Saturday, November 2, 2013

Bodily Fluids and Poor Customer Service


Yesterday was one of those days.

I don't know why. Maybe I was giving off bad energy. Maybe the universe was sending bad energy my way. Maybe it was all just a Series of Unfortunate Events, as Lemony Snicket put it so well.

The day started with Olga -- and you might want to skip this paragraph if you're eating -- spewing an unsettling quantity of bloody diarrhea onto the sidewalk on her morning outing. So there I was in utter darkness at 5:30 a.m. trying to clean it up with a plastic bag and a paper towel that I just happened to have in my pocket. I don't know what was ailing her. She gets this way every once in a while and it always scares us to death, and the vet can find nothing wrong, and then it passes and she goes back to normal in a day or two. Can a dog have IBS or Crohn's Disease?

An hour later, she vomited on the kitchen floor. No blood in that, happily.

I set out for work, and made it to the tube just in time to catch a waiting train. I hopped into the car right before the doors closed, and an overly-made-up young woman standing next to me started loudly telling her male companion how she hates it when people jump onto the train, and why can't they just wait for the next one? I shot her a dirty look and was considering saying something snarky and inappropriate (like, "some of us have jobs to get to," which would have been rich coming from until-recently-underemployed me) when her boyfriend (or whatever) said to me, "Is there a problem?" Well, when someone says that, nothing good can ever come from saying yes, especially in a crowded subway car. So I silently shook my head no and turned away from them, and the woman proceeded to jostle and elbow me as much as possible for my entire 15-minute ride.

I got to school and the kids were just terrible. It was Friday and they were excited and probably still hopped up on Halloween sugar. Lots of talking at top volume, lots of disregarding and eye-rolling when asked (politely) to pipe down.

At lunch I went to the bank to deposit a birthday check, but I was told that I would have to come back next week because the bank was out of some silly form that they need to fill out to convert my check from dollars into pounds. I mean, really? A paper form? Can't they just print one off a computer? Barclays, are you listening? So I had to leave with my undeposited check, to try again next week.

Fortunately, things settled down after that. I walked home from work to blow off some steam and Olga seemed much better last night. I bought her a special can of organic dog food and she wolfed it down. (She had also eaten her dry food during the day.) So hopefully this latest episode of canine spastic colon, or whatever, has departed.

Boy, am I glad it's the weekend.

(Photo: A nice color combination in Notting Hill.)

12 comments:

Ana Balka said...

Good lord! First of all, WHAT THE WHAT?! at Barclay's. That warrants some phone calls, not that that's any fun either. Second, what a horrible couple on the train! And I'd say Poor Olga, but sounds like she got over it. So my sympathy goes to you again on that one. Nothing like a spewing dog, and helplessness in cleaning it up, but no choice but to appear to try—ARGH!!! May your weekend be better than your Friday was, Steve.

ain't for city gals said...

Some days are diamonds...some days are...well, you know.

Ms. Moon said...

And isn't today your birthday? I hope that the evil energies leave you alone today. That you have a good day, a day of regular dog poop, a day of no train-riding, a day of no children, hopped up or not.
I'm glad to have "met" you, Steve. I celebrate your presence here on earth.

Vivian said...

yesterday you saved someone else a bad day. Ha ha

37paddington said...

Maybe it was that the veils between worlds were so thin and all sorts of mischief was running amok, but yesterday sucked for me too. Unlike your day, tho, my suckage was all about my attitude and my thoughts. No rude young women with spoiling-for-a-fight boyfriends on the train or kids hopped up on sugar. I am so glad Olga is better. I am endeavoring today to view my circumstances with new eyes! Is today your birthday?

Linda Sue said...

WOW what a day! I have to say that yes, it was that sort of day all around- I empathize...and maybe it is just the change of season making everything not run smoothly! I am with Ms. Moon, here, when she says so glad to have "met" you. My existance is richer for it and I do hope that you had an excellent BD.
Dexter sometimes has those sort of nasty poos, blood, throwing up...I have been making his dinner and things have improved- organic chicken/rice/kale and organic broth, sometimes lamb, sometimes organic grass fed cow. It is a hassle but he is much better for it.

Sharon said...

I've had days like that. I'm glad yours is over. Happy Birthday by the way.

ellen abbott said...

some sort of karmic car wash for sure.

Reya Mellicker said...

There were 12 exact aspects going on in the sky - very difficult aspects. Of course you felt it. Of course.

Wayne said...

Well the stereotype of Londoners being rude must come from somewhere! :/

utahDOG! said...

I love it when people ask me if there is a problem. My best latent aggression gets exercised when I hear that question!

Hope you birthday was otherwise pleasant.

The Bug said...

I had to laugh - I had JUST taken a big bite of tuna sandwich when I got to the paragraph about Olga. Ha! Didn't phase me though, so no big deal.

As you can see, I'm catching up on posts. I'm hoping that your days improved considerably!

P.S. I read a web comic that you might enjoy (Unshelved) - it's aimed at librarians. I'll try to remember to share it with you later.