Absquatulate

Luddite!

I posted this on Twitter, but since I've made my feed private to ward off Google Spiders, there's no way you would know. But I thought you'd appreciate it:
"Electronic toys and animated elmos that dance 5 days a week == deep, unyielding desire to become Amish. Or an Amish SLP. Do they exist?"

Brian Dettmer: Book Autopsies // Centripetal Notion

He takes books and slices into them, creating three dimensional dioramas of the innards : Brian Dettmer: Book Autopsies // Centripetal Notion.  I would love to own one of these.

Crossing Guard at the River Styx

In the New England Journal of Medicine Dr. Dosa recounts the uncanny ability of Oscar the Cat to see the dying from one realm to the next.  It brought some tears to my eyes and wonder to my heart that a cat could so reliably predict death and give the dying a comforting last few moments on earth. Seems rather Ancient Egyptian, doesn't it?  Link: NEJM -- A Day in the Life of Oscar the Cat.

Oh Heavens, About to Be Paid

One promise I made to myself when I quit the semi-lucrative job I had to go to grad school was, "When I graduate I will not take a job that pays less than what I make now." Then I got into grad school, and got to know the field, and I realized that I made a foolish promise. What I work on can't be seen and has no pills to prescribe for it so salaries tend to be low-ish for what we know. Combine that with the fact that a good number of my colleagues work part time or in school systems and the median salary plummets. At least when you think about all the things we're supposed to know, diagnose, and treat. I became somewhat despondent and figured it's a damned good thing I love what I do because the salary will be bunk.

Luckily I happened into a job that paid relatively well, at least compared to other jobs that I had interviewed for (in particular: Progressus Therapy, you insult me and my colleagues with your pitiful pay and compensation package.) Just as well as the job I left, actually. So I'm happy that I could keep my promise to myself despite some desperation and panic in early July. But you see, the problem is I've lived for three years on a very, VERY meager salary or on savings. Before that I lived well, perhaps even too well, in a cute little townhouse in Rochester NY that was renting for way below market on a salary that was corporate, shall we say. And I'm back to it, in a slightly more expensive area, perhaps, but the thought of earning more than $150 a week makes me GIDDY. Thoughts of my previous life flutter back to me. Sushi? First on the list of indulgences when I cash my check. Shoes? Buy leather! Then paying off loans and whatnot, of course, but there might be a little left over for updating the wardrobe for the office. In particular:

• 
  This herringbone blazer
• 
  Something like this outfit: classic pencil skirt, cute jacket (I think this is an acceptable way to wear the "trapeeze top that everyone is all atwitter about apparently).
• 
  An outfit like this
• 
  These jeans. Curvy cut jeans from Old Navy are the only ones I've worn in the last 13 years that don't leave a HUGE asscrack gap in the rear when I crouch down, bend over, or sit. I got curves, just like God intended. All hail the badonk-a-donk!
• 
  See above. Curvy pants, for work. YES.
• 
  I'm ready to embrace the hobo.
• 
  What I like about this is that it'll look great on its own or under a cardigan.
• Too many things to count from Sam Moon.

What do you mean I have to go in AGAIN?

Hi. Yeah. I started the new job. I'm busy right now between that and wrapping up some freelance work. And I have a bazillion photos from 10 days at the Cape and various levels of extended boyfriend family to sort through and post. And I'm trying really hard to with-hold judgment on al ot of things until I have some more time to settle in (if, indeed, I should be judging at all). And the office I work at is in the middle of a huge upheaval, which makes it interesting to try and find my way. Although, that might not be bad.

Updates when I have a little time to breathe.

In the meantime, I'd love to hear your great work stories. Have a horrendous first day at your first job? A funny story about that guy at the water cooler you snogged at the company party? Post them (anonymously, if you must!) in the comments! Let's make each other laugh.