Dear So and So

[Biciclista]

Dear Governor of Wisconsin
Congratulations, you brought Cairo to Wisconsin. I noticed in your budget that you gave tax breaks to rich people, but are trying to destroy unions and make things even harder for the working people.
http://thepoliticalenvironment.blogspot.com/2010/10/tracking-walkers-tax-cut-promises.html
You're going to discover that being a governor really isn't an easy job and the people have had enough.
Congratulations!
Sincerely
a union member in Washington

[Crankin]

:)

Lisa, that made me laugh.

[malkin]

The local paper here covered the "staff infection" of one of the students at my school. And yes, the paper said it was a serious " drug resistent staff infection."

[OakLeaf]

Has anyone here actually used the stickers that come with "Eats, Shoots & Leaves," or seen them in use?

[Biciclista]

The local paper here covered the "staff infection" of one of the students at my school. And yes, the paper said it was a serious " drug resistent staff infection."

coming from a school, that's really scary!

[NbyNW]

Has anyone here actually used the stickers that come with "Eats, Shoots & Leaves," or seen them in use?

I've seen them on a car or two.

[limewave]

Dear Taxes,

I won't cheat you.
Please don't cheat me.

Limewave

[crazycanuck]

Dear Mother Nature,

:( :( Must you be so evil? An earthquake during a busy period in a really nice city?

NZ's just recovering from the Sept earthquake & the Pike River Mine disaster. Did you have to break hearts again?

:(

[jessmarimba]

Dear cat:

Remember the phrase "look before you leap"? You just landed in my cereal bowl, dummy.

Please let me eat breakfast in peace!

Thanks,
your granola-covered owner

[Biciclista]

Dear Jess
I hope the cat at least had milk to lick off his/her paws.

Sincerely
a concerned cat person.

[NbyNW]

Dear Mother Nature,

:( :( Must you be so evil? An earthquake during a busy period in a really nice city?

NZ's just recovering from the Sept earthquake & the Pike River Mine disaster. Did you have to break hearts again?

:(

Yeah, what's happening down there? I also read last night about a whole pod of pilot whales beaching themselves not far from Wellington.

[PamNY]

Dear Mother Nature,

:( :( Must you be so evil? An earthquake during a busy period in a really nice city?

NZ's just recovering from the Sept earthquake & the Pike River Mine disaster. Did you have to break hearts again?

:(

That's way too much bad stuff. I hope Mother Nature is listening.

[Owlie]

It's way too much. I have a friend who has been staying in the Christchurch area. He's okay, thankfully. (He somehow managed to post to Facebook.)

[Becky]

Dear Self,

Stop worrying about today's conference call, and next week's session and presentation. Get your thoughts together, take a deep breath, and it will be fine.

[redrhodie]

Dear guys who stole my boyfriends boots out of my front hall,

I had a weird feeling about you being in the building, and parking where you weren't supposed to. Since you looked sketchy, I wrote down your license plate. Nothing may come from that, but I suspect you will get what's coming to you somehow. Those boots were 10 years old and in need of resoling. I don't think they are worth whatever it is that comes your way.



Dear Self,

You are very lucky to have not left your bike in the hall right then, like you often do right after a ride. Take that as a gift, this lesson learned. It's much easier and less expensive to replace his boots than your bike.

[channlluv]

Amen to that, redrhodie.

Roxy, wondering how our friends in NZ are doing

[Crankin]

Dear Very Obnoxious Woman in my class:
Do you think the professor is your own personal tutor? You ask a question every 2-3 minutes and wildly wave your hand, saying,"wait, wait," when you can't remember what the professor said and haven't got it typed on your lap top.
This class is hard enough without this, and at 7-9:30 PM, it's intolerable. Everyone else is rolling their eyes and sighing loudly; I might just be the one to say something.
Enough. May 11 is a long way away.

[MomOnBike]

Dear Universe:

What did I DO???? If you just let me know, I promise -cross my heart and hope to die double pinkey swear - I'll never do it again. I won't even be tempted.

First the DVTs and pulmonary embolism, then the torn meniscus and knee surgery, then the breast cancer. Wasn't that enough? Did you have to make my employer decide that they no longer need my position? Was that nice? Was that necessary? Are you enjoying this? I'm not. I certainly won't enjoy the 'freedom' of no longer receiving a paycheck.

Please stop. All I really want to do is ride my bike and be a good person.

Thank you.

MomOnBike
(who feels she has more than paid for whatever sins she may or may not have committed, already)

[OakLeaf]

((((((((MoB))))))))

Dear universe,

Send some breaks MomOnBike's way. Now.

[indysteel]

((((((((MoB))))))))

Dear universe,

Send some breaks MomOnBike's way. Now.

Ditto. That's a lotta stuff to deal with. Hang in there MOB as best you can and I'll say a prayer that better stuff comes your way ASAP.

[Biciclista]

((((((((MoB))))))))

Dear universe,

Send some breaks MomOnBike's way. Now.

yes. sorry to hear.

[jessmarimba]

Yikes, I hope things get better for you soon MomonBike!

[laura*]

Dear NewImprovedTaste!:

Yes you NewImprovedTaste!, there in the yellow oval. Your taste is not improved. It's actually worse than before. Also, NewImprovedTaste!, you now cause distress in my digestive tract.

---

(((MOB))) Hoping that the prior issues were all handled before the current challenge...

[Selkie]

Tgif

[jessmarimba]

Dear woman from the Ohio EPA:

If you see in my email signature that I live in Colorado, don't call my cell phone after I don't answer at the office at 8am EST. There's a time change that makes it 6 am here and I will not be happy to hear from you.

Also, for the love of all things you hold dear, stop using apostrophes to pluralize words! You're putting the English language to shame. (I might have forgiven your poor email skills had you not called so early but the wrath of the grammar demon has been awakened).

Grumpily yours,
ZZZzzzzZZZZZzzzzz

[OakLeaf]

Oh Jess,

It's the Ohio E"P"A. You wouldn't have had any reason to know ... but now you do. :rolleyes:

[jessmarimba]

Oak, I should have already known. Once I finally talked to her I realized I've dealt with her before and the intervening year or so has not helped her temperament. Yeesh.

Selkie, tgi-weekend!

[Crankin]

Dear Self,
Give me patience to deal with DH's family today. I don't want to have to use my professional skills with them.

[Becky]

Dear coworkers,

I've trained you both, I'm thrilled to see you doing so well at your jobs, and I'm glad that you're helping each other out with workload. So why do I suddenly feel like persona non grata to you?

Signed,
Lonely

[indysteel]

Dear self:

Why so moody lately? Is it the weather? Your period? The horrible case you're working on? All the above? It's okay to not be in a great mood all the time, but when you start to perceive it as chronic, there's a problem, okay? So, be sure to talk to someone about it. I think you could use a good cry, too, so why don't you put on a sad movie tonight and get a bit of it out of your system? ((((Self)))).

[lph]

(((((Hugs all round! to Crankin, Becky, and Indy-self!)))))

Spring is coming, and all will be better soon :)

[indysteel]

(((((Hugs all round! to Crankin, Becky, and Indy-self!)))))

Spring is coming, and all will be better soon :)

Thanks for the hugs, and hugs around to anybody and everybody having a rough time of it right now. If ever I was sure that I suffer from SAD, it's now. Spring and summer simply cannot come quickly enough. I need warm sunshine and lots of it.

[NbyNW]

Dear DH's company's board member:

I'm going home, and I'm taking my ball with me. Don't kid yourself that offering to be my BFF now, after I've been drifting in limbo for 18 months, is going to change my mind.

Sincerely,
A Pushy American Girl

P.S. And please stop telling me that the weather isn't usually this bad. You have no credibility with me.

[limewave]

Dear Chicago Area Council Boy Scouts of America,

I used to think the Boy Scouts was a great thing and something to support. But ever since you closed the doors at Owasippe (http://www.ooec.org/) to all mountain bikers, I feel completely and totally betrayed by your organization. When the park was up for sale and slated to be developed--I campaigned, rallied, raised and donated money to help protect it. It was months and years of dedication, prayer, wishful thinking, that we stood by Owasippe. And just when we go to raise our glasses in a toast of victory, you close the park to a community that had always embraced and protected its natural wilderness.

I am still stunned. And often surprised by the wave of grief I feel over this loss.

I may be one of the only mountain bikers around here that has not given up hope. And I won't. Another letter is sitting in your inbox.

Limewave

[lph]

Dear close female relative,

yeah, yeah, you want a new laptop for your birthday, and you want my kind computer-tech dh to fix it all up for you. I got that not-so-subtle 2 page hint. Fine, on 2 conditions:
1. start remembering my birthday, at least most years
2. turn up at my son's birthday when you're invited, with a gift

:rolleyes:

[OakLeaf]

Dear neighbor,

How about not whining to me about the security light war you're in with your neighbor on the other side, when you know how much your light bothers me. I'd be tempted to shine mercury vapor lamps directly into your windows, too, except that it would just mean even MORE light getting into my house at night (plus, escalation just isn't my style).

[tangentgirl]

Dear Self: Motivate, already.

<3 Tangentgirl

[azfiddle]

Dear *%&$^@ driver who just turned right in front of my husband last night as he was riding home on his bike. You clipped his wheel and left him to pick himself up off the road with a fractured scapula. You were apparently so inattentive to the road that possibly you didn't even know you hit a cyclist! You were a jerk and I hope your bad karma catches up with you.

[emily_in_nc]

Dear *%&$^@ driver who just turned right in front of my husband last night as he was riding home on his bike. You clipped his wheel and left him to pick himself up off the road with a fractured scapula. You were apparently so inattentive to the road that possibly you didn't even know you hit a cyclist! You were a jerk and I hope your bad karma catches up with you.

Damn straight! How in the world can someone not realize they've just hit someone. Sheee-eeesh! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

So sorry for your DH and hope he will heal quickly.

[crazycanuck]

Dear Self,

Track burns hurt...:o but fixomul works wonders!

Perhaps next week w new(er) track bike that fits(!!!) you'll be able to warm up w everyone else :).

oops.

[hebe]

Dear *%&$^@ driver who just turned right in front of my husband last night as he was riding home on his bike. You clipped his wheel and left him to pick himself up off the road with a fractured scapula. You were apparently so inattentive to the road that possibly you didn't even know you hit a cyclist! You were a jerk and I hope your bad karma catches up with you.

I hope your husband has a comfortable recovery. How can people not notice hitting someone?

