Dear So and So

Dear Neighbor who called Animal Control on me for barking dogs:

It was Saturday at 4:00 pm. The noise ordinance states that quiet hours are between 10 pm and 6 am. My dogs sleep inside. They don't bark at night, so you've never heard them. I'm sure when you peeked out your window and saw me laughing and joking with the AC officer, you were aghast. We were talking about his run-in with an armadillo, but I'd much rather like you to think we were talking about you!

By the way, I know the little white dog has a loud Beagle bark, but she doesn't live here, and she'll be gone when her owner is through moving. You would have known that, had you simply come to my door to speak with me about it, instead of calling the police (which you had to do to get an AC officer on Saturday).

And he said I was doing nothing wrong, and he could clearly see all the dogs were cared for, licensed and just having a good time, and there's no law against having four dogs, even if they were all mine. Doesn't that chap your butt?

Signed,
Dog lover, but not a moron

Tuckervill, LOL! :D

Next thing would be to walk over to her and chat *her* up about it, as in face to face, to show her how it's done :) Oy!

Dear weatehr,

You completely changed between last night and today - I mean the forecast. It was going to be rain, then cold with tapering flurries at the end - standard stuff that I would disgruntledly bear even if it is March and time for spring.

Oops, now the Gulf has gotten involved and is blowing in another 6 inches. Howe about just changing to snow *now*, and giving us ten so that everything's closed and we can all stay home?

But I'm not sure it was "her". Probably was, though. She's the only one who's not home during the weekdays--the other neighbors would have called earlier. ;)

Karen

Dear knee,

I know you are pretty unhappy today and you were cranky all day. Now I'm worn out. Think I'll grab the comforter and head for the couch. Wish you didn't hurt so much.

me

(((((((sundial and knee)))))) feel better!

Dear STBEH (soon-to-be-ex-husband),

You say I never loved you but I know that's not true, it's just your anger speaking. You say I stole 17 years of your life, but I know that's not true, because I have many, many good memories of our life together. I gave you what you said you wanted, the one thing that you said would allow you to move on, but that apparently is not enough. I wish you the very best in your future. I have to let you go, and you have to let me go.

-tulip

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tuckervill

But I'm not sure it was "her". Probably was, though. She's the only one who's not home during the weekdays--the other neighbors would have called earlier. ;)

Karen

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I have a collie who likes to go out on the back patio and stand there yelling,"Hey everyone! What's going on? Have you seen my beautiful long nose and my glorious winter coat? Did you watch the SImpsons last night? DO you know my sister? Would you like to sing a duet? Have you got any stuffed toys? Do you know where that dachshund is? Let me tell you about my work as a therapy dog...and of course you know you have to stay on the other side of the fence there, SLick, this is my yard and I have these little dogs to take care of. Hey, I smell BBQ..."etc.

(((((tuilp))))))

Sounds like you have the right attitude - hopefully things will continue to move forward:)

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Originally Posted by elk

I have a collie who likes to go out on the back patio and stand there yelling,"Hey everyone! What's going on? Have you seen my beautiful long nose and my glorious winter coat? Did you watch the SImpsons last night? DO you know my sister? Would you like to sing a duet? Have you got any stuffed toys? Do you know where that dachshund is? Let me tell you about my work as a therapy dog...and of course you know you have to stay on the other side of the fence there, SLick, this is my yard and I have these little dogs to take care of. Hey, I smell BBQ..."etc.

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I think that's a most excellent translation!

Crickey goes out the door running and baying, and she doesn't even know if there's anything out there to bark at. They all get to the fence and look at her like they caught her crying wolf AGAIN, then slump off for a pee.

Karen

Dear So and So

Thanks so much for giving me such an amazing husband. When I met him I was nuts to even go out with him, but he was persistent and it's a good thing.

