Wednesday, June 29, 2005
For Suzanne
New Decision
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Volunteering
It probably would help if I had interesting stories to talk about. I can't compete with the others stories of 3-year-olds using words like balls and pussy, or a neighbor man stealing dresses and wearing them on his front porch with combat boots, or a promiscuous preacher's wife, or throwing lightening bugs into a bug zapper. Today, I told them about my girls day out with my niece, my Mom's comments at plantation houses down South, the high speed chase last week, and the discovery of Queens Mary and Eilizabeth (of England) were buried in the same crypt but there is only a statue of Elizabeth on top. My stories are boring, but I try to interject into the conversation. One girl who went to college at the William and Mary talked to people around Colonial Willlaimsburg. I never got around to my visit to Williamsburg last summer, it was just one day. She commented how people working there are unsure how to address the slavery part of colonial history.
If you wondering what my Mom's comments at plantation houses down South were I'll give a few. At one house, Mom asked if slaves were paid. At a gift shop, she asked why there are so many Confederate toy soldiers on display. When she looked up family history at a courthouse, she got confused at the property records listing slaves. I had to explain that slaves were viewed as property and not people. And in the records, she saw unfamiliar terms like using boy to describe a 35-year-old man. Another question was how did the North states grow crops and build things without slave labor. I had to explain the small family farm concept and the fact that Northern industry owners paid their immigrant workers next to nothing. I can tell she went to school during the 1950's Cold War where one only heard how Americans win every war they fight and things like African slavery and Indian reservations were swept under the rug as if they never happened.
When we visited Custer's Last Stand years ago, she had similar comments about Native Amercians. She was shocked to learn that white people were actually mean to the Native Americans and shocked that not all Native Americans are the same. One camp ground we stayed at near Glacier National Park was owned by a Native American and Mom kept insulting the man with her ignorance and got us placed in a bad spot on the camp ground far away from the bathrooms. She kept calling him an Indian when he said he is a Native American, asked if he rode horses when he hunted, and asked if his family lived in a normal house with electricity or a Indian house we saw at a museum. I was so embarrassed that I looked at postcards while she chatted with the man. I can't remember if I bought any postcards, my memory is not that good. Post later. Bye!
Monday, June 27, 2005
Girls Day Out
Today I took my 10-year-old niece (#3 out of 4 nieces) to the New
Science Center on a new street not found on any map. The the parking
garage was nightmare from being so cramped and tiny spaces to park in.
Then the instructions and prices were confusing for paying for parking
that I didn't pay because I couldn't figure out the desk one is suppose
to pay at. The machine took the ticket at the exit and let me leave. The
new science center is just like the old one only bigger. It contains the
only IMAX theater in Des Moines that plays NASCAR and trip under the
sea. When we went through the downtown area, she asked if we in Omaha.
No sweetie, I explained, that is 2 hours away.
Some exhibits had possessive kids guarding what was done at the exhibit
and my niece learned to be more agressive if she wanted a turn at it.
One exhibit she really liked was a fountain where one stacks sand bags
to dam the fountain, and then watch the build up and water rush when the
sandbags are removed quickly. I had to tell her to let someone else have
a turn with the exhibit, just because other kids hog exhibits didn't
mean she had to. I enjoyed looking at the turtles swimming in the
aquariums.
Next we went to the new Herbie movie. My Mom insisted my niece go to a G
rated movie because she believed PG rated movies required a parent for a
kid to see the movie. Not exactly, just an adult. Herbie was very funny.
After that we stopped at a grocery store to get a stuffed animal and Get
Well balloon for my baby niece (#4) with a broken arm. My niece wanted
to carry her all over the room. We told her to be careful, baby is
breakable. We petted the kitties and kissed the baby before leaving for
Grandma's house. My niece had lots to say about our day and showed the
souvinirs I bought for her. Mom said I bought too much stuff. I hardly
call 3 beanie baby dogs, a pink poodle in a ballerina outfit, a rock of
fool's gold, and a plastic saber tooth cat too much. I got a beanie baby
kangaroo with joey, beanie baby pink poodle, and cystal necklace for
myself.
I had to disappoint my niece though. I said I might take her out again
Wednesday, but then realized I had to do laundry on Wednesday. At least
I gave her one day to remember. Post later.
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Manager effect
I read an article how a group of US Congress people toured the prison in
Guatomano Bay and felt it was not as bad as reported. One harsh female
critic was humbled admitting they are do a fine job at prison. I noticed
the tour group did not speak to any prisoners nor eat with them. They
watched a controlled interrogation that extracted no information from
the prisoner and watched a soccer game between inmates from a distance.
Did these lawmakers actually believe prisoner abuse would occur in front
of them? Hello? I think the tour was very nice performance of b.s. I
call it the Manager Effect.
