Stephanie, that's EXCELLENT news about Joe!!!!

you were thinking of contacting Headmaster Asspants McBastard, and how we all screamed like banshees

Oh, I know, I know - I screamed myself, inside, but it was still probably a smarter option than applying for one of the six Primary Teacher positions available in Moscow would have been - I mean, at least it's a known quantity, and I've got friends there already. But, man, I'm so glad I didn't go that route. God. He's still down four teachers, and our friend K, who's an (unqualified, but very talented) music teacher is presently teaching Year 4 (Grade 3), a position for which he has no training and no support. (K's giving us updates on how things are back at Evil School, as are the Teaching Assistants who've returned. Evil Boss is presently advertising in pretty much EVERY country he can think of. He had three members of staff simply not return, and they've broken their contracts and gone to work at other schools in Egypt. (Two or three others also broke their contracts, but I don't know whether they're still in the country.) He can't force them to return, but today's gossip is that he's starting legal proceedings against them, in the knowledge that even though it will likely drag on for years and get him nowhere, they won't be able to leave the country until it's resolved. And it could take years. Evil evil evil. How he could possibly have failed to see this one coming simply baffles me.)

Old asshat boss would have left you flat, right?

In fairness to him, it's possible that he might not have. Apparently, when the school opened some six years ago they had more members of staff than pupils, but they didn't sack anyone. It's conceivable that he might have done the decent thing. But it seems unlikely.

Trust me. Parents who name their children weird shit will NEVER get why their children are a wee bit miffed at them.

I swear, we need a support group.

I'm searching for supportive things and I'm coming up all bras. That's probably because I love your name. It's beautiful, and evokes a beautiful image. I would be far too chicken to name my child such a unique name, mind you, and I know it must be a pain in the neck, but it is truly beautiful.

Apple's just damned silly.

See, at least people can spell Apple and it's not a plural noun.

Try being Apple when she starts to develop.

at least people can spell Apple and it's not a plural noun.

Gwynie wasn't trying hard enough -- clearly she really meant to name the child "Appyls"

Although, if she's her mother's daughter, perhaps that won't be an issue.

ooh, burn!

I've been sitting here, wanting to type something that would clearly represent a sizzle noise. I think the problem is sizzle is pretty onomatopoeic as it is, and yet not quite onomatopoeic enough.

Trust me. Parents who name their children weird shit will NEVER get why their children are a wee bit miffed at them.

I was given a name no one could pronounce or spell until 90210. And there are some who still can't pronounce or spell it.

And it's only exacerbated by parents who think it's the perfect name for a GIRL.