Weird, Senyar. I blocked international calling years ago (in case the phone is stolen so I don't get stuck with a huge bill), maybe that's it? I certainly have cellphone service!

1. Survived Sandy. The winds roared and the windows rattled but we made it! Didn't even lose power. No work yesterday or today. Tomorrow is still up in the air. I can't imagine they can open, not sure anyone could come in (lots of staff live far enough away that they need public transit, and are probably dealing with loss of power and/or flooding).

2. Probably TMI: I've been dealing with an ingrown toenail on the big toe of my left foot for too long now (over a week, maybe two?); I think I'm gonna need to visit urgent care or something to get it taken care of. This was my reward for trying to cut my toenails myself weeks ago- all sorts of ingrown craziness on multiple toes. I was able to fix up all the rest of them but this one just keeps holding on; I can't figure out where the ingrown-ness is happening but it just freakin' HURTS. Boooo.

3. Signed up on the NYCares website to be notified about any volunteer clean-up projects in the next few days. Probably won't be able to get out, with the baby and all, but you never know!

1. I have been following the hurricane thread on the blue, and checking in with friends in the northeastern part of the US/Canada, and am relieved that everyone seems to have pulled through with just minor bumps along the way. Phew! Local power company crews are heading north right now to help local crews restore power as quickly as possible to affected areas. I hope everyone is alright!

2. That said, I am SO FUCKING GLAD we flew back east on Sunday instead of Monday. The closest we got to the storm was Atlanta, but I heard that yesterday thousands of flights were cancelled across the country as a result of storm. I really feel like we dodged a bullet flying on Sunday.

3. We had a great time on our trip out west to Seattle and San Diego. It was great to catch up with friends and family. I spent my teen years in San Diego, and my husband had never been, so it was fun to walk around and tell him about all the trouble I used to get myself into. Now that we're home, I've been busy doing laundry and catching up on some work. I am grateful to be cooking again. I was tired of eating out. Two whole weeks of eating out is too damn much.

1. Good to know the NYC bunnies are doing okay.

2. Just heard from my bro and sis-in-law through Facebook (they're on Long Island). They were on non-mandatory evacuation orders, but decided to sit it out. Electricity is out, his step-daughter's car got squished/totaled, cell phone connectivity is iffy and the neighbourhood is a mess, but other than that, everything is fine.

3. I can't think of a 3.

1. Survived the hurricane, but didn't get as much work done as I would have liked. Hoping I can finish my fire signs paper today and so I can submit that and my updated fire invocation to my South person. Then I'll only have one more paper to write (on sovereign goddesses). I want to try and have everything turned in by next Thursday, which is when we're having a spa day. One of my sisters has already been released from the South.

2. My house is a mess since I've been slobby for the past couple of days. I need to tighten this shit up ASAP because I know that if my house is messy--my mood tends to take a nosedive, which is not good. Especially during the winter. (And with DST coming up--ugh.)

3. I came up with a new idea for a workshop to host at the local witchy shop! It's called 'Chat and Craft' (or CAC, pronounced cack) for short. It'll be a time to come together and make whatever little crafty things you've been meaning to make (smudge sticks, poppets, oils, incenses, mojo bags, etc.) but have never gotten the time to do. I'm thinking of hosting it on Thursdays, since Saturdays are prime time (and I doubt the owner would let a new workshop take one of those) and Fridays I have dance class. Also, if it's on Thursday, you'll have a day to prep what you need and then keep working over the weekend. I just have to check the schedule.

1. Was out of the path of the worst of Sandy out here in Western PA but have a bunch of relatives hit by it. Still haven't heard from my sister in Jersey, nephew in Brooklyn or my uncle in Battery Park. Cousin in(on?) Staten Island is fine.

2. Ran out and bought lots of batteries and candles and a big water jug on Sunday and didn't need any of it.

3. Doing the WeightWatchers thing and there is a ton of candy around this week. Grrr.

1. Really glad storm struck bunnies seem to be OK. Looks like a messy cleanup lies ahead, esp. in NY.

2. Enjoying my recent 10 lb weight loss on Eat to Live, including getting to wear clothes I barely remember. Not to mention how good the food is. Now, to clear my evening calendar so I can get to bed at night so I can wake up for workouts.

3. I am feeling some pretty constant stress/worry about the election. Soothing suggestions from bunnies always welcome.

1. Tired tired tired. Sleeping almost as much as my cat at the moment.

2. First world problem - I want to order a new iMac but they're not yet available. Or a refurb 2011 model, but they're scarce.

