Dear So and So

[SheFly]

Thanks to all for the hugs and comments. Sadly, my gram passed away early this morning. I am really glad that I go the chance to visit and say goodbye. And solobiker - those stories will be in my heart forever!

SheFly

[redrhodie]

I'm sorry for your loss, Shefly.

[Catrin]

Very sorry for your loss Shefly, I am very glad you had the chance to see her.

[Crankin]

Sorry about your grandma, SheFly. Grandparents are special.
Veronica, I do not think it's OK for parents to text their kids during school hours. What's wrong with these people? They can't let go. Not just with their kids, but it drives me crazy seeing people who just have to be connected all of the time. Sometimes, when I am running or riding early in the AM, I see women walking with their ear to a phone. Now, who the hell needs to be having a social conversation at 6-6:30 AM? I sure am not calling my friends then.

[limewave]

What did you do???? Now I am interested.

I was with a group of parents discussing new policies at our elementary school. The conversation started down a Parent vs. Teacher path (I hate that!!!). One parent said "I know my kid better than anyone else, they don't know what's best for my child."

Granted, as parents, we do know our kids best. But we also love them fiercely which can cause us to see things with rose-colored glasses occasionally. Furthermore, we interact with our children in an entirely different way than what is required in a classroom setting.

I merely suggested that teachers have a lot of training and years of experience working with children. That teachers work with many kids at different levels. After working with our kids and observing them, they would have valuable input as to what needs/path/education really is best for our children. We should consider our teachers great assets and respect their training, experience, and value their advice.

There was complete silence and I saw a lot of steam rising from some very red faces . . .

[OakLeaf]

I'm so sorry SheFly. I'm glad you had the chance to say goodbye.

[Blueberry]

((((((Shefly)))))))

Dear Summer:

Go away. 90% humidity and 91 degrees is not acceptable in early May. Come back, if you must, in July and August.

[indysteel]

I'm so sorry for your loss, SheFly. My thoughts are with you and your family.

[snapdragen]

I'm so sorry Shefly, it's good you were able to say goodbye. ((hugs))

[emily_in_nc]

I'm sorry for your loss, Shefly. Grandmothers are so special -- I miss both of mine a lot.

[Crankin]

Dear Limewave:

+ a million
My own children used to chastise me for coming to their baseball games, sitting apart from the other parents, and grading papers. I had to explain to them that I did it because I didn't want to get into one of the discussions like you had. Every conversation started and ended about teachers. I always wondered, gee who is talking about me right now?
One of my esteemed bosses had a favorite saying: "the deadliest place for a teacher is the soccer field on Saturday morning."

And, this is why when I go to school meetings now, I always preface it with "I was a teacher for 30 years," so they don't think I'm one of those therapists who only sees the good side of a kid for 1-2 hours a week.

[lph]

Actually, soccer games Saturday morning are deadly places for parents too... I couldn't believe the amount of mean gossip and eye-rolling going on about the parents who weren't there, and why they weren't there, and how could they possibly not support their children... (like, for example, they have three other kids, work on weekends, have better things to do or just don't feel that their child's wellbeing depends on them watching them run around on a football field four times a week?)

It's amazing how many people feel the need to judge others harshly based on very little information.

[limewave]

Dear Limewave:

+ a million
My own children used to chastise me for coming to their baseball games, sitting apart from the other parents, and grading papers. I had to explain to them that I did it because I didn't want to get into one of the discussions like you had. Every conversation started and ended about teachers. I always wondered, gee who is talking about me right now?
One of my esteemed bosses had a favorite saying: "the deadliest place for a teacher is the soccer field on Saturday morning."

And, this is why when I go to school meetings now, I always preface it with "I was a teacher for 30 years," so they don't think I'm one of those therapists who only sees the good side of a kid for 1-2 hours a week.

I've taken to walking laps around the soccer field during practice. If DS is with me, I play with him on the playground or take him on little walks until DD is done. I purposefully separate myself. I don't like getting drawn into gossip. Its very easy to slip into that kind of talk.

These same parents got all uppity with me when I mentioned I was trying to organize a U8 pick-up soccer night at our house and trying to arrange carpool for soccer camp this summer. I was told I was a pushy, over-reaching soccer mom. I was ticked. DD asks me to play soccer with her, literally, EVERY night! She begs me to play with her and to have friends over to play soccer. But none of her friends want to play. I'm just trying to create opportunities for her. Sheesh!

[Crankin]

No, they're the crazy soccer moms, in the stereotypical sense of the word. They probably haven't seen the outside of a gym for exercise, well ever.

LPH, that too. I was one they talked about :). I went to as few games as possible, and only attended a lot because my DH traveled then. These people are just insecure and living through their kids. The only thing I feel bad about is not going to more of my son's bike races. I wasn't into cycling until near the end of his racing career, and before that, I saw it as an intrusion into my weekends. I think he still hates me for some of that.
I have had the same experience at health clubs, with people talking about instructors. As a former one, I don't indulge in that talk and I feel badly. If I don't like someone, I don't go to his/her class.

[solobiker]

Shefly, I am sorry for your loss. I hope this does not come across as insensitive because it is not meant to be....I have seen it many times where I work that often when the time is "near" the loved one is usually "waiting to let go" until they see their family members or friends. It is hard to explain via this post...but it is often very comforting for the person nearing the end and as you posted she did know you were there which I am 100% sure she loved and comforted her. She will always be with you. {{Hugs}}

[Catrin]

Dear Bike Shorts and Bib Shorts,

You fit perfectly last year. I am the same weight as last year. Why are you suddenly fitting a bit loose? Please get with it and do your job! I am already putting 260 pounds on the squat machine - I know my thighs aren't getting smaller and I've already spent my 2012 bike clothes budget...

Thankfully I DO still have the pair of bib shorts I bought last year that were a bit small...

[lovelygamer]

Dear Bike Gods: Teach me well this summer, before I keel off my bike cycling in the hot sun.

Dear Body: Please note that from last week on out through the summer, I am going to cycle 30+ per week and you could damn sure help me out on the scale since I am seriously overweight. OKAY?

Dear Boyfriend: Please stop worrying that I am going to be that 100 lbs super wiry and energetic cyclist lady we saw at breakfast last week (who you have now dubbed "crazy bike lady").

It'll never happen because yes, I like a challenge and yes I'm into getting fit but 1) I'm too lazy to be energetic about a 30 mile ride at 8 a.m. on a Saturday 2) my body type is curvy, not petite so I will never be wiry, nor 100 lbs. Lastly, dear boyfriend please don't hate me if I do get a little crazy about cycling. I kinda do like it.:rolleyes:

Thank You Very Much:D

[Eden]

...... that 100 lbs super wiry and energetic cyclist lady we saw at breakfast last week (who you have now dubbed "crazy bike lady").

hmmmm I resemble that remark..... interesting to know that make me a candidate for crazy

[lovelygamer]

hmmmm I resemble that remark..... interesting to know that make me a candidate for crazy

I didn't mean harm, that's just HIS opinion as a non-cyclist. I don't think anyone with a passion is crazy. Serious cyclist inspire me, even as a non-competitive person.

[malkin]

Crazy isn't necessarily bad, and to me anyway, it isn't a synonym for 'mentally ill.'

[marni]

hmmmm I resemble that remark..... interesting to know that make me a candidate for crazy

oh didn't you know that we are all in here for insanity not stupidty.

[Owlie]

Eh, any one of us could be labeled "crazy" by non-cyclists. ;)

Also, boys are weird. I've heard a number of friends say that their boyfriends freaked out when they started exercising. "Noooo! I don't want you to be all muscley!" I don't know where it comes from, but it's silly.

[Crankin]

My "regular" friends think I am "crazy." I just laugh. They could tolerate me going to the gym and even working there, but cycling? It was OK for my son and DH. When I started cycling, they thought I was nuts and putting myself at risk. Too hard and dangerous.
What guys think muscles are weird? Is this a younger generation thing? The old guys in my riding group like women with muscles....

[malkin]

...
What guys think muscles are weird? Is this a younger generation thing? The old guys in my riding group like women with muscles....

Wasn't this also value in the late 19th- early 20th century? Once my grandmother got mechanized cooking, cleaning and laundry technology, she barely had to move anymore, and society saw that as a good thing.

So for the younger generation to flirt with it--I guess it is about time.

[lovelygamer]

Eh, any one of us could be labeled "crazy" by non-cyclists. ;)

Also, boys are weird. I've heard a number of friends say that their boyfriends freaked out when they started exercising. "Noooo! I don't want you to be all muscley!" I don't know where it comes from, but it's silly.

Yep, my boy is one of those too. He likes girls that are curvy and soft. To each his own, as they say.

[indysteel]

My "regular" friends think I am "crazy." I just laugh. They could tolerate me going to the gym and even working there, but cycling? It was OK for my son and DH. When I started cycling, they thought I was nuts and putting myself at risk. Too hard and dangerous.
What guys think muscles are weird? Is this a younger generation thing? The old guys in my riding group like women with muscles....

I don't see it as a generational thing or as something with historical roots (although maybe that explains it in some cultures). Rather, I think a lot of men, and people in general, are resistant to change, especially change that stands to highlight their own issues. How many people out there would prefer their partner remain overweight and out-of-shape because that enables them to stay the same way? I can also imagine that many men are threatened when their wives start getting in shape, for fear that they might leave or attract added attention from other men. I'm generalizing this to men, but I'm sure there are women who fear the same things.

I also think there are plenty of men--and women--who perceive muscular women to be less feminine. We at TE may realize the stupidity in such notions, but they persist regardless.

Even within healthy and evolved body attitudes, I think there's room for respectful differences of opinion. I prefer to look toned and lean, rather than really muscular. Not that I could achieve the latter, but I'm not after a bodybuilder's body for myself...but I respect the right of others to pursue the body they desire for themselves.

[limewave]

Yep, my boy is one of those too. He likes girls that are curvy and soft. To each his own, as they say.

DH likes me curvy and soft. Which is awesome. Part of me feels really "fat" when I line up next to the sinewy, lithe women at races. But DH is constantly affirming my physique . . .

[L-Bell]

Dear egomaniacal middle-aged man:

Thank you for reminding me of the importance of kindness and humility by being totally lacking in both in your role as “shepherd” on a training ride yesterday.

First you made fun of a lady who fell after getting tangled up in her clips, then you mocked my voice after I yelled out a safety call, then you rode behind me while talking loudly about “riding inefficiently, for example, THAT girl, who for some reason is in the SMALLEST front gear and pedaling too hard”, so that I had to turn around and say “excuse me, but are you talking about me? And why aren’t you offering to help me instead of talking about me to someone else?”.

You then refused to describe how to better utilize the gears, even after I explained that it was my 3rd time ever on a road bike and while I hadn’t mastered the terminology, we both knew I was referring to the left gear shift and how to better use it and I’d appreciate any advice you could give me, but you instead said things like, “LEFT and RIGHT are not terms that mean anything when talking about a bike – there are no LEFT and RIGHT gears – the aim is to ride EFFICIENTLY”.

Your role was to offer encouragement and support and you instead chose to humiliate and belittle. Next time at least wear a shirt that fits so no one has to look at your sweaty exposed lower back for 2 hours.

[Blueberry]

Hang in there, L-Bell! Thankfully, NOT all group rides are like that....

(and there are very good, knee protecting reasons that you might should be in your little front ring and upper range of the back cogs - most beginners ride in too hard a gear from the little bit I've observed) :)

[L-Bell]

Thank you, Blueberry... I don't know what's worse, his behavior or the fact that I let it get to me! I was actually having fun for the first 20 mi, relaxing and keeping the pace, not falling (my main goal), chatting with friendly strangers - then had to do the last 7 while trying not to cry. Oh well. Phooey on him.

[emily_in_nc]

Aw, that stinks, L-Bell. Try not to let it eat away at you. There are jerks everywhere. I let things like that bother me too, but I know intellectually they are NOT worth either of our life energies!

Good for you for getting out there and riding. You'll learn all the terminology in time. In the meantime, welcome to Team E, and the longer you hang out here, the more you'll learn. This is an incredibly supportive group of women, and we won't treat ya like that cycling snob, promise. :)

[lph]

What a stupid, pretentious a$$hole, L-Bell! And probably not very much past newbiedom himself. The most expert people I know are usually the ones that are the best at gently rephrasing their advice, again and again, until they're understood.

