Lovelies...it's been a while. I know...you've anxiously been awaiting my latest dating infraction...so let's skip over the several-month, mid-life crisis whirlwind that was the Sugar Daddy and head straight on to....
The Chicken Guy
Back a few months ago I swore off of online dating. I removed my profile from good old Plenty of Fish and decided I was done. Time to focus the summer on me, rowing and trying to take better care of my lawn. That was an epic failure - but not as bad as the last few summers, I'll admit. But I left my profile on the barely trafficked website okcupid.com. Lo and behold, someone messages me. A few messages back and forth and he seems normal enough so we decided to meet.
Now, a few years back (yes, I've been single for THAT long now), a more mature singleton gave me an EBS that I wasn't ready for. She told me that, as someone who did not wish to breed my own spawns, I would probably have a hard time finding men who were in my situation because of my age and because most of them probably had been through their starter marriages too and already had one or two chicklets on the loose with their last names attached. The thing that stuck with me was that she told me that I may not want to date them because they had children but worse, I wouldn't want to date someone who didn't want to be with their children because that would be saying something about his character. Fair enough.
Chicken Guy has two kids. Young kids. And he was separated from his ex for only a mere 8 months after a 13 year divorce. One of the reasons he picked up on my profile is that I had indicated in a 'personality question' on the site that I didn't want to have kids with my next partner. (BTW, part of the reason I stayed on that site is it's basically like a trashy magazine with quizzes and stuff PLUS a dating area - totally entertains me.)
Okay, fair enough. So we went to a movie on our first date. Right away he was into being very...touchy. Arm around me, rubbing the back of my neck, blah blah blah - don't worry, it was PG, Big Brother. Honestly it didn't feel totally creeperish and he smelt not bad so meh, whatever.
Date #2 he met me at the rowing club and we went for a drive - again with the rubbing of the back of my neck which I finally asked him to stop because I just needed my driving space. One of the things I'd noted by that time in our interactions was that he conspicuously never mentioned his kids. Like ever. And he sees them regularly. While my other dating experiences with F&$%@#*% fathers hasn't been great nor have they gone on and on and on about their kids, they're at least part of a conversation SOMEWHERE. Like if I mention that I like broccoli, I may get a 'my kids love it too' kinda comment. So, I took this opportunity, while trapped in my car, to grill him. His rationale was that he wasn't looking for a mother for them (holy cliché line used by EVERY papa on a dating website) and that he was really looking for a partner to have a relationship with.
I figured date #3 couldn't hurt. We watched a movie at his house and again, some more details came out about his past - including that his children weren't planned. Dude, tell me how in your 30's you're still having 'accidents'. Sorry, in this day and age, anyone over the age of 20 should be educated enough to know to use contraceptives. And I could see ONE being an accident...but TWO? Now, that's just irresponsibility.
By date #4, I'd clearly figured out what the deal was with this guy. He had been happily married, made two poor judgment calls and became a father and then things changed with his wife. While he loved his kids, it was pretty evident that he didn't really want to have a large parenting role with them and he was looking for a replacement spouse that he could live his DINK (+child support) lifestyle with. While y'all know I ain't no breeder, this still didn't sit right with me. I didn't want to be the 'enabler' who stood by and let him be less engaged than I would think a good parent would want to be.
So I stopped calling him. I know...so mature...but we just let things die quietly in the night.
Oh, and his name? His work involves the poultry industry - hence, the Chicken Guy.
Showing posts with label soap box preaching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label soap box preaching. Show all posts
Friday, September 3, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
I try not to be judgemental
It seems that I took after my mother's physical genes of having what I like to refer to as 'I can spend the day working the land and then still kick your ass after' body shape so I tend not to judge people of...size. I myself struggle with my weight but am slowly accepting it for what it is...so long as I have a healthy lifestyle and don't turn slovenly, better to embrace it and work it, right.
So, when I came across this article, I was filled with...well rage:
Woman aims for 1000 pound weight goal
So, when I came across this article, I was filled with...well rage:
Woman aims for 1000 pound weight goal
A 42-year-old mother, who weighs 601 pounds, has her sights set on the scale hitting four digits.
There are so many appalling things in this article but more than anything, what grosses me out the most is that this woman is a mother. Who puts their kids through that kinda torment and not just that, but leaves them without a healthy parent to care for them. Right here, right now, in singledom state, I owe it to myself to care for my body. But should I be in a relationship or take on a parenting role, I all of a sudden take on the added commitment of making sure I'm around to be there for the people I've committed to. Is it just me or is this UBER sick and twisted?Friday, June 4, 2010
Going to the bathroom is an adventure
Yes, I know, a bit of a 'is this gonna be TMI of a blog post' title but meh, you'll get over it.
I've been daily amazed at the culture shock I'm experiencing as a public servant. One of the thing that surprisingly affects me daily are my trips to the washroom.
Like any public washroom, there's nothing special about these ones. Save for the handy hanging file holder where you can put your folders and notebooks if you're making a pit stop on the way to a meeting so they don't have to go on the wet counter.
What my trips leave me jarred with most days are actually the automatic flushing toilets. Yes, the toilets. I admit to being a hoverer. I don't sit on any toilet seats anywhere, save for my own and my brother's (yes, you do clean your toilet before I come for a reason SIL...and I thank you). Well, that's not to say that if I'm travelling in a hotel I don't but I won't if I visit your house, go to a public restroom, etc. It's not a germaphobe kinda thing, it's a 'hey, I can build leg muscles if I am forced to hold them in a semi-squat for a period of time'. Yes, I started doing it several years ago to build leg muscles. Hey, every bit counts! And my rowing is all the better for it.
But I digress. What this means though is that with these new automatic flushing toilets that I just finish going and within a few inches of starting to pull up my pants, the toilet is hyper-flushing. I say hyper-flushing because those puppies have a LOT of sucking...no need for 'courtesy flushing' here! Back to my earlier confession of suffering from ligyrophobia, needless to say, peeing at work is not a good experience for me. Which sucks, to put it simply, because I do some of my best thinking while taking a sanity break from work and end up back at my desk inspired and full of promise. It's that break my brain needs and now, it's getting the equivalent of a shock.
And do you know how I know it's affecting me that much?
I leave the bathroom with my fly down ALL. THE. TIME.
Yeah, that's right, it's like my brain freaks out and wants the hell out of that small space with that loud hyper-flushing toilet and I go so quickly I forget to do up the fly on my pants. I typically do this 1-2 times A WEEK! I don't remember the last time I forgot to zip up EVER, never mind doing it 1-2 times a WEEK!
Beyond that, wearing my geek pass on a clip on my pants has also lead to a bizarre event. While frantically pulling up my pants the other day, the clip came loose and it, pass attached bounced off the toilet seat (that I had just hovered over) and miraculously fell to the floor. I had a few deep breaths to regain my composure at 1) the loud noise and 2) the fact that I almost had to go fishing where I had just pissed. Pleasant thought, I know.
