Dear So and So

[QUOTE=snapdragen;545109]Dear race organizers. How could you run out of finisher medals before the majority of the runners/walkers finished the course? Could you not plan for this knowing how many people were registered?

And wtf is this...tearing down the course before everyone is done? How disheartening is it to be crossing the finish line while dodging people rolling up banners and barricade nets? At least the race announcer kept going, announcing every person who crossed the line.

This isn't your first time doing this, you should know better.>

Please say this wasn't a charity ride. If it was, go to the national organization and post a comment. If it is like charity rides around here, you pay your registration, the race is organized and run by seasoned but unpaid volunteers, the Sag supplies are donated from local merchants and or members of the local organization etc etc so that the majority of the registration funds collected go to the local charity.

Everyone pays the same amount for the privilege of some sort of commemorative stuff- t shirt, luggage tag, baseball, cap, water bottle, whatever and deserves an equal chance to finish and not be metaphorically told to "get the hell out of the way, and why should we wait around for you, we've got your money."

quietly fuming on your behalf.

Dear Tech Support,
After being on the phone with you for two hours this evening, trying to get connected to the internet with my new connection... where nothing worked. Did it occur to you that it might be a hardware problem? Don't tell me it's my notebook computer, where I've been able to successfully connect in all sorts of locations for the past couple of months. Somehow I lucked onto a diagnose problem and got a connection error message, which prompted me to maybe try the modem plugged into another phone outlet. Success! Should have tried that hours ago.

I need a drink. The cats were more than patient, now they want their evening snack. Where's that drink?

TE, I'll check the rest later. I'm fed up, and needed to vent, thank you for listening.:rolleyes:

Ah hah! It appears some of the medals went missing - this was posted on the website today:
"We've found the missing medallions! If you didn't get yours on Sunday, email your name & address to *email redacted* (unless you submitted it when you finished) and we will get them in the mail to you right away!"

and this

"Our SINCERE apologies to those who didn't get their shirt or medallion! We will be tracking down the missing items and if necessary, reorder both shirts and medallions! We thank you for your patience, and will get your missing items as soon as we can."

It is a charity run -- in addition my team mates raised funds for Team in Training. It looks like the race organizers will be sending out a survey. I wonder if I'll get one, I was registered, but didn't participate.

Dear health gods:

Was it something we said???

On the exact day my oncologist has decreed that I'm well done (DH says I should have asked for rare. . .:rolleyes:) and don't need to come back to get nuked any more, the dog's back goes out and I spend the morning and far too many dollars at the vet.

I'M SICK AND TIRED OF HEALTH PROBLEMS!!! (Did you hear me?)

Can this be the end? Please?

(((MoB)))

Dear Herald,
Please don't scare me by falling into a really deep sleep on my arm again. I know you'll cross the Rainbow Bridge soon, but wasn't really ready for this dry run tonight. Oh, and I didn't deserve the dirty look for waking you up either, I was just checking to be sure you were actually breathing.

{{{Herald and Bmccasland}}}

Dear bosses,

I understand emergencies and you are not the drivers of this situation, and I know this will all pass in a few weeks. I am, however, getting very tired of 80 hour work weeks! I KNOW I don't HAVE to do this, but I also know if I do not do this then we will not meet the deadline, and it IS that important. I am the only one capable of the technical work, I get that. I am all about teamwork, but I really hope that we don't go through a repeat of this anytime soon. I don't feel much like a team-member at this point but more like the person at the lowest point of the pyramid :(

Thank you. Please remember all of this the next time I ask for time off :D

Dear people upstairs--
I should not be able to hear EVERY WORD of your music. End of story.

Dear landlord--
Yes, I know today was unseasonably warm. That doesn't alter the fact that it is freezing in my apartment, and it's still cold at night. Ridiculously cold. Turn the frickin' heating on.

Dear Mr. Google,

Thanks for the big ole' smack upside the head. You probably aren't the most empathetic messenger, and you did a bang-up job letting me know that the ex is getting remarried. Yeah, you don't break that news very gracefully, do ya'? You should know that I ditched Facebook for wasting my time on stuff that does not move me forward in life. Consider yourself in the same category. It's strictly business from now on. If it's not business related, I don't need to know.

Your former friend,
tulip

ps, even though this is positive step in the grand scheme of things, it's not something I need you to help me dwell on.

Dear person who just called me -

If you're feeling snippety, there's no need to call just to pick fights. I'm out of ice cream and I don't feel like crying right now. But I am, and you suck. So enjoy your crappy holiday that wasn't important enough for you to come visit.

I'm sorry, Jess :(

Jess, seems like a good time for a bike ride.

Have a good holiday anyway.

Roxy

Thanks guys. Better today. I'm noticing, though, that when my back hurts I get upset a lot more easily. I'm going to bake a pie tonight and hope that heals everything :)

Be good to yourself, jessmarimba. Physical pain + emotional pain can really have a way of magnifying each other.

I hope your pie turns out well!