I poke fun at my sailing friends who refuse to use the words right and left as soon as they step on board a boat (- I mean, what's best in an emergency, having your doofus non-sailing buddy swing the boat in the right direction, or keeping to the correct nautical terms and having a boom thwack you in the head?), and threaten to start using "drivetrainside" and "non-drivetrainside" on them :D

[lovelygamer]

Goodness L-Bell, that sounds horrible. How is a person ever going to learn to group ride with someone teaching using that attitude? I would be so discouraged but try not to let him get to you. Your obviously willing to learn and be open. Hopefully he won't charge at you like that again.

[Bethaney]

Dear tidy bowl man,
Could you please design a toilet seat that automatically goes down on its own. Men find it far too difficult to do this small task on their own and we're sick of falling in the toilet.

http://adollablenursery.yolasite.com/
http://craftwhiz.blogspot.com/
http://trailerparksoap.blogspot.com/
http://scrawlbawl.blogspot.com/

[Owlie]

Dear egomaniacal middle-aged man:

Thank you for reminding me of the importance of kindness and humility by being totally lacking in both in your role as “shepherd” on a training ride yesterday.

First you made fun of a lady who fell after getting tangled up in her clips, then you mocked my voice after I yelled out a safety call, then you rode behind me while talking loudly about “riding inefficiently, for example, THAT girl, who for some reason is in the SMALLEST front gear and pedaling too hard”, so that I had to turn around and say “excuse me, but are you talking about me? And why aren’t you offering to help me instead of talking about me to someone else?”.

You then refused to describe how to better utilize the gears, even after I explained that it was my 3rd time ever on a road bike and while I hadn’t mastered the terminology, we both knew I was referring to the left gear shift and how to better use it and I’d appreciate any advice you could give me, but you instead said things like, “LEFT and RIGHT are not terms that mean anything when talking about a bike – there are no LEFT and RIGHT gears – the aim is to ride EFFICIENTLY”.

Your role was to offer encouragement and support and you instead chose to humiliate and belittle. Next time at least wear a shirt that fits so no one has to look at your sweaty exposed lower back for 2 hours.

What a tool!

[Crankin]

A shirtless rider wouldn't have been allowed to ride with either of the 2 groups I ride with. That's just gross and dangerous, too (road rash, anyone?).

That guy sounds like every stereotype of a roadie that could be imagined. What an azzhole.

[malkin]

Ew! L-bell, you can find a better group ride.

[Catrin]

Uuugh, what a ba$*@*d L-Bell, you can find a ride with a better leader than that... I would find that quite stressful myself and wouldn't be able to relax so I am glad you were able to enjoy part of the ride. His behavior was totally uncalled for. I've run across a couple of roadies like him, but only a couple.

Congratulations on your group ride and on getting out there with your lovely new bike!

[OakLeaf]

Ugh L-Bell. What an a-hole.

Not only would I find another group ride, if this one is sponsored by a larger club, I'd report the leader. It's true there are a few clubs that are that way through and through, but most club leadership wouldn't find that kind of behavior acceptable.

Glad you were able to find some enjoyment in the ride anyway, and hope you find a better group to ride with soon.

[alexis_the_tiny]

Dear kooky companies that make massage chairs and equipment,

Secretly, I thank you for existing, especially after that lady in the massage place nearly punctured my skull and backbone with her fingers and elbows while trying to work out my muscle knots. Not only has your back massager cushion thingy has worked out all the knots in my back from my bike, it does not cost me 30 bucks a pop and I can have it rub out the knots as many times as I need to in a day so my back can relax. Also, you have been the reason for my insanely rapid recovery in these few weeks of training. If they don't sell your products overseas, I'm definitely buying a massage chair to bring with me when I migrate.

Dear student,

I am SO proud of the progress you've made in the last couple of weeks. Baby steps, but these are the steps you will take to fulfilling the amazing potential we all see in you.

[L-Bell]

Thanks so much for all of the encouraging words. Luckily, that was my last "mandatory" training ride for this upcoming 100-mile charity ride. (Being new, I had to complete 2). I'm doing the ride with a small team of GREAT people, so now I can relax and just ride with them on my own time to prepare. When I told my own team leader about it, she was horrified and said she had a similar experience on her 1st training ride with this group, and she was going to email the organizer ASAP to share my story.

Geesh. You really don't expect to be a victim of what I can only call bullying as an adult woman!

"Drivetrain-side" has been cracking me up, lph, as have many of the other dear so-and-so stories. This is the 1st time I've ever participated in an online forum - I'm more of a post-reader than a post-er (which I've been jokingly told makes me a "stalker"?) - but what a great place to get started. Looking FW to reading all the info I can and probably asking a few questions soon too.

[lph]

Dear woman trying to sell a used sleeping bag,

I know it's a high-falutin' expensive down bag, and I know that it costs twice as much new as you're asking for it now. But you haven't been able to sell it for 2500 for 6 weeks, and couldn't even answer my two simple questions about it. So when I say politely that my budget is only up to 2000 and ask if you're willing to sell it for that, you COULD just say "sorry, no".

Instead of a snotty "Everybody tries to haggle. And I think it's worth 2500." Well, I think your karma just bit you on the butt, because I'm sure not buying from you.

PS. I got such a kick out of finding out that you're a Feng Shui consultant. Hmm, now what was all that about "positive energy flow"? :D

[indigoiis]

I never vent, but I feel like I could cry.

Dear Passive-Aggressive co-worker in the next cube.

It could be tourettes.
But more likely, it is just your personality and ill health.
White noise helps some, but not enough. You are driving me crazy.
Burp. Excuse me. Burp. Excuse me. Sigh. Sigh. Burp. Excuse me.
All. Day. Long.

You talk out of one side of your mouth to anyone who asks that you love your *new* job, and then you ***** about it all day long. You hated your old boss and you *LOVE* your new bosses yet you compare your new bosses to your old bosses under your breath.

I can't get any work done. Your burping, sighing, hacking up guk, complaining, muttering to self, humming and hemming is just - I'm going insane. Insane, I tell ya. I get to the end of the day and I rush out to listen to traffic and sirens. Anything. And then, to make things worse, I find myself doing this at home:

{little cough} "oh, excuse me."

Arrrgerereererrrrrgh!!!!

I guess it's time for the noise cancelling headphones.

Sincerely,

Near tears since you moved next door... :confused::mad:

[indysteel]

Oh my, indigoiss. That sounds just awful. I spent a weekend with a friend of a friend once who burped constantly, sang random songs just barely under his breath, and generally exhibited a lot of nervous tics and behaviors. I almost went off the deep end before the weekend was over. He's a nice guy; just pretty strange. I can't imagine putting up with it every work day. Ugh.

[Blueberry]

Dear 61% of the voters in my state:

You suck. You really suck. I've never been this ashamed of where I live. Blergh.

Dear BIL:

We are moving in 10 days. I know we're a convenient pit stop on your drive, and I'm trying to accommodate you. I'm sorry that I asked you to bring a blanket and pillow because all of the extras are packed. And I'm sorry that all I can offer you is a futon. However, it would be really nice if you could tell me at least a few hours ahead of time whether you're planning to come, or whether it's too much trouble to stay with us since your 2 passengers might not leave room for said items. We do have a life, and I don't have time for it to be on hold for you all day tomorrow. You're too old for this cr@p. You do it every.single.time.

[Catrin]

((Blueberry)) - sorry to read of the additional stress from the family. BTDT, hang in there.

Yikes Indigoiis, that isn't fun at all. Noise canceling headphones are great...I've found I can't hear my phone ring when they are turned on though - they work that well. I solved that by moving the phone where I can see the blinking light when it rings.

As for me, I am more than a little depressed. It/I will be fine, I just need to get out for some serious riding time in the next few days - it's just related to a couple of hard choices. A combination of bike endorphins and vitamin D will help :)

[Crankin]

Catrin, are you doing OK?
I've never heard you say you're depressed before...

[Catrin]

Catrin, are you doing OK?
I've never heard you say you're depressed before...

Yes I am, just dealing with the consequences of some choices I made that have come to a head. I used to have major problems with depression but not for a long time - and I know myself well enough to know this is "just" situational. Bike endorphins and sunshine will help. The details don't matter, but it helps to have a place where I can acknowledge it and keep moving forward as I do what I need to do. Amazing what a difference that makes.

[OakLeaf]

((((((Catrin)))))) Hang in there, hope you get some good bike time soon.

[indigoiis]

Catrin, I feel for ya. Bike time will definitely help. And thanks for the suggestions!

I started using simplynoise.com yesterday after I posted that... and man, as dubious as I was, it really helps. I also moved my monitor to a different part of my desk so now I am facing the cube wall where cubemate is on the other side. I put a mirror above my monitor so that I can see people enter my cube. I hope it works. It seems to be working a little so far.

She swears a lot too. Loudly. That, I still hear.

But I feel kind of badly because I think she really does have Tourette's.

I wish she would get a bike. :o It would probably help her.

[alexis_the_tiny]

(((((Catrin))))) Feel better soon. Depressed is a sucky place to be in.

Indigoiis, that burping? Sounds like my parents on a bad day. They both have GERD and a bad day goes like "Urp. Excuse me. Urp. Urp. URRRRP. Urp. Urp" with the occasional dry heaving thrown in. Oh and the hiccups too. It happens so much I've gotten used to it. But yes, definitely noise-cancelling earphones help. I believe somewhere out there exists these ear plugs with white noise, those might be helpful too. And discreet. :D

[Owlie]

(((Catrin)))

[emily_in_nc]

Dear 61% of the voters in my state:
You suck. You really suck. I've never been this ashamed of where I live. Blergh.


Ridiculous, isn't it? Still, I was very proud to see that Orange County voted NO by 79% to 21%. And the entire Triangle (Wake, Durham, Orange, and Chatham) voted NO. Since I'll be returning to that area before too long (I hope), I'm proud to inhabit a tiny bastion of sensibility in a sea of ignorance and fear.

Hope your family issues are behind you soon. You have really had more than your share to bear in that department!

Where are you moving, if you are willing to say? PM me if you like! :)

[SadieKate]

Dear 61% of the voters in my state:

You suck. You really suck. I've never been this ashamed of where I live. Blergh.

Dear Blue - I'm very glad to know you're part of the 39% who understood the widespread ramifications. Hang in there with the BIL.

~SK

[Veronica]

Dear Coworker;

Do you really think you have been "given" a "bad" group of kids for the last four years? Seriously, I am tired of hearing that I have all "the kids who care", "all the supportive parents", "all the kids who can think". And that it's been this way for four years now.

Maybe it's not the kids. Whenever I tell you about something cool going on in my class, you say, "Oh, my kids couldn't do that." Have you tried? Yeah, we talked about Pythogorean Theorem in class the other day. Most of the kids didn't get the formula, but they loved seeing it work when they drew out right angles with sides of 3 and 4 and 6 and 8. So what if it's a 7th grade standard. :D It's your job to teach them to think. That means pushing them out of their comfort zone.

When we meet to divide out classes for next year, you better voice your concerns. You're the one who thinks things have been done unfairly in the past. Although I took two of your "bad" kids from last year and have turned them around and you have repeatedly said some of my students would drive you batty!

Veronica

[Crankin]

Oy.
I hear my own voice from year's past.

[indysteel]

Dear in-laws, when you call and no one answers, please just leave a message and your son when call back at his earliest convenience. Do not keep calling back at half hour intervals. The fact that you leave a message that merely states you will be calling back in a half hour is annoying. It's even more annoying that you leave a message stating the same thing with each call. I know you may find this difficult to hear, but he/we sometimes have other things to do than chat on the phone with you. You two need a hobby.

[limewave]

Dear in-laws, when you call and no one answers, please just leave a message and your son when call back at his earliest convenience. Do not keep calling back at half hour intervals. The fact that you leave a message that merely states you will be calling back in a half hour is annoying. It's even more annoying that you leave a message stating the same thing with each call. I know you may find this difficult to hear, but he/we sometimes have other things to do than chat on the phone with you. You two need a hobby.

