Dear NASCAR,
I am a second-generation, lifetime NASCAR fan, and I cannot tell you enough how disappointed I am in the decision to dock every MWR team 50 points, exclude Truex from The Chase, and allow Newman in while you ADMIT that you do not have conclusive evidence that Bowyer's spin was purposeful. Even if you say that the reason for the penalties is the Vickers pit stop, that still makes no sense.
EVERY week a driver/team does something to "manipulate the outcome of a race." What do you call it when a driver let's a teammate lead a lap to gain points? That's actually manipulating the outcome of the SEASON, which would be a much more egregious (in your eyes) violation. Yet it happens all the time. When you start penalising THAT, I'll considering coming back as a fan.
When you look at the restart that Keselowski BLATANTLY jumped during Friday's Richmond NNS race and penalise THAT, I'll considering coming back as a fan. If you want to discuss someone manipulating the outcome of a race this weekend, we should start by discussing that. And there's incontrovertible proof of THAT rules violation.
Let me be VERY clear: I do NOT like Martin Truex, Jr. I am by NO means a fan of Brian Vickers (in fact, I was happy when he returned to the sport -- only so I could continue booing him). And I absolutely CANNOT stand Clint Bowyer. And as for Ryan Newman -- I could take him or leave him. So I am would be one of the last people to have an emotional reaction as far as the drivers in this scenario are concerned. As far as Michael Waltrip goes, I respect his talent as a restrictor-plate racer, but he is far from my favourite. My point is that I have no bias here.
I have been to MANY races in my lifetime. In fact, I regularly travel to be able to go to races, which means that I spend a great deal of money on NASCAR and on being able to follow this hobby and passion. However, tonight's decision has shown me that NASCAR has both a lack of integrity and an inconsistency in enforcing their own rules that I can not support. And I will not spend my time, energy and (most importantly) my money doing so.
Sadly, I will go from supporting NASCAR nearly four days a week from February to November to not at all. I will go from travelling 1500 miles to see at least two races a year to seeing none. NASCAR is losing a great deal of revenue from one fan.
I hope the $300,000 from MWR is worth it.
Signed,
A former fan
09 September 2013
06 September 2013
Oh, by the way...
In 2011, it was my goal to post something to my blog once every day for the entire calendar year. But at some point, I realised that I was posting for the sake of posting.
In 2012, I realised that I wanted my blog to have a direction. So I pondered. And pondered. And pondered.
In 2013, I decided that I would just blog when the mood struck. When I had a book review to share, I would. When I had an exceptional recipe that I was excited about, I would let you know. When I finished a knitting/cross-stitch project and I wanted to show it off, by all means...
But I wouldn't feel pressured. I wanted my blog to be something people WANTED to read -- not something that was a chore to read. And I decided I'd ease back into blog writing. We're into September, and I figure an average of one post every four months should give you plenty of time to catch up.
Let's catch up on a few things that have happened this year, shall we?
I had hip surgery where the surgeon went in and cut some extra bone off of the joint. The rehab is going really well. In fact, the surgeon says I'm MONTHS ahead of schedule! For the first time in YEARS, I'm walking without either a cane or crutches!
I got reunited with a friend I'd lost touch with several years ago. She's local, and we just happened to run into each other on the sidewalk outside of work one day when I was walking to lunch and she was walking to a parking garage to pick up her car.
I got accepted to a doctoral program in my field; it was my second time applying.
I quit my job so I can go back to being a full-time student.
In 2012, I realised that I wanted my blog to have a direction. So I pondered. And pondered. And pondered.
 |
| Wedding blanket finished this summer |
But I wouldn't feel pressured. I wanted my blog to be something people WANTED to read -- not something that was a chore to read. And I decided I'd ease back into blog writing. We're into September, and I figure an average of one post every four months should give you plenty of time to catch up.
Let's catch up on a few things that have happened this year, shall we?
I had hip surgery where the surgeon went in and cut some extra bone off of the joint. The rehab is going really well. In fact, the surgeon says I'm MONTHS ahead of schedule! For the first time in YEARS, I'm walking without either a cane or crutches!
I got reunited with a friend I'd lost touch with several years ago. She's local, and we just happened to run into each other on the sidewalk outside of work one day when I was walking to lunch and she was walking to a parking garage to pick up her car.
I got accepted to a doctoral program in my field; it was my second time applying.
I quit my job so I can go back to being a full-time student.
I just joined three fantasy football teams, each with a different format (not that I'm excited about football season or anything).
But that's pretty much all I've had going since the last time I wrote.
Like I said... I'll just pop in and write when I have something to say.
See you again in another four months!
24 March 2013
My Target Experience
I know I've been pretty quiet on here for over a year. I've been doing a lot of thinking about what I want this blog to look like, and in that time I've been SO quiet that I've also had SO much to say that it got to a point where I didn't know where to start.
Well, after yesterday, I figured I'd just dive right in. Yesterday's experience was so awful, it needs to be discussed. Earlier today, I emailed this to Target's Guest Relation department. Of course, I signed my full name.
---
Hello,
I just called and spoke to Guest Relations about the case 3-873994826 (incidentally, he gave me the wrong email address for contacting you, and I had to look it up online).
As I told the gentleman I spoke to, I have shopped at Target my entire adult life, but after yesterday's experience, I am not sure when I will be shopping at Target again, if ever.
I went to Target to buy a microwave, which turned into a major ordeal. The microwave I bought was a Sharp Carousel. It was over a price label which read "Sharp Microwave 99.99." My friend and I loaded it into the cart, selected a few other items, and then checked out. However, the total seemed too high, so I questioned it. The microwave rang up as $159.99. The cashier asked someone over, and a woman named Nic called back for someone in small electronics to do a price check on the microwave. In a short amount of time, she confirmed that the price was $159.99. We explained that the microwave we bought was over a price tag that read $99.99. She said that she could have someone walk us back and if they confirmed it, they would honour that price.
Although my friend is visibly pregnant and I am disabled (I use a cane), and I didn't really want to walk all the way back, I agreed to walk back to the microwave aisle. The woman who walked back with us agreed with us that the only "Sharp microwave" tag read $99.99 and she walked back with us to the front and told Nic the same thing. Nic then told us that she is only authorised to give a customer $50.00 back, so she would have to escalate this to her manager.