Jessmarimba, hope the pie comes out well and that you are feeling better tomorrow :)

Pie can make everything better. :)

Dear Neighbors that invited me over for dinner,
I wasn't sure you actually meant it, since you didn't tell me a time range to come over. So when I worked up the courage to come across the street, and knocked on the door, I heard laughing inside, but no one answered. I didn't want to bang on the door, so I went back home. Had my favorite Kashi microwave dinner, and an apple tartin from Trader Joes (well I didn't eat all of the tartin, yet).

To the world in general - if you know a single person, invite them over for a holiday meal, but tell them when, so they know you actually mean it.

I hate holidays - they only remind me that my severely disfuctional family is scattered to the 4 winds. And yes, I did choose to move here, or move again - don't ask me what I'm looking for, maybe it's a reason to stay put. Holidays are just something to get through. :(

Aww! :( I have leftover steak, rosemary potatoes, and a couple of cats for company - I'd share if you were closer!

(((((Beth))))) Wishing you a future of joyous holidays with your chosen community. And wish I could send you some of our way-too-much food, too. :(

Big hug to you, Beth, and to anyone else who is far away from loved ones today (family or otherwise).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bmccasland

Holidays are just something to get through. :(

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Couldn't have said it better myself.

I'm sorry, Beth :(

I'd have you over any day, Beth! You sound like an interesting and friendly person, definitely one of the ones that makes TE the place it is, that I wanted to thank yesterday :)

Virtual pie and cat company all round!

Dear family member-

In some ways, I'm glad that we had our discussion yesterday. It confirmed for me that you're a bitter control freak who's clinging to apparently minor transgressions that I committed years ago and who is unable to forgive or forget anything. You're a master manipulator and had me promising all sorts of changes on my part with absolutely no willingness to give or compromise on yours.

Also, for the first time in 10 years, I got to experience what it must have been like to grow up in that household. It sucked, but it's going to make me a better wife in the long run 'cuz I get it now. (DH, I'm sorry! And thank you for being my partner in all of this.)

I've never intentionally cut a family member out of my life, and I cringe every time I think of the collateral damage that's going to occur, but you may very well be the first. Congratulations on a dubious honor. (BTW, I welcome advice on how to do this.)

Sincerely,
Emotionally exhausted and shattered.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lph

I'd have you over any day, Beth! You sound like an interesting and friendly person, definitely one of the ones that makes TE the place it is, that I wanted to thank yesterday :)

Virtual pie and cat company all round!

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Don't tempt me!!! I have a passport that needs stamps in it. One of the things I've thought about was going on vacation for the holidays - hop a plane, go somewhere else. Now if I can just get someone to buy the ticket, pay the boarding for the kitties. *sigh* But I can dream.

Got out today, and did some shoping at local small shops. Got a pastry at the Danish Bakery, and had a meat pie from the Australian Pie shop.

Happy weekend to everyone! ;)

most of what is bad in my life and memories, ie loss of dear ones two footed and four footed, life time crisises, traumatic experiences and ill health have happenend between Thanksgiving and New Years. Here's hoping that this year doesn't follow the pattern.

We've had a good Thanksgiving and are going tomorrow to meet a new rescue dog to give our FIL 's dog Beau as a companion. Here's hoping.

Becky,

I am one who has cut relatives out of my life, specifically my aunt (my mom's sister), which also means I no longer see my cousins or their kids. I was very close to my aunt growing up, as she was only 16 when I was born. She and her husband lived with us for a couple of years as newlyweds. She was always contentious and opinionated, as opposed to my mom who was tolerant and kind. My family moved away when I was a teen and she became bitter over the fact that she was left to care for my grandparents. My uncle died at the young age of 52 and she has never recovered; despite all kinds of offers of help, both social and psychological, she just became more bitter and lives totally through her kids. When I moved back to the area, we saw each other a lot for awhile, but it was always at her convenience. What was once just a little neurotic is now controlling. She tried to control my mom's death, which of course, she couldn't. My cousins (2 of the 3) became, well, one became a right wing political extremist and the other became an Orthodox Jew. My opinions never counted and my aunt is brainwashed by Fox News at this point... Despite the fact, I still tried to find something in common with them, they all decided to hold grudges against me and my husband for things (stupid things) that happened ten or fifteen years ago. I quit calling my aunt about a year and a half ago. They are racist and intolerant, so different than my own parents. I feel badly she has lost the chance to see my kids as fully independent adults, but I just couldn't take it anymore.

Crankin, thanks for sharing your story. It's helpful to hear from those who have been there. This part of your story really resonated with me, as it's similar to what DH and I are dealing with:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Crankin

My opinions never counted <snip>... Despite the fact, I still tried to find something in common with them, they all decided to hold grudges against me and my husband for things (stupid things) that happened ten or fifteen years ago.

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In our case, it's an immediate family member, and maybe that's what makes this so difficult... I'm trying very hard to remember that there's a lot of people who love, like, and respect me, and that the opinions of one person aren't necessarily correct or realistic. (But dang, that's tough to do sometimes....)

