"But it's a perfec' day, Momma!"

'awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww's to death

University of Phoenix is a for-profit university (also publically traded, I think) so, yeah. Selling the brand is pretty overt with for-profits (though it sure could be argued the non-profits do it as well, just a little less forthrightly)

I worked for a for-profit jr. college and they were NOT overt and would give students "inspiring" speeches and pressure them into things like doing internships where they learned very little but the school didn't have to pay instructors. Most of the students felt pretty quickly like they were being conned but that they couldn't really stop for various reasons (including the "inspiring" speeches). The faculty was treated horribly, we lacked basic supplies... it was miserable.

It was the adminstration that sucked, though. The instructors were very dedicated to actually teaching their students even though the students pretty much had to show up to graduate. I did my best to get them valid internships (though the school would have taken ANYTHING), and the bulk of the students really wanted to learn.

This is why DC is one of the few places where I'll pay a serious premium to fly into National rather than Dulles. In Chicago, I prefer Midway, but it's no biggie if O'Hare is the better deal. In DC it makes a huge difference.

yeah, but sometimes you don't have a choice. To get to Seattle without stopping at least once, you have to fly out of Dulles or BWI.

I wanted to work from home today because of the snow. But, when you live a 10 minute walk away, it's not really necessary.

Of course, when I went to put my car in my $30,000 parking space, some motherfucker from the construction company was in it. Luckily, he was right there, and could move immediately, but it would have been ugly if I'd had to wait.

Sorry about the U of P obnoxiousness, Aimee. It sounds like the smart thing to do is finish up those two classes, then wash your hands of them, but how annoying!

I'm hoping we won't get as much snow here as last year, because what with taking the extra trip to Alabama to see my mom this summer, I'm seriously low on vacation time--as in, will probably have to take a day or so of leave w/o pay at Christmas.

One shipment of cold weather gear arrived. I feel like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man in a parka. But it's got a zip out liner/jacket that is hot pink under the black parka. And I HATE being cold. The snow pants *just* fit in the waist but a teeny bit long in the inseam (not as bad as I'm used to, thankfully).

I got a pair of Merrell mocs, which are comfy. And a bucket hat, matching gloves and scarf.

The only thing for the kids in this box was snow boots. I've got a dilemma, though. I bought them some cheaper boots at Target this week. But I read this morning about Circo boots containing lead--not sure if this is just the vinyl boots or the snow boots. Do I take the Target boots back and keep the Lands End boots?

I got a pair of Merrell mocs, which are comfy

I live in mine. In fact, I walked to work in the snow with them this morning AIWFG!

Your winter gear sounds nice and cozy, Cashmere.

I'm finally at Mom's. AAA started the car and it apears to still be working. I missed my therapy appointment and had an asthma attack followed by an anxiety attack on the way here, but now I'm cozy and warm, drinking a hot cup of green tea.

sj, I'm glad you're ok. Tea is a good cure.

ACK! Furnace dude coming to inspect our furnace!! He'll be here in a half an hour. I called to cancel our gym appointment (daycare requires scheduling). Now I need to pick up the packing materials.

Vortex, I'm wearing the mocs right now--they are VERY comfy.

Still waffling on which kids' boots to return. I may consult with DH.

Vortex, I'm wearing the mocs right now--they are VERY comfy.

They rock like a rocking thing. Seriously, I wish I could wear them everywhere. I'm thinking about getting a pair in patent leather, kind of dressier.

Oh, sj! How scary! Take care and stay warm and cozy.

Still waffling on which kids' boots to return.

I hate stuff like that. I mean, small risk, but I hate accepting any known risk with Ellie. Not because it's necesasrily that bad for her, but if it ever was, I'd feel like shit.

The other day, I could have saved us an hour if I had been willing to take Ellie less than a mile without a carseat. But it was rush hour and on busy streets and drivers here are crazy. I decided we'd sacrifice the time because I could never explain to Joe why I'd taken the risk. With boots, though, I might.

Cash, how do you guys like Wisconsin so far?