But to top all of this off, what I can't get over is the laziness/germaphobia of my colleagues. To enter the bathroom, we must go through two doors. These, like most public washrooms, have those physically impaired (see, I'm already PC-ified after being a public servant for 5 weeks) buttons so the doors open for you if you just patiently wait a second or two. I'll admit, I've used these before when both of my arms aren't free or I need someone to hold a door for me as I travel with a dolly. But I'll be DAMNED if a gov't slave has to open one of those doors for themselves and touch one of those icky door handles. Almost everyone uses these buttons which in effect slows down their walking speed so it takes them more time to go to the washroom with these delays (more of your tax payers' - and mine, might I add - dollars wasted) not to mention the additional electrical costs and maintenance costs to have these buttons working that are only expected to get a certain number of pushes before requiring maintenance which, with the frequency they are now being used, are not meant to handle that kind of use.
But wait, there's still the kicker.
If that's not bad enough, I have witnessed several people wash their hands and leave the taps RUNNING. No, they do NOT use a towel to turn off the taps - that would be too close to touching them with their freshly washed hands. So they leave it running and punch, hip check or elbow the handicap button to get out of the washroom. And one of the offenders sits on the other side of a fabric wall from me. It takes all my energy not to go over and lick her keyboard and her phone when I see her get up to go. What burns me most is that we work for an aid agency. AN AID FUCKING AGENCY. We dedicate Monday-Friday, 10-2 (what? we need coffee breaks and to leave early and come in late), to helping the poorest and most underdeveloped nations of the world bring themselves up to par with our fair nation. Yet our smug superiority stops at the desks we leave behind so we can waste electricity and water when the people we should be thanking our livelihoods on can't even have that. BLOWS MY MIND.
While I'm not the type to go postal and rage on someone, I have been tempted to post this to the inside of each bathroom stall door above the lock.
To all those who use the handicap button to exit and enter the washrooms and leave the taps running so as to avoid bacteria and germs.
I just soiled on my hands and touched this lock. I'm at your desk right now touching everything as you read this.
I've been daily amazed at the culture shock I'm experiencing as a public servant. One of the thing that surprisingly affects me daily are my trips to the washroom.
Like any public washroom, there's nothing special about these ones. Save for the handy hanging file holder where you can put your folders and notebooks if you're making a pit stop on the way to a meeting so they don't have to go on the wet counter.
What my trips leave me jarred with most days are actually the automatic flushing toilets. Yes, the toilets. I admit to being a hoverer. I don't sit on any toilet seats anywhere, save for my own and my brother's (yes, you do clean your toilet before I come for a reason SIL...and I thank you). Well, that's not to say that if I'm travelling in a hotel I don't but I won't if I visit your house, go to a public restroom, etc. It's not a germaphobe kinda thing, it's a 'hey, I can build leg muscles if I am forced to hold them in a semi-squat for a period of time'. Yes, I started doing it several years ago to build leg muscles. Hey, every bit counts! And my rowing is all the better for it.
But I digress. What this means though is that with these new automatic flushing toilets that I just finish going and within a few inches of starting to pull up my pants, the toilet is hyper-flushing. I say hyper-flushing because those puppies have a LOT of sucking...no need for 'courtesy flushing' here! Back to my earlier confession of suffering from ligyrophobia, needless to say, peeing at work is not a good experience for me. Which sucks, to put it simply, because I do some of my best thinking while taking a sanity break from work and end up back at my desk inspired and full of promise. It's that break my brain needs and now, it's getting the equivalent of a shock.
And do you know how I know it's affecting me that much?
I leave the bathroom with my fly down ALL. THE. TIME.
Yeah, that's right, it's like my brain freaks out and wants the hell out of that small space with that loud hyper-flushing toilet and I go so quickly I forget to do up the fly on my pants. I typically do this 1-2 times A WEEK! I don't remember the last time I forgot to zip up EVER, never mind doing it 1-2 times a WEEK!
Beyond that, wearing my geek pass on a clip on my pants has also lead to a bizarre event. While frantically pulling up my pants the other day, the clip came loose and it, pass attached bounced off the toilet seat (that I had just hovered over) and miraculously fell to the floor. I had a few deep breaths to regain my composure at 1) the loud noise and 2) the fact that I almost had to go fishing where I had just pissed. Pleasant thought, I know.
But to top all of this off, what I can't get over is the laziness/germaphobia of my colleagues. To enter the bathroom, we must go through two doors. These, like most public washrooms, have those physically impaired (see, I'm already PC-ified after being a public servant for 5 weeks) buttons so the doors open for you if you just patiently wait a second or two. I'll admit, I've used these before when both of my arms aren't free or I need someone to hold a door for me as I travel with a dolly. But I'll be DAMNED if a gov't slave has to open one of those doors for themselves and touch one of those icky door handles. Almost everyone uses these buttons which in effect slows down their walking speed so it takes them more time to go to the washroom with these delays (more of your tax payers' - and mine, might I add - dollars wasted) not to mention the additional electrical costs and maintenance costs to have these buttons working that are only expected to get a certain number of pushes before requiring maintenance which, with the frequency they are now being used, are not meant to handle that kind of use.
But wait, there's still the kicker.
If that's not bad enough, I have witnessed several people wash their hands and leave the taps RUNNING. No, they do NOT use a towel to turn off the taps - that would be too close to touching them with their freshly washed hands. So they leave it running and punch, hip check or elbow the handicap button to get out of the washroom. And one of the offenders sits on the other side of a fabric wall from me. It takes all my energy not to go over and lick her keyboard and her phone when I see her get up to go. What burns me most is that we work for an aid agency. AN AID FUCKING AGENCY. We dedicate Monday-Friday, 10-2 (what? we need coffee breaks and to leave early and come in late), to helping the poorest and most underdeveloped nations of the world bring themselves up to par with our fair nation. Yet our smug superiority stops at the desks we leave behind so we can waste electricity and water when the people we should be thanking our livelihoods on can't even have that. BLOWS MY MIND.
While I'm not the type to go postal and rage on someone, I have been tempted to post this to the inside of each bathroom stall door above the lock.
To all those who use the handicap button to exit and enter the washrooms and leave the taps running so as to avoid bacteria and germs.
I just soiled on my hands and touched this lock. I'm at your desk right now touching everything as you read this.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Damn you, Hollywood
I went and saw a chick flick yesterday, on Holiday Monday, at the theatre with ShellBell, Baby Yu and Gback. Okay, Gback's not a chick but he's a sucker for anything outta Hollywood it would seem so I can see why he was there.
Anyways, as I did my best to patiently watch...
Wait. First let me publicly go on the record for apologizing to le Ex. I know, you're probably wondering what the hell an apology is stuck here for but I have to apologize. He always bitched and moaned about the fact that I talk too much in a movie. And I probably do. I make maybe 2 comments during a movie. But it is NO WHERE NEAR the ongoing play-by-play I was getting at the theatre yesterday from the row above, behind or even to the side of me not to mention the squeals and ohs and ahs when Taylor Lautner came on the screen (gag). It's like women NEVER SHUT THE FUCK UP. No wonder men don't say much. THEY DON'T NEED TO. So, for the simple fact that I know I'm no where even close to as chatty in a theatre (let's be realistic, people, I said theatre for a reason) as the gaggle of women who were there yesterday, I now know how fucking annoying that is. So, le Ex, whatever special place in purgatory you're at, I apologize. ;o)
But I digress...