Her manager (Oduda or Odadu) came over and said that she could not do anything for us; the price is $159.99 and that was final. My friend and I were taken aback because this was a complete reversal of everything we had been told thus far. My friend asked if we could at least show her what we were talking about. So, once again, we then had to walk all the way back to the back of the store because of the store's inconsistency. The manager told us at that point that the store can't be held responsible for a customer taking the microwave from where it belonged and putting it in the wrong place. I totally understand this. If a customer takes a product and recovers it improperly, I understand the store not being held responsible for that. My friend then pointed out that there were NO tags in that aisle that read $159.99.
The manager said that microwaves aren't only in that aisle. She said it could be on an endcap, it could be on a sale aisle, it could be anywhere. So we asked her to show us where the microwave was SUPPOSED to be. She said she would do that. She looked it up on her handheld device, and then said, "Oh, actually we show that we have negative one in the store." She then explained to us that meant that a customer had either purchased the microwaved online or at a different store and then returned it to this store. She then repeated that she can't be held responsible for that customer putting the microwave back in the wrong place. I pointed out that the customer returning the item wouldn't have put the item back -- an employee would have. No customer who returns an item to a store puts it back on the aisle. So the store still would be at fault for placing an item in the aisle above the wrong tag -- one that's $60 less than what it actually is. This is simply a deceiving practice, and one that consumers shouldn't have to put up with.
The manager then tried to tell us that it was possible a customer selected the microwave and then wasn't sure if they wanted it until a couple of days later, leading my friend to ask, "So you're saying that a customer carried the microwave around for two or three days before they put it back right above this tag that says 'Sharp Microwave 99.99?"
As you can see, the entire exchange was completely frustrating, ludicrous, and fraught with untruths. She finally said that the bottom line was that there was no way she could discount a product by $60.00. I asked her what she COULD do, and she said she could give me a discount of 20%, which I accepted because I was in paid by that time. However, I maintain that the $99.99 price should have honoured as that was the price that was given in the aisle. It is simply impossible that an employee verified the price in the aisle as Nic told us. An employee verified that that only "Sharp microwave" price tag in the aisle stated "99.99;" we were told that the price would be honoured once we were walked back with an employee and it was verified together (and it was), and this did not happen; and the manager told us stories that simply could not be true.
All in all, this experience was overwhelmingly the worst customer experience I have ever had in any Target. It makes me wonder about the pricing integrity of Target and about Target's policies in dealing with customers as there was very little consistency (if any) between the two managers I spoke to. Since yesterday, I have posted about this experience in various social media platforms, and I hope that I can will be able to post a positive follow-up story after discussing this with Guest Relations.
Sincerely,
Customer
Well, after yesterday, I figured I'd just dive right in. Yesterday's experience was so awful, it needs to be discussed. Earlier today, I emailed this to Target's Guest Relation department. Of course, I signed my full name.
---
Hello,
I just called and spoke to Guest Relations about the case 3-873994826 (incidentally, he gave me the wrong email address for contacting you, and I had to look it up online).
As I told the gentleman I spoke to, I have shopped at Target my entire adult life, but after yesterday's experience, I am not sure when I will be shopping at Target again, if ever.
I went to Target to buy a microwave, which turned into a major ordeal. The microwave I bought was a Sharp Carousel. It was over a price label which read "Sharp Microwave 99.99." My friend and I loaded it into the cart, selected a few other items, and then checked out. However, the total seemed too high, so I questioned it. The microwave rang up as $159.99. The cashier asked someone over, and a woman named Nic called back for someone in small electronics to do a price check on the microwave. In a short amount of time, she confirmed that the price was $159.99. We explained that the microwave we bought was over a price tag that read $99.99. She said that she could have someone walk us back and if they confirmed it, they would honour that price.
Although my friend is visibly pregnant and I am disabled (I use a cane), and I didn't really want to walk all the way back, I agreed to walk back to the microwave aisle. The woman who walked back with us agreed with us that the only "Sharp microwave" tag read $99.99 and she walked back with us to the front and told Nic the same thing. Nic then told us that she is only authorised to give a customer $50.00 back, so she would have to escalate this to her manager.
Her manager (Oduda or Odadu) came over and said that she could not do anything for us; the price is $159.99 and that was final. My friend and I were taken aback because this was a complete reversal of everything we had been told thus far. My friend asked if we could at least show her what we were talking about. So, once again, we then had to walk all the way back to the back of the store because of the store's inconsistency. The manager told us at that point that the store can't be held responsible for a customer taking the microwave from where it belonged and putting it in the wrong place. I totally understand this. If a customer takes a product and recovers it improperly, I understand the store not being held responsible for that. My friend then pointed out that there were NO tags in that aisle that read $159.99.
The manager said that microwaves aren't only in that aisle. She said it could be on an endcap, it could be on a sale aisle, it could be anywhere. So we asked her to show us where the microwave was SUPPOSED to be. She said she would do that. She looked it up on her handheld device, and then said, "Oh, actually we show that we have negative one in the store." She then explained to us that meant that a customer had either purchased the microwaved online or at a different store and then returned it to this store. She then repeated that she can't be held responsible for that customer putting the microwave back in the wrong place. I pointed out that the customer returning the item wouldn't have put the item back -- an employee would have. No customer who returns an item to a store puts it back on the aisle. So the store still would be at fault for placing an item in the aisle above the wrong tag -- one that's $60 less than what it actually is. This is simply a deceiving practice, and one that consumers shouldn't have to put up with.
The manager then tried to tell us that it was possible a customer selected the microwave and then wasn't sure if they wanted it until a couple of days later, leading my friend to ask, "So you're saying that a customer carried the microwave around for two or three days before they put it back right above this tag that says 'Sharp Microwave 99.99?"
