Thanks. Cindy, I know you didn't think that.

I'm just saying that given how many crap teachers there are out there, why is this parent giving me such a hard time? WTF does she expect to gain from having a COPY of the damn thing? Is she going to take it to another teacher and get a second opinion or something? Isn't it more important that the student review it with me? It all comes down to living in a society where everything is negotiable, even a grade.

I think it's just that you've destroyed her self-esteem.

Everyone gets a trophy, an A for just showing up, a brownie, and a hug.

Every child is special, and every special child deserves an A.

You are really explaining the situation well, Kristin. I hope a lightbulb goes off in the parents head when they read that.

I tried to avoid Xanthan Gum for some crackpot reason at one point. That stuff is in everything! It's, apparently, magic. It thickens sauces and browns roasts and washes up your pots, from what I understand.

I need a device that will charge my phone while it's in my purse. I use the phone so infrequently that the dribble of charge it loses keeping it's little green light lit drains it in between times I think to look at it, so everytime I know I'll want it, it needs charging. Unfortunately, I rarely think of that until just before I'll need it, if that far in advance. I'm waiting for it to charge right now, so I can be sure I'll actually get the call when DH gets to the station before we go to a play tonight.

It's a liberal interpretation of "need", I realize.

Some people are always crazy.

I just turned on Survivor for the first time in years, and what is with these people's names? Dreams, Rocky, Boo? I feel like I'm watching I Love New York.

OK, my local nbc affiliate is showing a documentary they produced on Maryland county in Liberia. Founded by (freed?) slaves who sailed from Fells Point. They are currently giving the history of the recent civil war. The news crew are the first media to visit in 30 years.

A few years back, there was another special on the Holocaust, and I think this may have been the same channel. It's...fascinating that local commercial media has done this. I'm not aware of many local affiliates doing this sort of thing.

1500 people living in an abandoned and derelict Intercontinental high rise hotel.

I'm just saying that given how many crap teachers there are out there, why is this parent giving me such a hard time?

WTF does she expect to gain from having a COPY of the damn thing? Is she going to take it to another teacher and get a second opinion or something? Isn't it more important that the student review it with me? It all comes down to living in a society where everything is negotiable, even a grade.

It's possible they're going to make the poor kid relive and relive and relive her 70. I say it's a good policy your school has there, Kristin.

I think it's just that you've destroyed her self-esteem.

Do you think it was the 70 on the exam or the time I stuck the "kick me" sign on her back that really pushed her over the edge?

Well, and remember the time you told her she was ugly and her mother dressed her funny?

Oh right. I probably shouldn't have called her a "dumb blonde" in front of the class either, but c'mon! I'm allowed to mock my own kind!