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It's strange to me that retailers are claiming an increase in Black Friday spending this year. Strange because the deals, for the most part, really sucked this year. So much so that this was the first year in more than a decade that I wasn't standing in someone's line in the middle of the night.
The only possible explanation for this year's sales being so successful is that they were pounced on by amateurs. Now, if you are one of those that rushed out this Friday, please don't get offended. All I'm saying is that those of us who are frugal all year looked at those pitiful offerings and scoffed. In fact, if you were paying attention (and I am always paying attention even when I pretend that I'm not) you could have gotten many of those same deals, better deals, or within a few dollars, in the few weeks prior to Black Friday. Here's an example of what I'm talking about:
Sears advertised a Sharp 46" 1080p LCD television as a door buster on Black Friday for $899. Best Buy advertised the exact same television (same model number) for the exact same price the week before Thanksgiving. Now, Sears has a price match policy. So, had you gone to Sears a week before Black Friday and shown them the Best Buy ad, you could have purchased that television for $899 minus 10% of the price difference (it was its regular price of $1300 at Sears that week). So, you would have actually paid less than the Black Friday price, and you wouldn't have to stand in those lines.
Don't get me wrong; there were a few good deals to be had, but none were worth standing on line for hours in the cold. In fact, Radio Shack was offering a Uniden DECT 6.0 4-phone system. It was one of the few items in this year's ads that I considered making a serious effort to get. However, did I really want to get out in the wee hours of morning just to squeeze into that tiny box that is characteristic of a Radio Shack store, get pushed and shoved by the other sardines, and hope that I was able to grab the item for which I came? Nope.
I'm going to share one of my secrets with you, so keep it between us, okay? Okay. You know those 2-day sales that happen after Thanksgiving? Well, they magically turn into 3-day sales online. Most items (not the door busters, though) are offered online on Thanksgiving Day or sooner. So, I ordered the phones from radioshack.com for the same price on Thanksgiving. I even got free shipping, so they're sending them right to my door. No standing on line, no being shoved, no tiny cell of a store, no dashed hopes.
The only ad that I thought was pretty decent this year was Wal-Mart's. But I avoid them on Black Friday like the plague. Yeah, the deals were good, but not good enough to have to deal with Wal-Mart's Black Friday clientele. I spoke about this Thursday over Thanksgiving dinner. Then, as if to illustrate my point, this happened on Friday:
Now, I'm not trying to lessen the responsibility of the shoppers who trampled that poor guy to death. But Wal-Mart could have prevented it.
Consider this: Best Buy has people lined up sometimes for days to get into their store of Black Friday. But you hardly ever hear of horror stories about mobs at Best Buy. Why is that? Because Best Buy knows how to control the crowd. They know exactly how many of each of their door busters are available, and they pass out tickets starting at the front of the line for those items a couple hours prior to opening the doors. This does two things: 1. it keeps people from rushing the door for those items since they won't sell them to you if you don't have a ticket anyway, and 2. it keeps people from rushing the door to get inside because those people who have been camped out for these items can now go sit in a warm car until the store opens.
But not Wal-Mart. They create this feeding frenzy atmosphere. It doesn't matter that you were first in line. What matters is how fast you can find your item once you're inside. So you might have been first in line, you might have been there for 12 hours, but you still might not get that item you wanted because the people behind you run faster. I won't even go into the pushing and shoving and the taking things out of other people's carts (though, admittedly, those aren't unique to Wal-Mart shoppers). It's crazy. And it keeps me out of Wal-Mart on Black Fridays. It's simply not worth the aggravation.
In conclusion, I offer the following tips for next year:
1. Your Black Friday shopping should begin several weeks before the actual day. Check sale prices of your desired items in advance to get the best deals.
2. Just because an item is a door buster doesn't mean it's a great deal. Do your research, and watch the sales ads.
3. Get deals online early. Shop the big retailers on Thanksgiving. If you can't get everything, you'll feel less pressured if you can take even a few items off your list. Plus, you'll be able to concentrate on door busters.
4. Get networked. You'll have a better chance of getting what you want. Usually, we have people at Best Buy, someone else will go to Toys R Us, someone will go to Target, etc. (None of us went this year because the deals sucked, though.)
5. If you really want something, get there early. Know what you're getting into. Don't show up at Best Buy an hour before they open and expect to get that uber-cheap laptop you saw in the ad. For that matter, don't show up at Best Buy at 2am and expect to get it either.
6. Don't waste your time on minuscule savings. In other words, don't camp out at Best Buy for 18 hours to get a web cam for half price. The doctor's bill for treating your pneumonia will more than negate the $15 you save.
7. Keep your cart with you, and don't turn your back on it. Guard your door busters like you guard your life. Like I said, I've seen people take things out of someone Else's cart. Heck, I've seen people take the whole cart!
8. Get in and get out. Black Friday is not the time for browsing. Know what you want before you get to the store. Grab your items, pay, and go on to the next store. Unless you're in Best Buy. You'll be there for hours...which is why you should seriously consider tip #4.
9. Stay the hell away from Wal-Mart until they get their act together. Just trust me on this one. But, if you insist on going there anyway, make sure you heed tip #10.
10. Leave the kids at home. This is especially true for Wal-Mart (if you must go). Kids can easily get trampled. I've even seen baskets with babies in them nearly toppled by eager deal-seekers. And you might have to stand in long lines, which requires an amount of patience that most children don't possess.
11. Take advantage of price matching policies. This is a good way to save money and time. There's no sense in going to 3 more stores to get deals if you can get them all at the same store.
12. Keep your receipts. Yeah, that game was a great deal when you got it for $25. But you'll be ill next week when you see it on clearance for $8. No biggie. Just grab the $8 one and return the higher priced one.
-e
Monday, December 01, 2008
Saturday, November 08, 2008
McCain: Epilogue
Before too much time passes, I need to comment on John McCain's concession speech the other night. Most people I've talked to or read are in agreement that he was both magnanimous and gracious in defeat. I think so too. But I think I also detected something else.
To me, the man actually seemed relieved. He seemed more at ease and delivered his speech with a sincerity that his presidential campaign clearly lacked. He seemed more like the man who, in the 2000 primaries before he sold his soul to the neo-con agenda, many of us were hoping would beat out G-Dub for the nom.
A few weeks ago, I was watching some of the pundits on one of the news-at-all-hours channels. They were discussing Senator McCain's lack of eye contact with Obama. One of the pundits stated that he had it on good authority from someone who's known Senator McCain for years that the reason he wouldn't - or couldn't - look Obama in the eye was because doing so reminded him of all that he had compromised to become the GOP nominee. The pundit said he was told that McCain had become the type of politician he, himself, detested.
I thought of that as I watched his speech the other night, and I wondered if that wasn't why he appeared so content with the loss. Maybe he took some solace in the fact that the person into whom he'd transformed himself, the kind of politician that would do and say anything to win, was not the people's choice for President this time. Perhaps this was some sort of validation for the person he'd been all those years, his true self.
Admittedly, I could be reading way too much into it. It could be that what I saw was an aged man who was happy for a little downtime after months of keeping up an extremely frenetic schedule. Maybe he was just elated that the election was over, whatever the outcome.
I guess I'll never know.
-e
To me, the man actually seemed relieved. He seemed more at ease and delivered his speech with a sincerity that his presidential campaign clearly lacked. He seemed more like the man who, in the 2000 primaries before he sold his soul to the neo-con agenda, many of us were hoping would beat out G-Dub for the nom.
A few weeks ago, I was watching some of the pundits on one of the news-at-all-hours channels. They were discussing Senator McCain's lack of eye contact with Obama. One of the pundits stated that he had it on good authority from someone who's known Senator McCain for years that the reason he wouldn't - or couldn't - look Obama in the eye was because doing so reminded him of all that he had compromised to become the GOP nominee. The pundit said he was told that McCain had become the type of politician he, himself, detested.
I thought of that as I watched his speech the other night, and I wondered if that wasn't why he appeared so content with the loss. Maybe he took some solace in the fact that the person into whom he'd transformed himself, the kind of politician that would do and say anything to win, was not the people's choice for President this time. Perhaps this was some sort of validation for the person he'd been all those years, his true self.
Admittedly, I could be reading way too much into it. It could be that what I saw was an aged man who was happy for a little downtime after months of keeping up an extremely frenetic schedule. Maybe he was just elated that the election was over, whatever the outcome.
I guess I'll never know.
-e
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
The Journey
This morning I slept for 10 whole hours. It's been a long while since I've gotten a peaceful night's sleep. When I woke up, I was startled that I'd slept so well and for so long. And then, suddenly, my grogginess cleared and I instantly knew the reason.
Barack Obama has been elected 44th President of the United States.
I hadn't realized how anxious I'd been about this election until I woke up this morning and missed the ever-present uneasiness that had occupied my mind for all those months.
It all started more than a year ago when I was channel surfing and happened upon C-Span. They were showing an Obama rally. I was immediately taken by the things this man was saying. It was as if he had seen into my thoughts, arranged them in eloquent succession, and validated them by speaking them to that large crowd.
Who was this guy? The bottom of the screen read "Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill". I remembered him. He's the guy that wrote those books, the best sellers I had been meaning to read. And I think he's on MySpace. He's running for President?
Not only did I go to the bookstore the next day, I began actually searching for interviews and speeches and added him as a friend on MySpace. It didn't take me long to realize that this man should be President.
I believed he should be President, but I didn't believe he could be President. I even resorted to the old, long-held justification that if he actually became President I would fear for his safety. Then Barack Obama appeared on the Tavis Smiley show. He stated that people shouldn't be so concerned for his safety that they don't vote for him. He said he had considered and discussed the dangers with his family, and they had all decided that this was something he needed to do. Since that was my last obstacle, I threw my support behind Obama.
Now, Tavis Smiley had asked Barack if he really thought he had any chance of becoming the Democratic nominee when he was trailing so far behind in the polls. He said he did, and that he was confident once he made his case to the masses they would vote for him. I chuckled. Did he really believe that? Naw, I concluded, but he has to act like he does. So, while he had my support, I wasn't very confident that anything would come of his candidacy.
A couple months later, during a telephone conversation with my mother, all hell broke loose. My mother, who was supporting Hillary Clinton at the time, said she was certain that I, too, was behind Hillary. I told her that I, in fact, was not. I said Barack was my guy. She went ballistic on me, and gave me every argument as to why I should support Hillary over Obama. I successfully rebutted each one. Then she said that, even if Obama were to win the party nom, there was no way he could get enough votes to win the general election. I agreed with that assessment, so she asked why I would waste my vote on someone who couldn't win. My answer was simple: Because I have to.
