Something a bit freaky has been happening to me over the last few months. It is sort of weird to even say out loud, but since I know you won't say anything i will tell just you.
I keep seeing the same number over and over again. 444 to be exact! It seems every time I check the time it is 4:44, but it is not just the time it comes across on everything lately. I made purchases that come to $4.44, caller ID with 444 and I had the rental car where the last three digits on the odometer were 444.
I have mentioned this oddity to friends and they just think I am fucked in the head! Maybe they are right but it happens so often these last few weeks it is giving me the creeps. Being hyper-aware of this I guess it heightens the level of creepiness whenever it happens.
For a while there I thought maybe these are lotto numbers I should play. Could it be some sore of warning from another dimension? It is only a few digits off from the mark of the beast (666). I just sort of want it to go away.
yea my friends are probably right!
Friday, July 29, 2011
Nightmare..
I went to Walmart today. Okay, I said it out loud and even that causes me to have the urge to take yet another shower. Seriously, where do the people who shop in Walmart come from? To make matters worse I was in a Walmart in fucking Mississippi!! Lord help us all if these people are allowed to vote in the general elections!!
Usually I avoid ever stepping into a Walmart as my experiences are never good. However, we were in the area of town that i can never pronounce or come close to spelling and it was the best alternative. So I bit the bullet (probably actually more enjoyable that shopping in Walmart) and went in.
There are a total of three Walmarts within 10 miles of my home in MS and one about 15 miles away. Gulfport, D'Iberville, Pass Road and the one 15 miles away is in Pass Christian. I usually go to Pass Christian.
Gulfport Walmart I pass often as I tend to eat out and see movies in Gulfport. They ban smoking in Gulfport restaurants - So if I eat out that is where I head. I have never been inside the Gulfport Walmart because locals I work with have warned me that it is a dangerous place and people have been stabbed and robbed in the actual store. So I heed their warnings!
Pass Road Walmart is the closest to where I live but it scares the fuck out of me. the last time I shopped there they had some crazy religious freak with a loud speaker in the parking lot babbling all sorts of random ideas. The store does not have a real grocery section and I avoid it as the people who shop there are so fucking "just out of prison" that I avoid it at all cost.
D'Iberville is far less prison break and much more cousin-marrying, truck-driving, eighth grade educated redneck sort of a crowd. People there give serious consideration about which beer goes best with Walmart brand baked beans. Shoes are optional in this store but tattoos are mandatory and mullets are still fashionable.
Pass Christian Walmart is spanking new and in a much more affluent part of the Gulf area. granted there are still fat people shopping in those motorized carts, but is so much better than the other options in the area. So much better that I usually do not complain about the long drive.
So, hopefully i am not required to return to Walmart for a spell.
Usually I avoid ever stepping into a Walmart as my experiences are never good. However, we were in the area of town that i can never pronounce or come close to spelling and it was the best alternative. So I bit the bullet (probably actually more enjoyable that shopping in Walmart) and went in.
There are a total of three Walmarts within 10 miles of my home in MS and one about 15 miles away. Gulfport, D'Iberville, Pass Road and the one 15 miles away is in Pass Christian. I usually go to Pass Christian.
Gulfport Walmart I pass often as I tend to eat out and see movies in Gulfport. They ban smoking in Gulfport restaurants - So if I eat out that is where I head. I have never been inside the Gulfport Walmart because locals I work with have warned me that it is a dangerous place and people have been stabbed and robbed in the actual store. So I heed their warnings!
Pass Road Walmart is the closest to where I live but it scares the fuck out of me. the last time I shopped there they had some crazy religious freak with a loud speaker in the parking lot babbling all sorts of random ideas. The store does not have a real grocery section and I avoid it as the people who shop there are so fucking "just out of prison" that I avoid it at all cost.
D'Iberville is far less prison break and much more cousin-marrying, truck-driving, eighth grade educated redneck sort of a crowd. People there give serious consideration about which beer goes best with Walmart brand baked beans. Shoes are optional in this store but tattoos are mandatory and mullets are still fashionable.
Pass Christian Walmart is spanking new and in a much more affluent part of the Gulf area. granted there are still fat people shopping in those motorized carts, but is so much better than the other options in the area. So much better that I usually do not complain about the long drive.
So, hopefully i am not required to return to Walmart for a spell.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
work to do..
I am wide awake at 0440. i did sleep for about two hours, but the dog coughing made me wake up. I wish I could sleep a few more hours as I have a pretty busy day today.
I did nothing yesterday - i did not even leave this apartment! I feel so sluggish!.
My run on Tuesday caused some pain in my shins - actually in my entire lower legs. So i have decided to rest them for a few days and hope to run tonight or tomorrow. I feel i am so close to making some improvement in my run times but it seems when I think i am getting close I get some sort of pain or injury.
My experiment with the whole barefoot running did not end so well. My calves hurt and never seemed to get better so i never could run without stopping with pain.
