This morning, I called the gas station manager back. Last night, I had been pondering what to tell him. When I discussed it with Yanthor, he suggested doing the same thing I had been thinking would be the best option. That sealed it. I knew what I was going to do.

On my first two attempts, he wasn't there, so I finally agreed to just leave a message with the clerk so he could call me back. He did so within a few minutes.

I explained the situation, and told him I had interviewed for a tech job, but I wasn't certain I was going to get it yet. I would be happy to come in and work at his station, but if I got the other job, I might not be there for long, and would probably be leaving with only a very short notice.

He pondered this for a moment, said that my references had all checked out, and that they said I was an honest and dependable person. (Thanks references, for those of them who might be reading this.) He decided he would take his chances.

So I'm going in for a four hour shift this afternoon. Should be fun. (Well ok, maybe "fun" is a stretch, but I have to admit that a job which might only last a few days has a lot more appeal than the perception of endless drudgery reaching out into infinity, even if it involves doing the same thing.)

Meanwhile, the Dime Store Magic book is like crack. Last night, I decided to read another chapter before bed (they're short). But then I had to know what happens next, and read another, then another. Since the next chapter ended at page 50, a nice round number, I said I'd stop there.

I was at page 122 when I finally got to a place where stopping wouldn't be unbearable. Up until 4am! (Yeah, I'm kind of a slow reader.)

Now I'm scared to read more, for fear it will consume every spare moment which I'd like to use for unpacking. So I think I'll wait until later to devour the next chapter.