I'm really anxious about what Christmas is going to be like this year, as that's the point where I need to "fish or cut bait", so to speak, and decide if I'm ready to break all contact. *sighs*

Do you mean it's a sibling or parent? My family is super small, so to me, my mom's sister was pretty close. I have one brother, many years younger than me, who lives across the country from me, near my dad. The fact that I live about 12 miles from my aunt and have never run into her (I ride by her street a few times a year) amazes me. But, her world is very small.
Sometimes it's hard not to be with family on holidays, for me, especially Jewish holidays. But, we have been sharing holidays with friends for many years, and they have become our family. Of course, my kids, I think would like to continue contact with my cousins, but haven't, knowing how it would upset me.

Yup, that's what I mean. (Sorry, I'm being a little paranoid about what I share in the public domain...)

Dear personal statement--
Why are you so hard to write? I hate writing about myself--it seems like bragging. And then I have to edit you to suit four different schools, then write another one for the fifth? I'd crawl into a hole now, but I have two weeks until the application deadline.:(:mad:

Dear stomach,

I have been pampering you for two days. I took off work yesterday and left today after only 2 hours in the office...you really need to get over whatever bug is bothering you. I need to get some actual work done at the office tomorrow :rolleyes:

Dear website client,

I'm sorry I got snippy with you on the phone. I felt bad about that for the rest of the day. But I have to say...My time is as valuable as yours, and I know you were lying when you told me that you followed the written directions and that you still got an error message. It's obvious that you never even looked at them. I'm not stupid. I strongly suspect that you are, but I still shouldn't have let me tone of voice betray that suspicion. Next time I will be nothing but cool and professional...as I imagine banging my head against a wall.

Thank you.

Dear sister,

We all make amazon wishlists to make christmas presents easy, and I always put $10-$20 biking or kayaking accessories I could use on it (new handlebar tape is always good), because I don't want anyone to spend too much money on me. The fact that nothing on your wishlist is under $100 is mildly irksome, but I really don't understand why you've refused to buy me anything off my wishlist for the past 3 years now for birthdays or christmas. You buy from our brothers wishlists, so you're already buying things from amazon, if you pop something in for me it's free shipping! So instead you buy me random things that I do appreciate but don't really need or have a use for. Then you tell me "Well, I didn't understand anything on your wishlist." This morning you called me to ask "Is there anything you want for Christmas other than that bike stuff you have on your wishlist?" REALLY? WHY CAN'T YOU JUST BUY ME CHEAP BIKE STUFF?

Your ungrateful and perplexed little sister

Maybe she's looking to buy you something more expensive to show you how much she loves you.

Roxy

There's more expensive bike stuff - a gift certificate to TE? Not available on Amazon, but easily obtainable.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by channlluv

Maybe she's looking to buy you something more expensive to show you how much she loves you.

Roxy

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When she doesn't get things for me on my wishlist, she usually only gets me $20-30 things - last year it was a $30 costco softshell. Which was nice, but I sort of have a gazillion softshells already. She did spend more on my birthday.

I did put a couple $50 items on the wish list, but I know she's got a lot of medical bills for her daughter & her husband lately. So she can't afford to show me how much she loves me!

When she called this morning, I told her I wanted the patagonia nano puff pullover and would order it and she could give me some cash towards it for christmas - 'cause even at 45% off it was $82 and I didn't want to ask her to spend that much on me. She is starting to understand good outdoor gear, because I let her & my niece borrow a lot of mine last winter to go tubing and because of all the snow.

She sounds like she feels that holidays are for acquiring "fun" stuff, not "useful" stuff. And since she doesn't understand that useful bike stuff means fun for you...she doesn't want to get it. Maybe? I'm trying to see her side!

I certainly enjoy shopping for my sister more than anyone else, since she's easy to get fun stuff for. And we don't do wishlists.

Giftgiving can be really confusing. My MIL is so obsessed about giving the perfect gift (because otherwise "no-one will like her", you see :rolleyes:) that she almost chewed my 13 yr.old sons ear off for not having created a wishlist yet. Nevermind that it's his first year with grades at school, lots of homework and big end-of-year tests that he takes very seriously, plus he works 2 hours every day delivering the newspaper, plus we're going abroad (to JORDAN! :D ) for the christmas holidays as of tomorrow and won't even be seeing them until we get back in 2 weeks - nope, wishlists Must Be Written Before Christmas Or Else.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bmccasland

There's more expensive bike stuff - a gift certificate to TE? Not available on Amazon, but easily obtainable.

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I was thinking, Cataboo, you could ask for her to sponsor your next triathlon entry. Those are $$.

Roxy

I don't know, I have a hard time buying for people who have hobbies that I don't understand. I'd rather get them a gift card for a related store (or Amazon. You can buy nearly anything on Amazon!) than try to make guesses. Granted, a wish list takes some of the guesswork out of it.

Dear former(?) favorite jeans:
You're possibly the oldest thing in my closet. Why do you still fit nearly perfectly, but have a hole in a very awkward place that is impossible to patch without it being obnoxiously visible? :(