Botox has a new commercial, with the tagline of "It's about freedom of expression."
Isn't it more about freedom from expression?
I mean, we are talking about a treatment that "works" by paralyzing facial muscles.
By the way, my main blog is here. Stop by and comment there.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
catching up
I'm not often freaked out by customers. Usually, I'm either amused or annoyed by the asshats every retailer has to deal with; I've gotten used to most of the crap that is shoved at us every day.
The guy I had today was not what I would call usual.
When I got to work, my coworker T was running away from the cash registers, where she works. She shoved the head cashier key at me and informed me that she would be back at her station momentarily. Um, okay.
When I got to the register, I saw a guy standing at her register. He moved over to where I was standing and, staring intently at the counter, he pushed a twenty dollar bill at me. I asked him what he was paying for and he started babbling about how a book that he had put on hold had been reshelved even though he has requested that it remain on hold until he could get to the store. He told me that he had brought in his paycheck on Saturday and that not even that had been accepted as payment for the book.
As you can probably guess, we have never accepted paychecks as payment.
The man also told me that T was searching for his book, which greatly relieved me. Maybe I wouldn't have to deal with him!
He was mumbling and his syntax was weird and I had a really hard time follow what he was saying, except for the phrases he repeated several times. To make matters even *better*, he reeked of alcohol. He was also blocking my register while other customers waited. I asked him if he needed anything other than the book that T was looking for.
"Nah, I'll just mumblemumble and wait here for that lady to come back with the book. Mumblemumble."
"Actually, I'd really appreciate it if you could wait by her register, because I can't ring anyone up while you are in front of my register." *hopeful smile*
His completely reasonable response was to bang his fists loudly on my counter and continue to mumble while still staring down, his face hidden by his baseball hat.
I actually jumped back. It was seriously the most bizarre thing I had ever seen.
I was greatly relieved that T then arrived with the book. I was less relieved when she handed the book to me rather than take it to her register to ring him up there. Thanks, T!
He continued to babble at my counter about the injustice of the whole thing as I rang him up VERY QUICKLY, but at least he stopped abusing it.
He was the creepiest and strangest customer I have ever dealt with.
And if I ever find out who reshelved the damn book early....
The guy I had today was not what I would call usual.
When I got to work, my coworker T was running away from the cash registers, where she works. She shoved the head cashier key at me and informed me that she would be back at her station momentarily. Um, okay.
When I got to the register, I saw a guy standing at her register. He moved over to where I was standing and, staring intently at the counter, he pushed a twenty dollar bill at me. I asked him what he was paying for and he started babbling about how a book that he had put on hold had been reshelved even though he has requested that it remain on hold until he could get to the store. He told me that he had brought in his paycheck on Saturday and that not even that had been accepted as payment for the book.
As you can probably guess, we have never accepted paychecks as payment.
The man also told me that T was searching for his book, which greatly relieved me. Maybe I wouldn't have to deal with him!
He was mumbling and his syntax was weird and I had a really hard time follow what he was saying, except for the phrases he repeated several times. To make matters even *better*, he reeked of alcohol. He was also blocking my register while other customers waited. I asked him if he needed anything other than the book that T was looking for.
"Nah, I'll just mumblemumble and wait here for that lady to come back with the book. Mumblemumble."
"Actually, I'd really appreciate it if you could wait by her register, because I can't ring anyone up while you are in front of my register." *hopeful smile*
His completely reasonable response was to bang his fists loudly on my counter and continue to mumble while still staring down, his face hidden by his baseball hat.
I actually jumped back. It was seriously the most bizarre thing I had ever seen.
I was greatly relieved that T then arrived with the book. I was less relieved when she handed the book to me rather than take it to her register to ring him up there. Thanks, T!
He continued to babble at my counter about the injustice of the whole thing as I rang him up VERY QUICKLY, but at least he stopped abusing it.
He was the creepiest and strangest customer I have ever dealt with.
And if I ever find out who reshelved the damn book early....
catching up
Last week at the bookstore:
A customer was walking up to the front desk to pay when she stopped in her tracks, staring in horror at one of the magazine displays.
"The Jonas Brothers are on the cover of Rolling Stone?! That's a sign of the apocalypse, right?"
I'll make your life easier - just look under "future projects" to understand the full horror issue at hand. That "D" word? Yeah. They sponsor the band.
I can't say I had any argument with what the customer said.
The other day, I had a customer buy a gift card. After she paid, she realized that she liked another design better, so she decided to put the gift card, that she had just paid for, back in the display and take out another one. I nearly jumped over the counter in my effort to convince her not to do that.
Luckily, my cry of "NONONONONONONO!!!!!" managed to wake her up and see the mistake she was making before she forgot where she put the gift card she had purchased in the display.
More gift card fun:
We have a new return policy starting on September 1st, which has cause a lot of, um, fun.
The customer is now supposed to return items within 14 days, and must have a receipt. The biggest exception to the new rule is that gift receipts will be accepted for 60 days.