And I did have to because I believed in this man wholeheartedly. Ordinarily I hate politics, so I necessarily abhor politicians. But there was something different about this one. I felt like he understood what it was like to be me on a basic level. I felt his sincerity.
So I told my mother that Barack had my support, but that I'd end up voting for Hillary in the general election anyway. I had nothing against her. I just didn't feel her the way I did him. My mother got angry, didn't speak to me for two weeks, and -- although I can't prove it -- I think she briefly wrote me out of her will.
Then Obama won the Iowa caucuses and people really started paying attention to him, including my mother. My mother, a Texas resident, did cast her vote for Hillary, but she confided in me several weeks later that she wished she'd had that vote back. She now saw in Barack what I saw in him.
Ever since the Iowa caucuses, when it became clear that there was a real chance he could win the party nom, I've been anxious. Anxious for each caucus and primary result, for him to secure the nomination, for the convention, for the general election. I didn't even know I was so wound up until this morning when suddenly I wasn't.
I know that African-Americans everywhere are rejoicing in the history that is the first African-American to ever get elected to the highest office in our land. My mother called me in tears last night when they called the election for Obama, because she grew up in the Jim Crow south, where she wasn't allowed to go to school with Whites or even use the same bathrooms. She never thought she'd see this in her lifetime and was overcome by the moment. I understand that, and, though I never had to deal with Jim Crow, I felt every bit of that history last night.
But it was deeper than even that for me. For once in the past 8 years, the issues actually mattered. So much so that this country was able to look beyond its prejudices and elect the best person for the job.
And so I slept.
But this nation still has a long way to go. Last night was not a victory against prejudice and bigotry, as some have proclaimed. Instead, for a large group of people, it was bittersweet. As this country showed it could look past a history of preconceived notions about one group of people, it also demonstrated, at least in those states that denied gay couples the right to marry (especially in progressive California), that it is still willing to justify discrimination against another group.
So today we celebrate President-Elect Barack Obama. But there is clearly still work to be done. Our journey continues.
-e
p.s. Here are more photos from last night's acceptance speech:
Barack Obama has been elected 44th President of the United States.
I hadn't realized how anxious I'd been about this election until I woke up this morning and missed the ever-present uneasiness that had occupied my mind for all those months.
It all started more than a year ago when I was channel surfing and happened upon C-Span. They were showing an Obama rally. I was immediately taken by the things this man was saying. It was as if he had seen into my thoughts, arranged them in eloquent succession, and validated them by speaking them to that large crowd.
Who was this guy? The bottom of the screen read "Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill". I remembered him. He's the guy that wrote those books, the best sellers I had been meaning to read. And I think he's on MySpace. He's running for President?
Not only did I go to the bookstore the next day, I began actually searching for interviews and speeches and added him as a friend on MySpace. It didn't take me long to realize that this man should be President.
I believed he should be President, but I didn't believe he could be President. I even resorted to the old, long-held justification that if he actually became President I would fear for his safety. Then Barack Obama appeared on the Tavis Smiley show. He stated that people shouldn't be so concerned for his safety that they don't vote for him. He said he had considered and discussed the dangers with his family, and they had all decided that this was something he needed to do. Since that was my last obstacle, I threw my support behind Obama.
Now, Tavis Smiley had asked Barack if he really thought he had any chance of becoming the Democratic nominee when he was trailing so far behind in the polls. He said he did, and that he was confident once he made his case to the masses they would vote for him. I chuckled. Did he really believe that? Naw, I concluded, but he has to act like he does. So, while he had my support, I wasn't very confident that anything would come of his candidacy.
A couple months later, during a telephone conversation with my mother, all hell broke loose. My mother, who was supporting Hillary Clinton at the time, said she was certain that I, too, was behind Hillary. I told her that I, in fact, was not. I said Barack was my guy. She went ballistic on me, and gave me every argument as to why I should support Hillary over Obama. I successfully rebutted each one. Then she said that, even if Obama were to win the party nom, there was no way he could get enough votes to win the general election. I agreed with that assessment, so she asked why I would waste my vote on someone who couldn't win. My answer was simple: Because I have to.
And I did have to because I believed in this man wholeheartedly. Ordinarily I hate politics, so I necessarily abhor politicians. But there was something different about this one. I felt like he understood what it was like to be me on a basic level. I felt his sincerity.
So I told my mother that Barack had my support, but that I'd end up voting for Hillary in the general election anyway. I had nothing against her. I just didn't feel her the way I did him. My mother got angry, didn't speak to me for two weeks, and -- although I can't prove it -- I think she briefly wrote me out of her will.
Then Obama won the Iowa caucuses and people really started paying attention to him, including my mother. My mother, a Texas resident, did cast her vote for Hillary, but she confided in me several weeks later that she wished she'd had that vote back. She now saw in Barack what I saw in him.
Ever since the Iowa caucuses, when it became clear that there was a real chance he could win the party nom, I've been anxious. Anxious for each caucus and primary result, for him to secure the nomination, for the convention, for the general election. I didn't even know I was so wound up until this morning when suddenly I wasn't.
I know that African-Americans everywhere are rejoicing in the history that is the first African-American to ever get elected to the highest office in our land. My mother called me in tears last night when they called the election for Obama, because she grew up in the Jim Crow south, where she wasn't allowed to go to school with Whites or even use the same bathrooms. She never thought she'd see this in her lifetime and was overcome by the moment. I understand that, and, though I never had to deal with Jim Crow, I felt every bit of that history last night.
But it was deeper than even that for me. For once in the past 8 years, the issues actually mattered. So much so that this country was able to look beyond its prejudices and elect the best person for the job.
And so I slept.
But this nation still has a long way to go. Last night was not a victory against prejudice and bigotry, as some have proclaimed. Instead, for a large group of people, it was bittersweet. As this country showed it could look past a history of preconceived notions about one group of people, it also demonstrated, at least in those states that denied gay couples the right to marry (especially in progressive California), that it is still willing to justify discrimination against another group.
So today we celebrate President-Elect Barack Obama. But there is clearly still work to be done. Our journey continues.
-e
p.s. Here are more photos from last night's acceptance speech:
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Yes, We Did!
Wow! I'm overcome with the magnitude of Barack Obama becoming the 44th President of the United States of America. I'll drop some wisdom on y'all about it tomorrow, when I can gather my thoughts more clearly. Besides, I'm completely spent tonight.
Meanwhile, here are some photos of America's new First Family:
Meanwhile, here are some photos of America's new First Family:
The Candy Nazi
Did you hear about Shirley Nagel, the evil Candy Nazi lady who, on Halloween, refused to hand out candy to children of Obama supporters? In case you missed it, here she is in all her self-righteous glory:
As it turns out, this icky itch lives in Grosse Pointe Farms. My daughter and I were in Grosse Pointe trick-or-treating on Halloween night.
Shirley The Psycho and I have something in common: fortune smiled upon both of us when we did not cross paths that night.
You see, I have a temper. She clearly has no sense. That's a bad combination. Had she been mean to my child, had she caused my child to cry, you probably would've seen me in that video too...in handcuffs. And that McCrazy lady would've been trying to talk to that reporter through a broken jaw and missing teeth.
I know, I know. I'm supposed to turn the other cheek, rise above it all, be a better woman. Nope. Sorry. Mama don't play when it comes to her baby.
It has since been discovered that Shirley The Shrew was a Michigan delegate to the Republican National Committee this year. Now, I've been reading blogs where people are saying that this is "typical" of McCain/Palin supporters. Let me assure you, it is not. It's not even typical of McCain/Palin supporters in the Grosse Pointes. In fact, we trick-or-treated at several houses with McCain signs in their yard. They were all nice to the children and cordial to the adults. No, this was the unilateral action of a lunatic.
And, get this, she used to be a school teacher. How scary is that? Lucky for her she's already retired, because I'm certain there would have been thousands of angry letters from parents demanding her dismissal.
But, since she dodged that bullet, I offer the following information:
Anyway, I'm tired of thinking about that insane wretch. After all, Keith Olberman already named her Worst Person In The World. I'm going to put her out of my mind directly...right after I finish counting my lucky stars.
-e
As it turns out, this icky itch lives in Grosse Pointe Farms. My daughter and I were in Grosse Pointe trick-or-treating on Halloween night.
Shirley The Psycho and I have something in common: fortune smiled upon both of us when we did not cross paths that night.
You see, I have a temper. She clearly has no sense. That's a bad combination. Had she been mean to my child, had she caused my child to cry, you probably would've seen me in that video too...in handcuffs. And that McCrazy lady would've been trying to talk to that reporter through a broken jaw and missing teeth.
I know, I know. I'm supposed to turn the other cheek, rise above it all, be a better woman. Nope. Sorry. Mama don't play when it comes to her baby.
It has since been discovered that Shirley The Shrew was a Michigan delegate to the Republican National Committee this year. Now, I've been reading blogs where people are saying that this is "typical" of McCain/Palin supporters. Let me assure you, it is not. It's not even typical of McCain/Palin supporters in the Grosse Pointes. In fact, we trick-or-treated at several houses with McCain signs in their yard. They were all nice to the children and cordial to the adults. No, this was the unilateral action of a lunatic.
And, get this, she used to be a school teacher. How scary is that? Lucky for her she's already retired, because I'm certain there would have been thousands of angry letters from parents demanding her dismissal.
But, since she dodged that bullet, I offer the following information:
Shirley NagelI'm not saying she should get bombarded with mail, but it wouldn't hurt for a few thousand people to express their indignation at the way she treated those kids. Clearly the neighbors can't stand her either. You saw how quickly they gave up her name to the press.
465 Belanger St.
Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236
313-884-2598
Anyway, I'm tired of thinking about that insane wretch. After all, Keith Olberman already named her Worst Person In The World. I'm going to put her out of my mind directly...right after I finish counting my lucky stars.
-e
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Maybe It's Just Me
At some point, after John McCain announced he was pulling ads from Michigan, I figured I'd be spared the bitter back-and-forth that had previously overtaken my television set. Boy was I wrong.
Every state has their ballot initiatives, and Michigan is no different. But ours tend to be controversial.
Enter Proposal 2.
Now, even the name garners bad blood in Michigan because the last significant controversial ballot initiative that I remember was also called Prop 2, and it was seeking to end affirmative action in the state. Believe it or not, that bullshit passed by a 58% to 42% margin. I won't get into the specifics of that battle or the reasons why it slid through, but suffice it to say there was a significant amount of race-baiting and fear-mongering involved. That was two years ago.
This latest Prop 2 seeks to add a constitutional amendment which would allow for embryonic stem cell research in Michigan.