That is annoying . . . along the same lines:

Dear Inlaws,
Do you really have to call every day the second DH walks through the door? You guys work together all day long, can't the work take a break for 60 minutes so DH can have a chance to see his kids for a few minutes before they go to bed? I know its difficult to believe, but "the business" will not fall apart if you wait an hour to call. Sheesh.

Dear DH,
Is it that hard to tell your dad you'll call him back after the kids are in bed? That's all I'm asking. The kids are only conscious for a handful of minutes by the time you get home (if you even get home before their bedtime). Can't you spend that precious time with them? It's really not that much to ask and it means the world to them.

~Limewave

[lph]

Dear DH,
Is it that hard to tell your dad you'll call him back after the kids are in bed? That's all I'm asking.

Oh, that sounds familiar... My always-helpful, always-polite dh is forever coming home late even if we've arranged a set time "because he met x in the door" or "got a phone call as he was leaving". I have never understood why it is so hard to just say "Sorry! I was just leaving. Can it wait until tomorrow?"

*sigh*

But then, I'm the cranky one who won't even pick up the phone if I don't feel like talking. Send me a message, that's why mobile phones were invented.

[indysteel]

But then, I'm the cranky one who won't even pick up the phone if I don't feel like talking. Send me a message, that's why mobile phones were invented.

In the last couple of years, I've gotten really hostile when it comes to talking on the phone. I used to sort of enjoy it on some level when I was single, but now I just see it as intrusive. I rarely call anybody and I rarely get calls myself. So, when the phone rings, I know it's likely my inlaws. Not that I begrudge them talking to their son, but they're just so dogged about it.

[lph]

It IS intrusive! When the phone rings, for some reason you're expected to drop anything else you might be doing, stop talking to whoever you're already talking to - who might even have taken the trouble to actually come over and visit in person, turn off any music you might be listening to or movie you might be watching, hop to it and take the phone, to talk to whoever fancied chatting with you right now, because they're bored in a car or something.

Heh, no wonder no-one ever calls me.

[OakLeaf]

That's the beauty of cell phones - ringtones specific to the caller. Even if you have a landline, you can forward all calls to your cell and get that functionality.

My phone lets me route numbers straight to voicemail. DH's phone doesn't, but this (.wav file) (http://www.wavlist.com/movies/172/mat-dontrun.wav) is the ringtone he's assigned to numbers from known spammers. :cool:

[Blueberry]

The BIL is gone. Yay! Ended up not staying with us because of the blanket pillow requirement (chose to stay in his friend's empty house instead). He did, however, insist that he wanted to take us to the most expensive restaurant in town because he wanted take us out (despite our protesting for more modest fare). He then stuck us with most of the bill. Nice. My DH has got to get better about telling him no - I can with my family, there's only so much I can do with him. The fact that his training plan is wrecked because said brother insisted on going and lifting (this is his current "fitness") and he didn't say no might help teach him a lesson. Thankfully with no long lasting damage.

On the phone issue - I definitely hear you all. I detest talking on the phone. If I don't recognize the number, I won't answer. We're in the process of getting rid of our home number, so right now it forwards to both of our cell phones. My mom will call my cell phone, call the home phone, call my cell phone again, and never leave a message. She then gets irritated when I don't automatically call her back based on the missed calls. She knows it rings the same phone. She always wants to talk at someone (I can say 10 words in a 30 minute conversation) when she's in the car. She hangs up when she gets to her destination, and never has time to talk to anyone when she would otherwise have to interrupt her life. I've gotten very good at not answering the phone - otherwise it's 30-45 minutes a day of her complaining. I feel for my grandmother - she starts and ends every day with my mother's calls, but won't not answer because she feels it would be rude. She doesn't enjoy the calls.

[Veronica]

I hate phones. I hate that my students have cell phones. Birthday cake boy who has the mom who texted him during class, was sending texts after school to one of my girls, which she ignored. She finally got sick of it and texted him to stop texting her, she was busy. He replied, "Suck it!"

How nice.

Veronica

[emily_in_nc]

I hate phones too, and ironically, I worked in the telecom industry for 25 years on telephone software -- things like call forwarding, call waiting, and all those "fun" things that phones can do now that they couldn't do many years ago.

Of the gals I worked with, most of us hated phones! Very strange. But yes, they are intrusive. Before email came along, they were much more necessary than today. I thank the computer gods for inventing email. And I thank the mobile phone gods for inventing texting. Anything to avoid an actual call!

This is one thing I love about Belize. Texting is pretty popular, but other than that people just don't use phones all that much. The only calls we ever get are either wrong numbers or notification that we have a package at the tiny airport cargo area. That's pretty much it. We make a call maybe once every two weeks to inquire about a package, make an appointment, or something. I have never made nor received a "social" call here. Everyone here communicates primarily on Facebook, it seems, to set up meetings, meals together, etc.

[indysteel]

I'm glad I'm not alone in my hate of the telephone. I rarely get phone calls anymore; they dropped off a lot after I married a couple years ago. My family never calls me (and I rarely call them). DH mostly gets calls from work and from his parents. For some reason, their phone calls get on my nerves, even when they don't involve repeated calls and voicemail messages.

I'm not sure why their calls to him bug me so much. Part of it, I'm sure is that I'm jealous that his parents pay at least some attention to him, as mine mostly just ignore me. But I think it goes beyond that. They just seem so obligatory on both ends, and that makes me kind of sad for everyone involved. My husband and his parents don't talk weekly because they actually have anything to say to one another or something meaningful to discuss (unless their weekly visit to Subway is "meaningful"). Rather, they appear to be driven because of some shared parent/adult child obligation. It would be nice if their conversations were born from something deeper and more genuine. It just seems really superficial to me. Maybe that's normal; I don't know. I have so little normal in my own familial relationships.

[spokewench]

The BIL is gone. Yay! Ended up not staying with us because of the blanket pillow requirement (chose to stay in his friend's empty house instead).

I must have missed something here? The Blanket Pillow Requirement? What is that????:D

[alexis_the_tiny]

Dear local postal service,

for the last time, might I remind you just how RIDICULOUS it is that I have to send an email to London to find out that my package is indeed in Singapore? All because you 'attempted to deliver' my parcel and yet somehow choose not to notify me in any way of the 'attempted delivery' and then let my stuff sit in your warehouse until I email the merchant in LONDON to find out all of the above. And by the way, your customer service rep's excuse that you do not leave delivery notifications like the regular mail service does when a failed delivery has occurred because you 'do not know if have a mail box'? When you consider that this is a country where [I]everyone with a legit mailing address has a mailbox within 1km of their residence? It's so ridiculously stupid I don't even know where to begin. *Headdesk*

Well, at least my wetsuit is here. I'm finally ready to race in Onset. It's a NICE wetsuit too. Yay. :D

[Blueberry]

I must have missed something here? The Blanket Pillow Requirement? What is that????:D

We're moving in just over a week. All the extras are packed and in a storage unit. He got quite ticked when we asked him to bring his own (we do still have sheets and a futon). He said he wouldn't have room in his car because he would have passengers (he ended up with none) and then traffic was too bad to swing by his condo and pick them up as he was leaving. Spoiled brat.

[indysteel]

Your BIL sounds like a tremendous piece of work, Blueberry. I'm glad you got rid of him, although who the heck "treats" someone to dinner and then sticks them with the bill? That's awful.

[Pax]

Back from our vacation to Cancun... it was two days of heaven followed by three days of hell. We both got so sick we ended up catching a early flight home to see the doctor. Got home today around 1:00, went to Convenient Care and got some drugs, home to bed. We either have salmonella, e coli, or both.

On the plus side, my second good day I got to do a swim clinic with Diana Nyad, it was wonderful!! She told me I have an excellent stroke. :)

[indysteel]

Pax, I'm so sorry you got so sick on your vacation. I hope you're both feeling better now.

I'm stoked that Diane paid you such an awesome compliment. Very cool!

[Catrin]

Pax - hope both of you are feeling better soon!

Dear Mom's Oncology doctors,

I just learned this morning you think my Mom's lung cancer has returned...in exactly the same place as before. I also understand you think there is a chance that it is only scar tissue from her two surgeries in November and from the MRSA infection that came out of the first surgery. Give her good news in June, ok? She's already had cancer twice so she needs a serious break and she is really tired of people telling her that she has cancer. I also can't come this time, so she can't get bad news without her eldest there...

[indysteel]

(((Catrin))). I sure hope it's just scar tissue. Keeping you and your mom in my thoughts and prayers.

[Trek420]

I hate phones too, and ironically, I worked in the telecom industry for 25 years on telephone software -- things like call forwarding, call waiting, and all those "fun" things that phones can do now that they couldn't do many years ago.

.... I thank the computer gods for inventing email. And I thank the mobile phone gods for inventing texting. Anything to avoid an actual call!

+1. Don't get me wrong; I'm glad there are phones but 17 years with da' phone company in customer service on the phone all day, every day, non-stop, like one endless call ... took days after work before I could stand to make a personal call. Maybe by Sunday evening. :o

Where is the statue to the person who invented caller id? Emily? Did you invent it? Thanks! :)

(((Catrin & Catrin mom))

[Roadtrip]

Awwww Cat.... (((( hugs ))))

Keeping you and mum in my thoughts!

[Blueberry]

((((Pax)))) So sorry about your vacation being cut short - but amazing complement! Keep up the good work.

((((Catrin))))) Sending hopeful thoughts that it's just scar tissue.

Indy - He is a piece of work. He's 30 and a perpetual frat boy. There are so many more stories - and more to come. He just proposed to his girlfriend, we we have a giant, formal church wedding to look forward to:rolleyes::rolleyes:

[emily_in_nc]

]
Where is the statue to the person who invented caller id? Emily? Did you invent it? Thanks! :)


Nah, I'm not nearly that smart! But I did make tweaks to it from time to time when it was broken on certain phone sets. :D

[emily_in_nc]

((((Pax)))) So sorry about your vacation being cut short - but amazing complement! Keep up the good work.

((((Catrin))))) Sending hopeful thoughts that it's just scar tissue.

Indy - He is a piece of work. He's 30 and a perpetual frat boy. There are so many more stories - and more to come. He just proposed to his girlfriend, we we have a giant, formal church wedding to look forward to:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Wheeeeeeeee...won't that be fun!?!?! NOT! :(

Ditto on your condolences to Pax (getting sick on vacation is the WORST!) and Catrin (hope it's NOT the big C again, your poor mom!)

[Owlie]

Pax, I'm glad the first bit of your vacation was good, at least. Sorry about the bacteria, though. I hope you both feel better!

((Catrin+mom)) Yikes. Good thoughts for both of you, and fingers crossed that it's scar tissue.

[OakLeaf]

(((((((Catrin & mom))))))) Sending good thoughts her way.

Pax, bummer about the vacation, but such a cool compliment! Hope you both feel better soon.

Blueberry, hang in there with the family and the moving. Just ugh.

[Crankin]

Hoping for your mom to have good news, Catrin.
I am enjoying my time in Grand Junction so much. Today is Richard's (actual graduation (former exchange student). Hard to believe it's been 10 years. We met his dad, finally and his mom and uncle will be there today. His girlfriend has a huge family. It's like the UN here; English, Spanish, and German spoken, and everyone is nice.
Too bad my real family isn't like this.

[Pax]

(((Catrin))) Hoping the best for you mom.

[Pax]

Pax, bummer about the vacation, but such a cool compliment! Hope you both feel better soon.



As we were laying in bed feeling absolutely awful, I'd turn to my honey and say "I have an excellent stoke", we'd both smile wanly and go back to sleep. :p

[Owlie]

Dear self: Put that SPF lip balm in your saddle bag before you forget...

[indysteel]

As we were laying in bed feeling absolutely awful, I'd turn to my honey and say "I have an excellent stoke", we'd both smile wanly and go back to sleep. :p

Pax, you crack me up. Your sense of humor is right up my alley. My own honey and I have taken to saying "parp" randomly to one another thanks to you!

[crazycanuck]

(((Catrin)))..sure hope good news is on the cards for june

Dear legs,
Good work today at the 1/2 marathon & thank you for working in the manner I wanted. I wanted 2:20 & ended up 2:21.

