July 30, 2025 All This Bothers Me

There are almost too many things that bother me to include in one post.

I’ll start with the easy ones first.

Colorized film. 99% of black and white films should stay that way. I’m hoping colorization won’t happen to visual works of art such as The Night of the Hunter, 1955, directed by Charles Laughton.

Mail-in rebates. What a hassle!

Losing the remote. And my phone, glasses, books, journals, shoes, etc.

Forgetting to eat, then having nothing decent to eat.

Ignoring the mail, then finding out your esteemed personal banker retired. Or that you owe money all over the place.

Neglecting the fish tank, then finding out it had a major filter problem, and some fish were lost.

Neglecting your plants because you’re only diligent when you’re obsessed.

Being asked for money by a loved relation, and having none to safely give.

Getting a companion horse for Greyson, then finding out it may have been pure luck, at least in part, that he accepted the halter the day he was picked up.

Doctors who obfuscate the truth, or just downright lie to your face. And either way, you never get an apology. The post-surgical mistake made by the guys who glued my neck together was the most egregious. The latest was yesterday, when the eye doctor said, “Your farsightedness has improved!” I found out later that day it’s impossible for eyesight to improve. So, he’d made mistakes for 2 years running, during which time I’d no glasses to wear.

Having your neighbor steal your puppy. Then replacing the puppy – a purebred collie - with a much more expensive one, just to have your original puppy come back home. And with a potentially chronic medical condition. 

Wasting money while writing your book, because you didn’t know what you were doing.

Having the worst editor in the world assigned to your book, then not getting any response to your complaints until you write a 1-star review of the company on Trustpilot.

Knowing the people you love didn’t even read it, especially if they’re in the book.

People who either dump you outright, or pull away, without being crystal clear as to why.

I’m getting old, and starting to look old, and feel physically damaged.

I know I should care about the U.S. and the world, but just can’t face it right now. I feel like a “good German.”