Now, as a science enthusiast myself, I am usually all for research. And, with two of the best medical schools in the country, Michigan State University and University of Michigan (U of M also ranks near the top for medical research), it seems appropriate that the state would adopt this amendment.
But, there are two sides to every story, and the other side has been making its case for months. Also, I like to make sure that I familiarize myself with the language before making a decision, as these ballot initiatives tend to be confusing and sometimes misleading.
Then this came on my television:
Did you see that? They invoked the Tuskegee Experiment. Maybe it's just me, but I think they did it for one reason: they hope to elicit a knee-jerk, emotional reaction from the many African-Americans they know will be voting in this state to help them defeat the proposal. Then, I find out that the ad is running in heavy rotation in the Detroit area, but not so much anywhere else in the state. Hmm...
Well, it worked on me, but not the way it was supposed to. I don't like to be manipulated. If I believe someone is trying to maneuver me into doing something, I will do the opposite just because. Before that commercial, I was willing to give the anti-Prop 2 folks a chance. Now, after that shameful, race-baiting, fear-mongering ad, I know I have to go with my first mind and vote 'yes' on Proposition 2.
Every state has their ballot initiatives, and Michigan is no different. But ours tend to be controversial.
Enter Proposal 2.
Now, even the name garners bad blood in Michigan because the last significant controversial ballot initiative that I remember was also called Prop 2, and it was seeking to end affirmative action in the state. Believe it or not, that bullshit passed by a 58% to 42% margin. I won't get into the specifics of that battle or the reasons why it slid through, but suffice it to say there was a significant amount of race-baiting and fear-mongering involved. That was two years ago.
This latest Prop 2 seeks to add a constitutional amendment which would allow for embryonic stem cell research in Michigan.
Now, as a science enthusiast myself, I am usually all for research. And, with two of the best medical schools in the country, Michigan State University and University of Michigan (U of M also ranks near the top for medical research), it seems appropriate that the state would adopt this amendment.
But, there are two sides to every story, and the other side has been making its case for months. Also, I like to make sure that I familiarize myself with the language before making a decision, as these ballot initiatives tend to be confusing and sometimes misleading.
Then this came on my television:
Did you see that? They invoked the Tuskegee Experiment. Maybe it's just me, but I think they did it for one reason: they hope to elicit a knee-jerk, emotional reaction from the many African-Americans they know will be voting in this state to help them defeat the proposal. Then, I find out that the ad is running in heavy rotation in the Detroit area, but not so much anywhere else in the state. Hmm...
Well, it worked on me, but not the way it was supposed to. I don't like to be manipulated. If I believe someone is trying to maneuver me into doing something, I will do the opposite just because. Before that commercial, I was willing to give the anti-Prop 2 folks a chance. Now, after that shameful, race-baiting, fear-mongering ad, I know I have to go with my first mind and vote 'yes' on Proposition 2.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Photo Share - Halloween
This is my child dressed up for Halloween last year. She was a zombie athlete. She was very funny trying so hard to be scary. The cool thing was that she used a duffel bag for candy, and that thing got very full!
She's nothing like I was when I was a kid. She really likes getting candy, but she never really eats it. So every year, although she eats a few pieces, I end up eating a good portion of it. I have to give most of it away.
-e
In The Spirit
I'm crazy about Halloween. I always have been, and I don't even know why. Maybe it's the idea that, if only for one night of the year, you can completely transform yourself into somebody - or something - else.
So, just to get everyone else into the spirit of things, here's an 80's classic by Rockwell. It's not all that scary, but I always thought the song was kinda creepy funny:
-e
So, just to get everyone else into the spirit of things, here's an 80's classic by Rockwell. It's not all that scary, but I always thought the song was kinda creepy funny:
-e
Thursday, October 30, 2008
I Just Couldn't Help Myself
I hadn't planned to watch it. Barack Obama's half-hour tv spot was last night, and I was going to take a pass.
'Cause why, right? I was already voting for the guy. And besides, I have had it up to HERE with this election. I want it to just be over already!
And the Pheonix Suns were playing the San Antonio Spurs on ESPN. I wanted to watch that. After all, I've been anxiously awaiting the start of the NBA season since the Boston Celtics won the title last summer.
So there was really no reason to even turn it on, was there?
Then I felt a little guilty. After all, the Obama camp spent quite a bit on that spot, and $20 of that was my money dammit! So I figured I might just have a quick peek, you know, for the sake of tv ratings. Then I'd turn to the game. I find politics pretty boring anyway...usually.
There was an old poem I was forced to read in high school - something about "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men..." I should've paid closer attention.
At the 20-minute mark I found myself wondering when they were going to show a commercial so I could at least turn and check the score of the game. About 2 seconds later it occurred to me that there wouldn't be any commercials because this was, after all, one long political ad.
I had to laugh at myself. 'Cause I just was sitting there, mesmerized, like I hadn't seen nor heard most of this before and like I needed to hear more. And I really needed to pee (note to self: don't drink a giant cup of cinnamon apple tea and expect to sit for half an hour). Still, I forced myself to hold it for the last 10 minutes because, for some inexplicable reason, I had to finish watching.
In the end, I felt it was good spot. It wasn't boring at all (contrary to Elizabeth Hasselbeck's assessment on The View today...of course she'd rather walk through burning flames than to say anything favorable about Obama). The half hour went by pretty quickly. So, good job Senator. But next time please check the NBA schedule before you decide to buy a big ad block in prime time.
-e
'Cause why, right? I was already voting for the guy. And besides, I have had it up to HERE with this election. I want it to just be over already!
And the Pheonix Suns were playing the San Antonio Spurs on ESPN. I wanted to watch that. After all, I've been anxiously awaiting the start of the NBA season since the Boston Celtics won the title last summer.
So there was really no reason to even turn it on, was there?
Then I felt a little guilty. After all, the Obama camp spent quite a bit on that spot, and $20 of that was my money dammit! So I figured I might just have a quick peek, you know, for the sake of tv ratings. Then I'd turn to the game. I find politics pretty boring anyway...usually.
There was an old poem I was forced to read in high school - something about "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men..." I should've paid closer attention.
At the 20-minute mark I found myself wondering when they were going to show a commercial so I could at least turn and check the score of the game. About 2 seconds later it occurred to me that there wouldn't be any commercials because this was, after all, one long political ad.
I had to laugh at myself. 'Cause I just was sitting there, mesmerized, like I hadn't seen nor heard most of this before and like I needed to hear more. And I really needed to pee (note to self: don't drink a giant cup of cinnamon apple tea and expect to sit for half an hour). Still, I forced myself to hold it for the last 10 minutes because, for some inexplicable reason, I had to finish watching.
In the end, I felt it was good spot. It wasn't boring at all (contrary to Elizabeth Hasselbeck's assessment on The View today...of course she'd rather walk through burning flames than to say anything favorable about Obama). The half hour went by pretty quickly. So, good job Senator. But next time please check the NBA schedule before you decide to buy a big ad block in prime time.
-e
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Michelle-O Talks With Leno
Michelle Obama made an appearance on The Tonight Show on Monday night, and she showed her usual class, eloquence, and grace during her interview. She even took the high road when Jay prodded her about Sarah Palin's wardrobe.
In case you missed it, I've attached the entire interview below. Enjoy!
-e
In case you missed it, I've attached the entire interview below. Enjoy!
-e
Saturday, October 25, 2008
My New Addiction
My friend Joe Lewis (yes, just like the boxer) is like a brother to me. Joe is a great guy 99% of the time, but he's got a sadistic streak in him that masquerades as niceness. Like the time he gave me a Costco membership as a Christmas present. A wonderful, thoughtful gift you say? HA! It was all I could do to NOT simply sign over every paycheck to that place. And now, he's being mean yet again.
Let me just say that I'm not a huge YouTube person. Yeah, it's okay for your random video clips. Say I want to see a clip of a cat flushing the toilet or find a music video from back in the day. I'd definitely go straight to YouTube. For example, I could go to YouTube right now and search for the video to Love Is A House by Force MD's, and I would find this:
Anyway, YouTube is good for stuff like that. But what if I missed the last episode of Fringe, Heroes, or The Starter Wife? Where do I go if I'm jonesin' to watch Hollywood Shuffle in its entirety?
Joe Lewis has introduced me to a website called Hulu, and it is the answer. Now I'm spending countless hours watching every episode of Life (from the pilot episode on) and Frank TV.
Joe Lewis is cruel. He had to know this would happen.
-e
Let me just say that I'm not a huge YouTube person. Yeah, it's okay for your random video clips. Say I want to see a clip of a cat flushing the toilet or find a music video from back in the day. I'd definitely go straight to YouTube. For example, I could go to YouTube right now and search for the video to Love Is A House by Force MD's, and I would find this:
Anyway, YouTube is good for stuff like that. But what if I missed the last episode of Fringe, Heroes, or The Starter Wife? Where do I go if I'm jonesin' to watch Hollywood Shuffle in its entirety?
Joe Lewis has introduced me to a website called Hulu, and it is the answer. Now I'm spending countless hours watching every episode of Life (from the pilot episode on) and Frank TV.
Joe Lewis is cruel. He had to know this would happen.
-e
Friday, October 24, 2008
My Heart Goes Out to Jennifer Hudson
News from ABC-7:
-e
p.s. You can read the entire article here.
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The mother and brother of singer and Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson were found shot to death inside a home Friday.I feel for Jennifer and can't even imagine what she must be feeling right now. Obviously, my heart goes out to her and her family, and I hope her nephew will be found safe.
Police have confirmed Hudson's mother, Darnell Hudson Donerson, 57, is one of the
deceased. The other victim has been identified as Jennifer Hudson's brother, Jason S. Hudson, 29.
The home where the bodies were discovered around 3 p.m. Friday is at 7019 S. Yale in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood. Property records indicate the home belongs to Donerson.
A search is underway for a young boy who is missing from the home. Jennifer Hudson's 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, has been missing since Friday morning, according to Area 2 Deputy Chief Joseph Patterson.
-e
p.s. You can read the entire article here.
Checking In, Blog Maintenance, and an SNL Skit
I'd been feeling guilty about not blogging for over a month, so I thought I'd check in and let everyone know I haven't fallen off the face of the earth or anything like that. Football season has come to an end for my daughter (unfortunately her team failed to make it into the playoffs this season...but there's always next year), and now we're gearing up for basketball season. I also got roped into being a "Cookie Mom" for my daughter's Girl Scout troop, so that will be taking up my time also. We're selling Girl Scout cashews, candies, and magazine subscriptions right now, so feel free to email me if you'd like to purchase anything. I'll email you back with a link to G's Girl Scout product sales page. We won't be taking cookie orders until shortly after Thanksgiving. We appreciate any and all support.
