Writer's Block: Miss Manners

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Cell phones. I hate when someone is on an earpiece, walking along looking like their talking to themselves. How do they stand all the double takes, other people wondering if they're talking to them? Perhaps it's some sort of power trip.

I also dislike people who talk on their cell phones when they drive. It scares me.

I'm so unplugged in when it comes to cell phones. We just have a pay-as-you go phone that always has minutes left when the time runs up. We rarely use it and I only have it in case the kids' school needs to get in touch with me while I'm out and about. Still, there certainly are times I wish Chris and I both had one, but nothing critical has ever come up. We survive just fine without.

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I just received a letter from our rental agency stating that we owe them $178 for the damage done to the door by the fire department. Naturally I called them to say "No way!" and he told me they have tried to collect from the fire department and they won't pay (they were just doing their job after all). They've tried to collect from the home owners and they won't pay. SO, that leaves us. I told him that these fire alarms are defective, that even after the fire department busted in the door and changed the batteries, the alarms continued to go off the whole time we were on vacation (this is per the neighbors.) The alarms continue to go off at least three times a week, usually much more. They go off if the house gets too cold, they go off if the stove gets hot. They are uber sensitive.

I told him if we are going to pay for this bill, they had better get out here and fix the alarms. I told him I hadn't bothered him about the alarms because it didn't seem like a critical problem but now IT IS! He seemed more than happy to come fix the alarms, maybe because it will be a legitimate bill he can send to the owners. This is so frustrating.

I want to somehow figure out a way to let my neighbor know that their 911 call is now costing me $178. But of course that would be childish. They were just trying to do the right thing, and I am thankful. Maybe our renters insurance will pay for it? I'm going to call them and find out.

UPDATE: Our renters insurance will pay for it. Yay!!

Max the stud

I always take Max with me when I pick up the boys from school in the afternoon. Today I spent a little longer than usual because I had to talk to Petey's teacher about some issues. When I came out of the school, I saw a man standing next to the van taking pictures of Max with his cell phone. My first thought was "crap, that guys mad that I left my dog in a car with the windows rolled up." But nope. He was taking pictures because thought Max was so pretty ("like a zebra" were the words of his son.) He told me had two fawn colored girls at home. He then asked me if I'd had Max fixed yet or not. He said that I should give him a call if I decide to stud him out.

I hardly knew how to answer him. Of course I'm flattered, but the truth is that I don't really want to add to the dog over-population problem. I had planned on getting him fixed in April when he turns seven months old. However, being as we are constantly broke, the idea of stud fees ($600 plus) did make dollar signs dance before my eyes. No! I won't sell out on my convictions! Even if I do know Max would make beautiful babies :)