Dear Tummy butterflies...wrong time to come to the party...good thing for dense bushes at the exact right time...:(. We need to figure out a way to get food into you during an event without you going south or making me feel funny.
I got the best of you though & kept on running :p

[Pax]

Pax, you crack me up. Your sense of humor is right up my alley. My own honey and I have taken to saying "parp" randomly to one another thanks to you!

:D I just said PARP! to my honey and she cracked up. We may be sick but we still have our sense of humor.

[malkin]

Dear friend/colleague who died:

You are probably the only Mormon Stake President friend I will ever have, and I wouldn't be surprised if I am the only communist colleague you ever had.

I liked working with you; I learned a lot from you; I miss you.

Whatever it is that you've got now, I hope it is good for you.

[badgercat]

I'm sorry for your loss, malkin :(

[Catrin]

Malkin, I am sorry for your loss.

[Sky King]

Dear self: Put that SPF lip balm in your saddle bag before you forget...

Hear you! digging through my bike bag on Saturday only to discover the lip balm didn't make the transfer - Paying for it now - we were riding the oregon trail and my lips matched the pioneers for sure

[OakLeaf]

Malkin, I'm so sorry for your loss.



Lip sunblock is one of my collection of "small things" that goes into a jersey pocket, along with tiny jars of chamois cream and regular sunblock, and a gel and a Zenergize tablet for longer rides. It all just lives with the rest of my gear so it's ready to go when I am. Things in my seat pack aren't very accessible, so that's reserved for "in case of" stuff like flat, chain and cable repair; space blanket; and Epi-Pen. Anything I actually expect to need or want on a ride goes in a pocket.

[indysteel]

Malkin,

I'm so sorry about your friend and coworker.


Dear stray cats: Why do you keep finding your way to our house? Do you have some sixth sense that we'll care for you? Well, it's off the vet you go this week if the stars align. So, please show up Tuesday evening so that we can capture you for surgery on Wednesday. We've named you Petunia since you like to help us with our yard work. You're a very sweet and friendly kitten; I sure hope we can find a forever home for you.

Dr P: Thanks for being such an awesome vet. You have quickly become our favorite vet and that's saying a lot because all the vets at your clinic are great.

[Reesha]

Dear Anthropologie,

Thank you for making this strapless dress.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QSJNLtHKXEo/TwnSNhI8I3I/AAAAAAABJL8/ojuj4VAL-HQ/s400/Bike%2BLane%2BDress%2Bthis%2Band%2Bnext%2Bat%2Banthropologie.com.jpeg

LOVE.

[Owlie]

I'm sorry for your loss, Malkin.





Lip sunblock is one of my collection of "small things" that goes into a jersey pocket, along with tiny jars of chamois cream and regular sunblock, and a gel and a Zenergize tablet for longer rides. It all just lives with the rest of my gear so it's ready to go when I am. Things in my seat pack aren't very accessible, so that's reserved for "in case of" stuff like flat, chain and cable repair; space blanket; and Epi-Pen. Anything I actually expect to need or want on a ride goes in a pocket.

I'm putting it in the bag because it's the sort of thing that I'm not terribly used to carrying around and odds are good that it'll end up in the wash!

[Blueberry]

I'm putting it in the bag because it's the sort of thing that I'm not terribly used to carrying around and odds are good that it'll end up in the wash!

As long as it doesn't end up in the dryer, it's all good:)

[alexis_the_tiny]

Malkin, I'm so sorry for your loss. Big hugs.


Dear universe, why is it that you keep insisting on sending me guys who dump my a** and then return a few hours later to demand me back and then get peeved to an extreme point when I refuse? Did I somehow fail that test the last time and you felt you needed to retest to see whether I've grown a spine? If you'd like to explain yourself, now would be a real good time. You're making the whole crazy cat lady gig seem so much more...agreeable.

[OakLeaf]

I'm putting it in the bag because it's the sort of thing that I'm not terribly used to carrying around and odds are good that it'll end up in the wash!

:D

The other advantage of having it live with the rest of my cycling gear is that it automatically comes out of the pocket when I'm done with a ride. Take off shoes, helmet, HR strap, sunglasses with mirror, and gloves; empty pockets; all of it goes into the mesh backpack so it's ready for next time.


The only difficulty is when I'm in marathon training and I bring the lip moisturizer and sunblock along on long runs, too. I don't use enough of either to have a third tube (the "first" set of containers lives in my purse) - they'd just go rancid - so I do have to remember to transfer them from my running vest to the cycling pack. But that usually happens roundabout the time I start missing the weight of my Epi-Pen in my purse. Another thing I don't have three of ... one lives in my seat pack, and the one from my purse comes along when I run.

Okay you're right, it is more to remember than I thought. :rolleyes: At least the pack guarantees I'll keep track of all the dedicated cycling stuff. :rolleyes: And it's only an issue for about six weeks in each marathon training cycle.

[skhill]

Dear self,
Be sure to look at the labels on the spice jars. Apricot-mustard scones are not nearly as appealing as apricot-ginger...

[limewave]

Dear self,
Be sure to look at the labels on the spice jars. Apricot-mustard scones are not nearly as appealing as apricot-ginger...

oh no . . . .
I made oatmeal yesterday morning with raisins and Cumin (should have been cinnamon). Yuck.

[Pax]

Being a crappy non-cook has it's advantages... my only spices are salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cinnamon, all in their store packages (except the salt) so they look really different. :p

[Owlie]

Dear self,
Be sure to look at the labels on the spice jars. Apricot-mustard scones are not nearly as appealing as apricot-ginger...

Yuck! I once put cayenne pepper on a waffle instead of cinnamon. It was....interesting.

[spokewench]

Malkin,

Dear stray cats: Why do you keep finding your way to our house? Do you have some sixth sense that we'll care for you? Well, it's off the vet you go this week if the stars align. So, please show up Tuesday evening so that we can capture you for surgery on Wednesday. We've named you Petunia since you like to help us with our yard work. You're a very sweet and friendly kitten; I sure hope we can find a forever home for you.



I get this completely! I took in a stray black cat last year - he is very sweet. I almost came home with another cat from the downtown tennis courts this weekend. I was the captain and host for a league match on our downtown tennis courts and I was done with my matches early and was watching the rest of my team, and all of a sudden a beautiful long haired siamese looking cat with the bluest eyes just ran right up to me in the grass and plopped at my feet with a big meow! I, of course, started petting it. It had a collar and two tags, but the tags had no address. I was busy for a while and the cat took off, but now I feel like I need to go over and check on the cat to make sure it lives across the street in the houses across the street and was not a stray.

[Blueberry]

Dear Lenovo & IBM Support Contracting for Lenovo:

I'm glad to have discovered your complete lack of professionalism and customer service of late. You sold a defective laptop to my DH for his work. It spontaneously rebooted constantly after 6 weeks of use. It's been back to you four (yes four) times for repair. You have wasted his time, been rude to him, and otherwise been a PITA (and he's been without his computer longer than he was actually with it, thanks to your incompetence). You suggested a remedy that would have made him happy (a refund) only to now decide that you can't do that and he'll have to settle for a replacement.

I'm really glad that I know this now - when I replace my current computer in the near future, it will not be with one of your products. I'm also glad his co-workers know this before they make a final selection for their next large order.

Signed,

Caveat Emptor

[OakLeaf]

Dear cordless power tool/outdoor equipment company,

Women actually use your products. My hands are small-ish but not SUPER small. It shouldn't be such a freakin' hassle to reach both sides of the battery at once to disengage the latches from the tool. I'm hoping these batteries last a long time, it p*sses me off when batteries don't last (yes, I'm talking about you, robotic vacuum company), but I surely hope that your next generation of batteries is designed to better accommodate smaller hands.

[Reesha]

Dear Marissa at Serfas,

I can't believe how awesome you are. First you entertained my ridiculous request to see if you guys have a long defunct pair of Force 5 sunglasses in clear blue with rose lenses. Then when you didn't find it in the computer, you literally went into the warehouse and dug through boxes of sunglasses until you found a pair. And then you called me back and offered them to me for a 50% discount.

I broke my pair of clear blue Force 5's in a car accident in 2006 and my second pair didn't have the rose lenses but I broke those in 2008 somehow. I guess I just didn't love them as much without the rose lenses. My day is MADE. You are the best. Now I can ride across the USA in some rocking brilliant blue sunglasses, and see properly on cloudy days! THANK YOU. I will send a letter to the company to tell them how awesome you are.

[Blueberry]

Dear New Landlord:

You rock! And you are an amazing, awesome person (and who I want to be when I grow up). Thank you for restoring my faith in humanity!!

[emily_in_nc]

Dear New Landlord:

You rock! And you are an amazing, awesome person (and who I want to be when I grow up). Thank you for restoring my faith in humanity!!

YAY! You really deserved something really positive in your life. Sounds like you got it. :p

[indysteel]

YAY! You really deserved something really positive in your life. Sounds like you got it. :p

+100. I'm really glad your faith has been restored, Blueberry!!

[malkin]

Dear (((TE friends)))

Thanks.

[skhill]

Dear fellow local citizens,

I'm disappointed in all of us. The sample ballot for next week's primary was in the paper today, and, thanks to our closed primaries, there's no reason to show up. Only 2 things will appear on my ballot: I can choose between Pres. Obama and "uncommitted," and between my beloved state senator and a candidate who has withdrawn from the race (and so votes for him will not be counted). That's it. Everyone else, down to city council, is running unapposed. We can do better than this.

I think the sec. of state's prediction of 10% statewide turnout is optimistic... What a way to run a democracy.

[Pax]

skhill, that is just sad isn't it? Although I can see why no one wants to run, I was asked to run for city council about ten years ago, I told them no way in hell. I wasn't about to have my entire life made public in the local press.

[indysteel]

skhill, that is just sad isn't it? Although I can see why no one wants to run, I was asked to run for city council about ten years ago, I told them no way in hell. I wasn't about to have my entire life made public in the local press.

God help me, but I live in a county where nearly every single elected official is from one political party. And it's not my party. I won't reiterate the myriad of reasons that I hate where I live, but this is near the top of the list.

[Becky]

I can't wait for the day that we have open primaries in my state.

[skhill]

Open primaries, that would be wonderful. Can't help wondering how much it's costing the state to put on this election. There are some contested races btw, just not here, or in my party...

Good news, there are no political ads running!

[indysteel]

Dear Mom,

you really suck, you know that?


Yeah, I'll go back and delete this soon. Not yet.

OMG; I was just typing out a not-so-kind letter for this thread about my own mother. Hugs to you, lph. As you know, I understand all too well.

[lph]

Thanks indysteel, I appreciate it. Hugs right back at you.

[alexis_the_tiny]

Dear self, get a grip. This is a difficult time but there is no need to smoke, drink, keep late nights and then attempt to squeeze training into it somehow. It doesn't work. Plus, might I remind you, you've been warned about becoming asthmatic. Smoking does that no favors. School starts next week, get your act together. Now.

[OakLeaf]

(((((((alexis))))))) Sorry you're having it so rough. Hang in there.

[malkin]

God help me, but I live in a county where nearly every single elected official is from one political party. And it's not my party. I won't reiterate the myriad of reasons that I hate where I live, but this is near the top of the list.

I live in a STATE where this is the case.

[OakLeaf]

Let me take a wild guess what your district boundaries look like... (about like ours I'm sure, probably no different anywhere)

[malkin]

Let me take a wild guess what your district boundaries look like... (about like ours I'm sure, probably no different anywhere)

Salt Lake City got gerimandered to pieces, like the center of a pinwheel.

[indysteel]

I live in a STATE where this is the case.

Yeah, the state isn't radically different as a whole, but there are pockets where there are other viable choices. Until three years ago, I had always lived in one of those pockets. Not anymore. :(

[shootingstar]

Smoking does that no favors. School starts next week, get your act together. Now.


Alexis, let us know how cutting smoking goes for you. Sooner to banish, the better. It gets harder 10, 20, 30 years later in life.

[alexis_the_tiny]

Shootingstar, it's actually not too bad, I'm mostly a social/situational smoker, so I only smoke when things get highly stressful. I've been able to quit cold turkey with no problems. This time, though, my body is giving me the extra kick to quit by becoming extremely irritated with cigarette smoke.

