CG

In mid-May (almost 2 months ago) I ordered a video. I thought it was coming from Great Britain, but somehow now the listing has KL, Malaysia on it (not happy...I would never usually buy a video from Asia as most seem to be illegal cheap copies). But anyway, it was coming from overseas to the US, where I am.

In late May/early June, I received a notice from the USPS that I had a Registered Mail item with them for pick-up. I didn't pick-up the item - not only it is inconvenient for me to do so, but I don't make it a habit of getting items I'm not expecting (and frankly, usually only things like documents come Registered Mail...I think I may have gotten Registered mail like 5x in my life). My husband and I did go to the Post Office 3 weeks after the notice, but the item was already gone.

I wasn't expecting the international video until 4-6 weeks after purchase. I gave it some buffer since international items usually take some extra time. I just contacted the seller who just told me that the video was "notified, but not picked up". Grrr! It was the notice! I had no idea. Why on earth would a seller ship something from KL Registered Mail? I've ordered things from Asia before, and they always showed up just a regular mail.

So do I take the loss? Or should I push eBay even further due to lack of communication from the seller (didn't know Registered was coming, wrong dates in posting)?

I'm now 35 years old. I started skiing when I was about 16. I have skiied in Quebec, New England, the Poconos, WV, and the mountains of NC. My last ski trip before now was 1998. My husband and I came to Utah to visit family and go skiing in Park City. I'm so bummed! I rented skis and the instant I put the boots on, I feel like my quad and calf muscles are under stress (like the wall-sit exercise where your legs start shaking after a while). I skied for about an hour and ended up having to stop every 500 ft or so and the pain in my legs was so intense! I gave up after 3 hours and can barely walk the day after (everyone else went back out today). I used to LOVE skiing, but it just wasn't enjoyable anymore. I could get NO relief from the pain - even when I stopped. I had to lay on the mountain and get off my feet for any relief. Am I just out of shape (I do exercise, but post-baby am 20 lbs heavier)? Is it a new boot design? Are they they that much different now? Any ideas?

I am attending a meeting in a day and it involves impromptu speeches that last 1-2 minutes. I am the coordinator for this meeting and need to ask the questions that the people will answer in their speeches. The topic of the day that all questions must pertain to is "science fiction". So far I have asked what people's favorite science fiction movie/TV show are and what technology in science fiction they would like in the world today. Do you have additional ideas for questions I could ask that people could answer?

I will award 10 points for the best question written that deals with science fiction.

Hi everyone,

I am a seller on eBay. I've never had this problem before. I sold an item on eBay. The buyer had the wrong address in the eBay and Paypal systems. I shipped to her address via the USPS. Then I got an e-mail saying, "I hope you didn't ship to that address...I could've sworn I changed it in the system!" Well, too late. A few days later, the item was returned to my doorstep (I guess they don't forward packages - or she didn't forward her mail). What do I do? She asked if she could pick it up since she only lives 20 miles away. I'm not too thrilled with that (you never know these days). Do I recharge her for the shipping fee? Do I relist the item and return the money (minus posting fees and shipping fees) to her? It's not my fault she moved and didn't change her address. I e-mailed eBay customer service 2 days ago to get an official eBay stance (I didn't see one on their website) and haven't gotten a response. I don't want to wait any longer.

As a teenager, my face was perfect. Around the age of 20, I started getting acne. Now I am 35 and have been battling it for 15 years. The breakouts are sometimes mild, sometimes severe (I am going through a severe period now). In 2003, I switched to Proactiv and it worked wonders...but as of 6 months ago, it seems to quit working and I can count about 10 very large red bumps on my face now. (Yucky to look at). I'm convinced I have a hormonal issue causing this - yes, it does strike more at a certain time of the month. BUT, my question to you today is for those of you who have this problem...or know of someone with this problem...what have you done to make it better? Please be specific...and if a prescription drug, please let me know that as well (I'm not against asking my doctor for the prescription). P.S. - I'd love to hear back from anyone recently prescribed with the new birth control pill/acne medication Yaz. I think it was just approved by the FDA.

My daughters is 5 1/2 years old and she wanted a pet. My husband LOVES cats, but I have traditionally been allergic. I agreed, however, that a cat would be the perfect pet for us if not for my allergies.

A lady at my office told me about her cats...Devon Rex was the breed. People who have had allergies to cats swore that this breed was milder. I went to visit her house for 2 hours and had NO reaction (with American shorthair, I would have had a running nose in a matter of minutes). So we located a Devon Rex breeder and bought an adult and a kitten.

For two whole months, I had no reaction (mid-Nov to mid-Jan). Now I'm having roller coaster allergies! Sometimes I'm ok, sometimes my eyes and nose are watering and I have that really uncomfortable feeling in my nose.

I have bonded with these cats and will not be "getting rid" of them...so please do not suggest that.

So two questions: (1) helpful hints on how to deal and (2) WHY after two months did I get my symptoms?

Right now they are having a special to "all your weight for $49 plus the cost of food". If this is truly the case ($49 plus around $100 per week), what the negative in joining? What would be the penalty if I decide after a month that I just don't like it? For LA weight loss, you pay all the money upfront, so if you quit, you are out quite a few hundred dollars. I'm looking for the catch with this deal. Please let me know!

I am about 35-40 lbs overweight and have a doctor's appt tomorrow. I have asked different doc's in the past for their help and one referred me to a nutritionist who said "just follow the pyramid". Gee, thanks. I didn't know I should eat that many veggies per day (that's sarcasm, if you couldn't tell). I know HOW to lose weight, but the motivation, temptation, and picky eater syndrome gets in the way. I was wondering if you thought my doctor would actually help me...or just blow me off.

Also, if you have lost ~40 lbs, I'd love to know how you did it...be specific. Did you research? Did you join a program? Take a pill? Make up your own program and stick with it?