Open plans are such bullshit (in most circumstances).

We're moving to open plan next year. They put everyone in the new space in bullpen style cubes (four people back to back) and had a lot of complaints. So they told us the new space wouldn't have them. Then my boss saw the floor plan and there are the bullpens. I work with a group of introverts and we're not looking forward to it.

Scrappy, much love to you and your mom and the most painless path forward.

I love my 3 person office with 2 coworkers who only come in 2-3 days a week, same days. And it's got great light and a independent heating/cooling unit we can control! (In addition to building hvac. Due to the fact that exterior offices need help because huge windows, high ceilings, 1921 building.)

So the salary they offered (after I asked for more) is what I started at at my current job three years ago. It's definitely plenty for me, and the benefits are good (the big financial ones are an additional week of vacation and 10% of salary contributed to retirement plan). And I hate my current job. It's not crazy to take a step back in salary, right?

I think between the benefits, and the not crazy making job, and the more than enough monies, it's probably a good move.

Hey Nanita! Are there companies who do what we do, in the East Bay? Good luck.

A few! But most are tiny start-ups who don't need senior level regulatory folks just yet.

It was a really nice place - green rolling hills and nice mobile homes - more like good park models than like RVs. And it was well-designed, like a little town.

That sounds like "The Parkview Estates" where I grew up!

All that and Lynda Carter too.

Sweet! And totally worthy of tagging.

The very best of outcomes wishes winging their way to Omnis, Ouise and Mom of Scrappy.

Strength and health to everybody!

Much ~ma for Ouise and Scrappy's mom, and continuing ~ma for omnis!

Ugh. I'm not feeling much cause for optimism this week. Maybe the rallies and marches and protests this weekend will cheer me up.

Congratulations on the new job, Jesse!

Miss Cowgirl Jesse, not to go all Mika Brzezinski on you, but I think you should consider this concept: Know Your Value.

You said here that the new job offered you more than your (last job) starting rate but less than you make now. Please, girl, don't automatically settle for less. I'm not saying you should toss the job away. I just think that companies know and expect that women will settle.

I understand the benefits differential. That said, I think you should push back and tell them, "I'm currently making X. I would love to work for you and expect you could at least meet that." These are the kind of things that men do, which allow them to progress. (Boys, if I'm wrong, slay me, but if I'm right, speak up.)

In other words, push back, but don't include deal changing language. * (will explain at the end)

I'm not saying you shouldn't take the new job if they don't at least meet X, but I am saying you should push back a little and try to get it. You can always relent, later.

Regardless of what you decide and pursue, best wishes on the new pursuit, Jesse.

Yeah, I'm worried today because it looks like my mom's lung cancer has moved to her bones. Not a good sign, but we knew this was likely, given that she has not accepted treatment (it's her third go-round with cancer--she's had surgery and chemo twice before and decided at age 86, that she'd rather not go through it again). They aren't 100% certain yet, but it looks extremely likely.

She meets with her oncologist on Thursday and we find out more. I am less worried about her dying, which we've all known is coming, than I am about her being in pain. Here's hoping there is ameliorative treatment so that she can continue to enjoy her life.

Scrappy, my dad's cancer wasn't discovered until 4 days before his death. I hope and pray that your mom continues to enjoy her life. All my best to you and your family. (FWIW, given my own experiences with many family members, I think your mom is making the right choice.) I hope and pray that she will live out some gentle days. Strength and peace to you and yours.

• Jesse: this is a personal anecdote.

After covering The Vampire Diaries for a season or two (don't remember if it was 1 or 2), as a "weecapped" show for TWoP, I was asked if I wanted to cover the next season. At that time, I reached out to editorial and said, "I do, but I think this show should be a fully recapped show, not a "weecap" show [i.e. tighter deadlines and much less pay].

The site-runner's response was along the lines of, "It does not make financial sense for us to turn The Vampire Diaries from a "weecapped" show to a fully "recapped show."

The thing is, here's the thing: At that time, 1 hour recapped dramas drew $15 for a "recaplet" and $250 for a recap. On the "weecap" side of things, 1 hour dramas drew $15 for a "recaplet" and $50 for a "weecap" (and with a much tighter deadline for the lesser paid show).

After the next season, when editorial sent out the summer inquiry as to what existing shows we'd like to continue covering, what shows we'd like to drop, etc., I sent the site runner a new email. I wasn't even trying to make more money. I was just trying to free myself.

At that time, I told them, "I want to drop The Vampire Diaries. It no longer makes financial sense for me to cover it."

(Yes, I purposefully echoed his language, but it was also true.)

I then received an email that said that TWoP would upgrade The Vampire Diaries to a fully recapped show (i.e. $250 per episode recap) but only provided that it was me who continued to recap the show.

While I didn't realize I was doing it at the time (seriously, I just wanted off the grind), I was knowing my value.

My point is, don't sell yourself short, Jesse. You're a well educated professional. It is okay to push back about salary. Even if you *know* you want this job, there is a way to push back, without severing the possibilities.

Whatever you decide, best of luck to you, Cowgirl.

(Also, I miss ita.)

I just got tired folding a load of laundry.

Topic!Cindy has good advice.

Scrappy, much ~ma to your mother. May everything be as peaceful and painless as possible.