My niece from Nebraska came to visit at my sister's house this week. They were afraid of answering the phone yesterday afternoon so they didn't get to swim in my pool. Sister got home about 5:00 when I was leaving. Stopped at Burger King on the way so sister didn't have to feed me. Watched TV and played with the cats. Read a book of sister's for her school library. I got through it in 2 hours. Then it was time for me to go home. Hugged nieces good bye.
Typed up the book report for my sister and emailed it. She has 25 new books for the library that she has to read this summer before the kids do. I said yes to help her out, not for any love of children's literature. She also emailed asking to help her experiement with the school's new web cam. Sorry, I don't have one cause no one else I know does and therefore nobody would be on the other end. Got home to play with the laser light with Frodo and had to take an allergy pill to stop sneezing. It popped out of the foil and landed in Precious's fur. He shook and shook with me digging in the fur to have it drop to the carpet. Naptime came and Precious pawed at Frodo for hogging the cat tower top, but Frodo held his ground so Precious jumped up on the couch and snuggled with me. Post later.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Not much to report
Not much has happen this week.
Saturday night had a guy whose keys dropped into the river on a canoe ride, he is out in the middle of nowhere, and can't get into his car. He is worried if he leaves his car, it will be vandalized. Give him the roadside assistance number. He calls back stating they are not answering the line for half hour and he needs help. He gives me his number to call back if I can get ahold of roadside and send him a locksmith. Wait 8 minutes and call him back. Apologize for the line not answering even mentioning I hung up when I got tired of holding the phone. He did too. Explain all I can do is send a new car via tow truck, take the other car to a car dealership to make a new key which won't be open at 10:30 PM, and charge him for the towing and new key. Wow, he says. Explain charges would go on his bill he pays when he returns to Omaha. I can't exactly send a Des Moines locksmith to the middle of nowhere in the pitch dark, highways only have street lights at intersections. He says he called the renting city and they said new keys would be $250 and asked if that right. Yes, the remotes are expensive. He asks if he can call AAA for help. Sure he can give them a try and see what they can do for him. If nothing, call me right back cause I am leaving in half hour. Now he mad I can't offer assistance for him 24 hours. I apologize that I have nobody to send to his rescue. Now he is mad roadside won't answer their line. I give the consumer affairs to complain and agree a half hour wait to get no answer is ridiculous.
Sunday/Monday we had a storm and flight delays. The last flight is set to arrive at 1 AM. I comment to my outside guy, Betcha glad not to have my job. He chuckled. Then a few minutes after 1, it is announced the flight is cancelled and sent back to Minneapolis. Email morning person that customer will come in the morning. Had a guy that insisted he must have a GPS to drive a car. I wonder what they people who MUST HAVE remotes and GPS did before these things were invented. I remember keys and maps. Email morning person that this guy will be calling for a GPS. The funny part was when I got home and started working on my story, I was up all night and saw the sunrise at 6 and went to bed at 7. I got up about 1 PM. At least the cats had the whole night on the balcony.
Monday Frodo caught a bird and I tried to save it, but when he flew away it landed back on the ground. I think it was an adolescent chickadee or wren. Birds in the trees squawked and the baby squealed back. He wouldn't let me touch him and hopped away. I checked to see if a leg or wing was injured from Frodo's teeth. Then Precious had to pounce the flapping bird. I gave up trying to save the bird. Soon bird was jumping at Frodo, pecking his beak at his face and swiping his claws at his chest. Frod jumped back a little. Frodo eventually got too tired to chase it and laid right next to it panting like crazy. Bird was still. I wish I had my camera. When recovered, Frodo pawed at bird to have it not move. He got interested in other things flying around and time came to go back in.
Today ran into a neighbor walking his friendly dog. Dog ignored the cats and went straight for me. He knows where the attention is. Then suddenly had to spray Precious with the water bottle. Explain picking him up a dozen times doesn't work and some people don't like them on their porch, especially if they have plants or dogs looking out the glass door. Later the stray cat I wondered if still alive came out and stirred the dog on the ground floor. Wandering around Precious sprinted up a tree to chase some birds. It got very windy and soon Frodo wants inside. Precious was more reluctant but when Frodo yowled, he ran up the stairs. Animals. Post later.
Saturday night had a guy whose keys dropped into the river on a canoe ride, he is out in the middle of nowhere, and can't get into his car. He is worried if he leaves his car, it will be vandalized. Give him the roadside assistance number. He calls back stating they are not answering the line for half hour and he needs help. He gives me his number to call back if I can get ahold of roadside and send him a locksmith. Wait 8 minutes and call him back. Apologize for the line not answering even mentioning I hung up when I got tired of holding the phone. He did too. Explain all I can do is send a new car via tow truck, take the other car to a car dealership to make a new key which won't be open at 10:30 PM, and charge him for the towing and new key. Wow, he says. Explain charges would go on his bill he pays when he returns to Omaha. I can't exactly send a Des Moines locksmith to the middle of nowhere in the pitch dark, highways only have street lights at intersections. He says he called the renting city and they said new keys would be $250 and asked if that right. Yes, the remotes are expensive. He asks if he can call AAA for help. Sure he can give them a try and see what they can do for him. If nothing, call me right back cause I am leaving in half hour. Now he mad I can't offer assistance for him 24 hours. I apologize that I have nobody to send to his rescue. Now he is mad roadside won't answer their line. I give the consumer affairs to complain and agree a half hour wait to get no answer is ridiculous.
