Those shoes are gorgeous.

Aren't they? I found them because Vonnie linked to these on LJ: [link]

But I don't do that shade of green.

So pretty, though, all of them...

Consuela, I was looking at that site because of Vonnie and cursing her name earlier because they has so many cool but hellishly expensive shoes. Sad.

And Vortex said what I meant, better. Racial slurs don't slip out if you're not thinking them in the first place.

Any advice on how to deal with a crazy control freak who is assuming responsibility that, in the end, is not hers?

You and I seem to have the same boss, Juliebird. I do my best to stay out of her way and off her radar. When I have to have her input, I do a lot of ego-stroking. The most exhausting part of my job is managing my manager. Le n, you had some good ideas, I'm-a use 'em. On the occasions when I'm not too furious to do the delicate work of psychological manipulation.

What makes it extra sad is that, if this were a relationship, I'd be out the door.

Ooh, I have said that, many times.

Slapping a kid is aggravated assault and should get the appropriate penalty. I might be a little lenient due to circumstances, but not much. I understand the guy was in a lot of pain and very much on edge, but if you're a person who typically lashes out physically, get some Xanax. There's no good excuse for hitting a kid.

I don't think I can justify buying those shoes. Except that I WANT THEM.

I will pay someone to come and do my job for me for a week. Room, board, money, whatever, just give me a week I don't have to deal with this.

omg I bought the shoes. Partly because, well. Just because.

Retail therapy appears to be what I need: at least it's better than drinking.

I think if you slap a tiny kid that's not your own when under stress, I don't give a fuck if it's your last nerve that's been worked, and I don't want to think about the other shit you've pulled when stress has triggered you.

No direct comment on this case, but I'm going to put in a plug for the Australian novel "The Slap": [link] From the cover blurb: "At a suburban barbecue, a man slaps a child who is not his own." The novel follows the repurcussions through eight chapters, each devoted to one of the people at the barbecue. It's also been turned into a miniseries: [link]

I could not get through the miniseries. I saw the first episode, and then I had to bail.

Some penalty is justified for the baby-slapper -- he's out of control. Even if it's just a suspended sentence with mandatory anger/grief counseling.