Dear Japanese experts, please make those reactors safe as fast as you can, I worry so much for my little brother and his new wife in Tokyo. Thank you.

[lph]

Dear whomever it may concern,

please give the Japanese a break now! :(

[hebe]

My brother and sister-in-law flew out to Hong Kong earlier this morning, my poor mum, who was up all night, checked them in online. And yes to what lph said.

[OakLeaf]

dear whomever it may concern,

please give the japanese a break now! :(

+1,000

[bmccasland]

Dear people in the VA town my uncle lived in - didn't anyone notice that he hadn't been seen for a while, and why didn't one of you go check on him? Why did it take the insistance of family far away to send someone? :mad:
No one should suffer the indignity of being dead in their home for 3 weeks. :(

Uncle Terry, may you rest in peace, I know this life wasn't easy for you.

[Catrin]

Bmccasland, I am so sorry to hear this about your Uncle Terry, may he rest in peace.

[azfiddle]

Oh .... so sad....

[channlluv]

Oh, Beth, I'm so sorry. I hope he at least went peacefully.

Roxy

[hebe]

I'm so sorry Beth x

[lph]

Oh Beth, I am so sorry. How sad :(

[NbyNW]

Beth, so sorry for your loss.

[limewave]

DH,

Thank you for sneaking all of the snacks and junk food out of the house this morning. Just now, in a moment of weakness, I tore the cupboards apart searching for the Oreo's on which I was planning to completely annihilate.

Now I can move forward with my day and look forward to some healthy nutrition. I'm going to feel so much better having avoided that train wreck.

~Limewave

[Crankin]

What a nice DH, Limewave.

Sorry about your uncle, Beth. That really sucks.

[indysteel]

Beth, I'm very sorry about Uncle Terry. May he rest in peace.

[OakLeaf]

I'm so sorry, Beth.

[crazycanuck]

:mad: Dear weather,

You'd better clear where my team mate is today....I'm seriously annoyed that you might derail my petit oppy ride. We have a way coolio route planned!

I don't want to just do 170km with some old folks on the bike path....:mad:

So, weather please clear & allow my team mate to be able to fly home today.

Thank you

[Catrin]

Dear Wind...

I know it is March - but go away for a few hours so I can ride in warm weather without tights and jacket! My limbs want to be FREE I say :D Why don't you blow when it is cooler and let me have a nice warm and quiet ride?

Thank you!

[crazycanuck]

Mother Nature, you're forgiven this time...!!!

Weeeeeeeeeeee! team mate arrived on time!!!

[Biciclista]

Dear Mother nature.. Yes, I can detect, a bare 4 degrees warmer on a clear morning. And the earth detects the difference too, the air was fragrant with the smell of ; dare i say it?
SPRING???

[indysteel]

Dear God, please help me get through my in laws' visit this weekend. Thank you.

[azfiddle]

oh.. that sounds like a tricky weekend to negotiate!

[Crankin]

Dear paper on the biological and neurological basis of anxiety:
You are standing between me and graduation. I have to start reading that lovely article on "Increased Amygdala and Insula Activation During Emotion Processing in Anxiety Prone Subjects."

Enough said. I would rather go to the grocery store right now and then go ride my bike.

[channlluv]

Crankin, could you call up some voice data recognition software and have it read the article to you?

Roxy (it actually sounds pretty interesting to me, being in the subject group and all)

[Crankin]

Roxy, it is interesting, that's why I chose this topic. I read the articles and printed a couple more. Decided not to go for a ride today. I have a bit of a hang over and food satiation from a wonderful dinner at a tapas bar last night!
I am doing the paper with a friend and we are focusing on yoga as a treatment option, but we have to have citations that support the neurological/chemical reasons for using yoga. Thankfully, cutting edge research on this is being done at BU and Harvard.
I am just sick of school. Eight more weeks...

[redrhodie]

Dear Friend's boyfriend,

I don't care how late you got home or how tired you were, you can't forget to close the outside door, leaving it wide open for hours, while you're upstairs asleep. You're lucky the dog is too old and feeble to have noticed, because he would have escaped if he did. Last time you watched him, he threw up 6 of your socks a few days later. Do you really just not give a crap about him? You're idiocy is going to shorten his life. Oh, and what if someone broke in? You're a cop! Get with the program! Putting me in the position of having to tell on you really sucks.

Dear Friend,

Board your dogs from now on. You should already know you can't trust your bf to do the right thing EVER! Stop trusting him with the lives of the things you love the most. I have a feeling the things we know about are just the tip of the iceberg. It may be stressful to leave them with strangers, but at least you'll know they're being taken care of.

[lph]

Putting me in the position of having to tell on you really sucks.


Oh dear, what an uncomfortable situation. Glad doggie was ok!

[channlluv]

Roxy, it is interesting, that's why I chose this topic. I read the articles and printed a couple more. Decided not to go for a ride today. I have a bit of a hang over and food satiation from a wonderful dinner at a tapas bar last night!
I am doing the paper with a friend and we are focusing on yoga as a treatment option, but we have to have citations that support the neurological/chemical reasons for using yoga. Thankfully, cutting edge research on this is being done at BU and Harvard.
I am just sick of school. Eight more weeks...

There's something similar going on here at UCSD, too, having to do with yoga and metabolic disorder/disease or something like that. I tried to sign up as a test subject, but they said I'm too active. I had to laugh. "But I'm 100 pounds overweight," I said. The young woman on the phone said, "I'm sorry, but you're just too active for a baseline study group. We need people who don't exercise so much."

Take a moment. Enjoy the irony.

Roxy

[Crankin]

Yes, most of the studies have a lot of restrictions, to tease out the possible "confounding" effects. One I read yesterday started with 3,000 people who filled out a questionnaire and ended up with 32 people in the treatment group and 30 controls! Funny, the subjects were from SDSU and UCSD. This was nothing to do with yoga, though. I am doing the "hard science" part and my friend is doing the yoga part, as she is more of an expert in that.
It's hard to find a lot of people who don't take psychotropic or any other drugs, don't smoke, and haven't had counseling.

[indysteel]

Dear Pet Sitter,

Thank you for being so reliable and responsive. Every since my First Pet Sitter forgot to visit my cats as scheduled, I've had a lot of anxiety about leaving my babies, but you've proven to be so trustworthy and undertanding of my various worries. It's such a relief to me to know that you're taking care of them.

[limewave]

Dear mother,

I appreciate your concern regarding my back/hip pain. I know you have suffered from back pain for years as well and chose to have back surgery. That was your decision. For me, chiropractic care really seems to be making a difference. Yes, the back pain does reoccur, but its not nearly as severe as it used to be. Losing some weight, doing strength training and running have really helped. If my choice is going to the chiropractor every six weeks for the rest of my life OR having back surgery: I choose the chiropractor.

I know you don't agree. You've made that clear.

Limewave

[bmccasland]

Dear Calypso,
You are the shame of PNW kitties, and you are a PNW kitty now. I gave you some nice fresh salmon for dinner, so why did you turn your nose up at it? This is much better quality than what comes in a can.

I'm sorry, but this isn't shrimp, crawfish, or sac-au-lait (Cajun for crappie) country.

Your Mom, who doesn't want another fussy eater. What did Bonnie tell you before she crossed the Rainbow Bridge?

[azfiddle]

Dear hospital billing depatrment and health insurance company customer service rep:

Are you serious about sending us a bill for $4000 for the emergency room visit? That time after my DH had that hit and run accident that fractured part of his scapula? I sincerely hope there is a misunderstanding, because what else we were we supposed to do at 10:30 at night besides go to an emergency room? Isn't that why I have hundreds of dollars deducted from my paychecks every month?

We will be in getting in touch with you Monday morning about this....

Grrrrrr

[lph]

I gave you some nice fresh salmon for dinner, so why did you turn your nose up at it?

Yeah, isn't that annoying? :confused: We have a large, active cat with a healthy appetite, who eats or at least checks out everything that falls on the floor - raisins, scrap of lettuce, garlic, you name it - and who wolfs down every kind of dry cat food as if there were no tomorrow. But when we give her salmon scraps as a treat she sniffs and nibbles, and licks a little, and looks at us, and lets most of it be. Silly cat, you're supposed to be a predator.

[redrhodie]

Yeah, isn't that annoying? :confused: We have a large, active cat with a healthy appetite, who eats or at least checks out everything that falls on the floor - raisins, scrap of lettuce, garlic, you name it - and who wolfs down every kind of dry cat food as if there were no tomorrow. But when we give her salmon scraps as a treat she sniffs and nibbles, and licks a little, and looks at us, and lets most of it be. Silly cat, you're supposed to be a predator.

Raisins are poisonous for cats, so keep those away from her.

[marni]

miss ike not only looks at us disdainfully if we offer her anything resembling real meat or fish, but will silently and efficiently bury all the way around anything on the floor or in her dish she doesn't approve of. All this on a tile floor. Now the dogs on the other hand.......

[alexis_the_tiny]

Dear kids, I know its Monday and we're all suffering from the Monday blues but really?? POOP in the classroom and 3 attempts at SMOOSHING said poop with the brand new play rug? Boy, you really know how to show your teachers a good time.

[Veronica]

Please tell me you teach special needs kids.

Veronica

[alexis_the_tiny]

Veronica, yes I do. This happens to be the 1 out of 10 days I totally lose my sense of humor since we were moving classrooms today too. I foresee a new health education topic for this term - "Poop - what you can and cannot do with it". It'll probably be funnier tomorrow morning.

[Catrin]

Dear Winter,

Please leave! You came early and have outstayed your welcome. You have had a great run this year, but it is time to allow warmer temperatures to arrive! I have already missed two organized rides that I wanted to go on because it was too cold/damp. Don't let the door hit your butt on the way out.

Thank you.

[TxDoc]

Dear beloved Hospital,

Forgive me, you know I love working for you, but I am a little bit irritated today.
I do understand that you are a public institution on a tight budget, but giving your medical educators a 40% pay-cut (:eek:) sounds like telling them that you value medical education close to nothing. Do we get it right - when we spend half of our time in class or bedside teaching, you think that we produce less hospital revenue and we deserve a lower salary? Did you forget that we were already underpaid compare to 80% of hospitals?

I'm confused.
Our mission statement used to include educating residents and students while providing compassionate health care and pursuing excellence in medical research. Did you change our mission while I was sleeping?

