(Old) Gunpowder, Treason and Plot in the MMP

[swampbear]

Howdy Y’all! Back in my room after one very large, looooooong and in charge Eucharist and Ordination. However, I do so enjoy litanies and liturgical worship. The reception afterwards was exceptional! The church ladies etc. of Trinity Church outdid themselves. They even used glass plates and real wine glasses. In other news, my pants survived the day, so they will be worn again tomorrow. I shall wear a different shirt. I wouldn’t want to be talked about over cocktails all over the diocese after all.

Rocker we sometimes put stuff down at the road for someone to adopt. Such things as chairs, grills, tables and smokers have been put there. It’s done at night and has always been gone in the mornin’. One person’s trash and all that there.

Notty axolotls like to hang out at the covered carport in the Spring and Summer. We have two geckos, named Liz and Ard, who hang out on the back porch.

FlyBoy that sucks! I hope they all get painful paper cuts and all their data disappears to somewhere they will never find it.

I shall soon retire. I’s tahrd!

[Johnny_L.A]

@missred

(or no commute)

That’s the thing. I only commute one day per month now.

My sometime-neighbour, who works for Costco down in Silver Lake, WA, said I could use him as a reference. Maybe turning his water off when a pipe broke one thaw will pay off.

@swampbear

FlyBoy that sucks! I hope they all get painful paper cuts and all their data di

Here’s the thing: BMCRA expects data in set formats. So does Other Big Credit Reporting Agency (OBCRA). I know that our database team will not be able to deliver. (And OBCRA cannot accept separate Customer and Aging files, which I combine for them with my Easytrieves.) So both agencies will need to do a lot of reprogramming (Oh – Our database can’t handle one particular set of data, and BMCRA said they can’t either), so a lot of data will not be loaded. So my company will not be paid for it.

[rocking_chair]

I’m sorry about the job. I hope you find something better very soon.

I ended up doing the grocery run.

[Misnomer]

I was hoping my next post would include the interaction with y’all that I prefer, but I really need to vent…except for sending a big holy crap to flyboy!

I’m not in NJ this evening, as planned: I’m in Allentown, PA, with a busted car that will need to be towed to a dealership in the morning.

I left my house at 1:20pm, and I-95 was so borked that Google Maps recommended two alternate routes; the fastest of which took me up US 15 to I-78, through middle-of-nowhere MD and PA. All was well until about 4 hours after starting out, when I hit a MASSIVE f***ing hole on the interstate. I knew it was a bad one right away, and the tire pressure warning came on 5-10 min later. I have run-flat tires, and managed to find a tire store in the middle of bumf**k that was open for 30 more min…and I managed to talk them into replacing the run-flat with a regular tire…and then I discovered that I don’t have my wheel lock key. (The dealership gave it to me 5.5 years ago, and I put it somewhere; I only have 25k miles on the car and haven’t needed to get the tires serviced yet.) I was ~20 miles from Allentown, which has a BMW dealership, so I called them — 5 min before they closed — and made an emergency appointment for tomorrow morning. Then I called a couple of Allentown hotels until I found a Hilton Garden Inn with an available room. The run-flats are supposed to be OK to drive on up to 50mph, so I figured I’d just crawl the 20 miles here…but man oh man, did my car BARELY make it. Felt like she was going to shake apart, and I never went over 40 (in the right lane with my hazards on). My tire is completely shredded; I’ll definitley need a tow to the dealership (6 miles away) in the AM. I am really hoping that I haven’t damaged the wheel/car itself.

I’m paying for two hotel rooms tonight, because my NJ reservation couldn’t be changed on such short notice (I called to let them know I wouldn’t be arriving today). I actually have this room booked through tomorrow night, so I don’t have to take all of my stuff to the dealership — and because who knows how long the repair might take.

I just had DoorDash bring a toothbrush and some protein shakes to the lobby: I’d been planning to go to a grocery store after checking into the NJ hotel! I could have lived without the protein shakes for another day, but this hotel is out of toothbrushes — and I can’t drive — so I got a delivery from Target.

