I’ve lived in New York off and on for almost 11 years and I’m very lucky in that I’ve never been mugged, maimed, or had someone break into my apartment. However, today I had someone steal something from me for the first time. I was getting off the bus and trying to negotiate several bags. Somehow I left my backpack behind (I thought it was on my shoulder, but that was a different bag). When I caught up with the bus two stops later, folks said that “A lady” had given it to “That man” and he went off with it. I had hoped that the man took it because he realized it was mine and would return it. Alas, after repeatedly calling my cell phone and eventually having calls go straight to voicemail, I must assume that he is planning to keep my bag.

Not only do I feel completely stupid for having made such a mistake, I’m completely angry that he’s not going to return my phone. He can’t use it (Verizon just cut it off), he doesn’t have the power cord so eventually it’ll run out of power, and he can’t resell it for activation because Verizon knows it’s been stolen. I know some people are just stupid that way, but damn.

Anyway, I lost my cell phone, my new digital camera, both of my SD memory cards, my favorite pen, and my inhaler. Can’t afford to replace either the phone or the camera, I have no clue if I’ll be able to get a new inhaler (I don’t have insurance and lately have been lucky enough to score one off of people who no longer need them), and I’m so upset I’m sick to my stomach.

This is a very long and roundabout way of saying that the carnival might be late.

ETA: and, oh look, my MP3 player is dead. Universe, is there something you’re attempting to tell me?