The tornadoes were yesterday? I'm sort of in news blackout at my SILs wedding in Naples, FL, but I saw on FB that the Lowe's up the roAd from where I used to live in Sanford was destroyed.

The weddIng yesterday was amazing. If you are going to spend way too much, this is how to do it. We spent four hours on the beach yesterday and then had the most casual wedding ever on the hotel lawn. I'm just sad I forgot my great camera because I've seen some awesome pictures.

Fuckity. My landlady sent me an email this morning letting me know that at the end of May my rent is going up $25 (knew that, no big) and that I have to sign a new year lease (suspected, not happy about at all). I love this house, I love the location, and don't want to live anywhere else here. Nor do I want to move twice in a shortish period. But I don't have a job in NOLA or a significant financial cushion built up to allow me to move without one.

Can you negotiate a 6 month lease?

Or can you ask for a clause that lets you out of leasein case of unemployment or a new job more than 50 miles from current home? In this economy that would be protection for the landlord as well as the tenant, a good idea even if you were not looking to move. Some apartment leases have this as a standard clause. And you can just say that in this economy nobody can guarantee their job is secure and that if, God forbid, the worst happens you will have to take a new job where you can get it.

smonster, good luck with negotiating for a workable solution for you and your landlady.

Fredpete, much kitty~ma for Victor.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll counteroffer a six-month lease and see what she says. She knows I want to move to New Orleans - we are friends, though not close. I don't know that she'd be amenable to such a clause, but I can try.

It's certainly lighting a fire under my ass.

eta much, much kitty~ma to Fred Pete and Hubs. Get better, wee Victor!

~ma for Victor! Poor kitty, get better.

Kitty~ma, Victor.

I forgot to mention we had a fantastic time at Cafe Gratitude. Yes the menu is silly but the people who work there are so earnestly lighthearted that it totally works. You know the kind of person that when you meet them the first time you know they are going to hug you but you like it anyway?

And holy cow (heh) the food! The best milkshake I've ever had didn't have any milk in it. I had a coconut sandwich. D had tacos made with flax and millet seeds. I can't even begin to describe the chocolate mousse.

If any LAista wants to meet up there I am down.

Is that the place where they make you do your order in a certain way, like you can't just say "I want the Rainbow" you have to say, "I am Rainbow"

Is that the place where they make you do your order in a certain way, like you can't just say "I want the Rainbow" you have to say, "I am Rainbow"

Ew. I mean, I get why people would have fun there. But not!me people.