I has been a busy, busy past few days for M. and I! We took a road trip to visit friends this weekend. M. got to go golfing Saturday afternoon and I hung out with M.'s best friend's wife and her kiddos. Sunday evening M. and I went to see Radiohead - live - in person - up close! We were only about eight rows back from the stage. Thom York singing, dancing and giving the audience 'the eye,' Jonny Greenwood rocking out on all sorts of instruments, Ed O'Brien strumming his guitar, Colin and Phil were there too - they were just heard more than seen. It was M.'s dream and I was fortunate enough to be the one with him when that dream was realized.
Radiohead respectfully asked fans to 'keep the show live' and to not take videos or photos so M. and I left all our cameras at home or in the car. Of course, there are bootleg videos all over YouTube. None of the videos are especially good. It was an outdoor concert, it was dark, and the LED light displays don't video well on the type of camera people would have had to smuggle in - lots of cell phone cameras, I am guessing. Here is one video showing Thom dancing. The crowd goes wild! This one is pretty good too. In the videos you can see the pit peoples' heads (they had to stand mushed together the entire time). M. and I were off to the left side in the seated area, but not so far we couldn't make out facial features of the band! I would so follow M. to any Radiohead concert anywhere! Don't tell M., but I totally have a crush on Thom! ;)
The opening band was Grizzly Bear. I am now awaiting one of their CDs to arrive from Amazon.com.
We took Monday off so we could rest up before venturing back into real life. We slept in, I made a delectable chicken tortilla soup, and then treated ourselves to the new X Files movie and dinner out. Not extremely X Files-ish, but a good movie anyway.
So now we are coming down off our concert high and getting back into the grind at work. Not fun - I'm going to quit and become a Radiohead groupie. M., your welcome to tag along too... We are shorthanded at work this week, particularly in the front office. I am helping out, but I have to say there are some aspects of helping out up there that I cannot stand. For instance, when we have two people out on vacation, another calls in sick, and the remaining person up front comes in late then has to go get some water before she can help out and that takes another 15-20 minutes. And this is after she has clocked in. Ok, didn't know your water was in Timbuktu.
And, if you read this blog, you know Wednesday is meeting day at the office. RR. had a snarky moment when asking that the front office not send calls back when she has clearly marked herself unavailable on our OfficeView program. Someone has to comment that sometimes the caller says they were just contacted, blah, blah, blah. I could see the daggers shooting from RR's eyes. And then, I offer to do some front office coverage so others can go to lunch. Well, this same particular person logs herself out for lunch, then spends about 30-45 minutes checking personal email and Facebook. Then she leaves the office for over an hour. Granted, I have taken long lunches and do check my personal email at work, but not when we are shorthanded and have to have everyone pitching in.
Oh, I am going back to my concert-induced high and Radiohead fog. I hear some Radioheaddrifting out of M.'s room now...
PS - M. and I now have a cute little Flip video camera, so I will need to try out some video skills and post them to my little piece of the world wide web. Stay tuned!
Showing posts with label Snarky. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Snarky. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Teen Workers Are Peoples Too!
Listen here Ms. Higher Up, don't tell me that you have urgent, urgent work for our teen helper to do when she is in the office, withhold the list of files you need pulled, and then when I come request the list because our teen helper is in the office today snark at me like we are bothering you. Don't tell me, "Teen Helper will just have to wait," in that condescending voice of yours. You are the one who said this needs to be done ASAP. I can't help it if you are busy and don't want to deal with this right now - you are the one who ignored my previous requests for the list like it is some coveted list meant only for your eyes.
Our Teen Helper was right outside your door when you made that snarky remark and I hope it didn't hurt her feelings. I know you probably really don't care about that because you think she is working this job all loosy goosy, but from my standpoint, she's done a good job when she's here and a lot of it has been nasty, hot attic work, so why don't you just step down from your high horse and take a Prozac or something?
Since you weren't ready for her, I now have her working downstairs where it is cool until you deem it appropriate to grace us with your superior highness...
Our Teen Helper was right outside your door when you made that snarky remark and I hope it didn't hurt her feelings. I know you probably really don't care about that because you think she is working this job all loosy goosy, but from my standpoint, she's done a good job when she's here and a lot of it has been nasty, hot attic work, so why don't you just step down from your high horse and take a Prozac or something?
Since you weren't ready for her, I now have her working downstairs where it is cool until you deem it appropriate to grace us with your superior highness...
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
To Someone in the Front Office
Dear Someone,
When we have office staff out we all need to pitch in and help cover that person's job. I take a good portion of duties for the particular person out this week. Did you know last weekend was a holiday weekend and there were emails and information requests piled up from 3 days not only for the person who is out this week, but for me too.
I understand that you, Someone, also take a portion of this person's duties when they are out. What I did not know is that you need to sit at this person's desk to perform these duties. Well, guess what? I have to sit there too to do what I need to do. Yesterday I admit I was at that person's desk for a good portion of the day, but you try going through almost 200 emails and making sure everyone gets the correct information sent to them and let's see if you can get it done in half the time I did.
You could have told me that you needed to sit at that desk since I did not know what you were covering required it, but instead you decided to complain to a 'Higher Up' so this morning I was chastised for helping out and doing someone else's job. Well, poo to you Someone!
Since I am an office goddess, I will kindly transfer everything I can to my own desk so you can sit at the other's desk all day long if that is what you need. I hope your day at the office stinks!
Sincerely,
LilSeed
PS - to my regular readers, I still plan to do a vacation wrap up post and have a few more pictures to post from my trip. I think I will have to break down and actually write that post at home.
When we have office staff out we all need to pitch in and help cover that person's job. I take a good portion of duties for the particular person out this week. Did you know last weekend was a holiday weekend and there were emails and information requests piled up from 3 days not only for the person who is out this week, but for me too.
I understand that you, Someone, also take a portion of this person's duties when they are out. What I did not know is that you need to sit at this person's desk to perform these duties. Well, guess what? I have to sit there too to do what I need to do. Yesterday I admit I was at that person's desk for a good portion of the day, but you try going through almost 200 emails and making sure everyone gets the correct information sent to them and let's see if you can get it done in half the time I did.
You could have told me that you needed to sit at that desk since I did not know what you were covering required it, but instead you decided to complain to a 'Higher Up' so this morning I was chastised for helping out and doing someone else's job. Well, poo to you Someone!
Since I am an office goddess, I will kindly transfer everything I can to my own desk so you can sit at the other's desk all day long if that is what you need. I hope your day at the office stinks!
Sincerely,
LilSeed
PS - to my regular readers, I still plan to do a vacation wrap up post and have a few more pictures to post from my trip. I think I will have to break down and actually write that post at home.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Ack!
I have a story to post about my travels home after my trip to North Dakota, but no time to do that right now. I did have to take a momentary break from my work this morning to bring you this very snarky post.
I love having a summer helper around the office. It is especially exciting this summer because I am organizing her work. But seriously, Ms. Higher Up, if you want me to do the workload organization, then let me do it!! Let me know what needs to be done and what kind of priority the job has. Don't try to add bits and pieces here and there and then act like I am ignoring what you want done. I know what jobs are on the list and I can make sure they get done in a timely matter.
Thank you!
I love having a summer helper around the office. It is especially exciting this summer because I am organizing her work. But seriously, Ms. Higher Up, if you want me to do the workload organization, then let me do it!! Let me know what needs to be done and what kind of priority the job has. Don't try to add bits and pieces here and there and then act like I am ignoring what you want done. I know what jobs are on the list and I can make sure they get done in a timely matter.
Thank you!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
To Someone at This Morning's Meeting
Hey Someone,
Did you know we all know you're sitting up there? It is not necessary to speak over everyone else. It is especially annoying when you begin to talk over someone and you don't know what you're talking about. Let a person have their say - you might learn something about that of which you do not know and you may also not have to comment. But then again, we all know you, and you not commenting would be impossible. I guess I will just have to plea for you to not speak over everyone else, but then again, I know that won't happen either.
Someone, you make me feel like this in meetings:
Did you know we all know you're sitting up there? It is not necessary to speak over everyone else. It is especially annoying when you begin to talk over someone and you don't know what you're talking about. Let a person have their say - you might learn something about that of which you do not know and you may also not have to comment. But then again, we all know you, and you not commenting would be impossible. I guess I will just have to plea for you to not speak over everyone else, but then again, I know that won't happen either.