You'll notice I changed the appearance of my blog...again. Whaddya think? I created the background and title in PhotoShop. I used a kit called Spontaneous Delight designed by Carrie Stephens. It's the August 2008 freebie kit from Shabby Princess. Also, I've removed the music. I know some of you have said you open my blog at work just to hear the music, but more of you have said that the blast of music is unfortunate when you're browsing at work. Anyway, I'm not quite done tinkering with it yet, so you might see small changes here and there during the next few days. YOU AREN'T LOSING YOUR MIND! You're just getting an unfortunate glimpse into the inner workings of mine. (And for that, I truly apologize.)
On a lighter note, Will Ferrell returned to SNL last night to reprise his role as G-Dub. It made for a very funny opening skit. Here it is, in case you missed it:
You'll notice I changed the appearance of my blog...again. Whaddya think? I created the background and title in PhotoShop. I used a kit called Spontaneous Delight designed by Carrie Stephens. It's the August 2008 freebie kit from Shabby Princess. Also, I've removed the music. I know some of you have said you open my blog at work just to hear the music, but more of you have said that the blast of music is unfortunate when you're browsing at work. Anyway, I'm not quite done tinkering with it yet, so you might see small changes here and there during the next few days. YOU AREN'T LOSING YOUR MIND! You're just getting an unfortunate glimpse into the inner workings of mine. (And for that, I truly apologize.)
On a lighter note, Will Ferrell returned to SNL last night to reprise his role as G-Dub. It made for a very funny opening skit. Here it is, in case you missed it:
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
On Being A Swinger
I'm in love with my DVR. Don't get me wrong; I've always had affection for it. I recognized the moment I got it how dramatically it would change my life. And it definitely has. No longer must I choose between watching the gazillion-hour-long season premiere of The Biggest Loser or watching the latest installment of Fringe. Let's face it, setting a VCR was way too annoying to be a daily thing, especially when you tried to do it two minutes prior to the show and realized that you first had to set the clock (because you had unplugged the darn thing since the last time you used it). With the DVR, I can simply click on the upcoming program and set it to record. It takes all of 5 seconds. So you can see why I'm crazy about it.
These days, though, I've found even more appreciation for my DVR. And I gotta tell ya: it's the greatest invention since oxygen.
You see, Michigan is considered a "swing state". I don't know why we have to be swingers (I jokingly refer to residents of Michigan, Ohio, and other swing states thusly), considering how badly Michigan's economy has floundered under G-Dub's administration and the fact that the state has gone blue in the past 4 presidential contests, but this is what they tell us. Being a swinger can be a good thing. With Michigan's 17 electoral votes up for grabs, not a week goes by that one of the candidates, presidential or vice-presidential, doesn't make an appearance somewhere around here. But it can also be very annoying. Those of you who are fortunate enough to live in a state that is solidly blue, or even one that is solidly red, probably think you are being bombarded with political tv ads. Hah! Take what you're getting and multiply it exponentially. That's what we swingers must endure.
What I wouldn't give for an annoying Head-On commercial right about now!
Now don't get me wrong. Politics are important, especially in our country's current state of economic unrest. But can't I have just one hour of the day when I don't have to hear about it? I guess not.
My new thing is to record all the shows I want to watch, even if I'm home and nothing else is on. That way, I can skip through all of the annoying political ads. This has been great for my temperment, as I am no longer prone to swearing at the television. (Okay, so I still swear at the television during football games, but we're not talking about that right now.) My DVR has been my lifesaver, rescuing me from drowning in an ocean of political hyperbole.
I am in love with my DVR.
These days, though, I've found even more appreciation for my DVR. And I gotta tell ya: it's the greatest invention since oxygen.
You see, Michigan is considered a "swing state". I don't know why we have to be swingers (I jokingly refer to residents of Michigan, Ohio, and other swing states thusly), considering how badly Michigan's economy has floundered under G-Dub's administration and the fact that the state has gone blue in the past 4 presidential contests, but this is what they tell us. Being a swinger can be a good thing. With Michigan's 17 electoral votes up for grabs, not a week goes by that one of the candidates, presidential or vice-presidential, doesn't make an appearance somewhere around here. But it can also be very annoying. Those of you who are fortunate enough to live in a state that is solidly blue, or even one that is solidly red, probably think you are being bombarded with political tv ads. Hah! Take what you're getting and multiply it exponentially. That's what we swingers must endure.
What I wouldn't give for an annoying Head-On commercial right about now!
Now don't get me wrong. Politics are important, especially in our country's current state of economic unrest. But can't I have just one hour of the day when I don't have to hear about it? I guess not.
My new thing is to record all the shows I want to watch, even if I'm home and nothing else is on. That way, I can skip through all of the annoying political ads. This has been great for my temperment, as I am no longer prone to swearing at the television. (Okay, so I still swear at the television during football games, but we're not talking about that right now.) My DVR has been my lifesaver, rescuing me from drowning in an ocean of political hyperbole.
I am in love with my DVR.
Friday, September 12, 2008
CS3...Savvy?
I had been tinkering with some of my photos attempting to learn how to post-process them. Everything I tried was abysmal. I became increasing frustrated with my efforts. I started to think that maybe I need to take a PS class. This thought troubled me because I'd never had to take a class to learn how to use software before. I can usually figure things out on my own. I was beginning to get frustrated.
Then I decided that maybe I shouldn't waste too much energy on an outdated version of PSE (2.0 to be exact). I decided I needed to upgrade immediately. If I'm going to be inept, I'm going to at least do it on updated software. So I immediately jumped online to research the best price for the latest and greatest Adobe photo-editing software. You know what I found?
THOSE PEOPLE ARE CRAZY!
I mean, folks gotta eat...don't they? I'm sure if I was a pro photographer the cost wouldn't be prohibitive. But I'm just basically practicing taking pictures for my personal edification. I can't imagine laying down that kinda cash for...software.
Too bad. I would've liked very much to have it, but it's too far out of reach for...
Wait a minute! I AM an IT chick, and there has to be a way to get CS3 for free, right?
And so I began to research. Guess what I found? A free trial of the software. Okay, that's great and all, but I want a permanent copy that I can use forever and ever. So, move this file...replace that file...change some code there....
Now, by no means am I admitting to ANY kind of piracy (because that would be wrong, boys and girls, very wrong!), but suffice it to say that I am now up and running with a permanent copy of CS3 (Arrrrgh!). Ain't technology grand?
Anyway, after I played around with the software a little I came up with the following photo from my daughter's first football game (you can click on them to view them full sized):
Original version
PS'd version
Not too bad for a novice, huh? I know it's not perfect, and it's easy to see the PSing if you look for it. I may not have blurred the background enough, or maybe I blurred it too much. I don't know. But as first efforts go, I'm pretty happy with it. I'm curious to know what you great photographers and seasoned photoshoppers think. Also, I'd welcome any tips and suggestions or any actions you want to share with me ('cause a sistah is broke as a joke and can't afford to buy any).
-e
Then I decided that maybe I shouldn't waste too much energy on an outdated version of PSE (2.0 to be exact). I decided I needed to upgrade immediately. If I'm going to be inept, I'm going to at least do it on updated software. So I immediately jumped online to research the best price for the latest and greatest Adobe photo-editing software. You know what I found?
THOSE PEOPLE ARE CRAZY!
I mean, folks gotta eat...don't they? I'm sure if I was a pro photographer the cost wouldn't be prohibitive. But I'm just basically practicing taking pictures for my personal edification. I can't imagine laying down that kinda cash for...software.
Too bad. I would've liked very much to have it, but it's too far out of reach for...
Wait a minute! I AM an IT chick, and there has to be a way to get CS3 for free, right?
And so I began to research. Guess what I found? A free trial of the software. Okay, that's great and all, but I want a permanent copy that I can use forever and ever. So, move this file...replace that file...change some code there....
Now, by no means am I admitting to ANY kind of piracy (because that would be wrong, boys and girls, very wrong!), but suffice it to say that I am now up and running with a permanent copy of CS3 (Arrrrgh!). Ain't technology grand?
Anyway, after I played around with the software a little I came up with the following photo from my daughter's first football game (you can click on them to view them full sized):
Original version
PS'd version
Not too bad for a novice, huh? I know it's not perfect, and it's easy to see the PSing if you look for it. I may not have blurred the background enough, or maybe I blurred it too much. I don't know. But as first efforts go, I'm pretty happy with it. I'm curious to know what you great photographers and seasoned photoshoppers think. Also, I'd welcome any tips and suggestions or any actions you want to share with me ('cause a sistah is broke as a joke and can't afford to buy any).
-e
Friday, August 29, 2008
8 Mile...Starring Barack Obama
In a battle of words, it's usually not ideal to argue your point first. That way you get to hear the other person's argument, and you can counter that with your own.
Have y'all seen the movie 8 Mile? I know everyone in Detroit has. Remember that last battle scene, where Eminem - I forget his character's name - had the mic? He got up there and spat his rhymes, then he anticipated his opponent's comeback and tore it to shreds before he laid down the mic. Of course, the other guy now had nothing with which to come back, being that Eminem had already destroyed all his material.
He changed the rules. He threw a sucker punch that prevented the counter punch. He took words that he hadn't even heard yet and picked them apart.
Yep, that's what Barack Obama just did to John McCain. He 8Mile'd him.
If you didn't see Obama's acceptance speech (and I don't blame you if you didn't because I don't usually watch political conventions myself), you missed a brilliant display of gamesmanship. Not only did he make the case for the end of Republican rule by pointing out the obvious blunders of the current administration, but he anticipated every bit of nonsense that the McCain camp and the hit squad at the Republican National Committee might throw at him and made them seem, well, more than a little ridiculous.
For those who haven't seen it, I am not going to try to summarize it here. That would take too long, and I have to get up in the morning. And I can't embed the video because it hasn't shown up on the web just yet, so you'll have to find it for yourself to see what I'm talking about.
Oh, and that shuffling sound you hear is the McCain camp trying to figure out what just happened to all their talking points.
-e
Have y'all seen the movie 8 Mile? I know everyone in Detroit has. Remember that last battle scene, where Eminem - I forget his character's name - had the mic? He got up there and spat his rhymes, then he anticipated his opponent's comeback and tore it to shreds before he laid down the mic. Of course, the other guy now had nothing with which to come back, being that Eminem had already destroyed all his material.
He changed the rules. He threw a sucker punch that prevented the counter punch. He took words that he hadn't even heard yet and picked them apart.
Yep, that's what Barack Obama just did to John McCain. He 8Mile'd him.