Sunday/Monday we had a storm and flight delays. The last flight is set to arrive at 1 AM. I comment to my outside guy, Betcha glad not to have my job. He chuckled. Then a few minutes after 1, it is announced the flight is cancelled and sent back to Minneapolis. Email morning person that customer will come in the morning. Had a guy that insisted he must have a GPS to drive a car. I wonder what they people who MUST HAVE remotes and GPS did before these things were invented. I remember keys and maps. Email morning person that this guy will be calling for a GPS. The funny part was when I got home and started working on my story, I was up all night and saw the sunrise at 6 and went to bed at 7. I got up about 1 PM. At least the cats had the whole night on the balcony.
Monday Frodo caught a bird and I tried to save it, but when he flew away it landed back on the ground. I think it was an adolescent chickadee or wren. Birds in the trees squawked and the baby squealed back. He wouldn't let me touch him and hopped away. I checked to see if a leg or wing was injured from Frodo's teeth. Then Precious had to pounce the flapping bird. I gave up trying to save the bird. Soon bird was jumping at Frodo, pecking his beak at his face and swiping his claws at his chest. Frod jumped back a little. Frodo eventually got too tired to chase it and laid right next to it panting like crazy. Bird was still. I wish I had my camera. When recovered, Frodo pawed at bird to have it not move. He got interested in other things flying around and time came to go back in.
Today ran into a neighbor walking his friendly dog. Dog ignored the cats and went straight for me. He knows where the attention is. Then suddenly had to spray Precious with the water bottle. Explain picking him up a dozen times doesn't work and some people don't like them on their porch, especially if they have plants or dogs looking out the glass door. Later the stray cat I wondered if still alive came out and stirred the dog on the ground floor. Wandering around Precious sprinted up a tree to chase some birds. It got very windy and soon Frodo wants inside. Precious was more reluctant but when Frodo yowled, he ran up the stairs. Animals. Post later.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Kindness of customer
Had a frequent customer returned a car and handed me a gift card for a local grocery store. It's not my birthday, I said. He smiled and said it was for being so proficient when helping him. Thank you, I said. That was very nice of him.
That made feel better after the schedule was changed yet again to remove all overtime from our paychecks. And I lost another half hour off my schedule, which means a total hour since last May has been removed. I hope all my flights are delayed now so I can keep my head above water. Plus I heard the owner has yet to accept an offer from corporate for the franchise, he wants more money.
Let's see I had 4 customers complain how filthy our cars were with stains, smelled like cigarettes, scratches on the car, and one actually demanded a brand new car. They are all going to stink of cigarettes cause I'm out of nonsmoking cars and all will have stains/scratches/ something wrong with them. We don't have brand new cars. The one who wanted the brand new car demanded a discount for the filth. No, I can switch cars and she is welcome to look at the other selections before I exchange them. She came back irate how the other cars were no better and demanded I cancel her rental, then the paperwork stating it was cancelled, and got a car next door. And somehow, I don't miss her.
Oh, forgot some good news for the car rental next door. Their city manager announced that customers are not permitted to swear at them and they can refuse service to them and the city manager will back them up. Before if a customer swore up a storm they had sit back and take it cause if the customer complained to managerment, they got reprimanded for making a customer angry by simply doing their job. And they wondered why they had trouble keeping new people they hired. Not everyone can handle irate customers.
Post later. Bye!
That made feel better after the schedule was changed yet again to remove all overtime from our paychecks. And I lost another half hour off my schedule, which means a total hour since last May has been removed. I hope all my flights are delayed now so I can keep my head above water. Plus I heard the owner has yet to accept an offer from corporate for the franchise, he wants more money.
Let's see I had 4 customers complain how filthy our cars were with stains, smelled like cigarettes, scratches on the car, and one actually demanded a brand new car. They are all going to stink of cigarettes cause I'm out of nonsmoking cars and all will have stains/scratches/ something wrong with them. We don't have brand new cars. The one who wanted the brand new car demanded a discount for the filth. No, I can switch cars and she is welcome to look at the other selections before I exchange them. She came back irate how the other cars were no better and demanded I cancel her rental, then the paperwork stating it was cancelled, and got a car next door. And somehow, I don't miss her.
Oh, forgot some good news for the car rental next door. Their city manager announced that customers are not permitted to swear at them and they can refuse service to them and the city manager will back them up. Before if a customer swore up a storm they had sit back and take it cause if the customer complained to managerment, they got reprimanded for making a customer angry by simply doing their job. And they wondered why they had trouble keeping new people they hired. Not everyone can handle irate customers.
Post later. Bye!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Today's events
Took kitties out for a walk as usual. Found a free newspaper on the floor of my hallway so tossed that in the apartment. Wandering to the shaded part of the playground where the cats love to play in the weed patch nearby, I found some black raspberries and one red on the gravel. I know you are suppose to clean fruit off first before eating, but I ate one anyway and made my fingers purple pulling it apart in the attempt to avoid the seeds. It was good. Then I went back to trying to skip rocks on the gravel. Cats came inside without fuss, it was cooler in the apartment.
Then I think I need Shopaholics Anonymous cause I innocently went into Target with coupons in my hand and had to stop at the clearance section. It was too much to resist even if I told myself no new clothes this year to save money. I drop half my coupons on the floor when picking up hangers and putting the clothes next to me. I was happy to see longer shirts cause it is hard to tuck in when the shirt keeps popping up every time you move your arm. Luckily the shoes I liked I couldn't find in my size. Why can't they organize shoes by size in clearance? It is very annoying to spent 5 minutes looking for a shoe in your size. I did get some colorful socks in a 6-pack in 6 different colors. I have too many white socks and pink shirts. Next I promised myself no more perfume cause I need to save money, but I like smelling nice. Then there are no testers to smell, though a few have scratch and sniff stickers. The one tester I found was strapped down so nobody steals it, I managed to spray my pinkie. Another perfume I pushed down on a bottle strapped inside the box and smelled the box, but didn't like it. I liked the sprayed on my pinkie smell best so grabbed that on sale. It came with lotion so I can smell nice when the tiny 3 ounce bottle runs out. I also found out that my cat food, snacks, and canned food is cheaper than the grocery store, but it is too dangerous coming here very often. Then I had to run in my clogs across the store because my coupon said 2 and I grabbed 1. Oops. I'm sure people thought I was running weird cause it is very hard to run gracefully in clogs w/out them flying off your feet and hitting somebody.
