I tried like the Dickens to get Casper into the idea of doing a semester abroad program in Kyoto (I bet it’s the same one) and she would not bite. The museum of manga is in Kyoto!!

Timelies all!

Thanks for the sympathy, all.

Also, sconces make me think of Umbrella Academy. I wonder how long that will last

I went there, too!

Always nice to know someone else is making the same oddball pop culture connections!

I am annoyed. Perhaps unjustifiably so. Long story short (ha!) I'm going on a cruise next month as part of a group my travel agent friend set up. Cruise stops in Amsterdam, where I found a Michelin starred restaurant. I made a reservation in June as soon as it opened up for the date I wanted. Happened to mention it to travel agent friend a week or two later, who says "send me the info". I do, and then a few weeks later, text him about something else and provide a link. So, early July. On Sunday, he sends me a text asking if I've booked the restaurant. I say yes. So, he says would I mind if he asked a few people that might want to come with him and his husband. Fine, no problem sharing the experience with a few new friends. And then yesterday, he posts on the group page asking who wants to come to a group Michelin lunch.

I send him a polite text saying that I was not planning on a group event (especially with a bunch of people that I don't know) so I'm going to keep my solo reservation. He "understands," but the restaurant is fully booked and only way that he can get in is to book a group. And that he "has it in his head that he needs to eat there."

I mean, it's fine, I still have my reservation and I won't even have to see them probably, but I just think it's tacky when someone shares something and then another someone co-opts it into their event. Especially since the reason why he is doing the event is because he waited too long to make a reservation.

Okay, yes, I'm petty. I just had to say it.

Annoyance is completely justified. Not petty at all. Expanding "do you mind if I ask a few people" into "hey, group, who want's to come?" is going waaaaaay too far.

I would be annoyed, too, Vortex.

I want to ask what restaurant, even though I know exactly one restaurant in Amsterdam and I don't know that it has a star (they would probably say so if they did, but I also might have missed it because I am oblivious, so who knows!) so I doubt it's the same one but that would be funny if it was!

I'd have done exactly what you did and had the same reaction. Don't co-opt my plan, Stan.

Wow, that isn't at all petty, Vortex! I'd be more than annoyed.

In Florida. Had my nails done today. Have book club at my place tomorrow. Fly back to NY on Thursday. It's been busy.

DH is completely melting down with stress from multiple directions. I don't think he can continue in this business with me retired. I'm trying to get him to seriously consider an exit strategy. There are not a whole lot of tech companies who have been around 36 years, so I get not wanting to pull the plug, but our hearts are no longer in it. Youth and enthusiasm are history. Yes, we can invest in it and turn it around, grow it for the next generation, or position it to sell. But I just don't think he can summons the enthusiasm to make it happen. I booked a few days in a remote woodsy cabin in Maine that I hope will provide some stress relief for making decisions.

I want to ask what restaurant,

Restaurant De Kas