Yesterday he knew 1/ i wanted to ride and 2/ it was going to be cold. So without discussing it with me he bought me new winter gloves. This morning when I looked outside and could see gleaming in the dim glow of a street light; my car COMPLETELY iced over, that it was QUITE cold, colder than I usually like to ride. "But I bought you new gloves" says he with a smile.
I dressed warmly, putting rain pants over my work pants, wearing a vest and two hats. We were off!
It was so cold that my eyes were tearing uncontrollably. I did not have my balaclava, so i stopped to get a handkerchief/bandanna to wear around my face. I'd left it at home.
Dear Resourceful Hubby whips one out and we are back riding down the long hill (really cold!)

happy camper

I read that if your eyes tear up in the cold, to use moistening eye drops before you start the ride. I'll have to try that because my eyes water like the dickens in cold weather.

happy 1000 posts, Sundial.

those artificial tears make my eyes tear up too! :confused:

I used to have that problem, but now I wear sunglasses when I bike, and my eyes never tear anymore with cold or wind.
P.S. Your husband obviously loves you. :)

I always wear glasses when i ride, not sunglasses that dark morning, just clear ones.
they didn't help!
yes, he sure does

Dear Florida freakin' Legislature-
I know you haven't been smart enough to keep revenues even and the state budget balanced, and it's now especially difficult with the gov trying to make everyone love him with tax cuts and all; but do you not understand the peril of trying to balance the budget on the back of higher education? Jeez, get a clue!
--A frustrated/angry/frazzled Writing Program Administrator :mad:

Dear co-worker,
Something is wrong in your head if you think that just because I'm crazy about bicycling that I will laugh at an animation of a cyclist breaking traffic rules and being hit by a car, or that I will be interested in a report about a terrorist who happened to be seen on a bicycle, or any other of those little gruesome tidbits you think are newsworthy.

Even though we are supposed to work together, I'll delete most emails from you, so if you have something work-related to share, you better tell me in person.

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Originally Posted by Melalvai

Dear co-worker,
Something is wrong in your head if you think that just because I'm crazy about bicycling that I will laugh at an animation of a cyclist breaking traffic rules and being hit by a car, or that I will be interested in a report about a terrorist who happened to be seen on a bicycle, or any other of those little gruesome tidbits you think are newsworthy.

Even though we are supposed to work together, I'll delete most emails from you, so if you have something work-related to share, you better tell me in person.

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Good grief, you WORK with someone that is that much of an AH???

I'm sorry!

Dear Guy walking your dog off leash while I run by,

I really don't doubt it when you say "You don't have to worry, he's too old to bother you". That's probably true, but he can still trip me up and I can still get hurt. You probably haven't thought about it the other way around, that I could hurt him if he gets in my way and I step on him, knock him aside, etc. Being on leash is for his safety, too. As I've heard it said "Unleashed is unloved". (Let's ignore for now the fact that we have a leash law in our town)

Dear Powers That Be:

I have a cold.

My cell phone died.

My desk looks like a cyclone hit it.

Help.

I understand SouthernBelle...

I have this cold/virus? that will not go away. On week 2:(

Missed a week of work:(

Its sunny outside (60's now and over the weekend low 70's), and I'm not out there enjoying it:(

Red Rock

Dear Powers That Be,

Please teach me patience. Let me be calm in the face of a domineering ego-centric new employee. Let me laugh it off as "special needs" and not take it as "specially demanding."

I can only control my own attitude in this situation. Teach me how to control my attitude, before my attitude becomes a " 'tude."

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

Dear Powers That Be,

Please teach me patience. Let me be calm in the face of a domineering ego-centric new employee. Let me laugh it off as "special needs" and not take it as "specially demanding."

I can only control my own attitude in this situation. Teach me how to control my attitude, before my attitude becomes a " 'tude."

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Ummm, Knotted, I've learned that praying to be taught patience isn't such a good idea. You'll need it to survive. Skip that line.

Start with calm in the face of the silly new employee. Then envision that you're squashing them like the bug that they are.

Good luck! I have a mentee (I'm her mentor, so that makes her a mentee) who teeters on the high maintenance category, so I feel you pain. A soap opera could be built around her life. Fortunately she does do good work.

I did get a new Palm Treo 700p yesterday!