As you can see, the entire exchange was completely frustrating, ludicrous, and fraught with untruths. She finally said that the bottom line was that there was no way she could discount a product by $60.00. I asked her what she COULD do, and she said she could give me a discount of 20%, which I accepted because I was in paid by that time. However, I maintain that the $99.99 price should have honoured as that was the price that was given in the aisle. It is simply impossible that an employee verified the price in the aisle as Nic told us. An employee verified that that only "Sharp microwave" price tag in the aisle stated "99.99;" we were told that the price would be honoured once we were walked back with an employee and it was verified together (and it was), and this did not happen; and the manager told us stories that simply could not be true.
All in all, this experience was overwhelmingly the worst customer experience I have ever had in any Target. It makes me wonder about the pricing integrity of Target and about Target's policies in dealing with customers as there was very little consistency (if any) between the two managers I spoke to. Since yesterday, I have posted about this experience in various social media platforms, and I hope that I can will be able to post a positive follow-up story after discussing this with Guest Relations.
Sincerely,
Customer
24 December 2011
Medical Update, Part Floppity Jillion
I thought it was time to stop referring to the "mysterious medical issue," and let y'all in on the secret. I have a little more information now, although not all of it. But first (as the ChenBot would say)...
The update on the hip. It turns out that I DO have a torn hip labrum, but they found out during the latest test they did that I also have a bilateral (both sides of my body) hip deformity. My doctor is consulting with someone he believes is one of the best in the country as far as joint replacements, joint revisions, etc., for next steps. My doctor has discussed the possibility of a hip replacement, an osteotomy (they cut the bone and reshape it - doesn't that sound fun?), and more physiotherapy in the meantime that would be different from what I've been doing thus far. This PT would be less strengthening and more "hands-on and teaching me how to move the bones and muscles." He also discussed another MRI looking specifically at this area (now that we know which area to focus on) and or a CT scan looking at my left foot/ankle/leg since all of that could potentially have been affected over the years since it's all weight-bearing stemming from the hip.
So, those are all the various possibilities, but until he's able to consult with this guy and possibly get me in to see Mr Awesome Doctor myself, I won't really know anything else.
As for the "mystery issue." This spring, I started having a lot of symptoms that made me think my thyroid was acting up again. I called my doctor, we ran the tests, and everything was good. We checked my Vitamin D levels (since I do take prescription Vitamin D, anyway, for a deficiency), and everything was good there. Over the summer, things got worse. But everything my doctor tried diagnostically turned up absolutely nothing. In fact, my thyroid was doing so well that if she suppressed things any more than they already do, I would become hyPERthyroid (instead of hyPOthyroid), which nobody really wants.
She really had two theories, and all of her tests were trying to prove one of the theories wrong because it was something I really didn't want. This week, I went for the results of the last test that she knew to send me to, and it wasn't good. That specialist couldn't find anything wrong with me, either.
So - what's wrong? Well, I've been having irregular periods (as in absent for MONTHS on end), hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, dry eyes... in short, all of the symptoms of menopause. To review, I turn 36 next month, I have no kids, and - yes - I want(ed) kids.
My doctor HAS said that it is an EXTREMELY rare side effect of my birth control pills that they can mimic menopause. So there is still that hope. I could just change pills and everything could be fine. But she doesn't want to do this herself because if I suddenly stop, it could affect my thyroid issues, so she wants me to do this only under the supervision of my endocrinologist, who would be the one to run the definitive hormonal blood tests for menopause anyway. I see the endo the first week in February.
I have been sad since this possibility was mentioned earlier this year, but when I got the latest news on Monday, I have been... well, a lot of crying has been done.
I am well aware of adoption, but at this point, I am single, and in quite a lot of debt from law school and a Master's programme. Adoption isn't cheap, and my health insurance doesn't cover in vitro (yes, I already checked). So. That's where things are.
I am very happy to be going home to my mommy today.
The update on the hip. It turns out that I DO have a torn hip labrum, but they found out during the latest test they did that I also have a bilateral (both sides of my body) hip deformity. My doctor is consulting with someone he believes is one of the best in the country as far as joint replacements, joint revisions, etc., for next steps. My doctor has discussed the possibility of a hip replacement, an osteotomy (they cut the bone and reshape it - doesn't that sound fun?), and more physiotherapy in the meantime that would be different from what I've been doing thus far. This PT would be less strengthening and more "hands-on and teaching me how to move the bones and muscles." He also discussed another MRI looking specifically at this area (now that we know which area to focus on) and or a CT scan looking at my left foot/ankle/leg since all of that could potentially have been affected over the years since it's all weight-bearing stemming from the hip.
So, those are all the various possibilities, but until he's able to consult with this guy and possibly get me in to see Mr Awesome Doctor myself, I won't really know anything else.
As for the "mystery issue." This spring, I started having a lot of symptoms that made me think my thyroid was acting up again. I called my doctor, we ran the tests, and everything was good. We checked my Vitamin D levels (since I do take prescription Vitamin D, anyway, for a deficiency), and everything was good there. Over the summer, things got worse. But everything my doctor tried diagnostically turned up absolutely nothing. In fact, my thyroid was doing so well that if she suppressed things any more than they already do, I would become hyPERthyroid (instead of hyPOthyroid), which nobody really wants.
She really had two theories, and all of her tests were trying to prove one of the theories wrong because it was something I really didn't want. This week, I went for the results of the last test that she knew to send me to, and it wasn't good. That specialist couldn't find anything wrong with me, either.
So - what's wrong? Well, I've been having irregular periods (as in absent for MONTHS on end), hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, dry eyes... in short, all of the symptoms of menopause. To review, I turn 36 next month, I have no kids, and - yes - I want(ed) kids.
My doctor HAS said that it is an EXTREMELY rare side effect of my birth control pills that they can mimic menopause. So there is still that hope. I could just change pills and everything could be fine. But she doesn't want to do this herself because if I suddenly stop, it could affect my thyroid issues, so she wants me to do this only under the supervision of my endocrinologist, who would be the one to run the definitive hormonal blood tests for menopause anyway. I see the endo the first week in February.
I have been sad since this possibility was mentioned earlier this year, but when I got the latest news on Monday, I have been... well, a lot of crying has been done.
I am well aware of adoption, but at this point, I am single, and in quite a lot of debt from law school and a Master's programme. Adoption isn't cheap, and my health insurance doesn't cover in vitro (yes, I already checked). So. That's where things are.
