Is Mercury in retrograde?

 There is just too much going on and it is affecting my effectiveness.

Story #1

The keypad on the back door stopped working. wtf? The door is unlocked all the time. I think it must be the battery, even though I put a new one in just a few months ago. I stop at Target - they have a huge battery center but no 9V batteries of course. Next day, I stop at Runnings, who just bought Home of Economy (right by my house). HoE always had pretty good prices, so I was hoping these would be good. They have regular 9V, but also the lithium for $26. I said to myself, fuck it, I might as well get the good one, since the last battery didn't even last a year and Imma boutta go away, don't want to screw my renter. Oh boy. I should have known. When I put in the new battery, I see that the little lever on the lock is tripped. I just wasted $26. Doh!

Story #2

My watch band broke. I can still wear it, but I need a new band. I ordered a new one from Temu because I try not to use Amazon (because Jeff Bezos in a bozo). Plus the band isn't expensive so I'd have to order extra stuff since I don't have Prime, and I'm trying not to order stuff I don't need right before I move. So the watch band is supposed to be delivered in a couple weeks. But then I get a notice that the delivery date has changed to Dec 13. wtf? I won't even be living at the delivery address at that point. Now I'm looking at bands on Amazon and trying to figure out what else to order to get to $35. Couple days go by and I lost my watch. Band must have broken again. I look for it in a few places, but I can't find it. I order a new watchfrom eBay. It's supposed to be delivered in a few days. Then, I found my watch in the way back of my car. ACK! Now I've got a new watch on the way, but still need a new band for the old one. Doh!

Super hero day

So much going on right now, it's hard to get my arms around it. I have discovered that "gratitude" is not the same as "appreciation." Once I gave my notice at UND, many people had lots of nice things to say, which is great and I'm super flattered, but that certainly is not, and has not been, reflected in the meetings I've been invited to or been reflected in how much I am listened to when I have been included. 

But today was a great day! It was a 360 degree librarian day:

I started the day teaching a large undergrad class at 9 am (in-person); the tech let me down for the final exercise and I forgot something important, but I still think I killed it

Next, I did some student engagement with the College of Ed during their semi-annual HS outreach event. Not only did I kill it with the students, but I talked to relevant staff and faculty and made some great connections.

Right after this, I was covering chat and got a research question - we got onto zoom and I killed it helping this student find the right resources.

I closed out the day having a conversation about materials to buy for the children's collections that supports our goal of expanding biligual books this year.

Then I went and donated blood.

Later, I met one of the visiting fellows and helped them work through a frustrating situation they had experienced earlier in the week. I think I said all the right things and they felt better after our conversation.

So I'm feeling like a superstar librarian and generally outstanding contributing member of society. I need to remember this on the many, many days where I feel like I am wasting my time and screwing everything up.

KC Customer Service

Had a truly bizarre experience with a property manager in KC today. 

I had chosen an apt on their website, they contacted me, I said I could only do a virtual tour, and it was scheduled for today. 

This afternoon, I got a text asking me to confirm our 3 pm appt, and I replied "okay." At 3 pm, nothing happened - I didn't get a call or a link in an email or anything. 

I called the number that had texted me (Brylea) and got no answer. I called the main office number and Brylea answered. She said she usually gets a text reply that says "yes confirm" So she's mad because I only said "okay"??? 

I said something like I had expected the tour to occur on the computer and she said, "yeah we'll set up a google meet." I said "okay" and the call ended. Did she hang up on me for saying "okay" again??? 

I have no idea. She didn't call back.

This apt has been listed for over a month. wtaf? She's being this shitty to a potential renter for a place that's empty? Very worrisome if this is typical customer service in the Show Me State!

I will add that there are about a thousand apartments for rent in KC, so this is very much more her loss than mine. I think I'll write a Google review or email the company about how they lost a customer...