Manager Effect is from my experience: When someone in authority is
present watching everyone do their job, all my coworkers behave
themselves, do their job, sweet to customers and coworkers, and cause no
problems. The second the manager goes on vacation or goes home, suddenly
I'm doing 99% of the work because I am flawed with a responsible
attitude while my coworkers sit in a corner doing crossword puzzles,
ignore customers, talk to their boyfriends for hours on the backroom
phone, and say they will come right back to be absent for hours. The
only cure to the Manager Effect is to show up unannounced and poke your
nose around every corner uninvited. That is like my job now, we stay on
our toes because the owner often unexpectedly appears.
I hate my family
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Bad manners
Today I receive a call wanting to rent a car for someone stranded on a
highway. After listening for a minute to his sob story, I get a chance
to tell him I have no cars available. He wants to be transferred to a
car rental who can help him out. Um, no, can't do that. He is miffed and
shouts that I'm being real helpful. I showed bad manners by hanging up
him. My boss does not pay me enough to listen to people talk shit to me.
Post later. Bye!
Duck, Duck, Goose
I read in the free newspaper laying here to find an item about 260 geese
in the park north to the airport being captured to feed the poor
(Grandma said goose meat is very fatty), 500 goose eggs were covered in
vegetable oil to kill the hatchlings, and 26 young geese who have yet to
learn to fly were dropped off at another lake many miles away all in
order for airplane safety. Geese cause plane crashes. They estimated
there were 1000 geese in the park and up to 8000 can make a stop when
migrations occur.
The city council meeting about the geese problem was full of emotion
(much like when they killed the beavers years ago) and people deeply
troubled over killling these animals. Other complaints came from other
parts of Iowa lacking geese to hunt for sport. Gee, why would a goose
avoid those areas?
Of course they have tried other solutions. They transported a bunch of
geese to watch them fly back. Controlling mother nature and bird
instincts is easier said than done.
State biologists are unlikely to take on another goose slaughter anytime
soon. After all the state biologists have spent much time and money to
reintroduce geese in Iowa because people love to hunt them.
I got a solution nobody will ever consider: Don't build parks with lakes
and airports next to each other if you are so concerned over airplane
safety. Where do you expect these birds to go when they migrate? Mother
Nature never follows human conveinence. I thought grown ups would
eventually figure that out. Post later.
More stress
My poor baby niece has been sick this week with blisters at the back of
her throat, crying all the time. Then, they notice she is not holding
her arm right. X-rays reveal broken arm, in 2 places. Poor parents
dealing with more trauma. She has splint on and it will be decided later
if a cast is needed. My Mom called me today to tell me. My sister must
be too busy to email how she broke it. Mom was unsure on the how, just
that she was very fussy. I sent my sister an email asking if she is
keeping her sanity from all this stress. Post later. Bye!
Interesting phone call
Friday, June 24, 2005
New addition
I brought to work a magazine a bought, looked at, and decided to toss. I
glanced over the magazine again because I was bored. I cut out Orlando
Bloom's photo to be the new addition to my celebrity wall. I tape celeb
photos looking their best on a spot on my bedroom wall, much like my
teen nieces.
Unlike a teen, I am quite picky what I tape up. I once had Julia Roberts
in a red dress, but it got wet and turned yellow. I have yet to find a
great photo of Julia to tape up again. Magazines keep publishing drab
photos of her.
Come on Julia Roberts, get back in the limelight so I have a spectacular
photo of you to tape on my wall.
Post later. Bye!
My Parents
Mom called today to say they did get my gift puzzle 2 weeks ago. They just couldn't figure out where it came from. I guess the company forgot the gift tag. Mom was expecting something else. So Mom assured me they got my gift and put it in a better place. At least they didn't throw it away. My parents. Post later.
Stupid people
We can tell my coworker's friend smoke too many drugs when he thinks he can skip the country to avoid going to jail. Yeah, sure, I don't believe this idiot is going to be a model citizen in another country and not get extradited back to the U.S. Everybody at work is laughing at this guy, even my coworker he is friends with. He also made into the paper and the news. That must have been some chase. Post later. Bye!
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Nice friends
My coworker told me today that one of his friends was involved in a high
speed chase. The guy doesn't have a license and was drunk. To catch this
guy, the police rammed his truck and placed a spike strip out on the
road. Then when the car died, he jumped out and ran for it to be hit
with the police cruiser and handcuffed. His mama bailed him out the next
morning for $12,000 in cash. Yikes. I don't think maxing out all my
credit cards or selling my car would equal that much money. I told my
coworker he has a nice friend. Post later. Bye!
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Poor baby
I called my sister before coming over to do laundry. Baby is very sick
with blisters at back of her throat. Poor baby. I decided to do laundry
at my apartment. Poor kitties won't get their weekly petting from me
this week. Post later. Bye!
Another animal story update
The video of the 4 college boys lighting possums on fire was refused by
website (owner said it was too graphic and poor taste) they sent it to
and website screeners contacted others whereas the video eventually got
to the police who arrested them. Post later. Bye!
