As a human resource director I recommend...

Type up or write out a list (make good notes) of what you want to discuss with your boss. This is helpful in keeping your train of thought as well as a therapeutic exercise. Then ask for a face to face meeting - it's always better to do it that way. Tell him what's going on, and even though he's driving you crazy, be respectful. Let him know that you like your job, think he's a great boss, blah, blah, blah, but be honest about the things that you're having issues with.

~ Good Luck! ~

I suggest you quit your job whether you like it ot not! This boss of yours has mood swings (my teacher is sometimes like this too!) and get a new one so your not strangled up in a bad situtation. You choose: keep your job-talk 2 him face 2 face like a man or quit tour job and start a new one somewhere else, your choice

Face to face dont me scared

You do not want a he said she said situation, so I understand why you want the "paper trail" of an email, but with email you have a real possibility of being misunderstood in written form or just common grammatical errors. Face to face will be better in this situation. My advice though is to have someone from HR witness this discussion. You must be prepared in what you're going to say and be firm and in control.

The best way is to confront him face to face and ask him for a write you a list of your duties and responsibilities, so you will know what he expects from you and keep the list and abide by it. remember respect breads respect.... Do not stub to his level.

I think that face-to-face is the best option, albeit the most difficult route. I would make sure you have a job to fall back on before you confront your boss, because he might let you go. Then I would write out what I would say to him and practice it while waiting for him to be in Cool Guy mode. When that day comes, tell him that you have something very important to talk to him about and would like to speak with him after work. That way there will be no outside interruptions and it will not interfere with the days work. He'll also have the day to prepare himself for an important conversation and won't feel like you've just dropped the A bomb on him.

Be very careful of what you say and how you say it. Also be very aware of your body language and voice inflection. Sometimes it's not so much what a person says that can be so offensive, but how its said. Keep in mind that sometimes people don't realize how intimidating they can be or how much their moods effect the office.

I would begin by letting him know that you enjoy your work and appreciate being a part of the team. I would also be very straight forward about how I feel. Don't expect immediate change, if there is any change at all. Behavior like that is difficult to change or curb, especially when everyone around him either takes it or leaves it.

One benefit the email might serve is that you will have some kind of documentation that you've discussed your boss' behavior with him. That is also something that could possibly be used against him in the future. The thing is whether its an email or in person, not many people will be receptive to being told there is something wrong with their attitude/behavior. Most people will be quite defensive about it.

I would say, listen to Tina!

She sounds like the real deal, plus everything she has said sounds perfect for your situation!

Be true to yourself Selkie, I know you have it in you to do the right thing, Good Luck my Friend!