Los Angeles. It's a big cliche but it does have some of the best weather on the planet.

I have very vague recollections of the same thing. Think it was in comments here on Jez ages ago.

And the parents cry and shout during the kindergarten ceremonies like their child has just gotten a PhD. Really. I live in CA and they love them some graduations here. They have them for everything and the kids and parents expect them. At a school where I work a parent got arrested at a kindergarten graduation…

Some of us love Small World. Once I was on it when it broke for about 20-30 minutes. I had my daughter (about 3 or 4 years old at the time) with me. The figures kept moving and singing so she didn't really realize it was broken so she was fine. I was perfectly happy because I was sitting down and it was nice and…

All the stars. To LeVar Burton and to all the commenters here on Jez who made it rain on my face with their generosity.

It was many years ago, but probably Eleven Madison Park is the closest. It was pretty expensive and had 5 stars from the NYT.

Where were you when I was a server? You would have gotten GREAT service!

I once worked at a high-end NY restaurant, and I agree. This never happened there. Now I wonder is it because the people who would do that crazy shit couldn't afford the high-end places, or because they knew they couldn't pull that crap there? Like they had to behave because it was such a fancy place?

Yes. Her makeup and hair look lovely, but the dress looks awful from the front. The problem isn't the crew neck, it's the bib part. From the back and the side, it looks lovely too, but that bib! Makes me think of Red Lobster.

That's is tragic that you live in a place where blueberries are too expensive. If I could I would send you some.

There's plenty left!

I only make it in the summer when they're in season so it doesn't cost a fortune. And the blueberry pie was waaay better than the mixed berry pie tonight. And I have leftovers for tomorrow. Yay for more pie!

And not just white men but often white men from fairly well-to-do communities or families (as in this case). Sandy Hook and Columbine weren't in the hood. When I taught in the inner city, I often said I didn't fear a mass shooting as they only seemed to happen in affluent white areas.

Blueberry. It's the easiest. All you have to do is wash the blueberries and add stuff. No peeling, pitting, slicing, hulling needed.

I am making 2 pies right now! Blueberry (my favorite) and strawberry/blackberry. And I might make another one tomorrow.

Yes. One year I had a first year teacher in the room next to me. He got pneumonia and I could hear him coughing through the walls. We have really good soundproofing because we're near the airport—normally I could never hear a thing, not even the kids being noisy.

Reply to Sara about new teachers getting flu shots: YES. In all seriousness I give this advice to every first year teacher at the beginning of the year. You will have more illnesses than you have ever had in a single year your first year of teaching.

I see I didn't need to offer the obvious advice. You already had it well in hand.

Have alcohol of your choice and some advil. Curl up with a movie, go to bed. You'll feel better in the morning. And revel in your clean house.