Anyhoot, I'm sitting there listening to awwwwws and sniffles as women tear up at the sad bits and literally cheers and claps when the boy kisses the girl (Wtf? As if we didn't see THAT coming a mile away so you feel the need to get all worked up about it?) and it got me thinking. Hollywood is screwing us over. Men and women alike. They build up these fantasies of how love should be and how men should act and how women should look and then we're all inevitably disappointed in each other when it doesn't work out that way. And then we just become bitter and jaded and turn on each other. For once, just once, can the guy NOT get the girl? Like in 500 Days of Summer, which, by the way, I just ruined the ending for you if you've not seen it. And for once, just once, can the girl look normal? Like she had the fries instead of the salad at one point. And that perhaps not all of the best qualities of her parents genetic makeup were passed on but that's okay because she fell in love too cause women like that fall in love too? You know, a la My Big Fat Greek Wedding?
Damn you, Hollywood. Damn you.
Anyways, as I did my best to patiently watch...
Wait. First let me publicly go on the record for apologizing to le Ex. I know, you're probably wondering what the hell an apology is stuck here for but I have to apologize. He always bitched and moaned about the fact that I talk too much in a movie. And I probably do. I make maybe 2 comments during a movie. But it is NO WHERE NEAR the ongoing play-by-play I was getting at the theatre yesterday from the row above, behind or even to the side of me not to mention the squeals and ohs and ahs when Taylor Lautner came on the screen (gag). It's like women NEVER SHUT THE FUCK UP. No wonder men don't say much. THEY DON'T NEED TO. So, for the simple fact that I know I'm no where even close to as chatty in a theatre (let's be realistic, people, I said theatre for a reason) as the gaggle of women who were there yesterday, I now know how fucking annoying that is. So, le Ex, whatever special place in purgatory you're at, I apologize. ;o)
But I digress...
Anyhoot, I'm sitting there listening to awwwwws and sniffles as women tear up at the sad bits and literally cheers and claps when the boy kisses the girl (Wtf? As if we didn't see THAT coming a mile away so you feel the need to get all worked up about it?) and it got me thinking. Hollywood is screwing us over. Men and women alike. They build up these fantasies of how love should be and how men should act and how women should look and then we're all inevitably disappointed in each other when it doesn't work out that way. And then we just become bitter and jaded and turn on each other. For once, just once, can the guy NOT get the girl? Like in 500 Days of Summer, which, by the way, I just ruined the ending for you if you've not seen it. And for once, just once, can the girl look normal? Like she had the fries instead of the salad at one point. And that perhaps not all of the best qualities of her parents genetic makeup were passed on but that's okay because she fell in love too cause women like that fall in love too? You know, a la My Big Fat Greek Wedding?
Damn you, Hollywood. Damn you.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
What I don't need to know
I stole this off of someone's Facebook status:
'things to not put on your Facebook status according to the guy on the radio...that you worked out today(it's seen as bragging), where you are (ie. bank line up), how great your sex life is (cause everyone knows you're lying) and anything about your kids (cause no one cares)There were 5 things mentioned. The fifth is not to talk about what you just ate. Now there's nothing left to talk about!'
Love it.
'things to not put on your Facebook status according to the guy on the radio...that you worked out today(it's seen as bragging), where you are (ie. bank line up), how great your sex life is (cause everyone knows you're lying) and anything about your kids (cause no one cares)There were 5 things mentioned. The fifth is not to talk about what you just ate. Now there's nothing left to talk about!'
Love it.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Sticky situation
So I find myself in a sticky situation. Wait, I don't - but I feel morally at a crossroads or at the least, uncomfortable.
I have a friend and an acquaintance of the Y chromosome persuasions. One is in a relationship and the other is in a relationship of sorts. Let's put it this way, if I ask them every time I talk to them how 'what's her face' is doing and they tell me the latest on what they last did together or how the 'r' word is going (that'd be relationship), then I'd say that there's something going on besides just random dating. Especially if both have been around for at least two months, if not longer.
But I see them on the same dating website I'm on and I feel like saying to them, WTF are you doing on here and do the respective 'what's her faces' know? Something about it feels slimey. I know one of them will try and tell me that he's got a lot of friends he's made through the site that he stays in touch with. To that I say bullshit - get their email addresses and get off the site. The other, I don't really know what to say. I know he's not overly into his 'what's her face' but still, have some decency and respect. Or maybe they are not exclusive but I think she wants to use those 'b' and 'g' words (boyfriend/girlfriend) to describe them and as soon as you go there, well, all the other options go out the window - or they should.
So I'll do what I think is right - keep my damn mouth shut. After all, I don't know either 'what's her name' so beyond just simple 'girl code' I don't really owe it to them to tell them. And if my friends want to be...ahem...douches on there, so be it.
I just hope not all guys are doing that and I turn into one of the poor saps who gets messaged by some dude with a 'what's her name'.
I have a friend and an acquaintance of the Y chromosome persuasions. One is in a relationship and the other is in a relationship of sorts. Let's put it this way, if I ask them every time I talk to them how 'what's her face' is doing and they tell me the latest on what they last did together or how the 'r' word is going (that'd be relationship), then I'd say that there's something going on besides just random dating. Especially if both have been around for at least two months, if not longer.
But I see them on the same dating website I'm on and I feel like saying to them, WTF are you doing on here and do the respective 'what's her faces' know? Something about it feels slimey. I know one of them will try and tell me that he's got a lot of friends he's made through the site that he stays in touch with. To that I say bullshit - get their email addresses and get off the site. The other, I don't really know what to say. I know he's not overly into his 'what's her face' but still, have some decency and respect. Or maybe they are not exclusive but I think she wants to use those 'b' and 'g' words (boyfriend/girlfriend) to describe them and as soon as you go there, well, all the other options go out the window - or they should.
So I'll do what I think is right - keep my damn mouth shut. After all, I don't know either 'what's her name' so beyond just simple 'girl code' I don't really owe it to them to tell them. And if my friends want to be...ahem...douches on there, so be it.
I just hope not all guys are doing that and I turn into one of the poor saps who gets messaged by some dude with a 'what's her name'.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Just think about it
Okay, I'm in the middle of a 'holy shit' existential moment, Bat Man and thought the best way for me to process this moment would be to blog it out.
Just blog it out. Let it go...write it down.
Okay.
So, I just finished watching The Day the Earth Stood Still and man, that is some BAD cinema. No, I can't even call it cinema. That's a bad waste of moolah on behalf of Twentieth Century Fox, that's for DAMN sure. Maybe it's that Keanu Reeves hasn't been good in anything since...well, ever or the fact that that main chick, whose name I can't remember and should only be good for getting red eyes because she's not good enough as an actress to actually faux cry and is better left to no lines and just having a slightly open-mouthed awed expression all the time or the fact that Jaden Smith is really only cute in movies with his father and then, let's be honest, we really only focus on him as being cute because his fine father made him. Maybe.
Or maybe it's a movie that kinda shook me to the core re. our dependence on technology and what we're doing to this planet. But it didn't hit me until minutes later when I was looking through some bookmarks and realizing I could just delete the pages I had used in planning NYC because I could 'always Google them again'. Google them again. And then I wondered 'how the hell DID everyone plan trips before the Internet'?
