lisah, was it you who was looking for a red dress?

Yes! Thank you!!!

BofA doesn't offer autopay

Do you have your checking account with BoA too? If it's somewhere else, you could maybe set up your checking account to autopay your mortgage (rather than the mortgage holder pulling money out of your checking account). That's what I do, all my autopays are set up through my checking account so I can access them all, all at once.

You can see a clear inspiration and influence both in the costumes and the dance

The top three North American couples clearly took greater care with their research and inspiration than the Russians did. As I said above though, regardless of how good or bad the interpretation was, with respect to the cultural roots (and Lordy were the Russians bad on that front), their overall skating was just slow, sloppy, and really, really ill-conceived.

By contrast, you look at the Duchesnays breakthrough program from 1988 which, in terms of evoking mood, using movement, music, and costuming, was so much more effective. Admittedly, they were going for a more generic feel, as opposed to a cultural specific feel, but I think the point's valid. Plus, bonus, look how fast they're skating and how fluid they look, compared to the Russians clunky and slow movements.

[link]

Also, bonus cultural program from the Duchesnays, "Missing" from 1990, which was South American in feel.

[link]

This is why dogs do not make good criminal henchmen. [link]

megan, though you will be tempted to be forthright about all of S's many weaknesses and faults, I would be extremely cautious. Better to let new manager figure these things out on his or her own. S/he doesn't know you yet, nor know of your awesomeness, so what you say will not be properly weighted. I would also add that I might be naive, but I've never witnessed anyone's career be helped by criticizing a boss, no matter how insanely warranted.

Well, that went pretty well. For the most part, I kept things pretty general as regards the whole group. I realized pretty quickly that she is well aware that we are dysfunctional (though maybe not to the extent that we really are) and really wanted to hear honest assessments from people (and she knows for the most part she won't get them) about what might help the situation.

Apparently, my boss had nothing to say but good things about my work and I think that that fact combined with a professional (and reasonably diplomatic) assessment that was pretty much in line with what she's discovered means it went well. I think we have very similar approaches to things, so that's refreshing at least.

At the end, she made it clear that she was brought in to shake things up (which she has done in other groups). She also hinted at me moving beyond editorial (as others have done). We'll see if anything actually happens.

Good luck , megan.

today I am making chicken pot pie from the leftover tarragon chicken. I think if I make it again I'll use boneless thighs and breasts. More expensive, but if I let it cook the longer time pulling out the bones is a pain.

And after last weeks conversation I shopped a little differently than usual. As i went shopping I had a couple of meals in mind. So I have ground beef that might be come stuffed peppers or part of a stir fry ( or both) plus ingredients for fancy grilled cheese. I actually, with out trying spent about 40 dollars less at the store. I might need a quick trip to fill out some meals, but this might work

megan, sounds very promising!

Just ran my free credit report. All looks good. Aside from wanting to pay down my credit cards before getting a new mortgage, looks like I am good to go.

OMG, I am fucking useless today. I haven't done shit for work, but neither have I actually gone back to bed, which probably would have helped more. I have, OTOH, watched a bunch of things off my DVR, so maybe I can actually accomplish some work this evening? Ugh! I had too much fun over the weekend.

Last night's ice dancing got me to revisit Torvill and Dean's Bolero routine on YouTube. I'd forgotten how good it is!