vw, what Betsy said. In general, if you write to the ISPs, maybe they can make them take down your work, as a violation of the TOS?

DH's verdict on the house:

But dear, it's on the Delridge/White Center line. Her high school would be Chief Sealth, which is almost as bad as Rainier Beach. And it's in a dead spot -- there's nothing for three miles.

Now, there are decent parts of White Center (some grit but no gang-banging), but this isn't in one of them.

I hate this whole process, I really do. It's not like we're all that poor. It shouldn't be this hard to find acceptable housing for a family of three.

VW, have you written MSN yet? Because I'm betting they'll do the right thing, and pronto.

I'm actually waiting to hear from the website where my poem is allowed to be posted. I really think they should contact MSN (and so did the lawyer). If I don't hear from them, or if they refuse to help me, then that's my next step.

VW, have you written MSN yet? Because I'm betting they'll do the right thing, and pronto.

Yep, they will.

Damn. I hate it when people get to continue to be assholes because doing anything about it is so expensive, whether in money or hassle.

See also: getting rear-ended by someone who had no car insurance.

See also: getting rear-ended by someone who had no car insurance.

Oh, that REALLY sucks!

I'm working on a bunch of periodicals about pre-stressed concrete. Oooh, exciting. And the thought goes through my mind, "Forget concrete, I'm so pre-stressed you could make a bridge out of me."

And it's really hard for me to believe that there's no bubble in the Seattle area because it still seems outrageously expensive compared to where I've lived before.

Surrounding areas are more bubble-prone. It's in-city proper that's been historically safe from them, even in times of economic badness it just tends to flatten. Again, it's our combination of geography, zoning laws, and all that keeping the prices fairly stable. (Short form: there's not a lot of land to build new housing, and the demand exceeds the supply nine times out of ten.)

I hate this whole process, I really do. It's not like we're all that poor. It shouldn't be this hard to find acceptable housing for a family of three.

Have you seen what you can prequalify for and looked into the differences in your end of year taxes with owning vs. renting?

Skipping way ahead, temporarily, to say a) I made it safely to Cincinnati, and b) Cashmere, there are some construction delays along 71 that may lengthen your trip here tomorrow, if you come that way.

Have you seen what you can prequalify for and looked into the differences in your end of year taxes with owning vs. renting?

Not yet. I think the issue for me is that I freak out at the thought of a monthly payment much higher than our rent (and unless and until we get the credit card debt down to near $0, I can't see myself not freaking out about it), and I've gotten used to an artificially low rent. Our landlord has never bothered to actually raise our rent, and we've been here since 1999--this is the only rental property he owns, and I think he's just happy to have reliable tenants who mail the check every month and don't create trouble.