I remember behind the wheel training.

The instructor strapped on an AM transmitter, had all of us get in cars, and directed us like chess pieces by barking orders and advice as we careened around a large school parking lot laid out with every type of driving scenario.

The line that keeps sticking in my mind is one he said often, "Jensen! Slow down!"

Am I the only one who thinks P-C's uncle sounds like an asshole? I don't mean to offend, but why the knowledge about "whores"? If you've got that much knowledge, and it's firsthand, that makes you a user of whores, which would be a "john" and as equally culpable in whatever evils that transaction incurs.

(And if you *don't* have firsthand knowledge, then why are you even bringing them up in conversation?)

Sometimes buying a car is just buying a damned car.

We always tip our housecleaners because they come through a company. I didn't when I had someone who worked for herself.

So I truly had a fantastic day. Spoiled rotten by students and colleagues all day, flowers delivered to school from my beloved ND, and dinner and Coraline tonight. Just a lovely day.

Kristin, that's wonderful.

We tip our house cleaner. She charges a really good rate and is really flexible with our crazy schedule. WE NEVER EVER WANT TO LOSE HER.

Sometimes buying a car is just buying a damned car.

Well, no. I mean, yeah, it is, but in most dealerships the salesman is trying to manipulate you into spending as much as possible. Whether that takes charm or lying or bullying, that's what they'll do. My DH used to sell cars and even now many car salesman engage in the kind of tricks that other businesses don't.

Birthday happies, even if they are a little late, to Kristin and Maria!

Much good-growing~ma to Baby A.

I feel the same when DW gets passionate on an issue (which is like all the time as she is pretty passionate and opinionated about most things). She is a great speaker and so damned intelligent. Loves!

I love hearing you talk the gushy talk about your DW, GC. It makes me smile.

Competence is sexy. (Bitches conversation #24, and always work a revisit.)

Sometimes I think competence is sexy because it is so rare.

Question: when someone comes to clean your house, do you tip him or her? I'm not sure if it will be the owner of the business or not. (it's an independent small local company thing)

When I worked for a maid service, we did not get tips. I think maybe some of the regulars might have done at the holidays. But it was a summer job for me, so I didn't see squat.

He also told me that buying a used car was like buying a whore.

He's been getting the wrong kinds of used cars. The ones we end up with are more like the waitresses in a working-class sit-com. Better talk to 'em nice or they will find some way to make you hurt that will cause everyone else to laugh.

So, I called the doctor today, because on the azithromycin I've developed a rash under one armpit (similar to a case of ringworm I had ages ago), my toes and vajayjay are ITCHING, and my tongue turned red except for a white patch and felt like someone had rubbed sandpaper all over it. I also started coughing after starting on the Zpack, but I figured that was just part of the natural course of whatever bug I have. I was thinking, yeast overgrowth, so requested Diflucan or Nystantin or something from the doc. The NP called back, and said it sounded more like an allergic reaction, so stop the Zpack and take some Benedryl. After 8 hours with Benedryl in my system, the cough is much improved, the tongue feels less tortured but still tender, and the armpit feels better. Vajayjay and toes are still unhappy.

Even through the Benedryl fog, I still feel better than I did yesterday. But I'm still pretty wiped out.

We always tip our housecleaners because they come through a company. I didn't when I had someone who worked for herself.

Yeah, I've only had a housekeeper that we paid directly, and we paid her quite well, so no tips. But I can see how the people working for a company would appreciate a tip.

most dealerships the salesman is trying to manipulate you into spending as much as possible.

This is where I chime in and mentioned how much I liked the Carmax buying experience.. Like Saturn dealerships (or at least how they used to be, haven't been to one in a while), there's no haggling on the price, and NOBODY will bother you, until you ask to speak to a salesperson. Then, as soon as you want one, there is one right there. No high-pressure sales, and their commissions are not based on the price of the car, so there's no incentive for them to try and push you into a more expensive car than what you're looking for.

Question: when someone comes to clean your house, do you tip him or her? I'm not sure if it will be the owner of the business or not. (it's an independent small local company thing)

I don't tip my cleaner. But I gave her an unrequested raise, give her a holiday bonus and a paid week's vacation. If she does a particularly good job, I'll add a little extra on the next week's pay.