Friend got ghosted for $3k and now asks for half up front too.

Good for you. That "guess you're not that good" line would've done it for me too. I had a guy once tell me my styling chair was "the cheapest looking one he'd ever sat in" before I even picked up a comb. I just put the cape down and told him the salon down the street might be more his speed. Some people think being rude gets them a discount or better service, but it just gets them the door. I don't get paid enough to be anyone's punching bag.

Finished my first watch of The Leftovers at 3 AM and tried to have a serious conversation with my dog about whether we were in the blessed or cursed timeline. He just stared at me like I was crazy, which honestly was fair. Then I spent the next week side-eyeing every random bird outside like it was some kind of divine sign. Nothing like a show rewiring your brain at 2 in the morning, lol. I feel your pain, but at least your cat has a cool new name now.