So, I had one customer look at the new policy and yell "WHAT DO YOU MEAN GIFT CARDS ARE ONLY GOOD FOR 60 DAYS?!
Yay reading comprehension!
A customer was walking up to the front desk to pay when she stopped in her tracks, staring in horror at one of the magazine displays.
"The Jonas Brothers are on the cover of Rolling Stone?! That's a sign of the apocalypse, right?"
I'll make your life easier - just look under "future projects" to understand the full horror issue at hand. That "D" word? Yeah. They sponsor the band.
I can't say I had any argument with what the customer said.
The other day, I had a customer buy a gift card. After she paid, she realized that she liked another design better, so she decided to put the gift card, that she had just paid for, back in the display and take out another one. I nearly jumped over the counter in my effort to convince her not to do that.
Luckily, my cry of "NONONONONONONO!!!!!" managed to wake her up and see the mistake she was making before she forgot where she put the gift card she had purchased in the display.
More gift card fun:
We have a new return policy starting on September 1st, which has cause a lot of, um, fun.
The customer is now supposed to return items within 14 days, and must have a receipt. The biggest exception to the new rule is that gift receipts will be accepted for 60 days.
So, I had one customer look at the new policy and yell "WHAT DO YOU MEAN GIFT CARDS ARE ONLY GOOD FOR 60 DAYS?!
Yay reading comprehension!
catching up
No updates yet on my lovelorn coworker. I'll continue to watch and worry.
I just found out that OS is out with kidney stones. I really hope she feels better soon.
CC, who had a brain aneurysm a while back is now at home again. I hear she is doing very well, much to my relief. She is planning to return to the store, but there is no telling how long that will take. I miss her, and I'm glad she is doing well.
A couple of other coworkers are getting on my nerves. One guy in the cafe was asked to prepare a turkey pannini for a customer. When it was done toasting, he set it on the counter and announced that "One dead animal in a sandwich" was ready. Why is he still employed? Why? He's gotten many complaints before.
Another coworker griped at me that I started him working on the bestsellers with me so long after we closed. In a way, I can see where he's coming from. The bestsellers are usually done before the store was closed.
Here's the thing. He was out on the sales floor while I was stuck at the registers. He was complaining about not having anything to do in the last half hour the store was open. He also pulled out two of a dozen shelving carts while I pulled out all of the rest. I get it. He wanted to get out of there. So did I. But this stuff had to be done before we left for the night!
And then there was the customer who walked in while I was doing the closing announcement, who convinced the manager to let his buddy in, and then placed what was apparently a long, complicated cafe order. It took them about ten minutes to leave the store. Thanks, guys! Much appreciated!
*sigh*
I know I'm being whiny, but I was really not in the mood to deal with this crap.
I just found out that OS is out with kidney stones. I really hope she feels better soon.
CC, who had a brain aneurysm a while back is now at home again. I hear she is doing very well, much to my relief. She is planning to return to the store, but there is no telling how long that will take. I miss her, and I'm glad she is doing well.
A couple of other coworkers are getting on my nerves. One guy in the cafe was asked to prepare a turkey pannini for a customer. When it was done toasting, he set it on the counter and announced that "One dead animal in a sandwich" was ready. Why is he still employed? Why? He's gotten many complaints before.
Another coworker griped at me that I started him working on the bestsellers with me so long after we closed. In a way, I can see where he's coming from. The bestsellers are usually done before the store was closed.
Here's the thing. He was out on the sales floor while I was stuck at the registers. He was complaining about not having anything to do in the last half hour the store was open. He also pulled out two of a dozen shelving carts while I pulled out all of the rest. I get it. He wanted to get out of there. So did I. But this stuff had to be done before we left for the night!
And then there was the customer who walked in while I was doing the closing announcement, who convinced the manager to let his buddy in, and then placed what was apparently a long, complicated cafe order. It took them about ten minutes to leave the store. Thanks, guys! Much appreciated!
*sigh*
I know I'm being whiny, but I was really not in the mood to deal with this crap.
catching up
Before I say anything, I just want to point out that I am sure that neither person involved in this drama has found this blog.
There is a trainwreck developing at work, and I may well see the next chapter at work in the afternoon.
I have a coworker who has been very sheltered, in large part because of some major health problems she has had her entire life. She is 26, but, emotionally, she is more like 14.
And she has decided that a coworker is Her One True Love.
Said coworker is a really nice guy. He has tried to not be cruel to her, but did tell her that, while he was happy to be her friend, he already had a girlfriend and wasn't looking for another relationship. Her reaction? That she would wait forever for him.
Since then, she has been leaving inappropriate messages on his $social networking site, and, although she shed quite a few tears, has continued to believe that he is The One. And that she will get her fairy tale ending if she waits long enough.
And he's too nice. He is still willing to give her rides home and the like. I don't think he has yet realized that, unless he shuts this down completely, she will hold on to this dream.
He took her to dinner again this evening, and, I imagine, tried to explain matters to her again.
They are both really sweet people.
I just don't see this ending well....
There is a trainwreck developing at work, and I may well see the next chapter at work in the afternoon.