I am very happy to be going home to my mommy today.
18 November 2011
List #35: Quirks I Have
1. Gum must be eaten in sticks of two
If it's not a STICK of gum, it doesn't have to be two of them. Like Hubba Bubba are bigger, so that's okay. And if someone offers me a stick of gum, I'm not going to be rude and demand a second stick just so I can eat it.
2. The Kleenex (yes, actual Kleenex) boxes in my house must match
I have crashed entire Kleenex displays looking for matching boxes. I would even rather have the ugly green box than have mismatched boxes. And I prefer the Kleenex Anti-Viral tissues. Those lotioned tissue creep me out.
3. I have to have at least five SEPTA tokens in my pocket when I leave the house
If I know I'm going more than one round trip, I pack more than five tokens. If I take less than five tokens, I get nervous. I have no idea what I think will happen that will necessitate these extra three tokens, but I must have five.
4. I can't stand to blow my nose in front of other people
If I'm in a restaurant, for instance, I'll excuse myself to the restroom just to do that. One time, I was with a friend and had a cold, and I went to the restroom a few times and he finally asked if I was okay. So I told him I was just blowing my nose. After that, every time we'd go to lunch and I'd go to the restroom, he'd offer me a tissue. Ha ha.
5. French fries should not be eaten solo, but should be eaten with fries of equal length
It doesn't matter how many other fries there are, as long as there isn't only one. If there are no other fries of equal length, just bend a long one in half. Or take a long one and a short one, then bite the long one until it's the same length as the short one. THEN treat them as equal-length fries.
If it's not a STICK of gum, it doesn't have to be two of them. Like Hubba Bubba are bigger, so that's okay. And if someone offers me a stick of gum, I'm not going to be rude and demand a second stick just so I can eat it.
2. The Kleenex (yes, actual Kleenex) boxes in my house must match
I have crashed entire Kleenex displays looking for matching boxes. I would even rather have the ugly green box than have mismatched boxes. And I prefer the Kleenex Anti-Viral tissues. Those lotioned tissue creep me out.
3. I have to have at least five SEPTA tokens in my pocket when I leave the house
If I know I'm going more than one round trip, I pack more than five tokens. If I take less than five tokens, I get nervous. I have no idea what I think will happen that will necessitate these extra three tokens, but I must have five.
4. I can't stand to blow my nose in front of other people
If I'm in a restaurant, for instance, I'll excuse myself to the restroom just to do that. One time, I was with a friend and had a cold, and I went to the restroom a few times and he finally asked if I was okay. So I told him I was just blowing my nose. After that, every time we'd go to lunch and I'd go to the restroom, he'd offer me a tissue. Ha ha.
5. French fries should not be eaten solo, but should be eaten with fries of equal length
It doesn't matter how many other fries there are, as long as there isn't only one. If there are no other fries of equal length, just bend a long one in half. Or take a long one and a short one, then bite the long one until it's the same length as the short one. THEN treat them as equal-length fries.
17 November 2011
Recipe: Poor Man's Chili
1 15-oz can black beans, drained
1 15-oz can garbanzo beans, drained
1 15-oz can kidney beans, drained
1 15-oz can corn, drained
1 24-oz jar prepared pasta sauce
1 cup baby tomatoes (optional, they pop after slow cooking!)
1 t cumin
1 t corriander
1 t tumeric
1 cinnamon stick
Drain the beans and corn, and put the can contents into your crock. Top with tomatoes, if using, and the pasta sauce. Stir in spices, and add cinnamon stick. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours, or on high for about 4. If the tomatoes haven't popped on their own, gently poke them with a wooden spoon to pop before serving.
Notes:
This is shamelessly stolen from this blog.
I didn't have a cinnamon stick, so I substituted 1/2 t of cinnamon. Next time, I would use more. Mom kept cautioning me, "I wouldn't use too much!" but I definitely erred on the wrong side. This was definitely good, and it made enough for lunch for the week.
1 15-oz can garbanzo beans, drained
1 15-oz can kidney beans, drained
1 15-oz can corn, drained
1 24-oz jar prepared pasta sauce
1 cup baby tomatoes (optional, they pop after slow cooking!)
1 t cumin
1 t corriander
1 t tumeric
1 cinnamon stick
Drain the beans and corn, and put the can contents into your crock. Top with tomatoes, if using, and the pasta sauce. Stir in spices, and add cinnamon stick. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours, or on high for about 4. If the tomatoes haven't popped on their own, gently poke them with a wooden spoon to pop before serving.
Notes:
This is shamelessly stolen from this blog.
I didn't have a cinnamon stick, so I substituted 1/2 t of cinnamon. Next time, I would use more. Mom kept cautioning me, "I wouldn't use too much!" but I definitely erred on the wrong side. This was definitely good, and it made enough for lunch for the week.
16 November 2011
Exhausted
Last night, I worked from 7:00 a.m. (my usual start) to 6:45 p.m. (NOT my usual end time). I had a webcast that started at 4:30 p.m., and even though I live only about 20 minutes from work, since I usually leave at 3:00 p.m., it would have been one of those "by the time I go home, it'll be time to head back into work," so it was more productive to stay at the office.
My intent was to only stay on the webcast for a little while (for what I considered "the introductory part"), but for reasons I won't go into for work confidentiality reasons, the introductory part went on and on and on and became The Actual Call.
And then I worked my entire shift today. I had expected to do some work with a co-worker, but that work ended up not being ready (no fault of the co-workers), so I didn't go in late (which I could have done). And since we had a meeting scheduled until my shift end time, I didn't leave early... and then the meeting ended up being cancelled at the last minute. Argh.
Exhausted.
My intent was to only stay on the webcast for a little while (for what I considered "the introductory part"), but for reasons I won't go into for work confidentiality reasons, the introductory part went on and on and on and became The Actual Call.
And then I worked my entire shift today. I had expected to do some work with a co-worker, but that work ended up not being ready (no fault of the co-workers), so I didn't go in late (which I could have done). And since we had a meeting scheduled until my shift end time, I didn't leave early... and then the meeting ended up being cancelled at the last minute. Argh.
Exhausted.
