So while I went to New England for a conference, my Mom went to DC to visit my brother. Got to see my aunt who lives in Boston, and she asked about big brother's "ceremony".
What ceremony?
The one your mother went to.
What ceremony?
He's pinning on another star...

(Big brother is a rocket scientist in the USAF, has made every promotion on the first go round) So now he's a 2 star General, and going to turn 50 next month.

I am miffed that I wasn't told or invited. And jealous that he hasn't had to struggle in his career. Didn't struggle in school, never faced being laid off (3 times for me, survived one cut, so laid off twice). I feel like he's had his career handed to him on a sliver platter, while I've clawed my way to where I am now (I also have *issues* with folks 20 years younger than me in my office who think that after being there a couple of years they *deserve* to be the same pay grade I am (highest you can go without being a supervisor). I'm not even sure I can afford to retire when I'm elegible in 10 years. And the way I currently feel, I want to retire in then. OK - it doesn't help that I work in the most stressed out office in the entire Corps of Engineers (and that includes the Baghdad office!).

So how do I deal with these feelings. Grumble grumble grumble. If there was a chocolate cake in the house, I'd eat all if it....