I figured out that ME1's obsession with purchasing cross-stitch supplies is not that strange. Why have I reached this conclusion, you may ask? Because I have found myself engaging in similar behavior patterns...but with scrapbooking materials. I have no idea where my obsession springs from. It seems to have come on quickly, like an aggressive disease for which there is no treatment.

When given ten free minutes to do with as I please, I choose to scrapbook. And in reality, those ten minute sessions are few and far between. But that does not stop me from buying up all the doo-dads that I can possibly afford for future use.

Yesterday, my illness progressed so far that I drove over an hour to a scrapbooking store, two-year-old AND husband in tow, just to buy some neat paper and stickers.

Do you think there are twelve-step groups for this kind of thing?

I think perhaps this guy's message got a bit lost when he dressed himself up like Batman.

For those that don't have a NYTimes subscription online...

A group that advocates greater rights for fathers in child custody cases sent two of its operatives over the fence at Buckingham Palace today and one of them, dressed as Batman, scampered up a ladder to a ledge near the Queen's balcony, setting off a security alert and a tense standoff with police.

I have a terrible time comparing myself to others.

I read my friend's blog and think, "Why can't I write like that?"

I see my friend interact with her child and think, "I need to be more like her as a mom."

I watch my co-worker in court and think, "How does she come up with those amazing legal arguments?" (Not to mention she looks fabulous in a dark suit while I look short and dumpy)

I often wonder if it's insecurity, like I've been telling myself for years, or if it's real and honest jealousy. Maybe I've been fooling myself thinking about my "shortcomings" and I'm just a small and petty person who is worried about what she doesn't have.

Everyone has their own gifts to share with the world...so why can't I just be happy with the ones I have?

In answer to the BORED comment...if you find yourself at work and you're facing a stack of incoming research projects that do not excite you, it is EASY to find yourself spiraling down into the depths of boredom. I have LOTS to do...but I'm bored with all of it.

I am BORED!!!