Dear So and So,

Please stop taking out your frustrations on me and the people around you. Find a new way to relieve your stress. I don't like having to walk on eggshells to avoid your landmine-like temper. Then minutes later you act like nothing is wrong at all. I'm afraid to even talk to you anymore.

Firenze

Quote:

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Originally Posted by firenze11

Dear So and So,

Please stop taking out your frustrations on me and the people around you. Find a new way to relieve your stress. I don't like having to walk on eggshells to avoid your landmine-like temper. Then minutes later you act like nothing is wrong at all. I'm afraid to even talk to you anymore.

Firenze

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I feel your pain. I have a colleague that I avoid as if she were a mound of fire ants--too bad because we have the basis of what could be a nice little friendship--shared professional and personal interests. Sadly, though, she's neither trustworthy nor even-tempered. Rumor has it she's going on the job market, so things are looking up.

Dear Super Star,

Yes, I googled your address. You moved to my town, and I figured your estate was on my route. Well, now I seem to have a virus that's not letting me use mapquest, or google maps, or yahoo maps.

I was just mildly curious. I should have the right to look at a map again!

Dear Nashbar and Performance Bike,

I like your low prices, but your practice of profiting from your shipping charges is enough to make me never shop with you again.

First, you charge shipping not by weight/size, but by cost of order! WTF?

Next, I pay for 2nd day air and you ship it ground because it *should* get to me at the same time, but then when noone is in my front office, the shipper delays my delivery until the third day. You give me a partial shipping refund to try and appease me, but maybe you should have just done right in the first place :mad:

Finally, the next (LAST!) time I order, I think I am wising up and only pay for ground shipping, however, your "ground" shipping is FedEx smartpost- a bulk-mail collaboration between FedEx and USPS that takes up to 10 days to make a delivery. I check shipping rates for that method and it's less than half of what I paid.

I already used the internet sparingly for purchases (go LBS!), but I've had it with you guys. You've officially lost a customer.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Andrea

Dear Nashbar and Performance Bike,

I like your low prices, but your practice of profiting from your shipping charges is enough to make me never shop with you again.

First, you charge shipping not by weight/size, but by cost of order! WTF?

Next, I pay for 2nd day air and you ship it ground because it *should* get to me at the same time, but then when noone is in my front office, the shipper delays my delivery until the third day. You give me a partial shipping refund to try and appease me, but maybe you should have just done right in the first place :mad:

Finally, the next (LAST!) time I order, I think I am wising up and only pay for ground shipping, however, your "ground" shipping is FedEx smartpost- a bulk-mail collaboration between FedEx and USPS that takes up to 10 days to make a delivery. I check shipping rates for that method and it's less than half of what I paid.

I already used the internet sparingly for purchases (go LBS!), but I've had it with you guys. You've officially lost a customer.

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I can't say I use the internet sparingly, Andrea, but I am in complete agreement with you regarding Performance & Nashbar. Add to that list Barnes & Noble.....especially if you are waiting for textbooks!

Andrea and IFjane:

Thankyou for the information on these outlets. I realized that there was something funky going on with the shipping although I never really questioned it much. I will keep this in the back of my mind when I go shopping there-or not.

Are there not any businesses that are out there, that will not scam your money and give you a fair price for what you want?

On the Barnes and Noble, is it the same thing even if you go to on outlet store?

Red Rock

RR - I don't know about B&N outlets. I have never tried. To be perfectly honest (warning: shameless plug ahead!) I check with my DD who works at www.strandbooks.com before I buy a book anywhere else any more. Unless I happen to be IN a B&N, then I cave to whatever looks interesting!

As for cycling gear - TE is the absolute best, hands down. They don't have everything (bike parts, etc.), but for what they do have, the shipping is reasonable and FAST. I am talking about from the left coast to the right in a couple days. Amazing. (and no, I don't work for them - but I'll take discount coupons in exchange, Sue...:eek:)

Agree with you, Jane.

