I expected this on a public school budget, but it's disheartening at a school that prides itself on offering a special experience for its students and charges a premium for that privilege. Diamond shoes and all, I know, but still. Bums me out.

Well, if the parents are paying for diamond shoes, they should get diamond shoes, not cubic zirconium shoes.

Hec, I think he meant UCLA "partnership", not the budget cuts themselves.

Yes this! Sorry if it sounded otherwise. I am also the optimist, trying to find the good in everything. Budget cuts suck. period! But, if can be used to forge a partnership, then hey, lemonade from lemons, right?

ION I have updated quicken with all the transactions/fees/charges from these past few weeks. Set up a loan payment schedule. Wrote final rent check. As well as 30 days notice to vacate. And learned that my 6 year old iMac with 10.4.11 will not upgrade to newer Firefox, and new Firefox is needed to run billpay on my credit union website. :: sigh ::

We have a seven year relationship with the company we use, a nonprofit Shakespeare company, and their productions are quite simply the most affordable and highest quality I've seen. We have a rich relationship with them already, and a number of our students have gotten internships with the company in the summer. I get that you are trying to help, Omnis, and I appreciate it. I'm really not looking for problem-solving right now, though. Just feeling a little down.

Perhaps some Shakespeare-related humor will cheer you up?

I'm really not looking for problem-solving right now, though. Just feeling a little down.

So sorry, Pix. That's so unfortunate.

It's funny, it's been 10 years and Tom and I are finally more or less in sync about when one of us wants to vent vs. problem-solve. It's tough, when you want to fix what is upsetting someone you care about. But sometime, you just want to let it out and get the hugs and hairpats. (You= universal you)

Yep, so true. And I'm the worst about not immediately trying to solve my loved ones' problems, which is why I genuinely appreciate Omnis' urge to make it better.

And I'm the worst about not immediately trying to solve my loved ones' problems, which is why I genuinely appreciate Omnis' urge to make it better.

Yes, absolutely.

Yup, I feel ya!

I get that you are trying to help, Omnis, and I appreciate it. I'm really not looking for problem-solving right now, though. Just feeling a little down.

{{{ Pix }}} Budget cuts suck. Hugs don't.

If you want distraction, I should be getting keys tomorrow. Wanna see new place?

ION - packed 8 more boxes. Books are all but packed. There are a couple stragglers, but all bookcases are pretty naked. Same for CD's, DVD's, and games. Now gotta go through misc junk that's laying about.

I'm sorry for the bad news, Pix.

erin_obscure and her lovely cats were delightful company this evening and exactly what I needed. Thank you.