And then I went into an existential tailspin.
But it's okay. I snapped out of it. As soon as I started writing this post which included Will Smith.
Mmmm. Mmmmm. Mmmmmmmmmmmm. Will Smith.
Anyways, moving on to surf the net ;o)
Just blog it out. Let it go...write it down.
Okay.
So, I just finished watching The Day the Earth Stood Still and man, that is some BAD cinema. No, I can't even call it cinema. That's a bad waste of moolah on behalf of Twentieth Century Fox, that's for DAMN sure. Maybe it's that Keanu Reeves hasn't been good in anything since...well, ever or the fact that that main chick, whose name I can't remember and should only be good for getting red eyes because she's not good enough as an actress to actually faux cry and is better left to no lines and just having a slightly open-mouthed awed expression all the time or the fact that Jaden Smith is really only cute in movies with his father and then, let's be honest, we really only focus on him as being cute because his fine father made him. Maybe.
Or maybe it's a movie that kinda shook me to the core re. our dependence on technology and what we're doing to this planet. But it didn't hit me until minutes later when I was looking through some bookmarks and realizing I could just delete the pages I had used in planning NYC because I could 'always Google them again'. Google them again. And then I wondered 'how the hell DID everyone plan trips before the Internet'?
And then I went into an existential tailspin.
But it's okay. I snapped out of it. As soon as I started writing this post which included Will Smith.
Mmmm. Mmmmm. Mmmmmmmmmmmm. Will Smith.
Anyways, moving on to surf the net ;o)
Friday, January 8, 2010
Dear Jet Blue...I love you
Yeah, I know. Not typical that you see me LOVING a company but frickin' frack, these gents run a good business.
The situation went something like this. We flew from Syracuse to NYC (JFK) and then back. While on our trip back, we were delayed by almost 2 hours because the aircraft coming in to take us to Syracuse was delayed. And THEN there was a backlog of about 10-15 other planes on the tarmac waiting to take off. Egads. But we didn't really mind. After all, we've all travelled with Air Canada before and we know what kinda fiasco that can be. And we're Canadians - we get that Ma Nature can be a spiteful bitch. And when those two don't suffice, we also had a bootlegged copy of New Moon from Canal Street that we were watching in the airport. So we really didn't care.
But then CBeau got this from Jet Blue....
Subject: Compensation for your JetBlue Flight
To: Cbeau@gmail.com
I know it's $25 but hot damn, have you ever heard of any Canadian airlines (*ahem* Air Canada) doing something like this? Sure they gave me compensation for being BOOTED OFF THEIR FLIGHT FOR WHICH I HAD A TICKET 4 MONTHS IN ADVANCE but this was a delay...these things happen.
So I was impressed. And what do I do when I'm impressed - I let someone know. So I got on the Jet Blue website and fired this little note off to them.
Dear Jet Blue,
Not being an American citizen, flying with your airline was a first to me on my recent trip to New York City.
Two friends and I decided to drive the 3 hours to Syracuse and then fly in to JFK as it would cut down travel and headache time if weather was inclement. Being Canadians, we understand this happens often.
Upon our return, the aircraft taking us from JFK to Syracuse was delayed and we experienced a further delay on the tarmac waiting to take off. In total, we were probably 1.3-2 hours behind schedule. However, being Canadians and having travelled with our own Canadian airlines frequently, we understand that this can be par for the course, especially during the holiday season.
What has bowled me over and caused me to write you a complimentary note with two thumbs up is the fact that you sent us a voucher for $25 as a way to compensate us for this inconvenience - one that is by far nowhere near what we've experienced with other (Canadian) airlines.
Given our flight was enjoyable beyond that with easy check in and luggage pick ups upon arrival at our two destinations, you can be guaranteed that I will now consider driving to the nearest airport serviced by Jet Blue and fly within the US from that location.
Thank you for the great service and appreciation for my time when the flight was delayed.
Best regards,
Lynn
p.s. On a completely unrelated note, I loved looking at your aircraft in the airports - fabulous and unique paint jobs.
Now, if you've never seen a Jet Blue aircraft, they're all different. Okay, they probably have like 10 designs but it felt like every one was different. See what I mean? I love, love, LOVE the argyle. Ahhh...argyle... And polka dots? CRACK. ME. UP.
The situation went something like this. We flew from Syracuse to NYC (JFK) and then back. While on our trip back, we were delayed by almost 2 hours because the aircraft coming in to take us to Syracuse was delayed. And THEN there was a backlog of about 10-15 other planes on the tarmac waiting to take off. Egads. But we didn't really mind. After all, we've all travelled with Air Canada before and we know what kinda fiasco that can be. And we're Canadians - we get that Ma Nature can be a spiteful bitch. And when those two don't suffice, we also had a bootlegged copy of New Moon from Canal Street that we were watching in the airport. So we really didn't care.
But then CBeau got this from Jet Blue....
Subject: Compensation for your JetBlue Flight
To: Cbeau@gmail.com
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
I know it's $25 but hot damn, have you ever heard of any Canadian airlines (*ahem* Air Canada) doing something like this? Sure they gave me compensation for being BOOTED OFF THEIR FLIGHT FOR WHICH I HAD A TICKET 4 MONTHS IN ADVANCE but this was a delay...these things happen.
So I was impressed. And what do I do when I'm impressed - I let someone know. So I got on the Jet Blue website and fired this little note off to them.
Dear Jet Blue,
Not being an American citizen, flying with your airline was a first to me on my recent trip to New York City.
Two friends and I decided to drive the 3 hours to Syracuse and then fly in to JFK as it would cut down travel and headache time if weather was inclement. Being Canadians, we understand this happens often.
Upon our return, the aircraft taking us from JFK to Syracuse was delayed and we experienced a further delay on the tarmac waiting to take off. In total, we were probably 1.3-2 hours behind schedule. However, being Canadians and having travelled with our own Canadian airlines frequently, we understand that this can be par for the course, especially during the holiday season.
What has bowled me over and caused me to write you a complimentary note with two thumbs up is the fact that you sent us a voucher for $25 as a way to compensate us for this inconvenience - one that is by far nowhere near what we've experienced with other (Canadian) airlines.
Given our flight was enjoyable beyond that with easy check in and luggage pick ups upon arrival at our two destinations, you can be guaranteed that I will now consider driving to the nearest airport serviced by Jet Blue and fly within the US from that location.
Thank you for the great service and appreciation for my time when the flight was delayed.
Best regards,
Lynn
p.s. On a completely unrelated note, I loved looking at your aircraft in the airports - fabulous and unique paint jobs.
Now, if you've never seen a Jet Blue aircraft, they're all different. Okay, they probably have like 10 designs but it felt like every one was different. See what I mean? I love, love, LOVE the argyle. Ahhh...argyle... And polka dots? CRACK. ME. UP.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Look, I know everyone has needs...
but seriously, this is something I can't condone.
But first, a little background...
When I was married, I think I did the ostrich bit. I didn't really think that anyone I knew who was married or in committed relationships would have affairs. It seemed like something some shady 40-something business man did when he was dissatisfied with his home life.
