Bless you right back! And ya know, I get that feeling too, like this ain’t our first cosmic rodeo together. I think you’re a naturally gifted healer who honors the world with her gifts, and I feel privileged to be among those you call sister.

Note to everyone reading this: check out JJ’s blog at http://www.jj4tlr.com/jjblog/

BB
DD

So glad our paths have crossed once more.

Your new / always sister…

~ JJ

I have a sneaking suspicion that you’re right. I’m glad you’re going to ask for way more than you think you’re worth. It’s the only way, in my opinion, to being effective haggling. Sort of the “foot in the door technique” where you ask for something kinda outrageous to stun the other person. Then, anything lower than the outlandish sum first cited sounds great to them and you’re off to some good negotiating.

I just commented on your GoogleAlerts…thanks for explaining this to us!

I have the sneaking suspicion that the reason women make less than men, on average, is because we don’t negotiate for higher salaries. From now on I’m gonna ask for waaaaaay more than I think I’m worth and let them haggle me down. And you know what? I betcha they’ll land on a number waaaaaay higher than I ever imagined they’d offer. I betcha.

I deal with this all time. I’m self employed and have to ask people for money everyday. Some people don’t want to pay but I really am worth it. My goal has been to be the best dog trainer in Houston and I think I’ve reached that it but I’m not yet the most expensive. That will be coming soon.

This all sounds so confident but I just about die inside every time I have to ask for my pay. At first I couldn’t even ask for the whole fee up front and had people pay week to week because I thought that would sound like they really weren’t paying that much for my services. I’m always waiting for rejection, humiliation and ridicule.

And if you head to California, Cesar is even more expensive- up to $800/hr. He’s a mediocre dog trainer (not just my assessment- really) but the reason he gets so much is his ego. He feels like he’s worth it and people pay. Ah, to be an overly macho, charming egomaniac.

I damn near pissed my britches just now on account-a I got THREE comments in a row.

Congrats on the Yurrup tix! I’m so happy and excited for you and da missus.

Also: I am very pleased that you consider me a “shrink superforce” …this will totally be emblazoned on my spandex jumpsuit one day. My catchphrase you ask? “I, Ding, fucking rock. I know this for Epiphenita hath decreed it so!”. Sure, it’s a little wordy now but eventually it’ll be compressed into a single dolphin-click of information. Because my head will have grown so very large from all the positive feedback, you see, that I will morph into some sort of aquatic mammal who can echolocate and send compact data streams via clicks and various underwater farts.

Yes.

You’re still my hero. No matter how dirty the dishwater or shovelly the shit.

I know you will not only survive, but triumph.

Love ya, kiddo.

Ding

Postscript: I’m a no-god-believing atheist skeptic but in your honor, I will Lugh it up for the rest of the day sans britches. For you.

Also, because…drumroll…we bought our tickets to Yurrup last night and I’m practicing imitation, lo-cal French for my 50th birthday celebration in Paris. Fuqueen Eh! Don’t you love my accent?

Also, because…drumroll…we bought our tickets to Yurrup last night and I’m practicing imitation, lo-cal French for my 50th birthday celebration in Paris. Fuqueen Eh! Don’t you love my accent?