on lotteries; carts

So I was reading on Gothamist today about this school teacher who won a lottery to get an Upper East Side studio for $14,000. Which is ridiculous. So, good for him..but what makes me nervous is...

Where was this guy teaching that paid him SO little he had to WIN A LOTTERY for an apartment? Seriously, is my future teaching career looking that bleak? Should I be signing up for this lottery?


In other news, I'm having an issue with my grocery cart that I bring to the market. Initially, I bought it so I could fit in the with the old Italian ladies who lived near my prior apartment in Brooklyn. But because I lived in a third floor walkup, I never wanted to carry it up the stairs.

Now, I live on the ground floor, which is awesome, but I have something to say about these carts. While useful, are they made out of garbage? Seriously, within one use, I managed to break the little clip that holds it together, I've ripped the handle, and I'm feeling self conscious about it in my super swank new neighborhood.

Plus, let's be honest, if you're going to have one, you can only shop at big grocery stores, no delis or independent groceries are in your future. Navigating through those tiny aisles requires a separate driver's license.

So that's what's happening on the Upper East Side today....still no capture on the mouse. I'm starting to accept my new roommate. Is that a compromise NYC demands?