Updated Animal Torture
To correct a few things on my Worst Case of Animal Cruelity. There were
4 college boys 18-19 arrested for the videotape of wild animals they
captured in the woods (5-7), dousing them with lighter fluid (still only
part shown on the news), and setting them on fire. The boys either
showed it on a home video website or it was refused by the website
because it disturbed them, the video ended up somehow in the hands of
PETA, who notified the local Iowa police. I wonder if something like
this would make the National News. Maybe not, too disturbing. Post
later.
Animal Torture
The news broadcasted The Worst Case of Animal Cruelty in Iowa so bad
they only showed the lighter fluid poured on a opposum and explained it
was set on fire with the college boys cheering and laughing. Poor possum
and the 5 other wild animals they set on fire. The college boys are in
jail now. The news explained the police found out because PETA (animal
rights group) found the video of it on the internet. Proof that teen
criminals are not smart.
The director of an animal shelter expressed disgust and fear of what
these boys could do for kicks with human victims. I find it amazing
these teen college boys could only be in jail for 5 years, if they serve
their complete sentence, before being released for this felony of animal
torture. I hope they don't move in next to me.
My coworker once was engaged to a man who staple gunned and stabbed a
cat, then violated his parole by hitting her and went back to jail. I
never met him in person and did not wish to. People who torture animals
are not nice people. Post later. Bye!
Amazing
I went to my volunteer museum position yesterday. It was so hot we sat
on the porch. One lady is full of stories as she knits a sweater for her
grandson. One story was going to the prom in the 1950's with the old
fashioned garter belts holding up her nylons. She came downstairs in a
vision of beauty floating in her black dress to have her garter belt
break and stockings fall down revealing her fish white legs. She said it
was good she did not deeply care about her date because he was
horrified.
Another was from her daycare providing daughter. A mother picking up her
son seemed upset and the daughter asked what was wrong. She said she
didn't have time to get her son's hair cut. The daughter volunteers to
cut the kid's hair, which made the mother so happy. So this mother tells
her son about the arrangement. He is unsure of this barber. The mother
assures him that this woman has cut her husband's hair for years, who is
bald, and the kid starts bawling.
The amazing story came partially from the intern and partially from this
lady. The intern had an arrangement with a university professor to clean
her house and watch her son in exhange for room and board. At least she
gets her own room in the center of traffic. The lady said a lot of
immigrants work for families she knows as live-in maids for $15 a week,
which is a lot of money coming from poverty. I was amazed because the
cleaning lady living across the street from my parents comes over to
clean my mother's house for $20 an hour. And my mother helps the
cleaning lady clean the house. That is a bargain compared to
professional cleaning service companies charge per hour.
My sister didn't believe me when I said that (I was living at home at
the time) and asked my mother about it. Yes, mother admitted to helping
the lady she is paying to clean her house. She usually pays her $60-80 a
day every other week depending if she just does the first floor or the
second floor too. I think the cleaning lady got a job somewhere from
much back pain and stopped cleaning houses for people, but she will
clean Mom's house because their friends. Mom says the lady likes the
Swiffer mop I got for Mom's birthday last year. Post later. Bye!
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Cookie recipe
I just wanted a recipe for oatmeal cookies. I find gourmet recipes with
sour milk, applesauce, coconut, bananas, molasses, rolled oats, oats
soaked in milk for ten minutes, and various spices. I just wanted plain,
ordinary oatmeal cookies. I have get a recipe from my sister. She has
the best sugar cookie recipe I ever tasted. Maybe she has one for
oatmeal. Post later.
Monday, June 20, 2005
Fruit and a ballet
I went to the grocery store and came home to watch a ballet with a bowl
of watermelon. I had no idea what is was about, but enjoyed watching the
delicate movements. Later, I realized it was Swan Lake.
It is a shame Congress desires to destroy Public TV by withdrawing funds
because it doesn't carry ultra-conservative values and don't support the
war on terror, or something like that. I would like to know where else
one can find New York ballets, Des Moines Metro operas, Boston Pops
symphonies with 4th of July fireworks, and children's programs that are
sex-free, cuss-free, and adult themed-free. Public TV is the only
commercial-free viewing available in the country. I guess congress has
decided the public is no longer entitled to have programs determined by
the public instead of profit-driven companies.
That's OK, I'm getting use to rights, comforts, privaledges, and
anything taken for granted removed from my life. I only ask what will be
taken away next, my right to breathe fresh air outside from relaxing
environmental regulations? Post later. Bye!
The Notebook
I watched The Notebook special features for the 5th time. It said the
best selling book was written by a first time author whose agent showed
25 book publishers before Time Warner offered a million dollars for it.