And yes, I know that y'all administrators think that we spent 24 years of our life in medical training just because... :rolleyes: but please please please would you be so kind as to show us some consideration? We are here to help, and we shose to serve in a State hospital to help a larger patient population - but please do not be upset if we start looking for alternatives at the big private hospital around the corner...
Yours truly,

TxDoc

[badgercat]

How short-sighted of them to undervalue the educators, TxDoc. I can't imagine how frustrating that must feel.

[Blueberry]

Wow, TxDoc. That really stinks. Definitely short sighted, and not a good judgment call. What *are* they thinking?

[Biciclista]

that stinks, TxDoc, will they also cut your student loans by 40%?

[TxDoc]

will they also cut your student loans by 40%?

LOL :D I'm sure my students would love that!!!

[emily_in_nc]

Dear Co-worker,

You might not realize how rude and socially inept you are, but you should at least realize that I didn’t get my hair cut for you. I’ve gotten lots of compliments on it from women. I know a lot of men aren’t crazy about short hair and are often uncomfortable with change in general, but “Holy Cow – that’s different!” type of comments should really be kept to yourself. You kinda ruined my whole morning. Didn't your mother ever teach you that if you can't say nothing nice, say nothing at all?

Dear Self,

Don’t worry so much about what other people think. In most cases they don’t matter in your life at all (like stupid coworker above) and should not have the power to make you feel bad about yourself.

[marni]

emily, I consistently wear my hair in a #4 buzz and have been wearing it that way since I was a teen. It's not quite short enough to see the skin through but less than 1/4 " in length. I wear it that way because that's the way I like it. Since I am of certain age and my non existant ta tas are rapidly disappearing and sliding towards my waist, I am more often than not mistaken as a man at least until I open my mouth and say something. I do so love being called sir.

As my mother used to say when others made comments about my hair or lack thereof. "Tante piss, screw them if they can't take a joke."

If it looks good to you and you enjoy it that way, then wear it with pride- as long as you are sane, happy and able to sit up and take nutrition, it's all good.

[Crankin]

Ignore that azzhole, Emily. I've had pretty short hair for ten years and no one has ever made a comment, except to say it looks good. DH sometimes said "it's really short" right after a haircut, but since my hair grows in about 2 days, he stopped.

[Becky]

Short-haired chickies, unite!

I've gotten more compliments with 2" hair than I ever got with shoulder length locks. Don't let the haters get to you...they're just jealous that they can't rock it :D

[OakLeaf]

"Tante piss...."

:D :D Is that Cajun? Hadn't heard that one before. I love multilingual expressions - I'm not even sure where DH picked up "bookoo dinero," but that's a favorite of mine. (Yeah, I know how to spell beaucoup AND how to pronounce it, but that's not how it goes in that expression. ;))

[lph]

"Tante piss" means "aunt piss" in Norwegian :D

Which leads me to another digression: a Danish 3 yr old got lost the other day and spent a night wandering the woods. When he was found safe and sound the next day, the search leader had apparently bust out, in front of the tv cameras - "Pisse fedt!!"

Which amounts to about "Whoa, phaaaat!" in English. :D

And the tv announcer had started crying :o

[Catrin]

So very glad to hear the little boy was found safe and sound :D

It is SNOWING - this is just disgusting. Where do I file my complaint to the weather bureau? mumble grumble mumble...

Guess my southern genes expects it to be spring by March 30 :o

[Crankin]

That snow is coming here late tomorrow into Friday, forcing Hirakukibou and I to cancel our ride :mad:. I got out at lunch for a 16 mile ride today; it was glorious, but I am wondering when i will get to ride again. I was planning to ride when I get home tomorrow and now I hear it might already be raining. We are right on the edge of the "6 inches or more" zone, so let's hope the weather gods are looking my way.

[Roadtrip]

Every one here is talking about opening day of the new Baseball season... Seems more like football weather to me... Grrrrrr... Sooooooooooo ready for "spring" to have sprung so I can ride outside!!!

Shannon

[marni]

I think it was just Muzs' way of say piss them in a perverted french sort of way. As far as I know it has no national origin other than my mother.

My MIL's favorite expression which we now use to mean something excessively in bad taste was "Bayersche blau und groen schieze de ganze" which supposedly meant "Bavarian blue and goose **** green" which apparently is a pretty endemic color combination in the more blatantly decorative/decorated older buildings in souther Germany.

[channlluv]

How, um, colorful.


:)

Roxy, with hair half-way down my back. I like it long. If I wore my hair as short as yours I'd look like a fuzzy basketball. And I'm not even exaggerating.

[redrhodie]

Dear Twiggy,

That all-nighter was fun! I loved that part where I got up to hang out with you and you hid. Since you know I really only need 3 hours of sleep, let's do it again real soon.

Oh, and don't even think about sleeping all day today. I think we need to play more. See how fun it is? Playing instead of sleeping is good.

Can't believe I still was motivated to ride after only 3 hours sleep. It saved my day for sure. Cycling is one of the few things I can do fairly well sleep deprived. However, I will save doing my taxes for another day.

[emily_in_nc]

Short-haired chickies, unite!

I've gotten more compliments with 2" hair than I ever got with shoulder length locks. Don't let the haters get to you...they're just jealous that they can't rock it :D

Thanks marni, crankin, and becky! You all rock! :D

Actually, my stylist cut my hair a lot shorter than she usually does, and I didn't ask her to. She was on meds for a busted ankle, and I think she was a bit loopy as she did some other kinda crazy things too, like scheduling my next appt. for 4pm when I always come at noon. I guess I'm lucky I didn't come out of there with a mohawk!

So, I'm actually not really sure I like my hair this short either, but I still don't think anyone who doesn't like it should so much as open their mouth. It's just plain rude, like asking someone if they've gained weight. I just HATE it when people comment on my appearance unless it's positive -keep it to yerself! :mad:

I work with a bunch of engineers, who aren't known for being socially savvy, and this guy is definitely typical geek. Minimal social skills.

[SheFly]

Thanks marni, crankin, and becky! You all rock! :D

Actually, my stylist cut my hair a lot shorter than she usually does, and I didn't ask her to. She was on meds for a busted ankle, and I think she was a bit loopy as she did some other kinda crazy things too, like scheduling my next appt. for 4pm when I always come at noon. I guess I'm lucky I didn't come out of there with a mohawk!

So, I'm actually not really sure I like my hair this short either, but I still don't think anyone who doesn't like it should so much as open their mouth. It's just plain rude, like asking someone if they've gained weight. I just HATE it when people comment on my appearance unless it's positive -keep it to yerself! :mad:

I work with a bunch of engineers, who aren't known for being socially savvy, and this guy is definitely typical geek. Minimal social skills.

Short hair ROCKS! And you need to post pics of the new do.

SheFly (with less than 2" and ready for a haircut)

[SheFly]

Enough already. This is a VERY bad April Fool's joke. Two weeks ago it was 70 degrees and now this. Please let Spring arrive.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LX2juPNfTcI/TZXPbNpNQvI/AAAAAAAAI8w/gSZgV8YNiUs/s1600/IMG_4158.JPG

SheFly

[emily_in_nc]

As much as you have my sympathies, shefly, that is a gorgeous stand of trees! I just love it when the snow is heavy on every branch.

And once it melts off the branches, it can all just go away, thankyew very much!

[Scrappy]

Dear Winter, TAKE A HIKE!

Scrappy

P.S. on another sad note... I heard that the earthquake that hit Japan actually changed the earth's axis and rate that it spins, therefore shortening the day for all of us a small amount (~4 min)

[marni]

dear shefly, We lived in Acton, MA when the last big april fools day ice storm hit, 1990 ish or thereabouts. Fortunately we had a camp stove and a fireplace, and the place I worked and the children's school were on a different power grid which got power back sooner than the 15 days it took us to get power at home. They went into work with me, had a hot chocolate and a warm bagel, walked to school, stayed an hour after school for activities, walked back to where I worked, had a warm snack (it was a coffee/sandwich shop) hung out with me til 5 or 6 pm, we went home, started a fire and slept in sleeping bags in front of the fire.

After the third day, the "adventure" just got old. Good luck and thank your lucky starts it is april and not mid february os it is at least marginally more springlike.

[Crankin]

Marni, did you work in west Acton?

[marni]

Crankin,

I was manager of Philips Coffee shop on the main road (rt.111/Massachusetts Avenue) through West Acton to Boxborough, on Spruce Street sort of kitty corner from the West Acton Post Office. I worked there from 1997-2004.

Why? do I perhaps actually know you? if you ever were in Philips, tell me what your standard order was and I will probably even be able to put a face to the order. I never knew peoples names but recognized them by their daily orders.

[Crankin]

Marni, I just edited this, as I re-read your post and saw you worked there 97-2004. You must know my son!!!! Phillips has gone through 2- 3 owners since you worked there, and my oldest son worked there for 3 years (last 2 years of HS and when he came home on break in his first year of college), from maybe 1999-2002. His name is Josh. I still go there all of the time, including a few times on my rides with Hirakukibou. That's where I walked in to get a sandwich in my cycling gear and a bunch of women I know said really loudly,"Oh my God, you rode all the way here from Concord?" (all 7 miles), when I was actually finishing a 50 mile ride.
My son became quite a barista working there, and also came home with all the A-B gossip on a regular basis. He said the "middle aged women" loved to spill their guts to him. He continued working as a barista in Amherst through college.
Anyway, the place was bought by a young woman, the same age as above son, 3 years ago, and it is quite upscale now and very successful. She was written up in the NY Times magazine as an example of a successful business that opened in the recession. But, the food and coffee has not changed that much.
We must have some mutual acquaintances.

Small mocha latte, skim milk

[marni]

I do remember Josh! although he usually was coming in as I was going out. I got the AB gossip from my children and was occasionally able to add a bit to the chit chat of the afternoon shift that came in after school to close.

There were several small mocha lattes- Were you by chance the skinny fit brunette with reddish tints, sporty short hair?

My youngest daughter Marie left AB her sophomore year 2002- I will confess to having messed up the years. I actually worked there 1996 -2001 until it was sold for the first time and when we moved back to the Netherlands. My oldest son Richard, graduated AB 1996, and my second son Michael graduated AB 2000.

Unfortunately I was not a road biker, or even a rider when I lived in Acton. That was 9 years and 125 pounds ago. I have been road biking since we came back to the states and ended up in Texas in 2004.