If you didn't see Obama's acceptance speech (and I don't blame you if you didn't because I don't usually watch political conventions myself), you missed a brilliant display of gamesmanship. Not only did he make the case for the end of Republican rule by pointing out the obvious blunders of the current administration, but he anticipated every bit of nonsense that the McCain camp and the hit squad at the Republican National Committee might throw at him and made them seem, well, more than a little ridiculous.
For those who haven't seen it, I am not going to try to summarize it here. That would take too long, and I have to get up in the morning. And I can't embed the video because it hasn't shown up on the web just yet, so you'll have to find it for yourself to see what I'm talking about.
Oh, and that shuffling sound you hear is the McCain camp trying to figure out what just happened to all their talking points.
-e
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Practicing
So I'm trying hard not to rely so much on my camera's full auto mode. It's not as easy for me as it sounds. But, I'm getting there. Yesterday, I decided to practice my own "sport" while my daughter was at football practice. (I try not to pay too much attention to what's happening on the field because I get a little too into it, but 2 hours is an excruciatingly long time to be nonchalant.) What you see below are a couple of shots I took. Some were particularly challenging because of the evening shadows being cast across part of the field. Also, I cropped them a little, but that's as far as my Photoshopping went. One of these days, I'll learn how to post-process my digital pics better. Until then, this is what I get. :)
Taking a break
Gotta have some water! 
Running off the field 
One of the coaches addressing the players after practice
I love this photo...too bad my child isn't in it :) 
-e
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
And The Award Goes To...
I was honored when Staci nominated me for this award a few weeks ago. I consider this quite an accolade coming from her, since Staci's blog is so creative and entertaining.
The rules of this award are as follows:
- The winner can put the logo on his/her blog.
- Link to the person frow whom you received your award.
- Nominate at least 7 other blogs, and put links to those blogs on yours.
- Leave a message on the blogs of the people you nominated.
Keisha
Roberta
The Don
Trina
Veronica
-e
Friday, August 01, 2008
The Race Card (Quick Post)
I swear, if I hear the phrase "the race card" uttered on a political news show one more time I AM GOING TO THROW A FOOTBALL THROUGH THE SCREEN!
-e
-e
Sunday, July 27, 2008
That Kinda Info Might Have Been Useful
It's official. I'm old.
My 20-year class reunion is going on this weekend. I was unable to attend, but I hope all who did are enjoying themselves.
I was talking to an "old" friend yesterday, and we got to reminiscing about our high school years. She said she wished she could go back and tell her high school self a few things. She asked me what, if anything, I would go back and tell my teen-aged self.
Hmmm...that's a tough one for me, especially since I firmly believe that every experience I've had to this point has helped make me the person I am today. Besides, I was so hard-headed, I probably wouldn't have listened to me anyway. (Shaddap Torrie!) Anyway, there are a few concepts I might try to impart to a younger me:
- Do you! You will never please everybody, so don't even try. Be authentic to yourself, and let the chips fall where they may.
- Live in the moment. Don't worry about what happened yesterday; it's over. Don't concern yourself with tomorrow; you can't control it.
- Your thighs are fine. Everyone is not meant to be a size 3; being a size 7 does not make you fat. And even if it did, so what! There are worse things to be in this world.
- You can't control everything. There are times in life to stand your ground and times you have to be flexible. Learn the difference.
That's all I've got. It's not much, but it might have made a difference. If you could go back and talk to yourself as a teenager, what would you say?
-e
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Parenting Styles Are Like Day And Knight
I've just discovered I'm out of touch as a parent.
As I was surfing earlier this week, I came across an article about whether The Dark Knight is too violent for children. In it, one woman says she regrets taking her 11- and 14-year-old kids to see the movie because it was not appropriate for children. Another guy said he would not have taken his 12-year-old son had he known how violent the film was.
Now, after reading the article and the posted comments that ensued, I was immediately defensive. Why? Because I took my soon-to-be-10-year-old daughter to this movie on opening day. We enjoyed it. We even had a discussion of the film (the acting, the plot, the action scenes, etc.) on the way home from the theater. It never occurred to me that what we had just seen might be too "dark" for her.
So the folks in the article (and some of the comments) must be overreacting, right?
Well, maybe not completely.
Because then I spoke to my pal Joe. He and his family had also made an outing last Friday to see the film. He went with his wife, his mother, his daughter, and his niece who is visiting for the summer. Apparently, his 6-year-old niece has been having nightmares about The Joker ever since. But how could this be? My child didn't have nightmares, and Joe's own daughter (who is 8 years old) has been sleeping well also. Could it be the age difference? No. The parents in the article had children older than ours.
And then it hit me: it's because of the way our children were raised.
I nursed my daughter while watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel,and Charmed. And, later, when she was sick and miserable in the middle of the night, she snuggled next to me and watched Interview with the Vampire and The Craft. At the age of 3, she was sitting through (and comprehending) The Fellowship of the Ring and quoting lines from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
So a criminally insane comic book villain is just par for the entertainment course as far as our kids are concerned. No nightmares. No trauma. Their only reaction was some very astute character analyses and appreciation for a very good motion picture.
Apparently, most children are not being raised in this way. Joe's niece certainly wasn't. That's why The Joker (and Heath Ledger is excellent in the role) gave her nightmares. And the parents in the article must not be the kind of people who read comics or go to sci-fi conventions. Because, after all, if you ever read The Dark Knight series comic books, you already knew this wasn't your garden variety superhero story. And they just thought it was going to be like Batman. Imagine that!
-e
As I was surfing earlier this week, I came across an article about whether The Dark Knight is too violent for children. In it, one woman says she regrets taking her 11- and 14-year-old kids to see the movie because it was not appropriate for children. Another guy said he would not have taken his 12-year-old son had he known how violent the film was.
Now, after reading the article and the posted comments that ensued, I was immediately defensive. Why? Because I took my soon-to-be-10-year-old daughter to this movie on opening day. We enjoyed it. We even had a discussion of the film (the acting, the plot, the action scenes, etc.) on the way home from the theater. It never occurred to me that what we had just seen might be too "dark" for her.
So the folks in the article (and some of the comments) must be overreacting, right?
Well, maybe not completely.
Because then I spoke to my pal Joe. He and his family had also made an outing last Friday to see the film. He went with his wife, his mother, his daughter, and his niece who is visiting for the summer. Apparently, his 6-year-old niece has been having nightmares about The Joker ever since. But how could this be? My child didn't have nightmares, and Joe's own daughter (who is 8 years old) has been sleeping well also. Could it be the age difference? No. The parents in the article had children older than ours.
And then it hit me: it's because of the way our children were raised.
I nursed my daughter while watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel,and Charmed. And, later, when she was sick and miserable in the middle of the night, she snuggled next to me and watched Interview with the Vampire and The Craft. At the age of 3, she was sitting through (and comprehending) The Fellowship of the Ring and quoting lines from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
So a criminally insane comic book villain is just par for the entertainment course as far as our kids are concerned. No nightmares. No trauma. Their only reaction was some very astute character analyses and appreciation for a very good motion picture.
Apparently, most children are not being raised in this way. Joe's niece certainly wasn't. That's why The Joker (and Heath Ledger is excellent in the role) gave her nightmares. And the parents in the article must not be the kind of people who read comics or go to sci-fi conventions. Because, after all, if you ever read The Dark Knight series comic books, you already knew this wasn't your garden variety superhero story. And they just thought it was going to be like Batman. Imagine that!
-e
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Oh Where, Oh Where Has My Mojo Gone?
For those of you that don't know, I have a scrapbooking store in my house. Not a real retail establishment, but I have enough supplies that I could probably open one.
I've got more time on my hands than ever.
And, as you know, I take a zillion pictures. (I'm trying to whittle that down, though, 'cause my kid says I have a problem.)
So I really have absolutely no excuse for not scrapbooking. Yeah, my scrap space could use a little more organization, but that's not unusual. Besides, I've cranked out pages in the midst of more chaos than I've got now.
I just haven't been motivated lately. And I can't figure out why. I've been collecting mags and sketches, and still nothing.
But do you know what I am motivated to do? Buy more supplies. How crazy is that? I've had to seriously restrain myself from adding to my collection. Because, at this point, that's all it is: a collection of supplies. I've resolved not to buy any more supplies until I start using what I've got. Unless, of course, it's a really great deal. :)
-e
I've got more time on my hands than ever.
And, as you know, I take a zillion pictures. (I'm trying to whittle that down, though, 'cause my kid says I have a problem.)
So I really have absolutely no excuse for not scrapbooking. Yeah, my scrap space could use a little more organization, but that's not unusual. Besides, I've cranked out pages in the midst of more chaos than I've got now.
I just haven't been motivated lately. And I can't figure out why. I've been collecting mags and sketches, and still nothing.
But do you know what I am motivated to do? Buy more supplies. How crazy is that? I've had to seriously restrain myself from adding to my collection. Because, at this point, that's all it is: a collection of supplies. I've resolved not to buy any more supplies until I start using what I've got. Unless, of course, it's a really great deal. :)
-e
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Where Good Intentions Go Wrong
People mean well.
I know it, and I appreciate it. But it's very annoying sometimes.
Most of my friends are kind-hearted people. I get that. I really do. And being the kind-hearted people they are, most have invited my daughter and me to participate in whatever 4th of July festivities they are planning. And I really do appreciate it. I love them for it.
The problem is simple: I don't feel like celebrating the 4th of July.
Is this some political statement? A Chuck D style boycott about the freedom of my people? A quiet protest of this country's foreign policy?
No. It's much simpler than that.
My father passed away last year on the 4th of July, and I just don't feel like celebrating. Period.
Sounds simple, doesn't it? But it's just my luck to live in a country full of amateur psychologists. I blame Oprah and Phil.
People say they understand my feelings. Then they try to convince me that what I really need to do is get out among the masses. As if lighting sparklers or playing spades or endless banter about the NBA's ridiculous one-year-of-college rule will magically make me feel better. (Sorry, Mr. Stern. I had to get that out.) As if being around people will change the fact that, in effect, they are gathering to celebrate the very day I lost my dad.
Now, if they had real psychology degrees they would understand that people have to grieve in their own way. This is mine. No one has a healthier understanding of death than I do. I just don't like being around people when I'm feeling this way. And, trust me, I'm really no fun right now. They wouldn't want me bringing down their celebration anyway. Everything about this "holiday" reminds me of the day my father died.
So let it go. No more lectures about what my father would have wanted me to do. No more castigations on the necessity of being around friends during this time. No more advice on how to deal. I'm not staying in bed for a month, and I'm not pondering suicide. I'm simply passing up some parties to shed some very personal tears by myself.