I have a coworker who has been very sheltered, in large part because of some major health problems she has had her entire life. She is 26, but, emotionally, she is more like 14.
And she has decided that a coworker is Her One True Love.
Said coworker is a really nice guy. He has tried to not be cruel to her, but did tell her that, while he was happy to be her friend, he already had a girlfriend and wasn't looking for another relationship. Her reaction? That she would wait forever for him.
Since then, she has been leaving inappropriate messages on his $social networking site, and, although she shed quite a few tears, has continued to believe that he is The One. And that she will get her fairy tale ending if she waits long enough.
And he's too nice. He is still willing to give her rides home and the like. I don't think he has yet realized that, unless he shuts this down completely, she will hold on to this dream.
He took her to dinner again this evening, and, I imagine, tried to explain matters to her again.
They are both really sweet people.
I just don't see this ending well....
catching up
Greyhound has just pulled its new line of ads:
"There's a reason you've never heard of 'Bus Rage'".
*shudders*
"There's a reason you've never heard of 'Bus Rage'".
*shudders*
catching up
Commercial language gripes:
So, if Lysol is the only cleaner approved to kill a certain virus, does that mean that no other substance is allowed to kill that bug?
So, if Lysol is the only cleaner approved to kill a certain virus, does that mean that no other substance is allowed to kill that bug?
catching up
Dear Senator Phil Graham,
I am so sorry we have been whining about the fictional rise in gas and food prices and reduction in employment. I am so sorry we have been making up complaints about minimum wages not being enough to live on. We really should stop "whining" about how hard it is to get shelter we can afford, and health insurance that can keep us out of bankruptcy court.
Silly us.
We should understand that a full-time job should not be enough to pay for shelter, food, and clothing for a single person, let alone a family. I suppose that's why you support family planning, so that we can afford to live on what we make; oh wait, that's right, you oppose funding for contraception, abortion, child care, and needy parents.
Well, as long as we understand that it's all in our heads, we shouldn't have any problems!
Right?
Or maybe you should learn what it's like in the real world.
Have fun living in your pretty mansion with your efficient staff.
I am so sorry we have been whining about the fictional rise in gas and food prices and reduction in employment. I am so sorry we have been making up complaints about minimum wages not being enough to live on. We really should stop "whining" about how hard it is to get shelter we can afford, and health insurance that can keep us out of bankruptcy court.
Silly us.
We should understand that a full-time job should not be enough to pay for shelter, food, and clothing for a single person, let alone a family. I suppose that's why you support family planning, so that we can afford to live on what we make; oh wait, that's right, you oppose funding for contraception, abortion, child care, and needy parents.
Well, as long as we understand that it's all in our heads, we shouldn't have any problems!
Right?
Or maybe you should learn what it's like in the real world.
Have fun living in your pretty mansion with your efficient staff.
catching up
Flip-flopper - politician who is willing to admit that a new situation or new information can mean that a position previously held no longer seems correct
Non-flip-flopper - politician who refuses to ever admit that anything could ever possibly prove a position to be incorrect; see also George W. Bush
This post isn't about any specific instance; I'm just tired of hearing the term thrown around to describe Democrats in general. Right now, I am wishing that Obama would change his mind about the telecom bill in the Senate now and vote against it.
Non-flip-flopper - politician who refuses to ever admit that anything could ever possibly prove a position to be incorrect; see also George W. Bush
This post isn't about any specific instance; I'm just tired of hearing the term thrown around to describe Democrats in general. Right now, I am wishing that Obama would change his mind about the telecom bill in the Senate now and vote against it.
catching up
I am a hopeless liberal, but I am going to miss Senator John Warner when he retires this November.
In response to the gas price crisis, he has recommended what may well be the least popular and most effective solution: a return to the 55mph speed limit.
It would increase mileage, therefore lowering demand for gasoline and the price for it, and no one wants to do it. No one. Only driving better mileage vehicles could have the same kind of effect, and few want to do that, either.
Senator Warner, this lead-footed liberal agrees with you. I don't like it, but you're right.
I hope the right people are listening.
In response to the gas price crisis, he has recommended what may well be the least popular and most effective solution: a return to the 55mph speed limit.
It would increase mileage, therefore lowering demand for gasoline and the price for it, and no one wants to do it. No one. Only driving better mileage vehicles could have the same kind of effect, and few want to do that, either.
Senator Warner, this lead-footed liberal agrees with you. I don't like it, but you're right.
I hope the right people are listening.
catching up
So, the Supreme Court has decided that child rape is not enough to justify an execution.
And I am glad.
I am a survivor of child rape, and I am glad that the death penalty will no longer be allowed in such cases.
Why?
Well, for one thing, the death penalty doesn't fix anything. We in this country like to believe that it deters crime, but there is no evidence to say it does. Ultimately, I think it just provides a false sense of security. I don't happen to believe that is enough to justify killing someone.