Like a Jon Gosselin type. Not that he cheated or anything - or maybe he did. I can't keep up with that J&K+8 crap anymore. Okay, I didn't ever anyways because as if this non-breeder would watch a show about a family with 8 kids. Puh-shaw. I don't think so. BOOOOR-RING!
Anyways, back to my point - yes, I have one.
What I didn't realize is that this isn't a phenomenon that is only for older generations. And I can't get over the number of people who are 'open' about it. Check any online dating site or personals section of any craigslist, and you'll see the 'attached and looking for just something physical because my marriage isn't giving me what I need but not looking to change my situation' postings. It floors me and it also crushes the hopeless romantic in me that there can be a happily ever after. Sure, speed bumps and curves along the way but still that two people can make it work long term. When did we as a society start condoning this behaviour of cheating? And so much so that there are now sites like Ashley Madison? Which, btw, was started by a man but he wasn't getting the female traffic to the site that he needed to make it profitable for the men to come so he decided to name it after a female to make it more friendly to women who were looking for an affair. Nice, eh?
Anyways, if you've never heard of Ashley Madison, you might want to Google it and take a look. I'd be lying if I said it didn't leave me a little bit sad and kinda jaded.
But first, a little background...
When I was married, I think I did the ostrich bit. I didn't really think that anyone I knew who was married or in committed relationships would have affairs. It seemed like something some shady 40-something business man did when he was dissatisfied with his home life.
Like a Jon Gosselin type. Not that he cheated or anything - or maybe he did. I can't keep up with that J&K+8 crap anymore. Okay, I didn't ever anyways because as if this non-breeder would watch a show about a family with 8 kids. Puh-shaw. I don't think so. BOOOOR-RING!Anyways, back to my point - yes, I have one.
What I didn't realize is that this isn't a phenomenon that is only for older generations. And I can't get over the number of people who are 'open' about it. Check any online dating site or personals section of any craigslist, and you'll see the 'attached and looking for just something physical because my marriage isn't giving me what I need but not looking to change my situation' postings. It floors me and it also crushes the hopeless romantic in me that there can be a happily ever after. Sure, speed bumps and curves along the way but still that two people can make it work long term. When did we as a society start condoning this behaviour of cheating? And so much so that there are now sites like Ashley Madison? Which, btw, was started by a man but he wasn't getting the female traffic to the site that he needed to make it profitable for the men to come so he decided to name it after a female to make it more friendly to women who were looking for an affair. Nice, eh?
Anyways, if you've never heard of Ashley Madison, you might want to Google it and take a look. I'd be lying if I said it didn't leave me a little bit sad and kinda jaded.
Monday, October 12, 2009
How to be cheeky and get your point across
So, I promised myself I wouldn't blog about this until AFTER my birthday and seeing as how it's now 12:06, it's fair game.
I found out this weekend, courtesy of the smallest grapevine in the world (aka Ottawa), that le ex is engaged.
My first reaction was....
nothing.
Yes, nothing. I didn't feel anything. No sadness, no remorse, no jealousy. Nothing. This, to me, is truly a sign that I'm over him. However, this chased an exceptionally bad date on Saturday night (more WHMPC to follow) so there was a little 'oh, 'eff me. I can't even get a good date and he's already getting remarried?' but then I realized that it's a good thing I'm out dating and not settling. Not saying that he is or anything but you know, I'm sure my time will come.
Then about two hours later, it hit me.
What name is this new wife going to have? Her own? Zrudlo (which as far as I know he's still not using)? Or....ALBERTA?!?!?!?!?
While so many things were not great about the divorce, the only thing that ever really fired me up was the fact that he refused to change his name back because apparently 'he's worked hard to build his *ahem* professionalretail store manager reputation on it'. I hope, truly hope, someone is the voice of reason and perhaps tries to talk him out of the merits of keeping my name given this new development.
But if not, I think the followingevilly crafted and so wish I was less of a lady to actually have the cojones to send it email would to him may get the point across:
Subject: Congratulations
Dear le ex (I'd actually use his name but still like to maintain some anonymity on this blog),
I know it's been quite some time since we last spoke and I hope all is well with you. I just wanted to send you a quick congratulatory note on your upcoming nuptials. While I have yet to meet the lucky lady, I can't wait to have her join the Alberta family and am sure she will carry our name proudly. In fact, I don't think we even have anyone of her name within the family so she may be the first of that name as well - unfortunately not something you too can attest to as the first SA was actually born into our family, not married into it.
Anyways, congratulations and again, I look forward to welcoming her to the family!
L
Yeah, I know...I shouldn't. And I won't. But it would feel soooo good.
I found out this weekend, courtesy of the smallest grapevine in the world (aka Ottawa), that le ex is engaged.
My first reaction was....
nothing.
Yes, nothing. I didn't feel anything. No sadness, no remorse, no jealousy. Nothing. This, to me, is truly a sign that I'm over him. However, this chased an exceptionally bad date on Saturday night (more WHMPC to follow) so there was a little 'oh, 'eff me. I can't even get a good date and he's already getting remarried?' but then I realized that it's a good thing I'm out dating and not settling. Not saying that he is or anything but you know, I'm sure my time will come.
Then about two hours later, it hit me.
What name is this new wife going to have? Her own? Zrudlo (which as far as I know he's still not using)? Or....ALBERTA?!?!?!?!?
While so many things were not great about the divorce, the only thing that ever really fired me up was the fact that he refused to change his name back because apparently 'he's worked hard to build his *ahem* professional
But if not, I think the following
Subject: Congratulations
Dear le ex (I'd actually use his name but still like to maintain some anonymity on this blog),
I know it's been quite some time since we last spoke and I hope all is well with you. I just wanted to send you a quick congratulatory note on your upcoming nuptials. While I have yet to meet the lucky lady, I can't wait to have her join the Alberta family and am sure she will carry our name proudly. In fact, I don't think we even have anyone of her name within the family so she may be the first of that name as well - unfortunately not something you too can attest to as the first SA was actually born into our family, not married into it.
Anyways, congratulations and again, I look forward to welcoming her to the family!
L
Yeah, I know...I shouldn't. And I won't. But it would feel soooo good.
Monday, September 21, 2009
WOP - it's like the voicemail gods are taunting me
Okay, so a few weeks ago I bemoaned the ineptitude of the idiots over at voice services because apparently my phone whose light wasn't flashing wasn't a phone that they thought they should support anymore.
And magically, the light started working again.
Well guess what...now the light won't STOP flashing, even when I don't have a message.
I know, I'm howling with laughter over it too.
Too rich. Too rich not to share...
And magically, the light started working again.
Well guess what...now the light won't STOP flashing, even when I don't have a message.
I know, I'm howling with laughter over it too.
Too rich. Too rich not to share...
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Good GOD that's tacky
Okay, so most of you know that I hate, hate, HATE those stupid ribbon magnets that people put on their car for supporting troops, breast cancer, whatever. Not sure what it is about it but I hate them as much as I hate those bracelets that everyone was into a few years ago because of Lance Armstrong and then it took off to every cause - or profit making organization - got into having a coloured bracelet. I guess it's that whole affiliation issue I have...