In time I might get to a place where I can enjoy a good cookout on the 4th of July. But it's not likely to happen this year. Let me assure you--your BBQ ribs will not be safe from me on Labor Day.
I know it, and I appreciate it. But it's very annoying sometimes.
Most of my friends are kind-hearted people. I get that. I really do. And being the kind-hearted people they are, most have invited my daughter and me to participate in whatever 4th of July festivities they are planning. And I really do appreciate it. I love them for it.
The problem is simple: I don't feel like celebrating the 4th of July.
Is this some political statement? A Chuck D style boycott about the freedom of my people? A quiet protest of this country's foreign policy?
No. It's much simpler than that.
My father passed away last year on the 4th of July, and I just don't feel like celebrating. Period.
Sounds simple, doesn't it? But it's just my luck to live in a country full of amateur psychologists. I blame Oprah and Phil.
People say they understand my feelings. Then they try to convince me that what I really need to do is get out among the masses. As if lighting sparklers or playing spades or endless banter about the NBA's ridiculous one-year-of-college rule will magically make me feel better. (Sorry, Mr. Stern. I had to get that out.) As if being around people will change the fact that, in effect, they are gathering to celebrate the very day I lost my dad.
Now, if they had real psychology degrees they would understand that people have to grieve in their own way. This is mine. No one has a healthier understanding of death than I do. I just don't like being around people when I'm feeling this way. And, trust me, I'm really no fun right now. They wouldn't want me bringing down their celebration anyway. Everything about this "holiday" reminds me of the day my father died.
So let it go. No more lectures about what my father would have wanted me to do. No more castigations on the necessity of being around friends during this time. No more advice on how to deal. I'm not staying in bed for a month, and I'm not pondering suicide. I'm simply passing up some parties to shed some very personal tears by myself.
In time I might get to a place where I can enjoy a good cookout on the 4th of July. But it's not likely to happen this year. Let me assure you--your BBQ ribs will not be safe from me on Labor Day.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Back To The Future Please!
I don't drive a De Lorean, but I feel like I've somehow been transported back to the 1950's or something. I haven't seen any poodle skirts, and there's definitely hip hop on the radio, but the things that come out of folks' mouths around here are all the proof I need.
I've been having the following conversation a lot recently. The other person (OP) is a composite of many people:
Me: I gotta go. My kid has football practice this evening.
OP: She's playing football this year?
Me: Yep.
OP: Why?
Me: Because she wants to.
OP: What team?
Me: A local Pop Warner team. The team seems solid. They've been champs a few times.
OP: And they have a girls' team?
Me: Uh, no.
OP: So she's going to be playing with boys?
Me: Uh, yeah.
OP: Is it flag football?
Me: Nope. Tackle.
OP: And you're letting her play?
Me: Uh, yeah.
OP: Has she been tackled yet?
Me: No. They're doing a skills and agility camp right now. It's kinda like spring training. There's no contact until closer to the actual season.
OP: Well...she'll quit the first time she gets tackled.
Me: Ha! You obviously don't know my kid very well. The whole reason she wants to play is to tackle someone.
OP: You're not afraid she'll get hurt?
Me: Not really. She's not fragile.
OP: Are you sure you're not making her play?
Me: Entirely her decision. I don't care whether she plays or not.
OP: But she's a girl.
Me: I know this. I changed her diapers.
Now, don't get me wrong. I had expected a few folks to balk at her playing football. I'm not naive. I know that old prejudices die hard, and little girls playing tackle football is not something you see every day. But, come on. It's not like she's the first girl to ever play the game. It's Pop Warner, not the NFL. I mean, girls have been participating in Punt, Pass & Kick competitions for as long as I can remember. And my nephew, who plays high school football, says there's a girl playing on his school's team. (This is not the first time I've heard of girls participating in Texas high school football since I graduated. I seem to remember a lawsuit...) In fact, Detroit has its own female professional football team. (No, Joe, I'm not talking about the Lions.) And, although they got eliminated in a playoff game three days ago, the Detroit Demolition have managed to win four championships over the past several years (only one since joining the IWFL in 2006...they lost in the championship game that year but won it last year). The Detroit Lions, meanwhile, are perennial bottom-feeders who want to charge you a small fortune to watch them lose. They might try recruiting some players from the Demolition. They couldn't possibly be any worse. But I'm not one to gossip, so you didn't hear that from me. LOL
And on the subject of injury. Why is it that people are so concerned girls will get hurt playing football? I mean, hello? Have you seen competitive cheerleading these days? Or gymnastics? Both are infinitely more dangerous than football. I ought to know. I used to play tackle football regularly when I was her age. Only I played on the front lawn without pads with my brother and his friends, all of whom were older than me. I never sustained a single injury. By contrast, I can't even tell you how many sprains, strains, and pains I've gotten from cheerleading and gymnastics because there have been so many. If you think getting tackled hurts, try taking a header off the balance beam or the high bar, or crashing onto the asphalt when a partner stunt or pyramid goes wrong. My daughter did try cheerleading last year (and hated it), and strangely nobody questioned whether I was afraid she'd hurt herself then.
But, I digress.
By far, the most ridiculous conversations I've had on the subject have gone something like this:
OP: I don't think you should let her play football.
Me: Why not?
OP: Because she's a girl.
Me: So?
OP: So you don't want to make her gay or something.
Me: You sound like a fool.
OP: I'm serious.
Me: You can't possibly be serious, because that would make you an idiot.
OP: Well, it could happen if you keep letting her do boy stuff.
Me: Boy stuff? What does that even mean anyway?
OP: If you let her act like a boy, she'll grow up thinking she's one.
Me: And that fantasy would come crashing down the moment she got her period.
OP: Be serious!
Me: I am. And here's a newsflash for you: whether or not she is gay was more than likely already determined before she ever took a breath in this world. I doubt letting her play football at the age of 10 will have any bearing on her sexuality one way or another.
OP: You could turn her gay if you're not careful.
Me: That's ridiculous. And, even if it were true, there are worse things she could be.
OP: Oh yeah? Like what?
Me: Like intolerant. Like ignorant. Like afraid to try things because she seeks approval from the insignificant masses that don't contribute one iota to her worth as a person. Like an idiot. Like you.
Okay. So you see where that discussion always ends up. But I'm still quite baffled. This is, after all, the year 2008. Or is it? I mean, are we really still having the whole nature vs. nurture discussion as it relates to human sexuality? Apparently so. And I've found that out. There are still people out there who think that if put my child in frilly dresses and buy her baby dolls, this somehow guarantees that she'll be heterosexual. Whatever. I hate to break it to you, but science has proven time and again that this is not the case. (Not that it's important, although I might as well note it here, but I've known my kid is firmly heterosexual since she was about nine months old. But even if she wasn't, I'd love her anyway.)
But, there is hope. While a couple of the coaches were caught by surprise when a girl showed up to camp, they seem to be fine with her participation. And, although many are amused by her presence, they have all embraced the opportunity to teach her the fundamentals of the game. (I can tell some of them don't quite know what to make of her yet, but that is perfectly understandable.) And most of the boys don't seem to mind having her on the field. Sure, a few have made comments to her. But most of them seem fine with it, if they notice her at all. At her last practice, one little boy's father seemed surprised to see her leaving the huddle:
Man: Are you playing football this year, young lady?
G: (calmly) Yes.
Man: (enthusiastically) Good for you, young lady! Show these boys how it's done!
And on that note, I've gotta go. Cause I think I've spotted Doc Brown, and he's the only one that can fix the flux capacitor in my Malibu...
I've been having the following conversation a lot recently. The other person (OP) is a composite of many people:
Me: I gotta go. My kid has football practice this evening.
OP: She's playing football this year?
Me: Yep.
OP: Why?
Me: Because she wants to.
OP: What team?
Me: A local Pop Warner team. The team seems solid. They've been champs a few times.
OP: And they have a girls' team?
Me: Uh, no.
OP: So she's going to be playing with boys?
Me: Uh, yeah.
OP: Is it flag football?
Me: Nope. Tackle.
OP: And you're letting her play?
Me: Uh, yeah.
OP: Has she been tackled yet?
Me: No. They're doing a skills and agility camp right now. It's kinda like spring training. There's no contact until closer to the actual season.
OP: Well...she'll quit the first time she gets tackled.
Me: Ha! You obviously don't know my kid very well. The whole reason she wants to play is to tackle someone.
OP: You're not afraid she'll get hurt?
Me: Not really. She's not fragile.
OP: Are you sure you're not making her play?
Me: Entirely her decision. I don't care whether she plays or not.
OP: But she's a girl.
Me: I know this. I changed her diapers.
Now, don't get me wrong. I had expected a few folks to balk at her playing football. I'm not naive. I know that old prejudices die hard, and little girls playing tackle football is not something you see every day. But, come on. It's not like she's the first girl to ever play the game. It's Pop Warner, not the NFL. I mean, girls have been participating in Punt, Pass & Kick competitions for as long as I can remember. And my nephew, who plays high school football, says there's a girl playing on his school's team. (This is not the first time I've heard of girls participating in Texas high school football since I graduated. I seem to remember a lawsuit...) In fact, Detroit has its own female professional football team. (No, Joe, I'm not talking about the Lions.) And, although they got eliminated in a playoff game three days ago, the Detroit Demolition have managed to win four championships over the past several years (only one since joining the IWFL in 2006...they lost in the championship game that year but won it last year). The Detroit Lions, meanwhile, are perennial bottom-feeders who want to charge you a small fortune to watch them lose. They might try recruiting some players from the Demolition. They couldn't possibly be any worse. But I'm not one to gossip, so you didn't hear that from me. LOL
And on the subject of injury. Why is it that people are so concerned girls will get hurt playing football? I mean, hello? Have you seen competitive cheerleading these days? Or gymnastics? Both are infinitely more dangerous than football. I ought to know. I used to play tackle football regularly when I was her age. Only I played on the front lawn without pads with my brother and his friends, all of whom were older than me. I never sustained a single injury. By contrast, I can't even tell you how many sprains, strains, and pains I've gotten from cheerleading and gymnastics because there have been so many. If you think getting tackled hurts, try taking a header off the balance beam or the high bar, or crashing onto the asphalt when a partner stunt or pyramid goes wrong. My daughter did try cheerleading last year (and hated it), and strangely nobody questioned whether I was afraid she'd hurt herself then.
But, I digress.
By far, the most ridiculous conversations I've had on the subject have gone something like this:
OP: I don't think you should let her play football.
Me: Why not?
OP: Because she's a girl.
Me: So?
OP: So you don't want to make her gay or something.
Me: You sound like a fool.
OP: I'm serious.
Me: You can't possibly be serious, because that would make you an idiot.