I miss the area, and although I don't much miss the snow, I do miss the change of seasons, especially the change from summer to fall, and spring.

Something in there about a lesson on 7 degrees of separation or something I guess.

It was a lovely area, that store, and I am glad that it is still being used and used happily. It was originally an old mill- the base for the grind wheel axle was down in the basement next to the office and people were always tripping on it. Norm Abrahms carpenter shop (this old house) was in the next building which we used one tiny portion of for storage. That's the same building that used to have, and may still have the Acton School of ballet downstairs.

Good memories.

[lph]

There were several small mocha lattes- Were you by chance the skinny fit brunette with reddish tints, sporty short hair?

This is fascinating. Shoulda worn a carnation! :D

Marni, I'm impressed by your memory.

[Crankin]

Marni, I may have been that person. I cut my hair really short around 2000, I think. It's dark blonde/with highlights, but it is a little on the reddish side.
I used to go in to get a coffee on my way to work, sometimes, even though it was totally in the opposite direction (Hudson) of my job, or when I had to drop my kids at school early. Small world.
The ballet school is still there.

[Biciclista]

to whom it may concern:
what are valid reasons for pulling the plug?
Asking me to increase my commute from 8 miles a day on bike to 40 miles a day on I-5 might just be the straw that breaks the camel's back.

to self: get your butt in gear. Life is much too short.

[indysteel]

Dear Federal Government, please pass a budget or, in the very least, a stop gap measure that ends on or after April 30th. Not only am I a federal worker who would like to work and get paid, but I have a trip to two national parks coming up and I would really hate for my plans to get derailed. Not that I don't appreciate the bigger issues at play in the world, but well, thoughts of this trip are the main thing that's gotten me through this horrible winter.

Thanks!

[OakLeaf]

Dear appliance repair people,

I'm trying to give you my money to fix my microwave. This is what you do for a living, right? Why do you insist that it would be better for me to send my microwave to the landfill, and my money to a sweatshop in China, than to keep it in the local economy by employing YOU?

[ultraviolet]

Dear Universe,

Thanks for making demand so high in my field. You made it possible for me to make a conscious decision to refuse work for a month and a half in order to recharge my mental batteries and then nail down a gig on my first day of making myself available again. And not only that, but to get a series of meetings with people who want to talk with me now to get in line for my next available work window.

I know I just spent four days at a professional conference where part of the frustration within my peer group was at the landrush that's taking place in the field, and the resultant mediocre work that's being produced by newcomers who don't have the first clue about what we really do. So, thanks for taking all of our *****ing and moaning with a grain of salt. We really aren't as collectively whiny as we may have come across. Well, not most of us, at least.

While I know I have a tendency toward jaded cynicism about work sometimes, I'm still grateful that finding people who will pay me to solve hairy problems and create new things is rarely an issue. My landlord appreciates it, too. ;)

Thanks!
Me

[channlluv]

Wow, ultraviolet, if I may ask, what do you do?

Roxy

[ultraviolet]

Wow, ultraviolet, if I may ask, what do you do?

Roxy

I do work that falls under the larger umbrella term User Experience Design. Basically, I try to make the things--software, services, electronic devices, companies--that people have to interact with suck less.

[laura*]

Dear Headset:
You weren't supposed to fail - you're on the nearly new, bought assembled from a bike shop, bike. The five other bikes in various stages of assembly/disassembly/reassembly have excuses for being unavailable to ride today. But your bike was supposed to be the trustworthy "go to" bike. This is especially galling considering the wonderful weather of the last two days. Oh well, your replacement has been bin upon, won, and paid dearly for.

Dear credit card number thieves:
This is a family website so I will refrain from saying what I think about you. Why do you target bike people? This time you must have gotten my number from either the online purchase of bike panniers, or an in person purchase at an LBS. Previously, you got my number twice in the Nashbar debacle. Luckily I paid for the headset mere hours before your actions froze my account.

[Becky]

Dear cold,

Get lost already! I would very much like to be able to add a few days of vacation with DH onto my work travel next week. If you stick around much longer, we will have no choice but to cancel our plans. And don't even think of hitting DH again...he's already hosted you once :mad:

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Sincerely,
Sick and tired of being sick and tired

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Dear Headset:
You weren't supposed to fail - you're on the nearly new, bought assembled from a bike shop, bike. The five other bikes in various stages of assembly/disassembly/reassembly have excuses for being unavailable to ride today. But your bike was supposed to be the trustworthy "go to" bike. This is especially galling considering the wonderful weather of the last two days. Oh well, your replacement has been bin upon, won, and paid dearly for.

At home, we've been moving our old stereo components around and making changes. I've got stereo equip. on the brain, so:
At first I thought you were talking about a music earbud/headset gizmo that was somehow installed with your bike, and I thought to myself Jeez, can't she just ride a bike without music for a day or two while it's getting fixed? :eek: :D :D

[laura*]

Jeez, can't she just ride a bike without music for a day or two while it's getting fixed?

:eek: The amusing detail is that I never ride while listening to music. I, ... um, ... er, don't even own the necessary equipment.

As for the other item, I'm now 99% certain it was the panniers seller that leaked my card number. :mad:

[channlluv]

I do work that falls under the larger umbrella term User Experience Design. Basically, I try to make the things--software, services, electronic devices, companies--that people have to interact with suck less.

That sounds brilliant. I'd love to hear more about it sometime. Seriously. I'm working on an idea for a book for kids about unusual careers. What did you have to study/work at before to get to what position?

Roxy

[bmccasland]

Dear Congress,
Come to an agreement, compromise, no sneaky little add-ons, and pass a dang Federal Budget.

And if you can't agree, and decide to shut down the government, I'm assuming that you and all your staffers will go without pay too. It's the only right thing to do. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

Oh, and the next time I have to drop everything to answer a "Congressional" at work, can I remind you that you deemed me "unnecessary?"

[indysteel]

Dear Congress,
Come to an agreement, compromise, no sneaky little add-ons, and pass a dang Federal Budget.

And if you can't agree, and decide to shut down the government, I'm assuming that you and all your staffers will go without pay too. It's the only right thing to do. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

Oh, and the next time I have to drop everything to answer a "Congressional" at work, can I remind you that you deemed me "unnecessary?"

We're in limbo, too. The court where I work will operate for two weeks on reserved funds, but after that, we will likely have a floating furlough. DH and I also have a trip planned beginning on April 23rd to two national parks. We're thinking about a Plan B, as we don't really have any desire to travel to southern Utah if Bryce and Zion are closed.

The whole thing is just a PITA. I feel sorry for the people I work with who simply cannot afford any interruption, even slight or short lived, in their income. In past shutdowns, those furloughed got back pay, but we've been told that may not (likely won't) have this time around.

[Becky]

Oh, and the next time I have to drop everything to answer a "Congressional" at work, can I remind you that you deemed me "unnecessary?"

Hear hear!

[lph]

Dear people for whom I am arranging free "bike wrenching for dummies"-sessions - what's up with the badly hidden griping about there being only 3 sessions for 5 people each time? That there "really should be" more sessions for more people? Well, go learn it at home, making all the mistakes yourself, then go spend your own free time teaching everybody else, then. That's what I did, but I also realize that 3 sessions is what I feel like contributing before I get antsy. And it's not my fault I haven't been able to convince anyone else to contribute to this worthy cause just yet.

[ultraviolet]

That sounds brilliant. I'd love to hear more about it sometime. Seriously. I'm working on an idea for a book for kids about unusual careers. What did you have to study/work at before to get to what position?

Roxy

I actually didn't study anything related to my current field. I was in a dual degree program for music and biology. I just kind of tripped into my field based on personal interest and happening upon a job ad looking for someone with web production skills about a billion years ago--ok, not a billion, more like 14. Working at a tech startup in the late 90s meant doing a lot of different jobs and learning them quickly. Through that, I found what I loved in a field that was only just starting to be named.

Many people who started doing this back then came from either a human factors/cognitive psych background or the library sciences. There's not a consistent pattern for the rest of the long-time practitioners--some grew out of development backgrounds, some from creative/design, some even from marketing. In the last five or six years, there have been more applicable formal areas of study really gaining ground: human computer interaction (HCI) and information management programs have pretty high representation. Psychology (human factors) and journalism folks (content strategy is a big deal for us now) have also found welcoming arms from UX practitioners, as well.

If you have other questions, I'm always happy to talk about what I do and why I firmly believe it can make life better for people and change the world. Feel free to PM any time! :D

[crazycanuck]

Dear clavicle/sternum thingie bit in my body that moved a few years ago when i had a little bike off...

I thought I reminded you to stay put & not bother me again :mad:. I didn't know that either the side to side push ups, the single side little weight lifting bit or something else bothered you when I did my first private training session would bring you back onto the scene..

I really don't appreciate feeling bones scrape in my neck or chest or whatever part of my body you're situated in :mad:.

Sheep kapoopies I say.

Why haven't they invented some sort of internal super glue to fix these things??

Harumph..
Annoyed human

[Crankin]

Dear University,
Thanks for making me spend 8 hours sitting in "reflective sessions" regarding my program today and tomorrow. The weather is finally gong to be nice, of course. I have to sneak out early and brave the subway at rush hour to meet friends and DH in Boston and it's making me feel like a bad teenager. I know, you don't think that students can have a life and be in your program, but it actually happened :). I am tired of you.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

The weather is finally gong to be nice, of course. I have to sneak out early and brave the subway at rush hour to meet friends and DH in Boston and it's making me feel like a bad teenager.

Sounds like a 'reflective session' to me! :D

[Crankin]

Oh yeah. I am not the only one with a negative attitude, so I'll have plenty of company. I guess I should be careful as I write, since I am on a university computer! The train I took apparently was an express and after leaving Concord, only made 2 stops before arriving in Cambridge. So now, I am early, even for the breakfast.
Going to read my New Yorker and take a deep breath before going in that room.

[Crankin]

So, the session I snuck out of was run by the alumni, who were giving us career information. The professors left the room. However, they were lurking around near the stairs, getting ready for the wine and cheese thing. One of them saw me leaving and looked at her watch! Ack, I don't know her, but she gives you a cold hard stare all of the time. Well, it's a good thing I left when I did. I had to wait a long time for the second train and it was packed like sardines, I thought I wouldn't be able to get out of the door. But DH was there, waiting for me at the appointed meeting place, where he whisked me away to the car driven by our friends. We had an awesome dinner and the play was great.
Off to get ready for today's class.

