OK, OK, how does it sound?

"Hello, x.

I'm Shir. Apparently A. thinks it's a good idea for us to meet. And I'm willing, for once, to give him the benefit of doubt.

So when, and where? I'm OK with most places which contain food (I'm vegetarian, but I have no problem with carnivores), and there's a holiday to use just around the corner.

Have a good night, Shir".

I hates layoffs of teachers!

Surgery ~~ma to Connie! Hopefully, it'll be your only!

And condo ~~ ma worked! Joe and I were approved to rent a new condo away from JACKHOLE UNCLE FUCKER. Details still to be ironed out, but it's ours. Hurray nice man from Maine who I'm a little convinced is probably related to someone here cause there's only like 3 people in Maine, right?

I was born!

Pix, I asked my friend at Poly for a rec, but he's got no pull with the junior/high school. I'll keep pushing as I can.

job~ma and house~ma to those that need them.

Congratulations, meara! So, have you made painting plans yet?

Much surgery~ma to Connie.

I'm sorry things are so fraught at your current job, Pix. Good luck with getting something other and better.

Thanks, all. I have enough of an in at Poly that if a job opens, I have a good shot. I just don't know how likely that is, and the Director position at the other school hasn't even bothered to call me back (though I did have a lovely nightmare about it last night). I'm just feeling down. One of the people who got cut is my best friend here.

On the upside, I found out that my independent school DOES in fact pay into unemployment, so my friends who are being laid off will have that option.

But seriously, they've laid off about 20% of our faculty at this point. It's pretty disheartening given that they're going to expect just as much as they have now from the much smaller pool of people who remain. Oh, and of course they pay a lot less than public schools, and we haven't gotten a raise in two years.

Congrats, meara!

Sounds like a good email, Shir!

Kristin, what a terribly stressful situation for you. I hope you do get a position elsewhere, soon.

Connie, much surgery~ma for you.

Happy natal anniversary, Raq!

Love to (except for the you leaving Salem part) but I don't think I have the upfront money at this point.

Talk to your bank! Well, once we figure out how much to ask for it. We are almost certainly not going to get what we paid on it- I'm just hoping to get enough to pay off the bank!

Nora if you are serious about the brewpub, I can hook you up with the Freret St. Festival organizers - small business owners group, basically, and some of my favorite people.

I am totally serious, and will definitely come back to you about that once it is more certain.

surgery~ma for Connie (and waiting room ~ma for Hubby).

Boo Layoffs!

Yay independent living for the Miracleborns!

Oh, yes, that's right, I knew I forgot something - Yay for the condo-having Miracleborns!

Also, this little fantasy may help some of us make it through the day: [link] I hope we can stop having days like this: [link]

Frank- also keep in mind we can definitely cut you a deal if we don't have brokers involved. (just inspectors!)

Seriously. I am for serious. Place is in pretty good shape, we haven't had ANY flooding these last couple weeks. Nothing since we had the contractors in to patch everything up a couple years ago. Maybe Tom would even plant an herb garden for you and we can make a deal on the grill!

(edit: and the washer/dryer (maybe) and a bunch of other furniture we won't want to bring with us.)