"Consumers believe that thick is better. Which may explain why George Bush was a two-termer."

I love when Salon's writers deliver an unexpected zinger. You keep me laughing even when you are writing about shampoo.

Now will you please excuse me while I wash my hair with paraben free, scent free, lather free soap in a recyclable bottle.

No job, no real responsibilities. Life is good, for now.

Good questions LW and good for you for being conscious of money and the value of this resource. You seem like a levelheaded dude. It sounds like her insulation from the real world has not done her any favors.

Nothing more to say but good luck.

"Some of us see the big picture instantly, with clarity and intuitive confidence..."

Hallelujah Cary, Hallelujah!

Without diminishing your experience I just want to veer off for a moment here: I wish women (girls) settled their differences quickly and got it over with. But noooo, they like to drag it out, throw in a little passive aggressive and lay waiting to pounce on each other. It's so bizarre how social dynamics play out in each gender. Women can be brutal to each other for years. Guys seem to get it over with in a few moves.

LW, don't let it haunt you. You sound like a good person who wasn't looking for trouble. Are any of us though, looking for trouble? Apparently your nemesis was and he found it.

Dear LW,

Before I read CT's response, I feel compelled to sound off, because you and I don't seem to have much in common. Life is short and there is no time to wonder about such things or fall into paralyzing fear and the land of "what ifs".

This message has been brought to you by the people who do foolish things with great enthusiasm and often insert foot in mouth, without regret.

Go forth!

Happy Birthday!

You are so hard on yourself! I can relate to your struggles and have no advice except that a lot of those thoughts you are having are just thoughts. They aren't even real. Comparisons aren't helpful. You sound like someone who has worked very hard to get to a place of health. Own it and enjoy what's working. I wish you well.

LW,

Tell me you are kidding. Maybe you just need a vacation. So your neighbors are unfriendly or messing with you for who knows what reason. My neighbors aren't that friendly either... or too friendly. Hmm, there must be a happy medium. Anyway, just put a little white flag atop the stick and push it hard into the ground right in front of her steps.

Have some fun!

...Daffy Duck when he finds the hidden treasure, "It's mine, mine, mine all mine!"

People seem to be getting more self absorbed but I don't know why. When we moved in there was only one neighbor who said welcome, the rest were borderline or even somewhat hostile and paranoid. It was kind of strange too when I stopped in next door to say hello to an elderly neighbor and her son and his friend chased me out like I was going to steal her silver. Weirdos.

So, let them be strange, hostile, angry, oddly absorbed people. You keep on being your calm and reasonable self. Simply call the management and ask for something in writing. Next (or first), ask Daffy to tell you which space he has claimed and why he doesn't have a sign there with his name on it. Say "Thank you for welcoming us to the neighborhood! You were the first person to stop by." Say it with a smile and tell him to have a nice day, no matter how he reacts. Remain calm and pleasant.

That is all you can do. Then, let it go. Not a big problem, just a little problem and it doesn't belong to you. Give it back to Daffy right away.

...Daffy REALLY needs to get laid.

was this really intended for sex?

if so: creepy.

if not: it's a sad commentary on the disconnect between people. that it's less complicated and somehow just easier to bond with a robot. now let's get in our little metal boxes and drive to work to be in our cramped pod office space, then home to live vicariously through the tv, only to fall into bed with a oozing pillow. what a life!

Hmm, I didn't know abusers ever changed. Good for you for working out whatever demons emerged in your rage (or for directing your rage elsewhere?).

Girlfriend deserves to know. Seems from your letter that you care about her, so you have to be honest. This kind of thing cannot just dribble out. You need full disclosure on this topic, do you understand? The negative effect of this coming out piecemeal will destroy your new relationship.

No room for negotiation. Either tell her and work on this more or tell her and let her go.

great post. i think i dated him too!

hahahaaaa. too familiar.

I spent a lot of the part of the show I cringed through wondering what she did to her face and lips. Ahhhh! Why Courtney? Distracting and contrived. You were looking good before, and this script is really awful.

Brutal cheese and it's just not funny. Turn to Weeds, Curb, Modern Family or something a little more interesting if you want self-depreciating humor or wit. This show is just vacuous.

I don't know what you mean, checking the phone?

Ouch my neck hurts!

Balloon boy's parents are real? McCain's daughter's boobies are real? The Gosselins are really parading their boring life on the tele? These are real people?

My God, truth is stranger than fiction.

shame on his parents for wasting the valuable time, money and energies of law enforcement.

i think i just threw up.

ok, done reading "news" for today.