There is also the fact that the death penalty has been applied unfairly. People of color are far more likely than white folks to end up on death row, as are the ones who commit crimes against caucasians. How can we claim this is fair? Money also plays an unfair role in this form of "justice". If you rich, you are more likely to avoid capital punishment.
And what about the fact that innocent people have been put to death. Trust me, it has happened. There is no way that are government has killed so many people without making a terrible mistake. There have been innocent people who have made it off of death row, but we can't have caught all of the mistakes.
Then there is the simple fact that you can survive rape. Even child rape. I might not have the Greatest Life Ever, but I am glad to be alive even though I was raped as a kid. Was it easy? Oh, hell no. But I made it.
And I don't believe that anyone should die for something that I survived.
No, I don't believe in revenge.
We should be better than that.
And I am glad.
I am a survivor of child rape, and I am glad that the death penalty will no longer be allowed in such cases.
Why?
Well, for one thing, the death penalty doesn't fix anything. We in this country like to believe that it deters crime, but there is no evidence to say it does. Ultimately, I think it just provides a false sense of security. I don't happen to believe that is enough to justify killing someone.
There is also the fact that the death penalty has been applied unfairly. People of color are far more likely than white folks to end up on death row, as are the ones who commit crimes against caucasians. How can we claim this is fair? Money also plays an unfair role in this form of "justice". If you rich, you are more likely to avoid capital punishment.
And what about the fact that innocent people have been put to death. Trust me, it has happened. There is no way that are government has killed so many people without making a terrible mistake. There have been innocent people who have made it off of death row, but we can't have caught all of the mistakes.
Then there is the simple fact that you can survive rape. Even child rape. I might not have the Greatest Life Ever, but I am glad to be alive even though I was raped as a kid. Was it easy? Oh, hell no. But I made it.
And I don't believe that anyone should die for something that I survived.
No, I don't believe in revenge.
We should be better than that.
Monday, June 23, 2008
son of a bitch
Damn it. Fuck. Shit.
George Carlin is dead.
What the hell?
Edit: TotalFark is now inaccessible. I have to believe there is a connection.
George Carlin is dead.
What the hell?
Edit: TotalFark is now inaccessible. I have to believe there is a connection.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
more fun
I forgot about the first part of my day.
Tonight is the night that we switch over to a new register system. Fun. Anyway, the managers fiddled with our login codes for the registers to prepare. Basically, they didn't want the cashiers' full names to appear on the receipts, and I can't argue with that. I don't want random weirdo customers to have my full name.
The only issue with that was that my login was completely erased in the process. Oops. It was great fun to start my shift by learning that I was no longer allowed to use a register. Especially when I arrived ten minutes late, and was really hoping that I wasn't in that much trouble for it.
The General Manager promised to fix that, and he did.
The problem with that? He put me in as a manager. Oops. He was amused when I told him that my register privileges had suddenly increased. He fixed my login again.
In the span of two hours, I went from unemployed, to manager, and then back to lead bookseller. It was a rather interesting way to start the shift.
Tonight is the night that we switch over to a new register system. Fun. Anyway, the managers fiddled with our login codes for the registers to prepare. Basically, they didn't want the cashiers' full names to appear on the receipts, and I can't argue with that. I don't want random weirdo customers to have my full name.
The only issue with that was that my login was completely erased in the process. Oops. It was great fun to start my shift by learning that I was no longer allowed to use a register. Especially when I arrived ten minutes late, and was really hoping that I wasn't in that much trouble for it.
The General Manager promised to fix that, and he did.
The problem with that? He put me in as a manager. Oops. He was amused when I told him that my register privileges had suddenly increased. He fixed my login again.
In the span of two hours, I went from unemployed, to manager, and then back to lead bookseller. It was a rather interesting way to start the shift.
returns fun
Dear customer,
You wanted to make a return without a receipt. The good news is that you came to a store that still allows returns without a receipt.
The bad news? First off, the magazine is nonreturnable, and would have been even with the receipt. Yes, our return policy does say that, and you would have been told this if you had asked about it. We just can't take that back. Sorry, but I can't change that.
Yes, you are free to give that to my coworker. Sure, why not? It's your possession. Yes, I caught your little dig about the ridiculous rules and the people who follow them. You're still not returning the magazine.
Second, you will get store credit for the lowest available sale price. Yes, that does mean that I take off the member discount. I'm sorry that you don't have a card, but I have no way of knowing if the purchase was made with a card or not. Yes, if you had the receipt, you could get the full amount back, but I can't offer that without the receipt.
I'm sorry you feel that is unfair. Yes, I can look you up in the system and see that there isn't a card in your name, but that isn't proof that you didn't use one.
I'm sorry that you feel that we are cheating you. You aren't going to buy a member card because this is the way the store treats its customers? I'm sorry to hear that. I was hoping to sell one more during my shift. No, that doesn't change my mind.
Yes, I believe you when you say you don't have a member card (maybe). No, I can't change the return policy. It's really a generous return policy when you consider how many places don't allow any non-receipt returns, and maybe I should have told you that.