[Reesha]

Dearest Uncle!

You must be excited to see me racing after all those years we watched you climb through the categories. The fact that you decided to gift me your Louis Garneau Gennix R1 (http://www.louisgarneau.com/ca-en/product/308147/2304208/Elite/GENNIX_R1_FRAMESET) frame to build up is evidence enough. This saves me... welp... let's just say the price of the frame alone exceeds what I expected to spend on a complete bike. I shall enjoy giving it life again :)

[Owlie]

Dearest Uncle!

You must be excited to see me racing after all those years we watched you climb through the categories. The fact that you decided to gift me your Louis Garneau Gennix R1 (http://www.louisgarneau.com/ca-en/product/308147/2304208/Elite/GENNIX_R1_FRAMESET) frame to build up is evidence enough. This saves me... welp... let's just say the price of the frame alone exceeds what I expected to spend on a complete bike. I shall enjoy giving it life again :)
WOW!

Dear body:
Core work. Got it.

[VeganBikeChick]

Dear apartment managers,

Raising the rent by $250/mo? Really?! And not including parking? Much as I hate to move, I think you'll have a vacant apartment soon.

[Pax]

Dear apartment managers,

Raising the rent by $250/mo? Really?! And not including parking? Much as I hate to move, I think you'll have a vacant apartment soon.

Holy cow, that is a huge increase!! :eek:

[Pax]

Dear TE Gals,

I see Mr. Bloom is back and has picked up right where he left off... dispensing advice freely. I've made no secret of the thought that I dislike men invading womens spaces, and I especially dislike him and his antagonism towards his ex-wife who was a long standing member here. So, it's time for me to take another powder. You gals take care.

Pax

[OakLeaf]

Dear Pax ... I totally hear you, but we'll miss you. It had been a while since I'd seen postings by anyone on my ignore list too...

[indysteel]

Dear TE Gals,

I see Mr. Bloom is back and has picked up right where he left off... dispensing advice freely. I've made no secret of the thought that I dislike men invading womens spaces, and I especially dislike him and his antagonism towards his ex-wife who was a long standing member here. So, it's time for me to take another powder. You gals take care.

Pax

This makes me very sad.

[Catrin]

Dear TE Gals,

I see Mr. Bloom is back and has picked up right where he left off... dispensing advice freely. I've made no secret of the thought that I dislike men invading womens spaces, and I especially dislike him and his antagonism towards his ex-wife who was a long standing member here. So, it's time for me to take another powder. You gals take care.

Pax

You will be missed Pax :(

[Reesha]

Dear TE Gals,

I see Mr. Bloom is back and has picked up right where he left off... dispensing advice freely. I've made no secret of the thought that I dislike men invading womens spaces, and I especially dislike him and his antagonism towards his ex-wife who was a long standing member here. So, it's time for me to take another powder. You gals take care.

Pax

This makes me sad too :( Can you put him on Ignore?

[Blueberry]

This makes me very sad.

Me too.

[Blueberry]

Dear Powers that Be:

Thank you for letting our house close. We are most relieved to NOT own property for the first time in 10 years. Our rental is lovely and cute, and we are very happy with it. As a rental.

Dear Buyer:

Did you really have to make us move part of the recycling because the bin was too full just before closing? It's unfortunate we're just across the street, because after this process, we never, ever want to see you again. You are the queen of petty sh$%.

Signed,
Your neighbor who will be ignoring you

[lovelygamer]

There's a Mister here?:eek:

[indysteel]

Congrats on selling your house, Blueberry! I feel for you in terms of dealing with a PITA buyer. Thankfully, I was pretty lucky with the man who bought my house, but the people who sold us our house and their agent tested my patience, and I've heard some real horror stories over the years from a good friend who is an agent. It takes all kinds.

But you're free now! Woot!

[Crankin]

I hesitate to say this, but if you don't want to see someone's comments, put them on ignore. There have been a few posters whose comments upset me (mostly of the political/religious variety) and a few that just seemed to be indicative of some deeper problems, which actually bother me more. Mostly, I just don't read them, but there is a reason for the ignore function.
Yes, Lovelygamer, a few males have hung out here. I don't have a problem with it, as I value their comments as much as anyone else's, as long as it's on topic. If I felt there was anything creepy, I would ignore or tell the admin.
I don't do any other forums or read blogs, so this is the only virtual world I know.
I am betting there are other males who read TE, they just don't post. I actually found this forum because my DH told me about it, after he ordered me a pair of rain pants for our first tour.
Just my opinion, of course. I keep my thoughts about others here to myself, as I would in any social situation. Now, if I meet you in person, that might change what I say :).

[indysteel]

Dear Pet Gods and Goddesses: Please nudge the person who's potentially willing to rehome our little stray cat in the right direction. She's the sweetest little cat and they would be so lucky to get her.

[Veronica]

Thank you Crankin. You posted my thoughts that I had just not been able to articulate in a positive, polite way.

While I do not have any people on ignore, I have LOTS of threads on ignore. :p

Veronica

[Artista]

I agree with Crankin and Veronica. I've read some interesting and appropriate posts from the only two men that I'm aware of on TE. These men also have the good sense to avoid posting in the sensitive, female topics.

[Blueberry]

But you're free now! Woot!

We are so happy for this!! Thanks for all of the support:) It's been a trying time for us, for sure.

I feel for the buyer - I actually think the pain may have been her agent. She didn't know she needed to have insurance on the house. They had to make a call from the closing table to get her emergency house insurance. I have a hunch that home ownership will not go smoothly for her.

[indysteel]

We are so happy for this!! Thanks for all of the support:) It's been a trying time for us, for sure.

I feel for the buyer - I actually think the pain may have been her agent. She didn't know she needed to have insurance on the house. They had to make a call from the closing table to get her emergency house insurance. I have a hunch that home ownership will not go smoothly for her.

Oh my gosh; how could you not know this?

The agent our seller's used was a piece of work. She was hyper-sexual and had a very notorious reputation for using her sexuality at every opportunity she had (and if she didn't have one, she'd make one up). DH was a little offended that she didn't hit on him. :p

[Veronica]

Dear Co-Teachers;

Today is the day we divide out students for next year. You need to step up to the plate and voice your concerns; I will not be your mouthpiece. This passive-aggressive stance of yours is driving me crazy. If you really think there is a hidden agenda, you need to vice it.

By the way, we are not all the same. I have never once said, "My students can't do that." or "That's too hard for my kids." I don't "get" all the thinkers; I create the thinkers. You don't hold your students accountable for setting goals and working toward them because you don't "have time" to do that weekly. Have you ever considered that the acoountability piece is why my students care about their learning?

Veronica

[Crankin]

+ a million
The thing I disliked most about teaching was this type of drama. Of course , I was accused of " thinking like a man."
Therapists are kind of wimpy, too. I am very empathic, but all of a sudden, I am seeing the same thing I did in teaching: take this case, we need someone who can handle it.

[Veronica]

I haven't heard that I think like a man yet. :D

But for years it's been: you get all the good kids, you get all the kids who can think, you get all the kids who care, you get all the supportive parents...

I think my approach to teaching is very differenty from my peers. I don't do things for my kids. They make up first day of school care packages, have pizza parties as a reward fpr things students should just do...

They don't have the kids set goals for themselves or talk about how to get better. The kids aren't invested in their learning in their classes.


Veronica

[PamNY]

Mostly, I just don't read them, but there is a reason for the ignore function.

What is the "ignore function"?

[Veronica]

Under thread tools - you can choose ignore this thread.

Veronica

[Catrin]

Dear Mom and Niece,

Please stop squabbling like pre-teenagers, which neither of you happen to be. Niece, your grandmother just learned she has cancer for the third time - cut her some slack - that is enough to stress anyone out. Mom - you are considerably older than her, you don't have go to her level when she says something. She doesn't know how to deal with all of this but she really does love you, and I know you love her.

Dear Body,

You are under a great deal of stress, that is a given, and some of which I am responsible for. That is life sometimes. It will get worse over the next few months as I deal with it but it WILL pass if you hang in there. Live with it, please, and allow me to sleep. That will help, I promise you. Sleep is good. If you let me sleep, then I promise that I will ride as much as I can within reason to help out. Not that I don't anyway but it is still a promise.

Dear Legs,

Hang in there, you are improving greatly and I am being careful to stretch you as you like. You enjoy riding as much as I do, so I appreciate your cooperation.

Thank you.
Me

[emily_in_nc]

We are so happy for this!! Thanks for all of the support:) It's been a trying time for us, for sure.

I feel for the buyer - I actually think the pain may have been her agent. She didn't know she needed to have insurance on the house. They had to make a call from the closing table to get her emergency house insurance. I have a hunch that home ownership will not go smoothly for her.

Congrats on the sale going through, but too bad you have to have her as a neighbor. How clueless can you get? Not knowing about homeowners insurance? Isn't that something her realtor should have clued her in on? Seems like we knew about it from our very first home purchase back in 1985.

Hope things go smoothly for you from here on out and you don't have to see her too often. Having difficult neighbors is trying indeed -- we've certainly been there more than once.

[laura*]

She didn't know she needed to have insurance on the house. They had to make a call from the closing table to get her emergency house insurance. I have a hunch that home ownership will not go smoothly for her.

Might I suggest that your check to make sure the various utilities have been switched over to the buyer? If she had no clue about insurance, then she might also have no clue about water, electricity, natural gas, trash, and maybe even cable and phone service.

[Blueberry]

Might I suggest that your check to make sure the various utilities have been switched over to the buyer? If she had no clue about insurance, then she might also have no clue about water, electricity, natural gas, trash, and maybe even cable and phone service.

We asked our agent if we should, and she said no. We disconnected them in our name on closing day. Whether she has turned them on really isn't our issue (she hasn't moved in yet - maybe she doesn't want them on? who knows.).

[limewave]

Dear Tree that Grows Money,

Please drop a couple thousand my way so I can buy this bike (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Spot-Rocker-Single-Speed-29-Mountain-Bike-15-Belt-Drive-Avid-Easton-/170848022166?pt=Mountain_Bikes&hash=item27c755ee96#ht_3185wt_852).

Thank you,
Limewave

[Catrin]

Dear Tree that Grows Money,

Please drop a couple thousand my way so I can buy this bike (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Spot-Rocker-Single-Speed-29-Mountain-Bike-15-Belt-Drive-Avid-Easton-/170848022166?pt=Mountain_Bikes&hash=item27c755ee96#ht_3185wt_852).

Thank you,
Limewave

Very nice indeed!

[limewave]

Dear Tree that Grows Money,

That was fast!!!!!!!
Hmmm, while I'd really like to buy the bike, I should probably put this money towards bills or something. Even so, Thanks!!!!!

~Limewave

[SheFly]

Dear Tree that Grows Money,

That was fast!!!!!!!
Hmmm, while I'd really like to buy the bike, I should probably put this money towards bills or something. Even so, Thanks!!!!!

~Limewave

Oh - can you send me some of that tree? As you saw, I do have a new bike that needs some help...

SheFly

[malkin]

Dear Tree that Grows Money:

I'm sure we could make room in the garden to plant you if you need a new home.

If you bring along the Tree that Grows Spare time, I swear we will make room for 2 new trees.
Love and Kisses,
malkin

p.s. the little hawthorne tree says it would be happy to furnish a recommendation.


Why not? It worked for limewave!

[Owlie]

Dear bank:
I paid that bill. I don't know what your problem is, but I paid it. Hopefully by tomorrow afternoon you'll have gotten yourself straightened out.

[Crankin]

Dear DS,
I can't believe you were stupid enough to be riding your bike home in the dark, with only your "to be seen light." You don't live in the middle of the city anymore. Yea, and riding down a hill at high speed, in the dark, and hitting a pot hole= crash.
I'm sorry you have lots of road rash and are sore, but I am pissed at you. And dad just made that classic Serotta look very nice. He will not be re-doing the silver bar tape you like so much.
I will call you tomorrow, when I have calmed down. This is worse than when I caught you riding down Scribner Hill without your helmet when you were 12. You are almost 30.
Love,
Mom

[Owlie]

Oh no! Is he otherwise okay?

[lovelygamer]

Dear Legs: GET USED TO IT!