Got home and the electricity is out, even the traffic light was out. Wonderful, I might have to go back out to a fast food place since I can't cook anything. Read the free paper and read a Dear Abby where a woman cried on how she saw a dog in a hot car and when she pointed it out to the car owner, the owner said, Mind your own business! Apparently this lady has limited access to people since that deeply shocked her and then came up with leaving notes on windshields instead. Oh yeah, that will teach them to leave their pets at home. Dear Abby shared more articles on pets in cars. One said to contact the police since they can they can legally break a window to rescue the pet if need be and write citations. While trying on my new clothes and socks the electricity came back on. Whew. Now Frodo and Precious are bouncing off the furniture chasing each other. Frodo jumped on top of the rocking chair and leaped to the floor like acrobat. Precious jumped on the cat tower and and they are pawing each other. I wish my camera didn't take so long to charge up. This is long enough. Post later.
Then I think I need Shopaholics Anonymous cause I innocently went into Target with coupons in my hand and had to stop at the clearance section. It was too much to resist even if I told myself no new clothes this year to save money. I drop half my coupons on the floor when picking up hangers and putting the clothes next to me. I was happy to see longer shirts cause it is hard to tuck in when the shirt keeps popping up every time you move your arm. Luckily the shoes I liked I couldn't find in my size. Why can't they organize shoes by size in clearance? It is very annoying to spent 5 minutes looking for a shoe in your size. I did get some colorful socks in a 6-pack in 6 different colors. I have too many white socks and pink shirts. Next I promised myself no more perfume cause I need to save money, but I like smelling nice. Then there are no testers to smell, though a few have scratch and sniff stickers. The one tester I found was strapped down so nobody steals it, I managed to spray my pinkie. Another perfume I pushed down on a bottle strapped inside the box and smelled the box, but didn't like it. I liked the sprayed on my pinkie smell best so grabbed that on sale. It came with lotion so I can smell nice when the tiny 3 ounce bottle runs out. I also found out that my cat food, snacks, and canned food is cheaper than the grocery store, but it is too dangerous coming here very often. Then I had to run in my clogs across the store because my coupon said 2 and I grabbed 1. Oops. I'm sure people thought I was running weird cause it is very hard to run gracefully in clogs w/out them flying off your feet and hitting somebody.
Got home and the electricity is out, even the traffic light was out. Wonderful, I might have to go back out to a fast food place since I can't cook anything. Read the free paper and read a Dear Abby where a woman cried on how she saw a dog in a hot car and when she pointed it out to the car owner, the owner said, Mind your own business! Apparently this lady has limited access to people since that deeply shocked her and then came up with leaving notes on windshields instead. Oh yeah, that will teach them to leave their pets at home. Dear Abby shared more articles on pets in cars. One said to contact the police since they can they can legally break a window to rescue the pet if need be and write citations. While trying on my new clothes and socks the electricity came back on. Whew. Now Frodo and Precious are bouncing off the furniture chasing each other. Frodo jumped on top of the rocking chair and leaped to the floor like acrobat. Precious jumped on the cat tower and and they are pawing each other. I wish my camera didn't take so long to charge up. This is long enough. Post later.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Weekend report
Had a lady yesterday return claiming she can not find her car, she pushed the remote button but none of the cars in the row are responding to it. Go outside with her and find her car exactly where it should be. Hit the unlock button to see the lights go off so I know the remote works. Since she has 3 bags, I hit the trunk release on the remote and lift up the trunk lid for her, to be nice. Oh, she says, she was expecting the trunk lid to automatically go up. So that is why she couldn't find her car, she didn't know she was suppose to lift the trunk lid up with her own hand.
Last night, I was trying to pick up Precious from a lawn chair on my balcony so I can shut the door and go to bed. That weasel curled up on his tummy flipped over onto his back to start meowing and scratching at me trying to get my hands under him. So I picked up the lawn chair and carry it inside with Precious's confused "What is happening" look on his face. Then shut then door.
Today one of the guys came in and said a returned car was wrecked. We are positive it didn't go out that way. My coworker who returned it was certain the guy didn't mention it to him. So we get to write up a damage tag and copy the rental contract for the owner to deal with.
Even better is a coworker who received a text message from his wife saying she spent $108 at the beauty parlor getting her hair done, cause she has to look beautiful. He wondered where she went cause they don't live on Rodeo Drive.
Had a disaster relief lady call complaining she can't open the car door, but pulled out the key in the remote and got in. Now the car won't start cause it's dead. I recommend roadside cause they offer more services than we do and give the number. Then she wants to know how does she pay for the service roadside does for her. I explained roadside put charges on her bill that she pays when she returns. Now she gets mad that she shouldn't have to pay for anything cause the car won't start and she works for the government. Then why is she asking how does she pay if she shouldn't be charged? I look her up and she did select the car insurance covering the car and explained she is covered for damage to the car. That satisfied her enough to call roadside and she is unnerved that I'm not helping her in her hour of need. I explain again that roadside offers more services than we do. I think all the guys clocked out so there is no one here to go jump start her car, wherever she is.
