Barb, In a message dated 97-06-13 15:44:19 EDT, you write to Walter: << It's pretty darn tough to exemplify "grace under fire" when one's being "fired at" by Bill Gates (in the persons of his mid-level management. Especially when one is on contract rather than an employee. >> Someone said, somewere, some time, "Difficulty is not an acceptable excuse for not achieving the possible." If it quits being possible, you really do need to reconsider what you are doing with your life. I hate to say that because I think you are doing very good, very needed work, and doing it very well. But I would rather the people you serve be without the benefit of your unique contribution than for you to be a continuously unhappy person. Remember the 60s saying (in sanitized 90s form): Forget 'em if they can't take a joke. Sail on, Silver Girl ! Deanne Charlton [log in to unmask]