Yes! I've been trying to shop small and local lately instead of organic, but our whole food system is such a clusterfuck that I honestly don't even know what the "right" thing to do is anymore, whatever that even means.

How about a compromise on the Spongebob vs fanny pack issue?

I am another one of those people because I was just coming to say something similar. The labels are confusing. But it's not the grocery store employee's doing, so leaving in a huff is pretty ridiculous.

Yup, and they don't and we are all aware of that fact so not tipping is pretty crappy.

What you're saying makes sense. I guess I should have said "people see tipping only as a payout to ensure good service the next time..."

Ah, I see. I live in a really big city and don't get to go out that often so I am always basically anonymous...

So, in terms of transient tippers, the idea is that people basically see tipping as a payout to ensure good service the next time? Something about that really rubs me the wrong way. Doesn't the server still deserve a living wage for the work he's already done on your behalf even if you are never going to eat there…

I think it is totally fine to not invite children, but I also think it would be fine to invite very close family members and no other kids. I can't imagine being annoyed about that, personally.

Looking at their website, it looks like they offer 9 courses as part of their core curriculum for majors, and then an additional 16 electives.

I'm confused! Why is that highly unlikely? I've only taught at research universities so I'm not that familiar with the circumstances here.

This is interesting— my understanding of "new preps" is that it refers to courses never taught before. That is how my department chair and I used the term when we were talking about my course load at my most recent school.

I don't think #4 is about minimal class time, it's about limiting the number of new preps (i.e., she wants to repeat some classes she's already taught).

Yay, Queens! Just today I was wondering how much longer we'll be able to stay (our son is almost two).

I assumed she was talking about our relatively decent access to abortion combined with the fact that we lean liberal compared to a lot of places so might be more likely to take advantage of the option. But as an outer-borougher I wasn't offended by your comment. My guess would be that the outer boroughs are less…

Since so many people have mentioned the mail piling up....maybe she had one of those through-the-door mail slots. We have it, it's great for going on vacation because you don't have to stop the mail. Not so good for dying alone unexpectedly and hoping the mailman will notice, though. :(

I can only get excited about this if it comes with Pee Wee's breakfast machine.

I guess if these tips work for someone, great! I am laughing at the idea of fitting into an old sports bra or a shirt with buttons/cowl neck/etc. that I owned before. I had to buy a bunch of new stuff once my son was born, so it made total sense to get a few things that would make nursing easier. Since I was doing it…

I vote for not renewing this "friendship". She sounds totally toxic. Can you just say something like "things are so busy this semester I just don't see how I can find the time, I'm so sorry!" and just leave it at that?

I like these names! Nathaniel was our second choice name for our son and Charlie is our dog's name. We were once in a restaurant with another family whose had two sons, one with the same name as ours and the other named Nathaniel. They said the only downside to Nathaniel is that learning to spell it is a challenge for…

Once in my mid-20s mine told me I was very fertile. I was like, "Uh...thanks for the warning?"