Remember when I did a blog of just little... jokes? well, things I thought were funny and maybe possibly someone else did too? Three of them in a row? The previous two sentences are a practice in foreshadowing.
What do people talk about in San Diego for small talk? How about this weather, eh? It's always nice. Yeah.
Some people have a sixth sense- an intuition that warns them of danger, or draws them to love. I have that kind of thing, but it's with red lights.
Instead of like a moth to a flame, let's start saying like a rat to something shiny. What, too catchy?
Caller I.D. and cell phones are reducing the number of excuses for irresponsibility. Oh, I didn't see you called. Really? Because I can pick up your phone and see my number in your call log.
Dear chicks: Calling a dude to tell him you aren't going to call him anymore is one of the reasons dudes think chicks are crazy.
Dear dudes: Just say you're sorry. Yes, you don't know what's wrong. Just say you're sorry anyway. Gets you off the phone.
For me, you know how guys say, the hotter a girl is, the crazier she's allowed to be? (PS- if you didn't know guys say that, well... they do). I feel similarly about furniture. The cheaper it is, the uglier it's allowed to be. 80s looking TV stand covered in dust but is on the curb? I love it!
Game shows are probably a bigger contributor to people thinking they don't have to work for money than any government program.
I love some HGTV, but some of the women that are buying houses never shut up.
I was always having great ideas while driving. With no way to write them down, I usually forgot them. So I got a tape recorder. Apparently, it records tapes and kills ideas.
The dude on this HGTV show looks just like Rob Riggle. If you know who Rob Riggle is, and you've seen shows on HGTV, you'll know how disconcerting this is.
2 more weeks before The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and Colbert Report return with new episodes. I think my brain is dying.
I hope this is enough to constitute a blog post. I suppose that is my prerogative. And so it is.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
danke, merci, gracias, thank you
You can never really say it too much. My parents instilled thank you in me early on. I had to write thank you notes to everyone who gave me a gift. Thank you to servers. Thank you if you held the door open for me. Thank you if you blessed me when I sneezed. It's so automatic for me that when I open a door for someone, and they say thank you, I say thank you, have a great day! I'm the store greeter of life.
People love to complain about customer service. Agents are surly. They are bored and annoyed and just generally unhappy people. We all like to blame it on their bad attitudes or poor life choices, or possibly the idiot they just got done with who called to ask why their computer wouldn't play videocassettes. It's always someone else's fault- someone else who has a bad attitude. We react with our own bratty behavior and the cycle doesn't just continue, it grows exponentially.
I'm big on taking responsibility (as an ideal, not something I'm normally capable of in real life). Maybe it's not enough that our technical support question wasn't silly and it's not enough if we were cordial with the representative. Do you say thank you? When the agent goes above and beyond your expectations and/or their job requirements, do you go above and beyond your requirements as a customer and request to endorse their work to their supervisor? As someone who worked an inbound call center, let me tell you that those endorsements (we called them customer compliments at that job) are money. Not just figuratively, but literally. When you accumulated enough, you got prizes- movie tickets, even a day off. If you got really good, that meant raises and promotions. Yes, the calls are all recorded. But the supervisor picks calls at random- so it might the call with you, the perfectly normal and nice customer, or it could Mr. Ignoramus CrankyPants.
It got harder to do those thank you notes the older I got. When I was a teenager, I felt like I had better things to do than churn out thank yous, especially since my birthday is in December and that meant early January was all notes, all the time. But now that I'm a grownup (supposedly) and I'm often on the giving end of a gift, I realize how meaningful those thank you notes are. And how disappointed I am if I don't get a thank you.
Some final food for thought: in my senior year of college, I had to complete an internship for my major (speech communication). I was intent on doing my internship with a baseball team despite the fact they are extremely competitive. I sent resumes and letters to several local teams (ranging from semi-pro to the Cincinnati Reds). A week later, I received a call from the Reds and got an interview. Unfortunately, they didn't think the schedule would work- they wanted someone who could be there full-time, and I was already going to school and working a full-time job. Despite that, I sent my thank you note afterward- with my name at the top in red ink, just like the resume and cover letter. A couple weeks later, she called and said if I could fit a 20-hour week in, they would love to have me do my internship with the Reds. It wasn't until later that I found out it was the thank you note that got me that internship. This was 10 years ago- before it was standard practice- and she had never received one before. She said, "when I got that thank you note, I knew I had to have you."
And for that, I give thanks.
People love to complain about customer service. Agents are surly. They are bored and annoyed and just generally unhappy people. We all like to blame it on their bad attitudes or poor life choices, or possibly the idiot they just got done with who called to ask why their computer wouldn't play videocassettes. It's always someone else's fault- someone else who has a bad attitude. We react with our own bratty behavior and the cycle doesn't just continue, it grows exponentially.
