Would a little courtesy hurt?

I am getting increasingly annoyed with my roommate's boyfriend. Although he lives in New York, which is two hours away by rail and at least twice as much by road, he does not seem to have any trouble with dropping by unannounced. Or, at least, he does not confirm the exact time with my roommate beforehand, which he should know how to do.

He also seemed to be under the impression that I would serve as his messenger service: when he couldn't get her on the phone, he called me, and after I relayed to him through my roommate that I didn't want him to do that, he sent me a text message instead. Although now we have made it clear that he is not to do any such thing.

And last week, he cooked something and left a mountain of pots and pans and whatnot in the kitchen sink. My roommate leaves stuff in the sink but usually not so much of it, and she at least wipes the counters. I had to tell him (through her) to clean up after himself. I know it sounds odd that I haven't been saying this stuff to his face, but I thought it would sound better coming from her than from me, and he might be more inclined to listen. I seem to have made the right call on that.

For God's sake, didn't anyone ever teach him how to behave in another person's house? Or apartment, as the case may be.

Silly PETA peoples

Remember my recent post about Six Flags offering line-jumping privileges to people who could eat a live roach? Well, if you don't, read about it, it's a short entry and a short article.

Apparently - and I suppose predictably - PETA is raising a stink about it, calling the roach-eating contest "gratuitously cruel."

I applaud the reply of Six Flags Great America's spokesman, Jim Taylor, who pointed out that "the bugs are nutritious, high in protein and fat free."