Hell Comes In Little Slices

At least sometimes it does....

Have you ever had that dream where you suddenly find yourself back in school and taking a math test you haven't studied for, and then you realize you're sitting in the biology classroom, and then you realize that you're fully clothed but all your classmates are naked and working on art projects instead?

I'm bewildered. Two years ago budget season went off without a hitch. Last year it was a disaster but due primarily to one particular factor, in addition to my two-month death cold. This year there is no "primary factor" and I'm currently virus-free (knock wood), yet I've spent the week getting, as the metaphor goes, "nibbled to death by ducks," as well as receiving some pointed advice that could have been an ultimatum, a recommendation, an invitation, or an offer. The former is, I'm coming to believe, simply a function of the season (in which case, oh, joy...), but the latter is, in a phrase, out of the blue - or at least nearly so.

I can ace any test that I know is coming. I guess now I know.

Better late than never, I suppose.

After today things should relax a bit and free me up to make more regular appearances here. Just how regular I haven't worked out yet, but time will tell, so don't let the suspense kill you.

Many thanks to Jennifer for keeping the lights on. And also to Rich, who thinks I actually make money off this gig. Pity flattery isn't legal tender, or I might actually be able to become a literal pajamahadeen.