I have three full months to improve my run times or I will be on the borderline of failing once again. currently a good run seems to put me at 13:30 for the 1.5 miles. My goal is to trim 30 seconds off each of the next three months and that would put me at a 12 min mile and a half. granted not blazing speed but along with sit ups and push ups i could get very close to a decent score.
I know i bitch and whine about running and stuff all the time and I have no one to blame but myself. That said - I am going to put forth the effort and work to improve. This is the life I chose and the one I fought for and I am not about to give up because it gets a little difficult. It is time to step up and prove I belong!
No more excuses!!
I did nothing yesterday - i did not even leave this apartment! I feel so sluggish!.
My run on Tuesday caused some pain in my shins - actually in my entire lower legs. So i have decided to rest them for a few days and hope to run tonight or tomorrow. I feel i am so close to making some improvement in my run times but it seems when I think i am getting close I get some sort of pain or injury.
My experiment with the whole barefoot running did not end so well. My calves hurt and never seemed to get better so i never could run without stopping with pain.
I have three full months to improve my run times or I will be on the borderline of failing once again. currently a good run seems to put me at 13:30 for the 1.5 miles. My goal is to trim 30 seconds off each of the next three months and that would put me at a 12 min mile and a half. granted not blazing speed but along with sit ups and push ups i could get very close to a decent score.
I know i bitch and whine about running and stuff all the time and I have no one to blame but myself. That said - I am going to put forth the effort and work to improve. This is the life I chose and the one I fought for and I am not about to give up because it gets a little difficult. It is time to step up and prove I belong!
No more excuses!!
GEICO - SUCKS ASS!!!!!!!
I blogged before about being involved an accident. I was hit by a drunk driver who was hit from behind by another driver. I went through the rental car and a long drawn out process to find a replacement vehicle.
the process of dealing with any insurance company is never pleasant, but my experience with the sorry service at Geico has been insult to injury. I should not condemn geico as a whole as the customer service people who answer the 1-800 line have been helpful and very nice. My problem begins and ends with the claims people.
The first claims person took three days to have my car towed from the tow lot and failed to return five calls and only returned a call after I tracked down her supervisor and left him a couple of messages. See these claim people (based in Ga.) work 0800 to 1630 and never actually answer the phone. All calls go to voice mail where they claim to call back within a day - FUCKING LIE!!
Finally, after two weeks I get the settlement check minus the deductible. I am told that I will be reimbursed the deductible and rental expense and that part of my handling is off to a recovery examiner. Again, i call and call and call!! Guess what the person does not return a call. Today, I get a canned response via email with zero way to return the email to include information regarding my claim.
So, i find myself back on the phone dealing with the poor smuck from customer service who is very nice cannot help other than to forward an email.
I dropped my coverage with Geico as I have zero confidence in their ability to complete the claims process in a competent manner. It is so damn frustrating leaving so many messages and never receiving a return call!
They are evil and vile!!!!
the process of dealing with any insurance company is never pleasant, but my experience with the sorry service at Geico has been insult to injury. I should not condemn geico as a whole as the customer service people who answer the 1-800 line have been helpful and very nice. My problem begins and ends with the claims people.
The first claims person took three days to have my car towed from the tow lot and failed to return five calls and only returned a call after I tracked down her supervisor and left him a couple of messages. See these claim people (based in Ga.) work 0800 to 1630 and never actually answer the phone. All calls go to voice mail where they claim to call back within a day - FUCKING LIE!!
Finally, after two weeks I get the settlement check minus the deductible. I am told that I will be reimbursed the deductible and rental expense and that part of my handling is off to a recovery examiner. Again, i call and call and call!! Guess what the person does not return a call. Today, I get a canned response via email with zero way to return the email to include information regarding my claim.
So, i find myself back on the phone dealing with the poor smuck from customer service who is very nice cannot help other than to forward an email.
I dropped my coverage with Geico as I have zero confidence in their ability to complete the claims process in a competent manner. It is so damn frustrating leaving so many messages and never receiving a return call!
They are evil and vile!!!!
Monday, July 25, 2011
peeking ahead
I am giving a lot of thought about retirement. i know funny that I should be giving the idea of retirement any notion as I have yet to serve a full year in the military, but just the same I have been thinking about it.
Part of the reason retirement is on the radar if because I probably will not feel settled again until i retire from the military. With the lousy economy I dare not purchase a home until i can be assured of staying put for a while. I am not a huge fan of renting so my thoughts drift towards retirement.
I also hate the city I am stationed. It is the pit of the south lacking in both culture and well anything. It is always hot and bugs are everywhere. I am not sure this area has a single redeeming item that would appeal to anyone. Oh, well the casinos are a draw for the elder set and those who love spending hours at a slot machine chain smoking and pushing a button thousands of times an hour.
