It really is pathological with my dad and cousin. They're not having a good day if they're not putting someone down or lording their supposed superiority over them and I just happen to be a convenient target.

My dad has "hired" my cousin to mow my lawn again this spring and summer. I put "hired" in quotation marks because my father made all of the arrangements without my input or, frankly, consent, but expects me to pay. I will do no such thing. I've communicated this plenty of times last year, but this was ignored. The only reason I'm tolerating it now is because I've been recovering the past month and a half and haven't had much energy to make my own arrangements.

Anyway, he through a tantrum because the mower he was using broke, tried to blame it on me several times, said he would never mow my lawn again (if only), started rambling on about his "California attitude" and how I wouldn't like it if he was angry (as if a hissy fit counts as some sort of inner rage demon) and told me I wouldn't be able to hack it in the "real world" because of a supposed lack of street smarts.

That last one was hilarious as anyone who knows me knows that I've lived in three cities in three different countries, travelled (on my own) to several more, fended off scammers, fended off would-be muggers and more. But yeah cousin, keep talking.

My dad completely dropped any pretense and just accused me directly of contaminating his house with bed bugs and somehow making him spend thousands on furniture. Again, I've not been there in six months. Who needs facts when you have an unshakable belief that nothing is ever your fault?

On a better note, I met with the orthopedic doctor today. She did confirm I had mild carpal tunnel and advised some exercises and a cheap wrist brace. "Conservative management should suffice," she said.

On a much better note, I have a set return to work date. The week of May 30th I'm back in the saddle! Can't wait!