3. Can't think of a 3 for me, but I'm desperate to ask msali - San Diego!? Were you at the ATA conference?

1. Right now I'm in Pittsburgh for work and waiting to see if my flight out to JFK tomorrow will happen. I don't want to get stuck here. I reserved another ticket Thurs morning just in case. Just checked out the area and noticed a store where I can buy fresh undies if I do get stuck.

2. Going to Denver next week for Educause. Any bunnies going to be there? I'm excited to go! I've never been do Denver and I love this conference.

3. Boyfriend and fuzzy animals survived the hurricane in NYC just fine, no leaks, no power outages, no broken windows in my high-ish area of Brooklyn. He said the cats were freaking out because there were so many exciting leaves whipping by the windows, but that the rabbit was impassive and unimpressed as usual, and only truly interested in cilantro deliveries to his bowl.

1. Upright without distraction for 5+ hours = pain induced vomit. Up from 3+ hours.
2. Unquestionably can never read in a car again, which is sad because I use to do a lot of reading in cars. Wonder if this extends to buses as well.
3. Was talking to this Army Reservist who was waiting to be called in for Sandy any time now, but wasn't allowed to have his cell phone. Long story and lots of interesting new factoids, but I was wondering if the army was really that drastically different now because he seemed really undisguisedly femme. Especially running into lots of guys who were paid to leave service twenty years ago and veterans up to now, I guess I still thought the army had a mandatory butchness mandate, like sports, so the idea that guys could actually be any and all flavors of openly gay in the service now is really amazing, if it's actually true. Maybe it's pockets, maybe it's regional, or maybe the military does have it together more than most cops or firemen or footballers, any stereotypically macho thing that seems to insist things be at best on the down low. I dunno, would he have to affect different vocal tone and mannerisms on duty anyway? It's just so unusual seeing any guys casually being out at all in this part of the country, because it is frankly dangerous, so in a way, it makes sense an army guy would be, having seen more of the world if only this country and being sure of himself, in the same way it seems unusual.
It's kind of like wondering which member of the Village People would be the least likely to be out if those were their real jobs? There are lots of closeted construction workers, don't know about Indian chiefs--

1. I need new jeans. These jeans are so big they fall down. I swore when I bought them that I would never buy pants this size or bigger ever again.
2. I need a new belt. This belt is so big it can't hold up my jeans that are also too big. Further, I already poked two new holes in this belt so it is too long that way as well.
3. I need new shirts and coats. My chest has grown 3 inches and my clothes are too small.

1. I'm oh so glad I flew back from Orlando Friday.

2. Of course on the trip back I caught a nasty cold so I spent the weekend sick. Stupid sudafed/benadryl combo did nothing. I missed my beloved nyquil.

3. I called in sick yesterday and worked from home today. Which worked out as it meant I didn't have to go out in the rain and wind (which thankfully is all we got here). But I'm jealous of my friends at the state who got two days off.

1. It is windy and cold and overcast here in the midwest but I feel bad complaining about it.

2. Went to the doctor today and the doctor, whom I have never met before, had a weird combination of a horrible bedside manner and a rather charismatic persona. I left liking him a lot.

3. Lost another pound!

I don't know if I've mentioned in the MeChasphere yet that I had an interview last week. I have one lined up for this week, but it may be delayed.

Rilly rilly hoping I get a job. In the city. That is full-time. With benefits. (Both of these are.)

It's really the only thing I want right now (other than a certain far-off lady-bunny).

but I'm desperate to ask msali - San Diego!? Were you at the ATA conference?

Alto, I was! If you were there and I didn't know it...That would really suck!

Only still Tuesday in my own time zone, but:

1. Been headachey and emotionally volatile these last few days; feeling upset, White Queen-style, about things that haven't actually happened. Maybe it's a reaction to my flu shot.
2. I will be so, so relieved to be done with school in July.
3. Made jambalaya for dinner. It was delicious.

msali, I wasn't, but I know a lot of people who were there, and I'd love to go one of these years. It's so much bigger than anything we European translators have.

1. Exams start next week. Been swinging between 'help me I'm not prepared' and 'ack hurry up and finish'. This is actually a good thing; just a few months ago it would've been 'help me I'm not prepared' and 'is this building high enough'? So, progress.

