That was some profoundness from a 25-year-old Billy Joel: “But you pay for your satisfaction somewhere along the line”.
I can’t believe some of the stuff I’m reading. I’m going to think a lot more carefully about what I share.
I’m really, really trying to cope with this and start a new life, but your ineptness has made it very difficult to win over new neighbors. I wish I could sue you for what you’ve put us all through, but I just want it to be over. Please let it finally be over this week.
To both of my sisters who couldn’t bother to plan to come to my oldest’s high school graduation so her grandmother could come, and didn’t acknowledge the occasion, or her 18th birthday, with a text or a card, let alone a gift: Thanks so much for showing me what we’re worth to you.
In what universe would you think a 12 pack of beer, 2 liters of soda, 1 liter of lemonade and 3 bottles of white wine would be enough beverages for an entire weekend of 18 people.
To other sibling- I know your dog loves the pool. You’re all about people respecting you yet you don’t think it is a problem for your dog to jump on the pool cover, swim for hours a day. Jump on top of the swimmers and scratch them. When I ask that you and your children keep him from chewing on the pool sweep your S says its in his way and he just is trying to move it. The pool cover and pool sweep are expensive items to repair and replace. My H is the “pool” man and he will spend hours getting all the hair out of the pool. You whine when for a portion of the day we ask you to put him in the garage. You’re H sits and watches as my H cleans up all the plates and cups and wet towels laying around the pool.
I love seeing all of you but I think our Mom did a terrible job of teaching us how to be helpful guests.
I was really surprised when you never picked up a phone, or addressed in any way, the injury and violation of trust to my child by your child.
This time around you’re really surprised that the parents of the other kid did not contact you about the damages to personal property inflicted by your kid.
Injury, violation, damages…your kid. Do the math.
Does this win the record for longest thread ?
Twice in the last two days I have used affinity cards with special offers that THEY emailed to ME and they didn’t work. Employees either were clueless on how to make them work or lazy. Even when I showed them offers, emails, etc. I know two big chains I will not patronize now! If.you make me have cards to get “deals” they D**n well better work!
You finally crossed the Rubicon…
Not a thank you email or text from any of you. pretty sad.
In spite of poor manners I am happy that we had the chance to all be together
I’m already tired of hearing about Pokemon Go.
I admit, for the first time in my life, I downloaded a game app, Pokemon Go. I tried it once. It was cute. I prefer to listen to music or podcasts when I walk my new dog (which is a LOT because he is inexhaustible). I also like to take in the real world while I’m outside, not be distracted by something on my phone.
Yesterday evening I stumbled across SIX brand-new, crisp twenty-dollar bills. They looked like play money, they were so perfect. I tried ringing the doorbell of the townhouse closest to the car they were laying beside, but there was no answer. I tried ringing the doorbell next door. No answer. A young guy a few doors down walked out, and I asked him if he knew whom the car belonged to. He thought it was the second neighbor, whom he rarely sees. He was SHOCKED I wanted to return the money (shocked at my honesty, not my stupidity), and was nice enough to get me a post-it pad and a pen so I could leave a note on the car.
While he was indoors, I found another two twenties out on the street at the bottom of the cul de sac, which several cars had run over on their way to the mailboxes. One-hundred-sixty dollars in cold hard cash, NOBODY staring at a phone would have ever noticed.
I got a call this morning from the EXTREMELY grateful owner of the car, who had lost her entire withdrawal from the bank yesterday, $160, exactly. Made my day.
I think I’ll now delete Pokemon Go from my phone. 
It is time for me to leave this forum. Your contributions are invaluable and I am very grateful.
In my opinion:
- High school guidance counselors don’t have the experience or knowledge to guide. They process forms.
- Admissions staff don’t have the experience or knowledge to guide. Always go to the top.
- The admissions process is personal, consequently conversations with other parents is awkward.
- College Confidential is a good source of information. You just have to dig around for it.
- Ignore unfortunate encounters with admissions personnel and tour guides. Focus on your encounters with cafeteria and other support personnel because their happiness may be an indicator of a good environment.
- Merit aid? I had no clue that taking the SATs/ACTs multiple times would result in higher scores that yielded large merit aid packages. My kids did it with those $49 guidebooks/sample tests.
- Private colleges? I had no clue that private colleges would be cheaper than public colleges because some private colleges, meet 100% percent of a student’s financial need.
- Liberal arts? I had no clue that LACs were more than just prep schools for future lawyers.
- Title IX? I had no clue about the nature of abuse; and now fully support Title IX initiatives.
- Net price calculators are reasonably accurate. But contact the financial office with specific questions because each college interprets details differently.
- Prestige colleges give the Wall Street wannabees an advantage. I did not appreciate this when I “split the difference” when with son #1 who decided to transfer to a college that had a less attractive financial package. Now I appreciate it; and payment of his loans is manageable.
- Employers of engineers are largely not impressed by prestige colleges. Trust me … my career spans 40 years.
- Sports recruiting is difficult and expensive; and it will take you places you do not anticipate.
- If you are a recruited athlete put academics first. Also consider the type of guys you want to be associated with the rest of your life. Ignore your father’s desire to see you play for a championship contender.
- The prestigiosity thread is my favorite. mH!
- Have back up plans.
I’d like to briefly share a few reflections about my 6 years of lurking and contributing on the Prep School and College boards.
The College Confidential Forum is a powerful resource. Knowledge is power, and the insightful advice here goes a long way in righting the disparity for students who lack the advantage of private or experienced counseling.
I’ve learned a lot from the people who give generously of their time and wisdom. In gratitude, I’ve tried to give back to the community. My apologies to anyone I have offended with my frankness.
Lastly, I’d like to thank the CC denizens for their camaraderie. Thank you for your support and for making me smile.
All the best to you.
GMTplus7
Remember that this thread does not allow responses. If you have anything to say to GMT. use PMing. - FC
And people wonder what’s wrong with the world…I’m going to say the participants on this subject. Pass/aggressive is the most dangerous person. I rather deal with conflict head on and truthful. Hatred and anger is venom that will kill you. Let go, smile at people, give a stranger a hug and you’ll be much better.
Moderator’s notes:
Discussing moderation is against TOS.
This is one thread where people are allowed to vent and no one can respond.
Dear everyone working on this project:
R.
T.
F.
M.
Evidently I’ve missed a bunch of threads this summer or a few notable ones.
There aren’t 12 articles in the Constitution, you knucklehead. :(|)
I hope you know what you’re getting into.