Aaargh. I really must try to remember that 1) other people have bigger problems than work sucking and falling apart, and 2) I'm out of there in three months. Three and a half tops.

I'm really not.

Just posting to say that I do occasionally still check in here, and that I miss all those friends whom I have not seen lately sorely. Between job, various outside-of-job self-development stuff, Loz, and training for my next half marathon, there's not much time left for anything but rather pathetic collapsing. I'm also starting an Open University psychology course in September, with the ultimate goal of getting qualified in either occupational or clinical psychology.

Am very much hoping to arrange a weekend trip to Ox over the summer - anyone fancy spending time with me?

Oh. Am job hunting also, currently. Which... bites.

Amy triumphant.

Yesterday I faced that most profound of modern ethical dilemmas: tipping.

I had my hair cut last night at my current favourite hairdressers; it's awesome just for the pneumatic chairs that lay you flat when you're having your hair washed, so you don't have the horrible basin digging into the back of your neck. At any rate, I received a lovely short, textured cut from a flamboyant Italian whom I'll call Paolo, and I liked his work enough to want to have him do my hair again. But, as usual, I had no cash whatsoever on me.

There is no circumstance more guaranteed to make me feel like an asocial clod than trying to gracefully negotiate the minefield that is giving someone "a bit extra". Restaurants are easy; a tip is pretty standard and you can just leave it on the table, or add it to the credit-card slip, and you can not tip without recourse if the service is bad. But hairdressers? Manicurists and beauty therapists, if you're into that sort of thing? Taxi drivers? Should I have tipped when I got my tattoo done? I just don't know. How much do you give? Should you generally give if you're happy, or should it be reserved for exceptional service? How do you give it - a magnanimous "Keep the change", or offer a handshake with a fiver clasped sweatily in your palm? What do you say?

This happens to me every time I get my hair cut, and inevitably I have no cash whatsoever, or have a fiver but am too nervous to give it, and end up shifting from foot to foot and muttering that I'll be sure to come again. This time, I ended up paying for my cut, going across the road to the cashpoint, and shoving a note across the reception desk with a whispered, "JustwantedtoleavesomethingforPaolo". Smooth, eh?

Opinions, all? Do you tip your hairdressers?

Also, don't forget to sponsor me for the marathon in April at justgiving.com/amymiller2. I'm running for PDSA - "for pets in need of vets". See my page for more info!

My route to becoming a professional at, like, this training thing marches on apace.

I realised today - again - that everything that's happened to me in my life really has been in some way for the best, even if I didn't like it at the time. If I'd got to float last term, and if I hadn't ended up accidentally tagged in on a training project purely on the basis of the statistical work I did on another project that I HATED, I probably wouldn't have had to admit to myself how important it was to me, and been given the shove to take the first step down this road.

Happy Feet beats Bond at US box office

I'm not sure why (it's not like they aren't equally commercial) but this makes me happy. It also makes me think of Rami. Hi, dude!