ANYWAYS, I've seen a max of like 2-3 of these magnets on cars and am driven batty by them and one day just wanna go on a stealing rampage in a Walmart parking lot and then decorate one car with all of them (I won't mention *whose* car I'd like to do that to ;o) ). So when I pulled up behind this truck on the Bronson off ramp at Hunt Club, I thought I'd hit the mecca for that prank...and had to take a pic. God I love my phone...
ANYWAYS, I've seen a max of like 2-3 of these magnets on cars and am driven batty by them and one day just wanna go on a stealing rampage in a Walmart parking lot and then decorate one car with all of them (I won't mention *whose* car I'd like to do that to ;o) ). So when I pulled up behind this truck on the Bronson off ramp at Hunt Club, I thought I'd hit the mecca for that prank...and had to take a pic. God I love my phone...
Friday, September 11, 2009
WHMPC - Gum Guy follow up
A while back I blogged about the Gum Guy I went on a date with. I try not to be a soapbox preacher about many things but gum in blister packs is my personal crusade so when he reacted so defiantly about it, I was turned off and appalled.
But somehow, this bizarre date lead to the Gum Guy and I forming a friendship. Bizarre as it sounds, we chat on MSN, get together from time to time and occasionally chat too. We've not talked about the whole gum issue since the day it happened. And then I got a photo text from him today with only 'damn you' as the message. This was the pic:
I WIN! I WIN!
My mission to convert everyone into paper package/stick buying gum chewers is paying off.
Have I converted you yet?
But somehow, this bizarre date lead to the Gum Guy and I forming a friendship. Bizarre as it sounds, we chat on MSN, get together from time to time and occasionally chat too. We've not talked about the whole gum issue since the day it happened. And then I got a photo text from him today with only 'damn you' as the message. This was the pic:
I WIN! I WIN!
My mission to convert everyone into paper package/stick buying gum chewers is paying off.
Have I converted you yet?
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
I'd ask for my money back
If I was a paying customer of the institution I work at, and I knew there were such wastes of payroll employed here, I'd ask for my money back.
We all know I rant about the parking office and my ongoing battles with them over parking tickets, parking passes and well, anything customer service oriented.
Today though, their reign as most inept customer service on campus has been toppled...by voice services. And I quote:
L: Hi, I'm having a problem with my phone. I'm having messages left but the flashing light on my phone isn't working to tell me there are messages. Apparently this has been going on for two days.
Most Unhelpful Customer Service Agent Ever (MUCSAE): Oh, that's a known problem with the 470's. You should get a VOIP phone.
L: Okayyyyyyyy....oh, you're referring to the model number....
MUCSAE: (insert exasperated tone) well, yes, you do have a 470, right?
L: Yes.
MUCSAE: well, you should get a VOIP. We don't have those kinds of problems with that phone. But if you want, you can try scrolling through the user options until you get to something in the menu that talks about indicator lights.
L: Ugh, okay, but this problem just started this week. It was working fine before that.
MUCSAE: Yeah, you should get a VOIP phone. It's only 90cents extra a month.
L: But I was told I couldn't get a VOIP phone. When I moved down to this office a few months ago, they installed this other phone that I'd had in my old office and said they'd look into it and never got back to me.
MUCSAE: Oh, you're in which building?
L: Tory
MUCSAE: There are tons of VOIP phones in Tory so I don't think that's an issue but I'll check to see if there's an issue with your area. You're in 1146 Tory.
L: No, 421. 1146 is my phone extension.
MUCSAE: Oh. Right....
*silence*
MUCSAE: Okay, I'll look into that. In the mean time, you should get a VOIP phone. And you should check your voicemail often to make sure you don't miss any messages.
*silence*
(inside voice: *speechless* um. Wow. Okay. WASTE OF PAYROLL!!!)
L: Okay, thanks.
MUCSAE: No problem!
You know, I don't even think I need to comment on this. I think, my dear readers, that you are all smart enough to just grapple with the ineptitude that is voice services. So, again - wow...what a waste of payroll.
We all know I rant about the parking office and my ongoing battles with them over parking tickets, parking passes and well, anything customer service oriented.
Today though, their reign as most inept customer service on campus has been toppled...by voice services. And I quote:
L: Hi, I'm having a problem with my phone. I'm having messages left but the flashing light on my phone isn't working to tell me there are messages. Apparently this has been going on for two days.
Most Unhelpful Customer Service Agent Ever (MUCSAE): Oh, that's a known problem with the 470's. You should get a VOIP phone.
L: Okayyyyyyyy....oh, you're referring to the model number....
MUCSAE: (insert exasperated tone) well, yes, you do have a 470, right?
L: Yes.
MUCSAE: well, you should get a VOIP. We don't have those kinds of problems with that phone. But if you want, you can try scrolling through the user options until you get to something in the menu that talks about indicator lights.
L: Ugh, okay, but this problem just started this week. It was working fine before that.
MUCSAE: Yeah, you should get a VOIP phone. It's only 90cents extra a month.
L: But I was told I couldn't get a VOIP phone. When I moved down to this office a few months ago, they installed this other phone that I'd had in my old office and said they'd look into it and never got back to me.
MUCSAE: Oh, you're in which building?
L: Tory
MUCSAE: There are tons of VOIP phones in Tory so I don't think that's an issue but I'll check to see if there's an issue with your area. You're in 1146 Tory.
L: No, 421. 1146 is my phone extension.
MUCSAE: Oh. Right....
*silence*
MUCSAE: Okay, I'll look into that. In the mean time, you should get a VOIP phone. And you should check your voicemail often to make sure you don't miss any messages.
*silence*
(inside voice: *speechless* um. Wow. Okay. WASTE OF PAYROLL!!!)
L: Okay, thanks.
MUCSAE: No problem!
You know, I don't even think I need to comment on this. I think, my dear readers, that you are all smart enough to just grapple with the ineptitude that is voice services. So, again - wow...what a waste of payroll.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Organic my ass
This morning, while stopped at the light at Bronson and after dutifully putting up my parking pass to avoid yet another ticket, I checked out the other cars/drivers around me. The vehicle in front of me had a bumper sticker in white with green writing. I know that bumper stickers are a thing of the past really and that people don't put them on their cars so when I do see one, I generally try to read them. This one read:
Try organic.
For your body. For the environment. For a change.
www.cog.ca
The irony? It was on one of these:
Yes, that's right - a Chevy Suburban. Right, do it 'for the environment'. You're preaching to me to eat organic when you're driving a vehicle that for the life of me on the GMC website I can't find the fuel efficiency specs on this puppy? For the sake of their gas tank, hopefully they believe in creationism.
Right...you sooooo made your case for organic....
Try organic.
For your body. For the environment. For a change.
www.cog.ca
The irony? It was on one of these:
Yes, that's right - a Chevy Suburban. Right, do it 'for the environment'. You're preaching to me to eat organic when you're driving a vehicle that for the life of me on the GMC website I can't find the fuel efficiency specs on this puppy? For the sake of their gas tank, hopefully they believe in creationism.
Right...you sooooo made your case for organic....
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Martha Stewart and Costco - you've gone too far, even for me
I trekked down to the wonderland that is Tweed today to spend some QT with the fam. We did what we sometimes do on a Saturday with no other plans, wild-eyed children who are going stir crazy and raining cats and dogs to boot: we went to Costco in Kingston.