I can handle and cope being rejected 25 times or more to get the trophy
of selling the publishing rights to my novel. I am expecting much
rejection. The question is can my Dad, my Mom, my siblings, my nieces,
my friends, and my coworkers handle my novel being rejected 25 times
without ripping my confidence to shreds and destroying my optimism to
the point I give up before gaining the trophy. I have rewritten my
prologue and continue my revisions. Post later.
Genuine gems
I have been looking at catalogs with ring collections labeled genuine
gems along with a warning a natural color variations. I am positive
these are really genuine plastic. A ring costing $16.98 or $30.98 is not
genuine gem, you are paying $30 for the sterling silver. I caution
people with the belief they are getting real bargin just because it is
labeled genuine. Post later. Bye!
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Hand cramp
I worked on crossword puzzles for so long that I got a hand cramp. It
hurt too. Post later.
Father's Day
I forgot it was Father's Day until I saw it on my cell phone calendar. I
received an email from former college roommate who made breakfast and
did all sorts of activites with her father for the holiday. My Daddy
received a card in the mail last week. He is too hard to shop for.
Anything he wants he buys so there is nothing left for us to give him.
Then for awhile we tried gift certificates. It takes him anywhere from 6
months to 3 years to use one. My sister tried to explain once that the
point of a gift card is to spend it. My siblings and I also have trained
our parents not to expect much. Post later. Bye!
Saturday, June 18, 2005
What is love actually?
Staying still and alone reconnects yourself to your soul we often forget about exists inside your body. I had to explain death a my child niece when my Grandpa died. What did the preacher mean Great-Grandpa is in heaven, we just buried him in the cemetery? she asks. I explain the soul as the ghost that lives in your body and leaves it when we die. She understood a ghost. Our dreams, desires, and goals in life are the soul speaking to us, if we are listening.
I spend most of my time alone. I hear coworkers joke it's the antisocial ones you have to watch out for. I had a coworker ask me once if I ever would snap from stress and start shooting people at the airport. No, I would take the easy route and find another job if I felt that much stress. I have better things to do than plot murder. Being alone does not equate being pyscho. And I'm not antisocial.
I am not alone by choice. I just have a hard time making new friends who actually want to spend time with me outside of the workplace. The best metaphor is a child sitting in the school cafeteria eating alone. Many ask this child why he/she eats alone, but not one sits next to the child so he/she is no longer alone. That is much what my life is like.
I started volunteering because I wanted to be around people with more common interests than people at the airport. One coworker suggested working in an office cubicle so I would not have to be around impossible customers. That would drive me insane from the isolation. I feel the need to be around people as much as anyone else. I'm just content and peaceful alone. I shop alone. Go to movies alone. Eat alone. Excerise alone. Work alone (a few hours). Watch TV alone. Do laundry at my sister's to have human and feline contact so I don't feel lonely and disconnected. My friends live out of state and are pen/email pals. The only time I need to be alone is when my 4 nieces drain me from their never-ending need for attention. It is not their job to make sure I'm OK, that's my job.
Yeah, I do love myself enough to take care of myself. I know who I am, what I want, and know how to fulfill my own needs. If that sounds egotistic, let me explain my version of love is actually. I developed my version from my father who showed his love HIS way, not by conventional norms like affection, flowers, fancy dinners, and expensive gifts. Someone asked asked me how I knew my father who never hugged, kissed, or said the L-word unless I asked for it, which can get exhausting after a while, loved me. I told this friend, a devote Christian, that the answer is in the Bible silly. I even added it to my fairytale since it was my niece's confirmation verse. I altered it to shorten the verse.
Love Actually is...
Love is patient, Love is kind
Love is humble and generous
Love is calm and encouraging
Love never keeps score
Nor does Love hurt
Love is gentle, Love is honest
Love protects and trusts
Love never accuses
Nor does Love ever end.
This is how I know my distant relatives, dead relatives, and distant friends love me, and how I love myself. Post later. Bye!
Killed a bug
I must be the only one at work who kills tiny bugs with my hand, I use
my shoe for larger bugs. I killed a tiny spider I pulled out of my bag
after grabbing my cold Mountain Dew. I wiped the bug on my pants.
Saturday is the day of strange phone calls. We get people asking if we
are closed and today my coworker was asked if all the car rentals at the
airport are closed. I would not be answering the phone if I was closed.
Then we get the same people calling twice asking the exact same
question. We have a location in a suburb that transfers their calls to
us when they are closed. Most of the weekend it is closed.
Then we get calls asking if they must have a credit card to rent a car
(we know they spoke to somebody to be asking this question). We say yes,
they must have a credit card to rent the car. They ask if we do cash
rentals. Um, no, they must have a credit card to authorize the amount of
the car rental upfront and no one at the airport will take cash upfront.
Only when we get the car back are we willing to take cash. They ask who
in the airport take cash. Nobody.
I guess some people think if they ask a question enough times that the
answer will change. Sorry, rules stay the same. Post later.
