New tires

Got new tires on my car and my oil changed at an Express service place recommended by a friend at work. The lady I first spoke to I asked to also check the brakes from shaking that comes and goes. In a terse manner she explained they don't do brake work here. OK, apparently she didn't go to mechanic school where she could decipher the cause of car issues by simply looking at the damn engine. She then told me the brake pads get wet from rain and stick like that to make it shake and nothing to worry about, just dry out the brake pads. How does one dry out brake pads? Then she looked behind the front wheel to explain my rotors were fine and she can't see the brake pads from outside the car (Duh, I knew that part though friend later said you can see them from the front with the hood down). Everything with brakes are fine. Well, when you pop the hood to change the oil can you just look at the brake pads? Now she is ready to give me new wipers (don't need them), a new air filter, (no idea what that is), and oil filters (self-explanatory). So ordered new tires and an oil change with new air filter if needed and oil filters if needed. Go shopping inside and hear my name over the PA.

The bill was awful cheap for new tires and oil change. Then I had to argue about the tires cuz they didn't want to put them on, it will take an hour or two. I got time, put them on, I can make an appointment to get them replaced next week if I must. All 4 replaced? Yes, they are 9 years and 7 months old, look like crap, I will pay and wait to have them replaced. Ok, pushy customer riff works with these retards. Ok, check to see what tires my car needs and ask what kind do I want. The cheapest?? Don't have them. OK, next cheapest. Have 9 in stock. How many tires do I want. 4, if they have them. 4, I want 4 tires? Ok, the guy stops arguing and gives me what I'm demanding. My driving is quite smoother with new tires and it only took half hour change them.

According to the bill they checked the lights and swept the front floor. Looks a little weird with the rest all dirty but whatever. Went to sister's for laundry and recite my experience. Sister said she doesn't have many good experiences either. Friend said the shaking and occasional squeak is the brake pads or boots or whatever needs replacing and it is going to be expensive. Great another mechanic trip. You think it is my lack of knowledge or the mechanic's customer service with someone w/out knowledge makes every trip to mechanics make me have no desire to return. The only good experience I've had was with 2nd cousin, I explain my issue or recite what Dad said to have done and Viola!, he fixed it w/out more discussion. Maybe I'll call him about the brakes.

Later.

Dr Phil quote

I watching Dr Phil on Oprah and running through his famous quotes one stuck out in my mind. He said he wished every abused person in the country would stand up to their abusers and say So you had a bad childhood, get over it; if you need therapy, get it; just get off my ass.

Very good thought, but it is practical when your mother is smashing your face against the kitchen table until you collapse unconscious on the floor with blood gushing out of your nose. And why did she do that. She can't remember but I must have done something to make her mad.

Later.

Sleepover

Niece and I had a sleepover. They found missing cat last week, spent 4 nights outside under the deck. She meowed while they were outside. She was dirty but fine and hungry. Niece was ready with her bag packed and had to take out everything to show me what she packed. Said good bye to Mommy and Daddy. Off to a store for their charity event. Bring used clothes in to receive coupons to get 30% off your purchase. I bought an outfit for my niece and myself, all on sale. Some of my clothes are getting holes in them so I do need a few new clothes. Then off to the grocery store. Watched a movie after supper and went to bed. Read stories and Precious tries to cuddle with neice but she pulls away. Then Frodo jumps on the bed. For someone excited over my cats she doesn't pet them much or want to snuggle with them.

Next morning we take Precious outside, eat lunch, and pick up before leaving. Watch movies until Mommy comes home. Show off the new outfit, Mommy approves. Tell all we did and finish laundry. Time to go. Back home cuddling with cats. I'm gone a few hours and they are starving for attention. Later.

What a day

I woke up to hammers and electric saw wondering what the neighbors below me did to the apartment. Precious had to investigate and saw they were working in the master bedroom.

Go to work and come back home to discover Patrick Swayze had passed. Everyone I know is depressed.

RIP Patrick Swayze. He sailed into our hearts and out into eternity.

Later.

Woe is me

I wake up bright eyed and bushy tailed, take Precious for a walk, and thought I was having a good day Wrong!I just wanted a drink of pop when the cafeteria cup lid flew off causing me to suddenly squeeze it and tipping it enough to spill all over the counter. Went through a bunch of paper towels and drenched the printer. It is now broken. Then had to borrow from my coworker to get a refill cuz I had 2 inches left. Even better I stand forever cuz my chair got wet.

And then the icing on the cake. I'm told I have to rent from the far lot where we return cars cuz we have too many customers coming in after the car washers leave. Let the whining begin. Why do I get punished going to a faraway lot, why can't you bring it to the door, why can't I have a car in near lot, what's wrong with you people don't you know anything about customer service, what happens if I can't start the engine I have to walk all the way back here.

And next, I miss Mira Sorvino. Her husband rented a car from the car rental next door but I was too busy to notice her walking around. Darn it. Back home again ready for bed. Later.

Adventures of the day

Talked to a janitor today as he picked up the trash. He commented how chatty I am since most people are so quiet. I almost apologized for being too friendly.

Had a prisoner transfer cop picking up his car and asked where the jail was. Never been there so I don't know. He complimented me on that. I commented how that would be a question for my coworkers. Oh, where are they. They're gone, probably at the bar. He said I had a nice sense of humor. At least he got the joke. A friend said a few days ago a group of 6 cops brought in a guy arrested in Denver for a murder he commited here. I think it was on the news.

