We're looking at a definite step freeze going into this next year, but they've announced they'll only be cutting a few teaching positions district-wide, and those people have already been told. Mine seems to be safe, although apparently my certification is still in question.

It is something of a near miss -- one cut is a guy who started at the same time I did, and we each would have been better qualified for the other's job.

Up to 13F now... I'm off to a networking meeting, which is encouraging even if there's no leads.

I'm going to give my two cents about the salary cap, just because... well, just because. Although I think $500,000 sounds like ridiculous, fantastic, unimaginable money, I also think the executives and their families live lifestyles based on an expectation of much more. Although that's no argument for keeping the salaries indefinitely, I worry about the unintended consequences (mainly on the families) of cutting them suddenly. It's not just the people who are making the money (and who maybe made the mistakes) who will be affected, is what I'm saying. I think a cut from several million to $500,000 isn't just going to be taking the coke-and-hookers money off the top.

That said, I'd like $500,000, please.

I grew up in Waupaca county in Wisconsin. Our county and a neighboring county, Shawano, were constantly vying for the title of "County with the most deer killed by cars." There was this one area near the border of the two counties where we would often see 20 or 30 deer, standing in a field.

The worst time of year for car/deer accidents is deer hunting season. 'Cuz the deer are are running about panicky, and apparently this makes them less likely to look both ways before crossing the highway.

I feel lucky that I've never hit a deer. Slammed the brakes on to avoid deer many times, though.

Me, I'm wishing I'd held onto my leg warmers from back in the 80s, because that would be just the thing to wear over my jeans today....

My cold friend totally wears legwarmers. By "cold friend," I mean that as soon as it goes below like 40, she's wearing multiple coats, fleeces, sweaters, all at once.

Don't you hate it when this happens? [link]

Also, my coworker pointed out that $16.5million is $45,000 a day.

That said, I'm sure it's not their only income. So never mind.

I'm going to give my two cents about the salary cap, just because... well, just because. Although I think $500,000 sounds like ridiculous, fantastic, unimaginable money, I also think the executives and their families live lifestyles based on an expectation of much more. Although that's no argument for keeping the salaries indefinitely, I worry about the unintended consequences (mainly on the families) of cutting them suddenly. It's not just the people who are making the money (and who maybe made the mistakes) who will be affected, is what I'm saying. I think a cut from several million to $500,000 isn't just going to be taking the coke-and-hookers money off the top.

Eh, I'm guessing the thousands of lower level people who got (and will be) summarily laid off had lifestyles they'd prefer not to lose as well. Also, if you've been making the kind of money where a cut to 500k is an outrage and you don't have enough together to weather the storm, well? My tiny violin is in the shop.

When the economy recovers, I'm buying this tea infuser.