I am so freaking tired! It was already a really long week. The dealership appointment is at 8am and the 24/7 tow truck company recommended calling them no later than 7am, so I’ll set my alarm for 6am so I can take a shower before dealing with the car. I’m hoping I can ride in the truck, but if not I should be able to get an Uber. (I am so appreciating that I live in a time with smartphones and gig services…and I’m also seriously appreciating that I can handle all of this financially!) Although I should be able to sleep tonight, I won’t be able to exhale until I’m in NJ. But in addition to the fact that there was no blowout/accident and I didn’t get hurt, at least I’m not on a schedule: for the first time in years, I’m not up here because I’m trying to get to a funeral or a wedding or anything. I can have a 24-hour delay (hopefully not more! ) without messing up any plans.

[JaneDoe42]

@Misnomer

I’m in Allentown, PA, with a busted car that will need to be towed to a dealership in the morning.

This seriously sucks too.

I’m fairly sure that you have comprehensive insurance, you just had a covered accident and might consider calling them. You are out of town, so not only will they pay to fix your car, they should also pay for your hotel room. If you have rental coverage, that should kick in as well.

Just something to fret about while you are laying awake tonight.

[missred]

@Misnomer

I hit a MASSIVE f***ing hole on the interstate.

Oh, that sucks! I hit one of those a couple of years ago to the tune of $4K damage. I hope that yours is confined to the tire.

[dogbutler]

Up from naptime. Spot came in and snuggled with me for a bit, so I guess I am forgiven. At least till the next time I serve him a Mouse-tini at exactly the wrong temperature. I’m having a Fitzgerald, spicy catfish and yellow rice for dinner. Currently watching F1 practice.

@JaneDoe42

I would have thought that the pet deposit and apartment deposit was supposed to cover that sort of thing,

Corporate greed.

@JaneDoe42

Jolene had a different name when we adopted her and we filled out the paperwork using Bella. It wasn’t until she strutted in and took over that we found her real name.

Gordie’s pre adoption name was “Bishop”.

@swampbear

How ever did we survive without a phone that tells us where to go!

Ask The Donner Party about that.

@Johnny_L.A

She gave me my three month notice. I’m being laid off as of February 5th.

That sucks, and I hope they see their error fast(I’d be a bastard and not do any additional job documentation).

@missred

I always knew that when she addressed me as Red Ann Elizabeth Patricia lastname, I wasn’t going to be ungrounded much before college.

My Mom gave her pets middle names just for this reason.

Sorry, Oopsie. Hope they get things fix fast.

[The_Stainless_Steel_Rat]

Time for the late-night final, not that I have done anything constructive since my last post. We got a little rain this evening and might get another shower later, but nothing severe. Tomorrow morning will feel odd, it’ll be the first time in almost 3 months that I’m not heading out the door early to referee and/or coach soccer for much of the day. Guess I’ll have to figure out something else to do.

flyboy, at least you’re getting something, not just a boot out the door.

@Aspenglow

Ollie likes to do this, too. He also strategically places toys in my natural path of walking through the house, with uncanny accuracy. You’d almost think… nnnaaaaaahhhh.

That reminds me of an old Eric Frank Russell Science Fiction story called “Into Your Tent I’ll Creep”, which is quite entertaining and somewhat disturbing at the same time. (Unfortunately I cannot find it on the internet so you’ll have to take my word for it…)

swampy, hope day two goes as well as day one apparently did.

Oopsie, well, damn, between you and flyboy this is not a very good start to the weekend. Hope the tire can be replaced tomorrow with little fuss and you can make it to Jersey. Like red notes, I am crossing appendages that there is not other damage that needs to be taken care of, but do report it to your insurance.

And nearly 10pm, so need to sign off and prepare for my eventual trip to Slumberland. Catch up with y’all on Sattiday.

[Johnny_L.A]

@dogbutler

I’ve lived in constant dread of being laid off for almost 25 years. I’m sad. But Mrs. L.A. is…

She’d really like to give La Jefa a piece of her mind.

