2000-12-18 - 21:15:04
Quasi-invitation, quasi-Tolkein, and quasi-work

I was quasi-invited to a party today that I won't be going to. Such an interesting invitation, sort of an "it's happening, you can show up if you like". But the part that really got my goat, is the "It's completely up to you" ...

Being on both the receiving and giving end of that statement endless times over many years, I have yet to see the day when the inviter is not tilting their nose up internally (even if they don't realize it), claiming the moral high ground. If I react with an affronted "No, thankyou," then I become a resentful witch. But of course, if I say "Yes" and go, I'll be gritting my teeth half the time, uncertain what to say or where to stand. It would be unfair to the hosts to have a wretched time at their party just because I am currently uneasy in the presence of their roommate.

And so, I heave a *sigh*, pore over my calendar for conflicts I might have forgotten, and unearth an old inscription: "Write Christmas Cards Today!! Mail gifts!! Balance Budget!!" Ah, saved by the bell. Tedious, hours-eating tasks that really can't be put off, lest I miss a number of deadlines. Then maybe a cup of tea, a few pages of a novel, and sleep.

I need to begin packing, too. We turned in forms and screening fees for an apartment in Tigard yesterday, and (assuming of course we get it) Azash and I will begin moving in January the 10th. Seven of the days between now and then will be spent at my parents' for holiday, and that leaves only two weeks to get everything cleaned, packed, and organized. I am so damn tired of moving -- this makes 10 times in the past 5 1/2 years. I hope this is the last move for awhile.

Back to novels -- I found McKiernan's "Iron Tower" trilogy bound in one novel at Fred Meyer's the other day. I'd heard occasionally of the world of Mithgar, but never read any of its novels. I just finished the first of the trilogy yesterday, and so far it's a good story. The plot is unique and interesting enough, although its details, and the details of the world of Mithgar itself, borrow very heavily from Tolkein's work.

*yawn* What a day. I spent a couple of hours hopping around with the Help Desk's Office 2000 CD, re-installing it on several computers. Have you ever installed a video game? You know those options it gives, like Full Install, Custom Install, and Typical Install? Very useful things, these options. It turns out that Office 2000 doesn't HAVE a "Full Install", just Custom and Normal. So everybody got Normal on their computers ... and now they don't have any of the useful little extra tools they need, like conversion programs to open older versions of files, and stuff. Honestly! Can Microsoft get any less helpful? So today I had to go in and Custom them and make sure every little program add-in was checked.

Now I'm entering Utility bills, three months' worth. Gag me with a ream of paper, why don't you? Blecch. That'll eat up the next couple of days ... Hmmm ... Maybe that's not such a bad thing. My 5-day Christmas Break begins at 5:00pm Thursday ... I could survive without a new project until next Tuesday quite happily. *grin*

... Ick. I've been summoned for another mailrun. Later.