One of us is confused.

Allyson, I'm glad you liked the cards.

I am so sorry about the shitiness that greeted you upon your arrival. I hope that once you are rested you contact your landlord again. If you haven't cleaned it all up yet, maybe take pictures to show them how bad it was?

Is that that Samuel Jackson/Christina Ricci movie? It looks kinda pulpy, kinda Flannery O'Connor. Was it any good?

It was partially quite pulpy, but also much more emotional than I was expecting. I liked it.

TAR: Once again, I'm admiring what good racers Rob and Amber are -- doing their best to make good judgments (it's not for nothing that Amber is shown paging through multiple guidebooks in the backseat) and on their game at all times.

I had to laugh at some of the racers' reactions to the tank of flounder, which is a fish with a tiny tiny mouth and a great deal of body far removed from that mouth. You'd really have to work to get nipped. And what were the racers thinking, anyway -- you drive up to a fish farm, you get told you're going to do a task that's slippery -- more proof that you have to slow down, take a deep breath, and think about a task before you commit to it. Notice that when Amber volunteered, she could see what they were doing, and noted that Danielle was doing it, so that it was plain she could.

And if I were in a hurry, I'd at least try the forty-foot rock climb rather than a 2.5 mile class 3 & 4 rafting. (Of course, in my pre-race training, I'd already have done some climbing courses. And sky-diving. It's easy to plan a fantasy race!)

Good lord, Allyson, that's a hell of a sight to come home to. Your landlord is so bad, it makes me angry.

I am not a good self-promoter, but will get better.

This was your first time out promoting the book, right? It will get easier.

Allyson, you did file those complaints about your apartment last week, right?

Someone at my job is an idiot. We're changing our retirement stuff, and today is the day we are to meet with the new people. Initially we were told there would be an all-staff meeting at 10, and then we would each have individual appointments. But when I went to sign up, I got the 10am slot. So I figured there was no group meeting after all. Wrong! Now I have no idea when my one-on-one will be. @@

Allyson, I hate your landlord.

I suppose that doesn't help, to know that someone 400 miles away is hating someone else on your behalf. But I do.

Things will get better, I decree it.

And now I'm off to my internet-less life in the cubicles. My employer instituted new internet filtering last week, so no B.org or LJ or other fun sites for me at work anymore. OMG it makes the day pass so. damned. slowly...

Allyson, that's a hellacious welcome home.

I heard the s-word in the weather forecast for the week. Someone did not get my memo.

I heard the s-word in the weather forecast for the week.

Shitstorm?