15 November 2011
Preparing for Surgery (really early)
I talked to my physiotherapist, and she said she isn't surprised that my doctor is talking about surgery since there's only so much that physiotherapy can do for a labral tear. The tear will always be there, but the goal of the therapy is to strengthen the muscles around that area to compensate.
But I got to thinking about it, and pretty much everything I do will be affected, especially since I (a) live alone and (b) live on the second floor of a building with no elevator. So even things like taking out the trash will be difficult. I spoke to my neighbour downstairs, and she said that as things get closer, I should let her know, and we might be able to work some things out, like doing our grocery shopping together.
I might be able to work out something with a friend's daughter for things like laundry. She's an undergrad dropout, but I don't know if my friend will be amenable to that since I know she wants her daughter focused on going back to school. Not that helping me out would be a full-time career option, but it would be an excuse for her to procrastinate getting her ducks in a row for going back to school.
And I talked to HR, and I do qualify for short-term disability, as long as I'm out of work for six days or more. I would get 2/3rds of my pay. I can get 100% of my pay if I use sick days, but I don't want to do that since it would be so early in the year.
So, that's where things are thus far. Wheee again.
But I got to thinking about it, and pretty much everything I do will be affected, especially since I (a) live alone and (b) live on the second floor of a building with no elevator. So even things like taking out the trash will be difficult. I spoke to my neighbour downstairs, and she said that as things get closer, I should let her know, and we might be able to work some things out, like doing our grocery shopping together.
I might be able to work out something with a friend's daughter for things like laundry. She's an undergrad dropout, but I don't know if my friend will be amenable to that since I know she wants her daughter focused on going back to school. Not that helping me out would be a full-time career option, but it would be an excuse for her to procrastinate getting her ducks in a row for going back to school.
And I talked to HR, and I do qualify for short-term disability, as long as I'm out of work for six days or more. I would get 2/3rds of my pay. I can get 100% of my pay if I use sick days, but I don't want to do that since it would be so early in the year.
So, that's where things are thus far. Wheee again.
14 November 2011
Book Review: The Sandberg Connection
Private investigator Sam Blackman and his partner (both business and personal) Nakayla Robertson were hired to follow history professor Janice Wainwright to see if her physical activities would belie her claim against a spinal surgeon for malpractice. But this is only the beginning because Janice ends up dying under suspicious circumstances on that trip, and Sam becomes a suspect (as the one nearest her dead body).While he proves his innocence, the autopsy proves Janice's malpractice claim and her estate is broken into. What's stolen? The Sandberg verses that she was researching -- which were also the subject of her last words.
This was an engaging, compelling mystery. Read my full review here.
13 November 2011
Phone Call with My Mom
I did not have a good sports weekend.
I'm still bitter about Mizzou being moved to the SEC. One of my NASCAR drivers is in the hunt for the championship, but he's only in the lead by three points. Another of my drivers is in hot water with his sponsor, NASCAR, and most of the fans, and by their reaction, you'd think he'd ran over all of their grandmothers and boiled their puppies (he didn't, by the way -- just to clarify). And yet another of my drivers (in a different series) ACCIDENTALLY wrecked a championship contender and pretty much ruined that guy's chances at winning the championship (oops).
As soon as that happened, the phone rang. (Hi Mom.)
Me: IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!
Mom: He's a loser who can't drive!
Me: You don't even know!
(We were still on the phone about five minutes later when they started interviewing two of the guys involved in the wreck.)
Me: Hey! Why aren't they interviewing Jason? He's standing right there!
Mom: BECAUSE HE'S A LOSER!
Me: They're being biased against him! They aren't getting his side of the story! No fair!
Mom: Ha ha - they don't like him, either!
Me: Shhh, now they're talking to him.
(Jason admitted he made a grave error and felt awful.)
Me: SEE??? He's man enough to admit a mistake, take ownership, and be remorseful. What more do you want?
Mom: BLOOD! I WANT BLOOD!
Me: You frighten me.
Mom: You asked.
Me: Don't talk to me right now. I'm mad at you.
Mom: Why? Because you like losers?
Me: Shhh. Don't talk to me!
Mom: I can't talk?
Me: That's right. I'm mad at you. You have to be quiet.
Mom: Then can I hang up?
Me: No.
Mom (laughing): Oh, I have to sit here and be miserable?
Me: Yes, that's right. That's your punishment.
Mom: Hmph. Well, can I --
Me: SSSHHHHHH. I'M BEING MAD AT YOU!
Felix comes over and meows into the phone.
Me: See? Even Felix knows! He's telling you how wrong you are!
Mom: No, he's talking to me because he feels bad for me.
Me: Traitor.
I'm still bitter about Mizzou being moved to the SEC. One of my NASCAR drivers is in the hunt for the championship, but he's only in the lead by three points. Another of my drivers is in hot water with his sponsor, NASCAR, and most of the fans, and by their reaction, you'd think he'd ran over all of their grandmothers and boiled their puppies (he didn't, by the way -- just to clarify). And yet another of my drivers (in a different series) ACCIDENTALLY wrecked a championship contender and pretty much ruined that guy's chances at winning the championship (oops).
As soon as that happened, the phone rang. (Hi Mom.)
Me: IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!
Mom: He's a loser who can't drive!
Me: You don't even know!
(We were still on the phone about five minutes later when they started interviewing two of the guys involved in the wreck.)
Me: Hey! Why aren't they interviewing Jason? He's standing right there!
Mom: BECAUSE HE'S A LOSER!
Me: They're being biased against him! They aren't getting his side of the story! No fair!
Mom: Ha ha - they don't like him, either!
Me: Shhh, now they're talking to him.
(Jason admitted he made a grave error and felt awful.)
Me: SEE??? He's man enough to admit a mistake, take ownership, and be remorseful. What more do you want?
Mom: BLOOD! I WANT BLOOD!
Me: You frighten me.
Mom: You asked.
Me: Don't talk to me right now. I'm mad at you.
Mom: Why? Because you like losers?
Me: Shhh. Don't talk to me!
Mom: I can't talk?
Me: That's right. I'm mad at you. You have to be quiet.
Mom: Then can I hang up?
Me: No.
Mom (laughing): Oh, I have to sit here and be miserable?