Someone, you make me feel like this in meetings:
Monday, June 2, 2008
DUCK!
For the past couple weeks we've had a visitor to our back door at the office - a duck. He comes to the door and either stares in or lays down right next to the door and falls asleep with his head under his wing. Other than making a bit of a mess on the concrete pad outside the door, he's really not hurting anything and he provides some office amusement each day.
Bossman has been out of the office for the past two weeks which means he had not seen our back door visitor - and that is lucky for the duck. Bossman has been known to chase geese around our parking lot with his vehicle and also hired a guy with a dog to keep away the geese.
Unfortunately for the duck, Bossman happened to pass by the door this afternoon while duck was lounging out there. Bossman exclaims, "Damn, we have a duck trying to lay an egg out there!" Then Bossman goes up to the door and bangs on it to scare away the duck.
I've got news for you Bossman. You see those green feathers on our duck's head? That means ducky is a boy, and last time I checked, the boys don't lay eggs. But if this one does, you ought to contact the news because we could probably get some publicity from a boy duck laying an egg...
Ducky came back shortly after Bossman departed the office. We will have to wait and see if he gets to stick around or if Bossman hires a duck dog...
And, a note to those road ragers who feel it is necessary to get right up on my ass when I'm driving 60 mph on the interstate: I flip you a virtual bird. I don't need my rear view mirror full of your grill - learn to be more fuel efficient!
Bossman has been out of the office for the past two weeks which means he had not seen our back door visitor - and that is lucky for the duck. Bossman has been known to chase geese around our parking lot with his vehicle and also hired a guy with a dog to keep away the geese.
Unfortunately for the duck, Bossman happened to pass by the door this afternoon while duck was lounging out there. Bossman exclaims, "Damn, we have a duck trying to lay an egg out there!" Then Bossman goes up to the door and bangs on it to scare away the duck.
I've got news for you Bossman. You see those green feathers on our duck's head? That means ducky is a boy, and last time I checked, the boys don't lay eggs. But if this one does, you ought to contact the news because we could probably get some publicity from a boy duck laying an egg...
Ducky came back shortly after Bossman departed the office. We will have to wait and see if he gets to stick around or if Bossman hires a duck dog...
And, a note to those road ragers who feel it is necessary to get right up on my ass when I'm driving 60 mph on the interstate: I flip you a virtual bird. I don't need my rear view mirror full of your grill - learn to be more fuel efficient!
Friday, May 30, 2008
Lunchy, Munchy, Snarky
So I've received a complaint request from RR for more snarky posts. (Go ahead and read her initials as a growly sound, I do.) So, in honor of dear RR and her upcoming birthday, I have mustered up as much snark as possible for this post. Ironically, most of today's snark comes from the birthday lunch for RR that half the office just returned from...
Overall, it was a very nice lunch, and for that I am glad because RR deserved a nice surprise lunch away from the office for her birthday. But there was definitely some stuff to snark about during lunch...
First, our server's name was Addison. Now, I have nothing against the name Addison, in fact, I even sorta like the name - for a girl. But was our server a girl? Not unless, he was an overactive, masculine female. Now, babynames.com does identify Addison as a name for both genders, but I've never met a guy Addison until this afternoon.
Second, Addison was not the world's best server, especially not for my end of the table where I was seated and also MH who is also quite snarky in her own right. Addison was trying way to hard to be that fun, energetic server that large dining groups such as ours are supposed to love. Well, guess what Addie? You have half a small, disgruntled office on your hands and your pep is not appreciated.
Third, Addison looked pretty young. Probably just got out of school for summer break and is now working the summer to get ultra cool rims or a stereo system for his car - you know, the important things in life. I don't know if he's familiar with serving large groups, but I've seen servers handle things quite a bit better. Refills were not that forthcoming, food took some time to get out to the table, took quite awhile longer to get our checks out to us, and then he had to collect the checks in groups because apparently, it is very, very difficult to handle both credit cards and cash at the same time, even though you have those receipts to help you sort it out...
Last, Addison did one thing I really hate when I eat out and pay with cash (which I don't do a lot, but happened to have cash). He asked my if I wanted change. Well, Addie, my bill came to a whopping $7.55 since I chose water instead of my regular Diet Coke and I am handing you a $20 bill. What do you think? Yeah, I'd like $20 in change please...
Maybe I should stop dining out, even my current favorite lunchtime eatery is getting on my nerves. I go to lunch early to avoid the crowds because I hate crowds, probably more than anything else, I hate crowds. So, I get there early, order my food, and take a small two-seater table out of the way. Well, I've posted before about people deciding they need to sit right near my table even though every other freaking table in the place is open and even though I am quieting trying to read a book during my hour of what is supposed to be peace. Going earlier solved that problem pretty well, but the owner of the place is usually there at the time I go to lunch and she is so loud. She is one of the loudest people I've ever heard. I can hear her talking to employees in the kitchen while trying to read my book.
Yesterday, I settled in to read part of Sophie's Choice. (I am enjoying the book, but it is taking my a little longer to get through than some because the type is itty bitty and it's kind of a long book.) There were four other people in the place at the time. Owner lady brings them out salad and then proceeds to stand by their table and very loudly discusses the new balsamic salad dressing they are using and is having all four people try it and tell her what they think. I am trying to get lost in the abusive relationship of Sophie and Nathan, but keep hearing things like, "It doesn't separate like the old balsamic," and, "It's not as creamy..." Ack!
Once they are past the salad dressing discussion, Owner lady is seated at the table with the other four people and they have moved on to discussing video games and systems. They are all a bit older, and I vaguely hear them trying to decide which manufacturer makes the Wii system. I am trying not to listen, but at the same time am thinking, how can you watch TV or see an electronic store ad today and not know who makes the Wii?! Then I hear my name called. (They take your first name at this particular place so they can call you when they bring out your food, so they know me there, or at least my name.) Owner lady is calling me out of 1947 New York... "Who makes the Wii?" Nintendo, I say and promptly bury my head back in my book. I then hear them discussing how I would know since I am younger...
I found myself making what I call the "Char eye." CD used to work in our office until she moved our to Oregon. CD used to make this one-eyed scrunchy look when she thought something was annoying and I find myself doing it at times.
I need to live in a bubble... a sound proof bubble. But they could pipe in some Nine Inch Nails into my bubble - I like me some NiN when I am stressed out, or some other hard, alternative rock... Speaking of which, KE said she was surprised to read on my recent Nano post that I listen to NiN. Well, I do, have for a long time.
It's kind of funny how I got my first NiN CD The Downward Spiral. I had just gotten a CD player, you know one of those hulkingly huge ones that you had to hook up to a receiver to get any sound because they were still a pretty new invention (this was a long time ago). To build my CD collection I joined one of those CD clubs where you buy one at regular price and get 9 for $.01. Columbia House or something.
I didn't listen to a lot of music when I was younger. We lived in a rural area and I was outside most of the time making up some adventure story. When I looked through the Columbia House catalog, I didn't know most of the artists, so I just looked for ones marked 'Parental Advisory - Explicit Lyrics' because I was a rebel, I was hardcore. I'd never heard of NiN, but they had one of those black and white stickers, so I ordered it. That's also how I got my first Nirvana CD... Nevermind.
Overall, it was a very nice lunch, and for that I am glad because RR deserved a nice surprise lunch away from the office for her birthday. But there was definitely some stuff to snark about during lunch...
First, our server's name was Addison. Now, I have nothing against the name Addison, in fact, I even sorta like the name - for a girl. But was our server a girl? Not unless, he was an overactive, masculine female. Now, babynames.com does identify Addison as a name for both genders, but I've never met a guy Addison until this afternoon.
Second, Addison was not the world's best server, especially not for my end of the table where I was seated and also MH who is also quite snarky in her own right. Addison was trying way to hard to be that fun, energetic server that large dining groups such as ours are supposed to love. Well, guess what Addie? You have half a small, disgruntled office on your hands and your pep is not appreciated.
Third, Addison looked pretty young. Probably just got out of school for summer break and is now working the summer to get ultra cool rims or a stereo system for his car - you know, the important things in life. I don't know if he's familiar with serving large groups, but I've seen servers handle things quite a bit better. Refills were not that forthcoming, food took some time to get out to the table, took quite awhile longer to get our checks out to us, and then he had to collect the checks in groups because apparently, it is very, very difficult to handle both credit cards and cash at the same time, even though you have those receipts to help you sort it out...