I'm big on taking responsibility (as an ideal, not something I'm normally capable of in real life). Maybe it's not enough that our technical support question wasn't silly and it's not enough if we were cordial with the representative. Do you say thank you? When the agent goes above and beyond your expectations and/or their job requirements, do you go above and beyond your requirements as a customer and request to endorse their work to their supervisor? As someone who worked an inbound call center, let me tell you that those endorsements (we called them customer compliments at that job) are money. Not just figuratively, but literally. When you accumulated enough, you got prizes- movie tickets, even a day off. If you got really good, that meant raises and promotions. Yes, the calls are all recorded. But the supervisor picks calls at random- so it might the call with you, the perfectly normal and nice customer, or it could Mr. Ignoramus CrankyPants.
It got harder to do those thank you notes the older I got. When I was a teenager, I felt like I had better things to do than churn out thank yous, especially since my birthday is in December and that meant early January was all notes, all the time. But now that I'm a grownup (supposedly) and I'm often on the giving end of a gift, I realize how meaningful those thank you notes are. And how disappointed I am if I don't get a thank you.
Some final food for thought: in my senior year of college, I had to complete an internship for my major (speech communication). I was intent on doing my internship with a baseball team despite the fact they are extremely competitive. I sent resumes and letters to several local teams (ranging from semi-pro to the Cincinnati Reds). A week later, I received a call from the Reds and got an interview. Unfortunately, they didn't think the schedule would work- they wanted someone who could be there full-time, and I was already going to school and working a full-time job. Despite that, I sent my thank you note afterward- with my name at the top in red ink, just like the resume and cover letter. A couple weeks later, she called and said if I could fit a 20-hour week in, they would love to have me do my internship with the Reds. It wasn't until later that I found out it was the thank you note that got me that internship. This was 10 years ago- before it was standard practice- and she had never received one before. She said, "when I got that thank you note, I knew I had to have you."
And for that, I give thanks.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
and this one belongs to... the other guys?
I love watching sports. Sportscasters, however... eh.
There are a few I enjoy. I loved the George Kell/Al Kaline team of the Detroit Tigers. Always respectful of the opponents, but still Tiger fans to the core. I've become increasing frustrated with the announcers for the Cincinnati Reds. While a couple of them do seem to pull for the Reds (Jeff Brantley and George Grande), the others seem to have nothing but criticism- and not the constructive kind.
Primarily, I get irritated with Thom Brennaman. First of all, the extent of Thom's sports experience is being the son of longtime Reds announcer Marty Brennaman. His degree is in journalism from Ohio University, but the origin of his sports knowledge seems hazy. If you know sports, and listen to him, you will realize he doesn't know much. But it's not just his ignorance. It's his refusal to be a fan. I suppose the journalism curriculum does discourage bias, but when you're in a contract as an announcer for a team, and are expected to take over for your father, who has called games for over 35 years, you'd think he'd show a little appreciation for his money maker.
During today's game against the L.A. Dodgers (a loss for the Reds) by the 8th inning, Thom had stopped discussing the game- no play-by-play whatsoever... while I was looking at my computer screen, the Reds made an out. I don't know how. Thom was discussing the Dodgers' post-season chances. Perhaps Thom should heed the great baseball philosopher, Yogi Beara- it ain't over 'til it's over.
It's hard to watch your team lose (especially 11-4). But it's harder when you're hearing the announcer (who has a contract where your team pays him a salary) talk crap the entire time.
Thom- maybe the Dodgers are hiring?
There are a few I enjoy. I loved the George Kell/Al Kaline team of the Detroit Tigers. Always respectful of the opponents, but still Tiger fans to the core. I've become increasing frustrated with the announcers for the Cincinnati Reds. While a couple of them do seem to pull for the Reds (Jeff Brantley and George Grande), the others seem to have nothing but criticism- and not the constructive kind.
Primarily, I get irritated with Thom Brennaman. First of all, the extent of Thom's sports experience is being the son of longtime Reds announcer Marty Brennaman. His degree is in journalism from Ohio University, but the origin of his sports knowledge seems hazy. If you know sports, and listen to him, you will realize he doesn't know much. But it's not just his ignorance. It's his refusal to be a fan. I suppose the journalism curriculum does discourage bias, but when you're in a contract as an announcer for a team, and are expected to take over for your father, who has called games for over 35 years, you'd think he'd show a little appreciation for his money maker.
During today's game against the L.A. Dodgers (a loss for the Reds) by the 8th inning, Thom had stopped discussing the game- no play-by-play whatsoever... while I was looking at my computer screen, the Reds made an out. I don't know how. Thom was discussing the Dodgers' post-season chances. Perhaps Thom should heed the great baseball philosopher, Yogi Beara- it ain't over 'til it's over.
It's hard to watch your team lose (especially 11-4). But it's harder when you're hearing the announcer (who has a contract where your team pays him a salary) talk crap the entire time.
Thom- maybe the Dodgers are hiring?
Friday, August 28, 2009
you don't know what you got 'til it's gone
So as many of my loyal readers know, or anyone who looks at the blog preceding this one, I was at the Bengals football game last night. It was my first NFL game, and it was just as totally awesome as you might expect. Dave bought tickets for me and Sara- 36th row behind the end zone. I sweet-talked us up to the 4th row by the beginning of the 2nd quarter. We lost, but it was close and decent football. What was most memorable of the night, though, was shortly after we got to our seats (the first seats), and I realized that I hadn't done my blog for the day. I was panicked, because I knew I wasn't sure when I'd get home, and had little control over whether it was before midnight.
