God I flew out the day before this happened. Scary.

I used to hate it because I’d had a bad experience with my parents when I was younger—45 minute layover, terminal change, etc etc. But, I fly into O’Hare and Midway a lot now and I’ve never had an issue aside from it being huge and busy. Denver is the airport on my shit list.

OMG. I love both. I LOVE MAINE. And PDX. I am jealous of this cross-country Portland adventure.

Oh man I loved these books. Although I was aware of Portland. My son (who happens to have a bowl cut) has just reached the age where he’s getting into chapter books—we just finished our first, The Boxcar Children (which I LOVED when I was small,, but was pretty damn boring as an adult).

Like anything having to do with kids, I just count my lucky stars that I’ve had an easy one (SO FAR). We moved our son into his nursery at 7 weeks and he did just fine. I couldn’t leave him crying for long periods of time, but I never had to. It’s one of those things where I can’t place much judgement. Every kid is…

I'm in northern CA as well, you're clearly in the bay area. I'm a single mom (although my son's father pays for childcare, because he claims our son) making around $70K (+$5-10K freelance)—reading through these comments has given me a lot of perspective. I put around 10% of my salary into a 401K, which doesn't feel…

I commented but for whatever reason I am now gray on Jez. I LOVE THIS PAIRING. But, I would bet a lot of money that she's working with him on her next album. Seems like the path she's going...

My assumption is she's tapped him for her next album. Just a guess. Any which way, I dig this partnership.

I thought when I turned 35 I would start to feel incredibly old (being closer to 40 than 30 and all). Didn't really happen. I think for most it's when the people around them start dropping dead, especially parents. That makes your mortality set in.

I am absolutely not shocked. She must have gotten a fuck-ton of money to do the first one, it didn't make any sense.

"...one of the most ruthless people I have ever come across.''

I tip almost always and get whipped cream on my caps (because, whipped cream), and I am not charged for it 80% of the time. I have waited tables, worked at a coffee shop and worked in retail for years, and I completely agree. It's not even just the tips, I loved people who were simply FRIENDLY. Don't be an asshole. It…

"it's a hostage exchange"

"Maybe it makes the servers day, or minute, or hour..."

"I love to tip."

Pretty soon you're going to be the old ladies that inevitably thought 10% was a great tip. Sweethearts, but out of touch. Yes, 20 should be the base for base service.

I don't get this. Waiting tables can be fun sometimes but any customer service job is somewhat soul-sucking, especially when you're paid peanuts and depend on tips. I waited tables and worked retail for 7+ years and, you know what? Even waiters are allowed to have bad days. They are not there to kiss your ass. They…

Heh.

"You'd have to drink a bottle a day seven days a week to reach dangerous levels."

Sappho.