[Kitsune06]

Dear rad class:
You are all so awesome, for once I don't feel like I'm just 'going to school', I'm hanging out with 30 of my best friends for a few hours every day. I really love being able to feel like that, thank you.
:D

[snapdragen]

Dear gall bladder. STFU.

Thank you.

[Xrayted]

Dear Snap's gallbladder. You heard her. STFU.


:D:D

[tangentgirl]

Dear Sick Coworkers: If I'm feeling like my @$$ is draggin because you came in and infected everyone and now I have your flu, I'm gonna beat you down when I get back. If I come up to your cube and your head is on your desk and you are dizzy with fever, wtF did you come in today?

[Kitsune06]

I love how workplaces will give their employees the hairy eyeball for calling in sick, so people work through it assuming they'll get credit from their higher ups and everyone STILL hates them for bringing the plague and spreading it.

^ happened to our entire xray class in waves through flu season, because if you miss ONE day it will STILL crush you.

[indysteel]

Dear Dr. Orthodontist,

I'm so over having braces. Please take them off soon. It's been 3 1/2 years already. I know I needed a lot of work and that my refusal to get jaw surgery didn't help, but man do I want my mouth back.

Thank you.

[ultraviolet]

Dear Ad Agency,

Of course I can present work to your clients on your behalf. But really, giving me at least 24-hours notice would have been nice--for both you and me. On my side, structuring my work for a presentation instead of for implementation would have been helpful. On your side, more prep time means a more polished presentation and likely a better outcome. But, OK. I'll get up and present these concepts to the CMO of your Fortune 500 client three hours from now. No problem.

Love,
Me

P.S. The short notice will be reflected when you're invoiced.

[spokewench]

dear title company: Thank your for wasting 3 days telling me how hard this project will be, how costly, and that you just don't have the staff to do it and then telling me that it will take 2-3 weeks (after you wasted 3 days going back and forth about how you are so overworked and can't get a simple title commitment prepared.

Duh,isn't that what you do for a living?

[Kitsune06]

Dear prospective xray students:
I remember very well what it was like to be in your shoes. I really hope I was helpful when I answered your questions. I know I might have been scary, but I was as candid and honest as I wish students would have been when *I* was in your shoes. I mean it when I say I wish there was a way you could all get in and not totally crush what little remains of the job market. You all seem like great people. Best of luck to you all, though I know I won't see half of you this fall. If you didn't get in, it doesn't mean we didn't like you. Please reapply.

[limewave]

Dear Self,

It's lookin' like you stirred up a hornets nest unintentionally. Take some deep breaths and collect yourself. Separate your emotionsfrom the situation and handle it like a business issue. Just remember, there are crazies out there, and this one walks, talks, and acts like a crazy (AND has your home address!). If there is a confrontation this afternoon . . . just remember to keep things simple, direct, professional and to maintain your composure.

I'll keep a bottle of wine chilled for you when you get home along with some chocolates.

Hang in there. You can do it. Not everyone needs to be your friend . . . And there's a good reason for that: self-preservation.

Limewave

[Xrayted]

I have a big day tomorrow. I don't want to screw it up. Please don't let me screw it up. It really means a lot and my sanity, wife, stress levels, etc... will be happier in the end if it works out okay and I get it. *fingers crossed*

[Pax]

Trek - your job completely and utterly sucks (in case you didn't already know).

X - got everything crossed for you.

[indysteel]

I have a big day tomorrow. I don't want to screw it up. Please don't let me screw it up. It really means a lot and my sanity, wife, stress levels, etc... will be happier in the end if it works out okay and I get it. *fingers crossed*

Good luck with whatever it is!!!! Keep us posted.

[snapdragen]

I have a big day tomorrow. I don't want to screw it up. Please don't let me screw it up. It really means a lot and my sanity, wife, stress levels, etc... will be happier in the end if it works out okay and I get it. *fingers crossed*

You will rock it X, have no fear! :cool:

[OakLeaf]

Good luck x! ... and good luck with a new job Trek. :)

[Trek420]

Trek - your job completely and utterly sucks (in case you didn't already know).

Why thank you! Yes it does. :rolleyes: You have no idea.

I've been told it's a job search disaster to complain about ones current job whilst looking for another I'll delete that post in a bit. :cool:

[spokewench]

X - good luck with your big day!

[Kitsune06]

X- Good luck, dear. :)

[Xrayted]

It went well yesterday, I think. :D They are much smaller and not as stressful/busy as we are and, to me, that is a definite plus. I could a use a break. I also think that there is still plenty to learn from them and I like that. The hours are variable shifts but 40+/week. Right now I work weird hours and do extra all the time and have tons of stress and anxiety. This would be better in the long run. They seemed nice, but then again, I can seem nice too when I need to be. :rolleyes:

Thanks for the chance and thanks for being quick about the decision. Apparently, I should know by the end of the week and I appreciate that. :)

[snapdragen]

Fingers, toes and eyes crossed for you X!

[Kitsune06]

Dear X,
I think I was as surprised as you were that they called back so soon. Good news doesn't usually come fast so we both wondered the same thing.















I'm so sorry that you're not going to have to deal with the same BS you have the last four years for much longer. The short timer's syndrome is gonna be rough, but I know you have the strength and bullheadedness to persevere. Congrats x a freakin million! You deserve this. :) I just wish we could see peoples' faces when you give your 2 weeks notice and smile.

I hope the new place is everything you need and want it to be. :)














































Ladies!!! SHE GOT IT!!! SHE GOT IT!!!!! YAAAAAAYYYYYYIIIPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

[OakLeaf]

Yay! Congrats X!

[Pax]

Wooooo HOOOOOOO!!!! Way to go X!!

[snapdragen]

X - CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 I'm thrilled for you. Can you give two weeks notice then go on 2 weeks vacation? :rolleyes: OMG, whatever will you do -- a non-dysfunctional manager.....

[Kitsune06]

eerything's on the downlow for now just because her new employer hasn't been able to give her an exact start date just yet... so we're under the radar, folks. :o

[jelee1311]

Dear husband,please stop eating the Easter candy!I know the chocolate bunnies are irresistable and you must bite their ears off, but you will just hate yourself in the morning. Just because you can burn 5000 calories a day doesn't mean it has to be candy. So back off bud cuz the rest of the candy is for the daughters basket and the Easter bunny might leave you some other surprise.

[Xrayted]

hee hee hee.



heh.



giggle.



hee hee hee hee.




HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!


snort.



*sigh*



:cool::cool::eek::D;):D

[Xrayted]

Oh, more $$ too. :cool:

[crazycanuck]

X...wahhoooooooooooaronnieeeees!!! Freakin cool yo!:D

[Pax]

hee hee hee.



heh.



giggle.



hee hee hee hee.




HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!


snort.



*sigh*



:cool::cool::eek::D;):D
This made me laugh out loud! :p

[limewave]

X- CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!

Dear NGWA,

I understand everyone is busy, yada-yada-yada. But please grade and get the results of DH's Master's Certification to us soon. It may not seem like a big deal to you, but DH has invested hours upon hours studying and traveling to take the dozen exams leading up to the final. Not to mention all the money we've put into this. You told us 4-6 weeks to receive the results, it has now been 9 weeks. Please just call already so I can take DH out for a congratulatory dinner.

Thank you,
Limewave

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Dear weather...
Enough with the 45F cold grey rainy 30mph windy days already!

[Xrayted]

Dear Big Kahuna Boss at my just-got-the-news-I'm-hired-yesterday job... You couldn't wait one freakin' week to put a hiring freeze on, smart guy? Why today? Are you bored?

I feel like a yo-yo. I still have the offer from the manager and he really needs this position filled ASAP. Vacations are about to start. I'm really glad I didn't fly off the handle, do a jig into my current boss's office and give notice yesterday. Anyway, I'm sending you a cartoon video of how I feel right now. (not safe for work but not horrible either) :) Enjoy! I look forward to actually meeting you someday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMNYqeZvyaw

Ya know, ya just gotta laugh at situations like this and take them in stride. :D

[Pax]

How annoying X!!! Sorry you're getting yanked around like that.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

X, does that mean you didn't get the job, or that you just don't know yet?

[Kitsune06]

X, does that mean you didn't get the job, or that you just don't know yet?

As far as the boss is concerned, he said, the job is hers... but there was a hiring freeze announced this morning which means the boss needs to go to his bosses again and say "Yes, I really, really need to fill this position. I know who I want. please let me hire her."
so... it could be as short as a week or as long as.... what month is this? :eek::confused:

ugh.

[jobob]

That sux, how frustrating! :( Fingers are crossed that it all works out.

[tulip]

Dear Little M,

Welcome to your new family, new country, and new home! We are so excited and happy to have you join us. I know you've been through alot in the last 10 days, not to mention the entire 15 months of your life. There are so many people who want to meet you, you just cannot imagine. I hope the 17-hour flight from Ethiopia wasn't too stressful for you. Welcome to your new home, little girl!

Love,
Auntie Tulip

[Crankin]

Dear Employers at Job Fair,
Please have at least one job I am interested in... preferably one I could ride my bike to at least once a week.

[snapdragen]

How exciting Tulip! I have a friend whose sister is adopting a little boy from Ethiopia.

X - hang in there, it will happen.

[maillotpois]

Oh Tulip - I have tears in my eyes reading your post!!

Hang in there X.

[Xrayted]

Yes, I'm in. Just have to wait till the director comes back from vacation. He's the one who has to go to bat for the jobs in that area. We're the big $$$ maker of the place. We tend to have less obstacles when it comes to hiring who we need. It will happen. It's just delayed a bit. I'm okay. I like the people I work with currently and will miss them a lot. I have no problem hanging a bit longer.


But yeah, it does suck, doesn't it? :rolleyes: WTF? Lol. *shrugs*

[laura*]

Dear eBay seller:
The rear derailleur you sold me is not a new take off. It is filthy, the pulleys have grease buildup on them, and there's even a scratch or two. Perhaps it is a take off from a prototype test bike. At least it doesn't seem to be worn.
Luckily I'll be using it with a 15 year old group set, so an "experienced" part isn't out of place.

[lauraelmore1033]

Religious Zelot Dude:
What part of "Solicitors will be eaten" indicates a desire on my part to share your "good news"? :mad::mad::mad:

[Biciclista]

to whom it may concern (you know who you are)
written procedures REALLY work. Then someone else can help you out without having to ask you a dozen questions AND reinvent the wheel. You might try it sometime.

