That Ol' Devil Mercury

In this post-superstition era, backed by a college education from a reputable university, I know that astrology is bunk. Yet, during this Mercury retrograde cycle I have suffered numerous technological mishaps. First, without warning, our toaster oven konked out. (I love -- rather loved -- my toaster oven and not just for toasting toast, but for toasting nuts, roasting vegtables, the lovely sound of it tick tick ticking.) Then our stereo receiver went on the fritz. It shuts itself off with input from the CD or DVD player. It will let me play WFMT, the classical station, all day but if I try to change the station it will switch off. No joke. Then our car needed some repairs. Finally, and most irritatingly, our digital camera is missing. It grew tiny metalic feet and hopped away. I blame the fairy with the thistle down hair. (Go read Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell.) Neither of us recall taking it out of the house and, if we did, we didn't open the diaper bag between our house and our car at any point. We've searched high and low and can't find the little bugger. It would be great to take some pictures of our daughter around her 1st birthday with something other than a crappy disposable camera. Have you seen it? We are offering a reward for any information regarding its whereabouts. Alternatively, do you have, say, a thousand dollars you don't need to replace all this stuff? Except the car repairs -- that's normal wear and tear. Everything else is down right creepy crappy timing.