rule the first: don't panic

Sigh. Apologies for the comments unanswered and unposted, the emails unanswered, the questions unanswered ... the general lack of presence on the interwebs ... it's partially work and partially my head being in an uncomfortably messy place and I wish I was saying this as a segue into "but it's about to get better!", except that ... I don't know. I'm trying, I'm just ... falling short.

And, a request: PRAY FOR ME. And my job. The kiosk is closing on Wednesday, and unless a position opens up in the bookstore, I am out of a job. It is also many degrees below zero. This is not weather conducive to job hunting. (Also, job hunting is very depressing and results of any kind are, in my experience, next to impossible to come by; it's like bad dating, where he never calls, except I only about that from books & films & things.) The good news: my manager really really likes me. He told me that I'm a hard worker (really? I mean, I'm glad, but I'm only doing my job, which is fairly easy, if you take out the bits about having so little to do that it gives way to nausea on occasion), and mentioned his appreciation for the not small amount of times I have filled in for the entire rest of the kiosk otherpeople. He wants to keep me on at the bookstore, but he doesn't know yet if he'll have a position available. Some roles are shifting around, what with the new year and people making new plans and things, but he isn't sure how things are going to work out. But he is actually petitioning his superior to give him the go-ahead to have another person on the payroll: and the finding out should be very soon. So, you know. Pray? Please? I want to work in the bookstore like nothing else. I helped people with books without meaning to today, after hanging up my nametag and signing out! It was wonderful! (They were just there, and they had book questions, and in the second case I actually had helpful answers! I cannot turn away someone in need of a book!) 

However I am sounding a lot crosser and more worried than today actually merits: I worked the early shift, which I love, because then I am done! and I have many hours of daylight left to me. So I've had a proper Saturday for the first time in months (lying in bed under four blankets because it's snowstorming too much for anything else only half counts) although I missed a lot of Weekend Edition today on account of work, and that's kind of a particular Saturday thing. But I did go to the library, and actual books resulted from this venture: as did chocolate, although that did not come from the library itself. It is still far too cold for humans to subside for long. I am displeased, and in need of a space heater, or a fireplace: even a cat would do, but it's taken up residence on someone else's bed, cursed beastie.

(In conclusion: PRAY.)