[lauraelmore1033]

to whom it may concern (you know who you are)
written procedures REALLY work. Then someone else can help you out without having to ask you a dozen questions AND reinvent the wheel. You might try it sometime.

Mimi, that sounds like Dh's #1 complaint from work (at the Lazy B)

[Biciclista]

(SSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!) I am not allowed to discuss company issues on here.

[tangentgirl]

Religious Zelot Dude:
What part of "Solicitors will be eaten" indicates a desire on my part to share your "good news"? :mad::mad::mad:

Solicitors will be eaten. I like that. With a chianti and fava beans, even.

[Kitsune06]

Solicitors will be eaten. I like that. With a chianti and fava beans, even.

Get your husband to answer the door naked a couple times for them and try to encourage them to stay. They will never return, I promise you. (I think they have some kind of problem with that...)

[lauraelmore1033]

It is a pretty cool sign. You can see one here (http://www.etsy.com/listing/56646053/solicitors-will-be-eaten-metal-garden)

[Crankin]

DS#2 once answered the door stripped to his boxers when LDS missionaries were knocking. They ran like hell.

[lauraelmore1033]

I'm sure they'd run like hell if I answered the door in my undies:rolleyes:...

[marni]

when my son was 16 years old and 6'6" tall he had waist length wavy dirty blonde color hair and heavy black eyebrows. Since I am an escaped Mormon, I can recognize the missionaries at 50 paces and refuse to answer the door. I looked out one afternoon, uttered a profanity and told the kids that I was not home and I was not answering the door. My son replied very cooly, "that's cool mom, I'll deal with it."

When the door bell rang, he cracked the door just enough to let his hairy head, one eyebrow and part of his hairy chest show and said "yes?" in a very deep voice. When they had finished their explanation he held up one rather dirty finger (we had been out front planting things) and said "wait!" Then he leaned back away from the door and shouted "never mind the goat guys, I found a couple of virgins!" and then slammed the door shut lauging maniacally.

Strangely enough the missionaries and watch tower people never bothered us again so I guess those groups must share infromation.

I love my sons' quickness of wit and sense of humor.

[lauraelmore1033]

too funny!

[Crankin]

Marni, DS#2 also did this when he saw James Eldridge (do you remember him, the young guy who ran for the State legislature, from Acton) coming up our walk, campaigning. Scott thought he was a missionary, as he was wearing a white shirt and black pants. He opened the door and was really embarrassed; several of Josh's friends worked for Eldridge's campaign and there were a lot of connections. I welcomed him in and had to apologize to him by saying that my son thought he was a missionary, out to convert him.

[Pax]

Dear Weather Gods,

I'm begging you, please give us a break from this endless rain. Everyone is starting to be sad and grumpy all the time.

Thank you,

Your soon-to-be-growing-moss subject

[Trek420]

(SSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!) I am not allowed to discuss company issues on here.

Me neither. Darn. :rolleyes:

[ultraviolet]

Dear "Friend",

That thing that happened this evening, where I shut down conversation and walked out of your house? That's what happens when you decide to turn something that should be a simple discussion into a debate.

Just a reminder: I was doing you a favor! You asked if I would look over your friend's business model and funding presentation and give some feedback. That's what I was doing. Just because you didn't like that I found big gaping holes in it doesn't mean you should get an attitude with me about it.

I'm sorry I don't think your friend's idea is as brilliant as you think it is. I'm also sorry that he and his partners haven't thought through all of the problems that their current product path presents. Just because I found problems with it doesn't mean it's a bad idea, it just means it's an idea that needs a lot more thought behind it.

Trying to put it on me to articulate solutions, rather than just ask the questions to expose the problems, isn't fair. This is what I do for a living. It's how I keep the bills paid. I'd be happy to help your friend's company out with defining solutions, but there's a price that comes along with that--that price involves a fee and/or equity. My professional advice doesn't come cheap, and I don't give it away for free to people who intend to profit from it. Exposing the problems and asking the questions is actually way more than I usually do for businesses who haven't signed a contract with me. So, consider both yourself and them eff'ing lucky.

Maybe I should invoice you for my time. A little sticker shock might do you some good.

/Me

[Owlie]

Dear Rain--
GO AWAY. I want to get some riding in, but can't between you showing up or threatening to show up.

Dear "adjustable" stem--
Stop sticking, or I'll take you in to the bike shop, and let them do what they want with you...:mad:

Dear BF--
In the name of all that is cute and fuzzy, how on earth did you manage to get yourself into the same situation you were in in 2009/10 again? (Well, I can guess, but...) In all seriousness, quit while you're not too far behind. Transfer to ASU before undergraduate studies kicks you out. Really, you should have done this last year. It would have been cheaper, and you'd have been done next year, as opposed to two years from now. I'm flattered that I was one of the main reasons you came back to Ohio, but you're staking your future on this relationship. I am not a valid reason for you to screw up your education and take on an ungodly amount of student loan debt.
Go to ASU, pay two years' worth of in-state tuition, and graduate. I don't really care when that will be, just do it. If you need to (because I have a feeling you need to get your head screwed back on straight), take a few years off and go work in a bike shop or something.
Love, me.

[Biciclista]

Dear Owlie
you CAN ride in the rain

yours truly
Seattle bike commuter.

[Xrayted]

^^^ What she sed...Portland, OR rider. ^^^ :D:D

[Pax]

To the Portland and Seattle mossbacks above... riding in the rain is un-fun, those of us who live where it doesn't rain 350+ days a year usually wait until it stops to ride. :p

[OakLeaf]

Riding in a warm rain is actually very pleasant. What isn't, is spending two hours cleaning the grit out of every part of a bike. So I don't do it unless it's an organized century. TOSRV's coming!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

To the Portland and Seattle mossbacks above... riding in the rain is un-fun, those of us who live where it doesn't rain 350+ days a year usually wait until it stops to ride. :p

LOL, so true!
Of course, if we had to ride to work every day with no choice, that's different.
The (almost) scariest ride i ever took was 10 miles from home in the rain and my brakes were barely working- a horrible feeling! :(

Mossbacks...
http://sarahrcallender.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/sloth_1455a.jpg?w=300&h=208

[Crankin]

That, and the fact that no matter what I do, my clear glasses (and all the other lenses) fog up.
I had to ride many miles in the rain, 50 degrees, in the Czech Republic. It sucked. And I didn't even have to clean the bike; Trek Travel did.
I have had a couple of warm rides where it sprinkled/lightly rained, which was OK, but I dread how the rain will affect my braking.
I avoid it.

[redrhodie]

I love riding in the rain. I just discovered that I get excellent results wiping my glasses with the tip of my full finger gloves. I used to carry a paper towel in my back pocket, before discovering this works so well. These are what I wear when it rains. http://wheelworld.com/product/specialized-bg-deflect-gloves-61109-1.htm I also find a cycling caps really helps. I have a pretty nice collection of team ones. The other thing that keeps me happy is disc brakes.

It is hard on your bike. Without the right gear, it can be uncomfortable and more dangerous. Without the right frame of mind, it can be miserable. But, if you can think about when you were a kid, and how every puddle was an opportunity for fun, then you'll love it. It is fun!

[Owlie]

Gentle, light rain is fun (or it would be once I get some wet/dry tires--my current ones don't handle wet pavement well at all), cleaning the bike later aside. What we've been getting is torrential downpours. Cold torrential downpours. Less fun.

[Biciclista]

well, ok, i'll give you a pass for cold torrential downpours. that's icky.

[redrhodie]

Me too. My tips were for riding in light rain. I don't do torrential rain (yet ;)).

[Becky]

I have done warm torrential rain. I don't recommend it. I can't even imagine what cold torrential rain feels like.

[OakLeaf]

Last time I rode TOSRV had torrential rain (as in those without clear lenses couldn't see ten feet in front of them), lightning all around, and tornado sirens. Here's hoping for better this weekend. Still, I'd rather have that than the 35 mph headwinds they had last year. :eek:

[Pax]

Dear Co-workers,

When you sign up to bring things to the student appreciation potluck, BRING THEM!! Now we have lots of desserts and not enough main courses and NO paper plates. You guys suck!

Annoyed co-worker

[Xrayted]

^^^Whut she sed. -A mossbacked Portland, OR potluck food eater.^^^

:D:D

[indysteel]

Dear Neighbor: Why do all of your guests attempt to park in my driveway? You have your own driveway and space on the street in front of your house. It's clear it's my driveway and not yours. It's bad enough that they're daft enough to park there, but to the extent they have the audacity to argue with me when I ask them to move is simply beyond me. I realize my driveway is actually closer to your door than your own driveway, but that doesn't entitle you to use it.

[Owlie]

Dear self--
I know it's sunny and nice outside for a change, but you don't have to ride if you don't feel like it. I think a splitting headache is a good reason not to ride. If you want to go out and enjoy the sunshine, go sit on the patio and knit or go for a short walk or something. You don't really want to go out for a ride only to have to pull off and puke in someone's yard, do you?
:(

Dear weather--
You are on notice. You can stop all this crazy rain stuff next weekend, okay?

[Crankin]

Dear mental health hiring gods,
Please hire me. I spent 60K on my education. I promise to be good.

[Kitsune06]

Dear World:
Why???

[emily_in_nc]

Dear mental health hiring gods,
Please hire me. I spent 60K on my education. I promise to be good.

Dear mental health hiring gods (and goddesses),

Please hire Crankin. She rocks! :D

[Xrayted]

Son of a b__ch. *sigh* Oh well, it could be worse. I could be out of a job altogether...


I'll just keep on dreaming of a better place while this one continues to eat my soul.

:(

[OakLeaf]

Dear whatever's going on with X and Kit, give them a break, will ya?

[Pax]

Son of a b__ch. *sigh* Oh well, it could be worse. I could be out of a job altogether...


I'll just keep on dreaming of a better place while this one continues to eat my soul.

:(

The hiring freeze stuck? Sorry X, that truly sucks.

[Veronica]

Dear Co-Workers;

I don't mind you borrowing my art supplies and sample projects. But could you please return them when finished, so I can use them with my own classroom? Geez... you have had some of this stuff for over a year!