Friday, June 17, 2005
Item not in any newspaper
A friend of my coworker called to say the electricity went out in the
conveinence store she works at, no ATM, no coffee maker, no hot dog oven
working. Electrician comes out to inquiry about the problem. The culprit
was the dead squirrel sprawled on the ground on its back with its
private parts blowed off. The squirrel chewed on wires near a
transformer. Post later.
New guy gone
My car rental gets good commission so we are less agressive and willing to let customers to shop around. We do that because the cheap car rentals run out of cars faster so the customer gets stuck paying our higher prices, plus we are open longer too. Sometimes customers do come back telling me I'm the cheapest. Music to my ears. Post later.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Work emails
Today I was reviewing last week's emails at work before deleting them
and the people I work with look over my shoulder observing the screen.
OK, is that insecurity or curiosity? My work emails are boring, mostly
about customer problems and interesting questions I get asked. It would be really stupid to complain about a boss on an email address owned by the company. My manager agreed on that. Once a company who reads our company emails complained about chain letters being sent through our work email, it is for office use only the email complaint said. My manager had to send an email to an ex-coworker asking her to stop sending chain letters.
Sometimes I vent frustrations about coworkers, but I never open those
when that coworker is present because people look over my shoulder. Besides that, if I can't complain to their face what they did wrong then I should not be whining in an email about it to my manager. Most people figure out when I'm rolling my eyes or scoffing that they upset me. I read in a catalog that if you can't say anything nice, a blank stare usually gets the point across.
Other times if something funny happened with another coworker I'll ask
them to read it before I sent it to my manager to make sure I recited it
correctly. I'm pretty open what I put in my work emails to the manager.
If someone wanted to know what the email was about, all they have to do
is ask.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Rabbit and the cat
I saw a cute T-shirt in a catalog and had to share it. A kitten says to
a rabbit "You are a strange-looking dog".
New law
The people who have been demanding the death penalty for people who rape
a and murder children only got a tougher sex offender law today, without
the death penalty bit.
First offense is 10 years in prison. Those who refuse treatment must
serve their full sentence.
Second offense is life in prison without parole.
I call that tough. The newsreporter questioned how is Iowa going to pay
in order to keep these people in jail the rest of their long lives.
Making laws to please the public is one thing, enforcement is other.
I know some people favor death penalty for all sorts of crimes so the
criminal can't repeat their crime. I would like those people to visit
Tombstone, Arizona and observe the graveyard. I noticed in my
grandparents' pictures that there are REAL graves with signs saying
"Hung by Mistake". One such grave had the name George Johnson. I am glad
I do not live in a world of lynch mobs who hang accused people in fits
of rage, then decide later "Oopsy, maybe we were wrong". Post later.
Bye!
Monday, June 13, 2005
How many?
How many times does it take someone calling the same number, receiving
the same answering machine message, to realize they have the wrong
number? Apparently 5.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
I got pop and popcorn this time. Which means I had to use the restroom during the movie. I left after they kidnap the prisoner and came back as they entered a store so I don't know what happened to the guy they kidnapped. I loved the movie. I saw Brad Pitt without his shirt, twice. I am satisfied. My favorite part was Brad's last words in the elevator "New curtains are hideous". The gun battle was exciting too with few funny words. I highly recommend it. Post later. Bye!
Michael Jackson Not Guilty
I am so happy Michael Jackson was found Not Guilty on all charges. I
think congratulations would be the wrong word here. I only hope he does
not stop loving children with cancer because of all this. I feel for
him. Post later. Bye!
Sock with Sandal debate
I hear many say one should never wear socks with sandals. Then I hear
someone say it is alright, after all retailers have sandal nylons. Also,
I think the taboo of wearing white shoes in winter has gone out the
window the past few years when I see many women in white sneakers or
white dress shoes. Maybe this taboo is evaporating to the way of
6-player girls basketball.
A female coworker jumped all a male coworker for wearing socks with his
new sandals. Of course nobody notices my sandals with socks displayed. I
even had my janitor friend tell me his wife always said no socks with
sandals. Well, as Julia Roberts said in Erin Brockovich, I will wear
what I like. I have do objections to having bare feet in air conditioned
buildings, my feet easily get cold. So at home or when outdoors a lot do
I wear my bare feet sandals that are quite dirty. Post later. Bye!
Male Bias
According to a female coworker, mortage lenders and people giving an estimate for siding demanded to speak to her husband. She was deeply insulted and told them off clarifying her husband will be agreeing with anything she says. One agent would ask a question and after my coworker's answer, he would look at her husband and ask if that is what he thought. She was getting so angry she blurted out how this conversation would be going much faster if the man would just ask her the questions. Her husband agreed. The guy who did the estimate for siding on the house demanded to speak to her husband since it was his house too. That did not sit well with her. She asserted that the house was in HER name, the mortage loan was in HER name, and SHE will be writing the check for the siding, therefore the contractor will be speaking to HER. He walked away in digust and she hired someone else.