Last, Addison did one thing I really hate when I eat out and pay with cash (which I don't do a lot, but happened to have cash). He asked my if I wanted change. Well, Addie, my bill came to a whopping $7.55 since I chose water instead of my regular Diet Coke and I am handing you a $20 bill. What do you think? Yeah, I'd like $20 in change please...
Maybe I should stop dining out, even my current favorite lunchtime eatery is getting on my nerves. I go to lunch early to avoid the crowds because I hate crowds, probably more than anything else, I hate crowds. So, I get there early, order my food, and take a small two-seater table out of the way. Well, I've posted before about people deciding they need to sit right near my table even though every other freaking table in the place is open and even though I am quieting trying to read a book during my hour of what is supposed to be peace. Going earlier solved that problem pretty well, but the owner of the place is usually there at the time I go to lunch and she is so loud. She is one of the loudest people I've ever heard. I can hear her talking to employees in the kitchen while trying to read my book.
Yesterday, I settled in to read part of Sophie's Choice. (I am enjoying the book, but it is taking my a little longer to get through than some because the type is itty bitty and it's kind of a long book.) There were four other people in the place at the time. Owner lady brings them out salad and then proceeds to stand by their table and very loudly discusses the new balsamic salad dressing they are using and is having all four people try it and tell her what they think. I am trying to get lost in the abusive relationship of Sophie and Nathan, but keep hearing things like, "It doesn't separate like the old balsamic," and, "It's not as creamy..." Ack!
Once they are past the salad dressing discussion, Owner lady is seated at the table with the other four people and they have moved on to discussing video games and systems. They are all a bit older, and I vaguely hear them trying to decide which manufacturer makes the Wii system. I am trying not to listen, but at the same time am thinking, how can you watch TV or see an electronic store ad today and not know who makes the Wii?! Then I hear my name called. (They take your first name at this particular place so they can call you when they bring out your food, so they know me there, or at least my name.) Owner lady is calling me out of 1947 New York... "Who makes the Wii?" Nintendo, I say and promptly bury my head back in my book. I then hear them discussing how I would know since I am younger...
I found myself making what I call the "Char eye." CD used to work in our office until she moved our to Oregon. CD used to make this one-eyed scrunchy look when she thought something was annoying and I find myself doing it at times.
It's kind of funny how I got my first NiN CD The Downward Spiral. I had just gotten a CD player, you know one of those hulkingly huge ones that you had to hook up to a receiver to get any sound because they were still a pretty new invention (this was a long time ago). To build my CD collection I joined one of those CD clubs where you buy one at regular price and get 9 for $.01. Columbia House or something.
I didn't listen to a lot of music when I was younger. We lived in a rural area and I was outside most of the time making up some adventure story. When I looked through the Columbia House catalog, I didn't know most of the artists, so I just looked for ones marked 'Parental Advisory - Explicit Lyrics' because I was a rebel, I was hardcore. I'd never heard of NiN, but they had one of those black and white stickers, so I ordered it. That's also how I got my first Nirvana CD... Nevermind.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Alas....
I think the blogging bug has left me. It may be the weather (nicer weather for me means nicer disposition) or it may be that bossman is out of the country... Whatever it is means that the Snark Chronicles has been neglected once again. I shall end up losing all my readers and drift away to the wasteland of unread blogs.
There is a little snark about today. Does anyone else use Google Reader to track your favorite blogs? I do, have for some time now. It's nice because I click 'Reader' and instantly I can see which of my favorite blogs have been updated instead of clicking all over the world wide web. Well, for the past few days I click 'Reader' and see that several blogs have been updated, but when I click the specific blogs in reader I get this message, 'Whatever Blog has no unread items.' What?! I can see by the blue number at the end of the blog's title that it does have unread items. Where are they? Why can't I view them? Reader what have you done?
To make matters even more snarky, the only way to submit a problem to Google is to post to a message board. I absolutely hate message boards. They get all jammed up with junky, no reason posts and I can never find information that I need. I would much rather have a help email address I can write to or an online form to fill out then post to the Google Help Board. Especially since someone already posted this issue and has, so far, received no response from Google.
Well, that's it for now. If you are one of my few frequent visitors, please do not abandon me! I will try to be better about posting. Bossman will be back eventually and the long weekend is over...
There is a little snark about today. Does anyone else use Google Reader to track your favorite blogs? I do, have for some time now. It's nice because I click 'Reader' and instantly I can see which of my favorite blogs have been updated instead of clicking all over the world wide web. Well, for the past few days I click 'Reader' and see that several blogs have been updated, but when I click the specific blogs in reader I get this message, 'Whatever Blog has no unread items.' What?! I can see by the blue number at the end of the blog's title that it does have unread items. Where are they? Why can't I view them? Reader what have you done?
To make matters even more snarky, the only way to submit a problem to Google is to post to a message board. I absolutely hate message boards. They get all jammed up with junky, no reason posts and I can never find information that I need. I would much rather have a help email address I can write to or an online form to fill out then post to the Google Help Board. Especially since someone already posted this issue and has, so far, received no response from Google.
Well, that's it for now. If you are one of my few frequent visitors, please do not abandon me! I will try to be better about posting. Bossman will be back eventually and the long weekend is over...
Monday, May 19, 2008
Thought Spill... *CAUTION* It's a long one!
Oh, I have been gone so long! Things have been extra busy for me at work and I typically don't blog on the weekends, but here I am. Welcome to a new blog post! How have you all been?
Weekend Happenings: After sleeping off the beginnings of some kind of illness all Friday, I was pretty ready for the weekend. Saturday was chore day (not a routine or typical happening at our house). M. got out and mowed our lawn even though it didn't look half as bad as a neighbor. This particular neighbor is also at the very beginning of the subdivision while we're tucked away in the back, so neighbor's grass is visible to all visitors to our neighborhood. The grass is probably about 3 feet high and going to seed (Clyde and Luigi would definitely get lost in that grass jungle)! That neighbor sucks. Our lawn looks all nice now even without any landscaping...
I did stuff too! I cleaned inside while M. took care of the outside. We now have sparkly fresh bathrooms, vacuumed floors, and Clyde and Luigi are having a much nicer box experience. I also finished reading A Darker Place. I am always excited to find potentially good authors I've never read before, so when I saw this book on the shelf at the library tagged as 'mystery' and with the cover proclaiming 'A Nail-Biter Thriller,' this had to be at least decent, right? Well, it was okay as far as putting together sentences and that sort of thing, but nowhere in the almost 500 pages did I feel it was thrilling (certainly not to the point I was chomping my nails) nor was it what I would call 'mysterious.' So much for Laurie R. King as a new author on my book list... This book did get almost 5 stars on Amazon.com, so some people out there like. Not me.
I know you are all here to find out what I'm reading and how much I did or did not enjoy it, so I will tell you once I finished A Darker Place I immediately plunged into The Secret Life of Bees. What a difference! This book is not typed in the same genre as A Darker Place (supposed to be a mystery, but really isn't) - The Secret Life of Bees is more in the range of literary drama, but oh so much better - even in the first 10 pages! I've got about 100 pages left to go and look forward to finishing it up tonight.
I will have plenty of time to read tonight since M. has embarked on a new gaming experience - The Age of Conan. M. has been excited about this online game for some time now and it was just released to a limited number of players for advanced access and M. was lucky enough to register in time for the early access. I am sure he will be totally enthralled in Hyboria tonight. M. has been trying to get me to read the books the game is based on - the Conan series by Robert E. Howard. This is not the kind of book I usually read, but when I am done with my current Book Bag I may try out one, just to see. I did try out the game for a couple hours yesterday and liked it well enough. I do enjoy video games, but those online role playing games where you have to team up with other people to complete quests are totally not for me. I am as antisocial in the online gaming world as I am in real life and do not like to play with others. The Age of Conan has 20 player levels that are single-player before you have to get into all the team up and conquer stuff, so I can play it for awhile - if I can get M. away from it for a bit, that is!
Okay, so the gaming bit last night is a bit out of order. I did do some more productive stuff Sunday before creating Raksasha, the Cimmerian bear shaman. M. and I ventured out to do some errands. Our first stop was the dreaded mega store.