Costco, I've come to realize, is a strange place. On any given day, you can probably account for what, 60% of the products to be routinely in stock while the other 40% seems to be transient stock of whatever wasn't selling in another region or country. It's also the place where you stand, under the glare of flourescent lights, gently (or not so gently) elbowing your way to the nearest person in white clothing with a hair net because god forbid, you need that honey garlic sausage sample at 10:00 am more than the guy with 3 kids who's goin' back for 3rds. It's also the place where you go into a time warp as, like a casino, there are no clocks, no indication of life on the outside and you get caught up in the glamour and awe of the 18 L gar or Preggo spaghetti sauce that will never fit in your fridge but you urgently rationalize to yourself that you can just 'divide and freeze it' in enough tupperware to fill half your freezer, all to save 2 cents per oz. and then be shocked and shaken were a cart of a few simple items somehow costs you half of your paycheck. But they were all such good deals!
It's also the place that, given the fact I was in jeans and a sweatshirt today and it felt like a late fall day rather than the end of August, I found myself admiring not just the amazing mixtures of hallowe'en candy but also...
Christmas decorations.
The odd thing was, it didn't even occur to me that this was out of place. I think it was because of my attire (and everyone else's), the fact that no one in the fam commented, and the fact that again, there's no windows to the outside where not a tree in sight had lost a leaf. It could also be that I think warmly of Xmas year round so the fact that it's 117 days away is unimportant.
But then, after my drive back to O-town on cursed HWY 7, I went into my local convenience store for some doritos and Dr. Pepper. I then walked past this and stopped dead in my tracks to take a pic:
W
T
F?
I was outraged. How dare MS push Halloween before even the start of the school year. Halloween is still 63 days away. Next thing you know, the Xmas decorations will be out.
It was only then that I realized I had in fact come [ ] that close to BUYING Christmas decorations this morning at Costco.
So, while I love Costco's ridiculousness and cheap Baby Bels and that once, in a former domesticated life, strived to recreate the holidays like my pal MS and all her minions, they have, IMHO, gone too far.
Costco, I've come to realize, is a strange place. On any given day, you can probably account for what, 60% of the products to be routinely in stock while the other 40% seems to be transient stock of whatever wasn't selling in another region or country. It's also the place where you stand, under the glare of flourescent lights, gently (or not so gently) elbowing your way to the nearest person in white clothing with a hair net because god forbid, you need that honey garlic sausage sample at 10:00 am more than the guy with 3 kids who's goin' back for 3rds. It's also the place where you go into a time warp as, like a casino, there are no clocks, no indication of life on the outside and you get caught up in the glamour and awe of the 18 L gar or Preggo spaghetti sauce that will never fit in your fridge but you urgently rationalize to yourself that you can just 'divide and freeze it' in enough tupperware to fill half your freezer, all to save 2 cents per oz. and then be shocked and shaken were a cart of a few simple items somehow costs you half of your paycheck. But they were all such good deals!
It's also the place that, given the fact I was in jeans and a sweatshirt today and it felt like a late fall day rather than the end of August, I found myself admiring not just the amazing mixtures of hallowe'en candy but also...
Christmas decorations.
The odd thing was, it didn't even occur to me that this was out of place. I think it was because of my attire (and everyone else's), the fact that no one in the fam commented, and the fact that again, there's no windows to the outside where not a tree in sight had lost a leaf. It could also be that I think warmly of Xmas year round so the fact that it's 117 days away is unimportant.
But then, after my drive back to O-town on cursed HWY 7, I went into my local convenience store for some doritos and Dr. Pepper. I then walked past this and stopped dead in my tracks to take a pic:
W
T
F?
I was outraged. How dare MS push Halloween before even the start of the school year. Halloween is still 63 days away. Next thing you know, the Xmas decorations will be out.
It was only then that I realized I had in fact come [ ] that close to BUYING Christmas decorations this morning at Costco.
So, while I love Costco's ridiculousness and cheap Baby Bels and that once, in a former domesticated life, strived to recreate the holidays like my pal MS and all her minions, they have, IMHO, gone too far.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Let the WoP continue
It's no secret that I have a smidgen of disdain for the parking office at work. They have, routinely, proven to me that the simplest of tasks are quite cumbersome to accomplish and to add insult to injury, their rudeness and lack of professionalism just shows where they place priority in their 'customer service', if you can call it that...
The latest run in with them resulted in a parking ticket being issued to me on yet another Friday. I had one back in May, my first in over 2 years might I add when, like this recent one, I forgot to put my pass in my window. Why did I forget? Well, I put up my pass when I'm in the left turning lane on Bronson every am and then take it down as I pull out of my spot. While it is a driving hazard, I also know that I can be a bit of an aggressive driver at times so I fully admit, bashfully, that I don't necessarily want my employer associated with my driving. It's a PR thing - saving them from a bad rap. Silly but I do it nonetheless.
So, when I got the turning light on that Friday and didn't need to stop, I forgot to put it up. My habit was broken. Now, if, in theory, the parking barriers were down and I was forced to swipe my pass to gain access to my lot, I would most definitely have remembered to put it up. But, as they always are these days, the barriers were not down and so I could just drive right in and park. I came out to a ticket on Friday afternoon, after a rather stressful day so it was my cherry on my sundae, and promptly had an email reminder from the parking office on the Saturday am in my inbox. Love the efficiency.
When I got my ticket back in May, I was a little upset. I did, at the time, in my appeal inquire as to the reason that the barriers were not in use - ugh, haaaalllooooo! They're there for a REASON! What I got back for response to that appeal was an overturn in the fee and a 'it's your responsibility chastisement'. No acknowledgement as to my issue with the barriers. So, when this ticket occurred, they got me fired up on the wrong day.
To start off, I went to put in an appeal using the link that was supplied in the Saturday morning email. The link was broken. (Insert fuel on fire.) Oh, you did NOT just send me, Communications Officer, a broken link to the payment and appeal website in an automated email! So when I did go to the parking site and find it, I inputted my appeal. I admitted to knowing better but gave my rationale.
But that wasn't enough. I was mad. So I sent an email to their inquiry box. It read:
$5 if you can guess what I got.
Nothing.
For a full week and a day, I had no response. Nada. Nothing. Niet.
Then Tuesday, I come out to my car and low and behold, there's a security officer milling about near it. It was after 6 and the lot was fairly cleaned out. Sure enough, he was waiting for me. But not because I had violated parking regulations, but because there was a mystery duffle bag under my car. He was waiting for backup before removing it. This was only made better because I was walking out with M who, a few months back, was subjected to my 'you don't know what's in that bag - we're across from the US embassy - it could be a bomb' rant while in the Earl of Sussex one evening when she wanted to move to a table where someone had forgotten their backpack. Anyways, he wasn't there re. my parking ticket but it was just funny.
Fast forward to yesterday, I got this in my inbox:
Truth be told, I didn't expect even a reduction after the email I sent - really, would you do something nice for someone who slams you like that? I wouldn't. But that wasn't why I did it. I did it because I'm sick of nothing being done and my concern not being directly addressed.
