I am angry that anyone could object to Tom & Nora on any level.

Him deciding who you can have help out with the pets is right off the table. Absurd.

Yes. This. Even if you aren't there, the shared spaces in your apartment (which you pay for half of) aren't private, so you having people in to provide a service isn't a violation of his privacy. And the fact that it's Nora and Tom--your friends, people he's met--and not just some random pet sitters off the street, leads me to believe he's just kicking up a fuss to make things difficult for some reason. As if you'd trust him to watch Bella after his past behavior, let alone think to ask!

Well, how is he going to get the meth factory up and running if there are people coming in?

Thanks, everyone. I don't know how to resolve this. I offered to have Tom and Nora over to meet him again, but no dice. And please don't take it personally, Nora. He's just a petty jerk.

I ran errands and went to yoga and I'm still so angry I'm vibrating. I'm not talking about this any more tonight

Somehow everything I say is "arguing," and whatever he says is… not? Every discussion is on his terms and when he decides we're done talking we're done. He got pissy when I asked him (calmly) (and repeatedly) to stop interrupting me.

I think he thinks this is about boundaries and respect, and I think he can't be bothered to do anything he doesn't feel like doing so he finds ways to justify that.

Like, he says he "doesn't want to bond with another dog right now" and that's why he doesn't want to take him out. But he gives him treats, is trying to teach him how to shake, and gives him kisses on the mouth. That doesn't make any sense to me.

t rolls eyes

He's a selfish jerk.

And please don't take it personally, Nora. He's just a petty jerk.

Don't even worry about it.

I mean, I can totally see not wanting to be responsible for a roommates pet while they are gone. But then you don't get to bitch about the alternate arrangements??? (I mean, maybe "hey can they text me before they come over so I'm not naked" or something. But)

Your next apartment checklist should include Good places to hide the body of a shitty roommate.

Yeah, we got "da bayou."

I need a pep talk. Or career counseling. Or a sugar daddy/momma. Or all of the above.

So last night some pretty terrible pain in my hip (I believe my right SI is out of joint) kept me up until 5 am, despite all my proactive efforts (elec blanket, acupressure, yoga). I finally gave in and took a muscle relaxant at 5 am, but between the lack of sleep and what that does to my balance I called out at work. Because power tools.

I feel some guilt and despair and shame around that, but I am at least taking advantage of the day off to keep plugging away at stuff I need to do (am on hold with healthcare.gov right now AINFG). That's progress, as I'm sure many of you remember how I used to deal with similar incidents.

The big issue right now is that I have until the end of the year to find a new job. If I stay where I am, starting January I will get paid by the piece - basically, the onus will be on me to figure out how long a thing will take me. You guys, I *SUCK* at that. I took this job in part to get better at it, but since I have had neither supervision nor autonomy, I have not built those skills. I strongly suspect that I will never be that good at it - I just don't think my brain processes time that way. I am already struggling to get by on this hourly wage, and I don't think I can make less without consequences.

If I take just any job, I will get fired. I need a supportive, collaborative environment, with some schedule flexibility.

Words of encouragement, silliness, and ideas (even crazy ones) are welcomed.