asking online |

The "yuj" — $5 off Craigslist or free delivery?

March 19. Day 262.

For a few weeks I’ve been eyeing a tall and slender cd/dvd tower from Ikea, since it’s just perfect for storing some jewelry and keepsakes. Fits between a small dresser and the wall in the bedroom.

It goes for $40 to $50 new, depending on the color, and that’s just too much in [...]

getting my money's worth |

Legal advice, Greek style

February 15. Day 230.

“What if something goes wrong? Can she drive it? What happens if the police pulls me over?”

These were Mr. A’s questions to the guy renting us an ATV so we could explore the island. The whole set up seemed somewhat sketchy — limited insurance, hand over driver’s license as collateral, call the [...]

dining out |

Free dessert? Or rather: Free. Dessert.

February 5. Day 220.

I just got back from Denny’s, where Mr. A and I waited an hour for some nachos and a hot skillet plate. We went out to eat especially because we wanted it to be quick. Neither of us had time or desire to chop onions or do dishes. I was planning on [...]

bending the rules |

How all those parking fines finally paid off.

January 6. Day 190.
There are few domains in which I proclaim expertise. Grad school has only stressed how little I know — and how much I need to stress out. The school of life has brought no greater mastery of any line of thought.

But I do profess to know my Three P’s: [...]

me and my big mouth |

Asking in the airport

December 23. Day 176.

“Look at all those people,” my Mama pointed out as I was checking in at the curb. I was getting about to leave to Texas, to spend Christmas with my dad and stepmom. A line of travelers with suitcases was stretching all the way from the terminal to the parking lot, over [...]