Me: Yes, that's right. That's your punishment.
Mom: Hmph. Well, can I --
Me: SSSHHHHHH. I'M BEING MAD AT YOU!
Felix comes over and meows into the phone.
Me: See? Even Felix knows! He's telling you how wrong you are!
Mom: No, he's talking to me because he feels bad for me.
Me: Traitor.
12 November 2011
Hip Update
I saw my hip doctor Thursday, and it looks like I'm going to be having surgery on my hip after the first of the year. He wants to do another MRA/arthrogram procedure (that's the one they did a few months ago where they put the big-ass needle in the joint). This will do a couple of things (well, a few if you count "put me in pain."): It will allow him to get a better idea of what's going on now (I had the earlier procedure done at a different hospital, but he wants to do this one personally, and they will again put an anaesthetic in the joint for pain relief.
As he said it, "if I'm going to operate on you, I want to make sure I'm doing the right one." He KNOWS I have a hip labral tear. He KNOWS I have a FAI (femoral-acetabular impingement). But he also THINKS that there's some other issue going on causing the limited range of motion and pain.
The surgery would cause me to be on crutches for several weeks, and I'd be looking at another round of physiotherapy. Whee!
As he said it, "if I'm going to operate on you, I want to make sure I'm doing the right one." He KNOWS I have a hip labral tear. He KNOWS I have a FAI (femoral-acetabular impingement). But he also THINKS that there's some other issue going on causing the limited range of motion and pain.
The surgery would cause me to be on crutches for several weeks, and I'd be looking at another round of physiotherapy. Whee!
11 November 2011
List #34: Words I Dislike
You know how some people have words they REALLY hate? Some people hate some words so much that they start twitching when they hear certain words. I don't hate any words THAT much, but some words are definitely on my "ugh - WHY is that a word" list.
1. nostril
It's just a weird combination of sounds.
2. horny
I only dislike it in the "I'm feeling horny" meaning. I hate it then.
3. pubes
I'm not a huge fan of "pubic," either (I think the "pyoo" sound is off-putting, maybe?), but "pubes" is way more offensive of the two.
4. tweet
This only disturbs me in the "You can Tweet to your favourite celebrity now" sense of the word. It doesn't bother me in the "birds are tweeting" meaning.
5. baby daddy
Really? Is it THAT difficult to say "baby's daddy" or "father/dad of my/her baby"
There are probably more, but that's all I can think of right now. I might do a Part II later.
1. nostril
It's just a weird combination of sounds.
2. horny
I only dislike it in the "I'm feeling horny" meaning. I hate it then.
3. pubes
I'm not a huge fan of "pubic," either (I think the "pyoo" sound is off-putting, maybe?), but "pubes" is way more offensive of the two.
4. tweet
This only disturbs me in the "You can Tweet to your favourite celebrity now" sense of the word. It doesn't bother me in the "birds are tweeting" meaning.
5. baby daddy
Really? Is it THAT difficult to say "baby's daddy" or "father/dad of my/her baby"
There are probably more, but that's all I can think of right now. I might do a Part II later.
10 November 2011
Winter Recipe Ideas, Part II
I'm still looking for recipe ideas for winter weather, particularly things that can be made on Sunday and then kept all week for work lunches. I know some of you (you know who you are!) are excellent cooks and have some excellent resources at your disposal. Please share!
Thanks!
Your still-on-a-budget friend appreciates it!
Thanks!
Your still-on-a-budget friend appreciates it!
09 November 2011
Days with Friends
After work tonight, Rachel is coming over, and we're going to catch up on some tv. Since she hasn't been here in awhile, we have a LOT to catch up on. So many choices!
We're going to eat Pronto Paella and Jello Pie.
Tomorrow, I'm meeting my friend Joanna for supper. I'm super excited to hear about her recent trip to England, and I want to catch her up on some things that have been going on in my life. I saw her briefly at Rhinebeck, but I only had enough time to tell her about The Maple Cotton Candy story, and then we both needed to get going.
I'm not sure yet where we'll be doing, but I'm sure it'll be yummy.
We're going to eat Pronto Paella and Jello Pie.
Tomorrow, I'm meeting my friend Joanna for supper. I'm super excited to hear about her recent trip to England, and I want to catch her up on some things that have been going on in my life. I saw her briefly at Rhinebeck, but I only had enough time to tell her about The Maple Cotton Candy story, and then we both needed to get going.
I'm not sure yet where we'll be doing, but I'm sure it'll be yummy.
08 November 2011
Justice for MJ
The Twitter hashtag that the MJ fans have been using (and that we've all been using on the fan boards for the past two years now) is "justice4mj," so it was difficult for me to remember to type it as "Justice for MJ." It's just become such a habit to type "justice4mj."
Anyway - I got an alert via Twitter on Monday that the verdict was going to be read at 4:00 p.m. EST. It was a rare "I stayed late at work" day (thought not that late), so it was nearly 4:00 p.m. when I got this, and we were still about four blocks from my house. As soon as I got off the trolley, I sprinted home and found CNN on my tv. I didn't bother to hang up my bag or coat, throwing them on the couch beside me (although I have coat hooks for my bags and coat immediately by my front door).
I had planned on recording the trial and skimming it every night, but when they showed Michael's dead body on the first day, and I sat on my couch sobbing for ... I don't even know how long... I decided this was probably not a good idea. So I just read recaps every day.
I was so anxious waiting for the verdict. I've done enough time with two different DA's offices that I was sure that I knew what a less-than-ten-hour deliberation period (given the length of trial) AND a no-questions-from-the-jury verdict meant. But I wasn't going to count anything as a sure bet until the words. Because I've also seen some crazy-ass juries come back and say some crazy-ass things during the time when the attorneys could question them about their thoughts, why they voted the way they did, etc.
As soon as the clerk read the verdict, I start crying. I was sad that I wasn't on the street outside of the courthouse with the other fans, who are people who would have understood the conflicting emotions - reliving the loss, feeling elated that Murrary is now a convicted felon, but still left wondering if justice will really ever be served. (Also, is it sad that when we heard a female yell when the clerk read the verdict, I was POSITIVE it was LaToya... and I later learnt that I was right?)
