former boss) did the same thing. Then we sat in her office and had a good giggle session over it. That’s where I first came up with “People whom you made a point of pissing off as much as possible - bad reference!” She thought it was a hoot.
Oh, and here’s sump’n else I learned about former co-worker today. See, last year he took a job in Etlanner. Bragged all over town about what a great job, top pay, all that… he got fired from that job and that’s why he’s back here. Hmmm… wonder if he gave them as a reference too. 
Banana honey ice cream is yummmmmm.
That is all.
GT
Deep fried banana honey ice cream on a stick would be even better. Just sayin’.
swampbear, I can’t argue with that. For sure!
mmmmmmmm ice cream
Anyways you may (or may not) remember my little rant about insurance companies last week? Well apparently calling them worthless f*#$%^s invoked the wrath of the deductable re-payment gods. I gots me a nice check for $500 in the mail on Saturday :D:D:D
Now to war on the personal injury side of things…
rigs be nice to my homeland will ya. Say hi to alla my friends when you see them. I am assuming you are going to London - I don’t know anyone there but if you wander up to the Newcastle area let me know!
Thanks, guys.
I AM thrilled to be going, believe me–it’s just the laundry and the packing and the last minute details–I don’t feel organized this year, at all. I feel very out of control and forgetful. It ain’t pretty.
I am dropping things off the list right and left, though. And I am getting thru most of it, slowly.
I have nothing else to say.
swampy --I think I would just decline to say anything–that alone speaks volumes.
FCM -I have decided that you work for the CIA and make super secret code for the Witness Protection Program. Hope the “counselling” didn’t involve rubber hoses (and what were those used for, or do I not want to know?).
LIssar --if we are to nick you, we need to know how to pronounce your name. Is it Lissla as in Miss or Liz? Is it Lisslar as in lizard or missle?
These things are important.
I am going to miss all of you-more than you know. I think I may go through withdrawal!
ems --I love your homeland! What on earth are you doing in Wyoming? If I could live in UK, I would–I still would love to hire a house or flat for a summer and just live there and travel to Scotland, Ireland, Cornwall and Wales–oh, and the Continent too. I’ll have to save my pennies and get the kids out of the house…
I’m cranky tonight. See, I met up with someone tonight after my training class, and although I liked him, I have a feeling he wasn’t as in to me. Now I’m in the “there’s something totally wrong with me” cycle, which is definitely not fun. I actually was talking to my mom about it, and I got so worked up that I almost started a fight! And now I’m getting a headache.
I think I need a cookie. But I’m not going to have one.
Susan
You, sir, are NOT a well person!!! Ewwwwwwwwwwwww.
Dot, sounds to me like a friend change might be in order. I think it’s probably important to figure out whether your friends really meant well or were truly meddling. Maybe you can find additional/other people to be close to while you’re being Charity. In any case, sounds like you’ve got lots to keep busy with, so definitely make sure you’re taking care of yourself. (What? You didn’t know the MMP was full of people who can get all motherly on you?)
susan, sorry about the crankiness-inducing experience. Your cookie resistance is admirable.
Former co-worker sounds like an…interesting individual, swampy. It amazes me that people will do dumb stuff like that repeatedly. I think it’s a safe bet that the Etlanner employer is listed as a reference. Too bad you couldn’t ask.
ems - yay for at least one positive insurance experience!
Hey, Spats, I guessed correctly! I have no idea how I came up with that number.
I have too many shoes. None of them are new by the welby definition. A couple of pairs are not-so-old. Got some OK ones for work (comfortable and cheap) at Target a couple weeks ago. The ones Lissla linked to look cool, although they’re trendier (and more expensive) than anything I’m likely to buy.
Sorry Mr. Lissar is sick; hope he’s all rejuvenated soon…
Tired. Considering early to bed…
GT
susan, I’m sorry it didn’t seem to go well.
Dots, please make sure you take care of yourself. I’m kind of wondering about your “friends”. The teenage years are such difficult years.
rigs, glad to see you’re making progress on your lists. Have fun on your trip. We’ll miss you. I’m sure you’ll share all the details upon your return, right?
**Swampy, ** it sounds to me like you handled it just the right way. Saying next to nothing speaks volumes, and not in a good way. But, it’s done in such a way that you won’t receive any flak for it.
Just finished din-din. It was okay. Cous-cous, which I didn’t season nearly enough and cooked in beef broth. Some sort of beef rib thingies. Not spare ribs, though.
Off to cruise the net.
I always pronounce it Lis-la Lis-sar. You’ll have to ask Robin McKinley if it’s correct. I dunno.
