I'm lagaratica on flickr if you (or anyone else) would like to add me. I've been doing a photo-a-day thing since 1/1 but it's pretty hit or miss so far.

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thanks, -t!

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hugs Laga and Fay. And all the Bitches.

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I'm still dumb, because I tried to search for lagaratica to add and it can't find you.

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Fuck. As I was backing into my spot on the driveway, I didn't realize that ND's work truck was parked farther over than usual, and I scraped the heck out of the back corner of my car and broke a piece off my taillight. His truck is fine, so at least I don't have to feel guilty on top of feeling stupid, but fuck! I don't want to even think what fixing it is going to cost, but I hate the idea of driving around with it looking screwed up. Stupid, stupid, stupid. There's a little pothole right where my back tires need to be once I'm parked that I hadn't hit yet, so I assumed I was fine. Why didn't I just slow down and LOOK?

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Healthy food then ice cream?

This one. Unless you can come up with healthy ice cream.

That's a bummer, Kristin. I did a similar thing recently, backed into my iron fence and dented my bumper. Fortunately, my car is already dinged up enough that I don't care about fixing it, but I felt really foolish.

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From way back, regarding Wee Cousin:

Eh. She'll make brand new friend who she'll get along with based on more than geography.

Well, it sounds like they're more acquaintances than friends anyway. Not everybody who's "nice" to you is actually a friend, you know?

(Often a painful lesson to learn, of course)

Yes indeed. The thing is, she’s known that these aren’t her real friends, and her experiences abroad taught her that there really are true kindred spirits out there. It’s just that she’s so lonely, you know? She’s at a mediocre Arizona public school surrounded by people who don’t care very much, and it breaks my heart to see how lonely and trapped she feels right now.

Not that you asked, but I would advise her to go ahead and wait until Fall if she isn't going to finish this year. I don't think that we're unique in the fact that we do not provide the structure and support for spring entrants that we do for fall. In addition, she will be new to college, not just the school. (our spring orientation is skewed toward transfers, not new entrants) Also, she may feel pressured to take on more in order to finish with her freshman classmates in 3.5 years. Clearly, she's capable, but it seems like unnecessary stress.

Vortex, thank you, and I totally agree. I think she was just going to take some local classes in the spring to bolster her credits before going to her “real” school that next fall, but I will definitely talk to her about it.

Yeah, unless she can finish over the summer somehow?

This was the original plan, but it would involve taking a night class this semester, too, and on top of all of her AP classes, that was the piece that her parents think is a bit much.

Whichever way she decides to go, I'm glad she's got you for support. Every so often I remember an incident when I was 8 or 9 when one of my friends (very like your cousin's friends, we just happened to have grown up together) complained because I used too many "big words". My Aunt Marlene happened to be over and when I told her the story she told me to go ahead and keep using the big words, and if my friend didn't know the meaning, she could just ask me. I keep meaning to write her a Thank You card or something for that. I often think that I might not have been strong enough to Be Smart yet myself back then, but a little encouragement went a long way. I haven't seen that girl in decades, but me and my vocab are thisclose.

Epic, thank you, and that is an incredibly sweet story. I’m glad you had your aunt.

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Kristin, I did a very similar thing a few months ago. I was backing out of my spot in our little communal lot, which is set up with spots on each side and a middle area in front of a tree. There's no parking spot in the middle area, of course.

I put the car in reverse and hit the accelerator without checking any mirrors because, well, there's never anyone there...except that day, when there was a truck.

[link]

So I feel your pain. {{Kristin}}

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-t, I think I will do health(ier) food first, as long as I can wrap stuff up and get out of my office before all the stores close!

Also, I just looked at my schedule for tomorrow and I can fit in another swim this week! Unless I choose to do a run instead. Or in addition to. Haven't figured it out yet.

I don't know what kind of pod person has taken over my body. It's a little scary for me to be planning out my workouts. It's good, but quite odd.

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Thanks, -t and P-C. Misery does indeed love company. Dammit.

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