Dear National Bike Challenge. I'm going to hit gold tomorrow. Please draw my name for a new Trek or other bike. My seven speed hybrid isn't going to be enough for ever. TYVM!

[alexis_the_tiny]

Dear powers that be,

you suck. An hour after I send my kids off for the summer holidays telling them I will see them again next term, you come to me and tell me that with effect from next term, I will be teaching another class? COME ON. It's the middle of the year, do you not care about the fact that teachers take a lot of effort and work to bond with their classes to make progress at all? Jeez.

Dear justice system,

you ALSO suck. What justice? 4 WEEKS in jail for a guy who KILLED one person and severely injured another while driving drunk? And then running away and failing to render assistance DESPITE the fact that he is a DOCTOR. A DOCTOR. I don't care what you think about his advanced age and contributions to society. He deprived another person of the opportunities to ever contribute to society and you dare cheapen the life of the person he killed like that. Disgusting.

[Reesha]

Dear Team E Ladies!

Please help me choose a cycling cap:
#1 I used to live in Belgium:
http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.325271884.jpg

#2 Rainbows are fun! Also I will be a champion when I'm done with my big ride:
http://img2.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.325270630.jpg

More hats here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/RotheraCycling?ref=seller_info

What do you think?

[Catrin]

They are both great, I do like the rainbow a little better than the first cap. I looked at the link you provided and I think you chose the best two on the page. Ordinarily I wouldn't go for a white cap but I like the contrast!

[Becky]

Belgium gets my vote!

[Crankin]

Yea, my son is OK, but that is second hand through DH. He got up and rode home, all bloody and let his wife clean him up. But, he is sufficiently sore enough and with enough road rash that he had to take yesterday and today off of work.
I will call and check today that he checked his helmet and gets a new one. I think the bike is fine, just cosmetic damage. The bike has been in our family since 2001, and DS #2 raced on it as a junior. DH spent all winter giving it an overhaul and actually ended up buying new wheels and a cassette, as well as a nice tune up, since DS just seems to be very hard on his bikes (he's been riding it for 2 years).

[SheFly]

Crankin' - glad to hear that DS isn't too badly hurt. Sounds like a pretty nasty fall. Good reminder for those of us who push the limits of daylight sometimes ...

SheFly

[Sky King]

Crankin, I so hear you. Glad he is okay and hopefully a bit wiser from the fall. Our DS managed to get both of his bikes stolen within 3 months of each other. Bikes we had given him and it has been really hard not to be resentful. Of course he has zero money (student) and we aren't about to replace them for him. Once a mom, always a mom

[limewave]

Crankin' Glad he is okay!

[Catrin]

Crankin, I am so glad your DS is ok!

[Crankin]

I just spoke with him. He was in CVS, looking for gauze to cover his arm. He sounded slightly annoyed I was concerned, but it's my job. He did say the bike is perfectly fine and he did not fall anywhere near his head, the helmet is fine.
We'll see how quickly he gets back on the bike.

[OakLeaf]

Oh boy. Glad he's OK. (although ... gauze on road rash? :eek:)

[Blueberry]

Oh boy. Glad he's OK. (although ... gauze on road rash? :eek:)

So long as it's the non-stick kind. Sometimes there isn't anything else I've been able to find to cover it (DH's crashes - and one of my own).

[PamNY]

Crankin, glad your son is okay.

[malkin]

Crankin, Ach! Boys!

Reesha, I wear a rainbow one under my helmet to proclaim, "I am the world champion of this here commute!"

[Crankin]

I think he wanted it so as not to gross out friends and co-workers. He remembers when DS #2 went to school many times with serious oozing road rash after crashing in races (not supposed to cover it, right?), and caused several of the girls at Acton Boxborough Regional High School to nearly faint.

[Owlie]

Glad he's okay.

Dear self:
Go get the burrito. Then go somewhere to study, or something. It's hot in here.

[skhill]

Dear fellow church members,

Yes, I almost always get to church by bicycle. Why do you find that strange? With the short distance, stop lights, and parking issues at our downtown cathedral, the bike is generally quicker door-to-door. Even if it weren't, the bike's more fun than the car.

I think it's weird that of the 800 or so that worshipped at our place this morning, only 2 of us came by bike. And I know that some of y'all live within 2 miles-- isn't it strange that you're wasting money on gas driving someplace so close?

[marni]

Dear fellow church members,



I think it's weird that of the 800 or so that worshipped at our place this morning, only 2 of us came by bike. And I know that some of y'all live within 2 miles-- isn't it strange that you're wasting money on gas driving someplace so close?

They must be Iowans- apparently Iowans don't like to go anywhere they can't drive. I felt like I was taking my life in my hands yesterday to walk from the hotel the mile to a drugstore for some necessities and back. No sidewalk, walking from parking lot to grass to parking lot and in the shoulder on the bridge across the freeway.

An occasional worn down foot path in the grass and weeds but few and far between.
drugstore had a sidewalk that started on one side and ended at the other side by running into the highway.

Very strange

[Bethany1]

Crankin,

So glad your son is okay and made it home safe. Bet his wife isn't real happy with him either. LOL. My husband was so mad when he came to the hospital from my accident, it was kind of cute.



Dear Powers That Be,

I found on Craigslist some tires for my Mukluk. Please drop 125 my way via the items I'm selling on CL or have money fall from the sky.

If you really insist I use any money to pay the hospital bill, I understand, but bike stuff is way more fun.

[Crankin]

Skhill, what do you wear when you go to church services on the bike?
I am just wondering. It took me years to be able to even walk into the sanctuary of my synagogue in pants (:eek:, I know, this brands me as very old fashioned). While nobody gets super dressed up anymore, there is an expectation of, let's say, wearing work type clothes, not jeans. I couldn't go into a Friday night service in my cycling clothes! Do you wear regular street clothes?

[Catrin]

Skhill, what do you wear when you go to church services on the bik
I am just wondering. It took me years to be able to even walk into the sanctuary of my synagogue in pants (:eek:, I know, this brands me as very old fashioned). While nobody gets super dressed up anymore, there is an expectation of, let's say, wearing work type clothes, not jeans. I couldn't go into a Friday night service in my cycling clothes! Do you wear regular street clothes?

I was wondering the same thing, but maybe you live close? I would love to do the same but live about 14 miles away, no place to store my bike and even if I didn't sing in the choir I have the same problem Crankin has.

[skhill]

Skhill, what do you wear when you go to church services on the bike?
I am just wondering. It took me years to be able to even walk into the sanctuary of my synagogue in pants (:eek:, I know, this brands me as very old fashioned). While nobody gets super dressed up anymore, there is an expectation of, let's say, wearing work type clothes, not jeans. I couldn't go into a Friday night service in my cycling clothes! Do you wear regular street clothes?

Street clothes, absolutely. It's only 1.5 miles, after all. Yesterday I was wearing a knee-length skirt (with compression shorts underneath), and had dressy shoes in my trunk bag. Between choir and verger duty, I'm usually in a cassock for services anyway, and you can get away with almost anything under a cassock, as long as the shoes are presentable...

[Crankin]

OK, that's what I thought. I would have to invest in some longer skirts I could wear cycling shorts under or bring a change. It's anywhere between 7-9 miles and hilly, so that means sweaty.
Maybe that would get me back to going there...
I did ride my bike to a special service by a pond where we symbolically "throw away our sins" during Rosh Hashanah. It was only about 3 miles from my house and I wore regular cycling clothes. Let's just say it was kind of distracting, especially when the rabbi had to come over and pick up my bike to see how little it weighed :).

[SadieKate]

Dear FedEx:

Your green campaign is a joke. Sending a package to Oregon, up to northern Washington, and back to Oregon is at least 370 miles of fuel-burning idiocy.

~SK

[limewave]

OK, that's what I thought. I would have to invest in some longer skirts I could wear cycling shorts under or bring a change. It's anywhere between 7-9 miles and hilly, so that means sweaty.
Maybe that would get me back to going there...
I did ride my bike to a special service by a pond where we symbolically "throw away our sins" during Rosh Hashanah. It was only about 3 miles from my house and I wore regular cycling clothes. Let's just say it was kind of distracting, especially when the rabbi had to come over and pick up my bike to see how little it weighed :).

In situation like these, I find that some nice golfing clothes work well. Alot of the tops are dressier and yet cooling and wicking. A nice skort or longer skirt over bike shorts or liners and a nice bondi band (http://www.bondiband.com/) to keep the sweat off the face and the hair in line--and you're good to go!

[Crankin]

I have a couple of "polo" style casual cycling shirts, and yes, I've seen some of the cool looking golf clothes in the Athleta catalogue. I think my Athleta "whatever" skort would be perfect, I wear it to work. But, I just can't ride without chamois. My azz and other parts just are not tough enough.

[tulip]

Dear Dishwasher Repairman #2,

Please fix my dishwasher and don't charge me too much. The first guy apparently didn't know what he was doing the three times he's been out to fix it, and I've already dropped way too much cash into this thing. I certainly won't use them again, even though I try to support local businesses. I've basically not had a consistently working dishwasher since December...I grew up without one so I do know how to wash dishes in the sink, but I sure prefer to have a dishwasher!

If its a big fix, I might as well get a new one, and it most likely will not be another Bosch.

Signed,
Madge

[snapdragen]

Dear former coworker. I no longer work there, I am not available to answer your work related questions. Our fine employer did not see fit to give me the promised promotion, so I left. I'm certainly not going to work for free now. Stop emailing me with light breezy messages, then drop a "Oh, how do I do this..." question at the end.

[lovelygamer]

Dear Friday afternoon drivers. I'll be heading for home in three hours. Please don't honk, yell or aim at me this Friday. Last Friday, you scared me to death and almost knocked me down. Thanks.:(

[tulip]

Dear Dishwasher,

You haven't worked in weeks, and you haven't worked consistently in six months. So why is it, when the repair guy comes out to fix you (or replace you), you suddenly hum along like a new machine? I bet when I load you up with dirty dishes, you'll find some excuse to not work again...

-Madge

[Reesha]

Dear murdering sob raccoons who keep raiding my backyard/ chickens at 4 am,

You may have gotten one last weekend while the AC unit was on, but now I have an alarm system permanently armed (my sheltie) and as you discovered this time I am not afraid to streak across my backyard in my underwear throwing bricks and swinging a 2 x 4. May your lesson be learned quickly. Otherwise there may be a humane trap and a less humane end in your future.

[solobiker]

Dear young children in the neighborhood, I know you have fun on your little electric car...but please try to stay off of our garden area and grass area. I spent quite a bit of time trying to make it look nice, spent quite a bit of money and we have sprinklers in there too. Your parents should be out there watching you I would think..(They range in ages from 4 to 8). I spoke to you last night when I stopped you from going up and down the sidewalks and I am sure your parents are mad at me know because DH saw you walking up and down the sidewalks with your kids shortly after I spoke with them. Why do I have to be the "mean" lad on the street.:(

[Trek420]

Dear Family of cyclists on the MUT,

I know you love riding.

I know you love your family.

Can you please find a more reasonable, sensible, less idiotic and moronic way of doing it than the one I saw you demonstrate today?

Lots of options to choose from depending on age and ability of the fruit of your loins: trailers, trail-a-bikes or the less equipment intensive formation of a parent in front, parent in back and the 3.5 children or however many there were riding in between parental units.

Whose bright idea was it to tie the entire party and their bikes together with ropes as if you're heading for an assault on Mt Ranier, ice picks in hand, crampons on the boots, all set for crossing the crevasses?

Yet there you were in formation at the side of the trail your Walmart bikes each tied stem to stern with nylon rope. :rolleyes:

I hope I don't read in the news tonight any one of a myriad of disasters I could imagine:

:eek: little Timmy falls, drags entire family into Lake Washington ...

:eek: little Sally strays left and knocks out blind runner and her dog ...

Or maybe this was some 20/20 experiment like the "What Would You Do?" series and I should have stopped to ask "Uh, are you sure you want to do this??"

I hope someone does.

I hope one of you looks up, sees a trail-a-bike and says "Honey? Can we get some of those?" Maybe a cycling family will stop and show you the ropes so to speak.

I regret not stopping to talk with you but hope you get the idea for your and my safety.