2. Some kind soul reminded me I gained weight. (I am now 5'5" and 140.) Thanks. And I obviously feel horrible, lumpy and unattractive; contemplating a hermit existence and all. Maybe it's stress, because I really do eat reasonably and healthfully and well, but that's what people who eat too much say, anyway. Only time (ie. the one month until the stressor is completed!) will tell, I guess. This whole thing makes me angrier than anything else in my whole life now.

3. College applications. Enough said.

On preview, sounds like life sucks. Well, not really. It's just okay. (:

1. Glad y'all seem to have weathered the storm, too. With NYC schools closed, I've been off work all week. I'd actually like to go back tomorrow. No word yet. Our school building in the Bronx is a shelter and the power may be out, plus MTA being out, which is how most students (and staff) get there (luckily, I drive, and I think the bridges are back open). Goin' a bit stir crazy, though the rest is always welcome. Hoping not to lose all of our February break. Minor thing, in the scope of things, I know, but those breaks prevent a lot of homicides. ; )

2. We've been lucky and never lost power. Cable and home Internet have been down since last night, though. They were on all through the storm and now they're down. RCN's not answering the phone. Can't say I blame them. Not used to the quiet. Maybe I'll put on Big Lebowski for a comfort movie. Jon went to the bank and has promised me bagel and coffee, bless him. I was surprised (and happy) to see the bagel shop open yesterday. Nothing like a NYC bagel to set things right.

3. Mom's weathered the storm okay up in CT. Last night when I spoke with her she said she had a million blankets piled on top of her (she was always one for the blankets -- used to sleep with a heating blanket even in August). She also said she had a small light in her apartment, but no TV. The Assisted Living facility must have lost power (my brother, the one who's a doctor and lives near her, is the one the facility contacts for any issues, but I don't much feel like talking to him, so long's I know my mom's okay). She sounded in good spirits. I wish it was within my means to have her with me, make her a nice hot cup of tea, but I know she's well cared for, better than what I could do alone, I'm sure. I do miss her, though.

(undue influence: exams and college applications? Goodness, I haven't had that combination in many decades... how old are you? Well, welcome, in any case -- just no cocktails for you, unless those are graduate school applications ; )

1. I'm always hit or miss on these things. I should come by more.

2. Also on Eat To Live, mostly due to a high blood pressure scare. I see the cardiologist in about two hours. Feeling kind of anxious about it. I've lost some poundage, though, so that's happy.

3. Son got his karate blue belt! He was deliriously happy at the end of his test. Just the biggest damn smile that he kept all night. Other Son missed some of the drills, so he's going to practice more to see if he can catch up.

1. East coast family is safe. Only lost power a few times, work temporarily cancelled, downed trees in the neighborhood (they were in Cape May and College Park though).

2. After being shot down via distraction(/apathy?) and a massive conference happening downtown, I am back to coordinating an office happy hour. Even though the restricted area my boss ok'ed for it to take place in is very limited/limiting, I found a place I can be happy with. We'll see if it gets off the ground this time.

3. My office is having a costume contest today. I'm beginning to think it won't be judged until after my shift ends though. Maybe I ought to go do something special after work.

1. Seeing Leonard Cohen weekend after next in Portland! Got tickets last May. This will be the 6th or 7th time I have seen him, I think. I can't think of any other musician I would prefer over him. So excited and Wife and Daughter are going too.

2. As I have said, I am officially retired, but continuing to work for 6 months. The Oregon Public Employees Retirement System is notorious for delays, non-transparency, difficulty in ironing out problems, etc, but my first check is in my acct at the earliest possible date. Feels weird to know that this will happen monthly until I die. . .

3. Yesterday, I was at the gym, and in the locker room, there is my Congressman, Peter DeFazio (D-OR) in only his shower sandals. All of a sudden a group of 4 of us are surrounding him wanting to know if he thinks that Obama will pull it off. He just said "Well according to Nate Silver he has a 73% chance or winning, and that's all I know," before escaping into the shower. I wished him luck, over his shoulder in HIS contest against the perennial right wing nut job that always opposes him. He should win easily, but one worries, all the same.

So glad all the East Coast peoples made it through. I was very worried and following that thread on the blue, and FB like a maniac.

My parents, brother, and SIL are in the throes of Sandy, in NJ towns with no power and fucked-up infrastructure, on their 3rd night w/ no heat, hot water, hot food. I wish I could do more to help. 92% of people in my parents' county have no power, 80% in my brothers'. They kind of just have to sit tight at home, and there's nothing much to do but wait.