[fachverwirrt]

War Requiem #1 in the books. Performance went well. Lots of coughing in the audience. There are a lot of profound silence in this piece, and it seemed like somebody in the audience dropped something every time there was quiet. Why they would have something to drop remains a mystery.

If anyone’s interested, tonight’s performance was recorded and will be broadcast tomorrow (also streaming online). I’ll post a link if anyone wants.

[nelliebly]

I’m going to do this backwards: commen on other posts first.

flyboy, I am truly sad, concerned, and pissed off about your layoff. The knowledge that they’re going to regret this decision when chaos reigns and they lose money is a rather thin satisfaction. It’s good that you at least have almost 3 months to find something, plus you get the $10k. I will keep my fingers crossed, but for now, may I recommend a cocktail or three?

Oopsie, that couldn’t be a suckier situation. I can only imagine how frazzled and exhausted you must be. I keep thinking of that old Geico commercial with the talking pothole. (“Oh, nooo!..Did I do that?”), only your situation is much worse than that. I’m so sorry. I’m hoping hard for a swift resolution.

@Paintcharge

We start dog school tomorrow. She’s gotten worse over the last 2 days. Coming when called is now optional.

I think reform dog school is an excellent move, and I bet Peach will do well there. Also, I love the axolotl story!

@missred

Growing up, my mom would go through the whole roster of names, sometimes adding the cat and/or the dog before she got it right.

It wasn’t just my parents then? I’m the youngest of four, The dog and I had two-syllable names that started with the same letter, but I was affronted. Then I grew up and had only TWO kids, and I found myself doing the same thing.

@JaneDoe42

I would have thought that the pet deposit and apartment deposit was supposed to cover that sort of thing, but I’ve never been a landlord or even wanted to, so what do I know?

You’re 100% correct. Ms. Dog’s person and I discussed this before they moved out of the complex. At the time, I found this in The Week (an excellent site–VERY balanced) and bookmarked it:

The 2021 “Pet Inclusive Housing Initiative Report” from Michelson Found Animals and the Human Animal Bond Research Institute found that tenants pay $864 in deposits and $600 a year in extra rent fees. Yet, “the average dollar amount of extra damages caused by pets is $210 and many residents choose to pay for these damages out of their own pockets.”

@JaneDoe42

She’s a small cat and looks even smaller next to 22 lb. George the Maine Coon. she plays it up so much around Hubs, she’s just a little bitty baby kitty who can’t jump to the top of the three foot kitty tree, she has to scale it like she’s climbing the Everest, dangerous foot slipping cliff hanger and all! He usually reaches over and helps her because she’s got him so whipped.

If it’s just me in the room, she jumps.

I just love your kitty stories. I always relay them to my daughter, who also enjoys them.

@dogbutler

Which to be fair, if somebody touched my foot while I was licking my nuts, I’d act about the same.

I’m trying to imagine someone happening on that situation and even thinking about your foot.

I am firmly stuck in Medicare limbo. Still haven’t heard back from the SHIP people. I called my Part B insurance company, and they no longer advise people about Part D (which they don’t provide), so that was that. I have a friend in WY who’s a certified Medicare advisor. I have a call in to her, but she won’t be available until Monday. So I’m taking the weekend off, much as I hate to do so. I finished the housework, worked out, and handled a visit from the maintenance guy about what I thought was mold but is actually residue from the water. (Ew.)

Tomorrow I need to set up so I can move my plants indoors. I hope we don’t get a frost while my fuchsia are blooming.

[Johnny_L.A]

@nelliebly

may I recommend a cocktail or three?

Two glasses of cheap plonk before The Missus came home. She took us out to dinner down the beach (but not the usual place). $126 for bad fish & chips (for her), a pretty good Cobb salad (for me), and two Grey Goose martinis for each of us. (The Mexican place would have been better and cheaper, but she didn’t want to go there.) Now we’re back on the plonk.

[missred]

@dogbutler

@missred

I always knew that when she addressed me as Red Ann Elizabeth Patricia lastname, I wasn’t going to be ungrounded much before college.

