Mattress Emergency!!!! (crossposted)

[water-childe.livejournal.com]

So, I was kindly loaned a battery powered inflatable mattress to use at Baitcon.
I've been in such a rush, due to Pennsic prep and other factors I only got around to making sure it worked this morning. Stupid, I know, because it doesn't work. El Mattresso no inflato. I'm 100% positive it's not the batteries because they are Duracells with the button testers so you can see whether they are good or not. I'm also 100% positive that the batteries are in the right way. The battery compartment for this mattress has this marked very clearly. Just for the sake of arguement I put them in the opposite way they are labeled as well as the correct way. Nothing. The motor does not work. I'm leaving town @ 2 pm and I do not want to buy a mattress that I'm likely never to use.
Ro and I use futons for things like Pennsic and normally don't care for Aerobeds. But for a weekend of camping, I'd really don't have the space to haul an futon.
For the love of everything, if you are going to Baitcon, and have a spare Aerobed THAT DEFINITELY WORKS that you can loan us, please let me know. If you're not going to Baitcon, are local to Somerville (I really don't have a lot of time to work with) and can get me a Aerobed style mattress stat, also please let me know.

Pre-Baitcon amusement

[tikvah.livejournal.com]

This morning, it occurred to me that I'd better get the interior of my car cleaned up, so that it won't attract bears. I started calling around car washers and detailers to see if anyone could squeeze me in, or if not, what they would recommend to make the car's interior free enough of food so that the bears won't be interested.

The guy who answered the phone at one place I called wasn't incredibly bright. I told him about what I needed, and I asked if his place would be able to help me. He said that they only washed car exteriors, but that I could use their vacuum to clean out food. I explained that I didn't think vacuuming alone would do the trick.

His response was to suggest buying one of the car wash's air fresheners, like cherry. I asked how that would repel the bears. There was a moment of silence on his part, and then he realized how silly that was and started laughing. "I guess that probably won't help."

I guess that's why he's working at a car wash and not at an advanced physics research center.

I have to go. I need to finish packing and pick up some picnic-basket scented air freshener.