Had a guy come up and I give my standard "May I help you?" riff. He answers back, Got this week's lottery numbers? I reply joking back, You think I would be here if I knew lottery numbers. He says, You asked if you could help me. Sorry, I say. Then he says tonight could be worse. I reply, Of couse it can. He tells me that he was just joking with me and I need to lighten up. Okay, whatever. Next he wants any car with satellite radio. Don't have satellite radio in our cars anymore. Since when? Since a long time ago, the owner had a dispute with the satellite company so we no longer provide that service. Driver's license please. He says he had a dispute with the owner and don't carry that anymore. Just joking. Okay. Check name on license and give it back. Oh you're serious about the satellite radio, I thought you were joking. No, I'm not joking about the satellite radio. Give him the selection of cars and send him on his way.
Come home and the kitties need attention. Post later.
Last night, I was trying to pick up Precious from a lawn chair on my balcony so I can shut the door and go to bed. That weasel curled up on his tummy flipped over onto his back to start meowing and scratching at me trying to get my hands under him. So I picked up the lawn chair and carry it inside with Precious's confused "What is happening" look on his face. Then shut then door.
Today one of the guys came in and said a returned car was wrecked. We are positive it didn't go out that way. My coworker who returned it was certain the guy didn't mention it to him. So we get to write up a damage tag and copy the rental contract for the owner to deal with.
Even better is a coworker who received a text message from his wife saying she spent $108 at the beauty parlor getting her hair done, cause she has to look beautiful. He wondered where she went cause they don't live on Rodeo Drive.
Had a disaster relief lady call complaining she can't open the car door, but pulled out the key in the remote and got in. Now the car won't start cause it's dead. I recommend roadside cause they offer more services than we do and give the number. Then she wants to know how does she pay for the service roadside does for her. I explained roadside put charges on her bill that she pays when she returns. Now she gets mad that she shouldn't have to pay for anything cause the car won't start and she works for the government. Then why is she asking how does she pay if she shouldn't be charged? I look her up and she did select the car insurance covering the car and explained she is covered for damage to the car. That satisfied her enough to call roadside and she is unnerved that I'm not helping her in her hour of need. I explain again that roadside offers more services than we do. I think all the guys clocked out so there is no one here to go jump start her car, wherever she is.
Had a guy come up and I give my standard "May I help you?" riff. He answers back, Got this week's lottery numbers? I reply joking back, You think I would be here if I knew lottery numbers. He says, You asked if you could help me. Sorry, I say. Then he says tonight could be worse. I reply, Of couse it can. He tells me that he was just joking with me and I need to lighten up. Okay, whatever. Next he wants any car with satellite radio. Don't have satellite radio in our cars anymore. Since when? Since a long time ago, the owner had a dispute with the satellite company so we no longer provide that service. Driver's license please. He says he had a dispute with the owner and don't carry that anymore. Just joking. Okay. Check name on license and give it back. Oh you're serious about the satellite radio, I thought you were joking. No, I'm not joking about the satellite radio. Give him the selection of cars and send him on his way.
Come home and the kitties need attention. Post later.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Excitement at the airport
We had a bit of excitement today: the revolving door caught fire. First there was a short beep of the fire alarm that quickly stopped. Thought maybe another kid pulled the alarm. Then I saw a red flash through the glass doors and ran to look outside to see nothing unusual. Thought maybe it was the security car making someone move their car. Next I smelled burnt rubber and wondered where it was coming from. Several minutes later, there are about five firefighters in their fire gear all staring at the revolving door. Lady said some wires in the center of the door caught fire and sizzled smoke causing the door to shut down. That would explain the smell.
I thought I was losing my mind when I kept hearing a dog barking, but couldn't see a dog anywhere. Asked the counter next door and she heard it too, but couldn't see the dog or carrier anywhere either. I think it was some bored counter guys cause I heard some bad imitations of a dog too.
Then we had a storm come in and no flights landing for half hour. And finally some guy try to tell me he is a special club member and gets a car no matter what. He used a weird word to describe special so I know he is not a member if he doesn't know the lingo. We do have an elite member that gets reservation in when calling 24 hours in advance. Less than 24 hours means nothing to me when I have no cars. And I refuse to tell my last reservation customer that he can't have his car he reserved months ago because a club member demanded it. He had a reservation with the counter next door but didn't like the price. I left my coworker one car that needs an oil change.
Later.
I thought I was losing my mind when I kept hearing a dog barking, but couldn't see a dog anywhere. Asked the counter next door and she heard it too, but couldn't see the dog or carrier anywhere either. I think it was some bored counter guys cause I heard some bad imitations of a dog too.
Then we had a storm come in and no flights landing for half hour. And finally some guy try to tell me he is a special club member and gets a car no matter what. He used a weird word to describe special so I know he is not a member if he doesn't know the lingo. We do have an elite member that gets reservation in when calling 24 hours in advance. Less than 24 hours means nothing to me when I have no cars. And I refuse to tell my last reservation customer that he can't have his car he reserved months ago because a club member demanded it. He had a reservation with the counter next door but didn't like the price. I left my coworker one car that needs an oil change.
Later.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
New scam
I heard on the news of a new scam proving thieves never take vacations.
Person calls up claiming to be your utility company. Person informs you that your last payment wasn't received so your electricity will be cut off tomorrow unless you pay now. The victims give out their credit card numbers and the thieves charge it. How they figured out they were scammed wasn't part of the story.
Apparently these people don't have internet access to check if their last payment was not received or check if their mailed check was cashed.
Post later. Bye!
Person calls up claiming to be your utility company. Person informs you that your last payment wasn't received so your electricity will be cut off tomorrow unless you pay now. The victims give out their credit card numbers and the thieves charge it. How they figured out they were scammed wasn't part of the story.
Apparently these people don't have internet access to check if their last payment was not received or check if their mailed check was cashed.
