Actually, yes. I can't imagine how hard this would be with some other insurance company. Basically, they have all this great service that just doens't apply here because the laws are so different.

oh, that's really frustrating. I mean, that's why military people have USAA, so they don't have to deal with this kind of bullshit. I would escalate.

Stephanie, there's companies that won't ship to PR? You just can't buy stuff from them? Jeez. That's so un-capitalist.

Many companies will not ship here. I'm not exactly sure why, but I *think* it's because they can't get it included in their bulk rate that they pay to UPS/FedEx/whatever.

Well, when I was getting ready to mail you the backpack, I compared UPS and USPS. USPS was $18 for Priority, UPS was $174 for "gets there whenever."

On my neighbor, I wasn't clear - I know he takes the dog to daycare. I guess I'm relieved that he doesn't do the repetition with the dog in the car, but I was wondering if that was part of the disorder.

And he's not annoying (now that R is aware that the beeping isn't our smoke detectors or something), but Mal loves his dog and so we interact a lot, and I don't want to say or do something offensive or upsetting.

I was also wondering if it might be motor-control difficulties - he could get the SUV into the garage, but it would be tight. That, and the lack of stuff in his house, made me think he might be keeping it tidy against clumsiness.

hooray - the woman who works with me is on board with the 'keep sox in the loop' plan. t hopeful

Stephanie - if they ship to Alaska and Hawaii, shouldn't they ship to PR?

(I can't believe it's a protectorate vs. state thing)

This just in: I am kinda awesome.

Substitute "totally" for "kinda" and I concur.

juliana, I'm so sorry about your bike! I have a whole thing about people who don't treat bikes with the same respect and caution they would cars. Not that I know that's what the person who hit you did. It's just knee-jerk on my part.

Lastly, ((((buffistas)))). I skipped and skimmed when I got back from Houston, so I don't know what's going on with who, but you're all in my thoughts.

Avatar question: Where is Uncle? I know the guy that voiced him died, but I'm hoping the character isn't gone, too!

I can't believe it's a protectorate vs. state thing

I can - since it's not a full part of the country, it's easier for the various companies to treat the transaction as an international one.

I have a whole thing about people who don't treat bikes with the same respect and caution they would cars.

OH MY GOD I KNOW. The other night, I flipped my shit on some jackass who was sitting on a Harley (I know the owner, and I knew jackass didn't). ARGH.

Saw an example of how arachniphobia is bad for your health - the other evening I was walking home from the bus. I live on a fairly narrow residential street, although we get a fair amount of traffic, including a bus line that goes down the street. In the middle of the street there's a young woman sitting on a motor scooter (Vespa-type). Guy in a car is coming down the street and he stops. She's freaking out - says there was a spider on the mirror so she had to stop, can't go on, asks the guy - in a scream - to kill the spider for her - she doesn't know where it is now, since it scooted out of sight. He's yelling at her to get out of the @#$#!!!!! street. She won't move the scooter, won't go on, because there's a SPIDER.

Guess he got rid of the spider - not too long after, he zipped down the street and she followed soon after.

I was also wondering if it might be motor-control difficulties - he could get the SUV into the garage, but it would be tight. That, and the lack of stuff in his house, made me think he might be keeping it tidy against clumsiness.

Could also just be lazy. I always park in the driveway.

The other night, I flipped my shit on some jackass who was sitting on a Harley (I know the owner, and I knew jackass didn't). ARGH.

That is shit flipping worthy. My friend back in Louisiana who builds bikes had his custom built scratched by some drunk girl who thought it'd be cute to just hop on.