Believe me, there have been creatures in my bedroom that were much more horrid.

The cats have the run of the house, with the exception of the closets. But that is a rule they seem to break frequently.

I had been recommended to use a particular firm to put up a pressurized wall in my apartment to convert it into a 2 bedroom so it will suitable when my roommate moves in next week. I had placed several calls to this firm and they took down my info and when they hadn't called me back I called them and they told me that as they hadn't worked in my building before and it is their busy season they couldn't get to me until November!

This was last Monday. Then I called a competitor who was able to get me an installation date of October 14th. I said I would take it, even though it would mean a week and a half of living with a roommate without a wall, because I didn't think I had a choice. I called yesterday to see if they could move it up and they said they could do it today, if I provided the insurance info that my mgmt company requires. I faxed them the info and then didn't hear back. I left them a message but no word.

So then this morning when I got up I didn't know if I had to stay here all day waiting for this wall or not. I got someone on the phone who said they would be there at 10. This was at 9:30, so I ran to the bank to ge a money order, as they won't take checks. Then I ran back as fast as I could, worried that they would be waiting and perhaps leave because I was not home. Ugh. They showed up at 11 or so and have been here ever since. I am hoping that it is done in time for me to not have to cancel my dinner plans.

I am happy to finally have the wall, but it is a much greater ordeal than it should be. Plus it is annoying to have to spend all day in my apartment making sure the job is done right and that none of my possessions disappear.

Welcome back to New York City, where any service contracted for takes forever. That is, if the service provider bothers to show up (late or not) in the first place.

Aaron, what's a pressurized wall?

The f&*&$^% Fullerton Ave. bus.

Entered office.
Turned on computer.
Went to kitchen to grab some coffee.
Sat down at computer.
Adjusted shirt cuffs.
Discovered I have two different cufflinks on.

Perhaps you'll start a trend with those mismatched cufflinks, like those sock people in San Francisco, Little Mismatched, are trying to do.

MTA puts energies to good use.

I mean, please just leave us alone and concentrate on not having the entire system grind to a halt because a woofer blows in the 1919 rubber-band-and-nylon generator which runs the whole thing.

What the hell is an open container in this context? If they mean someone is going to fine me because I board the train with the previously opened bottle of Snapple I had been (legally) drinking on the platform, then they are just going to have to catch me and fine me. I mean, if you think anyone can "walk around" the 4 train at 8.30 in the morning, with or without a cup of hot coffee, it suggests you don't use the subway at all. We need regulations to say we shouldn't throw hot coffee over each other?

Just shut up.

Could be worse.

I am encouraged to see that the DC police have eradicated all more serious crimes and can concentrate on this quality of life stuff.

Another reason not to live in D.C.

I hear the approach of lawsuits.

The school I went to had rules that prohibited pupils, while in school uniform, eating in the streets. And we had to wear our hats and gloves at all times when out. Community residents would sometimes report seeing girls eating or without beret etc., and the complaints were read out by the headmistress at assembly.

I would prefer people not to eat meals* on public transport, but I don't think it should be a criminal offence and subject to arrest. I remember the old Private Eye joke that Prime Minister Alec Douglas-Home, while a prefect at Eton, had once beaten a boy to death with a cricket bat for eating in public.

*You know, messy, smelly stuff.

at my boarding school we weren't allowed to have both hands in our pockets while walking around in public. and we always had to carry umbrellas when we went to town. this being darjeeling, this was not as insane a requirement as it might appear; though the reality of the weather didn't prevent students from rival schools from referring to us as "chhata-wallas". its lasting effect on me is that i am always armed with an umbrella at the first sign of rain--something my students find very funny. apparently, it is more cool to get wet than to carry an umbrella.

Pump broke at the winery. Time to spend more money.

Can one regulate farts?

Get on the elevator leaving work today. As the doors close... 'what's that...? oh my god, I can't breathe!' Eyes tearing up; starting to gag. Just about to press any button to escape when I realize it's only four more floors to the first level. Gagging, choking, I stagger off the elevator and rush towards the door of the building. Ah, relief! Better as I approach the building entrance until... what? oh dear god it can't be?! yes, the same overwhelming, smothering stench getting stronger! Through teary eyes I see a woman paused in the entryway talking on her cell phone, her reeking cologne the increasingly obvious (indeed, practically visible) source of the noxious fumes. I hope she didn't think me rude as I bolted past her stumbling into the street, weeping and gagging and wiping my eyes and coughing and gasping for air. Have a nice day, lady!

Many types of animal musk scents are available to deal with this very problem. http://wildlife.com/deerlure.html

Oh, I understood that. We have a shareholder in my building whose presence in the elevator makes a lasting impression. Luckily she's now retired and travels a lot.

I got a letter from my mortgage company saying that the borough is reporting delinquent taxes for my property and that I now owe $211 by the end of the month or they will charge escrow again. I live in a co-op--isn't the building responsible for paying real estate taxes? Or does my mortgage company not know the difference between co-ops and condos?

Aren't you perfume sensitive types overreacting a litle bit?
Or are we talking solely about offensive perfumes like Pierre Cardin for men? Gucci? Paco Rabanne? The original Polo? Lolita Lempicka?
I wear a bit of perfume and the chicks love it. Hard for me to come home cleanly and untouched but I try my best.

Perfume, in small doses beat regular body odor. Some people, however, are unable to adapt to different environments. Lord, with the fumes that today's fourten wheelers spew, who in their right mind has the time to seriously complain about perfume.

I am one of those "scent-sensitive" people (though I try to not be obnoxious about it) and I also have problems breathing when I'm around someone wearing heavy perfume or cologne. I also can't be in a room with burning incense.

Speaking of incense, am I the only one who tests her lung capacity walking on the south side of Astor Place between Lafayette and Broadway?

I am a habitual perfume wearer, but I try to apply fragrance descreetly, so as not to annoy others. If I overdo it, friends, please tell me right away.

For a long time, I've wanted to start a line of food-based perfumes. Vanilla extract, of course, but also Dijon mustard.

Fortunately (or un- ?), others have beat me to it.

Never mind the mere concept. I ate broccoli for lunch, forgetting that I will be doing an exercise class in a few hours time. I shall have to hum loudly.