The latest run in with them resulted in a parking ticket being issued to me on yet another Friday. I had one back in May, my first in over 2 years might I add when, like this recent one, I forgot to put my pass in my window. Why did I forget? Well, I put up my pass when I'm in the left turning lane on Bronson every am and then take it down as I pull out of my spot. While it is a driving hazard, I also know that I can be a bit of an aggressive driver at times so I fully admit, bashfully, that I don't necessarily want my employer associated with my driving. It's a PR thing - saving them from a bad rap. Silly but I do it nonetheless.
So, when I got the turning light on that Friday and didn't need to stop, I forgot to put it up. My habit was broken. Now, if, in theory, the parking barriers were down and I was forced to swipe my pass to gain access to my lot, I would most definitely have remembered to put it up. But, as they always are these days, the barriers were not down and so I could just drive right in and park. I came out to a ticket on Friday afternoon, after a rather stressful day so it was my cherry on my sundae, and promptly had an email reminder from the parking office on the Saturday am in my inbox. Love the efficiency.
When I got my ticket back in May, I was a little upset. I did, at the time, in my appeal inquire as to the reason that the barriers were not in use - ugh, haaaalllooooo! They're there for a REASON! What I got back for response to that appeal was an overturn in the fee and a 'it's your responsibility chastisement'. No acknowledgement as to my issue with the barriers. So, when this ticket occurred, they got me fired up on the wrong day.
To start off, I went to put in an appeal using the link that was supplied in the Saturday morning email. The link was broken. (Insert fuel on fire.) Oh, you did NOT just send me, Communications Officer, a broken link to the payment and appeal website in an automated email! So when I did go to the parking site and find it, I inputted my appeal. I admitted to knowing better but gave my rationale.
But that wasn't enough. I was mad. So I sent an email to their inquiry box. It read:
Hello,
I recently received a parking violation for Lot 5 as I did not have my permit displayed.
While I fully admit to simply having forgotten to take it out of my cup holder and put it on display that day, I do not leave my permit on my dash nor hanging from my rear view mirror at all times as it is a visual obstruction and driving hazard. Therefore, I have to remember to put it up daily as I enter the parking lot. While I do my best to remember to put it up, and have only received 2 violations in as many years for forgetting to do so, this leads me to inquire as to another issue with the lots that I have provided feedback on before but have seen no resolution.
As a user of lot 5, I would also like to inquire as to why the barriers to enter this lot are not in use. When they are, I am forced to use my pass to enter the lot and it is an automatic reminder to display my pass which in turn results in a decreased chance that I will incur an infraction. Notably, the two infractions I have received in the past two years were this summer at times when the barriers have not be in use to enforce permit-holder-only access to the lot.
If users of the lot are required to use a pass to enter the lot, I believe we could save parking officers a great deal of time in checking cars for permits should access to the lots be limited, as it appears was originally intended when the barriers were put in place. Considering that parking is an ancillary service to the university, this would in turn be a cost saving and in fact, increased revenue generating action.
Finally, it should be noted that the email reminder I promptly received regarding my infraction contained an out of date URL by which I could appeal/pay my fine.
Best regards,
$5 if you can guess what I got.
Nothing.
For a full week and a day, I had no response. Nada. Nothing. Niet.
Then Tuesday, I come out to my car and low and behold, there's a security officer milling about near it. It was after 6 and the lot was fairly cleaned out. Sure enough, he was waiting for me. But not because I had violated parking regulations, but because there was a mystery duffle bag under my car. He was waiting for backup before removing it. This was only made better because I was walking out with M who, a few months back, was subjected to my 'you don't know what's in that bag - we're across from the US embassy - it could be a bomb' rant while in the Earl of Sussex one evening when she wanted to move to a table where someone had forgotten their backpack. Anyways, he wasn't there re. my parking ticket but it was just funny.
Fast forward to yesterday, I got this in my inbox:
Dear L,
Your violation (ticket# 30700306) has been: REDUCED Original value: $35.00 Current value: $15.00
Administrator Comments:
Miss Alberta It is your responsibility to visibly display your parking permit while in your assigned location on campus. This is indicated on the back of your parking permit. The violation has been reduced to $15.00. S/Cst K. Gallinger Shift Manager University Safety
Truth be told, I didn't expect even a reduction after the email I sent - really, would you do something nice for someone who slams you like that? I wouldn't. But that wasn't why I did it. I did it because I'm sick of nothing being done and my concern not being directly addressed.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Green Monster
It's that time of year again - Fall. Yes, I know it's not even mid-August but work has ramped up to full speed and it feels like mid-September, if you can believe it.
And with the new school year comes longer work hours and unfortunately, many a sleepless nights. Last night was the first of such nights. I tried to go to bed around 10:30 and instead, was up and working at the computer by 11:00. I got in 4 solid hours of work - yes, I went to bed at 3:00 am. I don't tell you this to make me a martyr or something, but more so that you understand that when I don't write as much or see you as much or only have interest in spending time on my couch, it's not personal - it's merely survival.
But inevitably it happens. Around 3:30/4:00 in the pm, usually because I forget to eat until about 2 or so (today it was 3:00), I hit it.
The Green Monster:
I've never been to Fenway, but man oh man, the wall is legendary - as is my mid-afternoon stupidity.
So I'm having one of those moments of 'yup, brain checked out' but I figure that considering I worked through my lunch and put in 4 hours last night (and lord knows the anxiety will keep me up tonight - if for nothing other than using the lord's name in vain ;o) ). I'm just hoping this little transgression in writing will give me the mental focus to get back at it for my remaining 11 minutes.
Yeah, I didn't think so either....
And with the new school year comes longer work hours and unfortunately, many a sleepless nights. Last night was the first of such nights. I tried to go to bed around 10:30 and instead, was up and working at the computer by 11:00. I got in 4 solid hours of work - yes, I went to bed at 3:00 am. I don't tell you this to make me a martyr or something, but more so that you understand that when I don't write as much or see you as much or only have interest in spending time on my couch, it's not personal - it's merely survival.
But inevitably it happens. Around 3:30/4:00 in the pm, usually because I forget to eat until about 2 or so (today it was 3:00), I hit it.
The Green Monster:
I've never been to Fenway, but man oh man, the wall is legendary - as is my mid-afternoon stupidity.
So I'm having one of those moments of 'yup, brain checked out' but I figure that considering I worked through my lunch and put in 4 hours last night (and lord knows the anxiety will keep me up tonight - if for nothing other than using the lord's name in vain ;o) ). I'm just hoping this little transgression in writing will give me the mental focus to get back at it for my remaining 11 minutes.
Yeah, I didn't think so either....
Sunday, August 9, 2009
This kicks the Darwin fish's....
...ass HANDS DOWN!
(or should I say the Jebus fish?)
(inside voice: I am SUCH a geek. *le sigh*)
Shout out to Mandy-YO-Sullivan and my SIL for this faboo image. Really, I think what's even better is the message that came with the email:
L,
Took a going to hell anyway photo for you, why not put the nail in the coffin....
SIL
(or should I say the Jebus fish?)
(inside voice: I am SUCH a geek. *le sigh*)
Shout out to Mandy-YO-Sullivan and my SIL for this faboo image. Really, I think what's even better is the message that came with the email:
L,
Took a going to hell anyway photo for you, why not put the nail in the coffin....
SIL
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