My Mom gave her pets middle names just for this reason.

Yeah, Nelson knows when I call him Willie Hugh, he’d better straighten up and fly right.

@nelliebly

You’re 100% correct. Ms. Dog’s person and I discussed this before they moved out of the complex. At the time, I found this in The Week (an excellent site–VERY balanced) and bookmarked it:

The 2021 “Pet Inclusive Housing Initiative Report” from Michelson Found Animals and the Human Animal Bond Research Institute found that tenants pay $864 in deposits and $600 a year in extra rent fees. Yet, “the average dollar amount of extra damages caused by pets is $210 and many residents choose to pay for these damages out of their own pockets.”

The only damage to my last apartment ( and this one too) that Nelson’s caused was a roughly 2’'X8" place on the lower right side of the front door where he scratches when I leave. Labor and paint for repainting the entire door when done by staff is less than $150. And I lived in my last place for 9 years, so that’s 8 of $360 a year, plus $300 deposit. It’s a good thing he’s cute.

[purplehorseshoe]

@Paintcharge

I have no idea what day it is or what time it is.

I wandered into work once, coupla years back, right after the time change, and whispered, “I have no idea what time it is, or if I’m even supposed to be here … ?”

Took a while to live that one down.

@swampbear

How ever did we survive without a phone that tells us where to go!

Printing out Mapquest, and also - in some areas - those gigantic Mapsco books that were heavier than an encyclopedia and required some skillz to read correctly.

Ah, the good ol’ days.

@AskNott

axolotls

They are really fascinating for a number of reasons.

@AskNott

this guy launched into a complicated analysis of how many drops are in a bucket

Dude needs a hobby.

Maybe breeding axolotls?

@Paintcharge

Hope they realize the foolishness of out-boarding what you do.

IME they will … once it’s far too late.

@The_Stainless_Steel_Rat

doggio, I still understand about half of what you write

You’re doing better than me. I grasped what a “Blueberry” is, but most of the rest is ..m whoooosh.

@The_Stainless_Steel_Rat

took me until today to find the mute button…

@Johnny_L.A

So my company will not be paid for it.

They’re not “your company” anymore.

@dogbutler

Gordie’s pre adoption name was “Bishop”.

Monkey’s was “Maskill.” Anyone wanna figure that one out?

@Johnny_L.A

She’d really like to give La Jefa a piece of her mind.

Please get video documentation. With full audio.

[dogbutler]

Up, caffeinated, and sheveled. Off to heave. It’s my Firday. It’s also 59 degrees Ferret Height(15 Centipedes) and raining.

@Johnny_L.A

She’d really like to give La Jefa a piece of her mind.

As would we all.

@fachverwirrt

I’ll post a link if anyone wants.

Yes.

@nelliebly

I’m trying to imagine someone happening on that situation and even thinking about your foot.

Only in a foot fetish p0rn movie set at a contortionist school.

@purplehorseshoe

Monkey’s was “Maskill.” Anyone wanna figure that one out?

Google says it’s based of the Hebrew word for “Enlightened person”(appropriate considering his rave harness), and also an Australian undercarriage company(appropriate in light of yesterday’s feline events).

[Filbert]

@swampbear

Notty axolotls like to hang out at the covered carport in the Spring and Summer. We have two geckos, named Liz and Ard, who hang out on the back porch.

Unless this is a weird in-joke I missed (always possible in the MMP) I think you’re getting your critters mixed- axolotls are only found in a small area of Mexico, and also don’t leave the water. I used to have pet ones.

Hope those having a terrible start to the weekend have things turn round soon!

I’m still deciding what to do today. It’s grey and gloomy and not inviting out there, but I want to go out and do something, except I also have a huge and growing list of jobs to do… So I’m sitting on the sofa and browsing the Dope.