Post later. Bye!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Bad day
Got out the cat carrier and Precious ran under the bed and Frodo went under a chair. Dragged Precious to the vet for our missed shot. Two dogs are waiting for their owner to pay their bill. Dogs go crazy and owner and vet nurse hold them back on their leases. Precious is panting in terror crouched down in his carrier. I give my name to the nurse. So we are here for rabies and distemper shot. Wait a moment, we got all the shots taken care of on our last visit two weeks ago. I got a notice saying our distemper shot was overdue. Rabies and distemper are the same shot, we got our rabies certificate but somebody didn't mark down the distemper was done in their computer system. So we can go home. Precious was traumatized for nothing. I said, See you next year, and went home.
Let Precious out on the grass and he follows me upstairs to get Frodo. Frodo jumps on the fridge afraid of the carrier. He probably thought he's next. Next month he will be. Take our walk outside and come back after an hour. They preferred the cooled stairwell from the neighbors running their A/C. I have been running the ceiling fans. It cools down at night so I feel A/C unnecessary.
Called Mom to wish her Happy Birthday. I marked the calendar wrong last Christmas. Birthday is today. She felt unwell and didn't celebrate it, not even cake. I asked if she turned 80 today (I'm so mean to my mama). She joked back she feels like it some days. She is 69 today.
Let Precious out on the grass and he follows me upstairs to get Frodo. Frodo jumps on the fridge afraid of the carrier. He probably thought he's next. Next month he will be. Take our walk outside and come back after an hour. They preferred the cooled stairwell from the neighbors running their A/C. I have been running the ceiling fans. It cools down at night so I feel A/C unnecessary.
Called Mom to wish her Happy Birthday. I marked the calendar wrong last Christmas. Birthday is today. She felt unwell and didn't celebrate it, not even cake. I asked if she turned 80 today (I'm so mean to my mama). She joked back she feels like it some days. She is 69 today.
Whoopsie
You might find this amusing. Last night I forgot to feed my cats. I always wait for them to grab their last morsels of food before changing it (I toss the old dry cat food back in the tub and measure the next day's dose). I wake up early the next morning to find the food bowls are picked clean, there is always food leftover, and I forgot to give the can food cause that wasn't out either. My poor babies, I thought they were meowing all night to go outside as usual. I fill the bowls and scrape out the can food. They were very hungry. I'm sure my cats would starve or start eating me if I died in my sleep.
Then I forgot to bring the canvas bags for my grocery shopping. Otherwise had a quiet day off with the cats sleeping all afternoon. Our walk was about 20 minutes when Frodo ran back upstairs and dragged Precious back up. I think too many neighbors walking to their cars disturbed Frodo. Only one dog owner came out. One neighbor was startled when she opened the front door and Precious rushed in passed her feet. Sorry, he has to investigate the noise, I said. Then Frodo chased Precious up a tree and followed right behind him up the tree trunk.
Tried to brush Precious but Frodo had to pounce into play mode. Precious does the same thing when I try to play with Frodo with the fishing pole or flinging ponytail holders. They chase each other across the apartment jumping on all the furniture and cat towers knocking everything unstable over, like the foot rest to my rocking chair and candle holders on the coffee table.
Post later.
Then I forgot to bring the canvas bags for my grocery shopping. Otherwise had a quiet day off with the cats sleeping all afternoon. Our walk was about 20 minutes when Frodo ran back upstairs and dragged Precious back up. I think too many neighbors walking to their cars disturbed Frodo. Only one dog owner came out. One neighbor was startled when she opened the front door and Precious rushed in passed her feet. Sorry, he has to investigate the noise, I said. Then Frodo chased Precious up a tree and followed right behind him up the tree trunk.
Tried to brush Precious but Frodo had to pounce into play mode. Precious does the same thing when I try to play with Frodo with the fishing pole or flinging ponytail holders. They chase each other across the apartment jumping on all the furniture and cat towers knocking everything unstable over, like the foot rest to my rocking chair and candle holders on the coffee table.
Post later.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Funny one
I was vacuuming the floor when the car rental next door guy started yelling my name. I turn it off and turn around. Lady at the counter said "I thought you were the cleaning lady". I reply, "I'm multi-talented". Even better, when he was yelling my name, the lady kept looking back at him wondering how he knew her name. My name is her name too.
Let's see, car cleaner brings clean car over and leaves the keys in the car with the engine running. It is a kind that has the keyless ignition thing, so the actual keys have to be somewhere in the car. Personally, I would have demanded the car washer empty his pockets before calling a locksmith. The locksmith came to open the door before it ran out fo gas.
I'm starting to think some of our disaster relief people have developed Name Brand Addiction. Had a guy want a car cause he just returned one from another company. Sold out. What does that mean? It means that I don't have cars w/out a reservation. Oh, so I have to call my travel agent to make a reservation for me. Yeah, that's what I'm saying. I point out that 3 other companies have their Cars Available signs out on their counters, he can rent from them. But he don't want a car from someone else, he wants one from me cause we rent from you all the time. Don't have cars. And I know for a fact every counter at this airport is renting half or more of their cars for disaster relief so I know my company is not the only company these organizations have accounts with.
Had a line build up to about 6 people because two sets of renters couldn't decide if they wanted insurance or not. I'm standing there with people getting in line behind them thinking, Just pick one. One guy had to argue that my quote was not what the telephone guy said. Well, the telephone guy did not have insurance or an additional driver or the upgrade to a bigger car in the reservation. And I don't know which insurance he was quoted, there are 3 kinds. He didn't know either. Then this guy suffered the delusion that if someone else hits his car, he don't have to pay for it so didn't really need to purchase our insurance. I explained he is responsible for the vehicle and by law the company covers liability to a point, but the insurance company goes after the customer for what they pay out. You don't get away with smashing our car or striking someone else's. That is why we offer insurance so you don't have to pay and why it is not cheap.
