On being a domestic lesser deity

The last several days have been a flurry of baking, fudge making, present wrapping, and gift card creating. Martha Stewart - watch out!

I'm actually exhausted from all this holiday cheer. But most of the gifts are bought, I only have about 40 or so left to wrap, and no matter what does or doesn't happen, it's all over in a week. If only I didn't have this morning's traveshamockery trying to get a parking ticket dismissed. Let me tell you, I'm a big fan of government. I've worked for government, I've worked with government. But sometimes, as in the case of a certain administrator at adjudication services, government at it's most local incarnation is frightening to behold. After watching two brilliant specimens ahead of me get their tickets dismissed (actual excuses: "I didn't know I had to get a permit" and "I wasn't parked in a handicapped space"), whereas I, with a specific citation of the city's code and a copy of a ticket dismissal that another person received in a similar situation, was denied. I believe that said administrative judge took an instant dislike to me based on my nice clothing and suburban address. Or perhaps she hates Volkswagen drivers. Either way, I've been doing a slow burn all day long.

Now if only I can get this freakin' cat off my lap so I can get to bed!

When to cut and run

I have been pondering the question of how to tell when to support a friend going through a bad time and when a friendship is too much trouble to be worth it. I have been friends with a very intelligent, passionate person for the past decade. She has always had emotional problems that are (mostly) controlled by medication, but every once in a while something sends her into a deep funk, where she proceeds to lash out at anyone and everyone close to her. She has just returned to town from a long stint overseas, and I haven't really been the best of friends. It's a combination of factors, but mostly it comes down to being in two very different places in our lives, with vastly divergent priorities.

On Friday, I received an email from her, lambasting me for not calling her and complaining that she's really having problems and she's not getting any support from her friends. Normally, this would send me running to the phone to call her to make sure she's OK, but this time it just made me mad. VERY mad. Because it's not the first time she's sent me one of those accusatory "you're not a good friend" emails because it has been a while since we've corresponded. It's not like she has been trying to get in touch with me, and a friendship works two ways. I've told her before, "if you want to chat, email or call and I'll respond." But I haven't heard from her in months, and I'm the one not being supportive. She sent an apologetic email an hour later, but I'm still not sure when (or if) I'm going to respond.

On the happy side, my best friend showed me what patience can bring - she (finally) got engaged to her boyfriend of eight years! He asked her last night, during her birthday party, in front of the whole crowd. Down on one knee, ring in the box, the whole nine yards. I was so incredibly happy for her, and so incredibly touched by the romance, that I was in tears. It's something she has wanted for a long time now, and it is a joyous way to start the holiday season.

Special Thursday linkage

This just couldn't wait until Monday: Cute Overload! (via Wonkette)

Calling all supermoms

Working Mother magazine is looking for nominations for their 2006 working mother of the year awards. From their email:

Tell us about a gutsy go-getter, still new to the working world. Or an invigorating icon who’s been there and done that—beautifully. Or a role model who:

Inspires and motivates others
Balances work and family successfully
Gives back to her community
Leads at work
Overcomes obstacles
Carves out new territory at home and at work

That's quite a skill set there...I can't wait to see who they find. In the meantime, if you know anyone who fits the bill, the application is available online at www.workingmother.com/wmawards.html.

Monday miscellania: eh-dyu-kay-shun edition

Howdy loyal readers! Less than two weeks until Christmas and Hanukkah...is your shopping done yet? Mine neither. It's Monday, so let's get it started:

* I only wish this were a joke.

* They like me! They really, really like me!

* Tomorrow night is the grand finale of the cromulent "family edition" of The Amazing Race. Dear Bertram Von Munster: I have watched this season only because of loyalty. Please do not mess with my favorite show again. If it weren't for the episodes of TAR5 I have squirreled away on my TiVo ("My ox is BROKEN!"), I don't know whether I would be able to survive TAR:FE.

* Scarlett, Scarlett, Scarlett. Why, oh why must you abuse your assets like this?

* RIP, Wendie Jo Sperber. I was a big Bosom Buddies fan growing up. Please, people, give generously to the fight against breast cancer.

* Last time, I promise. (And, no, I was not the female fan referenced.)

That's all for now - have a great weekend!

Coach mom

A coworker decided to put together an office team for a huge 10-mile race we have each spring. I, of course, said I'd be on the team, and then let it slip that I used to help coach a beginning runners training group for this race. She then broadcast this salient fact to the entire office, and guess what? I'm now coaching four beginning runners! I think it's great. In addition, I'm still helping out with the other beginning runners group.

The first question most people ask (other than "Can I really run ten miles in 13 weeks?") is how I manage to find the time to run. I tell them that there is no easy answer. I wake up early (at 5:30) to go running, because I know that I *never* feel like it after work. In order to wake up that early on a regular basis, I have a couple of amazing running partners who meet me at that ridiculously early hour. I figure that if they're out there waiting for me, the least I can do is to show up.

How do you find a partner? I found mine through my local Connectors group (which has seen a serious decline in participation over the past couple of years). One of the absolute best resources for meeting up with like-minded women is See MOMMY Run, which has taken off like a lighting bolt since its inception in July 2004. Many local running clubs also have various ways for members to find training partners.

Training for the April 2 race begins January 2nd. I'll keep you all (OK, all three of you) posted on the progress of my various charges.

Monday miscellania: day late, dollar short

Since I spent much of last night rearranging the furniture to accommodate our Christmas tree, I'm a little behind on my Monday linkage.

* By far the best thing I've found online this week is Doppleganger's discussion of parenting books over at 50 Books. The comments on the post are particularly hysterical, especially the explanation of Tether Parenting(TM) - of which it seems I am a devotee.

* Sunday's desperate Housewives struck a nerve with me. Lynette's run-in with her boss's wife, particularly her response to the comment about why she had kids if she wasn't planning on raising them (i.e. was working outside of the home). Her response was, "I work because my family needs me to." What about those moms who work because they WANT to? Add to that the fact that the situation was wrapped up fairly quickly in a neat little bow struck me as rather trite and superficial. But do I really expect realism from a show where a woman lets her ex-boyfriend overdose after she found out he tampered with her dead husband's medication, leading to his death?

* Christmas Mondegreens from Snopes! (Via Pop Culture Junk Mail) I will never forgive a former coworker for pointing out some of the mondegreens in the Messiah. Every time I hear "All we like sheep..." I can only think, "And we like sheep..."

* Curbed ponders appropriate Christmas tips. My wallet hurts.

* Yep. Still muy caliente.