We do try to avoid the mega store whenever we can, but after a bad experience with a 'all we do is eye exams' place a couple years ago I decided to go back to the vision center at the mega store. I really like the eye doctor at the mega store - he explained everything he was doing very well and I now more than I ever wanted to about the shape of my eyes, why certain contacts do not work, etc. It was still nicer than him just saying, "Is 1 or 2 better? How about 3 or 4?" So my exam was well over a month ago. Of course because my eyes are shaped weird (I have an astigmatism plus my eyes apparently also lay funny in the socket or something) my contacts have to be ordered, they are not regular stock at mega store's vision center. No big deal, I had a trial pair that would last me about a month and the ordered contacts were supposed to be in within a week or so. I did get the call that my contacts were ready shortly after ordering them and went in, picked them up and it was all easy peasy. Well, then my trial contacts were done for so I pull out the contacts I picked up. Opened the bag and well, they weren't the right ones! They were not for astigmatism and were the same strength in both boxes. I've known since I was in grade school that my eyes do not require the same amount of correction - my left one is definitely a bit behind my right eye. So I call and mega store vision center doesn't know how that happened, or where the contacts they ordered for me went, so they reorder.
And that is why M. and I made the stop at the mega store yesterday - to pick up my reordered contacts. We were walking through the parking lot behind a guy waving his cigarette around in the wind and thus burning out our eyes and nostrils because it was Sunday at the mega store and the only available parking was a mile from the store. We finally make it to the doors and pop in expecting a quick in and out, but to our dread the vision center was still dark - it doesn't open until noon on Sunday and it was 11:55. Well, since we were already at the mega store, we decided to browse a little while waiting for the vision center to open (M. is on a quest to find somewhere that still sells corn nuts). So we browse, and due to the crowds, end up back at the vision center about 12:05. Still dark!
Since it was now 5 minutes past when mega store vision center was supposed to open, M. went over to the greeter and asked if the vision center would be open today. Her response was, "He should be opening soon." By now there is another person standing at the black ropes keeping people out of the still dark vision center. I want to leave, telling M. I'll just pop in tomorrow since the mega store is near where I work. M. is insistent we wait.
About 12:08 we see someone beginning to move around in the darkened vision center. It is the smoking marvel who irritated our nasal passages on the way in. He's kind of moving around in there - not too fast despite the line growing outside the black ropes. Finally, he makes his way over to the ropes and removes them (still no lights). The guy waiting in front of M. and I slowly enters the darkened area. M. and I slowly enter behind him. It's still dark, but it's now almost 10 minutes past opening time, so is the vision center open or is it not? Smoking marvel still hasn't said a word. He goes over to a table of sunglasses and begins dinking around with them. No, "I will be right with you people who have been waiting and waiting since I decided to do whatever it was I was doing in the back instead of opening on time." No, "I am so sorry I had to have that last bit of cancer-inducing death stick instead of getting my butt in here to open on time."
Now the guy who entered in front of us is giving us that hesitant, "What the hell is going on" smile and we're giving it right back to him. It was probably only a few seconds between the dinking around at the sunglasses table until smoking marvel turned on the lights in the vision center, but it felt like an awkward 5 additional minutes. Finally, he helps the guy who entered in front of us. Of course, smoking marvel hasn't unlocked anything yet, so as he sets about helping in front-of-us-guy, he is also doing what he should have in that 5 minutes before noon (or the 10+ minutes he would have had if he'd skipped the cigarette).
When in front-of-us-guy is done I explain to smoking marvel why I am there. When I tell him that I was given the wrong contacts and I am now here to pick up the correct ones he exclaims, "Really? That has never happened before." Well, goodie gumdrops smoking marvel, please just get me my contacts! Which he did, and it took all of 2 seconds. A much snarkier situation than it should have been.
So then we're out of mega store having spent about 21 minutes/1 second more than we'd anticipated being in mega store. Then it was off to pick up an allergy prescription for M., some lunch, and our final stop, a home improvement place so M. could exchange his mom's defective wind chime and I could pick up terrarium supplies which took longer than M. had patience for and cost more than I had expected. Then it was home again, home again so M. could rush off to our 3-year old niece's birthday party.
My plan for the afternoon while M. was at the party was to try out his new Conan game. It seemed like the perfect time since he would be at the party, not hovering over my shoulder griping about how I chose to plan games or anxiously waiting for his turn at it again. So I got my terrarium supplies situated on our front porch (so the cats couldn't chew the plants) and tried to log in. Alas, the game was down for "tweaks and updates." Likely downtime = approximately 2 hours.
Okay, no problem. I had terrariums to plant. So I prepared my kitchen for that project. I laid mats over our table, brought in all the supplies from the front porch, got my containers out, and set to. I got as far as washing the containers and placing the drainage layer of rocks into the bottoms. I then realized despite the exorbitant amount of time I took to gather my supplies (exorbitant at least in M.'s mind), I had forgotten to get charcoal - a necessary layer to prevent soil mold and rot. Well, after spending as much as I did on the plants and other supplies, I was not going to let it go to waste by letting my soil fall prey to mold or stinky rot.
So I had a dilemma: go back to town and get some charcoal or back everything up and try again another day. Once I get into a project I rarely like to quit right at the beginning (if it's long and drawn out I may quit later, but not at the beginning) so I decided to head back to the home improvement store. I looked all over that darn store's garden section. No horticulture charcoal. Well, I knew where I could get some charcoal for certain - the mega store. Even if they didn't have horticulture charcoal, the fish supplies section would have charcoal for the fishy filters. So for the second time in one day I was back at the dreaded mega store. But I was right, they had charcoal, so mission accomplished.
And, because the people in front of my in the '10 items or less speedy checkout' had forgotten something and I had time to look over the impulse register items, I ended up buying some of these 'As Seen on TV' Green Bags. I thought since I am doing way more cooking and because we buy a lot more fresh produce that eventually doesn't all get used because it's just the two of us, these things would be handy (as long as they work like they are supposed to).
Back at home, I was now prepared to plant some terrariums! But the approximate two hour downtime for the game had passed, and since I had my plants securely shut away in a cabinet, I decided to try out the game. After all, once M. got home he would want to play the game and then I would have free time to plant. Well, on second attempt to log into the game server I found out that they were now approximating another hour of downtime. Well, poo! Back to the plants...
Once again I got everything out. I had planned to take pictures of my in-progress work on the terrariums, but between the unexpected charcoal trip, the ever-increasing game downtime, and attempting to keep cats off counters and out of dirt and plants, the pictures were forgotten. I even forgot to take pictures of the end products, but I created four very lovely terrariums. I left two at home and have two in my office. If any of my fellow office workers would like to stop by and visit, you can also admire my horticulture skill. I'll have to try to remember some photos for the blog too.
I did end up trying out the game, but you already knew that from reading one of the paragraphs way up there in this post. M. graciously gave me some time to try it out after he got home and practiced his guitar in the meantime.
So there is a very long step-by-step theme on 'What I Did This Weekend.' Now on to:
Monday Snarkiness: (Typically, this is Monday morning snarkiness, but my weekend took up so much time that it's now afternoon...) Here are today's random snarks, brought to you from my office:
Weekend Happenings: After sleeping off the beginnings of some kind of illness all Friday, I was pretty ready for the weekend. Saturday was chore day (not a routine or typical happening at our house). M. got out and mowed our lawn even though it didn't look half as bad as a neighbor. This particular neighbor is also at the very beginning of the subdivision while we're tucked away in the back, so neighbor's grass is visible to all visitors to our neighborhood. The grass is probably about 3 feet high and going to seed (Clyde and Luigi would definitely get lost in that grass jungle)! That neighbor sucks. Our lawn looks all nice now even without any landscaping...
I did stuff too! I cleaned inside while M. took care of the outside. We now have sparkly fresh bathrooms, vacuumed floors, and Clyde and Luigi are having a much nicer box experience. I also finished reading A Darker Place. I am always excited to find potentially good authors I've never read before, so when I saw this book on the shelf at the library tagged as 'mystery' and with the cover proclaiming 'A Nail-Biter Thriller,' this had to be at least decent, right? Well, it was okay as far as putting together sentences and that sort of thing, but nowhere in the almost 500 pages did I feel it was thrilling (certainly not to the point I was chomping my nails) nor was it what I would call 'mysterious.' So much for Laurie R. King as a new author on my book list... This book did get almost 5 stars on Amazon.com, so some people out there like. Not me.
