Not Murphy's Law, but Rhys's Law

RHYS BOWEN:
I have a character named Molly Murphy so naturally I am well aware of Murphy’s Law. I’m not sure of the exact definition or even where it came from. Something like “If something can go wrong, it will.”
Today I’m sharing Rhys’s law. Not quite as dire but perplexing.  If something can be bloody annoying it will.
This topic came to me when I was getting ready for a party over the holidays. I wanted to wear a particular necklace.  I had left several chains in the jewelry case and not touched or moved them since. When I pulled them out they were hopelessly tangled together. How can that happen? Do pieces of jewelry get up to high jinks when I’m not looking? Do I need to install a CCTV camera into my jewelry box? And worse still, how can an individual chain, lying all alone, manage to tie itself into an impossible knot? Inquiring minds want to know! Has this ever happened to you?
So Rhys’s law says “If you need to put on a necklace at the last minute the chain will be impossibly tangled in other chains.”
More items of Rhys’s law:
If ever I am sent flowers it’s always a day before I’m due to travel somewhere. Does anybody send me flowers when I am home for a month to enjoy them? No (except for the time when I had broken my pelvis, but I wouldn’t want to go through that again!) So I usually have to hand over a lovely bouquet to a relative or friend when I take off.

And speaking of travel: why do we always hit turbulence when I’m about to sip coffee? Usually I have brought the cup up to my lips when there is a large bump. And usually I am wearing a white shirt at the time. Why do I only spill food down my front when I’m wearing light clothing? If I were head to toe in black I’d never spill a thing—except powdered sugar from a donut.  At least I’ve now learned to take an extra light shirt with me when I travel. And a Tide stain removing stick!
And why does the toast always fall jelly-side down if I drop it? And when I decide to take a long soak in the tub why does the phone decide to ring?
All minor annoyances I suppose. Nothing really to complain about.

 How about you? What is your version of Rhys’s law?

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Oh, gosh don't get me started.
 Why is there is always just one egg left?
Why does the battery die just as you really need the phone/mouse/toothbrush?
Why does the person call EXACTLY when you sit down to dinner?
When the lights go out, why is the flashlight always where you are not?
As a corollary, why is the umbrella always in the car--or not--depending on where you are when you need it?
Why is the driver in front of you ALSO looking for a parking place--and there is just one left?

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: The book you want to read is out at the library. When you break down and buy it (in hardcover,) the next day you'll find the library now has two copies on the shelf.

Within a week of hauling something up to the attic or stowing it in the cellar, you will need that item. It will be in a box, underneath two other boxes.

I have a necklace related one as well, Rhys: the necklace that perfectly matches your outfit will have something scratchy on the clasp, which you will only find out after you've already left the house. Collary: Your blouse will have an annoying tag that only touches your skin when you turn your head to the left, and you will spend the day scratching at odd moments.

HALLIE EPHRON: This is fun.

When you're in a rush, why does the light always turn red?
Why is the spot in the back of my head where my hair looks weird located where I cannot see it in the mirror?
Why does the bookmark fall out when I drop the book?
Why does my screen freeze up when I've been working for an hour without saving?
Why does my grandbaby's diaper need changing minutes after I change it?
Why do airfares go down the moment after I book my flight?

INGRID THOFT:

Why does your prescription run out two days into the trip?
Why does the GPS quit when you're driving in a foreign country, but work perfectly in your own state?
Why can't you find the one item in your suitcase you really need, and you have to unpack the whole thing?  (Not that this happened this week or anything!)
Why does my computer problem get fixed the moment my software developer husband walks into the room?  He doesn't even have to touch the machine!
Why does the DVR recording cut out two seconds before the reveal on "Love It or List It"?

RHYS: Oh and Ingrid, speaking of computers why does the start screen say "Installing update 1 of 14,720" when I'm in a panic to send off an email?

JENN:
Why does the good song come on the radio after I’ve reached my destination?
Why does the plot point that’s been scratching at my subconscious only become clear
after I send my manuscript to my editor?
Where do the missing socks go? I really want to know!
Why does the waitress ask me how my food is right when I’ve taken a bite?
Why do we always have a heatwave right after I’ve packed my summer clothes away?

RHYS: Oh yes. Socks! John is always having a minor meltdown because I've lost one of his socks in the dryer. What do the washer and dryer do with socks? I'm always afraid the plumber will be called one day to a massive blockage caused by thousands of socks.

So now it's up to you: time to vent your own annoying frustrations.

I should add that we all know how lucky we are that the worst thing in our lives is a tangled piece of jewelry or a missing sock. Next time things like this happen I'm going to try and remind myself that at this moment people are living on the streets, fleeing from conflict or about to undergo major surgery. 

And Deanna Raybourn has let me know that she has picked Karen in Ohio to receive a signed copy of her book. So Karen, email me and I'll put you in touch with Deanna. Congratulations!