So i surf the net looking at homes in cities that are far far away from here. I have made a mental short list of cities I could consider retiring to. The city must have both an NFL team and a professional baseball team. I would prefer MLB but a good double or triple A team would fit the bill. The city must be in a place that has four distinct seasons and preferably a bit of snow. Lastly, the city must have somewhat of a good public transportation system - because I will be old and not wanting to drive much.
Minneapolis and Denver come to mind right away and for the moment they are at the top of my list,but twenty years is a long long way away and I am sure to change my mind along the way. plus, my life stands to change a great deal by that time. There may be children, a spouse or something that changes my view of life. One never knows what the next day holds and how many of those days that we have remaining. But for now it is nice to dream about what is still to come.
Part of the reason retirement is on the radar if because I probably will not feel settled again until i retire from the military. With the lousy economy I dare not purchase a home until i can be assured of staying put for a while. I am not a huge fan of renting so my thoughts drift towards retirement.
I also hate the city I am stationed. It is the pit of the south lacking in both culture and well anything. It is always hot and bugs are everywhere. I am not sure this area has a single redeeming item that would appeal to anyone. Oh, well the casinos are a draw for the elder set and those who love spending hours at a slot machine chain smoking and pushing a button thousands of times an hour.
So i surf the net looking at homes in cities that are far far away from here. I have made a mental short list of cities I could consider retiring to. The city must have both an NFL team and a professional baseball team. I would prefer MLB but a good double or triple A team would fit the bill. The city must be in a place that has four distinct seasons and preferably a bit of snow. Lastly, the city must have somewhat of a good public transportation system - because I will be old and not wanting to drive much.
Minneapolis and Denver come to mind right away and for the moment they are at the top of my list,but twenty years is a long long way away and I am sure to change my mind along the way. plus, my life stands to change a great deal by that time. There may be children, a spouse or something that changes my view of life. One never knows what the next day holds and how many of those days that we have remaining. But for now it is nice to dream about what is still to come.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
with a smile
I eat out a lot. I am talking a minimum of three times per week. Now I know people who eat out every day of the week, but with my work schedule that is just not possible.
being a person who spends so much time in restaurants I have come to appreciate good service as much as good food. I also tip accordingly and find that my gold standard is the 20% tip. However,there are times when the service does not quite measure up to what I am expecting. here is what i look for in service:
1) establish a friendly attitude from the get go. Say hi and if you tell me your name that is also cool.
2) Drink orders off the bat. I want to get my drink on the table ASAP.
3) extra napkins are a big plus. I am not eating at foo foo restaurants so the extra napkins are very much appreciated.
4) Take the order, write it down and read it back to me. I order lots of stuff on the side and change up things from the menu and to get it right is a big thing.
5) When you bring the food ask if there is anything else I need. Many times I need a condiment and the eaitress takes off so fast I am left waiting for her to return.
6) Check in again after the food has arrived. A simple question like, "how is everything?" helps to resolve any issues.
7) Keep the drinks flowing. There is nothing worse than seeing an empty glass on the table. If I am waiting an extended period of time for a drink it may kill my buzz.
8) If the place is jumping or if there is a screw up in the kitchen - let me know. I understand things get busy and if you keep me informed I am happy to wait patiently.
9) Ask before you bring the check. or if you bring it ask one last time if I want another drink, etc.. If feels like I am being rushed out the door when the check is dropped off at the same time the dinner arrives.
10) If you mess up the order - make it right. I understand things happen but to make no attempt to correct it is a huge no no.
99% of the time service is perfect but every now and then things go horribly bad.
being a person who spends so much time in restaurants I have come to appreciate good service as much as good food. I also tip accordingly and find that my gold standard is the 20% tip. However,there are times when the service does not quite measure up to what I am expecting. here is what i look for in service:
1) establish a friendly attitude from the get go. Say hi and if you tell me your name that is also cool.
2) Drink orders off the bat. I want to get my drink on the table ASAP.
3) extra napkins are a big plus. I am not eating at foo foo restaurants so the extra napkins are very much appreciated.
4) Take the order, write it down and read it back to me. I order lots of stuff on the side and change up things from the menu and to get it right is a big thing.
5) When you bring the food ask if there is anything else I need. Many times I need a condiment and the eaitress takes off so fast I am left waiting for her to return.
6) Check in again after the food has arrived. A simple question like, "how is everything?" helps to resolve any issues.
7) Keep the drinks flowing. There is nothing worse than seeing an empty glass on the table. If I am waiting an extended period of time for a drink it may kill my buzz.
8) If the place is jumping or if there is a screw up in the kitchen - let me know. I understand things get busy and if you keep me informed I am happy to wait patiently.
9) Ask before you bring the check. or if you bring it ask one last time if I want another drink, etc.. If feels like I am being rushed out the door when the check is dropped off at the same time the dinner arrives.
10) If you mess up the order - make it right. I understand things happen but to make no attempt to correct it is a huge no no.
