Heeeeeello. Belated happys (holidays and birthdays), belated ~mas to those who need them. I'm here only to vent in the only place where I can vent about it and then go back to the glamorous task of laundry.

So what's going on is that after 18 months of mononucleosis in a country where most shows won't start before 22:30pm, and then getting better, and finally thinking I'll catch up on some on the fun I've missed, I discovered a thing called sternocleidomastoid in my body and that maybe I did something to it and now it hates me, and that a single headbang will probably give me a temporary yet unforgettable World of Pain. Most tiny, stupidest reason to miss a show, but I'm not taking risks.

So I'm missing Black Angels tonight, with a warm up gig of an artist I like and moved to Berlin two years ago. No big deal, but c'mon, universe. Stop taking my potential fun away.

{{{ Shir }}}

Get well soon. Hate those pesky pain in the necks.

Suzi, I can articulate how Cagney coped with Oliver by saying that I had to take a nap at 2 because. I got up at 4 and I cannot pry Cagney out of my bed. He's completely worn out.

This, even though I put the puppy in a crate at about midnight. He barked all night long...in the sort of torturous intervals that makes you think omg maybe he's done and we can...NOPE!

He really isn't a bad guy but, OY. He chewed a corner on my 100 year old foot stool...while he was lashed to my waist!

Baby spaniels are supercrazyenergyballs even when they have manners and a job to do!

Amych has the stone cold truth of it.

His person came to pick him up and was sort of pushy about why he had been moved, even though UPGRADE, Director in the company over here.

I tried to stay circumspect, since it became clear instantly that he really doesn't have a clue. He said, "But he DOES have an off switch with MEEE" as the dog was biting at his clothes, jumping up and barking non-stop.

In the end, after gently offering suggestions, all I could say was, "Well. My guy is a total bullethead who gets overstimulated and has some self-control issues. Cagney actually HID from Oliver."

Then, I put a note in the client's file to say we won't take poor Oliver again. The client hadn't even left a phone number or emergency contact for us...yeah, done.

Thanks so much for the kind thoughts.

Poor Oliver. I hope his owner gets a dang clue and takes both puppy and himself to classes.

I hope so too. You should see his sweet face. Plus, he can learn quite quickly. I just don't have access enough to help him.

One delightful thing came out of Oliver's visit. Both Cagney and I were exhausted, so I turned in for a nap at 2. He was already seriously installed in the bed.

I've never been able to get him to spoon with me. It happened today!

I had a crazy dream featuring Francis McDormand and Andrew Lincoln. He walked by and said something so funny, I shook with laughter in my sleep. Cagney thumped his enormous head on my shoulder as if to say, "I'm sleepin' over heyah."

So sweet.

I am in such a shitty mood today.

1) my teeth are all sensitive and I'm afraid I'll have to go to the dentist (for the first time since moving here);

2) for some unknown reason, Blockbuster DVDs were delivered here to a person who doesn't live here, and the mailman not only won't take them back to return to sender, he isn't delivering our mail AT ALL to avoid doing so (AND I AM EXPECTING CHECKS);

3) one of my clients is so fucking failing at everything dealing with freelancers. Seriously, you don't pay enough for this to be worth my while (they are terrible about communication of assignments and deadlines, they pay the wrong amount, they pull stories without telling the writers, and now, they don't have my story on the external website so I can link it. When I asked about it last week, he sent me a link to their internal online page. WTFF?????)

In conclusion, ugh.

Nora, I share your mailman frustration. The post office has screwed up delivery of a Christmas present and everyone is confused. It was one of those horrible deals where UPS takes the package to the local post office and they deliver it. ISTG, I would pay extra for UPS to BRING IT TO ME.

It was supposed to be delivered today, and mail already came, so I checked the tracking...which said a delivery attempt was made YESTERDAY and they left a note and I need to put the note on my mailbox.

One problem: NO NOTE.

So I called the local post office location, and they looked to see if the package was in the back, and it's not. The nice woman said the carrier probably has it for delivery, and I said the mail already came. There was silence for a moment, and then she said, "...oh. Well, call here in the morning and we'll see if we can find it."

YOU LOST MY PACKAGE YOU LYING LIARS.

I know lots of people hate UPS delivery, but I have never had a problem with them. The post office, OTOH, is from hell. Every lost/super late/damaged package problem I've ever had has been through the post office.

I don't understand online vendors who let you pick UPS, but then it isn't actually UPS all the way. What is the fucking point?

This thing better not be lost, or I will kill someone.

Over the years, I've had some pretty terrible post office experiences as well. Crazy frustrating and weary making.

Fortunately for the last 4 years or so, my mailman Kenneth has been an absolute dream. And I don't make life easy for him.

Since my landlord replaced my security door with one that does not have a mail slot, I am forever forgetting and locking it. K can't deliver if he can't get the mail in somewhere.

The other night, I was way at the end of the block, walking Cagney, when I noticed K pulling up to my house. It must have been 9pm. He was trying to redeliver the mail made undeliverable by my habit.

He told me there is a huge bit of paper work every time he has to return mail to the depot.

The guilt pang I felt then will hopefully spur me to remember not to make his life harder!

I think I need to make he and his wife some cookies this holiday season.

bonny, can you buy a mailbox and set it somewhere where he can put the mail in it if the door is locked? He can always deliver to a USPS-approved mailbox, right?

I know lots of people hate UPS delivery, but I have never had a problem with them. The post office, OTOH, is from hell.

I love UPS and hate dealing with our USPS, for much the same reason. I know the USPS is operating on a shoestring at this point, but for the love of all that's holy, DON'T LIE ABOUT TRYING TO DELIVER. My UPS driver, however, is the bomb.