Veronica

[bmccasland]

Dear person yacking loudly on your cell...
Why do you leave your cube to have the converstion and wander down to our cubes? Ever hear of speaking softly? So you don't want to disturb the people in your work area, what makes it OK to disturb us? :mad:

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Dear person yacking loudly on your cell...
Why do you leave your cube to have the converstion and wander down to our cubes? Ever hear of speaking softly? So you don't want to disturb the people in your work area, what makes it OK to disturb us? :mad:

yeah, that is such a bummer. Put up a sign of some sort in the area where she's doing it maybe? You could get creative!
Or if there is a bunch of you annoyed by it, someone could turn on a radio really loudly when she starts in. :D

My new neighbor likes to spend all day out on her deck yakking aimlessly on her cell phone. She goes on hour after hour. She's not hollering, but her voice is one of those that strongly carries over distances. She's about 40 yards from me, but I can hear every word as though she were standing next to me. I swear she has no idea how her voice carries. I cough, I sigh, I bang shovels and make noise so she knows I'm right there gardening or trying to relax in my yard. She's clueless. I'm a captive prisoner to her boring endless yakfests.
Once my DH started saying "BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH!!!" really loudly, but she still didn't 'get it'. :eek: :rolleyes: lol! We'll see how the situation progresses this summer.

[withm]

yeah, that is such a bummer. Put up a sign of some sort in the area where she's doing it maybe? You could get creative!
Or if there is a bunch of you annoyed by it, someone could turn on a radio really loudly when she starts in. :D

My new neighbor likes to spend all day out on her deck yakking aimlessly on her cell phone. She goes on hour after hour. She's not hollering, but her voice is one of those that strongly carries over distances. She's about 40 yards from me, but I can hear every word as though she were standing next to me. I swear she has no idea how her voice carries. I cough, I sigh, I bang shovels and make noise so she knows I'm right there gardening or trying to relax in my yard. She's clueless. I'm a captive prisoner to her boring endless yakfests.
Once my DH started saying "BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH!!!" really loudly, but she still didn't 'get it'. :eek: :rolleyes: lol! We'll see how the situation progresses this summer.

Oh I sooooo know what you are going through. When I bought my house, there was nothing but woods for an entire block in the back yard. I came home after being away for a week, and found the entire block had been cleared. The house behind me is probably about 5,000 sf, and not 50 feet away - built right up to the setbacks. My neighbor, her husband, their grown sons all use their "outside voices" all the time. And then there's the 3 little yippy dogs that bark at the wind, at shadows, at cars, at people walking down my street - 500' away... The fun never stops. Even if I am behind closed doors, with my own TV or stereo on, and with the A/C or Furnace running I can hear them talking on the phone, or watching TV on their screened porch. Yikes! I've been tempted to crank up my music to overpower them, but it would overpower me too. :(

[Xrayted]

The hiring freeze stuck? Sorry X, that truly sucks.

Ya.

They are now pushing them to drop a few jobs too. I feel kinda lucky that I didn't end up starting there and be the 1st one gone, right off the bat. But still... we were spending a lot of time looking to move, checking all kinds of stuff out, preparing for all of this and now... pfffft. I can wait for another shot somewhere but the out of the blue freeze and timing of it all just stinks. Were they just not paying attention or what? :(

Back to the carnage and massive OT and no sleep and high stress and less $$ and paying to park at my own job and >>>>

the cool little kids I get to help feel better who end up with all of my stickers and the lonely elderly patients who just want to talk a bit and the moms and dads who just want to get well and go home to their families and the mangled few who are grateful for someone who knows how to do an xray without moving them and the wonderful coworkers I have and the interesting research studies I get to help with and the rare thank you from the nurses and >>>

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Withm- OMG that situation sounds way worse than mine- I'm so sorry- how awful! :(
When my other neighbors' son took up drumming, we had to suffer through his rock drumming drifting over the neighborhood (whenever he'd forget to close the windows like they agreed to)- but we knew in 3 yrs he'd be GONE, off to college. And sure enough, he's now gone.
Sometimes you just have to pin your hopes on the fact that things do usually change over time... :o

X- that's too bad about your job. But good thing you didn't give notice at your current job! :eek:

[redrhodie]

Dear New Neighbor,

It's fine that you're going to have your floors sanded, but it's a bit worrying to me that you said it won't be loud. I would have felt better if you told me that it's going to be loud and awful, followed by smelly chemicals that will make me want to vomit, and probably give me cancer, and I'd be wise to leave while the work was in progress, sorry for the inconvenience. At least then I'd know you were honest and or smart. Now I think you're a dimwit. Please prove me wrong. If the floor sanding is not loud, I will apologize to the world right here. :p

[Trek420]

My new neighbor likes to spend all day out on her deck yakking aimlessly on her cell phone. She goes on hour after hour. She's not hollering, but her voice is one of those that strongly carries over distances. She's about 40 yards from me, but I can hear every word as though she were standing next to me. I swear she has no idea how her voice carries. I cough, I sigh, I bang shovels and make noise so she knows I'm right there gardening or trying to relax in my yard. She's clueless. I'm a captive prisoner to her boring endless yakfests.
Once my DH started saying "BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH!!!" really loudly, but she still didn't 'get it'. :eek: :rolleyes: lol! We'll see how the situation progresses this summer.

I would just start asking her ... "And is Priscilla feeling better yet? Hydrocepalus is a serious illness and it is going around. Your uncle Bob stilll has it too? We're all so worried about them. Did Priscilla like the bread pudding with candied ginger and prunes? She's always liked that. We sent some, thought that would make her feel better at least...." or ....

Whenever she's outside start running towards her house in your beekeeper outfit, the hat, mask, the smoke thingie yelling "the bees, the bees, get inside, go inside :eek::eek: the bees are coming!" ;) Once she's inside calmly walk away.

[Biciclista]

yes, we can't even discuss some presidents without the asterisks coming up, **** Nixon being one. :D not that anyone would want to discuss him.

[ultraviolet]

Dear brain,

I'd really enjoy a decent night of sleep. Actually, not just enjoy...be endlessly grateful for. So, if you could see your way to winding down soon, I'd really really really really appreciate it.

Thanks,
me

[channlluv]

I would just start asking her ... "And is Priscilla feeling better yet? Hydrocepalus is a serious illness and it is going around. Your uncle Bob stilll has it too? We're all so worried about them. Did Priscilla like the bread pudding with candied ginger and prunes? She's always liked that. We sent some, thought that would make her feel better at least...." or ....

Whenever she's outside start running towards her house in your beekeeper outfit, the hat, mask, the smoke thingie yelling "the bees, the bees, get inside, go inside :eek::eek: the bees are coming!" ;) Once she's inside calmly walk away.


Or you could get a cell phone jammer - Radio Shack, maybe? - and suddenly her back yard never gets any reception. Darn satellites, always changing their flight path, and all.

Just sayin'.

:)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Whenever she's outside start running towards her house in your beekeeper outfit, the hat, mask, the smoke thingie yelling "the bees, the bees, get inside, go inside :eek::eek: the bees are coming!" ;) Once she's inside calmly walk away.

Hmmm... and then she'll complain to the village zoning board and then I'll have to get rid of my bees because technically they are probably not allowed, under 'agricultural or nuisance animals'. good try, but no thanks! :o
Unfortunately, making enemies of the neighbors always has its drawbacks.

...the 'smoke thingy'....lol!
I was using it today!

[Kitsune06]

yeah, that is such a bummer. Put up a sign of some sort in the area where she's doing it maybe? You could get creative!
Or if there is a bunch of you annoyed by it, someone could turn on a radio really loudly when she starts in. :D

My new neighbor likes to spend all day out on her deck yakking aimlessly on her cell phone. She goes on hour after hour. She's not hollering, but her voice is one of those that strongly carries over distances. She's about 40 yards from me, but I can hear every word as though she were standing next to me. I swear she has no idea how her voice carries. I cough, I sigh, I bang shovels and make noise so she knows I'm right there gardening or trying to relax in my yard. She's clueless. I'm a captive prisoner to her boring endless yakfests.
Once my DH started saying "BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH!!!" really loudly, but she still didn't 'get it'. :eek: :rolleyes: lol! We'll see how the situation progresses this summer.

I don't know that there's any way to really deal with these people... I mean, at school we're always seeing people going on with their long, meandering conversations in the bathroom. I mean, really. I really love my friends dearly, but unless they are in a terrible jam, or are really emotionally distraught, if I hear a toilet flush in the background of a conversation, I am hanging up. I mean, talk about tacky. Eww. And if people are rude enough to yak in public bathrooms, you might be stuck with that lady yaking in the yard.

[Trek420]

making enemies of the neighbors always has its drawbacks.

True, that. But it's soooo much fun to think of ideas. :)

Every time she is outside talking you take a paint brush, large jar of honey, the bee hat and mask and chase your DH around the yard. Extra points for wearing nothing else. She'll go back inside :)


...the 'smoke thingy'....lol!
I was using it today!

I don't know what it's called but you get the idea. :rolleyes:


Or you could get a cell phone jammer - Radio Shack, maybe? - and suddenly her back yard never gets any reception.

More than likely she
1) doesn't have a home phone line so can't call from in the home and
2) has &^%'ey cell reception that only works outside in a corner of the deck. Unless she wants to walk to the deck to make an emergency call you could politely mention getting a better cell phone and/or land line.

[marni]

Every woman should have her own pedal wrench and her own vibrator, and know how to use both. ~ KnottedYet

trek 420- I love this line but would like to add "and I have a chain whip and a knife sharener and know how to use them to."

not tht this has anything to do with cell phones. That's why I keep a referees whistle around to break out and blow whenever neighbors annoy me, usually in close vicinity and while looking at them. Seems to work. Tell her you need to use it outside just like her because it annoys your family.

[bmccasland]

Dear Person who made an offer on my house,
What part of $24K less than my asking price did you think was a fair offer? :eek: Your offer is less than what I paid for the house 9 years ago. We're talking a small house, not some mansion where $24K is a paltry sum. Your offer is so low it's an insult. The house has been on the market for only a few days and you thought I'd take it? Add $15K to your offer, and then maybe we'll have something to discuss. :mad:

Have you been watching the house hunting programs where people want shiny new everything? Then go buy new construction, the house is 45 years old. It does have a shiny new a/c and heater, as well as a nice new water line. The kitchen cabinets will actually hold something unlike the crappy new cupboards in the house I'm currently renting. :mad:

(I think I need another long walk to get over my anger over your crappy offer.)

[jessmarimba]

Don't take the house offer too personally! Think of it this way - maybe they're house shopping on a really low budget and fell in love with yours, even though it's over their limit. Maybe they're just hoping against hope that you'll accept it because they really want your house.