I know you are all here to find out what I'm reading and how much I did or did not enjoy it, so I will tell you once I finished A Darker Place I immediately plunged into The Secret Life of Bees. What a difference! This book is not typed in the same genre as A Darker Place (supposed to be a mystery, but really isn't) - The Secret Life of Bees is more in the range of literary drama, but oh so much better - even in the first 10 pages! I've got about 100 pages left to go and look forward to finishing it up tonight.
I will have plenty of time to read tonight since M. has embarked on a new gaming experience - The Age of Conan. M. has been excited about this online game for some time now and it was just released to a limited number of players for advanced access and M. was lucky enough to register in time for the early access. I am sure he will be totally enthralled in Hyboria tonight. M. has been trying to get me to read the books the game is based on - the Conan series by Robert E. Howard. This is not the kind of book I usually read, but when I am done with my current Book Bag I may try out one, just to see. I did try out the game for a couple hours yesterday and liked it well enough. I do enjoy video games, but those online role playing games where you have to team up with other people to complete quests are totally not for me. I am as antisocial in the online gaming world as I am in real life and do not like to play with others. The Age of Conan has 20 player levels that are single-player before you have to get into all the team up and conquer stuff, so I can play it for awhile - if I can get M. away from it for a bit, that is!
Okay, so the gaming bit last night is a bit out of order. I did do some more productive stuff Sunday before creating Raksasha, the Cimmerian bear shaman. M. and I ventured out to do some errands. Our first stop was the dreaded mega store.
We do try to avoid the mega store whenever we can, but after a bad experience with a 'all we do is eye exams' place a couple years ago I decided to go back to the vision center at the mega store. I really like the eye doctor at the mega store - he explained everything he was doing very well and I now more than I ever wanted to about the shape of my eyes, why certain contacts do not work, etc. It was still nicer than him just saying, "Is 1 or 2 better? How about 3 or 4?" So my exam was well over a month ago. Of course because my eyes are shaped weird (I have an astigmatism plus my eyes apparently also lay funny in the socket or something) my contacts have to be ordered, they are not regular stock at mega store's vision center. No big deal, I had a trial pair that would last me about a month and the ordered contacts were supposed to be in within a week or so. I did get the call that my contacts were ready shortly after ordering them and went in, picked them up and it was all easy peasy. Well, then my trial contacts were done for so I pull out the contacts I picked up. Opened the bag and well, they weren't the right ones! They were not for astigmatism and were the same strength in both boxes. I've known since I was in grade school that my eyes do not require the same amount of correction - my left one is definitely a bit behind my right eye. So I call and mega store vision center doesn't know how that happened, or where the contacts they ordered for me went, so they reorder.
And that is why M. and I made the stop at the mega store yesterday - to pick up my reordered contacts. We were walking through the parking lot behind a guy waving his cigarette around in the wind and thus burning out our eyes and nostrils because it was Sunday at the mega store and the only available parking was a mile from the store. We finally make it to the doors and pop in expecting a quick in and out, but to our dread the vision center was still dark - it doesn't open until noon on Sunday and it was 11:55. Well, since we were already at the mega store, we decided to browse a little while waiting for the vision center to open (M. is on a quest to find somewhere that still sells corn nuts). So we browse, and due to the crowds, end up back at the vision center about 12:05. Still dark!
Since it was now 5 minutes past when mega store vision center was supposed to open, M. went over to the greeter and asked if the vision center would be open today. Her response was, "He should be opening soon." By now there is another person standing at the black ropes keeping people out of the still dark vision center. I want to leave, telling M. I'll just pop in tomorrow since the mega store is near where I work. M. is insistent we wait.
About 12:08 we see someone beginning to move around in the darkened vision center. It is the smoking marvel who irritated our nasal passages on the way in. He's kind of moving around in there - not too fast despite the line growing outside the black ropes. Finally, he makes his way over to the ropes and removes them (still no lights). The guy waiting in front of M. and I slowly enters the darkened area. M. and I slowly enter behind him. It's still dark, but it's now almost 10 minutes past opening time, so is the vision center open or is it not? Smoking marvel still hasn't said a word. He goes over to a table of sunglasses and begins dinking around with them. No, "I will be right with you people who have been waiting and waiting since I decided to do whatever it was I was doing in the back instead of opening on time." No, "I am so sorry I had to have that last bit of cancer-inducing death stick instead of getting my butt in here to open on time."
Now the guy who entered in front of us is giving us that hesitant, "What the hell is going on" smile and we're giving it right back to him. It was probably only a few seconds between the dinking around at the sunglasses table until smoking marvel turned on the lights in the vision center, but it felt like an awkward 5 additional minutes. Finally, he helps the guy who entered in front of us. Of course, smoking marvel hasn't unlocked anything yet, so as he sets about helping in front-of-us-guy, he is also doing what he should have in that 5 minutes before noon (or the 10+ minutes he would have had if he'd skipped the cigarette).
When in front-of-us-guy is done I explain to smoking marvel why I am there. When I tell him that I was given the wrong contacts and I am now here to pick up the correct ones he exclaims, "Really? That has never happened before." Well, goodie gumdrops smoking marvel, please just get me my contacts! Which he did, and it took all of 2 seconds. A much snarkier situation than it should have been.
So then we're out of mega store having spent about 21 minutes/1 second more than we'd anticipated being in mega store. Then it was off to pick up an allergy prescription for M., some lunch, and our final stop, a home improvement place so M. could exchange his mom's defective wind chime and I could pick up terrarium supplies which took longer than M. had patience for and cost more than I had expected. Then it was home again, home again so M. could rush off to our 3-year old niece's birthday party.
My plan for the afternoon while M. was at the party was to try out his new Conan game. It seemed like the perfect time since he would be at the party, not hovering over my shoulder griping about how I chose to plan games or anxiously waiting for his turn at it again. So I got my terrarium supplies situated on our front porch (so the cats couldn't chew the plants) and tried to log in. Alas, the game was down for "tweaks and updates." Likely downtime = approximately 2 hours.
Okay, no problem. I had terrariums to plant. So I prepared my kitchen for that project. I laid mats over our table, brought in all the supplies from the front porch, got my containers out, and set to. I got as far as washing the containers and placing the drainage layer of rocks into the bottoms. I then realized despite the exorbitant amount of time I took to gather my supplies (exorbitant at least in M.'s mind), I had forgotten to get charcoal - a necessary layer to prevent soil mold and rot. Well, after spending as much as I did on the plants and other supplies, I was not going to let it go to waste by letting my soil fall prey to mold or stinky rot.
So I had a dilemma: go back to town and get some charcoal or back everything up and try again another day. Once I get into a project I rarely like to quit right at the beginning (if it's long and drawn out I may quit later, but not at the beginning) so I decided to head back to the home improvement store. I looked all over that darn store's garden section. No horticulture charcoal. Well, I knew where I could get some charcoal for certain - the mega store. Even if they didn't have horticulture charcoal, the fish supplies section would have charcoal for the fishy filters. So for the second time in one day I was back at the dreaded mega store. But I was right, they had charcoal, so mission accomplished.
And, because the people in front of my in the '10 items or less speedy checkout' had forgotten something and I had time to look over the impulse register items, I ended up buying some of these 'As Seen on TV' Green Bags. I thought since I am doing way more cooking and because we buy a lot more fresh produce that eventually doesn't all get used because it's just the two of us, these things would be handy (as long as they work like they are supposed to).
Back at home, I was now prepared to plant some terrariums! But the approximate two hour downtime for the game had passed, and since I had my plants securely shut away in a cabinet, I decided to try out the game. After all, once M. got home he would want to play the game and then I would have free time to plant. Well, on second attempt to log into the game server I found out that they were now approximating another hour of downtime. Well, poo! Back to the plants...
Once again I got everything out. I had planned to take pictures of my in-progress work on the terrariums, but between the unexpected charcoal trip, the ever-increasing game downtime, and attempting to keep cats off counters and out of dirt and plants, the pictures were forgotten. I even forgot to take pictures of the end products, but I created four very lovely terrariums. I left two at home and have two in my office. If any of my fellow office workers would like to stop by and visit, you can also admire my horticulture skill. I'll have to try to remember some photos for the blog too.
I did end up trying out the game, but you already knew that from reading one of the paragraphs way up there in this post. M. graciously gave me some time to try it out after he got home and practiced his guitar in the meantime.