No, I'm not doing this because I think you are a bad person. Oh, now you acknowledge that I don't have any say in policy? I appreciate that. No, I'm still not going to break the rules for you. No, I don't think you're a thief. Yes, you are still missing out on that ten percent.
Ma'am, I can't even prove that you bought the books in the first place, let alone that you didn't buy them online, with a card, or from Amazon. You don't have a receipt. I wish I could have said that to you.
You're not coming back? I really wish I believed that.
You wanted to make a return without a receipt. The good news is that you came to a store that still allows returns without a receipt.
The bad news? First off, the magazine is nonreturnable, and would have been even with the receipt. Yes, our return policy does say that, and you would have been told this if you had asked about it. We just can't take that back. Sorry, but I can't change that.
Yes, you are free to give that to my coworker. Sure, why not? It's your possession. Yes, I caught your little dig about the ridiculous rules and the people who follow them. You're still not returning the magazine.
Second, you will get store credit for the lowest available sale price. Yes, that does mean that I take off the member discount. I'm sorry that you don't have a card, but I have no way of knowing if the purchase was made with a card or not. Yes, if you had the receipt, you could get the full amount back, but I can't offer that without the receipt.
I'm sorry you feel that is unfair. Yes, I can look you up in the system and see that there isn't a card in your name, but that isn't proof that you didn't use one.
I'm sorry that you feel that we are cheating you. You aren't going to buy a member card because this is the way the store treats its customers? I'm sorry to hear that. I was hoping to sell one more during my shift. No, that doesn't change my mind.
Yes, I believe you when you say you don't have a member card (maybe). No, I can't change the return policy. It's really a generous return policy when you consider how many places don't allow any non-receipt returns, and maybe I should have told you that.
No, I'm not doing this because I think you are a bad person. Oh, now you acknowledge that I don't have any say in policy? I appreciate that. No, I'm still not going to break the rules for you. No, I don't think you're a thief. Yes, you are still missing out on that ten percent.
Ma'am, I can't even prove that you bought the books in the first place, let alone that you didn't buy them online, with a card, or from Amazon. You don't have a receipt. I wish I could have said that to you.
You're not coming back? I really wish I believed that.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
and more
And I went shopping today. Oops. I really shouldn't have done that. All I was looking for was a gift bag for the bottle of seasoned salt I got for Dad. And a ribbon. And to see if I could find a nice pillar candle there.
I really got in trouble at Michaels. They really do have a lot of beads and candles for sale....
I was startled that they didn't have any matches to light those candles. None at all. I have to find a new source for matches soon. Any ideas, folks? I didn't think they would be this hard to locate.
I really got in trouble at Michaels. They really do have a lot of beads and candles for sale....
I was startled that they didn't have any matches to light those candles. None at all. I have to find a new source for matches soon. Any ideas, folks? I didn't think they would be this hard to locate.
my day
How much of a dork am I? I am currently sitting on my deck outside as I type this. Why? Mainly because I can. That and I just bought a lapdesk for it to sit on. Hey, it was on clearance!
My dad and I did the Father's Day thing today. I found out at the last minute that there was a fundraiser for one of the local food pantries tonight, so we went to that. It was one of those things where a bunch of restaurants offer tastes of what they have on their menus, and I was stuffed by the time I finished making the rounds of the room. Yummy. I can't remember everything I tasted, but I did find a few new restaurants to try. We had a lot of fun. He also liked what I got him - a tapas cookbook (I have been threatening to get him one for too long), a copy of In a Sunburned Country because he is going to Australia this summer, and some seasoned salt from the gourmet shop next door to the bookstore. He was very pleased. I was worried that he may have had a copy of Sunburned, but he hadn't gotten it yet.
Tonight I joined the hordes and downloaded FireFox 3. I think that I should have waited for more of my extensions to update. I was able to replace the worst of the ones I lost, but I want my old theme back! Hopefully that will be updated soon. I just don't like the one I am using now nearly as much. Well, it was one more download in their quest to set a new world record.
I had a fun weekend. I did work on Father's Day (hello late shoppers!) but I had Saturday off. I spent the day at the Newseum, which I was impressed by. It was pretty interesting, and I would like to spend more time there. It was also very intense. There is quite an emphasis on the coverage of the Big Stories, and it felt like I was reliving some of them. And, yeah, I still want to go back. What can I say? I'm a total news junkie.
I also stopped at Beadazzled, of course. That was an expensive visit. At least I can claim a $50 credit next time I go. I went to the Dupont Circle location, and was startled at how many people were around. It was only after I got home that I found out why. It was the day of the Pride celebration. Damn! I missed out on the fun! I guess going to Dupont Circle counts for something. For those of you who are not familiar with it, let's just say it isn't the most conservative neighborhood. We also went to Lambda Bookstore in search of good bumper stickers, but without any luck there.
And that's it for now. It's time to get the computer back inside. A wooden deck is not the most comfortable thing to sit on.
But it's fun to be able to.
I love having a laptop.
