Heh, at the gothic con I was at recently, I was hanging out in the lobby and a group of strangers sat nearby cracked open some Cheapass games and a copy of Chez Dork. I found myself mighily amused as I knew the designers & artists of all the games, and am married to one of the game's characters.

It made me chuckle.

Of course, maybe not as much as my barista this morning who asked me if I'd ever heard of a guy called Frank Frazetta...

We sent in a counteroffer this week on the house we really REALLY want. Since we are negotiating with a huge faceless bank, we have no way of knowing whether they are going to counter back or are going to say they already countered once and how DARE we ask for a lower price and that we can't have it at any amount and flounce off in a bankish way. Our real estate agent doesn't know either--she hasn't been able to get a real person on the phone over there. She says not to worry, but, well, we are.

Large corporation-ma would be appreciated for the next few days.

Is it a foreclosure Robin? Those can take a while. It's pretty normal to wait while banks run it through their various bureaucraxies.

Back from yummy lunch at the Ferry Building with Megan and Julianna. (Their treat.)

Ahhhh. Food. Tasty food. I remember that!

Okay, so I talked to the developer about the windows, he felt my pain, blah blah blah. I asked if they were willing to make some financial concessions, he said probably. I named a figure, he named a figure, he's talking to his people, we'll talk tomorrow. I'm definitely getting some money/credit out of this. woot!

I was inspired by a story of my dad's -- when he and my mom bought their current condo, there were several options. One of the options was whether to enclose the balconies or not. They decided to enclose one and leave one open. Right before closing, they called my dad and said "oh, hello Mr. MyLastname. There was a bit of a mixup, and we've enclosed both of your balconies. Normally, that's a fifteen thousand dollar charge, but since we did it unexpectedly, we're only going to charge you ten thousand. Does that sound good?" My dad paused for a moment and said "That's interesting. How much are you going to pay me not to require that you UNenclose the balcony according to the contract?" The guy stammered and said that he'd have to get back to him. Then my dad made them pay some money. Har.

Robin, I would not worry about flouncing off. You are a serious buyer (since you made an offer) in a buyers market. Counter-offers are pretty routine. If they really think the price is already a bargain, then the counter-offer might be: "the price we offered it is a firm one; take it or leave it". But acting insulted would be really unprofessional on their part.

Happiest of birthdays to you, oh, heckiest of Hecubots!

Thanks, Sean!

I'm just reading rave reviews for Ratatouille.

Can't wait to see it!

Go Vortex! And not having windows where they said there would be is really kind of a big thing!

I hate trying to write my resume. BLEAAAAH. But my coworker just called a recruiter and made me promise I'd send it to him this evening, so now I'm obliged. Ack. I'm good at being pushy in everything BUT selling myself...

I have a good feeling about Robin's offer. I think she and Mr. Robin are going to get it.