Yeah, my mom's breast cancer was found on her first mammogram. At 40. It was not tumorous. So wouldn't have been found by self exam. (I'm told I have to start getting them at 35) (She's these days a 20+ year survivor)

I have a hard enough time dealing with my north-facing apartment that lets in no sun except for a few minutes at sunrise and sunset in the summer. My next place will definitely have more than one exposure so I can get sun throughout the day.

Me too. Plus my poor kitty never gets to lay in the sun.

Who is the Buffista who lives on a boat? I was surprised that it can actually be cheaper than owning a condo or renting an apartment.

You could not pay me to live in a "garden" apartment, much less completely underground. For one thing, flash-flooding. For another, firetrap. For a third, and maybe this is only old buildings in the northeast, loud clanky pipes and weird smells.

I don't think I could live on a boat, either. I wouldn't feel safe. I realize that, generally speaking, breaking into a houseboat would be more effort than your average thief is up for; and I realize that in fact the octopus army is not out to get me specifically; but I just wouldn't feel safe.

Also, I would have to lift my house out of the water during hurricane season, and that would be a pain.

I realize that in fact the octopus army is not out to get me specifically

Clearly you haven't read their updated manifesto.

The biggest advantage of living on a boat is that when the zombie apocalypse comes, you can flee the city in your boat.

DawnK was living on a boat. Not sure if she still is.

I'd love to live somewhere scenically movable somewhere else, but I suspect it might be something I'd just never get around to.

I understand that one of the big disadvantages of living on a boat is that in the winter you get cold. Really, really cold (unless you live someplace it doesn't get cold, in which case ... never mind).

Well, if you're lucky enough to have a job where you can work at home, you can just relocate your boat south for the winter.

Here in Chicago, the marinas pull all the boats out of the water for the winter, so you'd need to have some alternate residence for half the year.

Me too. Plus my poor kitty never gets to lay in the sun.

Exactly! I feel so guilty that Amarna doesn't get her patch of sunlight to bask in, which she so enjoyed out in Oak Park.

I was just telling my boss about my number crunching of last night, when I laid out a Five Year Plan for my budget. If nothing expensive happens, if I keep both of my jobs, and if everything works out, I will have my car paid off 19 months early and might be able to afford to buy a townhouse by May 2013, sooner if I downgrade how much townhouse I'm looking at.

Of course, I'm already looking around to see what's out there in my very wide price range (why do I do this to myself when I can't afford to buy for 4-5 years?!?), and I'm liking what I see at the top end (naturally!). 3BR/2BA with attached garage and a nice view of the local landscape (usually a pond or park) from the patio/balcony. Low end is more like 2BR/1BA with no view at all.

Happy Birthday, Frank.

I'm glad you are well, Shir.

Poor Noah.