Hi Napa,
Got any good vino rec.? Nice crisp,dry white,perhaps?

Think I'll get the wierdest job prize.

I have a private med./cosmetic micropigmentation practice. What's that you ask. I literally tatoo and take down scar tissue by using needles, microdermabrasion and skin toned tatoo pigments to help areas aesthically blend into surrounding skin tissue. My patients run the gamet from cleft lip reconstruction,burn patients, to aerola pigmentation after a masectomy.
Some of my work is strictly cosmetic such as making fine tatooing lines to create an eyerbrow on an alopecia patients. I have my own office and also use various Plastic Surgeons facilities. Some of my work actually pays and lots is pro bono or sliding scaled. I look forward to the day where I can strictly do pro bono work in developing countries.

I am also working on my final project (had to get an extention) for my interior architecture degree from RISD.

My husband and I have bought, rehabbed and turned over a few houses.

Sherry

maxwell,
The nicer the cat at home, the worse they are at the vet! If your cat freaks out at the vet(which isn't unusual), you may want to find a vet that does house calls. Another option is finding an "all cat" practice. At least the staff will be more experienced in handling the stressed out cats. One trick is leaving the carrier out all the time- toss toys,treats, catnip, etc into it. If it's out long enough it just becomes another piece of furniture. Half the time the cat is so stressed just getting them into the carrier that they are frantic even before you get to the vet! You might also ask the vet about something like Zanax-for anxiety before the visit. I don't recommend a tranquilizer becuase 1)they don't always work and can sometimes have the opposite effect 2)they don't relieve any anxiety, they just make it harder to react to the perceived danger and actually increase the anxiety!Once you get to the vet DO NOT DUMP YOUR CAT OUT OF ITS CARRIER! Take the top off the carrier and let him stay in there. How would you like someone to introduce themselves to you by picking you up in your car and trying to shake you out?! You can also try a product called Feliway-which is an artificial cat pheromone that can have a calming effect. I have lots of ideas(I think I was a cat in a former life!) so feel free to contact me for more help if you need it.
Lily

information councellor

Maxwell, I usually try to take four weeks vacation, which is pretty standard in New York, but I try to make the most out of those weeks. For example, I am going to South Africa around July 4 (when we get two "free" vacation days, July 3 and 4) (so with five vacation days I can get away for 10 days), and I'm currently planning trip to United Arab Emirates over Thanksgiving week (again, two holidays that week, so with three vacation days I can get away for nine days). And I generally try to take a day or two at other holidays -- for example, I went to Honduras over Presidents' Day weekend and I took an extra day, and I'll go on vacation to the Balkans (Bosnia, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania and Macedonia) the week before Labor Day. I'll likely take a day or two before Memorial Day so that I can visit St. Petersburg (the Russian one, not the Floridian one). By scheduling vacations around holidays, I can extend my time out of the office.

Michael

Lily,
Thanks very much for the tips - will definitely check out Feliway, as there is most certainly no "cat whisperer" working at my vet's office!

Equities Trader. Don't get to check in at work too much when it's busy. When it's slow, I lurk/live on the board!

Michael,
I was at one of the big firms in nyc for awhile too. It's odd that I worked more in nyc than I thought humanly possible but we all took our four weeks off to travel. I found outside of nyc lawyers do not use their vacation. It's very odd. and disturbing!

Thanks for starting a great thread, Matt -- it's fascinating to see what everyone does when they're not in Africa!

Cheers,
Julian

A hospital pharmacist with an academic/research background. I think we have the right people here to set up a "safari addiction" clinic..............I need my next dose!!!!!:)

Latest crisp dry white recommendation is Drylands Sauvignon Blanc 2005 from the famed golden triangle portion of New Zealand's Marlborough region.

FWIW the Spectator just gave it 91 points. At $15 its pretty good.

Stay at Home Mom

Maxwell, I have always viewed vacations to be part of compensation, so even when I was a partner at a major international law firm, I insisted that the associates in my group take their vacations -- there were a lot of Type A personalities and some only begrudingly left for vacation; they were much more interested in billable hours. Now, I am in-house, which I much prefer, and I still insist that those that report to me take their vacations.

Trial Attorney in my past life in USA -- bread & butter cases were personal injury for 23 years. Now I'm in Cairo & about to start a new life by looking for a job as TEFL teacher or NGO attorney.

Seventh-grade English Teacher
Don't feel sorry for me; I actually LOVE it!

Currently an accountant. Started out in banking, became a stockbroker, bailed on that to work in municipal government where I have done everything but pave streets (although I'll probably get stuck with that one of these days....). Took a detour to work in a zoo for a few years - definitely the hardest and most fun job.

High school guidance counselor. Aiming to be retired in the next 6 years so that I have more flexibility on when I travel. Summers are great, but that's when everyone else goes. Also misses the migration season so we're kind of saving the Serengeti until such time as we can pick the time of year. But I'm not complaining. I've gotten to take some great trips during the school vacations. In the past year and half we will have hit 5 continents (that includes North America where we live) - Brazil last March, Africa in June/July, Italy this March and then Australia/New Zealand this June/July. Our bank account doesn't love us, but we're having fun!!!!

Public Relations Professional -- specialist in consumer marketing public relations.

Michael - on behalf of biglaw associates/legal underlings everywhere, God bless you =D>

Unfortunately, that is not the prevailing ethos down south.

1. Develop (build, rehab, buy) housing for homeless families with children at a nonprofit housing agency near Seattle.

2. Operate home-based travel consulting firm (RTW and specialty travel - not an agent) whenever I can.

Stay-at-home mom, although it seems I am rarely home!