OP: Well, it could happen if you keep letting her do boy stuff.
Me: Boy stuff? What does that even mean anyway?
OP: If you let her act like a boy, she'll grow up thinking she's one.
Me: And that fantasy would come crashing down the moment she got her period.
OP: Be serious!
Me: I am. And here's a newsflash for you: whether or not she is gay was more than likely already determined before she ever took a breath in this world. I doubt letting her play football at the age of 10 will have any bearing on her sexuality one way or another.
OP: You could turn her gay if you're not careful.
Me: That's ridiculous. And, even if it were true, there are worse things she could be.
OP: Oh yeah? Like what?
Me: Like intolerant. Like ignorant. Like afraid to try things because she seeks approval from the insignificant masses that don't contribute one iota to her worth as a person. Like an idiot. Like you.
Okay. So you see where that discussion always ends up. But I'm still quite baffled. This is, after all, the year 2008. Or is it? I mean, are we really still having the whole nature vs. nurture discussion as it relates to human sexuality? Apparently so. And I've found that out. There are still people out there who think that if put my child in frilly dresses and buy her baby dolls, this somehow guarantees that she'll be heterosexual. Whatever. I hate to break it to you, but science has proven time and again that this is not the case. (Not that it's important, although I might as well note it here, but I've known my kid is firmly heterosexual since she was about nine months old. But even if she wasn't, I'd love her anyway.)
But, there is hope. While a couple of the coaches were caught by surprise when a girl showed up to camp, they seem to be fine with her participation. And, although many are amused by her presence, they have all embraced the opportunity to teach her the fundamentals of the game. (I can tell some of them don't quite know what to make of her yet, but that is perfectly understandable.) And most of the boys don't seem to mind having her on the field. Sure, a few have made comments to her. But most of them seem fine with it, if they notice her at all. At her last practice, one little boy's father seemed surprised to see her leaving the huddle:
Man: Are you playing football this year, young lady?
G: (calmly) Yes.
Man: (enthusiastically) Good for you, young lady! Show these boys how it's done!
And on that note, I've gotta go. Cause I think I've spotted Doc Brown, and he's the only one that can fix the flux capacitor in my Malibu...
Sunday, June 15, 2008
The Final Word?
Okay, this post is a little late. My daughter's been out of school for over a week now. Her last day was Friday, June 6th. And that's the day she brought home her final report card. She only got one "A". The rest of her grades were "A-minus".
When she showed it to me, I carefully studied the document then frowned at her and asked her how she could dare bring all those minuses into my house. She laughed at me, told me she knew I was proud of her, then bounced out of the room. Sigh! I'm going to have to find a way to command more respect in my household...
-e
When she showed it to me, I carefully studied the document then frowned at her and asked her how she could dare bring all those minuses into my house. She laughed at me, told me she knew I was proud of her, then bounced out of the room. Sigh! I'm going to have to find a way to command more respect in my household...
-e
New Header and Bren Boone Designs
Okay, I've been out of commission for a while. Sorry about that. The two other remaining members of my original nuclear family have been having health issues lately and have undergone surgical procedures. And I've been going non-stop since I've been back: I've chaperoned a fourth-grade field trip and two Girl Scout field trips, attended Field Day at my daughter's school, gone to two birthday parties (in one day), and had a new garage door opener installed (Yay Home Depot!). So, I just now got around to changing my blog header. Are we good now Tammy?
This time I used a kit from Bren Boone Designs. It's called "Naturally" and is Bren's June Freebie. Bren is an absolutely fabulous designer I found online last year. Those of you who do digital scrapbook pages should check out her website. It's not often we run across people of color in the scrapbooking industry, so I think it's important to support them whenever possible. And that shouldn't be too hard with Bren. Did I mention her designs are fabulous? LOL And she happens to be a really good photographer also. When I found Bren, she was living in Old El Paso (her husband had been invited to the local fort by his Uncle Sam) but has since moved on. Kinda like me. You know, if I was married or creative or entrepreneurial or anything...
Anyway, thanks for the freebie Bren. I wish you well.
-e
This time I used a kit from Bren Boone Designs. It's called "Naturally" and is Bren's June Freebie. Bren is an absolutely fabulous designer I found online last year. Those of you who do digital scrapbook pages should check out her website. It's not often we run across people of color in the scrapbooking industry, so I think it's important to support them whenever possible. And that shouldn't be too hard with Bren. Did I mention her designs are fabulous? LOL And she happens to be a really good photographer also. When I found Bren, she was living in Old El Paso (her husband had been invited to the local fort by his Uncle Sam) but has since moved on. Kinda like me. You know, if I was married or creative or entrepreneurial or anything...
Anyway, thanks for the freebie Bren. I wish you well.
-e
Friday, March 14, 2008
Ride Or Die: The Definitive List
My friend Joe and I are having a slight disagreement about which persons, real or fictional, we would want to have by our side should any drama jump off. You know, the people you can always count on, no matter what the situation is. We basically agree on who should be on the list, but we can't really seem to reach any accord on the order in which each should be placed.
Anyway, since my opinion is the only one that matters (shaddap!), here's my official top five list of people I consider to be "ride or die":
Anyway, since my opinion is the only one that matters (shaddap!), here's my official top five list of people I consider to be "ride or die":
- Stephen Jackson. Although Stephen Jackson currently plays with the NBA's Golden State Warriors, he made the list while he was with the Indiana Pacers during the infamous brawl at the Palace a few years back. When Ron Artest went into the stands, Stephen Jackson was right behind him. Stephen didn't know why he was throwing punches, and I don't think he even cared. All he knew was that his boy was swinging, so he was swinging too. Punch first, and ask questions later. If you're down with Stephen, your back is got. It's automatic.
- Ando Masahashi. Fans of NBC's Heroes know exactly why Ando is on my list. When his best friend Hiro, armed with the power to manipulate time, embarked on a quest to fulfill his destiny in the first season, Ando backed him up. Even though this quest put them both in harm's way, Ando, with no weapon or supernatural power of his own, was Hiro's companion and protector throughout.
- Samwise Gamgee. Sam saved all of Middle Earth from peril when he accompanied Frodo into Mordor and made sure the ring of power was cast in the fires of Mount Doom to be destroyed. All of this because he made a promise. "A promise. 'Don't you leave him Samwise Gamgee.' And I don't mean to." Okay, so I've seen the Lord of the Rings trilogy way too many times, but you get the point.
- Al "A.C." Cowlings. O.J. needed a ride. A.C. not only provided the Bronco, he provided his own services as chauffeur. He did all of this with police helicopters circling above and the rest of LAPD in pursuit. A.C. just calmly kept driving until O.J. was ready to stop. (I should point out that my friend Joe feels A.C. should be #1 on this list.)
- O-Dog. You definitely want O-Dog on your side. Cause that fool is out his hookup. In fact, if he wasn't a sociopath he'd be higher on my list. O-Dog was so crazy, I shuddered at the sight of Larenz Tate for a long time thereafter. He hunted down and helped kill the fools who murdered Cain's cousin. Then, when Cain felt he needed to pistol whip Chauncy, O-Dog offered up his piece without asking a question and even checked to make sure it was loaded (because bullets might have been necessary for all he knew) before he handed it to Cain. And when Deena's cousin and his boys came gunning for Cain, O-Dog came out with a pistol in each hand shooting back at those fools. Yep, I've watched Menace II Society a few times also.
There's my top five. Those are the people I want with me if I find myself having to walk down a dark alley. There were others in consideration, but I think these selections embody the spirit of the list. Is there anyone you think I've left off?
-e
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Friday
I was on Wal-Mart's website on Friday checking to see when Super Smash Bros Brawl for the Wii would be available. Imagine my surprise when I saw it was available for pre-order at a price of $19.82! I jumped on it right away to lock in my price. Wow! Newly released Wii games usually go for about $50. Even with shipping, I'm coming out way ahead! I clicked through to purchase the game. The website thanked me for my order and said they would send me a confirmation. Sure enough, I got a confirmation email from them with the details of my order: total purchase price, when I could expect shipment, and that my credit card would not be charged until the order had shipped.
Everything was great, and I was satisfied with my purchase. Until Saturday, that is. Saturday is when I got the following email from walmart.com:
When you click on the link to the "Order Acceptance policy", it basically states that if they erroneously price an item they have the right to cancel the order. I think this is bad business, but okay, whatever.
The problem I had was that they indeed charged my credit card. Nope, it wasn't an authorization hold, it was an actual charge.
So I contacted customer service. I was like excuse me, but you charged my credit card already. You should honor the price.
The high school dropout on the other end was like, Uh...no. That's not our policy. We can yank that price out from under you at will. (I think I heard an evil laugh at this point, but that could've been my imagination.) I'd suspected that my argument wasn't going to fly, but it was worth a try anyway.
Then I told him their policy also stated my card would not be charged until the item shipped, but they had already charged my card. So, what's the deal, dude? Y'all get to pick and choose which of your stated policies you are going to follow?
The crickets chirping on the other end of the phone indicated a clear lack of comprehension on his part. So I dropped it.
I continued: Look dude, since y'all aren't gonna give me the item at the price you listed I want my money back.
He finally decided to form words: Yes ma'am. We've issued the credit back into your account. It usually shows up in 3-5 business days.
I wasn't mad until then. But now I was.
Playing with my money is like playing with my emotions, Smokey!
Why should I wait 3-5 business days for MY money? Y'all didn't wait 3-5 business days to get it! And, again, your own policy states that they wouldn't charge my card until the item was shipped. It was a pre-order for next month, so there was absolutely no reason my card should have already been charged.
The poor slug said there was nothing he could do. So I asked to speak to someone with adult-level comprehension, presumably a supervisor (though we all know THAT is no guarantee of more intelligence). He put the shift lead on the phone. I explained the situation and why I was hot, and pointed out that if they had the means to charge immediately then they should have the means to credit just as quickly.
I don't really care about the game or the $20, but it's the principal. There's principalities involved in this thing.
She indicated that she understood my point and said she would have them issue an immediate credit, which she did. So I asked why the brick and mortar stores had to honor ticketed prices but the website could get away with cancelling orders when they screw up a price. She said Wal-Mart and walmart.com are separate entities. This is not an answer, but whatever. She said I was welcome to resubmit my order at the current price of $49.98. Thanks, but I'll pass. If I'm going to pay that price, I might as well wait until the game is released and go get it from the Best Buy or Toys-R-Us around the corner. I wouldn't even have to go out of my way, and I'd save on the shipping charge. The only reason I pre-ordered it anyway was because it was going to save me 30 bucks.
