Abstract of the Day:

Unit Roots in Real GNP: Do We Know, and Do We Care?

LAWRENCE J. CHRISTIANO

Northwestern University; Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland

NBER Working Paper No. W3130

Abstract: No, and maybe not.

It's a tough to choose between devotion to the theater and devotion to a cat. Particularly when one abused you and the other attacked you this year.

I am not sure why this made me laugh so much!

Perhaps because devotion to either, really, seems ridiculous!

Also, I hate wedding gifts. And I always give a gift, not money, because I am a PITA. How about a nice crystal vase. That was always my gift of choice (although I did work in a crstal dept at the time). But everyone I know still seems t use the crystal.

Candlesticks are often my gift of choice.

mini-rant - an invitation is just that, an invitation. Gifts are a bonus. Expectations of gifts make my skin crawl and expectations of money plus gifts is just a lot (especially when shower and engagement and blah blah blahdy blah gifts are also thrown into the mix).

Oh yeah, true fact. If you're only work friends, you really could skip the wedding gift altogether, if you've already ponied up for two different things.

In other news, BB-AS sure is a good time.

In other news, I have a headache.

Which reminds me, meara--if the Imitrex works a little (at least in pill form) you're allowed a second dose two hours in. If it doesn't work at all, you're just hosed.

I understand about the whole not wanting to waste drugs in case it's not going to be a full migraine, or a bad one. But if you pay more attention, you might pick up subtler signs that it is indeed a migraine in the making.

Unfortunately I just had none such. But usually I do, and have to gamble based on those omens.

"Expected to give cards with money in them at the reception" is fucking crass. Any expectation of any gift is crass. If your means are modest, buy a gift you feel comfortable giving and forget about the card. OR give a card with as much money as you can afford. OR, if you can't afford anything, go to the reception and have a great time. They invited you to celebrate their wedding. Seems to me you've done a lot of gift giving for this work acquaintance for this event and have more than given of yourself.

I have a friend who always gives a fire extinguisher for weddings, under the theory that everyone needs one and not enough people buy them.

I have a friend who always gives a fire extinguisher for weddings, under the theory that everyone needs one and not enough people buy them.

This is so fucking cool. DH would approve.

Is the reception a sit down meal? If so, give the equivilent of the cost of the meal in the card and be done with it. If not, give whatever you feel comfortable with in the card, and that should suffice for a gift.

Huh. I'd say more like $20, tops, given your earlier outlays. Or just a small gift of your choosing.

mini-rant - an invitation is just that, an invitation. Gifts are a bonus. Expectations of gifts make my skin crawl and expectations of money plus gifts is just a lot (especially when shower and engagement and blah blah blahdy blah gifts are also thrown into the mix).

See, I think I'd add the expectation to pony up for the cost of the meal to that rant.