Okay, not really...just thought I'd be the first in with the standard Salon advice :)

But, seriously, dude, standing over your shoulder while you're typing and offering helpful advice? That's just crazy making. You ought to be able to politely communicate that the writing process involves a good deal of solitary effort before any feedback will be helpful. There's also the "go write your own damn story" response. Pick the one that works best for you :)

I have a similar issue, though sans kids. Between career and relationship, I have a great many demands on my time. Yet I find that I need solitude to pursue my creative endeavors or (often) just to feed my introverted soul. My extroverted soul gets fed plenty good :)

I've negotiated with my partner for designated times and rules for private work. In the designated time, I'm simply unavailable. I don't answer questions, I don't make plans, I don't accept feedback, I don't engage in conversation.

Having the designated time has really improved things. Now I don't feel like I have to jealously grab whatever moment I can find.

Especially considering that he got it RIGHT with "Crimes and Misdemeanors?"

"Match Point" was a pale imitation of that better piece and this one sounds paler still.

So, what are you trying to tell us, Woody? Who should be worried that you're going to off them and get away with it?

Okay, LW, it looks like you're an ideal candidate for what I call my "one step program" to success.

Are you ready?

Here it comes.

Don't. Fuck. Anyone. Without. Your. Partner's. Approval.

That's it! It's amazing! It REALLY works!

Um, Revolting? Okay...

I'm a heterosexual male. Like many if not most men of my persuasion, I am aroused by the thought and image of two women having sex.

I do not apologize for this. It is part of my sexuality and I have as much right to it as anyone else.

Like many, if not most, men, I also understand the difference between fantasy and reality. I know that "real" lesbians, like anyone else, have complex, nuanced, enduring, fulfilling lives that are not centered around appealing to my sexuality.

Like many, if not most, men, I differentiate between that and the cartoon sexuality portrayed in erotica.

"Girl on girl action" is, decidedly, a heterosexual phenomenon, no doubt.

Projecting your own sexuality onto that just because the plumbing is similar and then judging US based on how WE choose to conduct OURSELVES in the PRIVACY of OUR sex lives is insulting and demeaning to our sexual freedom.

Okay, they got nothin' so there's no reason to give them anything.

Thing is, you're going to need leverage if you get caught. My advice: take a little of that money and hire a private investigator to investigate your boss.

If she's running a small business and not noticing hundreds of missing dollars a week, chances are she's got something hinky going on.

Maybe she's a closet heroin sniffer. Who knows? But chances are she's lifting a little cash herself.

Now you come along and suggest better accounting procedures. Smooth move, Ex-Lax. Now she's thinking "the kid's onto me."

Don't let yourself get blindsided. Get all the dirt on her that you can. Who knows? Maybe you can pin the whole thing on her! She might not even remember how much she's taken!

Be smart. Get ahead of the game. It's you or her now. Time to decide.

(or, alternatively, don't take advice from someone who's watched too many Sidney Lumet movies :) )

Flipside, I can't believe you said what you said...take some more money and hire an investigator...to investigate the LW's boss..

Flipside, that is downright unconscionable.

I hope you were joking, but it doesn't sound like it.

That is predatory behavior, Flipside.It is WRONG !

WRONG.

Of course I was kidding. I would have thought that would be intuitively obvious to even the meanest intelligence.

LW,

Just ask yourself: What Would Daniel Plainview Do?

But seriously, you parking space is not for rent. That's it. You can express your regrets, but you basically don't owe anyone an explanation.

If your neighbor wants to think ill of you because you won't use your property on her terms, then what kind of good neighbor is she anyway?

You never know when you'll want a second car, or to have a live-in life partner of your own. You like being able to let your guests park for as long as they like.

But even if none of that was true...even if you just wanted to keep the space out of spite and tradition...you'd be well in your rights.

If all else fails, tell her it's against your religious faith to give up parking spaces and that if she persists, she will be offending your spiritual beliefs.

That usually works.

Show me the atheists who are flying planes into buildings seeking paradise.

Show me the atheists who are pushing nonsense into the public schools and calling it "intelligent design."

Show me the atheists who are mounting the ten commandments in the public square.

Show me the atheists who are running for president and proclaiming that it doesn't matter what you don't believe in as long as you don't believe in "something."

Show me the atheists who stand in presidential debates and proudly proclaim their denial of the theory of evolution.

Show me the atheists who are rioting and burning entire cities because of a cartoon.

Show me the atheists who have called for the deaths of writers and dissidents.

Show me the atheists who are denying homosexuals the right to marry because it offends some normative definition in their heads.

Show me the atheists who are denying condoms to Africa and thereby killing millions of people because sex is immoral.

Show me the atheists who are halting life-saving research because they think a 100-cell blastocyst has a soul.

Can't find any? Well well well, I guess you're right after all: atheists DON'T seem to exist.