Hi again Python,

Maybe sometime you could take a mechanics course and learn to fix your gears (and brakes and everything you fancy) yourself. It's really not very complicated and very empowering!!!!

I often forget to drop the chain to the smallest cog when I take off my rear wheel but honestly it doesn't matter much. I don't think that would be the cause of your derailleur problems. It sounds like a tiny misadjustment to me.

Another possibility would be that your cables need to be changed.