My sister figured out what she made approx. $2.75 an hour her first year teaching. And then her Master's degree, which she was required to have, bumped her up a whopping $1500/yr. Which means she she'll "see" the raise from her Master's in about 26 years.

That's... unbelievable dickery. I am astonished that anyone wants to be a teacher, the way they're treated. And very grateful for those who do.

I should be asleep, but in a coincidence of nature, stuck my head out onto the balcony and heard the cry of geese. A perfect V, heading due north, noisily. Maybe they'll camp tonight at Lake Montabello, maybe they'll keep going. Nature calls it spring.

I am astonished that anyone wants to be a teacher, the way they're treated.

Especially now since the current flavor of education reform is: Fire Everybody! Teachers Suck!

And replace them with...even more beginning teachers? I don't know what they're thinking.

msbelle, may I recommend you take a tour around this awesome and helpful site: [link] I have an in with the writer and I can get him to answer any questions you may have.

GR.... Hey, UCLA Medical Center? Can you just put the building number and the office number NEXT to the name of the doctor in your directory? That way, when Grace has an appointment with Dr. Loo (Cindy Loo Whoo!) I would be able to figure out which damned building you are in?

Stoopid UCLA website. It took a tremendous amount of digging to figure this out.

Ugh. I'm sorry to hear of everyone's maddening days.

Hey Kat, I realize you are probably asleep so I'll take my actual offer to email, where you can read it when you wake up, but I am on break right now and could maybe watch a pinkeyed boy for you.

Thanks Scrappy, I have poked around the site, but I really want a little bitty, not even a crossover. I forgot to add that I will only buy used and that I am hoping to spend no more than $10K. I won't be buying until we are there, I'll be borrowing a car from the parental units for a while.

oh Kat, I hope your day is as good as possible considering.

Thank you all for your support last night, I think the bit of bourbon did help. I managed some sleep in mac's bed until 3:30 when he woke up in mine to find it empty and came looking for me. This morning he made no mention of last night's events or the game. I still have a very strong desire to scream a string of f-bombs at the top of my lungs.

Also? I forgot it was St. Patrick's Day and wore no green! I own a green plaid (yes, plaid) kilt and almost always wear it. am sad.

Dear insomnia fairy,

Hate you. Think you are secretly named Tino. Here's a punch in the crotch just for you.

I love New York - actual announcement over the fire alarm system just now "We have recieved a false alarm due to a burnt bagel on the 35th floor."