I don't know -- for us, it's because they own Merrill Lynch. We had Wells Fargo two houses ago, and I don't remember them being quite so useless as BOA.

You're doing just fine, sarameg.

Wow, -t! LA would be a big move!

I hadn't thought to be scared of jury duty, but I just learned that they can send you anywhere in the county, which includes places you can't really get by public transportation (and an hour+ drive), so that would be fun. I'm annoyed they apparently closed the local courthouse I went when I was in college!

Mazda2. But I haven't driven squat yet. But that's my price range.

My mortgage is still administered by WF (um, I wonder if that changes? I should ask!) and was originally through them, but is actually owned by Freddie Mac now. I hope it stays admin through WF, I get x% or purchases on a credit card applied to my principle (so I use it for spendy things,) and it's been hassle free. But then I don't do anything but pay it.

I don't know if my guy does out of state or not. The phone tag was annoying but as much my fault as his. This is the second time I've used him. I can ask.

brenda, I don't know about your system, but you can get a one time deferral for stuff like that here. I had the exact same thing happen when I was flying the nephew out to my parents.

I've got a plane ticket already, so at least I can back it up.

Well fuck. Jury summons. For the record, I blame you people.

Ahahaha. Jury duty has fallen so far down my list of worries, I almost forgot about it.

brenda, I pass my not-selected~ma to you.

Last time I was called for jury duty, the first thing they did was ask if people had travel plans for the next I-forget-what-span-of-time already in place, and everyone who did was dismissed.

I used ING for my refi (they are now owned by Capitol One). I don't know if Capitol One is decent, but ING was spectacular.

Oh, I need to share the more charming parts of my day: there was an arabber ( [link] ) going down 36th street when I was coming back from the Y. FrrrrrrrrEEEEEESSSSSHHHHH froooooOOOOOOOT! Suhhhh-WEEEEEEET froooooOOOOOOOooooot! FrehhhhhhSH COOOOOoooooorrrrn!

When I went out to get cash for market (and tulips!) I saw a well-dressed fellow out on his steps (south Govans, for locals) with a blond/albino python-esque snake draped around his neck. I was at a light, I couldn't quit grinning. Rolled down my window and shouted "Beautiful snake!" and he gave me a thumbs up and was grinning ear to ear, and then spent the length of the light drawing attention the chick who'd complimented his pet.

I will cheerfully advise AGAINST Bank of America for any mortgage-related stuff. They've been a giant pain in our asses twice now.

A thousand times this. We are on month six and loan application # 2 and are still getting the runaround. It's been an awful experience.