We've got gorgeous weather here, for once (low humidity, temp in the low 80s, bright sunshine with some fluffy white clouds). I was actually able to turn off the AC and open the windows before leaving for the office this morning, and the cat was sitting in the bedroom window when I left.

Also, I just got permission to take the afternoon off, so I'm heading to campus early--get to avoid rush hour traffic and finish off my homework without going crazy with the last minuteness of it all.

Jesse, Anne Rice is not worth getting pissed off at.

especially since this is probably a publicity stunt/excuse to go back to writing the kind of books that she "repudiated" because she misses the money and the adulation.

Well, she said she's still all for Christ, just not extreme politically right-wing Christians. Hey, me too!

Today, I woke up (I slept in, today is D's bday and he took it off, and is an early bird) to M having a screaming fit about not wanting to go to the eye doctor. He is convinced he needs glasses (and he's probably right) but since we have been explaining and working through this for the last 4 days, and I understand, but I was kinda done.

He tried to use "But I don't wanna go on Dad's birthday!" and I was all "Whatev...dude, you haven't even wanted to talk about a present or get or make a card. You are using this an an excuse, and I get it, and I sympathize with you not wanting to get glasses....but you are GOING. Get up and get dressed. Now. Or I swear to god, that TV is not turning on for 2 days."

I don't think that was too harsh, but I still feel a little bad. He was pretty woebegone. But he leaves on Sunday, and with insurance, if he has to get glasses, we have to get them today. And the kiddo lives a good damn life, split parents and all - he was all "My luck is all BAD. I don't get playdates and TV shows I want."

I looked at the room FULL of toys and books, which refelcts the one in PA, and thought about his birthday trip coming up to the beach next week, and his expensive private school, and I'm afraid I was less than sympathetic.

I can't tell you how many times Emeline's consequences were borne out of a lack of sympathy from her parents. Sure, a kid's life is supposed to be pretty easy, but sometimes, a parent's life is supposed to be too. And temper tantrums for non-shit? Not making my life pretty easy.

U R DOIN IT RIGHT.

I was catching up on an issue of The Week magazine and was just pissed off at everything!! I hate the world and the news reporting covering it.

AAAARRRGGGGGHHHH!!!

If it turns out he does need glasses, he's going to be amazed at how badly he was seeing before.

I remember getting my first pair and being just SHOCKED at how crisp everything was. I'm pretty sure I didn't know traffic signs had words on them.

Well, she said she's still all for Christ, just not extreme politically right-wing Christians. Hey, me too!

Me, too. Of course, I'm a pagan who just happens to be a fan of His work, so clearly that's a movement with a lot of wriggle room.

I looked at the room FULL of toys and books, which refelcts the one in PA, and thought about his birthday trip coming up to the beach next week, and his expensive private school, and I'm afraid I was less than sympathetic.

Kids have no frame of reference. They really *don't* get how lucky they are. And boy is it hard to explain it without getting a little "wise up, dude".

Signed,

Been There and Sympathize With You