and for my next trick ...

• Work: Done, several days ahead of schedule. Good for me.
  
• Cats: Napping.
  
• House: Clean (enough).
  
• Lawn: Unmowed for the past month, covered in leaves, and likely to stay that way. Because it's sleeting outside.
  
• Watching: The Nude Bomb, a 1980 Maxwell Smart big-screen feature. Not bad, really. The disco intro is fun. And the final episode of Journeyman (via hulu.com). Positively decent. I really wish it was still on.
  
• Cookies: Baked. Warm. Gooey. Mine.
  

... or not

I did not end up getting the proofreading gig I mentioned yesterday; the client's budget is about half what I would need to charge. Oh well. But I do have an interview next week for a possible writing gig. Geez, how long since I went on an actual in-person interview?

small loss, small gain; big loss, big gain

Last week I broke up with Wells Fargo, and I will no longer be proofreading their newsletter.

Today the publisher of another newsletter responded to my resume, and I might end up proofreading theirs instead. See how nicely that works out?

strengths, weaknesses, cats

1. My latest post, "Turn Your Weaknesses into Strengths," is up at LaidOff101.com. Have a look.
   
2. During yesterday's session, Bob the God of Shiatsu asked me how I had injured my left shoulder. I told him I hadn't, but he maintained that I had because he could feel the results. Finally I asked if years of carrying heavy bookbags and purses could account for what he was noticing, and he said yes. So downsize your bags, y'all; the big ones really do do you harm.
   
3. This morning Presto stretched up, hooked a delicate claw over the rim of my mug, and pulled a cup of hot chai down from the table onto himself. Nothing was injured but his pride, but he now smells faintly of exotic spices.
   

Back to work.

Gas under $2.45!

fave clip from the latest debate

mood music

My Mood Music post is now up at LaidOff101.com. Click on over to see what I listed after "Have a Little Faith."

Good timing; I could use the boost today. Not only do I have to break up with Wells Fargo and tell them why, but I also will attend a friend's mother's funeral home visitation after work. *Sigh.*

Is Big Brother reading this?

I need some sage advice. I've proofread a certain Large Bank's employee newsletter for the past several years. I've included my Social Security number on my invoices, and Large Bank has paid me. Nothing else was required.

But times have changed. This week the project manager informed me that Large Bank is instituting new information security measures that require contractors to submit to background checks before they can be deemed suitable for the Large Bank payroll. I was a little uncomfortable with this idea until I received the background check authorization form.

After reading it, I'm a lot uncomfortable. It states, in part:

The scope of the report requested by [Large Bank] may include information relating to criminal history, academic achievement, employment history, Social Security number verification, character, general reputation, personal characteristics, and mode of living."

Does that sound arbitrary and invasive to you? Am I overreacting?

I'd appreciate your opinions on this. Thanks!

Oh yeah?

Gas under $3.00!

I filled up on the way home from teaching a class. Yay!

good stuff

It's been a while since I posted a proper update, but I've been busy having a good time. Here's how:

I haven't been downloading video from iTunes as much as I used to now that I can get almost everything I want for free on Hulu.com. However, I got hooked on In Plain Sight after watching the pilot episode (free download), and I couldn't find other eps anywhere but iTunes, so back I went. When I clicked to purchase the series, I mistakenly clicked on the HD button instead of regular. Happy accident! It is beautiful! Now I'm grabbing Heroes episodes in HD, too, the better ogle Sendhil Ramamurthy.

Also, my posts on LaidOff101.com are popular, and the site boss likes some ideas I've floated for upcoming topics. Thanks for your support!

Also, a latecomer to Tuesday's T'ai Chi class handed me an unexpected $50.

Also, Julie asked me to substitute teach one of her T'ai Chi classes, which means she trusts me not to confuse her students too much.

Also, my big T'ai Chi client has just booked classes for all of 2009 for all three locations. They like chi! They really, really like chi! And I'm working on coming up with a name for my T'ai Chi business.

Also, Sprite has tolerated some physical contact from Presto in the last couple days. Not much and not for long, but it's a start. I suspect cooler weather will offer more snuggling opportunities. Like now: I've got a kitty nestled against each leg.

Also, I just finished reading a good book, Birds of a Feather by Jacqueline Winspear, and I've just started another interesting one, Marrying Anita by Anita Jain. AND I discovered TWO new books by a favorite old author, Dick Francis, that I hadn't known about.

Also, clients have been pumping up my ego with praise for my work. A prospective client has been flattering me as well — but he wants me to work @ 60 hours a week for less-than-fabulous pay, so I don't think he's going to make the cut.
Also: good sleeping weather.

Also, I'm meeting a friend for a burger and a beer tonight. Mmm, melted cheese . . . fries . . . is the pub open yet?

Yeah. Good stuff. And how are you all doing?

Not-so-little buddy

Presto is still full of pouncy kitten energy, but from some angles, he could be mistaken for an adult cat. The cooler weather is bringing out his snuggly side. And while he and Sprite still are not great friends, they can now share the couch for a nap.