99% of the time service is perfect but every now and then things go horribly bad.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Focus
Today I plan on trying to put the drama from work behind me. Funny thing is that i have to go in for a meeting and then the rest of the day belongs to me.
On my agenda today I will be going to lunch with a friend and to a movie. I will be seeing the new Harry Potter flick and I am a bit excited about it. I may even see the 3d version. However, most 3d versions are total crap but I am holding out hope that Harry will not let me down.
I am unapologetic about being excited to see the potter film as I enjoy all levels of science fiction and fantasy films. The escapism provided from these films is so much needed relief from all the other things that weigh heavy on my mind. So there!
So today will be a few hours of meeting and the remainder will be pure me! I am loving it!!
On my agenda today I will be going to lunch with a friend and to a movie. I will be seeing the new Harry Potter flick and I am a bit excited about it. I may even see the 3d version. However, most 3d versions are total crap but I am holding out hope that Harry will not let me down.
I am unapologetic about being excited to see the potter film as I enjoy all levels of science fiction and fantasy films. The escapism provided from these films is so much needed relief from all the other things that weigh heavy on my mind. So there!
So today will be a few hours of meeting and the remainder will be pure me! I am loving it!!
Monday, July 18, 2011
the evil within...
I have a sneaky suspicion that one of my co-workers has gone behind my back to complain. She has tried to manipulate me to ensure she gets easier workloads, but that is not happening. so her next move is to complain to those above me.
I am one of those straight forward people where if you have a problem with me tell me and we will discuss it. In turn, if you do something wrong i will go to you first and basically "have your back". This whole going behind my back does not sit well with me..
It is just cowardly to go behind another's back and something I have never done. I always attempt to project a professional attitude and treat everyone with respect until you give me a reason to act differently. i hope I am wrong about this individual but my gut tells me otherwise. Either way I should find out soon and will take the appropriate steps to address this individual.
The thing is that I have worked/managed this type of individual before and if you let them they will work you. However, if their attempts fail they go to blaming and complaining. In the past i have had little problems correcting their behavior or separating them from the organization but that all depends on the support and backbone of those above you. this may be my first exposure to that sort of situation in the military setting.
Oh well, I am trying not to let this ruin my day off..
I am one of those straight forward people where if you have a problem with me tell me and we will discuss it. In turn, if you do something wrong i will go to you first and basically "have your back". This whole going behind my back does not sit well with me..
It is just cowardly to go behind another's back and something I have never done. I always attempt to project a professional attitude and treat everyone with respect until you give me a reason to act differently. i hope I am wrong about this individual but my gut tells me otherwise. Either way I should find out soon and will take the appropriate steps to address this individual.
The thing is that I have worked/managed this type of individual before and if you let them they will work you. However, if their attempts fail they go to blaming and complaining. In the past i have had little problems correcting their behavior or separating them from the organization but that all depends on the support and backbone of those above you. this may be my first exposure to that sort of situation in the military setting.
Oh well, I am trying not to let this ruin my day off..
Friday, July 15, 2011
A bumpy road, but better than others.
I was online reading about the unemployed in America and it made me think how very fortunate I am. many of the unemployed have been without work for many months and there really is no light at the end of their tunnel. it made me think about how the shitty economy has impacted my situation and how much worse things could have turned.
In 2006 I had a wild hair up my ass to move from my home in Florida to somewhere up north where seasons actually change. The housing market had been hot for a few years and my mind was swimming with the amount of money i could make from the sell of my home. I had a family friend who happened to be a brand new realtor and we came to a very high price and listed the home.
in the meantime, I found a travel position up north and a house and decided I would purchase the new home because I was sure my Florida home would be snatched up within weeks. They say hindsight is 20-20 and I had no idea how bad things would soon get.
My Florida home was way overpriced and I was way too stubborn and greedy. By the time I started to drop my price (very small increments) the housing bubble in Florida was starting to burst. The home sat and sat and sat. Showings were so infrequent and the ones that did come through were not kind when giving feedback. i learned the hard way what not to do when listing a home.
I had a home i could not sell in Florida and a new home in PA that needed work. I had two mortgages and the expense of upkeep on the Florida home (yard work, repairs, electricity, etc...) . More money was going out than coming in and I mean a lot of money was going out. Fortunately, I made a good chunk of change working as a traveler and I was able to swing all the bills, for a time.
The travel position ended and I was forced to find a real job at a much lower rate. I found a full time position (that I hated) and a part-time teaching gig. between both I again could make the payments. Three months later the job I hated ended badly and with no warning and my teaching assignment was also ending. So I went from two jobs to zero jobs! I got a bit depressed!
It too a few months to get another job and I was paying mortgages with credit card checks. The debt was piling up fast. A new job was found and within a month a job I wanted was at my feet. So, I accepted a director position at one company and kept the other position as a part-time gig (since I was a bit gun shy). Again, the director position was not what I was led to believe. instead of having my own department I was sharing duties with a much less educated woman who had worked for the facility for 23 years - not a good situation. I also discovered this was a facility that routinely fired directors many time per year.
