Right, but sometimes you wish they would.

There was once a really rude (waaaaay drunk and belligerent) guy on a plane arguing with a flight attendant. My dad suggested he step outside to cool off.

My dad is kinda Not That Guy. It was the equivalent of the one time I heard him say, "fuck." And my underage brother was throw in a Mexican jail to get that response.

If I was stuck that long on a plane with nothing to do, I'd be shrieking too.

For years, my doctors have been telling me that, if I lost weight, it would take pressure off my joints and my knees and ankles would hurt less.

I've lost 20 pounds since May. Those doctors were all liars.

Been there. It feels like many doctors would rather say, "It's your fault; suck it up." than to figure out how to deal with the problem now, at the patient's current weight, stress level or whatever.

And my underage brother was throw in a Mexican jail to get that response.

Percocet?

Percocet?

No!

Underage drinking, I hope. It was that or something I really still don't want to know ANYTHING about.

Mexico has a drinking age?

Yeah, this whole "sleep" thing? So not happening tonight.

D fell asleep playing Arkham Asylum. So cute. (he closed last night and opened today) I bet he's having some interesting dreams.

All right, I am attempting to draft an e-mail to my landlord asking for a lower rent. I feel like it should be short and direct. I know it's not supposed to hurt to ask, but I'm still afraid of insulting him or something. And yet I probably have leverage since two out of the four units in this building are vacant at the moment.

So how does this sound? (I am using fake numbers because...you're not supposed to talk about how much rent you pay?)

When I moved here three years ago, $532 was a very good deal and a great value for a one-bedroom apartment. It was the lowest rent of all the apartments in this area. It has gone up twice since then, though, and $586 is no longer a great value. There are several apartments in the area renting for $500 or $525. A couple down the street are going for $475, and they, like some of these others, include water, which makes them even cheaper overall.

I have been a very good tenant for three years; I don't cause problems and I pay my rent on time. You have always worked with me in the past to resolve any issues I have had, be they noisy neighbors, unwanted rodent visitors, or the mysterious toilet ghosts. I ask that you please consider reducing the rent to once again make it a better value than the competition.

(I am using fake numbers because...you're not supposed to talk about how much rent you pay?)

Dude! That's how they exploit us.

I'd just note that the market has changed, the economy has changed and you're a good tenant. Bottom line is: you've got to be willing to move if you want to have leverage.

You're just on the cusp of moving being a pain in the ass, whereas all the previous moves of your life were sort of a given and didn't seem consequential.

Hil, your whole situation with the pain and the PITA doctors sucks.