So there is a very long step-by-step theme on 'What I Did This Weekend.' Now on to:
Monday Snarkiness: (Typically, this is Monday morning snarkiness, but my weekend took up so much time that it's now afternoon...) Here are today's random snarks, brought to you from my office:
- Bossman is out of town and has sent me two emails in which he just forwards something he received and gives me no explanation of what I am supposed to do with this information...
- There's lemon cake in the break room. You ask what is snarky about lemon cake? Well, it's more to do with who brought in the lemon cake. It's just a symbolic reminder of the sappy happy this person exudes while at work. Sappy happy makes me want to vomit.
- The library bookcase is still empty and makes me snarky every time I walk in the front door.
- I was told if I got my self-evaluation completed by May 9th, my annual review would take place on time this year (a great feat for this place). Well, I turned the blasted thing in on the 8th and my review still has not been scheduled. Tomorrow is my 4 year anniversary here.
- The search feature thingy on my blog is not working right (Google is having some serious issues lately), so I've really had to hunt around to find past posts I want to link to this post.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Ragin' on the Road
On my way to work this morning I stop at a two way stop - cross traffic does not stop. The person at the stop sign across from me was there before I halted my car and they are turning left (left blinker light is clearly displayed). So once cross traffic is clear I wait for lefty to make their turn. Well, since people in that area are not the best about waiting for people to make their left turns, this person was understandably cautious. The jacked up Toyota behind me however apparently has no patience for traffic niceties. As soon as he realizes that the cross path is clear and neither I nor lefty has made a move in about three seconds he lays on his horn.
Well, Mr. Jackass, I will give you the benefit of the doubt: you must have raging demented bees buzzing up your ass, your nose hairs must have been on fire, perhaps your fingertips were melting off? All valid reasons to be a hyperactive maniac on the road... Anyway, Mr. Jackass, your insistence did not pay off did it? Unluckily for you I drove the speed limit all the way to the interstate and then went 60 mph in the 70 mph zone. Needless to say, as soon as he got a chance Mr. Jackass flew past me. I am sure those bees were really beginning to be a nuisance...
In fashion news, I am wearing a new skirt today. That is news in itself since I have a narrow selection of skirts I wear all week. This particular skirt was on the clearance rack at Target for a mere $5, so of course I had to have it. I didn't realize until I put it on this morning that it is a bit shorter than my usual skirts. So today is Self-conscious Tuesday.
Well, Mr. Jackass, I will give you the benefit of the doubt: you must have raging demented bees buzzing up your ass, your nose hairs must have been on fire, perhaps your fingertips were melting off? All valid reasons to be a hyperactive maniac on the road... Anyway, Mr. Jackass, your insistence did not pay off did it? Unluckily for you I drove the speed limit all the way to the interstate and then went 60 mph in the 70 mph zone. Needless to say, as soon as he got a chance Mr. Jackass flew past me. I am sure those bees were really beginning to be a nuisance...
In fashion news, I am wearing a new skirt today. That is news in itself since I have a narrow selection of skirts I wear all week. This particular skirt was on the clearance rack at Target for a mere $5, so of course I had to have it. I didn't realize until I put it on this morning that it is a bit shorter than my usual skirts. So today is Self-conscious Tuesday.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Birthday Bonanza and Monday Morning Snark
Before I get into any snarkiness this morning, I would like to update all my wonderful, faithful readers (I know I have at least 4) on what I did this weekend.
Wordiness about the Weekend: Most of my readers know it was my birthday Saturday. Because age means nothing to me, I don't mind putting it out there that I am now 29 years old and I do not fear the approaching 30. So for my birthday M. and I went out to lunch and to a movie.
But before we went on birthday fun we made a stop at Lowes so M. could get a mother's day present (way to wait until nearly the last minute!!). He picked out a very nice bamboo wind chime. But guess what? We have to take it back because when his mom opened it yesterday one of the ceramic butterflies and bamboo thingys was missing. It figures we would get the defective one! After Lowes, it was off to lunch...
I got to choose where we ate, and instead of the old standby sit down restaurant (Applebees) I decided we'd venture to TGIFridays - even though it is attached to the mall, the most evil, evil shopping place. I also made M. drive so I didn't have to get stressed out by the last minute Mother's Day shopping traffic.
I ate at a TGIFridays a looong time ago during my first year of college. M. had never ate at one, so it was like a whole new experience for us. Matt had a 'petite sirloin' with a side of very yummy white cheddar jalapeno macaroni. (Kudos to M. for not getting chicken fingers!) I am typically not a big red meat eater, but I decided to try something different and went with the week 3 winner from the Ultimate Recipe Showdown on Food Network - the Chipotle Grilled Steak Sandwich. I was a little weary of this dish since it was steak and plantains, but decided to go for it anyway and it was delicious! (I had mine with fries instead of the onion rings, but M. and I really shared his macaroni as a side to both our lunches.)
We then stopped at the theater to see Baby Mama. Now M. was not thrilled about seeing this movie, but again, my birthday, my choice. He ended up liking it much more than he thought he would. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler = very funny movie. Romany Malco was also in the movie (and has the lines from which the movie gets it's title). M. and I have enjoyed Romany's acting since seeing him in The 40 Year Old Virgin. We didn't know Romany was in the movie, so that was a nice surprise. If you enjoy comedy movies and don't get hung up on un-PC comments made in the movie, go see this one!
When we got home Clyde had decided to leave a nice present in the middle of the living
room - a hairball. Since it was my birthday that present was for M. Then it was present time for me. M. got me a new set of knives - he almost got me a new mixer, but fortunately he is a devoted Snark Chronicle reader and found out that a mixer wouldn't really help me out all that much. M. even consulted with his mom to make sure he got some good knives (OXO Good-Grips). I've not had a chance to use them yet, but they sure do look nice on my counter! I also have a pair of kitchen shears coming for the slot in the front and another knife to fill out all the slots. (M. ordered in plenty of time, but these two pieces were shipped by the ultra slow USPS.)
M.'s mom got me a Xyron adhesive runner. This will come in very handy so I'm not gluing my fingers together or getting glue all over my craft table when working on traditional paperart crafts. My parents sent me some cash.
After all the birthday fun I made a flan to take to M.'s parents on Sunday for Mother's Day. I even got the caramelized topping to work out this time! I am becoming a flan expert!
About 5am Sunday morning I woke up with very itchy eyes, so after about half an hour of trying to sleep I decided to take some Benadryl. Ended up sleeping most of Sunday except for the brief trip to M.'s parents where everyone loved my flan, and then I stay up for the Survivor finale.
So I guess that brings us up to today...
Monday Morning Snark: This won't be much of a snark for those who enjoy coming here mainly for the snarkiness. The only thing I have to snark about at this moment is a coworker's new tops. Last week we were dazzled (fancy word for blinded) by some big floral concoction and today it's zebra-like swirly stripes. This particular coworker must have been told by someone that her old wardrobe was too blah, so now we are subjected to loud patterns and bright colors. I personally preferred the blah...
Wordiness about the Weekend: Most of my readers know it was my birthday Saturday. Because age means nothing to me, I don't mind putting it out there that I am now 29 years old and I do not fear the approaching 30. So for my birthday M. and I went out to lunch and to a movie.
But before we went on birthday fun we made a stop at Lowes so M. could get a mother's day present (way to wait until nearly the last minute!!). He picked out a very nice bamboo wind chime. But guess what? We have to take it back because when his mom opened it yesterday one of the ceramic butterflies and bamboo thingys was missing. It figures we would get the defective one! After Lowes, it was off to lunch...
I got to choose where we ate, and instead of the old standby sit down restaurant (Applebees) I decided we'd venture to TGIFridays - even though it is attached to the mall, the most evil, evil shopping place. I also made M. drive so I didn't have to get stressed out by the last minute Mother's Day shopping traffic.
I ate at a TGIFridays a looong time ago during my first year of college. M. had never ate at one, so it was like a whole new experience for us. Matt had a 'petite sirloin' with a side of very yummy white cheddar jalapeno macaroni. (Kudos to M. for not getting chicken fingers!) I am typically not a big red meat eater, but I decided to try something different and went with the week 3 winner from the Ultimate Recipe Showdown on Food Network - the Chipotle Grilled Steak Sandwich. I was a little weary of this dish since it was steak and plantains, but decided to go for it anyway and it was delicious! (I had mine with fries instead of the onion rings, but M. and I really shared his macaroni as a side to both our lunches.)