[swampbear]

Good Mornin’ Y’all! Up and uncaffeinated, so grump again. ‘Tis 59 Amurrkin out and mostly clear with a predicted high of 78 and cloudy with a slight chance of early mornin’ rain. I shall purtify shortly and get gassed up and find caffeine. Convention starts with Eucharist at seven-thirty and a continental breakfast at eight. The business session begins at nine and will wrap up close to noon. I’ll say a few goodbyes and hit the road home to da cave. Long (for me) drive ahead. The plan is to be there before dark. My DAWGS play Sippimissi State at noon. I could find it on the radio and listen, but that is probably not a good idea as I tend to get a might worked up.

{{{Oopsie}}} dang! I hope the dealership can get your new tire on so you can get back on the road soonest.

OK, time to purtify, get packed up, load up and check out of this low rent place. Perhaps I will post later today from da cave.

Happy Sattidy Y’all!

[LH75]

@Johnny_L.A

I am so sorry to hear of your job loss. It sounds like management really has no idea what you really do and they will be stuck once you are gone.

[scareyfaerie]

Morning, mumpers! It’s currently 12c/54f with a predicted high of 13c/55f and mostly cloudy. Weather app says “Fucking suck it, clouds!”

@Johnny_L.A

She gave me my three month notice. I’m being laid off as of February 5th.

I am so sorry to hear this, I hope you’re able to find something else instead Perhaps with a shorter, or non-existent, commute?

@Misnomer

All was well until about 4 hours after starting out, when I hit a MASSIVE f***ing hole on the interstate.

How horrible! I’m glad you made it to safety and had somewhere to stay for the night. Hopefully your insurance will cover a tow and the damage?

Quick posting as it’s a busy one for me! Last night we went out to see Black Lakes at the Giffard. Much fun was had, there was some beer along with some singing, dancing and hugging. Got home about 1am and went straight to bed.

I was up early to feed the cats and get myself to the hairdresser…I told her I was bored with my current style which made her very excited. So now I have been bobbed! It’s considerably shorter, and I’m not 100% sure about it yet, but it was necessary because it did get rid of my ratty ends. Back home via the petrol station to fill up the tank, now I need to get lunch for us and set up the automated cat feeders as we’re off to Yorkshire for a big birthday party. Time to scoot!

[FairyChatMom]

@Paintcharge

the mom said, You axolotl questions.

I recently saw a t-shirt for sale that says that, with a cute cartoonish axolotl on it. I was thinking of getting one for Roxy.

@fachverwirrt

Why they would have something to drop remains a mystery.

I think silence is upsetting to some people. Daughter’s ex-in-laws kept their TV going 24/7 and I expect that’s part of the reason. Me, I likes my quiet.

@nelliebly

I hope we don’t get a frost while my fuchsia are blooming.

I was just thinking about bringing in my 2 spider plants and the croton. Not sure where I’ll put them. Last year it was in FCD’s office, but that’s where the dog crate sits now. Dammit. I’ll figure out something.

@purplehorseshoe

those gigantic Mapsco books

Don’t forget the accordion-folded paper maps that gas stations used to give away. I think we have 5 or 6 in the glove box of the truck. Good times!

@dogbutler

Only in a foot fetish p0rn movie set at a contortionist school.

I’m trying to decide if you need intensive therapy or a gig as a stand-up comic…

flyboy - what are your employment options? What are the options in your neck of the woods? And should they realize that they goofed by letting you go, what would you charge as a consultant if they want you back to straighten things out?

@scareyfaerie

we’re off to Yorkshire for a big birthday party.

We’ll be off to a not-too-big party for an almost 4-y/o (his actual birth date is Nov 15, but I guess the venue was booked that day.) It’s only scheduled for 2 hours, which is definitely good.

We got some rain overnight, but today is supposed to be sunny and close to 70 Ferrets. SIL will be dropping off the grandspawn in a couple-three hours. I’ve already decided they’re getting mac-n-cheese for lunch, and I’ll put old t-shirts over them so they don’t arrive at the party all cheesy.

I need to empty, then start refilling, the dishwasher, and it’s clean-the-icemaker day. Beyond that, not much else planned. I do expect some plants I ordered to be delivered, so I need to get them in the ground, probably today since rain is threatened tomorrow. And so it begins.

Happy Saturday!!