There was a time her husband was suppose to take care of the new roof and totally screwed up leaving my already stressed out coworker taking over the problem. At the end, her husband called her at work stressed how the roofers were on the porch threatening to remove all the shingles if the husband did not pay them upfront. Legally they can't do that, she was told. It was totally screwy too. The estimate came from one company, who hired another company to do the job, who hired another company's labor force to do the job. So my coworker soon had her lawyer on the phone ready to take all 3 companys to court for the botched job she refused to pay for until done correctly. That was a stressful night. I think the first company who gave the estimate got their representative to inspect the botched roof and had it fixed. No court costs necessary. I told her, This is what happens when she has her husband do something on his own. Men are not always the best at decision making.
I never really experienced this bias because I never bought a house, car, etc., or have a husband to feel ignored by businessmen. My Dad bought my car and the car dealer kept looking at me when Dad was bargining down the price. My Dad was the one paying so I was not about to intervene. My Mom thought that was funny. Post later. Bye!
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Blast from the Past
Hello again. A former employee stopped by the counter on his way to Las
Vegas. We finally met the wife who made goodies around the holidays.
She was pretty too, for an elderly woman with colored blonde hair. His
wife was an avid baker apparently. If he brought a dozen, he said there
was 5 dozen at home. Some of us wondered why she would bake goodies for
strangers she never met, others just ate. I liked her Christmas
cookies.
At another job, a wife would buy stuff for her husband's coworkers. I
questioned once if she did all these nice things to make up for her
husband's annoying behavior. Nobody liked that coworker. It is one thing
to gift to people one knows, another to strangers one has no contact
with. Motives get questioned under the second scenario.
I make holiday cards and often include pencils for their young kids if I
have plenty of extra. I never gift to spouses. Why?, they don't know me.
Kids love anything given to them.
Post later. Bye!
Friday, June 10, 2005
Culture lesson
My janitor friend brought by an article he printed off the internet
about another culture's norms on love and marriage. I asked "What is
this? Why do you think I care about marriage in another country? Are
trying to depress me because I'm single?"
He said he'll come back when I am in a better mood, leaving the
literature behind. He comes back and I hand back the literature. We go a
few rounds of I don't want to read the paper. The first 2 paragraphs
were enough. I get busy and he gives it to my coworker. She reads
through it and eventually Iread it because I'm bored. It offended my
femnist principles.
Yes I am fully aware other cultures vastly differ from my own, but that
does not mean I have to agree or understand it. I also know cultures
change over time. Post later. Bye!
Introduction
Anyway, I got off the track of my introduction to the new guy. I asked the car rental guy next door if he spoke to him. He had not. I asked he was rude or antisocial. He just never bothered to say hello. I went right up to the counter and introduced myself, I think I said my name twice from being nervous. I asked his name and diverted my attention to his trainer tell her that I got Rejection#3 in the mail. I turned to him to explain I was a struggling author. Then I let them get back to training.
I gleefully bragged about my introducing myself to a stranger, but forgot his name in the 2 minutes that lapse. My coworker heard from the owner's wife that he is a medical student who took the job to be around people. I am praying he is single. I thought asking that would be too forward and eager. I can unshy myself around cute guys. I thought back to my class reunion and how they would all be falling over in shock how different I am. They might not be able to handle a familiar stranger. Maybe it is best I am not friends with anyone from that moment in time. Coworkers get unnerved if I don't say anything for 15 minutes. Sometimes I just don't have much to say.
After a while, I did recall his name. Post later. Bye!
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Drunk people
"We have a piece of shit car from you" were the exact words I heard after my
usual May I help you riff. "Excuse me, what kind of car do you
have?" I ask. " A piece of shit car" he explains. "And I want you to
drive me out another car right now. The trunk is broken." Stroked the
wrong way already, I page my coworker who handles jerks much better than
me after I put him on hold.
Tell my coworker what the man said and she answers. In the lengthy
conversation, she threatens to hang up on him if he continues speaking
to her that way and he can take his issue to the city who rented to his
girlfriend. Then I hear her ask him what exactly would he like her to
do, he is just going to have to wait for a tow truck to bring his
girlfriend another car. Finally she gets his cell phone # to call him
back so he knows when to expect the tow truck. What ticked her off is
him saying that the car is our responsible from now on because the
broken trunk latch allows people to break in through the trunk. Um, that
is not the way it works. Of course, he is too drunk to comprehend that.
My coworker is now in a bad mood and calls the renting city to demand a
manager. The manager explains the couple stated 15 minutes ago they
would return the car tomorrow. And she did not like talking to the
boyfriend either. My coworker is convinced both people who are parked at
a bar are "lit" (drunk). She calls the man's phone to demand to speak to
the woman who rented the car. Much nicer person apologizing for her
boyfriend.