We then stopped at the theater to see Baby Mama. Now M. was not thrilled about seeing this movie, but again, my birthday, my choice. He ended up liking it much more than he thought he would. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler = very funny movie. Romany Malco was also in the movie (and has the lines from which the movie gets it's title). M. and I have enjoyed Romany's acting since seeing him in The 40 Year Old Virgin. We didn't know Romany was in the movie, so that was a nice surprise. If you enjoy comedy movies and don't get hung up on un-PC comments made in the movie, go see this one!
When we got home Clyde had decided to leave a nice present in the middle of the living
room - a hairball. Since it was my birthday that present was for M. Then it was present time for me. M. got me a new set of knives - he almost got me a new mixer, but fortunately he is a devoted Snark Chronicle reader and found out that a mixer wouldn't really help me out all that much. M. even consulted with his mom to make sure he got some good knives (OXO Good-Grips). I've not had a chance to use them yet, but they sure do look nice on my counter! I also have a pair of kitchen shears coming for the slot in the front and another knife to fill out all the slots. (M. ordered in plenty of time, but these two pieces were shipped by the ultra slow USPS.)
M.'s mom got me a Xyron adhesive runner. This will come in very handy so I'm not gluing my fingers together or getting glue all over my craft table when working on traditional paperart crafts. My parents sent me some cash.After all the birthday fun I made a flan to take to M.'s parents on Sunday for Mother's Day. I even got the caramelized topping to work out this time! I am becoming a flan expert!
About 5am Sunday morning I woke up with very itchy eyes, so after about half an hour of trying to sleep I decided to take some Benadryl. Ended up sleeping most of Sunday except for the brief trip to M.'s parents where everyone loved my flan, and then I stay up for the Survivor finale.
So I guess that brings us up to today...
Monday Morning Snark: This won't be much of a snark for those who enjoy coming here mainly for the snarkiness. The only thing I have to snark about at this moment is a coworker's new tops. Last week we were dazzled (fancy word for blinded) by some big floral concoction and today it's zebra-like swirly stripes. This particular coworker must have been told by someone that her old wardrobe was too blah, so now we are subjected to loud patterns and bright colors. I personally preferred the blah...
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Meet the Snark
This is the Snark. He's the little green goobly who lives in my mind. Sometimes he gets pretty nasty and says snarky, quippy things - that's what the blog is mainly about. Who doesn't like to read a good snark? Snark can also be warm and snuggly - sometimes he just feels that way and has to give out a 'warm snarky.' I love my Snark and if you're a frequent visitor to my blog you love him too!
Oh, come on!
Do I really need to type up an email for you consisting of 70 words, six of which are your signature line?! In the time it took you to write it out, walk it down to my office, explain what the email is, and asked me to type it, you could have typed the dang thing yourself!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
And the Snark, It Just Keeps A-Comin'...
This message just popped into my email inbox:
Thank you for your recent purchase from FTD.COM. Our records show that itFTD, what the hell?! I specifically asked that the bonsai tree be delivered May 9th. (May 9th was the cheapest delivery option prior to Mother's Day.) Is today May 9th? No, FTD it is not! Now my retired father is sitting at home with my mom's Mother's Day gift and Mother's Day is still three days off.
has been delivered to 'my mom's name here'.
Oh by the way Ms. CS...
I have a birthday coming up. I'm not one to bemoan getting a year older, especially since I still feel the same as I did when I first married M., which was now almost 9 years ago. But at the office this means you get together with coworkers for some lunchtime fun and get cards and stuff like that.
Well, coworker CS came down to my office today and she hands me a card. The card's in an envelope and CS has made a note on the front reading, "DON'T OPEN UNTIL B-day" (that's her capitalization). My birthday is Saturday which means I must hold onto this card until then unopened - if I follow CS's directions, that is.
Hey CS, did you know that my sister, brother, and I did expert pre-Christmas snooping because we just had to know what we were getting even though it ruined the surprise? When my mom caught on and started wrapping the presents before hiding them, we delicately removed the tape, took a peek, and then re-taped them. That's how much we had to know what was in those packages! So, do you really think your envelope glue is going to hold up against that?
Well, coworker CS came down to my office today and she hands me a card. The card's in an envelope and CS has made a note on the front reading, "DON'T OPEN UNTIL B-day" (that's her capitalization). My birthday is Saturday which means I must hold onto this card until then unopened - if I follow CS's directions, that is.
Hey CS, did you know that my sister, brother, and I did expert pre-Christmas snooping because we just had to know what we were getting even though it ruined the surprise? When my mom caught on and started wrapping the presents before hiding them, we delicately removed the tape, took a peek, and then re-taped them. That's how much we had to know what was in those packages! So, do you really think your envelope glue is going to hold up against that?
Some Snark and Recent Reads
I'm not feeling the snark lately, but some things have happened today that set off a slight reading on my snark meter. For instance:
- It's Wednesday. Wednesdays mean meetings day at the good 'ole office. Meetings mean at least one good eye roll and several snarky moments. Today featured such memorable moments as bossman and another 'higher up' having a slightly argumentative discussion in front of the entire staff because this particular 'higher up' enjoys talking over bossman much to his irritation (and the irritation of those having to watch the spectacle). Also, I noticed my name was down on one of the meeting agendas to help out with a large task - but guess what? I had not been informed of my promised help. I love it when I am volunteered without my knowledge!
- It's Wednesday and because it's Wednesday and meeting day at the good 'ole office, that means not only do I get to spend at least an hour and a half sitting in meetings, I also get to type up all the minutes from the meetings! Yay! My question is this: why do I have to type up the darn minutes when a particular 'higher up' takes her own notes and mushes up my notes anyway?
- Why do people insist on sitting by me at lunch when the whole eatery is empty save for me and my book? Not only do they sit right near me, they talk loudly to the talk 5 feet away from them. I know I put off the super duper vibes, but please peoples - can't you see I am reading?!
- Can we please stop asking me to do things, then when I get them done, decide it should have been done a different way? So sorry I get things done on time and you didn't have time to rethink what you wanted done!
Okay, that's the snark for today thus far. I know, not terribly snarky, but it's the best I can do for now. I am quickly getting through my current book bag. I just finished up The Abstinence Teacher. Can't say I found a point to this book. It was an easy read, but when I got to the end today (despite the noisy neighbors at the local eatery), my only thought was, "And?" The main characters were 1) Tim the ex-drunk and addict, a born-again Christian, and 2) Ruth the sex ed teacher at a junior high who is being forced to teacher her students abstinence despite the fact she doesn't believe in the concept. Well, Tim is Ruth's daughter's soccer coach, so of course they have some run ins. Ruth gets particularly snarky when Tim decides to lead his soccer team in a group prayer after a game. But Tim and Ruth have a mutual attraction for one another. Throughout the course of the book Tim is doubting whether he can keep up the whole 'I live for Jesus' mentality while Ruth bemoans she has no man and the best prospect seems to be Tim who is married (albeit not happily) and who has religious beliefs she doesn't agree with. At the end of the book Tim is staying at Ruth's house on the couch because he can't decide what to do with his life and he can't go home to his wife and that's about it. It just ends.
So did Tim decide to stay on the Christian path? Did he sleep with Ruth? Did Ruth ever find any satisfaction in her employment or love life? Who knows. This was totally not my kind of book, but I picked it up because it was on some recommended reading list or had a high rating on Amazon.com, or something. I don't remember. But I would not recommend this book if you don't like at least a point to reading 350 pages... On to something I am a little more familiar with - Blaze by Richard Bachman (better known as Stephen King for those of you who didn't know).
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Online Forums
One of my favorite scrapping blogs has expanded their site to include more areas than just the blog and with that comes a forum. They used to post challenges on the blog, which I have in my Google reader for easy follow-along. Where have they moved the challenge postings? Into the forum.
As you probably do when reading many of my posts, you're thinking, "So what?" Well, mostly I really hate online forums. Most of them make me very snarky. There are several reasons (not all pertaining to the particular forum mentioned above):
As you probably do when reading many of my posts, you're thinking, "So what?" Well, mostly I really hate online forums. Most of them make me very snarky. There are several reasons (not all pertaining to the particular forum mentioned above):
- Many forum-owner, runners, whatever they are called, do not know how to adequately organize their forums or set them up right, whatever. I hate having to search around a forum for the info I want or need because the organization sucks. I also hate scrolling through 10 pages to find the most recent post, or the intent of the entire thread.