[solobiker]

Wow Trek..although I am not suprised..:o I just don't get people these days. I feel kind of bad about talking to those kids last night.. ( read my above post) but then again I don't because they were damaging things in my yard. I tend to be non-confrontational so I always feel real bad when I do and always second guess myself. Maybe I need to move away from everybody and everything..:o I keep telling my husband that one day I am going to be "the crazy cat lady" :p

[Trek420]

I could not believe my eyes. I've seen and done some crazy things in my life but never this on a bike. :rolleyes: The kids are likely roped together because their parents feel they lack some intrinsic basic cycling skills. They are small kids, of course they do. :rolleyes:

How can the parents not envision the possibilities of what momentum + traffic + kids who can neither brake nor handle a bike + Cervello TT riders on the MUT for whom anyone slower than them becomes a travesty will become?

How did these two make it to adulthood and reproduce?

Take the kids out one by one and teach each one to ride. There's another sensible idea. :rolleyes:

[indysteel]

Dear coworkers: I know; the automatic lights that we now have in the various spaces in our office are pretty nifty. There's no need to turn on the light when you go into a space; it just goes on automatically. And it will turn turn off automatically, assuming it doesn't detect any movement, in ten minutes. But, you do realize that you can still manually turn off the light, right? So, when you go to get something out of the supply closet, why not just turn off the light instead of letting the auto-feature turn it off ten minutes later? I know you're not that lazy, right. :rolleyes:

[screeve1]

Dear Cigarettes,

For the love of all that is good and natural, leave my senses alone. I must break free of you at once and for all, forever. Why do I continue to crave your poisonous puffs? Especially now, with my aunt just out of the hospital, on oxygen probably for the rest of her life - because of YOU! You're some kind of botanical demon, offering temporary satisfaction that only leads to pain and suffering in the end. I have to be strong, stronger than you. I will not let you defeat me. Victory will be mine. I truly believe that by trusting in Spirit, I will overcome this.

Screeve1

[skhill]

Trek, I've seen some pretty dumb things on the bike path, but that takes the cake. Just curious-- was anyone wearing a helmet?

Dear VFFs,
You have spoiled me. After all the hours running in you and walking you, I can't bear to put on women's dress shoes. My toes expect space and freedom! And now, I hurt if I try to run in non-minimalist shoes. Just a spontaneous .25 miles with a bouncy dog in the park, and my ankles were aching the next day.

[Trek420]

Trek, I've seen some pretty dumb things on the bike path, but that takes the cake. Just curious-- was anyone wearing a helmet?

Good question. I was too shocked to check. I'll go back out there and see if there's 5 tiny ghost bikes all roped together. :confused:

Not to make light of crashes but :eek: :eek: :eek:

[lovelygamer]

Dear boyfriend-please take heed of my advice in traffic and don't be afraid to follow me when I jump in the flow of things. I wait safe distances, use signals and go with the right of way. We should be side by side at all intersections. Last weekend, when we rode (only the second time you went with me, so I'm trying to be patient) I was in the lane we were supposed to be in and you were in the far right two car widths and lanes away from me. You were in the right hand turn lane when we were going straight. After you went straight, you continued to stay in the far right shoulder even when we were making an immediate left turn so then I had to make the turn and wait several minutes for you to get across the traffic lanes when you could have been with me the whole time! Plus, I can't look out for you when you are two car widths away from me. Oh, and you don't use hand signals so everyone probably assumed you were going to turn right. We are lucky your still alive. I hope you heeded my advice that you could get killed riding your bike in traffic like that. I told you TWICE to not be afraid and explained what the rules were. I hope you use signals when your out riding alone. I realize your new at this but be smart. People get killed on bikes all the time in our community.:mad:

[Sky King]

Dear Assisted Living Staff,
I don't find any humor with a 7am phone call to tell me my Dad fell out of bed THREE DAYS AGO. Seeing the number on my phone so early in the morning immediately brought on feelings of fear that something was wrong. Gee, ya think my short reply may have been connected to that... OH and to so flippantly request that I get him a bed closer to the floor, gee you would think I have all the time and money in the world. Okay going to drink more coffee, and get over it now.

[solobiker]

Dear Assisted Living Staff,
I don't find any humor with a 7am phone call to tell me my Dad fell out of bed THREE DAYS AGO. Seeing the number on my phone so early in the morning immediately brought on feelings of fear that something was wrong. Gee, ya think my short reply may have been connected to that... OH and to so flippantly request that I get him a bed closer to the floor, gee you would think I have all the time and money in the world. Okay going to drink more coffee, and get over it now.

That is just wrong!! I work in long term care and families should be notified ASAP when things like this happen.

[indysteel]

Dear women hikers who had their 60+ pound dogs off lead on a mountain bike trail. Are you daft? I had not one, but two, large dogs running full speed at me while you were nowhere to be seen. You're lucky no one got hurt. I was proud of myself for restraining my angry when I finally ran into you, but I really wanted to yell a few expletives at you. Idiots.

[Owlie]

Dear university:
I know there's that new financial aid rule that says I have to make satisfactory academic progress and therefore my summer aid won't be disbursed until final grades are in. Newsflash: Summer classes start MONDAY. Final grades are due Wednesday. Also: I'm a grad student. If my GPA is anything less than a 3.0, I get kicked out. "Satisfactory academic progress" is mandatory, don't you think? Jerks.

[limewave]

Dear In-Laws,

I was so excited when you called and asked what DS would like for his birthday. I gave so many suggestions: beach toys, toy guitar (this kid LOVES music!), his own hydration pack for family hikes, explorer toys like butterfly net, compass, etc. And then you asked if he'd like at truck for the sand box--while he likes trucks he already has dozens of them.

Considering that you all have only ever bought him toy trucks and he has an overflowing fleet of them, did ALL of you really need to buy him MORE trucks for his birthday? Even after you asked and I suggested something else?

10 birthday presents. 10 trucks. DS's disappointment could be seen by all. He just wanted a guitar and a hydration pack :(

Sigh.

~Limewave

DD,
Thank you for innocently saying something I could not. "Bear already has a bunch of trucks. He has that exact one! He has so many we just donated a bunch to church. Maybe we should give these to church? Why does Bear only get trucks?"
Love you kid.
~Your mom

[Crankin]

Indy, I could not have restrained myself from uttering angry swear words in a situation that compromised safety on the trail. You are a better person than me!
I've had one-two dog altercations on the road, right on my street. Dealing with my idiot neighbor was bad enough, but I was truly scared for my safety with a dog running at me. I used what I learned here on TE and it worked, but the situation didn't make my fear of dogs better. I just am not an animal lover, which I have always been hesitant to state here, but usually, if a dog is well behaved (i.e. has a well behaved owner), I can tolerate it.
People just don't think.

[azfiddle]

Limewave- you have all my sympathy!

My kids have never forgiven my mother-in-law for giving them scotch tape in a Christmas stocking (never mind we mainly celebrate Chanukah) and getting my son matchbox cars at age 12.

[malkin]

My granny always gave us weird stuff too, but these things miraculously always became useful or treasured in some quirky way.

She also took us shopping too, so there was never any disappointment.

Sorry you got kind of a clueless one.

[lph]

Oh Limewave, I know how you feel. One of DS's grandparents gives him the most clueless gifts ever, like books in a language he can't read. But it's pretty much outweighed by the others, who adore him :)

[Crankin]

I empathize with you, Limewave. My in laws once gave my older son a very expensive European made tricycle right when he turned 2, after we said he wasn't ready for one (he was not that coordinated back then). This was at a Thanksgiving dinner where my parents were there and my dad was unemployed at the time.
It caused a huge fight, with my DH reminding them we had asked them not to do this and my FIL calling my DH a f******* azzhole in front of my parents.
We didn't speak to them for 2 years after this and we lived about 5 miles away.
Lovely people.

[Reesha]

Dear Team E friends!

I am leaving for my cross-country biking adventure (American Lung Association's Big Ride Across America (http://www.bigride.org)) in less than a week (it is VERY hard to believe it's time!). I have been so humbled by the support you have shown me as a collective group and so thankful for the donations made to this wonderful cause. For those interested in following my journey, I will be posting pictures/videos/updates and thoughts from the open road on my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Larissa-Rides-for-Clean-Air/284979924902812

Can't wait to share this journey with everyone!

[OakLeaf]

Good luck Reesha, and enjoy your journey!



Dear moles,

STAYOUTTAMYGARDEN!!!!!*

*and take the squash bugs, cucumber beetles, vine borers, flea beetles, and tomato diseases with you.

Thank you very much.

[bmccasland]

Dear Project Team and in particular Project Manager,
Why do you NOT get the concept that I need a correct set of project plans for my water quality submittal package?? A project feature was added that will driectly affect surface hydrology, so it is applicable for the WATER quality permit.
The fact that the permit application is going out late is because you keep adding features. I need to submit what we're planning on building. You make changes, the application needs to change, thus causing the schedule to slip. :mad:

[chatnoire]

Dear Project Team and in particular Project Manager,
Why do you NOT get the concept that I need a correct set of project plans for my water quality submittal package?? A project feature was added that will driectly affect surface hydrology, so it is applicable for the WATER quality permit.
The fact that the permit application is going out late is because you keep adding features. I need to submit what we're planning on building. You make changes, the application needs to change, thus causing the schedule to slip. :mad:


Ugh! I hate that. Not from an engineering standpoint for me, but in a lot of projects I worked on in a previous job, every time someone would get a "great idea" they'd want to include it. If I put my foot down, I was being insubordinate. If I included it, the project would get backlogged. Design by Committee is the Worst Thing Ever.

[indysteel]

Dear moles,

STAYOUTTAMYGARDEN!!!!!*

*

Let me know if this plea to the Universe helps! We have our own army o' moles that are tearing up our back yard and gardens. We've only managed to kill one, and that was purely by chance. They're evil.

[limewave]

Dear Shopping,

I have missed you. I remember from what seems like a different life, when you and I had a good relationship. I needed a sweater so you and I would meet to resolve the situation. Or maybe one of my household appliances needed replacing. You were there when I needed you.

And then the recession and kids happened :( We had to part ways. Sure, I went "shopping." But only after saving for weeks or months even, collecting pop cans and pennies, selling valuable items on craigslist . . . oh, I got creative. And you and I only happened when it was absolutely necessary--and not without its risk and stress.

Lately I've been walking past the kids room. Hard not to notice the drapes I hung with thumbtacks in DD's room. Or the broken blinds and bed sheets covering the window's in DS's room. Depressing.

Just imagine the delight I felt when there was a little extra padding in the bank this weekend. A smidge extra because we finally paid off one more debt that had been straggling us. Ha!

I'm going shopping! I told DH. SHOPPING! I haven't uttered those words in 4 years.

New window treatments for the kiddos! There rooms look completely transformed. And no guilt or stress about counting every penny.

Now, to sign DD up for summer camp!

But Shopping, just so you know, this won't be a weekly affair. We'll have to limit our visitations for special occasions.

~Limewave.

[OakLeaf]

Let me know if this plea to the Universe helps! We have our own army o' moles

Well, yelling at the rabbits to stayouttamygarden worked. After I put 2' chicken wire behind the electric fence. :p

[indysteel]

Well, yelling at the rabbits to stayouttamygarden worked. After I put 2' chicken wire behind the electric fence. :p

LOL! I sure wish I had my childhood dog. He was a mole hunting Scottish Terrier. Our cats are useless when it comes to moles, although our newest stray brought me a field mouse last week.

Are there any non-toxic deterrrents to moles? We got rid of our chipmunks last year with a few drops of fox urine. They've yet to return!

[maillotpois]

Good luck Reesha!! Have fun and stay safe!

[bmccasland]

Dear Powers-that-Be and St. Joseph,
Would you please point someone in direction to my house in Louisiana that's for sale, and get them to make me an offer???

Please? We know why I left, and why I really do need to cut ties to the Crescent City. I'd like to go back as a happy tourist, and not as a landlord. :o

Thank you.

[indysteel]

Dear county humane society. You really have a lot of nerve. I emailed your executive director and foster coordinator a month ago asking if I could get a courtesy listing on your website--a service I know you offer--for a stray cat we were caring for. I indicated to you that we'd had her spayed and vaccinated. You also know that my husband and I similarly cared for three other strays last year, all on our own dime. You weren't particularly helpful with them, either. But it should be abundantly clear to you by now that we care about animals and have at least some disposable income with which to help them.