Home from work, made curried potato and cheese sammiches for a late dinner- have you ever had a week where you’re irrationally hungry all the time? I am this week- and must put the pot to soak before bed.
rig, deep breathing and have a wonderful, wonderful trip!
rigs, I am officially jealous in the extreme. :o (This is now the jealousy smiley.) I wish I could go with you. Ooh! I’ll get to see Europe one day, one way or another. Have fun, dammit!
So today was annoying. Lots of little annoying things conspiring against me. Like being pecked to death by chickens. Know what I mean? One or two chickens attacking you, no problem. Coupla swift kicks and they’re down. But dozens and dozens of them all coming at you at once? Hoo wee.
The first thing is - well, remember those voicemail messages I couldn’t access that I thought might be grad schools a-callin’? Well. The telecommunications people finally got me a temporary password, and I was able to access, much to my chagrin, a message my mother left in October, and a message Samaritan Hospital left in January. I don’t even know if it was from January 05 or 06. Oy vey.
The other thing is … bah. Too complicated to go into right now. Suffice it to say for now that stupidity gives me a headache. I’ll explain in the morning.
Lissla :eek: I’ve been misreading and misspelling your name this whole time! I’m so sorry!
Tupug: ~80 lb total. I’ll tell my mom if it comes up in conversation, but I really don’t think it’s necessary. Suggesting therapy to my mom causes a lot more trouble than it’s worth. I really don’t need the “what did I do to screw you up? Am I a bad mother?” bit again.
Drae: yeah, that sounds like my days (except I play on the SDMB while i’m doing my homework and rarely go to sleep immediately after I’m finished.) I never thought about sleeping in my clothes for the next day… I might have to try that. And booby-trapping my soda… hmmmm… sounds like a project. I’ll try writing “DOROTHY’S SODA. PLEASE LEAVE IT ALONE,” first, and if that doesn’t work, I’ll resort to filling the bottles with something thoroughly foul.
Dolores: I’m glad your doggy’s doing well! Lucy is a great name for a dog.
Spats: I’m in St. Louis. You want the snow? you can have it. Snow is only good when it means a day off school.
Wintermute: you mean they won’t grow out of it? Rats. And actually, my sisters aren’t as bad as my parents when it comes to assuming nobody minds them taking things. I’m so sick of the “it’s not yours because we paid for your diapers, so you owe us” thing. I’ll never use it on my kids.
Rigs: nah, I’m good with almost any nickname. I’ll be fine; don’t worry. Of course my friends are drama queens. They’re mostly teenage girls. If we’re not drama queens now, we’ll miss our chance. I agree, though, that lots of people like to stir thiongs up so that they can watch and manipulate their own personal real-life soap opera. I don’t really think my two best friends would do that to me, but… well, you never really know anyone. (btw, have a great trip!)
rose: that song makes me happy 
GT and Taters, I hear you and I can’t promise I’ll give my buddies the boot just yet, but you probably are right that I should put a little distance between myself and the drama.
I think I’ve come to a strange and isolationg point in my growing process- I’m mature enough to see that a lot of my friends are immature in not-fun ways and to be annoyed by it, but not mature enough that people older than me generally want to hang out with me. In other words, I’m probably no more mature than my friends, and actually probably less so, but I can sure see the splinters in their eyes.
Shoes! Ah, shoes. I’ve only recently begun to understand women’s fixation on shoes. I usually wear sneakers as well, but I like LOOKING at shoes.
OK, since you’re all a’twitter about your impending vacation and I refuse to be all pouty and jealous (you lucky duck…), I’m going to be kind as I set you straight here.
- I don’t work for the CIA, although I went to a meeting there once some years ago.
- Don’t mention the super secret code again if you know what’s good for you. :eek:
- I didn’t get counseled - that was Taters. We’re on completely different coasts - how could you possibly confuse us??
- I use my rubber hose when watering my yard or washing my car. I’m pretty sure it’s a rubber hose. I don’t buy the cheap plastic ones because they split and stuff too fast.
- The preceeding snark was completely uncalled for, but so what? You don’t know where I live. You can’t do anything to me. So NYAH!!
Today, you are a woman! ::sniff:: We’re so proud.
I woke up around 5:00 a.m. and couldn’t fall asleep again. I’ve made lunch and will have time to go get a get-well card and drop off a library book before leaving for work.
We have a teensy bit of snow. We were supposed to get anywhere between 1 and 6 inches, depending on who was forecasting. We got maybe 1/2 inch on the grass and just a little dusting that stayed on the sidewalk. Wish it would decide on the season.
GT