After the lady explains the trunk bouncing up and down was annoying and
since she lived here in town she didn't really need it. Ok bitch, why
did you not return the car if you didn't need it and it had a broken
trunk. My coworker explains the only problem the car rentals had with
this issue was HIS attitude. I heard her say that people are more
willing to do things for you when you are nice about it.
So after speaking to the drunk lady, my coworker leaves to go get the
car, with a male coworker twice her size in case of trouble. Before
leaving, she calls the renting city to give the 411 of what we are
doing.
They go get the car and come back to say the boyfriend raved on how we
are giving them a free rental while his girlfriend tried to calm him
down. My coworker explains to the girlfriend that she must call (Not
Him) the renting city if she wants a credit.
And people can't understand why I want nothing to do with alcoholics,
dating or friends. Because they are impossible to deal with. Besides I don't feel like apologizing for rude drunk people for the rest of my life. Post later.
Safe drivers?
I saw an article declaring that All State Insurance did a study of
accidents to name Cedar Rapids, Iowa as #1 of Safe Drivers and Des
Moines, Iowa as #2.
The opinion columnist said the reason we are safe drivers in Des Moines
is because we brake for jerks who cut us off. We also pause when the
green light allows us to go because we are sure someone will run the red
light on the other side. He said the study ignored the fact that 1 in 8
drivers do not use their turning signals. Plus one can not hit much
during traffic jams when one is moving 8 mph.
I agree with the columist. Many people drive with the philosophy of
"Please don't hit me" where I live and are not in hurry so few have road
rage. We like to get to our destination in one piece. Jerks can get
pulled over by the police. Post later. Bye!
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Speed trap
Today I visited my chiropracter to find a speed trap on a piece of
highway where someone was killed a while ago. I saw 2 police cars pull
over cars and another waiting to pull someone over, therefore I call it
a speed trap.
I viewed the flowers where the person died. He was pulling into a car
dealership where he worked and was T-boned by another car ripping his
jeep in half. He died instantly. The other went to the hospital in
serious condition and later faced charges from speeding to manslughter.
They judged from the damage the driver was going at least 90, maybe even
100.
My chiropracter bill was cheap, $27. I got a cash discount for whatever
reason. The end of my whiplash drama. Post later. Bye!
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Accident
I got into a tiny accident on my way home. The bumped was so light I
barely noticed it until my neck started hurting. I just turned after a
long wait to turn in rush hour traffic when a car in the other lane
starting pull out in front of me at a red light and I suddenly halted
to a complete stop to avoid smashing into the driver's door. I stopped
so suddenly I thought the thump I heard was the brakes, then my
sunglasses flew off my face. I'm sure someone hit me from behind. I
looked around for a place to pull over while sitting at the red light,
but of course I can't move without hitting a car in any direction. The
light turns green and I inch forward, as rush hour forces you to do, to
look at my rear view mirror. I see a brand new silver car with no
license plate with their turning blinker on. No paint or dent on their
car so I figured I probably just paint damage. I drive on. The new
silver car with dealership paper tags changes lanes, and I stop again at
the red light to observe their bumper, it is right beside me. No damage
or paint from my car. I continue to inch forward and lose sight of the
car. Now gaining the entrance to the freeway, my necks hurts really
bad.
Half way home on the freeway I start crying from the pain and it finally
subsides to a headache. 45 minutes later when I make it home to observe
the damage. My bumper is plastic not metal, sorry I didn't know that. In
addition to the paint scrapes I was expecting, the center of my rear
bumper is sticking up like a bubble. The outer edges of the bumper have
1 inch cracks causing it to lift a little. The trunk works fine so I'm
not going to worry about it or get it fixed. Though I will get my neck
adjusted, the pain comes and goes now. I know I'm the perfect victim. My parents
trained me very well to be so. Post later. Bye!
Bare feet
Yesterday and today are the first days I am walking barefoot around my
apartment all day. I woke up covered in sweat realizing it 90 degrees
outside. Lots of neighbors have their air conditioning on. Last night, I
slept in my clothes because sweat soaked pjs are not comfortable.
People at work figure out rapidly I grew up outside the big city when I
talk about walking barefoot all day as a kid. Grass is pleasant between
the toes. I know sidewalks get hot and often nurture broken beer bottles,
but that is what grass surrounding sidewalks is for. I do place sandles on
when going outside as a grown up. I do not drive a car barefoot.
Sometimes I meet someone who can't understand how I grew up in a tiny
town and not self-combust. When one lives their entire life in the same
tiny town, one gets use to it. One guy was happy to hear my hometown
didn't have a police force during our 4th of July celebration. We have
deputy sheriffs and state troopers who patrol the towns and highways of
the whole county. Yes, they are very visible during the 4th of July in
brown uniforms instead of blue. They are easy to find guarding the
Missouri border. Fireworks are illegal to sell, buy, possess, and set
off in Iowa. Like Prohibition in the 20's, people in the masses disobey.
