why are you working for free??

Cullyandel Because of THIS hot mess

JeanetteAvedon A close friend who works for the International Broadcasting Bureau - Office of Cuba Broadcasting is in the same predicament.

JeanetteAvedon She wouldn't be working though. Would you actually have to work? Are you essential personnel?

wow. I'm not sure what I'd do if it were me

Time for a mental health day? Clearly the whole US Congress could use one...

Yeah but potentially unpaid mental health day(s)? Not so much...

Yes Hilda, I am - possibly one of the few in my office. Technically, I will be paid, but the check won't be deposited until after we get an appropriations bill signed into law.

Well my friend was furloughed in 1995 - she's not essential and didn't work - and eventually got paid retroactively for the full furlough.

so the implication here is that now would be an ideal moment for me to visit the US

LouNetizen: NSA and TSA and all those other A..es will still be on duty!

yes but the warehouse where they keep the Ark of the Covenent and some of my other stuff is unguarded

JeanetteAvedon: We, at least, appreciate all you do