My dad and I did the Father's Day thing today. I found out at the last minute that there was a fundraiser for one of the local food pantries tonight, so we went to that. It was one of those things where a bunch of restaurants offer tastes of what they have on their menus, and I was stuffed by the time I finished making the rounds of the room. Yummy. I can't remember everything I tasted, but I did find a few new restaurants to try. We had a lot of fun. He also liked what I got him - a tapas cookbook (I have been threatening to get him one for too long), a copy of In a Sunburned Country because he is going to Australia this summer, and some seasoned salt from the gourmet shop next door to the bookstore. He was very pleased. I was worried that he may have had a copy of Sunburned, but he hadn't gotten it yet.
Tonight I joined the hordes and downloaded FireFox 3. I think that I should have waited for more of my extensions to update. I was able to replace the worst of the ones I lost, but I want my old theme back! Hopefully that will be updated soon. I just don't like the one I am using now nearly as much. Well, it was one more download in their quest to set a new world record.
I had a fun weekend. I did work on Father's Day (hello late shoppers!) but I had Saturday off. I spent the day at the Newseum, which I was impressed by. It was pretty interesting, and I would like to spend more time there. It was also very intense. There is quite an emphasis on the coverage of the Big Stories, and it felt like I was reliving some of them. And, yeah, I still want to go back. What can I say? I'm a total news junkie.
I also stopped at Beadazzled, of course. That was an expensive visit. At least I can claim a $50 credit next time I go. I went to the Dupont Circle location, and was startled at how many people were around. It was only after I got home that I found out why. It was the day of the Pride celebration. Damn! I missed out on the fun! I guess going to Dupont Circle counts for something. For those of you who are not familiar with it, let's just say it isn't the most conservative neighborhood. We also went to Lambda Bookstore in search of good bumper stickers, but without any luck there.
And that's it for now. It's time to get the computer back inside. A wooden deck is not the most comfortable thing to sit on.
But it's fun to be able to.
I love having a laptop.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Tim Russert 1950 - 2008
This year's election will have a huge gaping hole in it. It almost seems incomprehensible that there could possibly be a presidential election without him.
Damn.
Edit: Keith Olbermann's face told me everything I needed to know about what it was like to have Tim Russert as a colleague; K.O. had clearly been crying quite a bit. I thought he was going to start sobbing on air.
Damn.
Edit: Keith Olbermann's face told me everything I needed to know about what it was like to have Tim Russert as a colleague; K.O. had clearly been crying quite a bit. I thought he was going to start sobbing on air.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Africam is awesome. It features live streaming video of wildlife by two watering holes in Africa, and you never know what is going to show up. I think I'm hooked.
I don't know what kind of hoofed animals are on camera now, but one of them has an amazing pair of spiraled horns.
And, under the heading of "what were they thinking", I offer the ugliest shoes on the planet.
They also qualify for most bizarre.
I don't know what kind of hoofed animals are on camera now, but one of them has an amazing pair of spiraled horns.
And, under the heading of "what were they thinking", I offer the ugliest shoes on the planet.
They also qualify for most bizarre.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Indy
Roger Ebert says exactly what I hoped he would say about Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. This is the kind of review I was really hoping to see. Warning - possible minor spoilers.
This will be a good movie summer.
This will be a good movie summer.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
catching up
Both the city of Charlottesville and the Governor of Virginia have podcasts now. Hello 21st century!
Oh, come on
It takes more than a cent to mint a penny, and the same to mint a nickel (more than a cent, or more than five cents?)
Solution? Mint the coins out of steel.
Ugh.
What is it going to take to be rid of pennies all together?
Solution? Mint the coins out of steel.
Ugh.
What is it going to take to be rid of pennies all together?
blch
I am frustratd. The "e" key, the space bar, and th period have dcided they are only going to work when they feel like it.
This is very frustrating. I nver know when I am going to hve to go backfor corrections.
This is almost enough to convince me to look into getting a new computer.
I should also add that what I type takes a few seconds to appear on the scren.
I can afford nw computer now? Or soon?
And why do these keys work better when I am trying to show how badit is gettng? Bleah!
And why dosit takeso long for what Ityp to appearon the screen?
This is very frustrating. I nver know when I am going to hve to go backfor corrections.
This is almost enough to convince me to look into getting a new computer.
I should also add that what I type takes a few seconds to appear on the scren.
I can afford nw computer now? Or soon?
And why do these keys work better when I am trying to show how badit is gettng? Bleah!
And why dosit takeso long for what Ityp to appearon the screen?
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
unclear on the concept
Yesterday, I had a customer ask me if we accepted cash payments over the phone.
We aren't supposed to say no to the customer...
We aren't supposed to say no to the customer...
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
The joys of being a night owl
*bang*
*bangbangbang*
*clatter of ladder extending*
*bangbang*
*bang*
*whine of saw*
*bangbangbang*
*bangbangbangbang*
*bangbang*
I thought they were done with everything but the nice, quiet painting. Oh, no. There is still more noisy stuff to do.
Right. Outside. My. Window.
People who do house repair just don't respect late night type folks.
I. Want. Sleep.
Now.
