~Sunday~ Last night, Joe and I had talked about possibly meeting at Panera Bread for breakfast this morning, but I didn’t really feel up to it, and he was gracious enough to change plans. I had two eggs over easy, some toast, and coffee here at the house.
I forgot to mention yesterday that I did the tedious chore of picking out our five films to see at this year’s NCGLFF. This is what I settled on, pending Robert’s agreement/approval:
- Friday, 08/15, 5:00PM – So Romantic, So Bewildering
- Saturday, 08/16, 2:35PM – Mr. Right
- Saturday, 08/16, 4:30PM – Little Ashes
- Sunday, 08/17, 12:10PM – Redwoods
- Sunday, 08/17, 7:00PM – Patrick, Age 1.5
We’ll get their “10-Pass” and split it on these five movies.
Even though I have been unable to renew Anna Karenina online the past two times I’ve tried, I tried again today, since it’s due again tomorrow. Voilà! Now due August 2nd.
I don’t know if it’s good or bad, but that took the pressure off reading it today to try and finish it by tomorrow night, when it was due. I imagine it’s “good” (if one must make a value judgment about it), as I’m really in no hurry to finish it, and I know I’m miles ahead of the rest of the book club in their progress with it.
I dragged my ass to the gym this afternoon, where I did 15 sets of 20 reps of ab crunches, really struggling the last 5 sets. I’m sure I’ll feel that tomorrow whenever I sit up or cough or sneeze.
I followed that up with 45 minutes of cardio—elliptical machine, “Hill” setting, level 4. I listened to a brisk Podrunner track, which kept my pace up and I burned 864 calories according to the machine’s computer. I’ll take it—or more accurately I guess, leave it.
I received this most fucked-up, convoluted, insurance-speak, gibberish in a letter—in all caps no less—from my auto insurance company:
| THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING NATIONWIDE TO PROVIDE YOUR AUTO INSURANCE.
FROM THE CONSUMER-REPORTING AGENCY LISTED BELOW, WE HAVE DISCOVERED INFORMATION REQUIRING HIGHER CHARGES FOR YOUR PREMIUM BECAUSE OF ADDITIONAL ACCIDENTS, VIOLATION, OR THE ADDITION OF INEXPERIENCED OPERATORS. THE STATE INSURANCE DEPARTMENT REGULATES THE TYPE OF INFORMATION INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE ALLOWED TO OBTAIN FOR DETERMINING PREMIUM RATES. THE CONSUMER-REPORTING AGENCY DID NOT MAKE THE DECISION TO TAKE THIS ACTION AND IS UNABLE TO PROVIDE YOU THE SPECIFIC REASON WHY THIS ACTION WAS TAKEN. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBTAIN A FREE COPY OF THE REPORT FROM THE CONSUMER-REPORTING AGENCY BY REQUEST WITHIN 60 DAYS OF THE RECEIPT OF THIS NOTICE. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO DISPUTE THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE REPORT WITH THE CONSUMER-REPORTING AGENCY. CHOICEPOINT CONSUMER CENTER WE WILL MAIL AN ADJUSTMENT BILLING FOR THE REQUIRED ADDITIONAL PREMIUM OR A RENEWAL BILLING WHICH INCLUDES THE ADDITIONAL PREMIUM. YOU MAY WRITE TO US AT THE ABOVE ADDRESS FOR A STATEMENT OF THE AMOUNT OF PREMIUM ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE INCREASE. HOWEVER, THE SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHANGE THAT AFFECTS YOUR PREMIUM HAS BEEN GIVEN TO YOUR AGENT, WHO WILL BE GLAD TO DISCUSS IT WITH YOU. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR AGENT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. SINCERELY, |
Why in the world wouldn’t I just receive a letter from my agent telling me my premium’s going up and why. NATIONWIDE CUSTOMER SERVICE: FAIL!
Of course I really don’t know—as it seems to be top-fucking-secret—but all I can think of is that after one year and almost two months, a speeding ticket I got in Charleston, SC on May 21, 2008 has made it onto my NC driving record. Bastards.
I met Joe and Alex out tonight for karaoke, and we were later joined by Henry and Al. We also met Henry’s friend Shane. It was a large time singing along with the songs we all knew (e.g., Country Road and Like We Never Loved at All), and sharing deep thoughts by Jack Handy; okay not really, but profound thoughts by Alex (atorres968), such as, “If you don’t have to look at the words on the monitor, then it’s not karaoke, it’s reminiscing.” (Alex, I know I’ve probably massacred that; please feel free to correct with a comment.)
In the parking lot, Joe gave me several pieces of the (southern) Amish Friendship Bread that he’d brought for me, and as Al was leaving at the same time, I put a piece in his mouth, which he loved, and Joe ended up giving him a bag of starter. Starter? You starter, you brought her. Badumpbump!