Category Archives: Annoyances

How To Be A Squeaky Wheel

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I rarely pass up the opportunity to gripe about companies that irritate me when I already deal with enough irritations on a daily basis. For instance, take my cat, Skye, who vomited her entire meal onto the kitchen nook seating; she couldn’t do it on the kitchen tile like a considerate cat would, but apparently that never crossed her mind.

The culprit

Anyway, to begin my griping, I’ve had DirecTV for over 30 years. I’m too lazy to leave my desk to confirm that number, but it’s been mucho years. During those mucho years, I’ve only called DirecTV a handful of times. In other words, I’d say I’m an ideal customer.

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Stupid, Naive, Right-Brained Me

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I posted this 11 years ago, but it’s still apropos today. And sadly, I continue to take ownership of the above title.

Guess what I did last weekend? I’ll give you a hint, although it was not in the least bit fun. In fact, it was torture but it had to be done. Just an inevitability one simply can’t ignore. And believe me, I tried to for four months.

I’m sure right about now you’re asking yourself what the heck I’m talking about. So here goes: I just completed my tax return for 2014. Go ahead, judge me. I don’t blame you. In all the years I’ve been paying taxes (over 40) I’ve never needed an extension until this year. (Insert shameful head bow here.)

tax extension

Now don’t get me wrong; I’m generally responsible. I always pay my bills on time, see the dentist twice a year, regularly change the oil in my car, and never drive without wearing a seat belt. So how did I, completely out of character, end up doing taxes on September 29th?

Safety first
Safety first
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Oh, Rats!

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Well, this is a bit embarrassing.

I have rats. As in the kind that are disgusting, not the cute domestic rats my associate Donna has as pets. Her rats actually have personalities, like you and me. They don’t talk and they can’t shop or go to a movie with you but overall they’re pretty entertaining.

donnas-rats-izzy-and-simon
Izzy and Simon

I don’t know why we find domestic rats cuter than sewer rats, which are considered vermin, but there you go. My guess is the moniker, sewer, doesn’t enhance their image. But the thought of vermin taking up residence in my walls gives me the Creeps with a capital C. Unfortunately, I’ve had the Creeps a lot lately.

rat
A not-so-cute sewer rat
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An Accident Waiting to Happen

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I’m an accident waiting to happen. No lie. I’ve been physically active all my life so it’s bound to happen that I’ll have my fair share of injuries, but come on! I have had my fill, thank you very much. It would be nice if my guardian angel started doing her job a little better, don’t you think?

Now don’t get me wrong; I’m not putting all the blame on her, mainly because I’m guessing my guardian angel is my mom. But I’m beginning to think she’s having too much fun in Heaven to pay the necessary attention one requires of their guardian angel. After all, my dad is there (the love of her life), her parents, her brothers and sister, and all of her friends. No doubt she’s a bit distracted.

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What I Learned At The DMV

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Because I tend to procrastinate with things I hate to do, I did exactly that on Monday. What is that, you ask? Well, I turned the big 7-0 last week, so of course I waited until the last possible minute to get my new license photo taken.

So Long Brown Hair. Hello Gray Hair

I stupidly tried to get an appointment online but my computer practically laughed in my face. The earliest I could get in was late August. So I did the next best thing — I signed up online to reserve a place in line. I was G-031 so 11 people were ahead of me. When I became number six in line, I headed to the Novato DMV.

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