I lasted two months! I did not feel bad because every manager was fired within that two months. the woman i shared the role with begged for a lesser position and to my knowledge is still there. So here I was being let go form two different placed with a few months of one another after never being fired in my entire life! I started to think it was me!
Thankfully, the part time place took me on full time (the pay was even increased) and I did not miss a beat. granted, I hated the job and felt so overqualified. But it was a job and beggars cannot be choosers. I stayed six months before I had the need to travel again - it was a good decision!
Over the next few years I worked in IN, MN, TX and back in PA. I met so many different people and learned how to live my life with less stuff than ever before. i found that if I didn't have something then I really did not need it. As long as I had Internet and cable - I was okay.
Fast forward 3.5 years and the Florida home finally sells! This is after going through 5 realtor's, multiple crazy ass offers and several trips to Florida to make repairs and such. It had been so long on the market and been such a burden that I was numb when the realtor called to give me the news that it finally closed.
All along I could never really take a full time position anywhere because I need the travel money to pay all the bills and over the years I had incurred huge credit card debt. so even though the home sold I remained in huge debt for carrying the home all those years.
The economy worsened and people had a hard time finding work. Along the way I received a mailing from the military and the wacky idea of joining the armed services was planted in my mind. Considering the crappy economy and lessening job prospects the military looked like a golden opportunity to serve my country and have the rare job security. I made the decision and applied and after an 18 month process I was sworn in! Scary and so different than anything i knew before I crossed the blue line (best decision of my life).
Along the way I sold my PA home and decided i would not own another home until I could make long term roots somewhere. I do not see that happening anytime soon. All in all I think I am very fortunate to have job security, be relatively debt free (thanks to the sell of the PA home) and have awesome benefits. It could all have turned in the other direction and the recession could have swallowed me up like so many others.
In 2006 I had a wild hair up my ass to move from my home in Florida to somewhere up north where seasons actually change. The housing market had been hot for a few years and my mind was swimming with the amount of money i could make from the sell of my home. I had a family friend who happened to be a brand new realtor and we came to a very high price and listed the home.
in the meantime, I found a travel position up north and a house and decided I would purchase the new home because I was sure my Florida home would be snatched up within weeks. They say hindsight is 20-20 and I had no idea how bad things would soon get.
My Florida home was way overpriced and I was way too stubborn and greedy. By the time I started to drop my price (very small increments) the housing bubble in Florida was starting to burst. The home sat and sat and sat. Showings were so infrequent and the ones that did come through were not kind when giving feedback. i learned the hard way what not to do when listing a home.
I had a home i could not sell in Florida and a new home in PA that needed work. I had two mortgages and the expense of upkeep on the Florida home (yard work, repairs, electricity, etc...) . More money was going out than coming in and I mean a lot of money was going out. Fortunately, I made a good chunk of change working as a traveler and I was able to swing all the bills, for a time.
The travel position ended and I was forced to find a real job at a much lower rate. I found a full time position (that I hated) and a part-time teaching gig. between both I again could make the payments. Three months later the job I hated ended badly and with no warning and my teaching assignment was also ending. So I went from two jobs to zero jobs! I got a bit depressed!
It too a few months to get another job and I was paying mortgages with credit card checks. The debt was piling up fast. A new job was found and within a month a job I wanted was at my feet. So, I accepted a director position at one company and kept the other position as a part-time gig (since I was a bit gun shy). Again, the director position was not what I was led to believe. instead of having my own department I was sharing duties with a much less educated woman who had worked for the facility for 23 years - not a good situation. I also discovered this was a facility that routinely fired directors many time per year.
I lasted two months! I did not feel bad because every manager was fired within that two months. the woman i shared the role with begged for a lesser position and to my knowledge is still there. So here I was being let go form two different placed with a few months of one another after never being fired in my entire life! I started to think it was me!
Thankfully, the part time place took me on full time (the pay was even increased) and I did not miss a beat. granted, I hated the job and felt so overqualified. But it was a job and beggars cannot be choosers. I stayed six months before I had the need to travel again - it was a good decision!
Over the next few years I worked in IN, MN, TX and back in PA. I met so many different people and learned how to live my life with less stuff than ever before. i found that if I didn't have something then I really did not need it. As long as I had Internet and cable - I was okay.
Fast forward 3.5 years and the Florida home finally sells! This is after going through 5 realtor's, multiple crazy ass offers and several trips to Florida to make repairs and such. It had been so long on the market and been such a burden that I was numb when the realtor called to give me the news that it finally closed.
All along I could never really take a full time position anywhere because I need the travel money to pay all the bills and over the years I had incurred huge credit card debt. so even though the home sold I remained in huge debt for carrying the home all those years.