*bangbangbangbang*
*bangbang*
*headwall*
*bangbangbang*
*clatter of ladder extending*
*bangbang*
*bang*
*whine of saw*
*bangbangbang*
*bangbangbangbang*
*bangbang*
I thought they were done with everything but the nice, quiet painting. Oh, no. There is still more noisy stuff to do.
Right. Outside. My. Window.
People who do house repair just don't respect late night type folks.
I. Want. Sleep.
Now.
*bangbangbangbang*
*bangbang*
*headwall*
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Bead stuff!
Here is some of what I have made recently:
I really wish I could take credit for the center bead, but it was made by the amazing Bruce St. John Maher.
That pendant is huge! It is about 2 3/4 inches across.
The bracelet isn't that new, but I just promised someone that I would post pictures of it.
I hope you enjoyed!
I really wish I could take credit for the center bead, but it was made by the amazing Bruce St. John Maher.
That pendant is huge! It is about 2 3/4 inches across.
The bracelet isn't that new, but I just promised someone that I would post pictures of it.
I hope you enjoyed!
Sunday, April 13, 2008
week off, continued
I have uploaded a bunch of pictures. Look under "beads and jewelry" an "Washington" in my scrapbook on LiveJournal or Flickr. If I feel less lazy, I may post links.
Suffice to say, I love the freedom of digital photography, with no charge for developing film. I have also been enjoying learning how to work with my new camera. There are pictures of the Washington Mall, and a few exhibits at The Natural History Museum. Lots of pictures.
I have purchased many beads, and my credit cards hate me. They will deal. Bruce St. John Maher has started making beads again, and I am happy and poor. I had to go back to Beadazzled after they cheated me of $50, but they have fixed the mistake. I am glad I hadn't gotten far when the new cashier's error was discovered. It was an innocent mistake, but that was too much money to ignore. It was dealt with quickly and fairly, so I have no real complaints.
I still have beads from Richmond that need to be de-strung and put away in bags. Later. I have already spent a lot of time with that.
I have finally met Anonymous in person, and took a flier. Keep up the good fight. There were about a dozen on The Mall, out numbering the Jesus freaks. Go Anonymous! Scientology scares the hell out of me.
Facebook hates me. I shall continue fighting with it tomorrow.
Later, all.
My vacation is over in a few hours. Ah, well. It was nice while it lasted.
Suffice to say, I love the freedom of digital photography, with no charge for developing film. I have also been enjoying learning how to work with my new camera. There are pictures of the Washington Mall, and a few exhibits at The Natural History Museum. Lots of pictures.
I have purchased many beads, and my credit cards hate me. They will deal. Bruce St. John Maher has started making beads again, and I am happy and poor. I had to go back to Beadazzled after they cheated me of $50, but they have fixed the mistake. I am glad I hadn't gotten far when the new cashier's error was discovered. It was an innocent mistake, but that was too much money to ignore. It was dealt with quickly and fairly, so I have no real complaints.
I still have beads from Richmond that need to be de-strung and put away in bags. Later. I have already spent a lot of time with that.
I have finally met Anonymous in person, and took a flier. Keep up the good fight. There were about a dozen on The Mall, out numbering the Jesus freaks. Go Anonymous! Scientology scares the hell out of me.
Facebook hates me. I shall continue fighting with it tomorrow.
Later, all.
My vacation is over in a few hours. Ah, well. It was nice while it lasted.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
thoughts
So I have a Blogger account. I am not quite sure what I am going to do with it. So far, it's just an echo of my LiveJournal, and possible backup if lj falls apart.
I have three active blogs now. Odd. I'm not even that talkative in real life.
I don't know if anyone is even reading this yet.
I have three active blogs now. Odd. I'm not even that talkative in real life.
I don't know if anyone is even reading this yet.
week off
I have the week off, and I am being a very lazy Wendy.
I got a little bit of cleaning done, and I have strung a couple of necklaces (pictures later), but that's about it. The rest of the time, I have been sleeping, reading, watching television, and surfing the web.
Tomorrow, I am going to Richmond, which will mean stuffing more beads into those overfull little drawers I keep the things in - not that kind of drawers, so keep your minds out of the gutter! Going to Washington on Saturday will mean more beads, especially with the $50 credit I have with Beadazzled.
I did get a larger cage for the hamsters, which left a perfectly good cage empty. So I got a Syrian hamster. I have named her Chomp because she like to chew on her cage. Again, pictures later.
I should be going to bed now, but my beads are calling me. One more necklace won't take more than a few minutes, right?
I got a little bit of cleaning done, and I have strung a couple of necklaces (pictures later), but that's about it. The rest of the time, I have been sleeping, reading, watching television, and surfing the web.
Tomorrow, I am going to Richmond, which will mean stuffing more beads into those overfull little drawers I keep the things in - not that kind of drawers, so keep your minds out of the gutter! Going to Washington on Saturday will mean more beads, especially with the $50 credit I have with Beadazzled.
I did get a larger cage for the hamsters, which left a perfectly good cage empty. So I got a Syrian hamster. I have named her Chomp because she like to chew on her cage. Again, pictures later.