Gave Precious full body massage and scratching, talk about needy. He must over his flea med trauma where he ran away from me all day. Frodo can't handle that much handling, scratch on the neck is satisfactory.

Learn a new thing. If you dream about snakes you have a man in your life and if it dies the relationship will end. Never dreamed about snakes, not even when I thought I was getting married. And no I don't miss My Favorite Martian.

Well, later.

Is there a contest?

Is there a contest to be my worst customer and get on my blog. I noticed customers are nastier than usual and Labor Day is over.

On Labor Day, I was tempted to call security for car rental next door from all the screaming at the car rental agent going on. One customer started shouting at someone in their backroom to help the solo agent at the counter. A car washer is not qualified to rent cars, he was picking up his paycheck in the backroom after dropping keys off and heading back outside to wash more cars. The people standing in line are welcome to drive filthy cars covered in spilled drinks and food crumbs, it will give them something else to complain about. I think a manager outside came in to help him shorten his line.

This week I get 3 people complaining about the their cars smelling like smoke. They thought Iowa Law says you can't smoke in rental cars. What would you like me to do, handcuff myself to every customer to make sure they don't smoke in it? We can't control what customers do in their cars. We have drug runners and bank robbers rent our cars, you really think we approve of that. Even if we threaten with fees if the car smells like cigarettes, people will complain they shouldn't have to pay it cuz the prior renter or one of our car washers smoked in it, it wasn't them. People think they shouldn't have to pay for damage someone else caused or pay for parking tickets. Plus with the recession, we have been buying used cars to save money so any car could have been smoked in before we got it. How do you expect to get that cigarette smell out of the upholstery? We have air freshner but it only lasts so long.

Had one guy demand to look at his car before I rent it to him. Sure, here's the key to check it out. I trust him with keys? I had his credit card and club info, he wasn't getting a free car if he took off. Ok. Comes back displeased. There are scatches all over (this ain't a car dealership), trunk not big enough, reeks of smoke, blah blah blah whatever. Next he demands his credit card back cause my lowest mileage car wasn't good enough and he don't want to hear my excuses. Cancel his reservation cuz he's going to our competition instead. Gave back his stuff to His Highness and said Have A Good Day. I am not allowed to use 4-letter words at my customers.
Later.

I hate people

I am hating people today, well, this past week. What part of I'm broke, I don't have money for rent do these f**kers fail to comprehend.One jerk keeps trying to sell me on bootleg DVDs. Recorded movies don't play on my player. Oh, buy a new one that does play them. I tell him I have no money and he recommends starting my own bootleg DVD business. I try again to explain I have no money and I prefer to stay out of jail. Oh his friend has been bootlegging movies for years and never got caught so I won't either. I finally have to walk away and stop talking to him.

Then another friend thinks I need to start drinking alcohol cuz that's just normal, what is wrong with. I have no money for rent, I have no business spending what little I have on beer. My Mom will not support a drinking habit when I ask for money to buy new tires. Maybe her Mom will, but mine won't.

Then a b***h at work tries to help me out by buying a ton of stuff, with every intention of returning it and get her money back. She is not helping me, she is hurting me. What part of I have to quit, therefore don't buy stuff you don't want, did she not understand. Now I have to zero out my account because of her before I leave, by buying stuff I can't afford cuz no one else is. God what a headache.

I AM BROKE. I know it is hard for some people to accept but deal with it, cause I have to. Stop giving advice and stop helping me.

Happy Birthday to Me

I got a card from Mom an an aunt so far.

Quite a day

Took Frodo to the vet. Thank God no dogs were there waiting. One came out and owner paid the bill, but didn't get too close to Frodo. He started panting in fear in the car. He stayed in his carrier through the brief inspection and shots. Vet nurse scruffed him calling him Mr. Baggins. They had the weight of the carrier on history form so vet nurse joked how he must be a difficult patient. He lost a half pound. Big surprise since had to cut back on the food from Precious overweightness. Now they think Frodo could loose some weight too. That was new. Then we went home and both cats hid under the beds. Torture is over until next year. Now Precious keeps growling at Frodo. Poor Frodo. He hid under a chair when I came back from work.

More adventure at work. A flight got cancelled so 2 less cars I have to cough up. Taking a poll at work on new tire cost. I broke down and informed Mom I will be begging for money in the future for my tires. I'm so lost without Dad when it comes to car maintainence cuz he took care of it and I let him. I even thought of visiting Mom my days off to grab stuff out of her closets since I have more space.

Found out one of the managers quit. I thought my coworker was joking, she's the manager why would she quit. Got email from other manager and it is no joke. Argument with the owner and she split. I thought we were to give 2 weeks notice when quitting. I had to when I went to work for Dillard's. I doubt she has a another job lined up and she has 2 teenage kids. Crazy is what I call it.

I guess a single coworker has a new girlfriend. Woe is me. Everybody but me finds love. They are going on a trip so our coworkers will see her. I asked if we will be saying, What's she doing with him. He laughed. He says she's pretty so we probably will.

Then while working I realized, I forgot to pay my rent. Darn it. I walked over to the office in the dark and wet grass to put it in the night slot. Got my pants wet too. Did it rain today.


Nothing else to report.