After unsuccessful attempts to access blogger from my phone (and futile google searches on "texting to blogger"), Dave came to the rescue and helped me access it on his Blackberry (and fortunately for me, Blogger's site is compatible with his Blackberry's internet. I got to write the mini-blog (longer than a tweet, which is supposed to be a micro-blog) above. Thank goodness.
What made this whole event remarkable was how much it bothered me to almost miss the blog. And it still bothered me to not be able to write a real entry. It was like- I've never felt that kind of guilt about missing something. I can miss exercise without caring two shits. And it wasn't even that I put it off, I just forgot to do it. And it's like I forgot to walk the dog. She can't survive without me. I feel that kind of responsibility to this whole experiment. I am not comfortable with responsibility, so we'll see how I manage this.
And if you need someone to bring to a Bengals game, I can move you up 30 rows with $10 and a smile.
After unsuccessful attempts to access blogger from my phone (and futile google searches on "texting to blogger"), Dave came to the rescue and helped me access it on his Blackberry (and fortunately for me, Blogger's site is compatible with his Blackberry's internet. I got to write the mini-blog (longer than a tweet, which is supposed to be a micro-blog) above. Thank goodness.
What made this whole event remarkable was how much it bothered me to almost miss the blog. And it still bothered me to not be able to write a real entry. It was like- I've never felt that kind of guilt about missing something. I can miss exercise without caring two shits. And it wasn't even that I put it off, I just forgot to do it. And it's like I forgot to walk the dog. She can't survive without me. I feel that kind of responsibility to this whole experiment. I am not comfortable with responsibility, so we'll see how I manage this.
And if you need someone to bring to a Bengals game, I can move you up 30 rows with $10 and a smile.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
dave rocks
I am using a blackberry for the first time and at my first nfl game. I am grateful to dave for both experiences. I will write a real blog tomorrow and add a day to the 30. Love y'all
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
give it a rest
Senator Ted Kennedy passed away. When a public figure dies, it's a struggle for people- do you ignore their faults, their frailties, their mistakes? Or do you continue to hold them accountable for all actions, positive or negative? It was a major topic of discussion after Michael Jackson passed away as well.
Sometimes people get leeway depending on their cause of death. When someone is murdered, or dies young, or in some kind of awful accident, we are more likely to overlook their problems. That halo effect for a victim is always a touchy subject if a criminal case is involved. You don't want to say anyone deserves to die, but sometimes their actions haven't kept them as safe as they could have been.
John Mayer tweeted something insightful in the wake of Michael Jackson's passing. I can't find the exact wording (maybe he deleted it?), but it said that the memorial gave Michael Jackson the one thing life hadn't been able to- it made him a human being. From the time he was a child, he was a product. In death, he can finally be human.
There is a reason that we say rest in peace. Because it's just that- rest. Whether it's a saint or worst of sinners, once we're gone, it's over. There is no good to be had from discussing the faults. None of us is infallible. Let them rest with only our good thoughts to bid them goodbye.
There was some great artwork at the sandwich place near my apartment, and I've seen it elsewhere, in various wordings. It is:
I'm not sure how it will all turn out.
All I know is that in the end, I'll be dead.
So what can go wrong?
Sure, it's morbid (especially for a deli). But the only difference between comedy and tragedy is your point of view. When you ask yourself, what's the worst that can happen?, it's probably not all that bad. As Lewis Black pointed out, 5 out of 5 people are going to die. So live it up.
And then let it rest.
Sometimes people get leeway depending on their cause of death. When someone is murdered, or dies young, or in some kind of awful accident, we are more likely to overlook their problems. That halo effect for a victim is always a touchy subject if a criminal case is involved. You don't want to say anyone deserves to die, but sometimes their actions haven't kept them as safe as they could have been.
John Mayer tweeted something insightful in the wake of Michael Jackson's passing. I can't find the exact wording (maybe he deleted it?), but it said that the memorial gave Michael Jackson the one thing life hadn't been able to- it made him a human being. From the time he was a child, he was a product. In death, he can finally be human.
There is a reason that we say rest in peace. Because it's just that- rest. Whether it's a saint or worst of sinners, once we're gone, it's over. There is no good to be had from discussing the faults. None of us is infallible. Let them rest with only our good thoughts to bid them goodbye.
There was some great artwork at the sandwich place near my apartment, and I've seen it elsewhere, in various wordings. It is:
I'm not sure how it will all turn out.
All I know is that in the end, I'll be dead.
So what can go wrong?
Sure, it's morbid (especially for a deli). But the only difference between comedy and tragedy is your point of view. When you ask yourself, what's the worst that can happen?, it's probably not all that bad. As Lewis Black pointed out, 5 out of 5 people are going to die. So live it up.
And then let it rest.
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