The economy worsened and people had a hard time finding work. Along the way I received a mailing from the military and the wacky idea of joining the armed services was planted in my mind. Considering the crappy economy and lessening job prospects the military looked like a golden opportunity to serve my country and have the rare job security. I made the decision and applied and after an 18 month process I was sworn in! Scary and so different than anything i knew before I crossed the blue line (best decision of my life).
Along the way I sold my PA home and decided i would not own another home until I could make long term roots somewhere. I do not see that happening anytime soon. All in all I think I am very fortunate to have job security, be relatively debt free (thanks to the sell of the PA home) and have awesome benefits. It could all have turned in the other direction and the recession could have swallowed me up like so many others.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
the ride around
The car saga spilled over from Friday and I was determined to come to some sort of resolution today!
In my prior post I detailed how the dealership could not match a car to the one I paid for. I had gone to the dealership Friday to retrieve my check when the manager asked that i give them until Monday and he guaranteed that he could find a match.
So, Monday rolls around and my phone is strangely quiet. I work nights and left my cousin with the task of answering the phone and waking me with any news. So imagine my surprise when I awaken at 1430 to find the manager has not phoned. I am pissed!
I head to the dealership to let them know that I am not happy at all. I show up and they overhead page the manager and from around the corner the salesman came with my check in his hand. he stated blah blah blah and that with the tsunami in japan the inventory is so low that nobody can get the car I wanted.
I take my check to the car and call the next closest dealership (23 miles away). I tell the salesman that i see something online that matches what i want and do they have it in. He calls back as I am on my way to their dealership and yes it just arrived today.
Long story short - i bought the car within an hour of picking up my check from the other dealership and for a tiny bit less money. Piece of cake!
Mind you i will be taking my new car in for scheduled service at the dealership that could not find me a car - so I am a little glad that I did not show my anger with them - plus the salesman was a nice guy and none of this was his fault.
In my prior post I detailed how the dealership could not match a car to the one I paid for. I had gone to the dealership Friday to retrieve my check when the manager asked that i give them until Monday and he guaranteed that he could find a match.
So, Monday rolls around and my phone is strangely quiet. I work nights and left my cousin with the task of answering the phone and waking me with any news. So imagine my surprise when I awaken at 1430 to find the manager has not phoned. I am pissed!
I head to the dealership to let them know that I am not happy at all. I show up and they overhead page the manager and from around the corner the salesman came with my check in his hand. he stated blah blah blah and that with the tsunami in japan the inventory is so low that nobody can get the car I wanted.
I take my check to the car and call the next closest dealership (23 miles away). I tell the salesman that i see something online that matches what i want and do they have it in. He calls back as I am on my way to their dealership and yes it just arrived today.
Long story short - i bought the car within an hour of picking up my check from the other dealership and for a tiny bit less money. Piece of cake!
Mind you i will be taking my new car in for scheduled service at the dealership that could not find me a car - so I am a little glad that I did not show my anger with them - plus the salesman was a nice guy and none of this was his fault.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Nip...and maybe a tuck..
Guess what? I made an appointment with a doctor. A special type of doctor. A plastic surgeon. Yuppers I am finally in a place where I have the money and will have the time to have my little tune up and I cannot wait.
I researched providers and I found one back home who specializes in facial surgeries. i have yet to decide exactly what i will have done. I will start with the upper and lower eyelid surgery and also the nose job, but from there I am not sure. I will listed to the surgeon and take his advice.
I am sort of thinking about a small chin implant or fat injection in my upper lip and below my eyes. I am not going all Michael Jackson, but I want to get everything all done at once and then never have another procedure performed again. It is sort of my mid-life redo.
My appointment is not for a for a few months so I need to shed a pound or two before i go, because I know those bastards will weigh me!!!
I researched providers and I found one back home who specializes in facial surgeries. i have yet to decide exactly what i will have done. I will start with the upper and lower eyelid surgery and also the nose job, but from there I am not sure. I will listed to the surgeon and take his advice.
I am sort of thinking about a small chin implant or fat injection in my upper lip and below my eyes. I am not going all Michael Jackson, but I want to get everything all done at once and then never have another procedure performed again. It is sort of my mid-life redo.
My appointment is not for a for a few months so I need to shed a pound or two before i go, because I know those bastards will weigh me!!!
Beware of the fat people
This has been a bad bad weekend for the whole diet. I have eaten ice cream (Ben & Jerry), massive amounts of peanut butter and consumed liters of gin & tonic. I am avoiding the scale at all cost. I have gone so far as to use the second bathroom so as not to see the scale looking at me with that tsk tsk face it sometimes gets.
Well, I attribute my non-dieting to the stress of the whole car thing and my lazy study habits. I am two chapters behind and cannot find the motivation to get back into the swing of things and to make matters even more alarming - I have not run in three days.
I am gonna turn into one of those people who gets so fat they can no longer leave their home. I am consumed by shame regarding my epic diet fail.