The most Murray can serve is four years, but even if he's sentenced to that, he most likely won't serve anything close to that because of the prison overcrowding situation. (Think Lindsey Lohan being sentenced to 30 days and serving 4 hours.) Although he's convicted of a felony, it's one of the "lesser" ones, so he could serve it out on house arrest or get it changed to probation. His medical license will be revoked, but only in California. While the DA's office has stated they hope the states in which he's licensed to practice medicine will look into this situation, one of those states is Arizona, and a year after they revoke, he would eligible to reapply to practice.
And, at the end of the day... obviously none of this brings Michael back. The world is left arguing about whether he was a drug addict, whether his concert would have been phenomenal or a mess, and wondering whether "This Is It" really would have been it (I was hoping not. I was hoping it was the beginning of a spectacular comeback, although now that he was raising a family...).
Michael, I'm going to quote one of your sister's songs here: I miss you much.
Anyway - I got an alert via Twitter on Monday that the verdict was going to be read at 4:00 p.m. EST. It was a rare "I stayed late at work" day (thought not that late), so it was nearly 4:00 p.m. when I got this, and we were still about four blocks from my house. As soon as I got off the trolley, I sprinted home and found CNN on my tv. I didn't bother to hang up my bag or coat, throwing them on the couch beside me (although I have coat hooks for my bags and coat immediately by my front door).
I had planned on recording the trial and skimming it every night, but when they showed Michael's dead body on the first day, and I sat on my couch sobbing for ... I don't even know how long... I decided this was probably not a good idea. So I just read recaps every day.
I was so anxious waiting for the verdict. I've done enough time with two different DA's offices that I was sure that I knew what a less-than-ten-hour deliberation period (given the length of trial) AND a no-questions-from-the-jury verdict meant. But I wasn't going to count anything as a sure bet until the words. Because I've also seen some crazy-ass juries come back and say some crazy-ass things during the time when the attorneys could question them about their thoughts, why they voted the way they did, etc.
As soon as the clerk read the verdict, I start crying. I was sad that I wasn't on the street outside of the courthouse with the other fans, who are people who would have understood the conflicting emotions - reliving the loss, feeling elated that Murrary is now a convicted felon, but still left wondering if justice will really ever be served. (Also, is it sad that when we heard a female yell when the clerk read the verdict, I was POSITIVE it was LaToya... and I later learnt that I was right?)
The most Murray can serve is four years, but even if he's sentenced to that, he most likely won't serve anything close to that because of the prison overcrowding situation. (Think Lindsey Lohan being sentenced to 30 days and serving 4 hours.) Although he's convicted of a felony, it's one of the "lesser" ones, so he could serve it out on house arrest or get it changed to probation. His medical license will be revoked, but only in California. While the DA's office has stated they hope the states in which he's licensed to practice medicine will look into this situation, one of those states is Arizona, and a year after they revoke, he would eligible to reapply to practice.
And, at the end of the day... obviously none of this brings Michael back. The world is left arguing about whether he was a drug addict, whether his concert would have been phenomenal or a mess, and wondering whether "This Is It" really would have been it (I was hoping not. I was hoping it was the beginning of a spectacular comeback, although now that he was raising a family...).
Michael, I'm going to quote one of your sister's songs here: I miss you much.
07 November 2011
Book Review: Little Gale Gumbo
There, they rent a room from Ben and his son Matthew. Camille and Ben are attracted to each other, and the girls soon form a triangle of sorts with Matthew, who becomes their friend and protector, since the islanders are quick to welcome outsiders.
Camille opens a restaurant using her Creole recipes, which quickly becomes a success. But this success and the make-shift family that has formed with the blending of the two families is threatened when Ben is the victim of an mysterious accident.
This was a great story, including recipes that I can't wait to try. Read my full review here.
06 November 2011
Holiday Knitting
I am soooo far behind.
I have a wedding gift that was supposed to be done about three weeks ago. But I got into a funk Rhinebeck weekend, and I stopped knitting for two weeks. Had I not lost those two weeks, I'd probably be okay. So I just need to kick things into hyperdrive and stay focused.
One of the gifts I had planned (a scarf) might be shoved to next year, and I might have to think of something else for John. The other two gifts (a hat and a cowl) are shorter projects, so that would take a lot of pressure off. A man's scarf is no joke, people!
But I may be able to crank a lot out during Thanksgiving weekend since I'm one of those people who has absolutely no obligations whatsoever (other than, you know, gluttony and couch potato-ing). And since I don't do the Black Friday thing, I can make use of that time, too.
I have a wedding gift that was supposed to be done about three weeks ago. But I got into a funk Rhinebeck weekend, and I stopped knitting for two weeks. Had I not lost those two weeks, I'd probably be okay. So I just need to kick things into hyperdrive and stay focused.
One of the gifts I had planned (a scarf) might be shoved to next year, and I might have to think of something else for John. The other two gifts (a hat and a cowl) are shorter projects, so that would take a lot of pressure off. A man's scarf is no joke, people!
But I may be able to crank a lot out during Thanksgiving weekend since I'm one of those people who has absolutely no obligations whatsoever (other than, you know, gluttony and couch potato-ing). And since I don't do the Black Friday thing, I can make use of that time, too.
05 November 2011
List #34: My Least Favourite Candy
(In honour of Halloween)
1. Tootsie Rolls
I don't like how they feel in my teeth, but I like the flavour. This works out well since my mom inhales them.
2. Necco wafers
Worst idea ever. They feel awful on my teeth, the flavour is awful, and I don't even like the feel of them in my fingers. I even just shuddered typing "Necco wafers" (again). UGH. (Again, my mom inhales these.)
3. Whoppers
Who the hell invented these???? Why do people make things that feel so gross on my teeth?????? Stop doing this!
4. Milk Duds
Are they supposed to be chewed? dissolved? It's like a candy with an identity disorder. I can't take it.
5. Candy corn
These are just disgrossting. (Srsly, my mom will stab you for these. Hmm, there's a pattern emerging here.)
6. Orange peanuts
They don't taste good, they feel weird, and... okay, really - no redeeming value whatsoever.