Had a stupid guy just print the screen from a website of listed rates and claimed that it was his reservation. I point out on the sheet where he had to hit with his mouse "Make my reservation" to make a reservation, this is not a reservation and there is no reservation confirming he has one. He didn't know that, he thought that's all he had to do. No. I have no cars w/out a reservation (And I'm not matching this rate if I did). Pointed out a car rental with cars available sign out and he says he is not renting from us ever again. Ok. I'm not the one who can't read.
People are so funny. So how's your day. Later.
Let's see, car cleaner brings clean car over and leaves the keys in the car with the engine running. It is a kind that has the keyless ignition thing, so the actual keys have to be somewhere in the car. Personally, I would have demanded the car washer empty his pockets before calling a locksmith. The locksmith came to open the door before it ran out fo gas.
I'm starting to think some of our disaster relief people have developed Name Brand Addiction. Had a guy want a car cause he just returned one from another company. Sold out. What does that mean? It means that I don't have cars w/out a reservation. Oh, so I have to call my travel agent to make a reservation for me. Yeah, that's what I'm saying. I point out that 3 other companies have their Cars Available signs out on their counters, he can rent from them. But he don't want a car from someone else, he wants one from me cause we rent from you all the time. Don't have cars. And I know for a fact every counter at this airport is renting half or more of their cars for disaster relief so I know my company is not the only company these organizations have accounts with.
Had a line build up to about 6 people because two sets of renters couldn't decide if they wanted insurance or not. I'm standing there with people getting in line behind them thinking, Just pick one. One guy had to argue that my quote was not what the telephone guy said. Well, the telephone guy did not have insurance or an additional driver or the upgrade to a bigger car in the reservation. And I don't know which insurance he was quoted, there are 3 kinds. He didn't know either. Then this guy suffered the delusion that if someone else hits his car, he don't have to pay for it so didn't really need to purchase our insurance. I explained he is responsible for the vehicle and by law the company covers liability to a point, but the insurance company goes after the customer for what they pay out. You don't get away with smashing our car or striking someone else's. That is why we offer insurance so you don't have to pay and why it is not cheap.
Had a stupid guy just print the screen from a website of listed rates and claimed that it was his reservation. I point out on the sheet where he had to hit with his mouse "Make my reservation" to make a reservation, this is not a reservation and there is no reservation confirming he has one. He didn't know that, he thought that's all he had to do. No. I have no cars w/out a reservation (And I'm not matching this rate if I did). Pointed out a car rental with cars available sign out and he says he is not renting from us ever again. Ok. I'm not the one who can't read.
People are so funny. So how's your day. Later.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Rebellious cat
I thought I was making progress with the cats outside. We spend 2 hours outside and after an hour or the two, they return to the door to go home. So on my work days I took them out w/out harnesses. First day they came back after 2 hours. Next day Precious was ready to go inside after 1 hour and 45 minutes, but Frodo was not. I called that bugger for 45 minutes and I hear his squeaks, but no Frodo appeared. I was 3 minutes late for work. Come home to lightening in sky and positive he will come in when it starts raining. Called him when I got home and he was at the back door and came around the building to the front door where I was. He was very thristy and hungry. It rained an hour after I got home. Good thing I didn't have a late flight like the night before when some jerk asked to make a long distance call on my put in the drawer business phone when I didn't have change and then on my personal cell phone when I said no. He couldn't hear the public phone very well. Hello, you're in an airport. I told him the phone takes credit cards.
Today the cats ran away when I grabbed the harness. Back to square one. So I sit here eating my fish sticks and fries and they enjoy napping on the carpet. Later.
Today the cats ran away when I grabbed the harness. Back to square one. So I sit here eating my fish sticks and fries and they enjoy napping on the carpet. Later.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Strange compliment
A guy at work told me I smelled real nice, what was I wearing? Me, I answered. Yes you, he said, what are you wearing. I'm not wearing perfume so you are smelling me. OH. OK, you can call it "I took a shower and washed my hair." No scented soap, shampoo, or lotion so I don't what he smells. Then I thought of the period I'm having but guys get all squeamish with talk of women's stuff so I kept quiet. Want to know the weird part. I ran out of perfume last week and haven't replaced it yet.
Coworker brought in her new 6-week-old kitten that looks just like Frodo. I had to check my photo of him in my wallet to compare. The kitten named Normal (Norm or Normie for short) has more white fur around the nose, but otherwise looks like Frodo. And I keep getting interupted with customers. He was so soft and climbed up on my shoulder. Frodo did that the first time I took him outside. They might be related. Then he jumped down onto the counter and hid behind the time clock. She has a cat named Freak who earns his name, Shady, and Kitty that hides all the time. I think her cat Buster died a while ago, or a cat died a while ago. I said, We shall see how long he stays normal around her cats. She laughed. Better go to bed now.
Coworker brought in her new 6-week-old kitten that looks just like Frodo. I had to check my photo of him in my wallet to compare. The kitten named Normal (Norm or Normie for short) has more white fur around the nose, but otherwise looks like Frodo. And I keep getting interupted with customers. He was so soft and climbed up on my shoulder. Frodo did that the first time I took him outside. They might be related. Then he jumped down onto the counter and hid behind the time clock. She has a cat named Freak who earns his name, Shady, and Kitty that hides all the time. I think her cat Buster died a while ago, or a cat died a while ago. I said, We shall see how long he stays normal around her cats. She laughed. Better go to bed now.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Latest news this week
My niece's daycare/preschool made the news. Today a news station came by to take pictures and interview the staff. The reason: They have been vandalized twice. The second time the police were called. They believe it is gang related.
