I just spent two hours at a "neighborhood brunch" that felt less like mimosas and more like a competitive debate on elementary school catchment zones. Seriously, every single conversation was about property taxes and *which* gifted program was better. I just sat there, smiling politely, while my freelance gig stress — no benefits! — screamed in my head. Like, can we talk about literally anything else? My "quiet life" feels so boring compared to their sprawling, well-funded futures... and I almost said, "Oh, I *am* prioritizing a good school district, just for my future non-existent children," just to shut them up. Ugh. What am I even doing.