Dear hair stylist -
Thank you thank you thank you thank you for a cut that needs absolutely no effort and still looks great. While I've had some skilled but high-maintenance cuts from others in your salon, it's been about 10 years since someone figured out how to do a no effort cut. You're hired for good.
Sincerely,
Cute-even-with-bedhead Jesse

[tangentgirl]

yes, we can't even discuss some presidents without the asterisks coming up, **** Nixon being one. :D not that anyone would want to discuss him.

Dear Self - while it looks really fun to test the limits of this editing program, that would just be immature and silly. For example, posting the Madonna speech from Reservior Dogs - entertaining to me, a whole lot of pointless ****s to everyone else.*

Dear Self - on a different topic, it's ok to take a week off of riding and going to the gym. You're not lazy, you're just really busy with other important stuff, and a week's break won't be terrible. Just eat well, and you'll be back on the bike on Saturday.


*On a side note, I once got to provide a list of interesting words to someone creating one of these editing programs. Who says work's no fun?

[channlluv]

...
*On a side note, I once got to provide a list of interesting words to someone creating one of these editing programs. Who says work's no fun?

Not in the original job description? I find it funny that some programmer asked you for a list of words. Did this person figure you were an expert in foul language? <g>

Roxy

[OakLeaf]

Pity the people who have to deal with forums where things Japanese are frequently discussed. Back when Take****a was prime minister and DH was a sysop ... or if Matsu****a products are popular with participants ...

[indysteel]

Don't take the house offer too personally! Think of it this way - maybe they're house shopping on a really low budget and fell in love with yours, even though it's over their limit. Maybe they're just hoping against hope that you'll accept it because they really want your house.

Yep. I sold my house last year for far less than I paid for it in 2002. I at least didn't have to bring money to the table, but it was still a bitter pill to swallow. I remember the feeling in the pit of my stomach when my realtor explained that homes had lost roughly 25% of their value since the market high.

It's all about the sold comps in your area. I know it's hard to accept, but what you paid or put into it, just isn't all that relevant from a market analysis standpoint. That's not to suggest the offer was reasonable; only that the best way to arm (or brace) yourself is with a careful review of what's sold in your area within the last 6 months. Hopefully, your realtor has already done that for you, but I know some realtors just arent' being as frank as they arguably should be with their clients.

[bmccasland]

Dear person filling the 1 gal water jug in the only sink in the office bathroom,

Thank you for ackowledging my existance after I stepped out of the toilet booth. But you're "this will be a bit" comment wasn't appreciated. I'd really like to wash my hands after I use the toilet, and there are other bathrooms down the hall with sinks to fill your water jug. So thank you for making me stand there and wait, like I could go anywhere. Did you expect me to leave??

[bmccasland]

Yep. I sold my house last year for far less than I paid for it in 2002. I at least didn't have to bring money to the table, but it was still a bitter pill to swallow. I remember the feeling in the pit of my stomach when my realtor explained that homes had lost roughly 25% of their value since the market high.

It's all about the sold comps in your area. I know it's hard to accept, but what you paid or put into it, just isn't all that relevant from a market analysis standpoint. That's not to suggest the offer was reasonable; only that the best way to arm (or brace) yourself is with a careful review of what's sold in your area within the last 6 months. Hopefully, your realtor has already done that for you, but I know some realtors just arent' being as frank as they arguably should be with their clients.

The offer was unreasonably low according to my agent. She priced the house $15K less than we listed it for last fall because of the comps. The buyer's agent has a reputation for making very low offers, apparently giving her clients the expectation that their offers are reasonable, when in reality they aren't.

I countered the offer, and it was turned down. Considering the house has only been on the market for a week, I don't feel obligated to accept an extremely low offer.

[indysteel]

The offer was unreasonably low according to my agent. She priced the house $15K less than we listed it for last fall because of the comps. The buyer's agent has a reputation for making very low offers, apparently giving her clients the expectation that their offers are reasonable, when in reality they aren't.

I countered the offer, and it was turned down. Considering the house has only been on the market for a week, I don't feel obligated to accept an extremely low offer.

Beth, I didn't suggest that you should feel obligated to accept it, which is why I stated "that's not to say that the offer was reasonable." FWIW, I didn't accept the first offer I got on my former house either because it was unreasonably low.

But I still agree with Jess. Don't take a low ball offer personally. It's a tactic; nothing more, nothing less. While I think a buyer's agent should encourage their clients to make reasonable offers based on object market data, I also appreciate that they think they have nothing to lose by making a low ball offer either. The fact that they didn't respond to your counter suggests to me that they were at the top of their budget and made a low offer because that's all they could afford.

I've been on both sides of this in the last year and understand the emotion involved. All I can suggest is to study and restudy the market data and be prepared to present that data when you respond to an offer. IME, buyers are overly emotional about this too because all they hear on the news every day is how bad home values are; it's sometimes hard to convince them that they aren't going to get a home they actually want to live in for peanuts.

[tangentgirl]

Did this person figure you were an expert in foul language?

Maybe. :eek:

We were talking about what you'd have to exclude, and he was like, ugh, just give me a list! He was pretty mortified when I handed it to him. It's not like I went out of my way to be extra-creative or anything. Just a little bit.

I pinned it to my cubical wall when he was done with it. I wonder if I still have it in a box somwhere. Hmm.

[tangentgirl]

Beth, it's just business. As a matter of fact, I'd guess that it's literally business, someone thinking they can buy low sell high and flip something like that. Hello, 2007 called...

[Veronica]

Dear Parents;

I know it's Teacher Appreciation Week and you probably feel obligated to buy me something. In all seriousness, I do not need or want chocolate, or cookies or little trinkets. If you feel compelled to give me something, a nice card with a heartfelt note written by your child will mean more to me. Even if you coach them in what to say. :D

Use that money to get tissues for my classroom or pre-sharpened pencils. Do you know how many of your little darlings are suffering from allergies? And I think your children eat wood and graphite.

Veronica

[Biciclista]

Dear Veronica
you mean you don't need a mug with an apple painted on it? :D

[snapdragen]

Dear gall bladder. I told you to STFU. Why didn't you listen? :mad:

[Becky]

Dear co-worker:

Congratulations on your transfer. I'm happy for you, but unhappy about the situation. Once again, I train someone and they're gone in 6 months. I can't keep doing this, and I can't keep shouldering half the collective workload.

Luv,
Burnt Out

[laura*]

Dear Gods of the Dirty Bike Shop Floor*: Thank you for letting me find the 1/16th by 1/8th inch spring I dropped. :o However, I didn't realize that you'd arrange a karmic payback of three days of rainy weather with the Weather Gods. :(

* For an idea of how dirty the floor is, we also found a freewheel remover tool, a metal ruler, and even a hacksaw frame. :eek:

[jessmarimba]

Dear American Airlines:
10 hours of delays in reaching my destination (2 due to weather, 6 due to two broken aircraft, the rest due to rescheduling my connecting flight) is worth far more than 8,000 "bonus" miles on a frequent flyer account I've used twice in 4 years. That's, what, a quarter of a free flight? Seriously? And then you address the response to my email form (where I am forced to put a title and correctly chose "Ms.") to Mr.?

My future business is going to the airlines that don't second-guess my gender. And email me vouchers before I'm even off a delayed flight (due to weather, not even their responsibility) - thanks United!

[indysteel]

Dear American Airlines:
10 hours of delays in reaching my destination (2 due to weather, 6 due to two broken aircraft, the rest due to rescheduling my connecting flight) is worth far more than 8,000 "bonus" miles on a frequent flyer account I've used twice in 4 years. That's, what, a quarter of a free flight? Seriously? And then you address the response to my email form (where I am forced to put a title and correctly chose "Ms.") to Mr.?

My future business is going to the airlines that don't second-guess my gender. And email me vouchers before I'm even off a delayed flight (due to weather, not even their responsibility) - thanks United!

I hate American Airlines. I had a baggage issue a few years ago that was handled so badly that I will never fly with them again if I can possibly help it.

[bmccasland]

Dear communications corp that starts with the letter Q:
Thanks to a billing error on your part, that I've been trying to resolve since February, and am reassured that it has been resolved on two occasions, I come home from a 3 day trip to discover that my satellite TV service has been disconnected. AND to add insult to injury, I discover this after 6 pm, which is when that department goes home for the day. :mad:

So don't be surprised that I'm not bright and cheerful when I call you at 6am tomorrow morning.

Of course in the grand scheme of things, this isn't horrible, but it is darned inconvenient. Especially since I'm making my 5th phone call to try to straighten this out. Grumble grumble grumble.:mad:

[Roadtrip]

Dear co-worker and "friend",

Because we were hired at the same time and once appeared "equals", then when I was almost instantly given responsibility and became your boss, this does not give you freedom to come in when ever you want and not show up for work. Expecting me to cover for you?!?!

You had your chance.. so why do I STILL feel bad you were fired???

Shannon

[sgtiger]

Shannon, it doesn't sound like she respected you as a friend, co-worker, or boss. A true friend wouldn't take advantage of the situation like that. Heck, her actions show little respect for her job and herself, in that she didn't honor the commitment she made by taking the job. So try not to be too hard on yourself. You couldn't carry her weight forever and you shouldn't have had to in the first place.

[snapdragen]

Dear gall bladder. I told you to STFU. You didn't listen, so now you're gone! Pfft! Good riddance! :p





//yes, I have resumed my hobby of one surgery a year......:rolleyes:

[lph]

Dear family member around whom the world revolves,

*nnnggghhhh* no, most people do not love "fixing up their houses" i.e. painting windows and fixing roofs and repairing stuff that breaks, while you are a singular individual far above such smallminded and bourgeois interests. We fix them because we like having windows and roofs that don't leak, and stuff that isn't broken.

[emily_in_nc]

Dear gall bladder. I told you to STFU. You didn't listen, so now you're gone! Pfft! Good riddance! :p





//yes, I have resumed my hobby of one surgery a year......:rolleyes:

Heal up, fast, snap! Everyone I know who has had their GBs removed has ended up feeling SO much better after the surgery. Hope you will too!

[indysteel]

Dear gall bladder. I told you to STFU. You didn't listen, so now you're gone! Pfft! Good riddance! :p





//yes, I have resumed my hobby of one surgery a year......:rolleyes:

Sending healing vibes your way, Snappy! I hope you start feeling better ASAP.