When I was in college, one of the guys in the dorm had a cat. He couldn't figure out why the cat kept getting fatter ... until it turned out the cat was catching and eating moles, mice, etc. Made the guys who worked on the grounds happy. Guess it made the cat happy, too.

as long as they stay outside, we have an understanding. When they come in, though, all bets are off.

Same in our house, and it was one of the things Pete was worried about when he was in the UK for a month. But the first night he was gone, Vlad trapped a jillifont, and I beat it to death with a shoe.

After that, every jillifont Vlad displayed was very dead. I guess I just needed to show mighty hunter cat what to do?

Maria, I'm happy for you about the EMT!

What if they don't have a phone? Is it a school requirement that they do? Or is it a fairly well off school, so you can assume the families have money to give their kids phones?

It's a theoretical lesson plan. No actual students. And I had these questions, too, but just about every sample assignment assumed that all the students not only had phones, but also had Twitter and Instagram accounts that they used regularly, so I figure I can do it.

I made it to the library bookstore on time and with food to eat. Considering what a sloth I have been lately, I am considering this a huge accomplishment.

Hil, could you try using information on sports, or music, or TV or something kids would likely be interested in? just an idea ...

How many times they click the channel changer on the remote in an hour--or is TV on an actual TV passe these days?

Hil, we have them plan the collection of less personal but personally relevant data.

Count the number of people smiling on the way into a math class versus the number smiling on the way out of a math class. Ask 10 random people to rate their happiness on sunny/cloudy days, or the day after sports win/day after loss, ask random people for ratings of the appealingness of a picture of beer on Monday versus Thursday,ask people to listen to different songs the class hypothesizes to affect mood and rate their mood...

These are just things that classes have chosen for themselves in the past.

It's a theoretical lesson plan. No actual students.

Oh, good.

Why all the crazy customers tonight?

I am down a tooth. The oral surgeon's office was fantastic. They were totally - let's get you valium! Your boyfriend is in the waiting room? Let's bring him in! We have Pandora! oh? you brought your own music, well what do you like we'll play it while the valium stakes effect.

And then the tooth came out in like 2 minutes. Also I think between the Valium and the nitrious oxide I feel asleep at one point.

I have to wait at least 4 months for things to heal before thinking about implants and I'm totally going back there. Between all the dental practices I've dealt with in the last few weeks they had the best communication about what was going to happen and what I should expect. They are even going to see if my insurance will cover the nitrous.

Will held my hand during part of the thing, I think until they went to the tooth pulling and has me set up in the living room. He had to go back to work and deal with clients but right now I'm just waiting for the novicaine to wear off and I'm eating soft foods and only slightly freaking out when I feel the space betwen my teeth.

Maria, I'm so sorry Rob's parents treated you like that, you aren't the cause of his death. And I'm glad you've met someone who makes you happy and treats you well.