Since school is out my sister got a part-time aide job at my niece's preschool. They picked her right away cause she has teaching experience. My sister is a school librarian who also teaches computer classes. Every summer she gets a everyday joe job to keep from getting too bored relaxing at home all summer. Tonight she had to call a mother about her son being put in time out this afternoon. Boys are naturally active and noisy, but there are times they need to be quiet. Half the day is play so it is not like they are deprived of chatting with their friends, shouting is just not acceptable in confined areas inside. The mother understood.
I had to rescue my sister yesterday. Her husband and her switched cars. Bad idea since the car he drove got a ticket for license plate expired. He works in downtown where meter maids are always writing tickets until they run out of paper. Husband didn't leave the keys to her car so her daycare person drove her home. She called from home for me to pick her up with the keys and take her to daycare to get the car. When I showed up 20 minutes later, the guy for the painting estimate was in the driveway claiming he rang the bell but no one has answered. Plus my sister's keys were in the door, which is very unsafe. He asked if I was her daughter. No, her sister, her daughter is four, I replied. Called her cell from my cell to find out where she was, she said she would be watching in the window. She had fallen asleep. So takes the paint man around to show what she wants painted. Then we are ready to go. Go to the car and she can't find the keys. Maybe set them down talking to the guy. Go back to her house. No keys. Double checks her purse and around the seat to see if they fell out. They were under my purse. Go back to the car and make it back home.
Now my cat story of the week. Frodo was napping in the tallest cat tower (there are three). Precious jumps up and squashes Frodo trying to fit in the space. Not enough room for both cats. So after some growling and scratching from Frodo, Precious jumps down and sleeps on another tower.
Nothing else to report. Post later.
Since school is out my sister got a part-time aide job at my niece's preschool. They picked her right away cause she has teaching experience. My sister is a school librarian who also teaches computer classes. Every summer she gets a everyday joe job to keep from getting too bored relaxing at home all summer. Tonight she had to call a mother about her son being put in time out this afternoon. Boys are naturally active and noisy, but there are times they need to be quiet. Half the day is play so it is not like they are deprived of chatting with their friends, shouting is just not acceptable in confined areas inside. The mother understood.
I had to rescue my sister yesterday. Her husband and her switched cars. Bad idea since the car he drove got a ticket for license plate expired. He works in downtown where meter maids are always writing tickets until they run out of paper. Husband didn't leave the keys to her car so her daycare person drove her home. She called from home for me to pick her up with the keys and take her to daycare to get the car. When I showed up 20 minutes later, the guy for the painting estimate was in the driveway claiming he rang the bell but no one has answered. Plus my sister's keys were in the door, which is very unsafe. He asked if I was her daughter. No, her sister, her daughter is four, I replied. Called her cell from my cell to find out where she was, she said she would be watching in the window. She had fallen asleep. So takes the paint man around to show what she wants painted. Then we are ready to go. Go to the car and she can't find the keys. Maybe set them down talking to the guy. Go back to her house. No keys. Double checks her purse and around the seat to see if they fell out. They were under my purse. Go back to the car and make it back home.
Now my cat story of the week. Frodo was napping in the tallest cat tower (there are three). Precious jumps up and squashes Frodo trying to fit in the space. Not enough room for both cats. So after some growling and scratching from Frodo, Precious jumps down and sleeps on another tower.
Nothing else to report. Post later.
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Today's events
Two people at the car rental next door can't get along and both complain at my counter about the other. I'm a good sympathetic ear who doesn't get involved in other people's fights. That would be the manager's problem to deal with.
Lady returns her car complaining that she had an understanding with the agent she rented the car from that she would waive the upgrade fee she originally charged. She showed me her original rental contract showing what the final charges should be. She didn't bother to show the second car contract that she is returning now with the higher total printed on it and I know my coworker would have given to her. Apparently she didn't recall I was present when she rented her car so I know she is lying through her teeth. She didn't like the car we gave her and demanded another. We had none the same size category so she had to pay for the larger car. She screamed and yelled threatening to call customer service cause this was so unfair. If she wants a larger car she has to pay for it. She leaves and comes back wanting the larger car. My coworker even called the manager about it and she backs up my coworker. Lady never called customer service. I explain to lady I do not have the authority to remove a upgrade charge, she must speak to the top manager or call customer service.
She demands I call the manager now. Sure. Explain I have customer disputing an upgrade charge. Upgrade stands. OK. Lady wants to speak to her. Hand the phone over and manager explains that we have her signature on the second contract with the upgrade fee on it and that is a legally binding contract if she wants to fight over the fact her first car contract she signed didn't have the fee on it. She tells my manger our company sucks, really sucks, she is never renting from us again, you're a bunch of...(she didn't say the b-word but we suspect it was coming), she and the other employee better start looking for other jobs cause she is going to have them fired for this, and then hangs up on my manager slamming the phone down. She takes her luggage and storms off. I checked later on our system to see if she called customer service as threaten muliple times. Nope.
And finally I get a snippy roadside service gal arguing over my declaration that I have no cars to do a car exchange. Oh, you can't look up when another car will be returning that can be used for this exchange, but you can look up how many cars you have on your computer. I know what is in my inventory. Keys tell me that. Computer only tells me what we have including cars that are damaged, needs oil change, held for another lcoation to pick up, etc. My computer only shows the car class and time of my returns, no specifics like car numbers or owning city. She will just have to accept I don't have a car to give her. Besides that if one car does return there is nobody here to cleaned tonight and it could be held for a reservation too.
I'm done ranting. Frodo wants attention. Post later.