The only thing I can do is to resolve myself to starting over. invoke my short term memory and start this bad boy all over again. I have until November and I will accomplish my goal! Or I will continue to lack will power and turn into a big ole jabba...its really a toss-up at this point.
Well, I attribute my non-dieting to the stress of the whole car thing and my lazy study habits. I am two chapters behind and cannot find the motivation to get back into the swing of things and to make matters even more alarming - I have not run in three days.
I am gonna turn into one of those people who gets so fat they can no longer leave their home. I am consumed by shame regarding my epic diet fail.
The only thing I can do is to resolve myself to starting over. invoke my short term memory and start this bad boy all over again. I have until November and I will accomplish my goal! Or I will continue to lack will power and turn into a big ole jabba...its really a toss-up at this point.
run gasp run gasp
I have been doing some interval training for the past week to help improve my run times and adjust to new shoes. It is an interesting process.
On one hand i get to sprint over short distances, but my times are slow. See, I run the stop watch while I train but not so much to check my time.
I run two miles and time myself everytime I run. In intervals I run a bit and walk a bit and every day the time is better - even though I do not really count it. I think after another week i will do an actual run to see if my time has really been improved by the intervals and the new shoes.
I have three months and the goal
originally was to trim a minute off of my time, but has since changed to trim closer to two minutes. I really think it can be done and I am doing everything i can do to make it happen.
On one hand i get to sprint over short distances, but my times are slow. See, I run the stop watch while I train but not so much to check my time.
I run two miles and time myself everytime I run. In intervals I run a bit and walk a bit and every day the time is better - even though I do not really count it. I think after another week i will do an actual run to see if my time has really been improved by the intervals and the new shoes.
I have three months and the goal
originally was to trim a minute off of my time, but has since changed to trim closer to two minutes. I really think it can be done and I am doing everything i can do to make it happen.
Le Car
Shit Fuck Damn Hell and anything else I can think of to say. The car hunt has come full stop and I am not much pleased.
To make a long story short...Last week I went to Toyota and wrote a very large check and was told my ride would arrive from another dealership in two days. Two days later I get a call saying there is a snag, but the sales manager is working on it and will call me back. Another day passes with not a peep so I am pissed.
I drive to the dealer intending on picking up the very large check I had written when the sales manager finally decides to get off his country ass and do something. Seems the dealer is not too keen on giving money back - imagine that. So promises were made if I agreed to give them until Monday and that is where it stands.
Still in a nasty rental, still not driving the car of my dreams and still not happy about the entire process. Meh
To make a long story short...Last week I went to Toyota and wrote a very large check and was told my ride would arrive from another dealership in two days. Two days later I get a call saying there is a snag, but the sales manager is working on it and will call me back. Another day passes with not a peep so I am pissed.
I drive to the dealer intending on picking up the very large check I had written when the sales manager finally decides to get off his country ass and do something. Seems the dealer is not too keen on giving money back - imagine that. So promises were made if I agreed to give them until Monday and that is where it stands.
Still in a nasty rental, still not driving the car of my dreams and still not happy about the entire process. Meh
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
determined...
The search for the next american idol...err..I mean my next automobile heads into its second week. I did not imagine when I started this process it would prove so very difficult, but what did I know? right!
Anyway after a week of dealing with sleazy dealers I have decided to take a different approach. I am using my besty Internet to aide me in finding my next car and locating the best deal possible. To date I am in contact with at least 10 dealers in hopes of locating something I want for a price that I can live with.
Now the someone special in my life has been very vocal in my choices stating that I need to go cheap, but I want what i want and its balls to the wall on this purchase. The one nasty obstacle that I did not take into account was the japan tsunami and its impact of Japanese automobiles. it seems the shortage in available vehicles has made it very difficult to locate the auto I want and that is causing the extreme delay.
I have set tomorrow er today now as the date to make the final decision and have some cash change hands. granted I may not take possession of my car until the weekend (as it will need to be located and brought here). If I end this day without a deal in place then I don't know what else to do...
Oh well, wish me luck!!
Anyway after a week of dealing with sleazy dealers I have decided to take a different approach. I am using my besty Internet to aide me in finding my next car and locating the best deal possible. To date I am in contact with at least 10 dealers in hopes of locating something I want for a price that I can live with.
Now the someone special in my life has been very vocal in my choices stating that I need to go cheap, but I want what i want and its balls to the wall on this purchase. The one nasty obstacle that I did not take into account was the japan tsunami and its impact of Japanese automobiles. it seems the shortage in available vehicles has made it very difficult to locate the auto I want and that is causing the extreme delay.
I have set tomorrow er today now as the date to make the final decision and have some cash change hands. granted I may not take possession of my car until the weekend (as it will need to be located and brought here). If I end this day without a deal in place then I don't know what else to do...
Oh well, wish me luck!!
Friday, July 1, 2011
dirty dealers...