Awhile back, someone posted about Performance charging a few cents more to credit cards---the amounts didn't match the order and/or invoices. When I returned something to them last summer, they did not credit my credit card. Instead, they wanted me to call them so they could suggest an alternate item. I won't order from them again.

I'm willing to pay more for honest, customer-oriented service. TE definitely falls into this category.

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Originally Posted by shootingstar

Most of the employees here who know what I do think I'm nuts! Oh well. I can at least destress on bike.

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Dear boss, co-workers, friends, and acquaintances,
It is not crazy for me to choose alternatives to getting in a car, alternatives to spending money on car repairs, gas, taxes, parking and other fees when I can save that money, pay down debt, or do something fun with my family instead. Alternatives to putting money in the pockets of oil executives who run/ruin our government. Alternatives to inactivity which, combined with overeating, is ruining our health. Alternatives which are environmentally sustainable. Alternatives which do not violently injure, maim and kill thousands of humans every year in highway accidents, to say nothing of animals. And did I mention what % of my income I am NOT spending on a car?

Nor is it suicidal to ride a bicycle. It is less of a stretch for me to say to you that "Sitting on a couch, in front of a computer, or behind the wheel of a car is suicidal!" and yet, I don't say that. Why is that? Could it be I have more tact and sensitivity than you do?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Red Rock

I understand SouthernBelle...

I have this cold/virus? that will not go away. On week 2:(

Missed a week of work:(

Its sunny outside (60's now and over the weekend low 70's), and I'm not out there enjoying it:(

Red Rock

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Dear Immune System

Where are YOU?????

Wasn't 3 weeks enough for this bloody virus??? You had to LET IT BACK IN ????
Just Before Spring break...Just after I dusted off the bike just as I was
starting to feel like a normal human being again ?????

Please ask that murky part of my brain to let me know more clearly what it is that I'm doing wrong!!! I'm going to bed as early as I can...I wash my hands a bizzilion times a day, I'm TRYING to deal with my "stuff" and I stopped smoking over a year ago....

Can you hear me screaming ??? Oh wait...you can't ...I've lost my voice again...

grrrrrrrrrr e

Elk-Good luck to you if you have this thing. I am finally survivng, back to work and only now dealing with sniffles and tiredness. I am madly eating though. I lost like 3 pounds. Perhaps I am still fighting this, I think I'm buring calories like crazy.

For breakfast this morning I had about 1 cup of oatmeal, poached egg, and a rice cake with peanut butter on top. I think I could have had more, but I had to go to work. I guess I am glad I do not really have to deal with calorie intake.

Drink lots of liquids and do forced bed rest, that was what I did for a week or so. Then eat as your body requires.

Red Rock

thanks RR

Forced bed rest and eating as my body requires...oops..thought you said desires...:rolleyes: sounds pretty good!!!

hope you mend quickly!!

i've NEVER been sick so many times in one season!!!

elk

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Originally Posted by elk

thanks RR

Forced bed rest and eating as my body requires...oops..thought you said desires...:rolleyes: sounds pretty good!!!

hope you mend quickly!!

i've NEVER been sick so many times in one season!!!

elk

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Me either. I got the very apparently identical nasty 2 week head/sinus/cold THREE times in the past 2 months. :eek::eek::eek:

Finally I was so miserably during my third bout that I went to the doctor and he said it was possible it was NOT 3 sequencial long headcolds, but rather a recurring sinus infection that was never really getting knocked out. He gave me antibiotics and within 48 hours I was ALL WELL! It was a very dramatic recovery. What a relief to finally get RID of this! I never had a sinus infection before and didn't even know how to recognize one. :rolleyes:

For me it starts in my throat....my head is only a little stuffed....and I don't have a fever...

Did you run a temperature, Lisa?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by elk

For me it starts in my throat....my head is only a little stuffed....and I don't have a fever...

Did you run a temperature, Lisa?

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Yep, a fever and shivering the very first day. 'Most' of the actual pain was in my throat.

Dear Mom,

Miss you. Just thought I'd let you know.

Love, Salsa

PS Hi, Daddy. You too.
PPS Thanks for being such cool folks.