Lady returns her car complaining that she had an understanding with the agent she rented the car from that she would waive the upgrade fee she originally charged. She showed me her original rental contract showing what the final charges should be. She didn't bother to show the second car contract that she is returning now with the higher total printed on it and I know my coworker would have given to her. Apparently she didn't recall I was present when she rented her car so I know she is lying through her teeth. She didn't like the car we gave her and demanded another. We had none the same size category so she had to pay for the larger car. She screamed and yelled threatening to call customer service cause this was so unfair. If she wants a larger car she has to pay for it. She leaves and comes back wanting the larger car. My coworker even called the manager about it and she backs up my coworker. Lady never called customer service. I explain to lady I do not have the authority to remove a upgrade charge, she must speak to the top manager or call customer service.
She demands I call the manager now. Sure. Explain I have customer disputing an upgrade charge. Upgrade stands. OK. Lady wants to speak to her. Hand the phone over and manager explains that we have her signature on the second contract with the upgrade fee on it and that is a legally binding contract if she wants to fight over the fact her first car contract she signed didn't have the fee on it. She tells my manger our company sucks, really sucks, she is never renting from us again, you're a bunch of...(she didn't say the b-word but we suspect it was coming), she and the other employee better start looking for other jobs cause she is going to have them fired for this, and then hangs up on my manager slamming the phone down. She takes her luggage and storms off. I checked later on our system to see if she called customer service as threaten muliple times. Nope.
And finally I get a snippy roadside service gal arguing over my declaration that I have no cars to do a car exchange. Oh, you can't look up when another car will be returning that can be used for this exchange, but you can look up how many cars you have on your computer. I know what is in my inventory. Keys tell me that. Computer only tells me what we have including cars that are damaged, needs oil change, held for another lcoation to pick up, etc. My computer only shows the car class and time of my returns, no specifics like car numbers or owning city. She will just have to accept I don't have a car to give her. Besides that if one car does return there is nobody here to cleaned tonight and it could be held for a reservation too.
I'm done ranting. Frodo wants attention. Post later.
Friday, July 04, 2008
Happy 4th of July
The firecrackers are starting to die down now. Worked all day and saw a few fireworks driving home. Not much business today. Had a guy at the car rental next door that said he coworker arrived 5-6 hours late, called the city manager to leave an hour early, and then asked to make up the hours later in the week. I said she must kissing the right butts not to be fired for that.
New smoking bans took effect causing my coworkers to walk further away to smoke their cigarettes. Which means to me that I can't page them back to the counter if and when I get busy. They don't take their cell phones with them. Had to call the manager about an exchange somebody wanted and I didn't have any cars to exchange with, what do I do since nobody is here to help me? And he explained that I don't understand, He works for the Government, here for our floods, so he gets whatever he damn well pleases. We still have no cars to give him no matter who his employer is. Luckily my manager was home and said to call roadside assistance or the renting lcoation, cause have nothing to give him. I told him to call tomorrow to see if anything checks in.
Better go to bed now. Another long day ahead. Later.
New smoking bans took effect causing my coworkers to walk further away to smoke their cigarettes. Which means to me that I can't page them back to the counter if and when I get busy. They don't take their cell phones with them. Had to call the manager about an exchange somebody wanted and I didn't have any cars to exchange with, what do I do since nobody is here to help me? And he explained that I don't understand, He works for the Government, here for our floods, so he gets whatever he damn well pleases. We still have no cars to give him no matter who his employer is. Luckily my manager was home and said to call roadside assistance or the renting lcoation, cause have nothing to give him. I told him to call tomorrow to see if anything checks in.
Better go to bed now. Another long day ahead. Later.
Back to vet
I received a notice that Precious is overdue for his distemper shot (canine flu). Strange, we just went last week for his yearly booster shots. He got the feline leukemia (virus not cancer) and rabies shots last week. Last year I didn't have to go back twice. Weirdoes.
Not much happened my days off. Pick about 20 burs out of Precious's tail, legs, belly, and chest yesterday. It was an ongoing process finding more when I thought I got them all.
When coloring pictures with my niece, she found a Thanksgiving picture from preschool and wanted to get ready for Thanksgiving by gluing hearts on paper and draw pictures of turkeys. I told Thanksgiving is long ways off. She said, Nooooooooo and got upset. Ok, Thanksgiving's tomorrow.
Opened the box for the vacuum cleaner and swept the floors to the cats' displeasure. When cleaning the kitchen rugs, Frodo jumped down from the top of the cupboards and ran off. That was quite a jump. Cats love to jump in the box. Except the time I was combing Precious and he rolled off the coffee table to fall in the box, jumped out of the box to attack a mouse and ball on the floor.
Have to work 4th of July so I'll be missing everything, but that's okay I need the money. Had a guy heading to my hometown and upset it wasn't on the map. I drew the road and made a dot where it is.
Well better go comb Precious. With this heat, I have to brush and comb every day. Later.
Not much happened my days off. Pick about 20 burs out of Precious's tail, legs, belly, and chest yesterday. It was an ongoing process finding more when I thought I got them all.
When coloring pictures with my niece, she found a Thanksgiving picture from preschool and wanted to get ready for Thanksgiving by gluing hearts on paper and draw pictures of turkeys. I told Thanksgiving is long ways off. She said, Nooooooooo and got upset. Ok, Thanksgiving's tomorrow.
Opened the box for the vacuum cleaner and swept the floors to the cats' displeasure. When cleaning the kitchen rugs, Frodo jumped down from the top of the cupboards and ran off. That was quite a jump. Cats love to jump in the box. Except the time I was combing Precious and he rolled off the coffee table to fall in the box, jumped out of the box to attack a mouse and ball on the floor.
Have to work 4th of July so I'll be missing everything, but that's okay I need the money. Had a guy heading to my hometown and upset it wasn't on the map. I drew the road and made a dot where it is.
Well better go comb Precious. With this heat, I have to brush and comb every day. Later.
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