I should be going to bed now, but my beads are calling me. One more necklace won't take more than a few minutes, right?
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
STFU
So, Mom wanted to go to Vivace tonight, and I was more than happy to tag along. I've always liked the place - good food, nice ambiance.
Well, the ambiance was a bit spoiled tonight.
You see, there was one other table that was occupied on the floor we were on, and one jerk at that other table. He was, it seems, an expert on everything. He spoke about the evils of universal health care, wastefulness in the computer industry, cars, lightbulbs, and the housing market in California. And he never stopped talking. I am sure that the man is still filling the restaurant with hot air as I type this.
How do I know what he was talking about? He was that loud. Was he seated at the table next to ours? Nope. He was across the room from us.
Vivace is located in an old house that is full of nooks and doorways and other odd barriers, but that wasn't enough to dampen even one syllable from our table. He was so loud that, even at our table, it was more noise than Mom and I were comfortable matching. And he never stopped talking. Ever. The guy he was talking over managed maybe a word or two every now and then, but the conversation was really a monologue. Seriously. I don't think even a windbag the likes of Rush Limbaugh could have taken over a conversation with this guy. He was amazing.
Our server was ready to spill water on the guy's head. Mom and I were trying to figure out if there was a sprinkler head over the table. I was tempted to yell at him to shut up, but he would never have realized it was aimed at him. He was that arrogant.
And neither my mother nor myself agreed with the guy at all, which didn't help matters. The server was in the same boat. The three of us had great fun mocking the guy.
And I'm sure the man is still holding the entire table hostage to his great wisdom.
Well, the ambiance was a bit spoiled tonight.
You see, there was one other table that was occupied on the floor we were on, and one jerk at that other table. He was, it seems, an expert on everything. He spoke about the evils of universal health care, wastefulness in the computer industry, cars, lightbulbs, and the housing market in California. And he never stopped talking. I am sure that the man is still filling the restaurant with hot air as I type this.
How do I know what he was talking about? He was that loud. Was he seated at the table next to ours? Nope. He was across the room from us.
Vivace is located in an old house that is full of nooks and doorways and other odd barriers, but that wasn't enough to dampen even one syllable from our table. He was so loud that, even at our table, it was more noise than Mom and I were comfortable matching. And he never stopped talking. Ever. The guy he was talking over managed maybe a word or two every now and then, but the conversation was really a monologue. Seriously. I don't think even a windbag the likes of Rush Limbaugh could have taken over a conversation with this guy. He was amazing.
Our server was ready to spill water on the guy's head. Mom and I were trying to figure out if there was a sprinkler head over the table. I was tempted to yell at him to shut up, but he would never have realized it was aimed at him. He was that arrogant.
And neither my mother nor myself agreed with the guy at all, which didn't help matters. The server was in the same boat. The three of us had great fun mocking the guy.
And I'm sure the man is still holding the entire table hostage to his great wisdom.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Work has been weird the past few days. A combination of being yelled at for being late too often (I really need to work on that) and a somewhat depressed mood hasn't helped anything. Blah. Nothing to be seriously upset over, but blah. It certainly doesn't help to see the usual folks getting away with murder.
My mood? All over the place. Mild depression, to stirred up crap from the past, to a great deal of amusement at the shenanigans of various customers. Today was epic. The best was the guy who sat in the kids' department for a long time, then begging for a few hours of work so that he could get gas money to drive home after a long night at the nearest bar. Um, it really doesn't work that way. I sent manager J and officer R back there after a customer complained, but the guy was already gone. Bookseller M really needs to learn when to get some backup.
We have now been at war with Iraq for five years. Congratulations, Mr. President for keeping us in that quagmire for so long. I look forward to your last day in office.
Barak Obama's latest speech has convinced me even more that he is our best hope. I am stunned that anyone could manage a speech on race relations in this country that could be so uplifting and wise. It's such a damned depressing subject. He makes me believe that we can make it better.
And I was shocked to hear of the death of Arthur C. Clarke. He seemed too eternal to die. Rest among the stars, good man. Know that you have inspired us.
My mood? All over the place. Mild depression, to stirred up crap from the past, to a great deal of amusement at the shenanigans of various customers. Today was epic. The best was the guy who sat in the kids' department for a long time, then begging for a few hours of work so that he could get gas money to drive home after a long night at the nearest bar. Um, it really doesn't work that way. I sent manager J and officer R back there after a customer complained, but the guy was already gone. Bookseller M really needs to learn when to get some backup.
We have now been at war with Iraq for five years. Congratulations, Mr. President for keeping us in that quagmire for so long. I look forward to your last day in office.
Barak Obama's latest speech has convinced me even more that he is our best hope. I am stunned that anyone could manage a speech on race relations in this country that could be so uplifting and wise. It's such a damned depressing subject. He makes me believe that we can make it better.
And I was shocked to hear of the death of Arthur C. Clarke. He seemed too eternal to die. Rest among the stars, good man. Know that you have inspired us.
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