Congrats, vw! You're getting the good news all over this afternoon!

And do I really want to call my dentist back about scheduling my crown? Do I really want to put down $200?

Yes, because it's better to put down the $200 in a planned and orderly fashion than having to make emergency crown appointments. Trust me.

~~finalist-ma for Susan.

Go you, Little Miss Tenacious!

That's just amazing, but not, vw, since you worked your ass off for it.

Yes, because it's better to put down the $200 in a planned and orderly fashion than having to make emergency crown appointments. Trust me.

True. But it's not a bad case. I actually have an older, extensive filling that my dentist figures is due for a switch to a crown. So there's no real rush to get this done. And I'm dreading it because it's the next to the last tooth which mean TMJ flair up and hellish time trying to fit and seat the crown. Bleh.

vw, go play "We are the Champions" on your iPod. Damn it, you're good!

Cashmere, call the dentist back, or the crown could become a bridge. (I have a temporary crown in right now, and will get a pretty gold piece soon to replace it.)

Susan, finalist~ma!

Thanks, vw!

Here's my mantra for the day: I'm still a good writer even if I don't final in this contest, or any other. I know this to be true. People who never final in contests still go on to sell their novels. Luck is always a factor. If K, A, S, or any of my other friends who also entered this contest final and I do not, I will congratulate them graciously and publicly. Tears, chocolate, and bitter reflections on how anyone could not fall in love with my hero and think my story is the most romantic and well-written thing EVAH will be kept private.

VW rocks harder than GRANITE! YEA VW!

So, for those of you keeping track at home, that's 2 As and 1 A- this semester, plus the 2 As and 1 B+ from the incompletes. Not too bad...not too bad.

Very impressive, particularly in a term where you had to catch up with several incompletes and get a job and earn an iPod. Congratulations - you've achieved so much this year.

Now I want you to take a deep breath and realize that if you do ever happen to get a B+ it doesn't mean you're a bad person.

I'm all for achieving your goals and doing well, but Good Grades can be like Crack and people tend to get dependent on them for their self-esteem. Which really gets difficult in the real world where you don't get a report card so often and annual reviews are nowhere near as validating.

Adding my voice to the chorus of YAY!!! vw!!!!

annual reviews are nowhere near as validating

Except in that, if you're lucky, sometimes a good work review = bonus/raise.

Which really gets difficult in the real world where you don't get a report card so often

And this is why we need GOLD STARS.