FWIW, I appreciate cover letters I get and find them very helpful.

My cover letter is pretty formulaic now, and uses bullet points, but I apply mostly to gov't or big bureaucratic jobs, where I know there's strictly skill/competency matching going on.

I actually just had to search for a conversation we had in Natter about moving from a higher-paying job to what will inevitably be a lower-paying one.

So far, I've managed not to say "I feel like I work for Satan! Please save me!" in any cover letter.

I find reading the cover letters less mind numbing than reading the resumes. And they tend, by me, to be read more completely. Very often resulting in an instant potential file or trash decision without even looking at the resume. I may not be normal. It gives me a better feel for the person; my hiring is the opposite of big bureaucratic, and almost completely subjective.

Today I went shopping for some thin, long-sleeved shirts, because I need to dress modestly in India, and covering up also deters mosquitoes. I'm not to go anywhere unaccompanied, which is disconcerting. One of the reasons I decided to spend a day or two longer in Dublin is that I can go sightseeing without a security guard.

I also bought some birthday presents for my nieces and went to TJs. I picked up some of those Peppermint Joe-Joe's, and I'll be taking that box with me to Michigan because one person should not eat all of those cookies. Edit to add: One person absolutely can at all of those cookies, but due to my genetics, that person should not be me.

I've mopped the kitchen and cleaned the bathroom. Laundry is in the dryer. I just made zucchini and black been burrito filling which will go in the freezer. I made beef and noodles on Friday, and OH MY GOD, I know I didn't put crack in it but you wouldn't be able to tell.

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow at 2:30, and I'm assuming that I need to fast for it. Which will suck, but I will be able to get prescription for anti-malarials and antibiotics in case I eat something I shouldn't in India while I'm at it.

The Haggen near us is also closing. I liked the Albertson's that was there but was having NOTHING to do with Haggen given the price hike. Albertsons still exist in Idaho, I believe, but if in Idaho, why go anywhere except for Fred Meyer?

First our Fresh and Easy closed. Now the Albertsons. I've been going to Ralph's instead because of Murray's Cheese and I have a war on with Vons.

The Lucky's/Albertsons near me closed some years back, reopened as a Max Value, which is the kind of grocery store where the shelves are only 5 feet tall so nobody can steal the cans of crushed pineapple. Then that closed, too, and now there's a Planet Fitness there. Which I joined, but I've only been there like 3 times. (Which is ridiculous, it's literally yards from my house.)

In other news, I have a new dog. Not sure how she's going to work out. She's friendly and obsessed with tennis balls, and HELLA stubborn. If I take her by the collar to lead her anywhere, she lays down. She won't go in her crate unless I'm nowhere nearby.

I really have no idea what's going to happen tomorrow when I go to work: I can't crate her! Forcing a dog into a crate is one of the worst things to do if you want a crate-able dog. And I have no idea what will happen if I leave her loose in the house, although I do know she'll try to sleep on the bed. Sigh.

Anyway, she's an overweight black GSD, whom I have named Jetta -- short for Bridget, which was my great-grandmother's name. And for the color. Not for the car. The proper spelling is Getta, but I'm sure nobody would pronounce it properly, so Jetta it is, VW be damned.

Anyway, she's an overweight black GSD

I am now imagining this to stand for "Giant Space Dachshund". I'm afraid this will do your dilemma no favours.

HAH.

GSD: German Shepherd Dog, aka an Alsatian. I don't know why the US name includes Dog, but it does.

She is now sleeping calmly in her crate, yay. Fingers crossed for calmness all night and no catastrophes tomorrow!

Good luck, Jetta!!