That's a great letter.

My last day was today! It was very eventful AND they managed to surprise me! Not with lunch my office took me to my fave place for lunch but boss was late and I was getting a bit peeved.

BUT She was late picking flowers and my presents! I got a long sleeve Tampa Bay Lightning t shirt! and a very nice clock and matching paperwieght that were engraved.

Then when I got back from lunch we were busying around and I got sent to the break room -- where there was a party for me! Earlier there was a pizza partybut only our division so I felt a little let down (no cake !and no dessert at lunch! and none of my other co workers) but there they were with cake and a card and some of the others had kicked in for a couple of gift cards for a restaurant and AMC so I can do dinner and a movie!

The rest of the day was me going around saying good bye and hugging everyone and promising to keep in touch and feeling very appreciated and it was very cool.

Then Iwent to Mom's and took a very long nap.

Hey, all. I've been wuiet for a while, as things have sucked a bit (not as bad as meara for GC's GF, for which I am terribly sorry.)

One of my students, whom I have had since a freshman, was killed in a drive-by last Saturday. He was a junior now, and such a smart, likeable kid; mixed up in some shit, but it's really awful. The school is a mess because of it; I have his older sister in classes; she's a senior, and such a sweet girl. She came by school today for the first time, and it's really awful. The family has no money for a funeral, so in addition to the sheer horror of his murder, they have been having to come up with the money for a funeral.

In addition, the car that I saved up for a year to get all paid for in various ways decided to give it up most emphatically last Sunday night, and I have spent the last week trying to work out a way to get another one. Long story short (and thank all gods for my wonderful, helpful parents) I have been able to finagle one. I think I'll be able to get it tomorrow -- a 2000 Mercury Sable. It's the newest car I have ever owned and (shallow moment) it's silver and has a SUN ROOF!)

So I have checked in this week, but haven't had the brainpower to type and say hey.

So, hey.

((Erin))

really that's a big squishy hug.

I declare this the beginning of the new week

Oh, shit, Erin. I am so sorry. To all of you.

{{{Erin}}}

I always knew it would happen to one of my students, because, well, a lot of em are mixed up with that scene. But, GOD, it was awful seeing how devastated some -- many -- of them were.

It was a horrid week.

oy. My woes feel petty compared. Much {{{{}}}}} to thems thats needs it!

GC, good letter. But, I'd be in the camp of "go ahead, take me to court, I got a signature here, and a bunch of badly glued things too". But its a lot of hassle, and is it worth it with all the blah going on. Do as you feel best, we all support you either way.

Meara, wear the hat! It's easy money! IJS! ;)

Laga, how goes the search for kitty? (boy that could be taken the wrong way. Luckily this group is so straight laced).

NoiseDesign, funny. Never thought of a place where you were the "mainstream" guy. That would be a picture. Too funny.

There was more. But work has been angsting me (is that a word?). Two more days... two more days and I get one off. My fav craxy moment of the day, apparently work needs a note from my doctor for the 4 days I missed of work. Apparently my boss VISITING me in the HOSPITAL doesn't count. They gotta know I wasn't skiing or something with all the lovely snow we got. Grrrrrr.

Oh Erin. Oh God.

Sympathies, Erin. That's so sad.

That's heartbreaking, Erin.

Though it is good to see you even with such sad news.

Also: you still have wheels.

It's sad, very. They are SO young, for all their go-to-hell mi vida loca bravado.

Monday wake.

But, ION (not because I an callous, but because I cannot let myself dwell on it any more this week) I DO have wheels! Shiny! Sun roof! Not a disaster on wheels wheels!

And I think I'm going dancing tomorrow night. I have a DD and I hope for a little drunkeness and perhaps some backhall groping.