You never responded to my email. Yet, you had no problem sending me a letter yesterday asking for money. You won't be getting a contribution from me. I did donate to two other organizations who did offer to help me. Unlike you, they returned my emails within 24 hours and bent over backwards to help.

I've worked on NFP boards before. It's a thankless job, and I fully appreciate that you're likely stretched pretty thin. But here's the thing. When you're the NFP, you cannot afford to alienate those people in your community who are, or can be, partners and donors. You. just. can't. So, while I do care about the animals in our county, I'd prefer my money go elsewhere to help them.

[Reesha]

Dear Team E ladies of Seattle,

How you manage these crazy steep hills I will never know. I didn't know people could build on hills these steep, let alone drive a car up and down them, let alone ride a bike up and down them? A lot of people must have mountain bike gearing. This place is crazy. Incredible. Gorgeous. Crazy.

[Catrin]

Interesting Reesha, I guess it's been so long since I've been in Seattle that I had forgotten that it was...hilly. Especially THAT kind of hilly!

Dear Paperwork,

Where are you? We did this legal thing Wed evening after work and I KNOW I brought you home...but where ARE you? Actually I don't really NEED you, the deed is done, but you are making me crazy trying to find you. Ok, perhaps I didn't have so far to go but work with me... where ARE you?

signed,
Perplexed

[Reesha]

I came down some hills today that made me freeze up completely. I had to walk down them. They were ridiculous and I have a paralyzing phobia of traveling down really steep hills (car, foot, ski, bike, you name it!). I almost couldn't walk down them!

[Catrin]

I came down some hills today that made me freeze up completely. I had to walk down them. They were ridiculous and I have a paralyzing phobia of traveling down really steep hills (car, foot, ski, bike, you name it!). I almost couldn't walk down them!

I totally get this - which is why I could never even consider DH mtb - even if I did have younger bones. Nothing wrong with paying attention to that pounding heart rate though.

[Crankin]

Reesha, I totally empathize with you. I don't like steep downhills, either. I had to ride down one really steep one on our tour last summer, which ended in downtown Ithaca, NY. I was frozen at the top, with DH yelling at me to just get on with it! Yeah, and the hill ended at a stoplight in rush hour traffic. I did it, but I would have preferred walking. Oh, and it was partial cobblestones. Then there was the downhill I did walk in western MA. It was a rutted, rocky dirt road and I was on my road bike. I would have been scared on a mountain bike!

[malkin]

We lost a cyclist locally a couple weeks ago after she crashed on a descent.
Stay safe friends.

[crazycanuck]

Dear hammies, glutes & core,

Thank for doing what you're supposed to do after all these months of training!

Dear left foot,
What happened to you & is it really from my elasticky laces? I thought it would be my right foot & achilles..not the left foot :rolleyes:

Dear dearie poo,
Thank you again for being there at the 39km mark yesterday :D. You appeared right when i needed that mental support when i couldn't see the landmark for the end of the run...:o

Ahhhh, cool..funky..

I completed my first marathon in 5:15 yesterday(aim was 5hrs) & loved the challenge. Ever since being off my bike n pool to rehab the old upper body injury i aggravated last year, I thought the world had ended. By losing quite a few kg's by changing my diet & learning how to run properly, i've discovered the running bug. I love 10km & 1/2 marathon events :D.

What to do next...slowly slowly slowly get back into swimming & cycling to see how the upper body reacts. I do however, wanna run more :D

Weeeehar!

[Catrin]

Yayyyyy CrazyCanuck, sounds like you had a great time and incredible job!

[Crankin]

Great job, CC.

[Owlie]

Good job, CC!

Dear self:
No, you probably shouldn't look at applying to grad schools in Boston. As much as you liked the city, one of the two schools in the area with your program is high-stress. Also, even on a generous stipend, you'll be living in an envelope next to campus. You can put some money away and go visit instead.

[OakLeaf]

Woot CC! Way to go - congratulations marathoner!

[alexis_the_tiny]

Dear Universe,

thank you. Really. :)

Dear self,

kindly explain to me why is it that the very idea of telling your parents about something that isn't work causes you so much anxiety, it feels like a hole has been burned through your stomach accompanied by hours of thundering heartbeat. In case you haven't realized, normal people are able to talk to their parents about something else other than school or work. Really. Honestly.

[Blueberry]

Dear US Olympic Committee:

Don't you have anything better to do than harass knitters who are trying to enjoy the O------- by making their own contest out of it? Really? And you couldn't even have a lawyer sign the letter - had to be your summer intern?

Guess what I won't be watching/supporting/etc. this year. IMO a colossal example of legal stupidity.

[Owlie]

Dear US Olympic Committee:

Don't you have anything better to do than harass knitters who are trying to enjoy the O------- by making their own contest out of it? Really? And you couldn't even have a lawyer sign the letter - had to be your summer intern?

Guess what I won't be watching/supporting/etc. this year. IMO a colossal example of legal stupidity.

Seriously? They went after the Ravelympics? On the grounds that it "cheapens" the real Olympics? I'm pretty sure that none of the athletes care. What really cheapens the Olympics is the huge corporate sponsorship, the doping, and IMHO, the jingoistic flag-waving and whining that goes on in the coverage.

[alexis_the_tiny]

Dear US Olympic Committee:

Don't you have anything better to do than harass knitters who are trying to enjoy the O------- by making their own contest out of it? Really? And you couldn't even have a lawyer sign the letter - had to be your summer intern?

Guess what I won't be watching/supporting/etc. this year. IMO a colossal example of legal stupidity.

Are they serious? Because they don't have real problems to deal with? Sheesh.

[Blueberry]

Yes, they are serious. They've sent a cease and desist letter.

I agree 100% Owlie. IMO It's an example of lawyers doing what they feel they have to do to protect their brand, while simultaneously making the profession look like petty, annoying little brats. They did NOT, however, need to demean the knitting community by saying that the knitting competition insults and denigrates the athletes who have trained for years. It was very badly worded IMO.

The organizers will change the name, and things will move forward. It's just frustrating to see something that encourages people to watch the Olympics and otherwise support the athletes and completely done for fun the target of this kind of lawyering.

[bmccasland]

Dear US Olympic Committee:

Don't you have anything better to do than harass knitters who are trying to enjoy the O------- by making their own contest out of it? Really? And you couldn't even have a lawyer sign the letter - had to be your summer intern?

Guess what I won't be watching/supporting/etc. this year. IMO a colossal example of legal stupidity.

So is the Olympic Committee going to go after the PNW next? How about renaming a mountain range and a national park.

[Eden]

So is the Olympic Committee going to go after the PNW next? How about renaming a mountain range and a national park.

Perhaps the Greek government (considering their state of serious financial distress) should go after them for back royalties on the franchise....

[Owlie]

It's totally stupid. USOC went after a winery based in Washington for using "Olympic".( While the owner won that contest, it meant that she was unable to promote the wines outside that region). There was a Cafe Olympic in London that was forced to change its name. Yes, USOC has a right to defend its trademarks, but I'm not so sure it should be allowed to trademark "Olympic" and its derivatives.

Dear "friend"
Maybe I'm being overly sensitive about this, but saying "Do you want to come to a movie with us? It's at such-and-such a time, and we're meeting at this restaurant for lunch an hour before," then following it up with "OH! I wanted this to be just me and A! Do you guys mind hanging out after the movie? We wanted to talk about some personal stuff" is just rude. The whole idea was that it was a movie that several of us wanted to see. Were you planning on talking during the movie? That's pretty rude too. I get that you want time together because our adviser's immature daughter screwed up your last lunch date (or so I hear), but extending an invitation to someone else and going "JUST KIDDING, LOL!" immediately afterward is not nice. You could have just not mentioned it, or not mentioned getting lunch beforehand.
Know what? If you really don't want to associate with me outside of school hours, fine. I am increasingly regretting my choice of lab, partly due to your (unrelated) actions. I'm just going to get my crap done and get out of there.

[emily_in_nc]

Dear Couple Who Toured Our Condo Yesterday,

You seriously got my hopes up with the questions you asked our realtor after the showing. And the fact that you told your agent it was at the "top of your list". I probably shouldn't have gotten my hopes up, but I did. So, come on, make an offer! I waited all day hoping for a call that never came.

Come ON! You know you want it! :cool:

Thank you,
A seller who probably got her hopes up too high :(

[bmccasland]

Dear Colleague that apparently took something wrong and your actions blew things out of proportion:

Are you a lilly-livered weenie? :mad: Said colleague of mine that was escorted out of the building didn't deserve it. So he had a knife, um, you'd be surprised how many of us do. Yesterday I wished I had a machete - and why yes, the office bought it. I have a few blades at my desk, maybe you don't want to see the innocent looking trowels that the archeologists have. We call them tools, not weapons. We use them as tools. Not everyone in the building uses computers, calcuators, and survey rods. Some of us use other equipment.

Dear Colleague that was escorted out:
Lord God Above I hope this "situation" gets sorted out, and you'll be back. Need you to help me out with my fish stuff on my projects. But dude, you do need to keep your emotions in check. Be honest, see a doc, you don't need this emotional roller coaster. Hope to see you back to work soon. *sigh*

[Blueberry]

Dear Couple Who Toured Our Condo Yesterday,

You seriously got my hopes up with the questions you asked our realtor after the showing. And the fact that you told your agent it was at the "top of your list". I probably shouldn't have gotten my hopes up, but I did. So, come on, make an offer! I waited all day hoping for a call that never came.

Come ON! You know you want it! :cool:

Thank you,
A seller who probably got her hopes up too high :(

Emily-

I'm crossing my fingers for you:) Please post when you have news!!

[malkin]

Dear Whoever you are:

You know what would be a much better prank than stealing the solar/wind powered light out of my yard? Just come over and stick it back in. That would be so tricky!!

Honestly it would!

I miss my windmill.

[tangentgirl]

Dear Body: Nighttime is sleepytime. When I say nighttime, I especially mean around 3am. If you wake up and look at the clock and it says something like "3:21" and it's dark, that is a good sign that you should go right back to sleep, do not pass go, do not collect $200. I'll give you $200 if you just go back to sleep.

Conversely, daytime is wakeyupy time. When the alarm rings, you don't need to hit snooze for 45 minutes. The only reason you need a nap at 11:34 is because you didn't want to sleep at 3:21.

Let's review: nighttime=sleepytime. daytime=wakeyupytime. Got it? Good. Now have some coffee. It's wakeyupytime.

[indysteel]

Dear Body: Nighttime is sleepytime. When I say nighttime, I especially mean around 3am. If you wake up and look at the clock and it says something like "3:21" and it's dark, that is a good sign that you should go right back to sleep, do not pass go, do not collect $200. I'll give you $200 if you just go back to sleep.

Conversely, daytime is wakeyupy time. When the alarm rings, you don't need to hit snooze for 45 minutes. The only reason you need a nap at 11:34 is because you didn't want to sleep at 3:21.

Let's review: nighttime=sleepytime. daytime=wakeyupytime. Got it? Good. Now have some coffee. It's wakeyupytime.

Ugh; I need to have the same conversation with my body/mind. Every night, I wake up around 3:30/4 and am wide awake. I eventually do fall back asleep, but only just in time for the alarm at 5:45. It's so annoying.

[Catrin]

Dear Body: Nighttime is sleepytime. When I say nighttime, I especially mean around 3am. If you wake up and look at the clock and it says something like "3:21" and it's dark, that is a good sign that you should go right back to sleep, do not pass go, do not collect $200. I'll give you $200 if you just go back to sleep.

Conversely, daytime is wakeyupy time. When the alarm rings, you don't need to hit snooze for 45 minutes. The only reason you need a nap at 11:34 is because you didn't want to sleep at 3:21.

Let's review: nighttime=sleepytime. daytime=wakeyupytime. Got it? Good. Now have some coffee. It's wakeyupytime.


I hear you, I have this same talk with my body, but it happens at 12:30, sometimes at 2:30 as well. I get up at 4:20... Some of this is stress which seems to be moderating (finally) but that 12:30 thing is pretty consistent.