I had already stopped shopping at Wal-Mart's brick and mortar stores. There really isn't one that's in my immediate vicinity, and they negated any benefit I would get from driving past two Meijer stores and three Target stores when they discontinued layaway, which I only ever used for the holidays anyway. But I had still been able to find a few deals on walmart.com. I ordered a Fisher Price I Can Play Piano for about $20 with overnight shipping. That item was retailing for about $60. And I had been able to find some other great deals when they were doing the 99-cent shipping thing.
But this has soured me on their website, too. I have to admit, though, that I love getting great deals. If I find another great deal on walmart.com, I can't promise I won't try to cash in on it.
And you know this, man!
Everything was great, and I was satisfied with my purchase. Until Saturday, that is. Saturday is when I got the following email from walmart.com:
We are contacting you regarding your recent order 2677303127823.
At the time you placed your order, the price of the item(s) listed below was incorrect on our website. Due to this issue, we have canceled the item(s) from your order. No further action is required on your part regarding this issue and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Your payment method will not be charged for the item(s). Any authorization hold on your credit card account will be released in accordance with your financial institution's holds policy. Please contact your financial institution for more information.
Item(s):
Super Smash Bros. Brawl Wii Qty 1
Please note: Any items in your order that are not listed above will be delivered as planned. Click on "My Account" on http://www.walmart.com/ to track the status of any remaining items in your order.
Should you have any questions, please refer to our Order Acceptance policy:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=119625&path=0:5436:120160:119599:119625#1
You may also contact one of our Customer Service Associates at http://us.f815.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=help@walmart.com.
Sincerely,
Customer Service at Walmart.com
http://www.walmart.com/
When you click on the link to the "Order Acceptance policy", it basically states that if they erroneously price an item they have the right to cancel the order. I think this is bad business, but okay, whatever.
The problem I had was that they indeed charged my credit card. Nope, it wasn't an authorization hold, it was an actual charge.
So I contacted customer service. I was like excuse me, but you charged my credit card already. You should honor the price.
The high school dropout on the other end was like, Uh...no. That's not our policy. We can yank that price out from under you at will. (I think I heard an evil laugh at this point, but that could've been my imagination.) I'd suspected that my argument wasn't going to fly, but it was worth a try anyway.
Then I told him their policy also stated my card would not be charged until the item shipped, but they had already charged my card. So, what's the deal, dude? Y'all get to pick and choose which of your stated policies you are going to follow?
The crickets chirping on the other end of the phone indicated a clear lack of comprehension on his part. So I dropped it.
I continued: Look dude, since y'all aren't gonna give me the item at the price you listed I want my money back.
He finally decided to form words: Yes ma'am. We've issued the credit back into your account. It usually shows up in 3-5 business days.
I wasn't mad until then. But now I was.
Playing with my money is like playing with my emotions, Smokey!
Why should I wait 3-5 business days for MY money? Y'all didn't wait 3-5 business days to get it! And, again, your own policy states that they wouldn't charge my card until the item was shipped. It was a pre-order for next month, so there was absolutely no reason my card should have already been charged.
The poor slug said there was nothing he could do. So I asked to speak to someone with adult-level comprehension, presumably a supervisor (though we all know THAT is no guarantee of more intelligence). He put the shift lead on the phone. I explained the situation and why I was hot, and pointed out that if they had the means to charge immediately then they should have the means to credit just as quickly.
I don't really care about the game or the $20, but it's the principal. There's principalities involved in this thing.
She indicated that she understood my point and said she would have them issue an immediate credit, which she did. So I asked why the brick and mortar stores had to honor ticketed prices but the website could get away with cancelling orders when they screw up a price. She said Wal-Mart and walmart.com are separate entities. This is not an answer, but whatever. She said I was welcome to resubmit my order at the current price of $49.98. Thanks, but I'll pass. If I'm going to pay that price, I might as well wait until the game is released and go get it from the Best Buy or Toys-R-Us around the corner. I wouldn't even have to go out of my way, and I'd save on the shipping charge. The only reason I pre-ordered it anyway was because it was going to save me 30 bucks.
I had already stopped shopping at Wal-Mart's brick and mortar stores. There really isn't one that's in my immediate vicinity, and they negated any benefit I would get from driving past two Meijer stores and three Target stores when they discontinued layaway, which I only ever used for the holidays anyway. But I had still been able to find a few deals on walmart.com. I ordered a Fisher Price I Can Play Piano for about $20 with overnight shipping. That item was retailing for about $60. And I had been able to find some other great deals when they were doing the 99-cent shipping thing.
But this has soured me on their website, too. I have to admit, though, that I love getting great deals. If I find another great deal on walmart.com, I can't promise I won't try to cash in on it.
And you know this, man!
Friday, January 11, 2008
The Little Things
I was in my local Target today, and happened upon some items clearanced at 75% off. There were a bunch of toys (and I grabbed plenty), and I also found some decent picture frames for $1.25 each. Also, I had a coupon for $2.25 off a box of Electrasol dishwasher detergent, which was already on sale for $2.66! I was thrilled when I checked out and paid less than $80 for more than $300 worth of merchandise. As I was in my car driving home, I began to ponder.
I have no life.
And I'm surprisingly fine with that.
It doesn't take much these days to make me smile. Things like saving a ton of money, helping my child with math homework, and the fact that new episodes of Monk and Psych will be on tonight are enough to keep me content. That's not to say there aren't things I want to accomplish in life, just that I'm perfectly okay with where I am right now.
Now if I could only get a handle on this insomnia thing...
I have no life.
And I'm surprisingly fine with that.
It doesn't take much these days to make me smile. Things like saving a ton of money, helping my child with math homework, and the fact that new episodes of Monk and Psych will be on tonight are enough to keep me content. That's not to say there aren't things I want to accomplish in life, just that I'm perfectly okay with where I am right now.
Now if I could only get a handle on this insomnia thing...
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
New Year, New Outlook
Okay, I know I've been neglecting my blogging lately. I have good reasons, but probably not good enough. So I'll just try to do better from now on.
I'm one of those people who loves the holiday season, but I'm always glad when it's over. This year was no exception. Especially because my daughter and I spent most of the holiday season in a self-imposed quarantine. I have to say that nobody appreciates the human immune system more than I do. I've always found disease processes to be quite fascinating, and I take great pleasure in knowing the very precise physiological path that an infection follows. On paper. Because here's what I know, ladies and gentlemen: 1) having a sick child really sucks, and 2) infection is neither pleasurable nor fascinating when it's inside of me.
Anyway, as I was pondering all things 2007, it occurred to me that several new pet peeves surfaced last year (and a couple of old ones). For the sake of education ('cause you know I'm ALL about education...LOL) I will list them for you:
I'm one of those people who loves the holiday season, but I'm always glad when it's over. This year was no exception. Especially because my daughter and I spent most of the holiday season in a self-imposed quarantine. I have to say that nobody appreciates the human immune system more than I do. I've always found disease processes to be quite fascinating, and I take great pleasure in knowing the very precise physiological path that an infection follows. On paper. Because here's what I know, ladies and gentlemen: 1) having a sick child really sucks, and 2) infection is neither pleasurable nor fascinating when it's inside of me.
Anyway, as I was pondering all things 2007, it occurred to me that several new pet peeves surfaced last year (and a couple of old ones). For the sake of education ('cause you know I'm ALL about education...LOL) I will list them for you:
- The news media. Okay, I've never really liked watching the news. I always contended that if anything important ever happened in the world, Stuart Scott would tell me on Sportscenter. Maybe that was a stretch, but last year the media reached an all-time low standard for what passes as news. I mean, between the endless stories about Tom Cruise and What's-Her-Name (now his wife), Britney and Lindsey's drama-filled lives, and human interest stories so ridiculous you forfeit thousands of brain cells with each viewing, they might have managed to mention the genocide in the Sudan a handful of times.
- The I've-Gotta-Start-A-Foundation syndrome. First of all, let me preface this tirade by saying that I sympathize with anyone who has lost a child. As a parent, I can't even begin to imagine the agony of life after such a tragedy. That said, there seems to be some kind of requirement these days, a mandate that you can't possibly have loved your child unless you start a foundation dedicated to whatever disease or accident was responsible for his or her death. For example: I saw a story featuring parents who had lost their 15-year-old daughter to a fatal wind surfing accident. As I said, it was tragic. But they weren't on the news because their daughter had been killed. They were there to discuss the foundation they started to "raise awareness" about wind surfing accidents, which even they admitted are extremely and ridiculously rare occurrences. But they believed the foundation was important because (say it with me y'all 'cause I know you know it) "if we can spare just one family from going through this, that makes it worthwhile." Okay, I'm all for doing whatever you can do to deal with the pain. But, in the name of all you consider holy, stay off the television. Or at least get some new lines.
- The New England Patriots. To quote Kathy Bates from The Waterboy, "Zzzzzzzzzz
...da devil...da devil...da devil...zzzzzzzzzzzzzz." - Regarding the phrase "In regards to..." This madness has been going on for years, but last year I saw a marked increase in use (probably because I had a boss who felt it necessary to put this in EVERY email he EVER wrote in life). This phrase is very aggravating. And very incorrect. I cringe every time I'm forced to read it or hear it. One should never use this phrase. EVER! Simply put, with regard to that particular phrase, it is much more concise and infinitely less annoying to use the word "regarding". If you are a person that uses this phrase often, please give my regards to your high school English teacher.
- Hip-hop music. Anyone who knows me knows how much I've always loved hip-hop music. But what masquerades as hip-hop these days is ridiculous. At the risk of sounding like an old woman (Shaddup!), it just ain't what it used to be. I mean no disrespect to Soulja Boy ('cause I like to Crank That too), but if I can memorize the words to a song after hearing it once it's a pretty safe bet that the lyrics aren't very compelling. Oh, and this thing about every song has to feature someone else has gotten way out of control. Record companies complain that people are only downloading single tracks instead of buying full CDs. Okay...duh! I don't know whose CD to buy. The song is by this person featuring that person and that person and the other person. Besides, I might be so inclined to buy a full CD if it had more than one good track on it. Remember when Run DMC or LL Cool J would drop an album and EVERY song on it was a hit? You were at the record store the day the album dropped to get it. Remember Dr. Dre's The Chronic CD? Snoop's Doggystyle CD? You didn't mind buying the whole CD because you knew you were getting your money's worth. These days, you MIGHT get two decent songs on a CD if you're lucky, and they probably sound alike.
I'm not really a resolutions kinda gal, but I'm going to try to be much less aggravated this year. In the interest of full disclosure, I'd have to say my effort is already in jeopardy. You can't blame me though. What with the NFL playoffs in full swing AND the presidential election in 2008, it's possible that I picked the wrong year.
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