- Often times the thread headings/titles are misleading and I spend time scrolling through a thread that sounded helpful from the title, but in reality, has nothing to do with what I was originally looking for.
- Insane avatars and "blinkies" - good lord! Some people have the most annoying and distracting avatars on these forums. I can't read through the threads because it takes an hour for the page to load because of the insane avatars. Also affecting page loads (especially on craft/scrapping forums) are these things called "blinkies." They are flashy graphics that scroll store names, "fan of," and other messages. Some have the intent to give people seizures, I think.
- People who have signatures that go on for a paragraph snark me off! Sure, a nice short quote is lovely in a signature. But do we need to have five graphics, a poem, all the members of our household, plus our name (in flashing, glittery graphics) in the signature line? Seriously, often times these people's actual post message are shorter than their signatures.
- Speaking of messages, one of the most annoying aspects of online forums, at least to me, are the no-purpose messages. Do we really need to dedicate an entire post in a thread to say "ok," "yes," "no," "I agree?" I have to scroll through about 50 of these little quips just to get to a post of substance. Grrrr!
So there you have it - online forums are not my friends!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Oh my luck, it does suck!
You know about my dreadful car experiences over the past couple weeks, what I forgot to tell you is that when the service center shuttle picked me up last night: he first forgot to call me when he was on his way. He called me right when he was here which made me rush out and I forgot my returns for the dreaded mega store and had to come back to the office to pick them up after getting the loaner PT Cruiser. Not too bad, right? But then the shuttle driver decided to pass someone waiting to make a left turn on our way back to the service center. So what you might think. Well, he passed the left turner on the left side!! There is a turn lane at this particular area; however it is hard to determine if it's a turn lane to get into the gas station on the left side of the road or a turn lane for left turners at the light - they are very close together. This particular left turner decided the turn lane was only for the light and didn't get into the turn lane. So Mr. Shuttle Driver, brilliant man that he was, uses the turn lane to pass the person waiting to make the left turn. Arrrggg! That was a "smash me to bits" moment that almost happened.
Okay, you've probably had enough about the car to last your entire lifetime. So now on to this afternoon. I had a haircut scheduled for 12:15. I only get my hair cut about twice a year because it's a hassle to go over and do it, plus it's expensive. Anyway, I get to the salon and tell them I have a 12:15 appointment with Carrie. The receptionist looks all confused and says, "Carrie? Are you sure?" I tell her I am and she starts putting info into her computer and finds that yes, I have a 12:15 appointment with Carrie, but so does some Marsha person. Well, skippy for Marsha, but I was there early, so there! I got my hair cut by Carrie, but had to switch stations for the blow dry.
I know, I know, not horrendous, but it just adds to my bad luck streak lately. I'm ready to go home and sit in my recliner and not move until this black cloud moves on to someone else.
Oh, and what is up with Google today? My email logs me off, it won't save or spell check my blog posts and reader is always 'loading.' Google gets my first 'Big Eye Roll' in a long time!!
Okay, you've probably had enough about the car to last your entire lifetime. So now on to this afternoon. I had a haircut scheduled for 12:15. I only get my hair cut about twice a year because it's a hassle to go over and do it, plus it's expensive. Anyway, I get to the salon and tell them I have a 12:15 appointment with Carrie. The receptionist looks all confused and says, "Carrie? Are you sure?" I tell her I am and she starts putting info into her computer and finds that yes, I have a 12:15 appointment with Carrie, but so does some Marsha person. Well, skippy for Marsha, but I was there early, so there! I got my hair cut by Carrie, but had to switch stations for the blow dry.
I know, I know, not horrendous, but it just adds to my bad luck streak lately. I'm ready to go home and sit in my recliner and not move until this black cloud moves on to someone else.
Oh, and what is up with Google today? My email logs me off, it won't save or spell check my blog posts and reader is always 'loading.' Google gets my first 'Big Eye Roll' in a long time!!
Blah Morning
Well, I did not win the standing mixer from Pioneer Woman, but oh well. I got to thinking yesterday, I barely use my hand mixer (not much of a baker) so do I really need to use up counter space on a standing mixer? If it was free, sure, otherwise, probably not. What I do need is a really good set of knives...
More drama with my car: I finally got a call from Sherry at the service center yesterday at about the time I am supposed to head home for the day. Apparently, one of the parts they put in on one of my cars previous visits was "bad." They are now going to replace that part. When Sherry called, she asked if that was okay? I told her fine, but I needed my car that night to get home. Well, they had the thing all tore apart, so it was not going to be done last night. (What choice did I really have then?) So today I am driving a "loaner" PT Cruiser. The car itself is okay, but someone with children obviously had it before me and the service center did not clean it before I took it out. There are toys on the floor and stains on the seats - it's kind of yucky. I also thought as pay back to the service center I was going to use as much of their gas as possible while I have this loaner. But guess what, I am supposed to return the thing with as much gas as it had when I took it, so there goes that idea. I'm actually going to have put some gas in the thing. (It had less than a quarter of a tank when I took it and now the gas light is on - I do not have good luck with car lights...)
Plus I was not all that inspired to do the Sunshine Studio Scraps challenge last night, but I did it and already had a comment on my layout this morning, so that put a little light in this blah morning. Let's see how the rest of the day goes.
More drama with my car: I finally got a call from Sherry at the service center yesterday at about the time I am supposed to head home for the day. Apparently, one of the parts they put in on one of my cars previous visits was "bad." They are now going to replace that part. When Sherry called, she asked if that was okay? I told her fine, but I needed my car that night to get home. Well, they had the thing all tore apart, so it was not going to be done last night. (What choice did I really have then?) So today I am driving a "loaner" PT Cruiser. The car itself is okay, but someone with children obviously had it before me and the service center did not clean it before I took it out. There are toys on the floor and stains on the seats - it's kind of yucky. I also thought as pay back to the service center I was going to use as much of their gas as possible while I have this loaner. But guess what, I am supposed to return the thing with as much gas as it had when I took it, so there goes that idea. I'm actually going to have put some gas in the thing. (It had less than a quarter of a tank when I took it and now the gas light is on - I do not have good luck with car lights...)
Plus I was not all that inspired to do the Sunshine Studio Scraps challenge last night, but I did it and already had a comment on my layout this morning, so that put a little light in this blah morning. Let's see how the rest of the day goes.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Car Service Place
This is a snarky post - a hate post even - about the place that is currently servicing my car. Also known as the place that has serviced my car three times now in the past 2.5 weeks.
I dropped my car off at 7:30 AM so they can once again try to determine why the check engine light is on. They are supposed to call me on my cell phone once said problem is known. So I wait, and wait, and wait... finally about 3:15 PM I decide I'm tired of waiting so I call over to the service place and ask for "Sherry" who is supposed to be working on my car (and has worked on it the previous two times it was there).
It always takes some time for Sherry to get to the phone, but finally she comes on. I tell her who I am and that I am calling to check on my car. She is all, "ummm, hmmm" and finally spits out that some hose is leaking, that they've run a smoke test, and "he" (whoever he is) is working on it. I ask Sherry how much this is going to cost and she is all "umms" and "hmms" again and then says, "Nothing yet, we haven't found the leak yet."
But Sherry, I thought you just told me:
I dropped my car off at 7:30 AM so they can once again try to determine why the check engine light is on. They are supposed to call me on my cell phone once said problem is known. So I wait, and wait, and wait... finally about 3:15 PM I decide I'm tired of waiting so I call over to the service place and ask for "Sherry" who is supposed to be working on my car (and has worked on it the previous two times it was there).
It always takes some time for Sherry to get to the phone, but finally she comes on. I tell her who I am and that I am calling to check on my car. She is all, "ummm, hmmm" and finally spits out that some hose is leaking, that they've run a smoke test, and "he" (whoever he is) is working on it. I ask Sherry how much this is going to cost and she is all "umms" and "hmms" again and then says, "Nothing yet, we haven't found the leak yet."
But Sherry, I thought you just told me:
- a hose is leaking
- you ran a smoke test
- "he" is working on it
So what the hell is "he" doing to my car?! I am doomed to be stuck in my office all night - M. is going to a political thingy with his folks tonight and won't be home until late. I hate, hate, hate the service center - and Sherry!
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