1. Tootsie Rolls
I don't like how they feel in my teeth, but I like the flavour. This works out well since my mom inhales them.
2. Necco wafers
Worst idea ever. They feel awful on my teeth, the flavour is awful, and I don't even like the feel of them in my fingers. I even just shuddered typing "Necco wafers" (again). UGH. (Again, my mom inhales these.)
3. Whoppers
Who the hell invented these???? Why do people make things that feel so gross on my teeth?????? Stop doing this!
4. Milk Duds
Are they supposed to be chewed? dissolved? It's like a candy with an identity disorder. I can't take it.
5. Candy corn
These are just disgrossting. (Srsly, my mom will stab you for these. Hmm, there's a pattern emerging here.)
6. Orange peanuts
They don't taste good, they feel weird, and... okay, really - no redeeming value whatsoever.
The Death of a Relationship
I had been feeling kind of bad that Orin and I hadn't had any contact since I found out he had lung and brain cancer. So I told my mom, "What if he's sitting there thinking, 'Here I am going through all of this and all my daughter does is send me a damned card?'"
So she said, "Well, if you really feel that way, go ahead and call him. And if he starts acting like a jerk, tell him that this is why things are the way they are between you and hang up."
Today, I did just that. When we started talking, I asked if he had received the card. "Yes, and I didn't call you. That was my choice." Oh. While he continued to talk and tell me about his treatment, I mulled over in my head "Is there any way I can take that other than 'I didn't want to talk to you'?" and I keep coming up with "Nope - that's pretty much what he meant."
I won't go through every detail, but by the end, he was accusing my mom of being a liar, he was yelling that he is NOT a racist and he stood behind the emails he sent me (that led to me changing my email address), and then he hung on up me.
So I called him back and I said, "I just want you to understand that THIS is why our relationship is not a good one. I want to wish you well with everything you're going through. I love you, but this is the last time I'll be talking to you. Good-bye."
And that is that.
So she said, "Well, if you really feel that way, go ahead and call him. And if he starts acting like a jerk, tell him that this is why things are the way they are between you and hang up."
Today, I did just that. When we started talking, I asked if he had received the card. "Yes, and I didn't call you. That was my choice." Oh. While he continued to talk and tell me about his treatment, I mulled over in my head "Is there any way I can take that other than 'I didn't want to talk to you'?" and I keep coming up with "Nope - that's pretty much what he meant."
I won't go through every detail, but by the end, he was accusing my mom of being a liar, he was yelling that he is NOT a racist and he stood behind the emails he sent me (that led to me changing my email address), and then he hung on up me.
So I called him back and I said, "I just want you to understand that THIS is why our relationship is not a good one. I want to wish you well with everything you're going through. I love you, but this is the last time I'll be talking to you. Good-bye."
And that is that.
03 November 2011
Recipe: Southwest Chicken Casserole
2 large onions, chopped
2 jalapeño peppers, chopped
2 T butter
6 c cubed chopped chicken
2 10-3/4 c cream of chicken soup
16 oz sour cream
10 oz frozen chopped spinach
8 oz shredded Monterey Jack cheese
12-1/2 oz nacho tortilla chips, crushed
4 green onions, sliced
1. In a Dutch oven, saute onions and jalapenos in butter until tender. Stir in the turkey, soup, sour cream and spinach. In a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish, layer half of the turkey mixture, cheese and tortilla chips. Repeat layers.
2. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with green onions.
Yield: 12 servings
Notes: The original recipe calls for turkey, but I had a chicken on hand, so I used that. I also subbed in cream of portabello mushroom soup, because that's what I had. I used fat-free sour cream because I rarely use regular sour cream. I used a 16-oz package of spinach because that's what Trader Joe's sells, and I wasn't about to figure out what to do with six extra ounces of thawed out frozen spinach, nor did I want to waste it. TJ's also had a Jack cheese blend - regular Jack, pepper Jack, and a habañero Jack, so I used that (normally, I would have added another jalapeño, but since I was using spicy cheese, I didn't). I also didn't use nearly as much chips as the recipe calls for. I have no idea what I used, but I had less than half of a 16-oz bag of chips left, and I wasn't going to buy a new bag just for this. So I just crushed the chips directly onto the casserole until the layer was done. When both layers were complete, I still had WAY over half of what I started with left. I didn't use the green onions on top, but only because I didn't have any on hand; I meant to sub in another onion but forgot to.
This was extremely good, and I will definitely be making this again. I may play around with shoving different veggies in there instead of or in addition to the spinach. Ideas welcomed!
2 jalapeño peppers, chopped
2 T butter
6 c cubed chopped chicken
2 10-3/4 c cream of chicken soup
16 oz sour cream
10 oz frozen chopped spinach
8 oz shredded Monterey Jack cheese
12-1/2 oz nacho tortilla chips, crushed
4 green onions, sliced
1. In a Dutch oven, saute onions and jalapenos in butter until tender. Stir in the turkey, soup, sour cream and spinach. In a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish, layer half of the turkey mixture, cheese and tortilla chips. Repeat layers.
2. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with green onions.
Yield: 12 servings
Notes: The original recipe calls for turkey, but I had a chicken on hand, so I used that. I also subbed in cream of portabello mushroom soup, because that's what I had. I used fat-free sour cream because I rarely use regular sour cream. I used a 16-oz package of spinach because that's what Trader Joe's sells, and I wasn't about to figure out what to do with six extra ounces of thawed out frozen spinach, nor did I want to waste it. TJ's also had a Jack cheese blend - regular Jack, pepper Jack, and a habañero Jack, so I used that (normally, I would have added another jalapeño, but since I was using spicy cheese, I didn't). I also didn't use nearly as much chips as the recipe calls for. I have no idea what I used, but I had less than half of a 16-oz bag of chips left, and I wasn't going to buy a new bag just for this. So I just crushed the chips directly onto the casserole until the layer was done. When both layers were complete, I still had WAY over half of what I started with left. I didn't use the green onions on top, but only because I didn't have any on hand; I meant to sub in another onion but forgot to.
This was extremely good, and I will definitely be making this again. I may play around with shoving different veggies in there instead of or in addition to the spinach. Ideas welcomed!
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