Every year the news has the melon demonstrations explaining why
fireworks are dangerous. That means they place fireworks in melons to
watch them explode. It is quite entertaining to watch. Post later. Bye!
Monday, June 06, 2005
Pentagon Snafu
I hear on the news how The Pentagon has the audacity to blame the media
for their prisons' torture of prisoners by reporting on the desecration
of Korans as they finally admit (after forcing Newsweek to retract their
report) that the story is true. Now The Pentagon has more nerve
suggeting the media not focus on their failures in this War on Terror.
Here's my recommendation:
Do not ever tell the media how to do their jobs.
Plus, if The Pentagon was not feeding stories of prisoner abuse to the
media in the first place and followed the Geneva Convention rules for
prisoners in the beginning of The War on Terror, None of this would be
happening.
My coworker would call that karma coming back to bite you in the butt.
My parents would say You made your bed now lie in it. I call it a snafu:
situation normal all f***ed up.
Saturday, June 04, 2005
Rejection #3
After 5 long agonizing months, I finally received Rejection #3 for my
novel. This one said my story was not right for them. So much for
winning the lottery everyone at work was expecting. One coworker once
blurted out how someday she can tell people she knew me before I was
famous. My heart sunk to the floor and tried hard not to cry. Not yet. Another friend said to be sure to tell her when it gets published so she can go buy a copy. Gee, I would have given her a copy from my computer if she wanted to read it. Though, she would have a hard time finding any book under my name, I plan on using a pen name.
Anyway, onto Publisher #4. Maybe I'll rename it and edit some more
before sending it off again. Post later. Bye!
Bad Coworker
My coworker suggsted setting me up with one of her boyfriend's friends
who badly wants a blind date. She asked if I objected to a guy who plays
in a band who is about my age. Why would I object? Working for a car
rental is not something I can be snotty about. She says he works for a
gun shop and plays on the computer. She thought we could email our
pictures to each other. Um, well, my sunless tanner is wearing off so
maybe hold off on the picture part, my tanner is blotchy.
My first question of Romeo: Is he cute? She said kinda yes, kinda no. No
matter, I'm bouncing with excitement at the thought of meeting A GUY.
She said she would call me later to ask my email address to give to
him.
She never called. Boo-hoo. I was so excited too. Bad coworker getting me
all riled up. Last time someone tried to set me up, the guy wanted our
first date to take place at a strip club with female dancers. Not
exactly my idea of romance. But I said if he was willing to pay my cover
charge to get in and buy me drinks, then I would go. He declined the
offer. Oh well, I'm used to being alone.
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Cousin's wedding picture
I got a picture from my cousin's private, stress-free Maui beach
wedding. The photographer and minister's wife were the witnesses. They
called their families on April Fools Day. She says not to be in a hurry to get married. The right one is worth the wait. He is handsome, for a
37-year-old man. He is a well respected doctor my cousin met at the
hospital she works at. He is from Lebanon and speaks Arabic, French, and
English fluently. I like this guy already. My Mom was concerned if he is
a Muslim since we are a Christian family. I say my cousin at age 37 got
married for the first time, who cares? My cousin is happy and planning a
family. That is the important part. Post later.
Medicine
It's finally happened. They quit making my over the counter allergy
medicine. I had to resort to close enough substitute before I went
insane from my itchy bug bites. I went online to try 3 different
medicines to see if any work. I hope that didn't set off red flags to
the police ordering so much allergy medicine at once, it is used to make
meth. But then, would a real drug dealer be stupid enough to have stuff
ordered to their house? OK, maybe one on dope would.
Medicines I find are like soaps, shampoos, and deodorents; I find one I
like and they quit selling it. Post later.
I hate sunless tanners
I hate summer already, I want winter back. For the 10th time, I have
been asked where my tan is at work. Everybody has tan. Even a guy at
work gets under the tanning bed to burn himself extra crispy, which
means don't touch him.
My skin doesn't tan, it burns. The last sunburn I had a few years ago, I
told everybody that I did not know which was worse; working with a
sunburn or sitting at home with sunburn. Since I prefer not to obtain
skin cancer for the sake of vanity, I started last summer rubbing on
sunless tanner. I know I should tell people to go to hell, but
eventually I become exhausted arguing over my extremely fair skin.
I hate sunless tanners. Sure the new kinds don't streak or make you
orange, but the are botchy and clump into salt grains hard to brush off.
And then there are the stained fingernails. Plus, it stains your clothes
even after fully dried on your skin. Of course, my fair skin doesn't tan
well so there are white spots and areas which refuse to change color.
Yes, I have that skin condition that causes albino white spots in the
center of tanned skin. My niece and Mom have it too. My Mom told me not
to say a word about my niece's white spots when she was a kid, if I do
not make a big deal about them then neither will she. Good advice.
The trouble I go through just to shut people up. Post later. Bye!