It has also been a week of car shopping. I have visited many car lots and been exposed to a slew of those dreaded car dealers. You know the ones - "what is it gonna take to earn your business" and "if we can agree on a price today would you be willing to make a deal."
Uggghhhh to the millionth power!!
Something just plain sneaky and dirty about a car dealer. i don't trust them and I feel dirty after a day of speaking with them - I need a shower just thinking about them.
Anywho, I visited Honda, Chevy, Nissan, Ford, Toyota, VW, Hyundai and even slowed down by a Mazda dealership. It has been a long process as I had not done the research prior to jumping in.
Normally, I would spent two to three months scouring the Internet to zero in on maybe one or two cars I liked. i would schedule a test drive, consult with my bank and compare prices to Internet and other dealers. i do not have the luxury of time to complete a typical type a search so I go to plan B. I visit everyone and look at everything and narrow the field by a process of elimination.
So we come to the last day of the month - they day deemed the best day to purchase a car. A day where any offer will be entertained by the greedy sales managers and customers walk away happy.
I narrowed my selection from four to two by lunch. I had a lovely lunch at Chili's which included a few rounds of beer and I was finally prepared to do battle with the negotiation process.
I decided Toyota had the car I wanted most. The 4runner was to be my next car. I drag a friend along and thankfully the process did not take that long. Toyota was not budging on the price more than a few hundred dollars. i thought WTF? The economy is in the toilet and here I am with cash to spend and they don't budge.
Okay, I will take it in stride and head to the Honda dealer and pick up the 1st runner. This made my third trip to the Honda dealer and they recognized me right off the bat when I came strolling in. Sadly, the salesman i had been working with was with other customers and they stuck me with someone else - I did not like the guy. This process was very short! He had the prices wrong and Honda did not want to budge more than a couple of hundred. Fed up with the process - I said No Deal!
Bottom line - I wanted a car, had cash in hand but returned home with nothing, nada, zilch! The next step - I am unsure.
i want to see if Honda or Toyota calls back over the next few days. If not, then come Monday I start all over again and this time consider buying a used car.
Uggghhhh to the millionth power!!
Something just plain sneaky and dirty about a car dealer. i don't trust them and I feel dirty after a day of speaking with them - I need a shower just thinking about them.
Anywho, I visited Honda, Chevy, Nissan, Ford, Toyota, VW, Hyundai and even slowed down by a Mazda dealership. It has been a long process as I had not done the research prior to jumping in.
Normally, I would spent two to three months scouring the Internet to zero in on maybe one or two cars I liked. i would schedule a test drive, consult with my bank and compare prices to Internet and other dealers. i do not have the luxury of time to complete a typical type a search so I go to plan B. I visit everyone and look at everything and narrow the field by a process of elimination.
So we come to the last day of the month - they day deemed the best day to purchase a car. A day where any offer will be entertained by the greedy sales managers and customers walk away happy.
I narrowed my selection from four to two by lunch. I had a lovely lunch at Chili's which included a few rounds of beer and I was finally prepared to do battle with the negotiation process.
I decided Toyota had the car I wanted most. The 4runner was to be my next car. I drag a friend along and thankfully the process did not take that long. Toyota was not budging on the price more than a few hundred dollars. i thought WTF? The economy is in the toilet and here I am with cash to spend and they don't budge.
Okay, I will take it in stride and head to the Honda dealer and pick up the 1st runner. This made my third trip to the Honda dealer and they recognized me right off the bat when I came strolling in. Sadly, the salesman i had been working with was with other customers and they stuck me with someone else - I did not like the guy. This process was very short! He had the prices wrong and Honda did not want to budge more than a couple of hundred. Fed up with the process - I said No Deal!
Bottom line - I wanted a car, had cash in hand but returned home with nothing, nada, zilch! The next step - I am unsure.
i want to see if Honda or Toyota calls back over the next few days. If not, then come Monday I start all over again and this time consider buying a used car.
Vile Evil Lazy Geico
It has now been a week since my accident. The insurance company has been dragging their feet and I have been reminding them of it on a daily basis. Today the adjuster actually laid eyes on my damaged car and he pretty much said it would be totaled - I expected as much. However, I need them to make it all official and send me the damn check.
I also am bracing myself for the big fight of them paying too little. The cheap bastards collect for years,but when time comes where I actually need them they scurry like a roach with the light on.
This experience has caused me to rethink my insurance decisions. When this is all said and done i will be dumping Geico and moving my auto insurance needs to USAA. I hav always heard so many good things about USAA auto insurance and even though it is a few dollars more - i think it will be worth it.
I also am bracing myself for the big fight of them paying too little. The cheap bastards collect for years,but when time comes where I actually need them they scurry like a roach with the light on.
This experience has caused me to rethink my insurance decisions. When this is all said and done i will be dumping Geico and moving my auto insurance needs to USAA. I hav always heard so many good things about USAA auto insurance and even though it is a few dollars more - i think it will be worth it.
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