{{Karl}} I am so sorry for your loss.

{{Cash}} That sucks donkey balls. I hope it's an early stage and easily treatable.

And from farther back:

Yay, exam passing, Anne! Keep up the good work.

Multiply like the wind, little cells for Ginger.

Sean, great review! The play sounded delightful.

Karl, I'm so deeply sorry. She left a great legacy to the world.

And Cash, very best wishes to you all.

I'm so very sorry, Karl. I wish we could see you around these parts more often, but not for reasons like this. Never for reasons like this.

And, Cash, God damn cancer. Fucking hell. I'm enraged for your mom and your family.

{{{Cashmere}}}

{{{Karl}}}

Fuck Cancer, indeed.

-----

I got the appraisal for the condo today. My purchase price is $120k, the appraisal came in at $125k! Instant $5k equity. Woot. That shaved about a year off of PMI.

Much ~ma for your mom, Cash.

Zen - comment about something you have in common and/or ask a question about something in his profile that intrigues you. It sounds obvious and yet weird to contemplate, but I've found that people are much more likely to email back if you ask a question.

Good advice! If I can't find something in his profile interesting enough to ask a question about, maybe I'm not really that into him.

Also, bonny, sounds like you found yourself another "user" personality. She takes for granted that you'll do whatever she needs, she offers you nothing in return except the use of something you don't really need and that doesn't "cost" her anything, AND you're supposed to get the A/C repaired while she's away?? Good grief. And I can't help but note that when you needed to get Bartleby to the doctor quick, you first tried to get a zipcar before you asked this woman to borrow her car. Doesn't sound like she's someone you really trust to be there for you when the chips are down.

I don't think friendships should be based on "what have you done for me lately", and I don't even think that it's necessarily bad if one person does significantly more giving than the other. It's when a long-term pattern of one-sided giving sets in, with the other person taking the giver for granted, and taking advantage by asking for more and more favors.

Congrats o_a! Sound investing, that is.

If I can't find something in his profile interesting enough to ask a question about, maybe I'm not really that into him.

That has to be a fact, yeah?

The talk with my friend went better than expected. Short version: "Oh, my goodness. I'm so sorry. I think what this means is that I need to not get so crazed before I travel and keep in mind what is really important. Our friendship."

She did keep saying how much she hates traveling. My solution for that problem? Don't Travel!

Anyway, we are all worked out and she thanked me for speaking up.

PHEW.

Can I just say again, how much I appreciate having this place to work stuff out? I think I come off much more rational IRL because I expend my irrational here first.

I got the appraisal for the condo today. My purchase price is $120k, the appraisal came in at $125k! Instant $5k equity. Woot. That shaved about a year off of PMI.

Woo hoo!

Well that sucks, Cashmere. I hope it can be handled quickly and without many side effects.

congrats on the instant equity! that's great.

bonny, glad things worked out.

That's great, omnis!

I think I come off much more rational IRL because I expend my irrational here first.

Fucking WORD.

Carpentry progress report - I'm getting pretty good at glazing windows, but routers are still tricky. And I sliced two fingers on the window glass, not bad but just painful and inconvenient.